“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” ~Mark Twain

Living the Gentleman Spy lifestyle means international travel. But too many men, even if they have a passport and have traveled out of the country, aren't prepared to travel well.

Being ready to live an international lifestyle is a lot more than just having your passport and an old suitcase tucked away in a closet.

From having your documents ready to keeping a dopp kit stocked and ready to go, to knowing what you need to pack so you're not worried about it at the last minute, there is a lot you can do to make travel more convenient, comfortable, and safer.

Passport

Living the Gentleman Spy lifestyle means international travel. But too many men don’t even have a valid passport to start with.

If you don't have a valid passport, get one.
If you have a passport that expires in the next six months to year, renew it now.

Your passport is good for 10 years once you receive it. You don't want to look like a bum on an official document you'll use for 10 years, so take steps to look your best.

1. Fill out the application paperwork (United States, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand).
2. Get a fresh haircut and shave.
3. Put on your best clothes (suit if you have one, dress shirt, polo shirt, etc.).
4. Get your passport picture taken.
5. For renewals, send in the application paperwork, two passport photos, your old passport (if applicable), and the application fee.
   • For your first passport or when getting passports for your children, you'll need to apply in person. Bring all the paperwork above, plus a government issued photo ID and proof of citizenship like a birth or naturalization certificate.
   • The US Department of State offers an optional Passport Card. This driver's license-sized card is valid at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Unless you're really strapped for cash, there's no reason not to also get this as an inexpensive and convenient backup travel document

Once your application is sent in, it can take a couple of months to receive your passport, so get the process moving now.

Multiple Passports and Dual Citizenship

Many people don't know you can have multiple valid passports. This is often not necessary but can be a good idea.

If you travel to volatile or politically sensitive areas like the Middle East and Israel, you may need multiple passports or risk being questioned, detained, or even imprisoned.
If you frequently have your passport stuck in foreign embassies or consulates waiting on necessary visas, then a second passport can prove invaluable.
Traveling with a second passport gives you redundancy and protection in case a passport gets lost or stolen.

The process for obtaining a duplicate passport is just like the first one with the additional step of requiring a letter detailing why you need a second passport. One paragraph is sufficient, with your best bets for success including itineraries to sensitive countries and/or previous international travel where having a second passport would have been beneficial. Because requirements may vary depending on processing locations, obtaining duplicate passports make the use of a visa and passport agency worthwhile.

Duplicate passports in the US are only valid for two years instead of the usual ten, so this might not be a cost-effective route for everybody but is worth considering for many.

Even better than having two valid US passports is having passports from multiple countries. Many people are not aware that your passport can be revoked for myriad reasons. Having multiple active and valid passports from different countries insulates you from all kinds of potential problems.

If you have dual citizenship but you don't have active passports from both countries, get them. If you already have multiple passports, make sure they are both are valid and current. Like your primary, any alternate passports should be renewed with more than enough time to spare.

If you think you could be eligible for dual citizenship, find out. If you have parents or grandparents that are immigrants or dual citizens, see if that citizenship can be passed on to you, and even better if both parents or grandparents are from different countries. Whatever hoops you have to jump through to obtain this, do so.

Do not forego applying for multiple citizenship/passports because of which country it is. Many people disregard getting or maintaining their citizenship/passport because it's from a developing nation that doesn't hold the same weight that a passport from a rich, Western nation does. A second, or third, or fourth passport is inherently valuable, regardless of which country issued it.

As soon as you receive your passport, apply for Global Entry, SmartGate, Registered Traveller, or your country’s trusted traveler program. There will be an application fee to pay and an interview process to go through, but for the frequent traveler, these programs will save you countless hours in airport security and customs checkpoints.

For the select few who are worried about giving their biometric data to their government, first, remember that Bond, Bourne, and every other real-life spy has given far more to their own governments. We are living in — or working towards — the post-privacy age. If your government doesn’t already have your fingerprints and biometric data, they will soon, or will migrate towards such a police state where it won’t matter anyway.

