Lunch time in Barcelona.

By LINDA RIPOLL and MYRA MCKELVIE

As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When it comes to your overseas trip, some careful preparation could be the difference between a lifetime of memories, and a nightmare you’d rather forget.

Many travelers solve this problem by hiring a full-service tour operator to ensure a worry-free experience, packed with nothing but highlights. Other travelers, however, consider this approach to be far too choreographed for their tastes. They think it will take away from the authentic travel experience. Do independent travelers take more risks? Not if they’re smart. You can retain all the spontaneity you want, if you’re ready for the unexpected.

Know the Culture and “How They Do Things Around Here”

Studying the culture of ancient Greece is one thing. Understanding how Greeks interact today is quite another. We’ll assume you know a few phrases to get what you want to eat at restaurants. However, while the server won’t bother you unless you request something, it is common to order more than once, and to ask about dishes that look interesting. Some Americans can be put off by what seems like poor service and leave thinking they were being ignored. Those who know to ask for service, on the other hand, discover that dining out in Greece is a friendly and relaxing experience.

If you are fortunate to have been invited to dinner, don’t even think about grabbing for the check – it’s humiliating for the host. But if you invited a guest to dinner, don’t expect him to split it with you. When it comes to cultural standards, there is a lot to learn. When should you tip and how much? What kind of dress is appropriate? What kinds of gestures are seen as rude? Going with the flow of the culture you visit does more than give you a sense for their way of life. It makes personal connections easier, and opens the door to more of the experiences you’re after.

Know the Law

Last year, a young couple was arrested in Dubai for kissing in public. Their sentence to a month in jail and a $270 fine, followed by immediate deportation, was upheld in an appeals court. An extreme example of surprising and confusing laws, to be sure, but this is a cautionary tale worth hearing, not just to bone up on what’s allowed and what isn’t in the country you’re visiting, but about how justice works.

Many parts of the world take law enforcement at it’s word, and presume suspects guilty until proven innocent. In many of those same places, police officers consider payoffs (especially from confused tourists) as part of their retirement plans. Knowing this, would you decide to part with $50 cash to avoid a trip to the station, or would you attempt to fight the injustice? Deciding how to navigate (and avoid) these touchy subjects in advance can help you decide, for example, whether you should rent a car, or use public transportation.

Buy a Calling Card or Cell Phone

Paying for international calls from abroad can be very expensive. A pre-paid calling card can help to mitigate that expense and make calling home a little easier. Of course, even if you have a card, many countries don’t have phones in every hotel room, which means waiting in line.

If you want more access to communication, consider buying or renting a cell phone that includes international rates. That way, you can always be reached and you always have your own “lifeline” available in any situation. Some travelers like that extra feeling of security. If you secure the phone in advance, you can often share the number with family and friends before you leave.

Build Extra Time (and Money) into Your Plans

Cancelled flights, severe weather, lost bags, getting sick – you can’t predict everything, but you can expect something to take longer than planned, and end up costing a little more. While travel insurance can help offset the price of misfortune, nothing helps more in the moment than some time to take a breather.

In addition to things going wrong, don’t forget that travel can be tiring! There’s nothing wrong with taking a nap before hitting the town for a late dinner. Besides, many people around the world aren’t nearly as concerned with time as Americans are. So, your schedule won’t always hold, no matter how much you try.

Carry an Extra File of Vital Info

Photocopy your passport, including the pages with the entry stamps and visas for the countries you are visiting, your driver’s license, birth certificate, credit cards, contact info for your hotels, and the US Embassy. Keep this information in your hotel safe or other secure place, away from your real passport, credit cards and cash. While you are en route with your bags, keep the envelope separate from your wallet. Recovering from a lost or stolen wallet is a whole lot easier when you have back up at the ready, and have followed our advice above and bought or rented a cell phone.

For the footloose traveler, going with the wind can be the most rewarding experience of all, but just because your activities aren’t planned out, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your homework.

Linda Ripoll is a senior editor at Without The Stress, a passport, travel visa, and immigration advisory firm located in Los Angeles. Myra McKelvie is one of the world’s foremost UK Immigration experts. She is currently offering consulting services at UK Immigration Without The Stress. Prior to her current role, she was an entry clearance officer (ECO) at the UK Consulate in Los Angeles for 15 years. Myra is originally from Glasgow, Scotland.