Traveler's Tips

I've found very useful tips while I was googling about. Be sure to read this before you start your journey. Thanks to hotel4stay.com for this one.

»Before Travel
1. Find necessary information on:

• Local laws, culture, and customs, to prepare yourself from unnecessary worry, surprise and embarrassment
• Weather: pack appropriate necessary clothing, lotions, and other necessary equipment, especially when you anticipate a dramatic difference in climate from what you are accustomed to
• Local currency: change some money (cash or travellers' cheques, and also prepare a small amount in case of unexpected needs. Ascertain beforehand what kind of currency (cash or travellers' cheques) might be accepted

2. Packing:

• Your valuables should always be in hand luggage. Avoid storing them in the front or side parts of the bag; instead, pack them deep within the main body.
• Ladies, for your eye, lip and other cosmetic accessories, buy a "3in1" tube and make your luggage space more compact.
• Prepare a resealable bag to contain toiletries, to avoid leaking into your clothes (baggage area in the aircraft is not pressurized, and liquids may leak out).
• Mark your own luggage distinctively. Make is easy for spotting and claiming your baggage, to avoid taking the wrong luggage. For instance, tie a brightly colored ribbon to family bags and suitcases.

3. Don't forget key elements of travel:

• Passport,
• Money, and
• Ticket.

4. Email yourself the necessary information:

• ticket numbers,
• Passport number,
• credit card numbers,
• phone numbers,
• and other important information.

5. Using Travelers Checks

• Travelers checks are relatively more convenient to use; however, you might need to determine whether the particular country you wish to visit will honor them. When you go to purchase travelers checks you can get a list of banks, hotels, countries, etc. which honor that kind of check.
• Find out also details on refunds, loss, and the company's replacement policy

6. Using Credit Cards

• Contacting your credit card company to inform them of your travel destination will bring many benefits. They will provide information, such as the foreign exchange rate policy and fee, ATMs, and contact numbers for the country you wish to visit.
• Due to the unfamiliar spending patterns, the company will not suspect any fraud or delay your approval, since they know that you are on holiday, away from your usual place of work and residence and routine.

»While Traveling
1. At the hotel
Use the hotel safe, never leave valuable in soft bags or even in a padlocked bag. Important: wipe the touch key on the hotel safe every time you operate it, using a damp cloth. Wait until it dries, then enter your secret code. The reason is that in certain hotels, staff might place a light oil residue or powder on the keys to show which keys have been pressed.
2. Do not carry your passport around: just bring a photocopy instead
3. Plan your daily budget and bring enough money for the day. Don't draw people's attention by flashing large amounts of cash.
4. Don't accept drinks from anybody you just met. They may be drugged.
5. Be careful in sharing travel plans with strangers.
6. If you decide to use public transportation, only board busses/taxis with official markings.
7. Never accept gifts/packages from someone unknown. They may contain bombs or narcotics.
8. Be confident and act as if you know where you are going - even when you don't.
9. Watch out for pickpockets!!

• avoid walking in heavily crowded situations
• always take main streets; avoid narrow alleys and quiet streets
• carry money in a cash belt, or inside your clothes
• place a rubber band around your wallet

»Travel with Children
1. Always keep your child's recent photo in your wallet in case they get lost in a crowded area
2. Make sure you have your children go to the toilet before departure from the hotel.
3. Write down on a piece of paper the name, address, phone number of the place you are staying and "I am lost, please call my parent" in the local language as well as in English. Make sure your child keeps paper in his/her pocket, and if it is necessary to show someone the paper, tell the child to hand it to a woman (relatively safer than a man)
4. Prepare a hand sanitizer, in case you need water and cannot find any restroom
5. For long trips, buy a lot of cheap toys to keep your children occupied, so they won't nag and annoy you.
6. Always have extra clothes for them and for yourself. Sticky drinks will not only spill on their clothes but on yours also.