Many parts of the world require proof of vaccination in order to come into the country, especially going to or coming from third world countries. To facilitate that, the World Health Organization issues an international certificate of vaccination (ICV) called a Yellow Card or Carte Jaune.

You may be able to get your yellow card through your primary doctor, but it's more likely you'll need to visit a travel medicine clinic. You should have the record of your routine vaccinations listed on your yellow card, as well as any special or required vaccines.

The yellow fever vaccine is required for much travel but is not routinely administered in developed countries. Cholera, hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, Meningococcal meningitis, polio, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, and typhoid are also commonly required vaccinations.

NOTE: Most people will have received only the most basic routine vaccinations, if they even received those. Some, like military personnel or health care providers may have received a more comprehensive immunization battery, but you should still check and see what needs to be updated.

If you have the means, are healthy enough to receive them, and want to be more prepared for anything life throws at you, it is a good idea to get the most complete list of vaccines you can.

Check the vaccine list in the Gentleman Spy Emergency Information Report or visit the CDC's vaccination page for a list of available and recommended vaccines.

While carrying the yellow card is not necessary in many parts of the world, it is never a bad idea, so take the time now to get it, rather than scrambling to get it done days before your next trip.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a valid form of identification and license to drive in more than 175 countries worldwide and translates your information into 10 languages. It is highly recommended or required if you plan to drive in many countries, and not a bad idea to have in any case.

IDP's aren't state-issued documents — they're available via automotive/motoring clubs. In the United States, contact AAA or AATA. In the UK, it's RAC or AA and CAA in Canada. Australia varies by state and for New Zealand, it's AA. For other countries, a quick google search will give you what you need.

Keep your International Driving Permit and Yellow Card with or inside your passport or passport wallet so you're always ready to go.

In most cases and countries, you can travel freely and easily. But what if something happens?

Many countries offer the ability to register your travel plans with the State Department or foreign ministry. You can register your anticipated dates of travel, passport information, contact information, and more. If something happens, from getting robbed to being stuck in a country going through a coup, previously registering with the consulate or embassy in the country you're visiting could greatly expedite your chances of getting out or getting help quickly and safely.

Registering your travel plans isn't just about registering with government agencies. Increasing anti-fraud measures implemented by most banks and credit card companies mean that if you travel internationally (sometimes even domestically), you may find your credit card blocked. This presents problems because even calling internationally to unblock your card would require you to use your credit card to make the call.

Take care of this beforehand by calling your company and informing them of your travel location and travel dates.

You have no expectation of privacy when crossing international borders.

Even for American citizens entering the United States, agents routinely confiscate, search, and clone electronics like phones and computers.

For those with information on your devices that you would rather allow the whole world access to, your best option is to travel with sanitized and/or encrypted electronics, although this is neither convenient or easy.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has a comprehensive guide to assess risk factors and inform potential actions and countermeasures.

Most countries throughout the world impose at least some type of control here, and high-level technical surveillance should be expected by anybody traveling to or from the United States, Russia, China, and many other countries to a lesser degree.

If you choose to take your computer, cell phone, camera, etc. through an international border crossing, you must expect that any or all data, contacts, e-mails, pictures, videos, social media profiles, and continued access to all the above may end up in the government's hands.

If you're okay with a bunch of border patrol agents, cops, or foreign government officials rifling through your pictures, texts, and e-mails at their leisure, then don't worry about this. If you think that your correspondence and information is something to be protected, then take measures to make that happen.

With all the necessary documentation taken care of, the next step is making sure you're equipped to travel. Even if you don't think you're likely to spend more than the odd weekend on a road trip away from home, having appropriate luggage and toiletries always ready to go gives you options.

Whether it's a last-minute trip to the Bahamas, a medical emergency, or a stay over at a friend's house, being able to pick up a couple of bags and be ready to go is far superior to having to rummage through your closets and bathroom in order to stay away from home.

