Most embassies provide some form of information for the traveller, which can be sent by post on request. This includes visa and health information news about currency controls and sometimes items such a motoring regulations, insurance requirements etc. Clearly, some governments, for their own reasons are much keener to encourage, or discourage certain kinds of visitors than others. For this reason, care and tact should always be used in approaching official representatives of countries you plan to visit, especially when it is know that the government - or, at any rate, influential factions within a country, may be indifferent or even hostile to Christianity, even to bodies with aims like those of Christians Aware. When applying for a visa, or when arriving in a country where visas are given on entry the purpose of your visit should always be stated simply as tourism. If you are asked before travel or on arrival to write on a visa form the name and address of local host contacts make sure that they have "cleared" your visit and are in good standing with the authorities. It is always a good idea to make contact with knowledgeable nationals of the countries concerned before you travel: they can tell you some of the things to do or not to do in their country, especially when approaching embassy officials or dealing with officials during your stay. In some cases, discretion may be needed in contacting foreign nationals living in this country before or after your trip: they may be political refugees etc. Some governments are more paranoid than others. Respect and honest shrewdness are the watchwords: always follow the "cues" of nationals (or local hosts) in countries you visit. Never do anything that puts them at risk or makes them embarrassed. Finally, bureaucracy is endemic to the human condition: always be patient! In general, losing one's temper is counter-productive.

National tourist boards may often be or wish to appear to be very friendly and helpful. Either way, remember that they are often in business to sell you the image of their country which they want; you to buy, rather than help you to see the country as it really is. After all, human nature being as it is, none of us is too keen to show all of ourselves as we really are, and there is not too much difference between tourist offices and the best or worst of motives found among the businesses down the average High Street or in Yellow Pages. Again, be alert, respectful: as with embassies, so with national tourist offices, try to find out-from relatives, friends, colleagues; and/or contacts with nationals something about a country, its outlook and the way it works before contacting the embassy or tourist office. That way, you can find out how they can serve you best.