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Archive for the ‘Travel Safety’ Category

How to Keep Money Safe When Traveling Abroad

Friday, May 6th, 2011

Make sure to avoid the "tourist look" in order to keep your money safe when traveling abroad

Dear Nicole –

I will be traveling in Europe in June with my 18-yr old son and had a question about crime in Rome. My question/concern is how to secure the large amount of cash I will have with me at that point in our trip. Would you leave passports and cash in a locked suitcase in the possession of the hotel? What is best to avoid the pickpockets and not have to hold my hand in my pocket all day and worry about it?

Thanks! - Tom M.

Dear Tom,

Thank you for your inquiry. I have been considering your very same concern as I will be heading to Rome early next month as well. Here are my answers to your questions and I look forward to returning with some stories to share! 

Handling $$ in Rome. You want to bring both a credit card and a debit card with you. It’s better to wait until you arrive in Europe to exchange your money. You can use the debit card at cash machines (ATMs) to withdrawal cash for local purchases and taxis, and the credit card for larger purchases. ATMs in Rome are easy to find and to use and cash is often the preferred payment method at local shops and restaurants.

Use a Money Belt. To keep your money safe, use a money belt. It buckles around your waist inside your clothes – not in your pockets!  Pickpockets are rampant in Rome so keep your money on you at all times. Your money belt is also the safest place to secure your passport.   

Storing Luggage. If you are comfortable leaving your luggage with your hotel for a few hours and it is convenient, then do so. The main train station and airports also have secure luggage storage for a fee. Do not leave money or passports in your luggage. However, you should have a copy of your passports inside your luggage as well as any important phone numbers that you may need (credit card companies, airline, hotel, US embassy, family at home) in the event that your important items are lost or stolen during your trip.

Avoid Being a Target. The best way to avoid the pickpockets who often look like professional businessmen or needy mothers with children is to travel with a purpose. As tourists, we definitely have times when we need to access our maps or consider our site-seeing options but don’t stand around in public areas to do this. When you do have the need to regroup then step into an Internet café or a restaurant. Have a seat, and then consult your map and discuss your plans. 

For any other safety questions, I have More Travel Safety Tips.

Keep these things in mind and I am sure that you will have a problem-free experience. I hope that you and your son have a wonderful adventure in Rome.

Safe Travels!

 

 

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How to Stay Safe and Travel Smart

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
Passport

Have fun, but be cautious when traveling abroad! (photo courtesy of cdc.gov)

Let me begin by sharing my utter anguish for Japan and its citizens in the wake of the worst earthquake for that country in history. Given recent events around the globe, I thought this week would be a great time to touch on a few travel safety tips.  

I don’t want anyone’s travel ambitions to ever be squashed and I have been hearing from many of you with concerns and hesitations about traveling internationally into areas that may either be experiencing piracy at sea, political and religious issues or natural disasters. More than likely, you will have a problem-free trip abroad. But it’s important to remember that first and foremost, You do not want to put yourself in harm’s way. So here are a few things you can do to stay safe and travel smart:

1.Register with the State Department. If you are traveling internationally, register for STEP with the U.S. Department of State. The online process is really quick and easy, and if something newsworthy happens, the State Department will contact you.  

2. Heed Travel Warnings. As of March 13th, the State Department is urging all Americans to avoid tourism and non-essential travel to Japan at this time. I cautioned last week in my post on Spring Break Travel Tips about travel to Mexico. These alerts and warnings should not be taken lightly.  Wherever you are traveling to, it is important to check with the U.S. State Department for official alerts and travel warnings for a specific region or country. 

3. Money Matters. When traveling abroad always have cash on you in the local currency. Carry your ATM card as well as a Visa or Mastercard, which are most widely accepted. Now, when carrying cash use common sense about when you take out your money and where you keep it to avoid becoming a victim. Make sure you leave bank and credit card information with a trusted friend or relative while you are traveling.

4. Emergency Financial Assistance. If you should lose your wallet or your purse while traveling out of the country, there is emergency financial assistance for U.S. citizens traveling abroad.

5. Try Not to be a Target. Before you travel to any foreign country, you need to do your homework to see how the locals dress, travel, carry their important personal items such as a wallet, etc. For example, Rome, Italy is one of the most amazing cities in the world but it is also overrun with pickpockets and opportunists waiting for you to put down your luggage.  Be aware of your surroundings, your belongings and your traveling companions. Leave your expensive jewelry at home and pack as light as possible. Need help with packing? Here are some of my top packing tips.

6. Travel Insurance. Remember the Icelandic Volcano that stalled air travel for weeks last May? It was a transportation nightmare. Luckily for those who purchased trip insurance, much of the expense of the additional nights in hotels and re-routing via train was reimbursed. I caution you to read the fine print before you purchase travel insurance and understand exactly when it takes effect. Here are a few tips for traveling during weather events.

