Travel is something that is almost universally loved. Exploring new places or revisiting old
favorites is something that people from all walks of life enjoy. Some of our fondest
memories from childhood involve travel, as do some of our strongest personal goals as
adults. Making bucket lists and planning an itinerary is one of the great joys of life!
Travel planning and actual travel have become much easier today because of the internet –
all one needs to do is go online and search for a place to get a wealth of information from
travel websites and personal blogs. But despite so much information, travel, especially to an
exotic and far-off destination, still carries certain risks. so, one should always take maximum
precautions while traveling.
Here are 10 essential travel safety tips that everyone should know: –
- Research – Always research a destination well in advance. And the research should not be
limited to the best places to see or the top restaurants or things to do. While these are the
first things we look for when deciding where to go, one should also make note of some
essential things such as the safety record of the place, spots to avoid, whether it is safe to
be out late at night, and also details of different public transport options with their hours of
operation. - Safeguarding documents – Your personal documents such as the passport and other
identity papers, and booking vouchers for all hotels, transport, and activities are very
important. Always take printouts of all bookings and save the soft copies on all your devices.
Scan and photocopy your passport and other official documents so you always have access
to them anywhere. - Essential medicines – You might think that you are young and fit so don’t need any
medicines, but it’s always good to be prepared for an emergency. It’s always good to carry
medicines such as those for allergies, fever, indigestion, etc., and a first aid kit because you
just don’t know what you might encounter in a new country. It’s also good to carry an
inhaler and a blood thinner for a really bad situation. Even if you never need it, you might be
able to save the life of someone who does. - Keep your phone charged – We rely on our phones for everything. From calling someone
to checking maps and showing our papers, our phones are pocket-sized versions of our
whole world now. So you wouldn’t want to be stuck in the middle of the night with a dead
phone. Always have it fully charged when stepping out, and consider keeping the charger
with you if you’re going to be out late. - Pre-load maps – While most areas have good connectivity now, some patches may not
have a mobile network or wifi. This is especially true of remote places. So, it’s advisable to
preload important maps, and maybe even have an up-to-date physical map. - Learn local words and numbers – If you are going to a place that has a different language
than yours, then learn some important everyday words to communicate with locals in case
you need help. Also, find out the local numbers for the police, ambulance, etc. - Be careful around strangers – One should mix with the locals but always be cautious.
Never let your guard down, don’t divulge too much personal information at the first
meeting, and never accept a drink that has already been opened. - Keep cash and jewelry to a minimum – Nowadays most places accept cards, so it’s
useless to have too much cash on you. And wearing too much precious jewelry is a sure way
to attract unnecessary attention. In a new place, one should aim to be low-key. - Check physical requirements – If your travel plan includes vigorous physical activity, then
know about it in advance and if possible train for it. You don’t want to push yourself too
much in a foreign country. - Keep friends or family in the loop – Always share your itinerary with your loved ones so
they know exactly where you will be on which dates.
By following these little steps, you can have a fabulous and memorable vacation without
compromising your safety.
