Email Page

For Hundreds of Useful Travel Tips Click Here: WhateversCleverOnline.com

Preparation is the key to having a safe, pleasurable trip when traveling. By following a few simple guidelines, most travelers can avoid serious difficulties. We’ve listed below some important safe-travel principles which can benefit everyone from the most-seasoned traveler to those venturing out for the first time.

Before You Go
Research your destination – being informed is the first step in making sure your travels will be as safe as possible.

• Once you’ve chosen where you are going, begin thinking about what you want to do. Finding out as much as possible beforehand about your destination(s) and excursion(s) will provide peace-of-mind and allow you to more thoroughly enjoy your visit.
• Understand the unique customs and regulations of your destination. Learn a few basic words and phrases in the native language where you are traveling to. U.S. government’s travel site is a great resource for travel warnings, U.S. embassy contact information, and up-to-date information about travel requirements and tips. You should also keep yourself up to date on world news and current events at your destination before your trip.
• If you are traveling internationally, make sure you know what documents will be needed to enter and exit the country you will be visiting. Some documents could take weeks to obtain; plan ahead early!
• If you are creating your own itinerary rather than using the services of a travel agent, be sure to use trusted sites and resources to research hotels in safe areas. Read customer reviews and consider the surrounding area when deciding on your hotel.
• Research weather condition of your destination(s) 5-7 days in advance and check again at least 24-48 hours before your travel. It's always good to know your arrival date's local weather forecast of your first destination right off the plane. You will want to prepare and dress accordingly as you exit the airport. Remember it is opposite in seasons between northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere, and various parts of a country could have completely different weather condition and temperature.
• Eat light on the day of a long flight. Drink plenty of water. Whenever possible, eat high fiber foods, vegetables and fresh fruits. Avoid alcohol before your flight. Avoid spicy and greasy fried foods, and keep sugar and sodium consumption down to healthy and reasonable levels. Goal is to get nutrition over junk food; you will arrive much more energized at your destination. 
• Travel insurance, or at least some type of trip protection plan for luggage or medical emergency, is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED particularly for international travel. Either by air, by sea or by land, factors such as weather/climate changes, political events, your health condition, or any last-minute changes could potentially alter your travel plan. Nobody expects these sudden events to take place but it is always good to get coverage for yourself and your family! It is almost always a small price to pay in comparison to everything else you spend for your trip.

Traveler's Health Corner [insurance or trip protection strongly recommended!]
Required Immunizations & Health Warnings: CDC (Centers for Disease Control) | High-Altitude Acclimatization & Illness Info

Organize your packing – whether traveling for business or pleasure, packing your suitcase in an organized manner will make your trip much smoother.

• First, decide what you absolutely must take with you. Remember for most trips, less is more!
• Find out beforehand if your hotel will provide hair dryers, irons, etc. to save space in your suitcase. Don't forget your plug adaptor if traveling internationally with your own electrical appliances.
• Respect local customs and learn about appropriate attire for the different places you plan to visit, i.e. shorts vs. pants, jeans vs. dressier trousers/slacks, words and phrases on shirts, etc.
• Create a list of everything you packed and keep it, along with your travel itinerary, in a secure place. If your luggage gets lost or stolen, it will make the process much easier to have a list at-hand of your suitcase contents.
• Attach your name and contact information ON and INSIDE every piece of luggage.
• Make two copies of your travel itinerary, passport, traveler’s check serial numbers, airline tickets, credit cards and driver’s license. Give one copy to a family member/close friend at home, and keep the other copy with you in a secure place.
• For international travel, do not bring valuables, unneeded/excess credit cards, Social Security Card or other unnecessary items that you may routinely carry as if at home.
• Avoid clothes with shallow pockets and fanny pouches, which are easy targets for pick-pockets [tip: be sure to use a Secret Waist Wallet in crowded parts of Italy & Spain where pick pockets often occur].
• Suggested items to go inside airlines checked luggage: vitamins, a small flashlight, a shower-sized big towel, a plastic bag, 2nd pair of (walking) shoes, over the counter cold/flu medication, extra pairs of socks, electrical appliances such as hair dryer and razor, sewing kit, swiss pocket knife, plug adaptor/converter, larger bottles of toiletry such as shampoo, hair/face/body products, contact lenses solution, perfume/cologne, comb, clothing, cellular phone charger and portable computer charger could go in either checked luggage or carryon depending on your needs for lengthier use of these devices, for example, perhaps at the airport boarding area or airline lounge, and everything else that is too heavy or bulky to place inside carryon bag.
• Suggested items to go inside cabin carryon bag: limited amount of prescription medicines with a doctors note, traditional camera films (both developed and undeveloped films should always go inside carryon bag because the strong X-Ray for checked luggage may damage your precious pictures taken), wallet, credit cards, cash, travelers cheques, passport, travel documents, portable electronics such as laptop computer, I-Pod, cellular phone and PDA, camera (either digital or traditional), umbrella (if needed), reading glasses (if needed), spare set of contact lenses (if needed), re-wetting eye drop, a clear Ziploc bag for small amounts of toiletry items such as skin lotion, toothpaste, [for travel-size bottles and toiletry kits click here], warm jacket for cold cabin air conditioning, warm gloves and scarf (if needed), an extra set of clothes to change into (in case of lost checked-luggage), pen and paper.
• Are your bags within airlines allowed size and weight measurements? Check with your airlines first to avoid having to open your bags and rearrange at the airport; IT WILL BE A BIG HASSLE!

