My girlfriend and I are heading out Monday for 10 days. First Cesky Krumlov & Prague (4 days) followed by Rothenburg, Mittenwald and Munich (2 days each). She claims one of our books advised contacting the US Embassy to notify them of our itinerary. I can't find the alleged advice, nor can I believe the State Department has any interest in the plans of two middle aged residents of Illinois on vacation.

Has anyone heard of such a thing? If so, how do I do it?

Thanks

From the US State department web page:
Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency. Americans residing abroad can also get routine information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
go to: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
for more info.

I have never registered with the embassy in 45 years of travel, including a year abroad as a student, and do not intend to start now. The State Department probably has a record of your travels anyway.

I heard of, or read about, registering years ago but never met anyone who did this. I think it's best to give your contact info to a family member.

In case of some disaster I think it would be to your benefit to contact the embassy/consulate yourself and not wait for them to find you. You might want to bring a list of local consulates with addresses and phone numbers.

I've seen it written down- and it never made any sense.

Unless you're wandering into a war zone from which they might have to retrieve a body - the embassy couldn't care less where the many, many tens of thousands of American tourists are.

Heck, I was in Santo Domingo during the "taxi riots" back in the 80s and trying to get out. US Consulate could care less.

Also in Panama during that little problem with Noriega, just hunkered down in a small town and waited it out.

I only register if I am going to a "strange/weird/troubled area" that I think might have problems-Africa,India,etc.

I've never done this but if it makes your girlfriend feel better they must have a website.

The only time I ever registered with the State Department was when I thought I was going to be sent to Somalia, but I ended up in Kenya with no permission to travel to Somalia anyway, so bleh.

It's a stupid formality unless you are going somewhere dangerous, but do it as an extra precaution if you like.