Travel Safety
The usual travel safety tips are of course, still applicable, such as don’t walk back to your hotel or Air BnB alone at night, walk on well lit paths, etc. However, below are some other travel safety tips that may not immediately come to mind.
To prevent possible theft, use RIF blocking products, such as wallets, credit cards, passport holders. I even use these products when I’m not traveling. Personally, I’d rather be overly protective of my personal information, then regret it later.
If you don’t already have a VPN for your personal computer and cell phone, I highly recommend Nord VPN, which you can use around the world, NordPass, which securely stores, manages and autofills passwords and NordLocker, which secures files in a private file vault. The directions that are provided by Nord are easy to follow.
Place a credit card freeze with the 3 U.S. credit bureaus before you leave the U.S., to prevent having to deal with an unexpected situation while you are traveling. In one call, you can place a credit freeze with all 3 U.S. credit bureaus. To unfreeze, you’ll need to contact each credit bureau separately. This can all be done online too.
There is nothing more unnerving when traveling, and receiving a notice that someone is trying to open a line of credit in your name, when your taxi is waiting to take you to the airport for an all day flight.
Surprisingly, your choice of footwear may give you away as a tourist, and therefore, a potential target of theft. And so, what kinds of shoes are comfortable to walk around all day in, yet don't make you standout for all the wrong reasons? I have worn this loafer pair for my Fall adventures and these sandals for beachy vacations.
Money belt, day pack or SCOTTeVEST. Money belts can be easily worn under clothes.
If possible, keep the family jewelry at home. Wearing a lot of jewelry may make you a target for thieves.
Be mindful when carrying a camera, especially cameras with lens, etc. Although it can be difficult to conceal a larger camera, keeping it stored close to your body and in its case, may be a safer option.
For many reasons, including safety, I prefer staying in hotels rather than Air BnBs. (Of course, if you are planning on staying for a longer duration and want to live like a local, an Air BnB may make more sense for you.) I like knowing that there is someone monitoring of my comings/goings, that there’s someone physically available to help me if it’s needed.
Get receipts from taxis just in case you realize that you forget something in that taxi, you have a way of contacting them.
“TRAVEL FAR ENOUGH, YOU MEET YOURSELF.”
– DAVID MITCHELL