Take Care While You’re Traveling

It was 4:00 am when my phone rang waking me out of a sound sleep and shooting my heart into the stratosphere.  I immediately knew that something must have happened to my elderly parents who were traveling with my brother and sister-in-law on a dream vacation through Greece, Egypt, Israel and Italy.

Sure enough, it was an international call from my mother – upset, flustered and not a little angry.

She had given her wallet to my father to hold while on a crowded subway in Rome.  Despite her warnings, Dad had ignored her, and choosing to believe that nothing could ever happen, he’d placed her wallet, containing driver’s license, 7 credit cards, 5 traveler’s checks and about $100 in his cargo pant’s pocket. 

One bump, one quick swish and sure enough, she lost everything. 

“But mom” I questioned as my brain begged for coffee in order to comprehend what she was saying…”didn’t Dad have a money belt?”  I know you got one.

“Well yes…but you know your father, he didn’t like wearing it and didn’t think anything would happen.”

“OK – so what do you need me to do?  Do you need money?”

“Well, I need you to call the credit card companies and cancel our cards…and the bank about the traveler’s check…oh, and can you call the DMV also…?”  Suddenly my already packed day just became a little more hectic as visions of spending hours on the phone, pushing the silly buttons to get through the automated voices started through my head.

“Sure mom, of course I will…” (Gritting my teeth). 

Fortunately, she had the numbers all in one place because we’d planned ahead in case something like this happened and making the most out of the situation was a relatively simple thing.

Unfortunately, this could also have been prevented if some very simple steps had been followed.

1. It CAN happen to you.  Don’t ever believe that just because you believe you’re a savvy traveler or it doesn’t happen at home that you won’t be targeted.  My father is in his late 70’s and was the perfect target for a pickpocket.  There was clearly a bulge in the shape of a wallet in his cargo pants and it was only a matter of a moment before my mom’s wallet disappeared.
2. Travel lightly. Never carry more than you need to.  7 credit cards, 5 traveler’s checks and a driver’s license, etc.?  My parents were out for a day’s tour in Rome.  There was never a reason to carry that many credit cards.  The hotel where they were staying provided a safe for tourists and they easily could have taken 1 or 2 cards and left the rest in the hotel. 
3. Wear your money belt.  A money belt is a small, lightweight nylon bag that goes under your shirt and around your waist.  Certainly it’s less comfortable than not wearing it however it’s much less trouble than a phone call back to the States at 4:00 am. 
4. Be aware of your surroundings. This goes without saying.  You must always be aware of who is sitting next to you.
5. Prior to leaving, make a list of the numbers and types of credit cards, — providing a photocopy to someone you trust.  Because I insisted that my mother give me information, it was a simple task to retrieve the information from my safe and call the credit card companies who immediately cancelled the cards and replaced them – even offering to overnight them the hotel in Rome.

 

By simply following a few simple rules, nearly all petty crimes can be avoided – or at least minimized.  You’re on vacation – you’re there to have fun however you need to travel smart.  Travel should be fun if you a careful.

Staying Safe aboard a Cruise Ship

Staying Safe aboard a Cruise Ship

Every year, millions of people cruise. There is a reason why so many people cruise – it can be a hassle free, relaxing way to vacation.  Although over the past few years there have been reports of cruise ship crime and accidents, the reality is that cruise ship crime is actually very low.

Having said that, and despite being safe aboard a cruise ship, it’s important for you to take precautions to protect your belongs and yourself.  Most precautions are simple and can be accomplished with a minimum of effort — and despite being simple this will keep you, your belongings and your finances safe while on a cruise.

Although you might believe that your safety begins once aboard ship, you should actually begin well in advance.  For instance, because you’re on a cruise, it could be that you are visiting a foreign country.  If there’s a mistake (or a disaster), you should have all your important papers and documents available.  This includes your driver’s license and passport.  Prior to leaving, you should make copies of all your documents – leaving a copy at home and carrying another copy with you. 

After you board there are a couple of things that you need to do in order to ensure your safety.  First of all, make sure that you are familiar with the layout of the cruise ship.  Most cruise ships are large and it may take a bit of time to familiarize yourself with the ship – but of course, you’re going to want to know the layout of the ship anyway, so a tour is a fun way to do it.  Additionally, if you’re not given a map upon check in, then make sure that you request one.  This map should be carried with you in case you lose your way.

Getting to know the other passengers.  You don’t have to socialize or even be outgoing in order to do this, however make sure that you keep an eye out for people who appear to are “shady”.  Make sure that you protect yourself – afterall, if you’re on land, you will avoid people who make you feel uncomfortable…you should also do this aboard ship.

Even when traveling on land, it’s generally wiser to travel with others, if possible, do the same while aboard a cruise ship.  This will reduce or even eliminate your chances of becoming a victim.  When moving around the ship alone, tell one or two people where you’re headed and when you’ll return.  If something happens, a friend or relative should know where to locate you.

