Apply for Visas and Passports Well in Advance

If you're traveling to an Eastern European country that requires a visa for entry, plan ahead and apply early. Finalize the dates you will be traveling about 6 months in advance of your departure, then apply for your visa as soon as possible after that. Visa applications can be slow to process, and the wait for this document gets more agonizing the closer your travel date becomes.

It is also absolutely essential that you carry a valid passport. If you don't have a passport, apply for one as far in advance as possible. If you have a passport but notice that it will expire within th next six months, it's time to get it renewed. You can go to any U.S. Postal Service office for an application. In addition, you can visit usps.com for information about passport application and prices. The site also offers a service that allows you to check the status of your application.