Travel in a foreign country is fraught with excitement. But along with excitement comes uncertainty. If you're a first-time traveler, you'll wonder such things as what's the cheapest way to get from the airport to your hotel?, or where is the best place to exchange money?
Indeed, it's the little things that trip you up.For example, you could find yourself in a predicament if you failed to validate your train pass on the first leg of your journey. Or you could become disoriented if you boarded a subway without first knowing how the system is laid out and what, exactly, its directional signs mean.
Your plight is even more challenging if you're in a country that doesn't speak your language.
The best way to avoid self-inflicted trouble is to consult an expert before setting foot on foreign soil.
A well-traveled travel agent is one source of advice. Foreign government tourist offices are another.
Countries throughout the world have tourist offices in the United States. They answer questions and provide Americans with information about their native lands.
They'll mail you free brochures, maps and accommodation listings upon request. Unless you ask for information about a particular city or region, you will receive a packet of general information.
The British Tourist Authority (BTA), for example, will send you brochures on England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that include maps and suggestions on what to do and see. You'll also get a general information pamphlet that explains how to use public transportation.
The Austrian National Tourist Office will send you a picture brochure, a road map and a booklet with general information about Austria.
If you contact the French Government Tourist Office, you will receive a "discovery" kit that includes general information about France, a booklet of discount coupons, a list of welcome centers throughout the country that offer advice and information (from people who speak English), and a directory of small hotels and country inns.
To receive information about France, either write the French Government Tourist Office in Los Angeles or call a 900-number in New York City. The phone call costs 50 cents a minute. An average call lasts 11/2 minutes, according to Kajsa Agostini of the Los Angeles office.
If you are traveling through a particular region, the French tourist office will send you a computer-generated personalized itinerary.
The key to getting the most out of travel brochures is to read them carefully. "Get good material that explains everything," says Agostini.
The French brochure, for instance, tells you how to use the Paris subway. It also lists a toll-free phone number good throughout France for 24-hour travel assistance in English.
Most of the foreign government tourist offices that include Utah in their jurisdictions are on the West Coast. Here's a list of addresses, phone numbers and fax numbers. If you're heading abroad this summer, it's not too early to send away for information.
Austrian National Tourist Office
11601 Wilshire Blvd., #2480
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 477-3332 Fax (310) 477-5141
Bahamas Tourist Office
44 Montgomery St., #500
San Francisco, CA 94101
(415) 398-5502 Fax (415) 397-6309
Bermuda Department of Tourism
3075 Wilshire Blvd., #601
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 388-1151 Fax (213) 487-5467
British Tourist Authority
World Trade Center
350 S. Figueroa St., #450
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 628-3525 Fax (213) 687-6621
British Virgin Islands Tourist Board
1686 Union St., #305
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 775-0344 Fax (415) 775-2554
Canadian Consulate General
50 Fremont St., #2100
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 495-6021 Fax (415) 541-7708
Republic of China Tourism Bureau
166 Geary St. #1605
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 989-8677 Fax (415) 989-7242
Cook Islands Tourist Authority
6033 W. Century Blvd., #690
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 216-2872 Fax (310) 216-2868
Danish Tourist Board
P.O. Box 16617
Beverly Hills, CA 90209
(213) 936-0975 Fax (213) 936-0977
Fiji Visitors Bureau
5777 W. Century Blvd., #220
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 568-1616 Fax (310) 670-2318
Finnish Tourist Board
1900 Ave. of the Stars, #1070
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 277-5226 Fax (310) 277-4067
French Government Tourist Office
9454 Wilshire Blvd., #303
Los Angeles, CA 90212
(900) 990-0040
(the call costs 50 cents a minute)
German National Tourist Office
11766 Wilshire Blvd., #750
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 575-9799 Fax (310) 575-1565
Greek National Tourist Office
611 W. 6th St., #2198
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 626-6696 Fax (213) 489-9744
Hong Kong Tourist Association
10940 Wilshire Blvd., #1220
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 208-4582 (310) 208-1869
Government of India Tourist Office
3550 Wilshire Blvd., #204
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 380-8855 Fax (213) 380-6111
Indonesia Tourist Promotion Office
3457 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 387-8309 Fax (213) 380-4876
Irish Tourist Board
23331 El Toro Rd., #210
El Toro, CA 92630
(714) 859-3119 Fax (714) 859-3578
Israel Government Tourist Office
6380 Wilshire Blvd., #1700
Los Angles, CA 90048
(213) 658-7462 Fax (213) 658-6543
Italian Government Tourist Board
12400 Wilshire Blvd., #550
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 830-0098 Fax (310) 820-6357
Japan National Tourist Organization
360 Post St., #601
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 989-7140 Fax (415) 398-5461
Kenya Tourist Office
9150 Wilshire Blvd., #160
Los Angeles, CA 90212
(310) 274-6635 Fax (310) 859-7010
Korea National Tourism Corporation
3435 Wilshire Blvd., #350
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 382-3435 Fax (213) 480-0483
Macau Tourist Information Center
3133 Lake Hollywood Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90078
(213) 851-3402 Fax (213) 851-3684
Malaysian Tourist Information Center
818 W. 7th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 689-9702 Fax (213) 689-1530
Mexico Government Tourist Office
10100 Santa Monica Blvd., #224
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 203-8191 Fax (310) 203-8316
Netherlands Board of Tourism
90 New Montgomery St., #305
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 543-6772 Fax (415) 956-2093
Philippine Department of Tourism
3660 Wilshire Blvd., #216
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 487-4525 Fax (213) 386-4063
Singapore Tourist Promotion Board
8484 Wilshire Blvd., #510
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(213) 852-1901 Fax (213) 852-5812
South African Tourism Board
9841 Airport Blvd., #1524
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 641-8444 (310) 641-5812
Tourist Office of Spain
8383 Wilshire Blvd., #960
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(213) 658-7188 (213) 658-1061
Swiss National Tourist Office
222 N. Sepulveda Blvd., #1570
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 335-5980 Fax (310) 335-5982
Tahiti Tourist Promotion Board
300 N. Continental Blvd., #180
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 414-8484 Fax (310) 649-8490
Tonga Consulate General
360 Post St., #604
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 781-0365 Fax (415) 781-3964
Tourism Authority of Thailand
3440 Wilshire Blvd., #1100
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 382-2353 Fax (213) 389-7544
U.S. Virgin Islands
3460 Wilshire Blvd., #412
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 739-0138 (213) 739-2005