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Travel Alone Safely Armed With These Tips

May 4, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Traveling can be fun, especially alone! Going to new and exotic places by yourself can make way for some memorable experiences, but it can also cause you to be a target for local crime. This article will arm you with the tips you need to stay safe while traveling alone!

Take note of your surroundings at all times and be aware of all that is going on. This means that if you feel like someone might be following you or you see someone reaching for your handbag, quickly walk towards a crowd you can blend in. Being aware keeps you on your feet and eliminates your chances of being the target of a crime.

Minimize the time you spend traveling alone at night. There are many cities that are notorious for nightlife, but don’t forget, this also makes way for crime. Most criminals tend to target tourists who don’t seem to have a clue of where they are headed. Getting to your destination safely during daytime is hard, but when night comes, it can be even harder. Keep safe, take preventative measures and check into your hotel at sundown.

Sometimes, strangers may strike up a conversation with you. Meanwhile, it is not advisable to talk to strangers period. You may be in need of directions or the person may seem friendly enough. Whatever your reasons are for being approached or approaching someone you don’t know, don’t let anyone know you are traveling alone. Criminals lurk among law-abiding citizens and they will probably target a tourist much easier than they would a local. Letting someone know you are alone is an invitation for criminals to take advantage of you.

Don’t keep your valuables where everyone can see them. Your money and ID should be well hidden in an inner zipper pocket or in a handbag you can control. Valuables, such as jewelry and accessories, should be locked in a safe. Many hotels offer safes for guests to use. Take advantage of this and keep safe on the streets.

Before leaving on your trip, make sure to let your loved ones know your schedule and potential destinations. Come up with another schedule of when you will check in with them. For example, consider telling family members or close friends that you will call them twice a day to let them know everything is alright. This way if something happens and you don’t call, they will know that you may be in need of help.

Cities have millions of people going through it at a constant space, which makes way to suspicious activity. If you feel that you see anything suspicious going on such as drugs, abuse, or feel that someone is targeting or stalking you, contact local authorities. It is much better to have been wrong than to have been wronged by a criminal or have seen something you could have prevented.

Many people have gut feelings and choose to ignore it. More often than not, your first impressions and gut feelings are usually correct. If you feel that something is off or an area is unsafe, trust your instincts and get out while you can. It is important to remember to be safe rather than sorry.

Traveling alone can be either a wonderful experience or a vulnerable one, depending on the safety precautions you take. Follow the advice you have just read and you are sure to have a great time while staying safe on your next trip.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

Tips To Travel The Fun Way

May 3, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Going on vacation can be the breather that you need to get away from your hectic everyday lifestyle. There are a few ideas that you should keep in mind when traveling. Expand your horizons with the tips in this article and keep an open mind.

The first and foremost step in traveling is to keep your valuables safe. Hide them in luggage compartments or in places that pick-pockets would not normally look. The best policy is if it’s something of true value or considered to be an heirloom, leave it at home or in a safety deposit box. If you must take some valuables with you on your trip, use the hotel’s safe upon arrival. Most hotels offer this type of service to guests.

Most people would probably not think it important to pack some plastic bags, but in fact they can be a real life saver when you arrive at your destination. Hotels generally don’t give out plastic bags to store your dirty laundry in. If you are staying an extended period of time, collect your laundry in a plastic bag and either use a laundromat nearby or take it home with you. Plastic bags can also store trash, can be used as cushioning for fragile souvenirs and can be foolproof spill protection for your shampoos and body washes.

This is mostly geared toward women, but make sure that you only pack the essentials. It can be tempting to over pack, but check out local weather reports and take note of what type of clothing you will need. Consider where you will be going and whether or not you will be dining at any luxury restaurants. These are just some of the things to consider when choosing what to pack. If you are traveling via airplane all the more reason to cut down on what you don’t need in order to eliminate baggage fees.

Most travelers don’t think to ever pack a flashlight, but in fact may end up needing one. If you are going on a roadtrip, this is especially important to consider. If your car breaks down or your lights no longer work at night, a flashlight can make you feel safer and more aware of your surroundings. Flashlights are also great if you dropped something and need to search for it. Don’t forget to pack a few extra batteries as well just in case!