Sponsored Ad:
WhatDoYouDesireOnline.com - FREE Money-Making Website & Instant Setup Click Here!

Airport Security
Safety in the airport is always a key consideration, whether traveling abroad or domestically.

• Keep your bags with you at all times and secure your airline tickets, wallet and other personal items in a secure area. Keep your eyes on your belongings.
• To keep customs inspections simple, have any medications you may carry in their original bottles and bring copies of your prescriptions.
• Do not carry anyone else’s bags or personal items, and report any unattended packages or luggage to airlines staff and/or airport security personnel.
• Be alert, turn down volume on those walkman/earphones and listen to public announcements for gate changes or emergency broadcast.

          

Enjoying your Trip Safely & Comfortably

• Do not carry large amounts of cash; instead, be sure to bring travelers’ checks and only countersign in front of the person who will be cashing them. If you need to exchange currency, only deal with authorized agents.
• When you have checked in to your hotel, be sure to get a copy of the hotel stationary with the address and hotel contact information. This is very helpful if you get lost or need to contact the hotel at any time. Know where the hotel exits are in case of emergencies. When in your room, always lock your door and keep your personal items in the hotel safe (if applicable).
• Always be aware of your surroundings. If you are using public transportation, have your personal items in a secure place and beware of pick-pockets. If you are using taxis, only use clearly marked taxis and do not use unmarked cars. If you happen to get lost, only ask directions from individuals in authority such as local police or designated information assistance providers.
• Staying healthy is very important while you are on your trip. Review the U.S. Consular Information Sheet to see what vaccinations you will need or if there are any health issues in the places you will be traveling.
• While you cannot avoid jet lag, you can minimize it by leaving for your trip well-rested and napping on the plane. Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol.
• Eating nutritiously, not drinking unsafe or questionable water, and bringing a traveler’s first aid kit with band-aids, cold/flu medication, pain relievers, and soap can contribute to having a safe, healthy trip.
• Stay informed of local events by watching CNN, BBC and local headline news TV channels or radio stations. Pick up newspaper from hotel front desk or newsstands.
• Eating 3-5 small meals is healthier than 2 heavy meals in a day, especially when you're on the go! You will have more energy throughout the day with frequent light meals.
• Breakfast is very important and should be your biggest meal of the day: milk, cereal, eggs, orange juice, bacon, sausage, bread, fruits and vegetables. Dinner should be light especially when/if it is within 2 hours to bed.
• When in a foreign country, avoid eating raw seafood, ground beef, and rare/medium-rare cooked steak. If it is a local delicacy, don't miss it! Try it, but limit yourself because your body may not take it well. 
• Wear loose comfortable clothing on the plane, remove shoes and use airlines provided socks and/or slip-on's, get up from your seat to stretch, exercise, and whenever safe per captain's instruction regarding seat belts and turbulence, walk up/down cabin aisles during that long flight.
• Whenever possible, remove contact lenses on a long flight, switch to glasses to lessen strain on your eyes.
• Things to think about when picking aisle seats in coach/economy class for those long flights on jetliners: for cabin seating configurations of 3-4-3, aisle seats on either side of the center 4-seat section is always better than the ones on the end of a 3-seat section, why? Because the aisle seats of the 4-seat section would only have one other passenger troubling you while he/she goes in and out of the seat during flight; whereas the aisle seat from the 3-seat section would have 2 other passengers troubling you while trying to exit their seats.
• Things to think about when choosing the window seat in coach/economy class, while you may be able to lean against the window and rest, you would need to get pass 2 other passengers when exiting your seat; this could be especially difficult when your neighbor is sleeping or dining and you just absolutely have to get up and exit for whatever reason...
• Did you know that many airlines will also let you request special meals even in coach/economy class to fit your age, medical or religious needs and choices such as low sodium, high fiber, vegetarian, diabetic, kids meal, etc.? It never hurts to ask!