Packing for an international trip can be daunting. Shorts or long pants? One carry-on or two? Your favorite “Perot ‘92” t-shirt, or the less politically divisive “Who Pooted?” hoodie? The last thing you want when 1,000-plus miles away from home is to be uncomfortable…or unprepared. Enter technology, your trusted travel mate and much-needed necessity. So, in the interest of your summer vacation, we present to you the bare essentials for international travel.

Plug adapters and voltage converters

The absolute, no exceptions, very first thing you should throw in your suitcase—after your 3-pack of Bumpits — should be plug adapters and, if necessary, a voltage converter. Here in the States our AC outlets deliver 110 volts at 60Hz, while much of the world operates at 220 volts at 50Hz. (Plus, outlets overseas have prongs in places that would make U.S. electricians blush.) Many laptops, digital cameras, camcorders, MP3 players and other gadgets can handle voltage conversions on their own. To find out if your devices have this ability, check the power supply that came with it, or check the owner’s manual. If your power supply says “100V-240V, 50/60 Hz” and the local power runs at 220 volts at 50Hz, you should be fine with just a plug adapter. But remember, plug adapters don’t convert voltage, they only change the shape of the plug. So if your power supply only says “120V” (or less), you’ll need a voltage converter. Unfortunately, we don’t sell them. But since Voltage Valet has produced this handy, foreign electricity guide, we’ll give them a free plug. No pun intended.

Plug Adapters are cool, but don’t use them if your gadget can’t convert the power on its own. Serious damage can result if you do.

Camera and camcorder

What’s a European vacation without a couple hundred digital snapshots, video of you climbing a national monument, and a time-lapse of your subsequent incarceration? Well, good news! Both your camera and camcorder will work just fine internationally. Just remember to pack that plug adapter so you can charge ‘em back up. Packing a spare battery and a couple of extra memory cards is a good idea too. After all, you won’t find a Best Buy around every corner like here in the States. (Although we’re working on that… we now have stores in Canada, Mexico, China, Turkey and the UK.)

Portable entertainment

Traveling takes time, especially if you’re taking advantage of public transportation. So don’t forget to pack those essential gadgets to keep you entertained along the way. Handheld gaming consoles, eReaders and iPads make great travel companions, but if you only have room for one portable device, make it an iPod or MP3 player. After all, you never know how chatty (or creepy) the person sitting next to you will be. And if you want to protect yourself from crying babies (or complaining spouses), invest in some noise canceling headphones. Or, if you want to garner strange looks and, perhaps, lose the respect of the international community, put on your TV Hat.

Language translator

If you’re traveling to another country and you don’t speak the language, it’s always a good idea to have a translator along. However, hiring some bilingual dude to trail you can be expensive…and awkward. A better option is a handheld electronic translator. These newfangled gadgets can help you out in a pinch with reading signs, engaging in conversation and making sense of a menu. (“Bagushi” is skewered horse. Just an FYI.) Some of today’s pocket translators can do the talking for you, and many include extras such as currency and metric converters, calculators and world time clocks.

GPS

A GPS device can be a lifesaver in a new environment. The best part? The very same unit that gets you from home, across town, and back again can work internationally. Do a little research, however, before hoping on the plane, because you may need to download or purchase additional maps to ensure functionality overseas. And if you really want to impress the kids (and your GPS is a TomTom), you can buy SpongeBob or Dora the Explorer voices. Or, let your kids record their own voices with Garmin Voice Studio.

Netbooks and laptops

Can you get by without ‘em? Thanks to Internet cafés, yes. But if you have the space, bringing your own computer (or mini-computer) is way more convenient. Just be prepared to jump through a few extra hoops to connect that computer to the Internet. And be prepared to pay for it. Free Wi-Fi is about as common as a Loch Ness Monster sighting. Some hotels and hostels do offer free or cheap access, so do some research before booking your stay. But as a general rule, staying connected is a little harder internationally. Which brings us to the age-old question…

Should I take my cell phone?

In our opinion, yes. But using your mobile phone internationally can get complicated, and here’s why: There’s no one universal technological standard. Basically, there’s two: GSM and CDMA. In the U.S., both technologies are used—AT&T and T-Mobile are powered by GSM, while Sprint and Verizon operate with CDMA—but many other countries throughout the world limit access to users of one or the other. And, frequencies also vary from country to country.

So, if you’re planning on using your cell phone overseas, you should first look into whether your cell is compatible with your destination’s standards in the first place. Then there’s the matter of international roaming fees, which can be prohibitively expensive. Our advice? Call your carrier, tell them where you want to use your phone, and see what they say. They may be able to offer you a month-by-month international calling plan. Check your options, but don’t forget to ask them how much it’s all going to cost. Thick mobile bills make terrible souvenirs.

Add this SIM card to your unlocked, GSM phone and you should be good to go internationally.

If your phone is unlocked, you can swap out your SIM or RUIM card with a pre-paid European (or elsewhere) card. This will allow you to make and receive calls via a new temporary number without paying international fees. (By the way, Best Buy has a nice selection of unlocked phones and pre-paid cards.)

Or, if you decide to leave your precious mobile behind, you can use Skype to make voice and video calls over your computer to other Skype users for free. Or, you can set up a Skype “To Go” number that will allow you to make calls to any number, from any phone, at a fraction of the normal cost. Or, you can buy a pay-as-you-go phone upon arriving at your destination. Or, you can purchase a pre-paid calling card and find a pay phone…and some Germ-X.