Don’t give yourself a hernia or sprain a muscle by saving money and purchasing a suitcase that doesn’t roll. Purchase a suitcase that rolls and has proper support on its wheels. The best type of luggage to consider is heavyweight plastic as it withstands the airline abuse much better as well as protecting your items and breakables. This is not as important if you are traveling by car, but your life will be much easier if you can roll your luggage to its destination.

Reduce the anxiety that comes with traveling by adhering to the tips mentioned in this article. You can still stay smart and have some fun while taking a well-deserved vacation!

Filed Under: Travel Tips

Travel Abroad The Organized Way

May 2, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Traveling abroad can be both exciting and fun, if you are well prepared for your trip. Do your part by properly getting prepared before your traveling date. Use the advice from this article to ensure that you are ready and well prepared for take off!

Some countries require you to get vaccinations before entering the country. The only immunization required by law is for Yellow Fever. Yellow Fever is generally spread through mosquito bites, making it law in sub-Saharan Africa and some South American countries to get immunization against this disease. Other vaccinations aren’t required by law, but definitely recommended such as Hepatitis A & B, Rabies and Typhoid.

It is imperative that you check if your passport is valid. The date of expiration can be found on the right of your picture where your place of birth is displayed. The date of expiration is found in the format: DD Mon YYYY. Most airlines also require that your passport be valid for at least half a year after the date of departure. Your passport is also subject to being rejected if your picture looks different from your current appearance, it has been defaced or damaged in some way or your name has been changed.

Book your plane tickets online at least a month before the intended day of travel. This is also good practice so you understand what fits into your budget. Most airlines only offer limited quantities of a certain priced airline ticket, making them go faster on a first come first serve basis. Don’t miss out on your trip by not taking the proper precautions when booking your ticket. Make certain to understand the regulations of the airline you are to travel with, how many crossovers your ticket has as well as the maximum weight of luggage allowed.

Hotel reservations should come second after booking your plane tickets. Depending on the type of hotel you can afford, you may wish to bundle your plane tickets with your hotel reservations. The types of hotels that usually offer this service are well reputed and considered to be 4 or 5 star hotel chains. If you are looking for a motel or something more within your budget, research individual local motel/hotel rates on the internet. You can then go on to reserve your stay online via the hotel’s website or through a phone call.

Depending on where you will be traveling and the weather patterns in the country, make sure to research the things that you will need to pack for your trip. Gather the items that you feel are necessities for successful travel. Only pack what you need and what is within your airline’s weight limit. Over-packing can add a hefty bill on top of your already paid airline ticket.

After you have gathered what you will need, make sure to grab a notepad and a pen to make an inventory of your items. Make a copy of that list and use it as a checklist to ensure everything is packed properly and present in your luggage upon arrival.

The airport can be overwhelming and a bit hectic, usually depending on when you travel. Arrive an hour or two early to get a feel of things and know where you will need to go to enter the proper boarding gate. Use this time to get a snack, use the bathroom or say goodbye to friends and family.

Traveling abroad can be fun and exciting! Follow the tips from this article to ensure that your trip is successful and stress free.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

Tips To Travel Safely Abroad

May 1, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Traveling is fun in any form, especially when you discover new and exotic places traveling abroad. However, this experience can also prove to be overwhelming for some, and staying safe is always imperative. Don’t put yourself in the way of danger and stick to the tips in this article to ensure you have a fun and safe trip!

Most hotels offer the use of a safety deposit box or safe to guests within their rental rooms, or through the hotel’s front desk. However, plenty of research suggests that hotel safes may not always be as safe as they are claimed to be. Make sure that you reset the safe in your room and enter your own password. Failing to do so can result in stolen items. The best policy, however, is to leave all valuables such as heirlooms and jewelry at home.

Always make several copies of important documents when traveling abroad. This is important in case something happens to you, or you are a target of a crime. If you do indeed end up becoming the victim of a pick-pocket, you will have copies on hand of your documents to prove your identity and citizenship to authorities.

Tourist areas are much safer than deciding to go out on your own, this is especially true if you are by yourself. Sign up for tours with other tourists and ensure that you are with someone at all times. It is much safer to travel with a group than it is to be on your own. People who are alone tend to be the number one target for crimes, especially with modern day crime on the rise. It is also advisable to have someone you can rely on if you get sick, feel that you are in trouble or don’t speak the native language fluently.

