When I was in high school and college, I took several years of Spanish and thought that I had a pretty good grasp of the language. That was until I actually went to Mexico for a vacation and discovered that I had not only forgotten most of everything I learned, but also that I couldn't ask many simple questions.

That's why I decided that whatever country I visited, I would always bring a travel phrasebook for their native language. It's not worth hoping that most of the people, even in a tourist destination, will speak English. It's easy to get lost while on a sightseeing trip or to get cutoff from your tour group. A travel phrase book will insure that you will not only be able to find a bathroom or a restaurant, but also your hotel and call for a cab.

They have books for almost every language you might encounter, so don't be afraid to take more than one if your touring several countries. If you enjoy traveling abroad, but can't seem to grasp languages, then a travel phrase book can literally be a lifesaver. Read more about Learn a Language: Travel Phrase Books

For most, the pictures taken during their travels are just for personal keepsakes, but there are some that aspire to see their photography in print. Whether you wish to contribute to magazines, books or calendars, there are rules to the game and certain pictures that have greater potential for selling. If you're interested into getting into professional travel photography, you'll need to know the ropes before jumping in. After all, travel is expensive and cameras, film, developing and equipment all carry considerable costs as well.

Just as in any endeavor, research is always the first step. Checking out different markets and what they're looking for from different locations, be it scenery or culture, is important. Also, finding out the ins and outs of legal responsibilities, like getting signed release from people captured in your photographic art is also important.

A great resource to begin with is Susan McCartney's Travel Photography: A Complete Guide to How to Shoot and Sell. She's very detailed and thorough about the process from start to finish and dishes out practical, straightforward advice that will save you a lot of time and frustration. She even includes model release forms in over 25 different languages. It's clear that McCartney is an experienced travel photographer and has spent a considerable amount of time thinking through and answering all the important questions a newbie would ask. Read more about Travel Photography: A Complete Guide to How to Shoot and Sell

There are over 20 Spanish speaking countries around the world just waiting to enrich your life with culture and beauty. If you're interested in visiting one of these amazing destinations, it's important to be able to communicate, even just a little, with those who live there. Sure, if you're going to a hot tourist spot or resort, the chances of being met with English-speaking employees is more likely, but if you want to get a real feel for the true essence of the culture, you have to be able to speak with the locals.

There's little worse than being in an unfamiliar place when you're in need of medical assistance, or heck, even a bathroom. When you're in an unfamiliar place and you can't ask anyone for help, that urgency and frustration can be multiplied exponentially.

If you're going to a Spanish-speaking nation, and aren't fluent in the language, you should bring along a couple types of books: a Spanish-English dictionary and an English-Spanish phrase book. Many travelers automatically bring the dictionary, which will get you by in a pinch for the little things, like getting to a restroom on time. It doesn't take more than a worried look and the word “baño” to get you where you need to go. But, if the thought, feeling or need you're trying to express goes deeper than that, having a phrase book can really help a great deal. Read more about Easy Spanish Phrase Book: Over 770 Basic Phrases for Everyday Use

There are countless books out there on travel. They cover everything from how to travel, where to travel, what to do when you get there and the best places to eat. Have you ever wondered how these people get the opportunity to write these books?

It sounds like a sweet deal doesn't it. Someone pays you to visit these exotic locales, try their food and write up a book about your experiences. As much as this sounds like a dream come true, it isn't as easy as it might seem.

Many travel books, magazines and web sites are looking for people who have already been there. If they are writing a book or want a story about Disneyworld restaurants, they want someone that has been there, do some research and write something up. These places don't want to pay a contract writer to visit these places. Read more about Becoming A Travel Writer