As summer unfolds, many of us are packing our bags and heading out into the world—whether for business, adventure, or just a break from our inboxes. Travel can be enriching and restorative, but it’s also full of surprises (some better than others). Over the course of my career, I’ve traveled to more than 52 countries—and let’s just say, I’ve collected my fair share of travel stories. I’ve been detained, hospitalized, and abandoned on the side of the road more times than I’d like to admit! These experiences taught me a lot about what to do—and what not to do—when preparing for a trip.