Traveling can be one of the most enjoyable experiences. There are so many different adventures to experience and places to visit, and it is easy to get lost in all the possibilities. This means you might forget that staying safe should be your priority, even if you are off exploring new destinations.
Whether you are an experienced traveler or just planning your first vacation, it is vital to understand basic safety. Fortunately, this post outlines four of the key tips you must remember if you want to avoid trouble on your future travels.
Plan and Share Your Itinerary
If you want to avoid trouble and stay safe while on vacation, then plan and share your itinerary before your departure date. The most significant benefit of doing this is that you will have someone back at home who knows where you will be and what you will be doing at all times. This is a valuable safety net to have in place in case the worst happens, including in the event of accidents, natural disasters, or political unrest.
Planning your itinerary should be a fun activity, in all honesty. It requires a realistic budget and thorough research, particularly regarding government travel advisories, vaccinations, and visa requirements. However, you should also ensure that you have identified your must-see attractions, and then you can use mapping tools to group activities by location, saving time and travel. You must avoid overscheduling, though, and leave some days unplanned for relaxation.
Then, when it has been planned completely, you can share the itinerary with someone. The person you share your itinerary with should be a trusted contact, either a close friend or family member. Sharing can be achieved by using a travel app or a shared document, like a Google Doc. These are great options to organize your travel details and plans, and they can be shared with your emergency contacts.
Limit What You Pack
Trouble on vacation can also come in the form of additional fees, and excess baggage fees can be a common issue, particularly for infrequent travelers. Many airlines have a maximum weight limit for checked baggage; for example, American Airlines states that 23 kilograms is the maximum. Going over the maximum luggage weight can incur extra fees.
This is why it is vital to pack light. You can do this by creating a packing list and sticking to it. Your list should include only the essential items, including appropriate clothing, basic toiletries, medications, chargers, and travel documents. It can be tempting to pack things you might need, but you should avoid doing this if you can. If you genuinely need these items, then you can buy them during your vacation.
Limiting what you pack can allow you to carry a smaller bag, which might mean you can skip baggage claim. Using a carry-on bag will let you move quickly through the airport, and it can offer you more freedom when moving around, too, especially if you need to use public transport.
Know Your Emergency Procedures
Although no one wants to imagine their vacation going awry, it can happen. Numerous things can go wrong, ranging from becoming ill or injured to experiencing natural disasters or travel disruptions. This is why you must plan ahead for your trip, which includes understanding what to do in case of an emergency.
Knowing your emergency procedures can help you avoid dangerous situations, keep you safe, and respond effectively if something does go wrong. This plan, often referred to as an emergency action plan (EAP), will outline critical contacts and procedures, minimizing the stress and vulnerability you may feel when in a foreign country. It is also essential that this plan include designated meeting points, hazard identification, and other relevant details.
If you want to learn the emergency procedures for your vacation destination, then pay attention to the travel advice for that country. Official government travel advisories should be the first stop to learn of the current safety and security information, which is vital if you want to stay safe and well. You must find and save the local emergency number for this country, too, just in case you need to use it on your travels.
Dress Appropriately for the Local Culture
In some countries, dressing inappropriately on vacation can cause a lot of trouble. If how you dress is perceived as disrespectful, particularly in more conservative or religious areas, then you could be viewed as arrogant or insensitive. This could damage your relationships with your hosts or service providers, and it might even cause you to stand out as a more obvious target for scams or theft.
You can learn the dress code and local customs for your destination by researching thoroughly. Use forums and travel guides for this; many travelers share their own experiences in these online resources, making it easier to plan ahead. The information you learn should then be used to pack your suitcase, ensuring you have the correct clothing for your trip.
Some safe rules to follow when dressing appropriately on vacation include covering your chest, knees, and shoulders, and trying to blend in with the locals.