Once you've settled on a trip, you'll need some travel gear to aid you in your journey: The most important "gear' you'll need is travel documents, particularly if you plan to travel outside your own country. As soon as you determine that you're going to take a trip, it's a good idea to get started on obtaining them. The below web sites will help you plan and be well prepared for your trip. They include Travel Documents, Cool Tools Online to Help You Plan Your Trip, Maps, Travel Advisories, Language Help and Travel Savvy: How-To Information for Travelers.
Among the most important travel documents you'll need if you travel abroad are a passport from your own country, a visa (if needed) for the country or countries you plan to visit, perhaps a certificate of vaccinations if you plan to travel to countries with special health problems, and perhaps international health insurance if your regular health insurance doesn't cover you in other countries. Another document that you may find useful is an international driver's license (particularly for non-Western countries).
Traveler's checks also are advisable when carrying large amounts of money and generally for travel in other countries. You can get them from your own bank, as well as American Express and the UK-based Thomas Cook Travel, two companies that have tourist offices around the world at major travel sites. These companies also provide currency exchanges, mail drops and other services. You can check with your bank to see if it has branches or affiliates in other countries, in which case, you may be able to use its services while overseas. Most major banks will arrange large transfers of funds from your home bank for a fee.
In-depth information on what documents to obtain is at the web site What Documents You Need on a Trip. A helpful site to guide you in filling out applications for passports and visas is Travel Document Jargon. Below are sites with specific information on travel documents -- some allow online ordering of documents. Below are sites with specific information -- some allow online ordering of documents.