You are not required to let them know you're travelling. The only time I have come across their fraud defenses for a large purchase, I have been declined then sent the text to confirm, but that was for an online high-end luxury item, which was not my normal spending at the time. I cleared it responding to the text and then ran the card again and it went through. I've also been sent the text after a purchase has been approved. It's when the card information is keyed in manually that can sometimes cause a concern I'm told. I was also told that if a concern does come about and is cleared, the fraud defenses are relaxed for a period of time (I was not given the timeframe). I was given this information by a fraud rep at Capital One because I was curious about their their fraud detection. This was a few years back.

If you're using your chip, regardless of location, you shouldn't have any issues at all. They assume it is you unless you call them and tell them your card is missing/stolen.