You should have a toiletry bag (Dopp kit) always packed and a carry-on bag that fits exactly what you need so you can be ready to travel on a moment’s notice.

You shouldn’t need to ransack your own bathroom and medicine cabinet to pack for a trip. Your toiletry kit should be packed and ready to go. When you return home, refill what you used and store it for the next trip.

The bag itself doesn’t have to be anything special. For those on a budget, a zip-lock bag works surprisingly well. Stepping up from there are the versatile Pack-it cubes from Eagle Creek, Index series from Arc’teryx, GoRuck Field Pocket, and similar solutions. At the high end are canvas, nylon, or leather Dopp kits from leather merchants and luggage manufacturers.

You can buy specific travel size versions of your toiletries, or you can purchase travel tubes and fill them with the stuff you already have at home. It doesn’t matter which way you go, just build a fully stocked kit that is always ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Rather than pack your existing hair brush, nail clippers, and accessories, buy duplicates to keep in your travel bag.

For almost all travel the recommendation is to go carry-on only. Whether you’re traveling across the country or across the world, you can pack for a one day or one-year trip in a single bag. Seriously.

The only deviations from this should be domestic travel where you will be flying with firearms, or travel requiring highly specialized equipment lists like dive or mountaineering trips.

For your luggage you have a wide range of options, from traditional luggage suppliers to outdoor gear manufacturers to ultralight packing specialists.

Many business travelers prefer wheeled luggage as they will simply be moving from their home, via hired transport to the airport, via hired transport to a hotel. When everything is taken care of for you, this is a fine option. But for those adventurous souls who will go out and explore the world, wheeled luggage is a horrible idea.

Stick with a lightweight bag that doubles as a backpack or shoulder bag. This gives you more options than you would have with wheeled bag, and infinitely more possibilities than if you packed multiple traditional suitcases and had to lug them around everywhere you go. Whether it's a trip across the country, deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan, or visiting relatives in Uganda, a GoRuck GR1 or GR2, and/or a Saddleback duffel bag worked just fine. Armor, ballistic helmet, blow-out kits, and more fit just fine inside the leather duffel bag and necessary clothing for 120° summers and 30° winters packed just fine into the GR2 with room to spare. No schlepping wheeled luggage through sand, mud, or third world transportation — just pick it up and go.

Arc'teryx, Eagle Creek, GoRuck, Minaal, Red Oxx, Tom Bihn, and more offer excellent choices with style options and price points to match any needs.

Your packing list will vary depending on where you’re going, when, for what purpose. A business trip to London in the winter will require different choices than a weekend jaunt to the Bahamas to relax on the beach and by the pool.

As a general rule, you’ll want to pack at least one set of nicer clothes. This could be a suit, or nicer casual clothes with a jacket. This will serve your business functions or nicer dinners out. Even if you don’t anticipate going anywhere that requires nice clothes and a jacket, packing at least one nice pair of slacks and a blazer or odd jacket keeps you prepared for anything in a way that only bringing flip flops and a bathing suit never will.

The rest of your needs will vary depending on setting and scenario but keep it simple.

If you’re traveling for business, one suit and a blazer or two suits with a few dress shirts and maybe one or two more casual outfits should do the trick. One pair of dress shoes and one pair of nicer casual shoes round out the mix.

For a more casual trip, a blazer, a couple of pairs of slacks, one pair of jeans, a dress shirt or two, a couple polo shirts, and a t-shirt will take care of almost any scenario you will find yourself in. Wear a pair of desert boots on the plane and pack moccasins, boat shoes, or other casual shoes to go from a nice dinner to a day by the pool.

No matter where you are or what you’re doing, do not over pack.

When in doubt, remember that less is more and you can almost always buy whatever you will need, wherever you will go.

As you get used to the idea of carry-on only travel and traveling light, check out One Bag, One Bag One World, and Carryology for ideas and resources. You can also Google "One Bag Travel" for more ideas.