An increasing number of old U.S. citizens are traveling abroad. The U.S. Department of State wants you to be prepared so that you can enjoy your trip. Please consider the following tips as you plan your travel.

Travel Documents.

【小题1】Some countries require that passports be valid for six months after your trip ends and some foreign countries require that U.S. travelers obtain a visa.

【小题2】

A secure way to maintain your emergency contact information is to enroll （登记）with our Smart Traveler Enrolment Program. Your information is stored securely and enables the American Embassy to contact you，your family，or your friends in an emergency according to your wishes.

Health Information.

Health care tops the list of concerns for many old U.S. citizens who are thinking about traveling abroad. Consult with your physician prior to your travel overseas to identify your health care needs at your destination. Research the environmental conditions at your overseas destination that may contribute to your specific health concerns. 【小题3】

Medical Insurance Beyond Medicare.

Medicare，the U.S. government health plan for people aged 65 years and older，does NOT cover health care overseas. 【小题4】 Many companies offer short-term health and emergency assistance policies to cover health care expenses incurred overseas，including emergency services such as medical evacuations（撤离）.

Smart Travel.

【小题5】Be aware that sudden changes in diet and climate can have serious health consequences for the unprepared traveler，no matter your age. At the same time，if you aren't sure about anything，turn to the Internet.

   If you'd like to go travelling，the following World Heritage Sites may be your best choices.

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area

Jiuzhaigou Valley，which lies in the northern part of Sichuan Province，China，reaches a height of more than 4,500m，with a series of different forests ecosystems. It's especially famous for its narrow landforms and excellent waterfalls. Some 140 kinds of birds also live in the valley, as well as a number of endangered plants and animals, including the giant panda. Jiuzhaigou Valley was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.

Khami Ruins National Monument

The city of Khami, which developed after the capital of Great Zimbabwe had been given up in the mid-16th century，is of great archaeological（考古的）interest. The discovery of objects from Europe and China shows that Khami was a centre for trade over a long period of time. It joined the World Heritage List in 1986.

Henderson Island

Henderson Island，which lies in the eastern South Pacific，is one of the few atolls in the world whose ecology（生态）has been untouched by humans. It is famous for the 10 plants and 4 birds that can only be seen on the island. It was recorded in the World Heritage List in 1988.

Old City of Jerusalem

As a holy city for three different religions（宗教）in the Middle East，Jerusalem has always been of great religious importance. It was given a World Heritage status in 1981 and placed on the“List of World Heritage in Danger”the following year.

Last summer I had chance to visit Paris. That attracted me most was the Eiffel Tower, which has became a symbol of France. I was deep impressed by its height. I had never seen such a tall building before! It is made of iron and it is about 10,000 tons in weight. There are 1,665 steps from the bottom to the top. Climb the tower made me very tired, and I was very excited. I took a lot of photo in Paris.

I have much memories and experiences to share with. I am so lucky to have seen such a culture so different from my own. I would remember my trip to France forever!

   Now many young people are travelling around the world on their own, not because they have no one to travel with, but because they prefer to go alone.

Kristina Wegscheider from California first travelled alone when she was at college and believed that it was something everyone should do at least once in their life. She said, “It opens your mind to new things and pushes you out of your comfort zone.” Wegscheider has visited 46 countries covering all seven continents.

In foreign countries, with no one to help you read a map, look after you if you get ill, or lend you money if your wallet is stolen, it is challenging. This is what drives young people to travel alone. It is seen as character building and a chance to prove that that can make it on their own.

Chris decided to leave his sales job in Australia to go travelling. He set up a website, The Aussie Nomad, to document his adventures. He said he wished he had travelled alone earlier. “The people you meet, the places you visit, or the things you do, everything is up to you and it forces you to grow as a person,” said the man.

Chris describes travelling alone will make you a more confident person that is ready to deal with anything. He said, “The feeling of having overcome something on my own is a major part of what drives me each day when I’m dealing with a difficult task. I walk around with my head up because I know deep down inside that nothing is impossible if you try.”

As the saying goes, “Only by going alone in silence can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness.”