For Your Travels

Know Before You Go
Can you bring back a kangaroo coat you purchased in Australia? What do you have to declare? Can you mail packages home from abroad and not declare the items? All these are important questions to ask before you let your charge cards loose in a foreign country. The Customs Service has several interesting free pamphlets to get you headed in the right direction. Know Before You Go explains what you can and cannot bring into the country and explains what you must declare. International Mail Imports explains the rules regarding mailing packages from abroad. For either of these publications write: U.S. Customs Service, P.O. Box 7407, Washington, DC 20044; 202-927-2095.

Right-On Write-Offs
There's still time to take advantage of leftover tax laws that favor the well-heeled. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has changed some of the rules regarding business deductions, but there are still ways you can write off parts of your summer vacation as a business expense. Anyone can do it even if you're just an employee. Find out how by calling the IRS at 800-829-3676 and asking for a free copy of Publications 463, Travel, Entertainment, and Gift Expenses.

Far Shores, Far Out
Want to study art in Italy? How about orangutans in Sumatra? The Youth Programs Division of the U.S. Information Agency sponsors a bunch of exchange programs for daring young rebels. Awards aren't made to individuals, but to the International Education Travel and Exchange Programs which in turn sponsor youth between the ages of 15 and 30. A free listing of these programs titled Advisory List of International Educational Travel and Exchange Programs can be obtained from: Youth Programs Division, United States Information Agency, 301 4th St., SW, Room 314, Washington, DC 20547; 202-619-6299.

Where to Go
Deciding your vacation itinerary? The Recreation Guide to BLM Public Lands features a map outlining all of the public lands used as recreational areas. Designations on the map include campgrounds, visitors centers, national wild and scenic rivers, national wilderness areas, and national historic and scenic trails. Also included are the states that contain public lands, and state and district offices to contact for additional information. Contact: Office of Public Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior, 18th and C Sts., NW, Washington, DC 20240; 202-208-3171.

Fly Right
Which airline has the best ontime rate? Who loses the least amount of luggage? Which airport keeps on schedule the best? On which airline are you least likely to get bumped? All of the answers to these questions and more are available from The Air Travel Consumer Report, a monthly report issued by the Office of Consumer Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation. For your free copy contact: Office of Consumer Affairs, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th St., SW, Room 10405, Washington, DC 20590; 202-267-3520.

Call Mother Nature
Tired of the rat race and need some time to contemplate the meaning of life? Head to the woods for some relaxation. To find out more about the National Parks, such as facilities, activities, and accommodations, request a free "National Parks Information" packet. This includes a listing of the most frequently visited parks, regional park service offices, reservation information, and more. Contact: Office of Public Inquiries, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; 202-208-4747.

Why Are You Taking My...?
Avoid the embarrassment in Customs when your suitcase is emptied and confiscated. Know what you can and cannot bring back to the U.S. before you go. Travelers Alert! alerts travelers to the requirement to declare all fruits, vegetables, meat, plants, and more. Travelers' Tips lists what food, plant, and animal products can and cannot be brought into the U.S. from foreign countries. Why Are You Taking My...? is for inspectors to give to travelers explaining why items were confiscated. Contact: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 4700 River Rd., Unit 1A, Riverdale, MD 20737; 301-734-4821.

Travel Scams
Have you ever been tempted to buy one of those bargain-priced travel packages sold over the telephone? Be careful. Your dream vacation may turn into a misadventure if you fall victim to one of the many travel scams being sold over the phone which are defrauding consumers out of millions of dollars each month. If you feel you are a victim of just such a scam, or you want information on how to avoid them, request the free pamphlet, Telemarketing Travel Fraud. Contact: Federal Trade Commission, Marketing Practices, 6th and Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20580; 202-326-3128.

Camp USA
The National Forests are truly America's great outdoors. 155 National Forests stretch from Alaska to Puerto Rico and offer outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation. Wherever you are, you're probably no more than a day's drive from a National Forest, where you can hike, fish, camp, ski, or just sit back and enjoy the forest surroundings. A Guide To Your National Forests is a free publication which lists regional Forest Service offices, as well as addresses and phone numbers for each National Forest. Request your free guide today. Contact: Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 201 14th St., SW, Washington, DC 20250; 202-205-0957.

Take the Train
Fascinated by train travel? AMTRAK has a deal for you. They publish a travel planner which provides travel tips and services, as well as a listing of AMTRAK's vacation packages. For your free copy contact: AMTRAK, 60 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002; 800-USA-RAIL.

Travel on Uncle Sam's Expense Account
Are you an expert on a particular topic? Are you an artist? The U.S. Speakers Program will pay experts to travel abroad and participate in seminars, colloquia or symposia. Subjects treated by the program include economics, international political relations, U.S. social and political processes, arts and humanities, and science and technology. To see if you qualify, contact: U.S. Speakers, Office of Program Coordination and Development, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th St., SW, Room 550, Washington, DC 20547; 202-619-4764.

Before You Set to Sea...
Better check the weather. NAVINFONET provides free information for mariners, marine advisories, global positioning, and chart correction for ocean going ships. A weekly newsletter is published with charts and graphics, but electronic news is available immediately. For customer service information contact: NAVINFONET at 800-826-0342 (voice).

Not Just a Trip, but an Adventure
Planning a trip to Florida and want to know about the tourist attractions? You can call or write the Senator of the state you plan to visit to get information on tourist attractions. There is also information available from the Department of Tourism located in each State Capitol. Contact: Senator of your choice, The Capitol, Washington, DC 20510; 202-224-3121

George Washington Never Slept Here
The Advisory Council on Historic Places reviews Federal policies and procedures regarding preservation and enhancement of historic properties. They also maintain a free list of State Historic Preservation Officers, who can tell you about historic and archeological sites in their states, as well as direct you to the appropriate information sources. Contact: Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 809, Washington, DC 20004; 202-606-8503.

Do Some Research
Going to a country where you've never been before? Background Notes on the Countries of the World is a series of short, factual pamphlets with information on the country's land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, foreign relations, and U.S. foreign policy. Each pamphlet also includes a factual profile, brief travel notes, a country map, and a reading list. Contact: Public Affairs Bureau, U.S. Department of State, Room 4827A, 2201 C St., NW, Washington, DC 20520; 202-647-2518.

You Can Only Bring So Many
Think there is no limit to the amount of something you can bring? You are wrong. Trademark Information for Travelers is a free publication which describes 800 articles popular with tourists and which are registered with U.S. Customs. You can generally only bring in limited numbers of these articles. So before you spend your money, check it out. Contact: Information Services Division, Office of Logistics Management, U.S. Customs Service, U.S. Department of Treasury, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW. Washington, DC 20229; 202-927-2095.

3-2-1-Lift Off!
Want to see a shuttle lift off from the Kennedy Space Center, or just learn more about the Center? The John F. Kennedy Space Center will provide an information packet for those who want to learn more about the Space Center's accomplishments and function. Great for those wanting to learn more about space! Contact: John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA BOC-155, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899; 407-867-4050.

The White House
No trip to Washington is complete without a stop at the White House. But know before you go. White House Stone Carving: Builders and Restorers ($3.25) describes planning and construction of the White House as a large stone building. It shows the detailed carvings and mason markings in the stone exterior of the White House and illustrates the methods used to restore the stonework to its original condition. For your copy contact: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402; 202-512-1800.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Don't get lost up-creek without a paddle. The Army Corps of Engineers can teach you the proper way to handle a canoe or tie a line. They have a series of ten free brochures describing what recreation areas and services are available all over the country. Contact: ACE Publications Depot, 2803 52nd Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781; 301-436-2064.