If you are in the process of planning your next trip abroad then there may be some boxes that need ticking. You have to ensure you check reviews of places before you book anything, it is thought that around 80% of holiday makers will read reviews from previous travelers.
You need to work out the type of budget you have to play with. This could mean the difference between a self catering apartment and a five star luxury hotel. One thing you need to be certain of when you are away is that you are safe. Check out the article below to find out top tips for staying safe while traveling abroad.
Research Destinations
You might have a bucket list that you are slowly working your way through. Ticking these destinations off your list might take some time but you will get there. You still need to do some research on your chosen destinations to make sure they are safe for travelers. One year it might be totally safe to venture over there, while the following year it might become a high crime area. You also need to figure out which type of accommodation you want to stay in, this could be an apartment, house, or even a private villa with a pool.
Stay In Touch
When you go traveling it is essential that you stay in touch with your loved ones back home. They will want to know you are having a great time and that you are safe at all times. Arrange a time that you will always let them know how your day has been, this could be something as simple as adding pictures to the family group chat. A group chat can be much more convenient than messaging family and friends individually.
If you don’t want to spend your minutes and texts from the sim of your home country then you can get a disposable one. Many, if not all countries will have stores selling SIM cards with local numbers. If you don’t want to pay an extortionate rate to keep in touch then this is always a good option.
Pack What You Need
When the time comes to pack your suitcase then you need to plan in advance what you are taking. It might help if you check the weather before you go. This will give you a better understanding of the weather you face while you are away, it could be really hot during the day but then drop at night. This means you should pack a cardigan or hoodie to wear when it gets a bit chilly in the evenings.
Travel Insurance
Should anything happen to you while you are away you will want to know you’re safe and protected. Signing up for travel insurance before you go is one way to ensure this happens. Do be aware, you must always read the small print of travel insurance along with the Ts&Cs. Some travel insurance companies won’t pay out until you are back in your home country. This is fairly pointless if you need help and money for medical bills while you are away.
Do your research when looking for the best travel insurance. Don’t always assume that the most expensive means the best.
Use A Safe
Many hotels and apartments will have a safe that you can use while you are there. There will be a combination that you need to set before you can use it. This will be reset when you leave ready for the next guest. When booking your accommodation this might be something that is a requirement of yours. When you travel, you will have important documents on you that you wouldn’t want to get misplaced. Keeping them locked in the safe at all times means you know exactly where they are when you need them. It might help to carry photocopies of your identification with you just in case you need to use it to verify who you are.
Avoid Food & Drink
If you are going to a country you are not familiar with then it might be a good idea to avoid drinking the tap water. In some countries this is absolutely fine and won’t affect you at all. While in others drinking tap water could put you in the hospital. There will be articles and information online telling you what is safe and what should be avoided in certain countries.
Don’t be fooled, even if you are staying in a luxury resort they can still have issues with food not being cooked properly. Check reviews when you are booking to see if anything has been said about the food and drink.
Secure Your Home
Something you might want to think about doing before you jet off to a luxury location is secure your home. You don’t want to leave your home open to break ins or other crimes. Many people will use automatic timers that are connected to lamps or TVs. These come on at certain times to make it look like someone is home. They can be a wonderful deterrent for anyone eyeing up your home. You could also ask a neighbour or close friend to keep an eye on things while you are away. Post is always a giveaway to an empty house so make sure someone is picking yours up.
Use Experts
Finally, if you get into any trouble while you are abroad then you might need to use an expert to get you out of a sticky situation. This can mean that you need to know the number of a local lawyer who can help you if you find yourself in trouble. When you travel abroad you need to know the local laws so you don’t get into trouble. If you do find yourself in trouble with the law while you are away then you might want to get in touch with a criminal attorney. They will explain what you have done wrong and how they can assist you with clearing your name.
We hope you found this article helpful and that it gave you some useful ideas on staying safe while you are abroad.
