Lisa's Travels

Traveling alone can make for a great experience, but can also make you more vulnerable to crime. There are many things you can do to help ensure your safety while you travel solo. This article will give you some good ideas for making yourself appear less vulnerable while you travel.

Before you travel out of the country, make sure your immunizations are all up to date. There’s no way to know whether your fellow travelers are all current on their shots, or what diseases they might unknowingly be carrying. Keeping yourself vaccinated will help protect you from any diseases you may encounter.

Don’t rely on ribbons and bows to make your luggage stand out from the rest of the pack. These adornments can very easily be torn off in transit. Instead, opt for luggage in a bright, unusual color or vivid pattern that stands out on its own and can’t be removed.

Look beyond the touristy souvenir shops. To find a souvenir that will remind you of your travels and actually comes from the place you visited, shop with the locals. In grocery stores, markets, and other stores that are off the beaten (tourist) track, you’ll find things that locals actually use instead of the mass-produced trinkets.

If you are traveling to Europe with electronic gadgets, remember that the voltage for household outlets is going to be different than in North America. This means that you’ll either need to bring a converter so that you can plug American goods into European power, or find appliances that can handle a range of voltages.

Protect your liquids from spilling when you travel with a homemade bottle stopper. Before screwing the cap on your travel-sized toiletries, cover the top with a small piece of plastic removed from a plastic shopping bag. This will both protect your clothes from the liquid and keep the liquid inside its container.

Avoid hefty baggage charges by shipping your luggage ahead of you when traveling on domestic flights. It’s a great way to save money; just be sure to book your flight well in advance and have a safe delivery site.

See what transportation options are available in the cities and towns you plan on staying during your trips. There may be no requirement that you opt for car rental. Many times public transportation is much cheaper and actually an easier method of traveling because of constant traffic congestion and the stress this brings.

If you are going to be traveling abroad and there are perhaps dangers in the country that you are traveling to, register your stay with the US Embassy a few weeks before you arrive. Let the US Embassy know when you arrive there in that country. This way they will know there are US citizens there and if something happens they can help.

Make sure that your appearance doesn’t just scream “MONEY” when you are traveling. You are just begging for someone to rob you or try to take advantage of you. Leave all the expensive jewelry, watches, and clothes at home. You’re on vacation, not a TV show.

As was stated in the beginning of this article, although traveling alone can be a great experience, you can become more vulnerable to crime. Of course, there is safety in numbers, but if you are alone there are many things you can do to appear less vulnerable to potential criminals. Apply the advice from this article to ensure your safety while you are out exploring the world.

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