15 Responses

1. Tonky

   September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

   1

   Always keep a small amount of US dollars stashed in your luggage. They are accepted everywhere and so, if the worst happens, and you have your wallet, money belt, travellers cheques etc stolen, then you have some money you can fall back on until you can arrange alternative funding.

2. bobcarney55

   September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

   2

   travel light, and keep medicine and money in two different locations.

3. mooreariana

   September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

   3

   Don’t!! Just lock the gate, turn off the phone ringer, and let the newspapers pile up…. best vacation I ever had..

4. pattycake

   September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

   4

   Always carry cash.

5. Nihl_of_Brae

   September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

   5

   Get to know the culture where you are travelling.

6. oceanjen2003

   September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

   6

   don;t carry to much cash. Take a debit or credit card. If you must carry a lot of cash wear a small pouch around your neck and tuck it in the front of your shirt so it can’t be seen.

7. Joe-slim

   September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

   7

   Don’t travel alone.

8. hurricane_0_8

   September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

   8

   It was, "Always buy good travel insurance."

   Health crises in a foreign land and emergency trip interruptions are the two most expensive risks to a good trip.

   I would add that you should get your travel insurance from a source separate from your transport arrangements to avoid any conflicts of interest.

   To explore the subject of travel insurance go to a neat website at http://www.wavehelp.com/travel-medical/index.htm.

   Best wishes.

9. JuanB

   September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

   9

   When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Soak up as much local culture and cuisine as you can. If you go to McDonald’s and order burgers and a coke you better be visiting America.

   If you spent thousands on air fair and hundreds on hotel rooms, then it makes sense to splurge a bit on events, purchases and meals. If you don’t and have second thoughts, it’s a long expensive trip back.

   Carry an empty wallet full of useless credit cards and a couple of small bills as a decoy.

10. Syd

    September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

    10

    Bring less stuff but bring more money.

11. travel.fool

    September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

    11

    Couple Things

    Safety, Always be aware of your surroundings.
    It is unrealistic to not have cash on you, especially in market areas. Split it up, a little in each of your front pockets, a little in one of those pouches that tuck inside your shirt – wherever you can think of. Just know how much you have.

    Be outgoing, even if you are usually not. People love to talk. If Americans have pride in our county, some countries take pride in everything – family, food, architecture, love, nature, work – all at once and depending on how you grew up, some don’t really know what that is like until you are in the middle of it.

    Write things down. It doesn’t have to be extensive, your traveling and tired at the end of the day but it goes a long way to help remember long after your back to your daily routine…Have Fun

12. JaneB

    September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

    12

    If you travel to a foreign country, don’t try and bring all your home country customs with you. Immerse yourself in the culture, food and customs of the place you visit. You’ll be better liked and learn so much more than if you try to find the "American" style hotels, restaurants, and tours.

    Branch out and be flexible.

    Oh, and from my own experience, pack some large ziploc bags in your luggage. They are light and come in increidbly useful, whether it’s to pick and save seashells, take extra food from the restaurant, or protect your passport from water damage.

13. sarah b

    September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

    13

    So long as you have got your passport, ticket and money, everything else is incidental.

14. looksadpaper

    September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

    14

    Absolutely sarah b – my motto when travelling is to always check the 3 p’s:
    plane ticket
    purse
    passport
    and of course ALWAYS take out travel insurance, don’t drink the water and remember that you are a guest in someone else’s country, so behave accordingly.

15. bandmo b

    September 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm

    15

    with all of these new restrictions: pack lightly