There is always the age old question whether or not it is safe or okay to talk to strangers. The answer to this question solely depends on your personality and where you grew up. Some countries are much more friendly and open minded, meaning that it is perfectly normal for strangers to stop one another on the street and carry on a conversation. Use gut feelings for whether or not the person you wish to converse with appears honest and good natured. If you are outgoing and do this often, you probably already have a good feel for people’s profiles and personalities.

Traveling alone can be risky, especially for young women. Tourists who don’t have any friends or family with them are usually the number one target for crimes in the city. If the place you are traveling to is someplace you have been to before and feel safe there, it is okay to consider going alone. If not, perhaps you should take a friend with you or close family member. Those who travel alone should make a point to leave their contact info with a friend or relative as well as check in at least once a day via phone call.

Going to exotic new places opens your mind to a new culture. It is important to learn all you can about the great place you are traveling to. The Internet has a wealth of information available to those who seek it. There are blogs and personal accounts as well as factual information available. If you are not as computer savvy as you would like to be, consider going to your local library or ordering travel guides.

Use the advice you have learned in this article to keep yourself and others safe when traveling abroad. It can be overwhelming to know how to stay safe during your travels, but armed with the right knowledge and tips, you won’t feel so lost!

Filed Under: Travel Tips

Tips to Save You Money on Air Travel

April 30, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Are you someone who flies a lot? Well here are some ways that you can save some money on air fare and reduce the amount of money that you will be spending on your next family vacation or even for a emergency trip out of town.

The first thing you should do is to look into buying your tickets ahead of time if you are planning to go on vacation. Not only are plane tickets cheaper this way but also there are websites in which you can go to that help you find the best air fare.

If you are planning your family vacation and want to save money on the air fare you should try to plan the trip during the off season. If this is not possible try to fly during the week or late at night, both of which have lower air fares because it is not the peak time in which people normally fly.

As we had previously mentioned there are many online sites that give you information on fares. All you do is punch in the information of when and where you want to fly and how many people are in your party and then you will get a run down of different airlines and also different times of the day. Play around with it and see what gives you the best fare!

If you still haven’t booked your flight at the last minute there are always deals that you can get through the airline. There are also deals online on the comparison websites. Often times people cancel their flights and the airline would like to fill those seats so they offer them at a discounted price.

Often times airlines will charge you to check baggage. As a matter of fact this is a common practice recently. There are a few airlines that do not charge for checked luggage but if you want to fly with another airline you will have to pay the charge. If you can take luggage you can carry on the the plane with you. This is very possible if you are just taking a weekend trip.

If you are going on vacation with your whole family you should buy the tickets in all one transaction. You will possibly be able to save some money if you make a bulk purchase. The airline looks kindly on this kind of practice and may give you a kickback!

When you are choosing your destination and departure airport and you have the flexibility to travel to an airport, try to pick an airport that is not located near a busy airport or capital city airport. Airfare tends to be higher in and out of these cities because of the demand.

If there are extras that the airline is offering be sure to opt yourself out of them. You do not want to spend extra money for no reason. These are hidden costs for insurance, etc. that you will not necessarily ever need.

You should use any of the points that you have accumulated from your credit air miles or travel reward cards that you have. Not everyone has them but if you are a avid traveler you should look into their benefits to save money.

There are airline ticket auctions that people have online, these are people that have bought tickets but are not able to use them. They go online and auction them off to others because they do not want to lose all of their money. Normally they are fairly affordable!

Look around, do not settle for the big airlines. They do not necessarily always have the best deals. They are the ones who are ripping people off!

If you can take an indirect flight. They are cheaper to take than flights that are straight through. Check how long your layover will be at the locations and see if it will work for you.

Look into booking a flight with a travel agent. They sometimes have the inside track on finding the best prices on airfare. You can also plan other aspects of your trip through them and they can give you a package deal on the whole vacation.

If you are buying your tickets in another country, buy them with foreign currency. You can often times save money because the American dollar is worth more than the foreign currency. This is not always the case so check into the exchange rate before you do this.

Invest in a annual flight pass, this may be expensive but if you travel a lot you will find that it is worth it! You may even be able to find some great places when you do this!

Using these tips can help you find a cheap flight to help you have a wonderful vacation.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

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