Travelling is an experience, and you likely need no convincing of that fact. Wherever you go in the world, the simple act of seeing something new and learning things about the world or even just having an amazing time with friends and family is going to be an experience to remember. You’ve got a million and one things on your mind, of course. There are things you need to pack and an itinerary which needs to planned, along with all other travel arrangements and money-based worries which are likely pressing on your mind.
Of course, if you want to remember your journey for all the right reasons, the main thing you need to thinking about is staying safe on your travels. You might have the perfect plan and you might be going to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, but the whole thing can be ruined by a failure to prepare and protect yourself against the risks of travelling. If you’re wondering whether you’ve thought about every potential possibility in terms of safety, then here are some top tips to ensure that you have an incredible travelling experience without any worries.
Remember that you’re not at home.
It’s easy to get distracted by the dazzling sights and wonder of visiting a foreign place, but, especially in cities, you have to remain as security-conscious as you would at home. In fact, you should be a little bit more aware, as tourists often stand out like a sore thumb in any country. If you let your guard down, you could be putting yourself at risk of theft from even the most unsuspecting child. Pick-pockets are quick and almost unnoticeable. Keeping your personal possessions in hard-to-reach locations, such as the upper pocket of your shirt or perhaps only taking the money with you that you need during the day (leaving your wallet, passport and key possessions in a safe at a hotel or hostel at which you might be staying).
Travel in a group.
Even if you’ve headed out to a foreign country on your own, without family or friends, it’s still a wise idea to travel in a group. You might consider a private guided travel company if you’re really not sure where to go and how to do so safely. It won’t detract from your experience. You can meet new people and rest assured that you’re with a big group of people so that you don’t travel to dangerous places or end up making naive decisions.
In general, it’s advisable to avoid dimly lit places at night, much as you would in your home town or city. Even in a group, it’s best not to put yourself at risk. You might even feel uncomfortable during the day, so trust your instincts if you feel that somewhere is unsafe. As exciting as it is to see new places, you don’t want to ruin a trip by becoming a victim of theft in a foreign place.
Keep your personal details safe.
Theft or loss of personal details is a hassle at home, but an absolute nightmare when abroad. Having money stolen from your back pocket is one thing, but having your credit card details stolen or losing your passport is the kind of stress and panic which entirely ruins a trip. You might lose massive amounts of money or struggle to travel back home in the worst case scenario. Try to avoid taking sensitive information out with you, if you can, whilst travelling. Leave it locked in a safe place, as mentioned before.
Nice and well written article