Always remember that personal safety should be your main concern when traveling.  Additionally, your belongings also should be kept safe.  If you travel with expensive luggage or money, take extra precautions.  In face, consider leaving those items behind.  Also, realize that most cruise ships will not reimburse you for any lost belongings or money – so if you can’t afford to replace or lose it, don’t bring it.

With theft, cash and credit cards are the most common items to steal.  Instead of carrying your wallet or purse, invest in an inexpensive money pouch that can be worn around your neck or waist and tucked under your shirt.

If, for some reason you don’t have a money pouch, make sure that you divide up your money into multiple locations.  This way, in the event that a theft occurs, you will still have financial protection. 

Cruising is, for the most part safe, however by following the above simple precautions, you can safely enjoy your vacation aboard a cruise ship.

 

Properly Preparing For Your Vacation

Are you planning a vacation this year? If so, have you already started planning your trip? As you start, you might want to consider some of the online resources including a large number of tips available.

Here are some ideas you might want to consider.

1. Climate – What will the weather be like at your destination? Whatever the weather, you need to bring appropriate clothing. If you will be in a warm, tropical location, bathing suits, shorts, t-shirts, lightweight clothing is the most desirable. And while you might have warm and sunny weather, be prepared for the worse – even packing an extra raincoat or an umbrella in addition to your summer attire.

2. Identification – No matter where you’re traveling to, it’s important to bring the proper forms of identification in the form of driver’s license, i.d. card and passport. Also bring along all health insurance and auto insurance cards. You never know if you might need them.

3. A popular tourist/summer vacation destination is the beach. Millions of people each year flock to popular beaches throughout the year. If you’re vacationing at a beach or pool area, it’s important to bring along plenty of sunscreen, beach towels and water.

4. Cruise vacations are a popular choice – and for good reason. If you plan on taking a cruise, start preparing as soon as possible after you book your reservation. Unlike some other vacations, a cruise often will require more preparation.

When preparing for your cruise, keep in mind the destinations of your ship and the stops that are planned. If you are traveling internationally, you will need a passport. If you don’t have one already, you’ll need to obtain one and although they are easy to get, the time it takes could be as much as 6 weeks. This is why (if you don’t already have a passport) you should apply for one as soon as possible.

5. Some families choose to go camping. Perhaps even more than a cruise, a camping trip requires much more preparation than just packing up and heading to a hotel or amusement park. The amount of preparation however, does depend on where you’ll be going and how you’ll be camping.

First of all, determine where you’ll be sleeping – outside, in a tent or in a trailer or RV. Make sure that you have plenty of supplies stocked and, if camping outside, a tent (with all the pieces accounted for) and warm sleeping bag. If you will be boating, fishing, water skiing or hiking, bring the appropriate gear along. Since many areas are remote and secluded, if you forget something you might have to go without.

Although many times if you forget certain supplies, you can purchase replacements, many times the cost of the replacement is inflated…so prior to leaving, make a list and check your luggage before departing.

6. Inform your friends and family where you’re going. If you have put together an itinerary, give this information to a trusted friend of family member so if something happens at home, you can be reached. If you plan on leaving a pet home, make sure you make proper arrangements for the care and feeding.

The importance of preparing for your summer vacation can’t be emphasized enough. Although sometimes preparing for your vacation may be overwhelming, by preparing in advance, your vacation travel will be much easier to manage.

 

Planning Your Summer Vacation

Every year many people take summer vacations. If you plan on taking a vacation, it’s important to review your options and plan ahead.

First of all, where do you plan on going for your summer vacation? What’s your destination? This should be your first determination because without a destination, it’s impossible to make travel reservations.

Some of the factors you should use in determining where to vacation are the following…

1. Will you be traveling with children and if so, what are their ages and the cost of the travel. When you budget in the travel make sure that you also factor in costs of food, snacks etc.

2. Reservations – After determining your destination, you need to make reservations. Although many amusement parks, campgrounds and hotels don’t require reservations, it’s wise to make them anyway. Since many popular vacation destinations quickly fill up, without proper reservations you may arrive and not be left ‘hanging’.

3. Travel Agents – You might want to consider using a travel agent when arranging your vacation. Not only do travel agents have access to online reservations, but they also can make suggestions on additional day trips and other things that you might have missed. The down side of using a travel agent is that their services don’t come free – so with the proper research, you might consider making your own reservations. When you’ve pre-planned properly, you can make reservations in a short time – either online or by phone. Write down the various reservations you need (hotel, travel, etc) and book everything at one time.

4. Method of Travel – After traveling by car, the most preferred method for vacation is by air. You can easily book all your airline reservations online by using either the airline website or by choosing one of the other websites that allow you to compare prices, schedules and airlines all in one shot. These websites are, in many cases, either equal to or less than the individual airlines.

5. Accommodations – Unless you are camping, then you’ll probably need to reserve accommodations. These accommodations can be either a hotel, motel or resort. Also consider B&B’s and places like dude ranches or other family run smaller accommodations. Other popular hotel/motel chains would be good as they generally have pools, hot tubs, restaurants, etc. Nowadays most places allow online booking.

