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10 Special Tips for Your Romantic Getaways
Taking a break by going for romantic getaways with your loved one is a precious moment. So all the things needed for the trips has to be prepared carefully especially when you travel abroad. Each country has its own requirement for visitors to visit...
14 Tips for a Stress Free Flight
Traveling can be a stressful event and airplane travel is tops on the list of the stressors that we experience on what is supposed to be an exciting and fun event. A few simple steps can remove most of the stress of air travel.
Things to do...
5 “Extra” Things to Remember On Every Dive
Don’t leave the dock without it
When you pack your gear bag, your checklist probably includes the usual gear and emergency equipment, mask, fins, regulator and one of those kits with a few extra o-rings, neoprene patches and regulator...
A Great Motorcycle Ride in Mexico: Queretaro.
A beautiful ride across cities and places named World Heritage by the Unesco, through an splendid protected natural area and ending in a surrealistic garden by artist Sir Edward James. Just keep reading...
The ride starts in Queretaro City...
A Mindful Road Trip: The Perfect No-Goal Vacation
It's the beginning of spring break, and we're heading south. That's all we know.
Our family is greatly anticipating what may be our last road trip for a long, long time. There's a lot of excitement in our house right now as we are shifting...
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20 Safety Tips for Budget Travelers
1) When taking taxis from an airport to your hotel, travel in
the more expensive airport taxis and ensure that the drivers
have official identification. Never take a taxi waiting outside
the airport grounds.
I know this sounds extreme, but it is by far better to be safe
then sorry.
2) When traveling from your hotel to the airport, go with a taxi
recommended by the hotel.
Again, taxi's can be very dangerous. I can't express that enough.
3) Try not to arrive in a new city or town late at night.
This can just go wrong in a number of ways. It is much easier
getting checked in during the day time and security at night in
certain areas is just horrendous.
4) Travel in a group if possible.
Since when is traveling in numbers not a good idea?
5) Learn the basics in the local language before you arrive.
Don't expect that people will speak English.
English is becoming more widely spoken these days, but you want
to be sure. You should always check on these things before your
arrival.
6) Keep your valuables hidden.
A money belt is great if it is an option that you willing to
look into. There are many different styles of money belt. One of
the most popular is an "over the shoulder" style wallet on a
strap that you were underneath your top. This makes it very
difficult for a thief to make off with your valuables.
7) Avoid going on your own to remote areas/ruins where tourist
would be expected to go. Seek local advice or take a guide.
8) Read the guide books and talk with other tourists to find out
which areas are best avoided.
9) When leaving discos late at night take a taxi home no matter
how close your hostel is. Outside most discos you'll find a
street vendor selling cigarettes. Usually these people know all
the taxi drivers and can recommend a safe one.
10) When arriving in a new town, keep to your original plan and
stay in the hostel that you have decided on. Don't let the taxi
driver persuade you that your hostel is fully booked and that he
knows a cheaper and better one. He'll be working on commission
and the hostel probably won't be in a safe part of town.
11) Even better, when arriving lane/train in a new city, try to
reserve your hotel in advance, preferably with a hotel that has
an airport/station collection service.
12) Don't wear expensive looking jewelry.
13)
On public transport have your day pack close to you at all
times, preferably with the straps around your legs or padlocked
to the luggage rack. On buses your backpack will normally go
outside, either on top of the roof or in the external luggage
compartments. On long distance buses ask for a receipt for your
bags. On short rides just keep a careful eye out each time the
bus stops to off-load bags. In the event of having your bags
stolen, stay with the bus - you will probably require a
declaration from the bus company accepting responsibility for
the loss in order to claim any money from your insurance
company.
14) Leave your valuables in your hotel safe when making day
trips or longer tours. Obtain a receipt not just for your money
belt/wallet etc. but for its contents, with each item listed.
15) If you have to leave your passport and credits cards
together, place the credit card in a sealed envelope and sign
your name across the flap. This way when you return you will
know that nothing has been tampered with.
16) If planning on going to market areas, crowded streets,
fiestas etc. don't go with all your valuables. Leave them in the
hotel. If you're planning on buying something expensive keep
your money safely in a money belt. Try to be discreet when
opening it! To protect small change in your pockets you can
stuff a handkerchief in after.
17) If the pavements are really crowded, especially in market
areas, walk in the road.
18) If you suspect someone is following you, stop and stare them
in the eye until they go. If you really get a bad feeling about
a place, go with your first instincts and leave. Bag slashing is
rare nowadays but for added safety you can wear your day pack on
your chest.
19) If it's on your back try to walk without stopping. If you
need to stop, sway your pack gently from side to side so that
you can feel if anyone is tampering with it.
20) When putting your bag down on the floor, to take a photo or
just to sit in a café, remember to put your foot through the
strap. Not only will it be impossible to snatch, you also won't
forget it! This is the most common type of theft - tourists
forgetting bags in cafes and on returning to ask if anyone has
seen it, you've guessed it, it's gone.
About the author:
Eric Odom is an avid backpacker who runs student travel websites
for a living. His latest site can be found at
http://www.backpackearth.com
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