7. Travel with a Purpose. I know it sounds romantic to take a spontaneous trip to a country where you have never been but you can also end up having a bad time because you didn’t check into its local customs, store hours of operation, etc. Know how you are going to get around and the safest routes to get where you are going. Be prepared with directions, and make an effort to use the local language, if possible. The local hotel personnel are often great resources for tour reservations, transportation, and dining.

8. Be Aware. Keep a mental note of safe havens, such as police stations, hotels, and hospitals. Use the same common sense that you would use at home.

Have any specific safety questions about traveling abroad? Send them to me and I’ll do my best to get them answered for you here on Travel Smart Blog.


 

 

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10 Safety Tips for Traveling Solo

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Becoming friendly with the hotel concierge will help you get perks AND stay safe (photo courtesy of yorubafilmstars.com).

1. Keep In Touch: Check in regularly: Before your trip, make arrangements to regularly contact someone you trust: a significant other, friend, or family member. Give your contact a copy of your schedule, especially contact numbers for hotels, and agree to check in on non-travel days, be it via text message, a quick email, or a phone call.

2. If you are traveling internationally, register for STEP with the U.S. Department of State. The online process is really quick and easy, and if something newsworthy happens, the State Department will contact you.

3. Protect your privacy. Be discrete about discussing your travel plans. Don’t disclose where you’re staying or give specifics on your itinerary or schedule. Always choose a hotel with one primary entrance and rooms that are located off an internal hallway versus outside walkways (like many motels).

4. Stay on a higher floor in hotels.

5. Use your deadbolts, locks and the in-room safe. 

6. Introduce yourself to the concierge, and even the housekeeping staff. Not only is it great to make friends with hotel personnel for great tips and an extra shampoo but having someone who recognizes you is important to keeping you safe. 

7. I love walking around NYC by myself at night but I always am aware of my surroundings. Don’t dawdle too long in any one place, walk with a purpose and stay in well-lit areas.  

8. Keep your cell phone in your pocket along with the numbers for a local taxi company or the hotel shuttle.   

9. When taking a taxi by yourself, be sure to know the exact route you would like the driver to take BEFORE you get in the cab. Once in the cab, call someone on your cell phone and let him/he know where you are, where you are headed, and when you expect to arrive. Call that person back when you arrive at your destination.  

10. Being out at night is enjoyable but be cautious. Schedule your taxis to take and pick you up.  Also, look for evening tours that will provide a social opportunity as well as a cultural one. I enjoy the candlelight ghost tours in Savannah, GA. If you are a woman traveling solo, be aware of parts of the world that may frown upon women out after a certain time (dusk).

 

 

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Travel Safety Tips When Visiting Cold Cities

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

With more winter storms hitting much of the U.S. this week, it's important to remember how to keep safe

From Denver to Boston you may be experiencing extremely cold temperatures. Whether you live in these areas or have a trip planned, you should be prepared when you are outside. Here are a few tips for handling the below freezing temperatures and wind chill so much of the U.S. is experiencing this week.

1. Many people make the mistake of underestimating the layers of warmth they will need, and their experience suffers greatly because of it. Make sure that you have a few layers of loose clothing. Wool, silk, or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton. Sweating actually lowers your body temperature so you want to avoid getting over-heated by removing layers when you get indoors.

2. Walking on ice is extremely dangerous. Many cold-weather injuries result from falls on ice-covered sidewalks, steps, driveways, and porches.

3. Always carry additional warm clothing appropriate for the winter conditions.

4. For your car – During winter, keep the gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.

5. Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.

6. Children have less muscle mass and can become colder quicker than adults at the same temperature.

7.  If you have a heart condition, heart disease or high blood pressure, remember that cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you have to do heavy outdoor chores, dress warmly and work slowly. Remember, your body is already working hard just to stay warm, so don’t overdo it.

8. If you have an upcoming trip to New York or Chicago, in particular, check the travel advisories of your airline for delays, cancellations and rescheduling policies. Following them on Facebook and Twitter is a quick way to find out about delays and cancellations. It may be better to delay that business trip than to get stuck. After all, time is money.

9. If you are already in route or at your destination and trying to get home from or to a weather-impacted area, make sure you keep your hotel informed of your situation so you do not incur unnecessary charges for no-show. If you will need to stay an extra night, check availability as soon as you can to avoid having to scramble for other accommodations. 

10. Allow for extra time when traveling to the airport as well as once you get there. Lines will be longer than usual and many flights will be delayed due to de-icing.  

 

 

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