Although a majority of people might prefer to stay indoors, there are many people who enjoy the outdoors – which include camping and/or backpacking. If you plan on vacationing at a national or state park or public campground, it’s recommended that you make a reservation. These campgrounds are often limited as far as the amount of space available. A reservation will ensure that you have a place to set you your tent or park your camper/trailer.

6. Booking at a discount – Everyone loves a deal – and especially if you’re traveling with a family, it’s important to see if you can find as many discounts as possible. Oftimes this may include discounts offered by hotels, airlines and reservations throughout the world. The downside is that the services offered might focus on popular vacation destinations. If you are planning on traveling to a little known resort, you might be unable to obtain a discount.

Whether or not you choose to use the a discount travel website, a professional travel agent, or make your own reservations, you should make the appropriate plans. By not properly planning, you might make a costly mistake that could ruin your vacation. Instead, plan ahead for the summer vacation to be (positively) remembered.

Making the Most Out of Your Next Flight

If you are planning on taking a vacation this year, to make the most out of your trip, by following these simple steps you’ll ensure that your journey will be as good and hassle free as possible.

Of course you’ll be planning your vacation however by having a bad experience at the airport or aboard your plane can spoil even the best made plans.  To prevent this from happening you only need to follow these rules…

Air Travel Rules: First of all, in order to make the most out of your flight, familiarize yourself with the air travel rules.  The best way to do this is to note the items that are prohibited in airports and aboard planes. With the crack-down on prohibited items, many people are unaware that what they carry aboard their carry-on luggage may actually be prohibited.  If you bring prohibited items aboard an airplane, this could lead to your items being confiscated, a flight being missed, detaining by airport security, and, yes, even in some cases, being arrested.

It is a very simple matter for you to learn what items are and aren’t allowed aboard a plane.  Just review the restrictions that your airport/s and airlines have.  Contact the airline or airport or visit their online websites.  You’ll probably discover that items banned are more numerous than you’d thought.  These items include many liquids (including water), sharp objects (including nail clippers and knitting needles), most sports equipment and, of course, flammable items.  You can also determine if any items you plan on carrying can be stored in your checked luggage.

The Airport Screening Process:  In addition to familiarizing yourself with prohibited items, it’s also important to be aware of the airport security checkpoints and the airport screening process.  As airports become more and more crowded, it seems like more and more problems arise.  Therefore, for a domestic flight it’s recommended that you arrive at least two hours prior to departure and for international flights, double the time to four hours.  Different airports do have different flights and are different sizes so check in advance as far as what your airport recommends.

Arrive on time.  This can make all the difference between a smooth flight (and the start of a great vacation) and an airport nightmare story.  Although waiting around an airport is not the most fun, an even worse time is the panic you feel when you are rushing to make your flight.  If you arrive on time, or even early, the worst thing is that you’ll have to wait, however, if you arrive at the airport early.  Just bring a book or magazine and find a chair at the gate.  Due to overbooking, many times all the chairs are filled early, so this is also important…you don’t want to have to stand or sit on the floor.

Cooperate.  This is basically “it” in a nutshell.  Make sure that you cooperate with airport officials, airline employees and especially airport security.  If, for instance, a banned item is discovered in your luggage, acknowledge the mistake and continue on.  The item will probably be confiscated but if you make a fuss, you could be detained by airport security and even miss your flight.

All in all, if you follow these 4 simple rules, your flight and your time in the airport will be much easier.

Traveling light on a cruise

So you’re going on a cruise.  You’ve booked your reservations, asked your friend to take care of the dog and water the plants and now it’s time to pack.  But what will you wear?

You know that the way a person dresses has an effect on how others look at you.  You want to be well-dressed and confident instead of dowdy.  So how can you be fashionable without looking like a diva and dragging a ton of luggage aboard? Well really, it’s easier than you think.

The first rule to traveling light is to only bring what is important and what you need.  Remember, a cruise is generally for a short time and you don’t need to empty out your closet and medicine cabinet. You’re cruising to relax and over packing creates a hassle and stress that you’re trying to get away from.

So how do you pack for a cruise?  Well, first of all, break your packing into three areas:  Casual, formal and informal.  Casual clothes would be those things that you’ll be wearing during the day. They are shorts, t-shirts, pants, sneakers, bathing suits, etc.  Also, falling into that category are such things as sunscreen/sun tan lotion, flip flops, sun glasses, and even a hat.

Your nighttime clothes can be a little more formal – perhaps a long dress for ladies and trousers and a blazer for men.  You don’t have to be fancy in order to dress up, and the most important thing is to make sure your clothes are as wrinkle free as possible.  It’s important that you don’t look messy.

When packing try to put together mix and match outfits…pants or skirts that can be worn with more than one top and tops that can go from casual to fancy with just the addition of a nice jacket, scarf or additional accessory.

When traveling on a cruise, make sure you try to look for outfits that are lightweight.  You’d be surprised how much difference this can make when you have your suitcase all packed.  There are several online stores that specialize in light weight travel clothes and their websites are a great place to start.

Remember, you want your vacation to be hassle- free, stress-free and packing light is a great start for achieving that.