I travel quite a lot - some times to Europe, some times further afield.
I start preparing my insulin times about a week before I go (depending on where I am going) knowing that Lantus does not last exactly 24 hours so I have some leeway. Basically, I aim to take my Lantus at approximately the same time on holiday as I do at home (I try to take it with my evening meal). To achieve this with the time difference, I move the time I take my insulin by an hour to 90 minutes per day. If I m moving a lot between time zones or not staying for long, I just remember to take the Lantus 22 to 26 hours after I last took it.
As for a letter, I always have a letter with me regardless of where I travel. This is need to ensure I can take sharps and medication on flights, etc.
I have only been asked for it once (when the airports were on very high terrorist alert) but for piece of mind, I would never head for the airport without it. The risk of being separated from my insulin or my meter being confiscated are too high.