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Arriving tips

Whenever you arrive in any country, whether it be by boat, plane or whatever you are vulnerable. You have all your cash, cards, documents and anything else valuable on you right at that moment. It is even worse if you have never been there before and look like you haven't, there are always people who are willing to "help". Every precaution you take will help to avoid any potential problems. After all you do not want someone to "help" themselves to your belongings, when you have just arrived. Here are a few tips that should help.

Before leaving for your trip, try to get some prior information as to the rough layout of the airport where you will be arriving. This will help, to have a vague sense of where you should be going and where the taxis are located etc.

Whenever possible, especially in certain countries we recommend taking either the airport limousine, or a hotel pick up. Never take a taxi that seems just to be hanging around, offering its services when there is a taxi queue available.

Try to keep your wallet and valuables safely secured in a handbag or in one of your hand luggage. Change some money into the local currency before you depart. This gives you one less thing to worry about, and will stop you from pulling a large amount of money out at the airport arrivals.

Keep a small amount of this local currency, easily accessible in a pocket or something, and away from the majority of your well earned money. You will need sufficient for the ride into town, a tip (perhaps) and a little for unforeseen needs like toll ways or a bottle of water.

If you have not been able to find anything out about the airport that you are visiting then ask one of the airline staff, or the government tourism booth (if they have one at the airport) for some assistance, or tips on the best way of travelling.

Most countries really are very safe, but in others it is really very advisable to take to take as many precautions as possible. No matter what, the most important is that you have a great holiday.

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During your stay

It is very important to enjoy yourself when on a trip, whether it be for business or pleasure and you must not be constantly thinking about what you should or should not be doing. Instead the tips below are meant purely as a guide, for you to take some points from and others to leave all together.

Try to look as if you know where you are going, this may not be so easy if after all it is the first ever time in that country, but even still look confident as if you know.

Carrying maps around looking perplexed, and stopping to look at monuments or buildings, obviously shows that you are from out of town, and may attract the wrong type of attention.

Using travellers cheques, will always be helpful, as will using a credit card for any purchases made so that you can take advantage of the additional insurance offered.

Do not pull large amounts of cash out of your pocket. This will catch attention, no matter what country you are in.

Try to think about where you are going that day and carry sufficient cash for that and any unforeseen extras, plus a card. That should cover all you need and will limit any losses if anything did happen.

Do not accept drinks from anybody that you have just met, especially if in dubious surroundings or do not know, they could be laced with any type of concoction.

Try not to go on "wonderful trips" or to a "super shopping centre" rides with people who approach you in the street. This could lead anywhere, and will probably cost you a lot more than by taking a normal taxi. Ask your concierge or read through this site.

Do not carry your passport around, leave it in the safe in your hotel. A photocopy will suffice if local law states that you need to.

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Health tips

If you have any food allergies, learn the names of those foods in the languages used in the countries you’ll be visiting. This way you’ll be better equipped to stay on the look out for them.

Find out what types of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.

Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you’ll need to take before, during and even after your trip. Get your vaccinations early in case you have a reaction and need some recovery time.

You should consider a dental appointment if you haven’t had a check up in a while.

Be careful what you eat and drink.

Carry complete health information with you on your trip.

Protect yourself from traveler’s diarrhea while traveling abroad

  • When you are traveling abroad, don’t forget that drinking another country’s water can be dangerous.
  • Stick with bottled or boiled water and carbonated soft drinks.
  • Remember that the ice in your drink turns into water, so order them with out ice.
  • Wipe off the tops of cans before you drink from them, or better yet, bring some straws to use for drinking.
  • Avoid raw foods, as they can also be a good way to get sick.
  • Only brush your teeth with bottled water and keep your mouth shut when you’re in the shower, even an accidental spray can get you sick.
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Money tips

What credit cards do I need to take with me?

Take your major credit cards, such as, Visa, Master Card and American Express.

Make sure they are really credit cards and not just debit cards with a credit card company’s logo on them. Many locations require a credit card and will not accept a debit card, so they may have limited use on your travel.

Leave all your local store credit cards in a secure location at home; there will be no need to carry them with you.

Why should I contact my credit card companies before I leave?

You want to notify them of your trip. They may delay you if they are unaware you are traveling. The unfamiliar spending patterns might cause them to suspect that the card is being used fraudulently and delay your approvals.

They will be able to explain many of the services that they can provide while you are on your trip.

How can my credit card company help prepare me for my trip?

You can arrange to pay bills that will come due while you are gone.

They will be aware that you will be making charges from another country.

They will be able to give you an idea of how acceptable their credit card is in that particular country.

They can verify acceptance at certain foreign locations.

They’ll be able to see if your PIN number will work in the countries you are visiting. They can also issue you another PIN number if your current PIN is unacceptable to the foreign bank’s system.

They can explain cash advance, ATM, foreign purchase and foreign exchange rate policies and fees.

They can explain any services they offer, such as, extra insurance for your rental car, luggage or purchases. Make sure the coverage offered extends outside the United States and will be valid in all the countries where you’ll be traveling. Also, be sure to note any other exceptions.

They may need to give you another phone number to call in case you need to reach them. The 800 number listed on the back of your card may not work from foreign locations.

You can find out if they charge a currency conversion fee, so you can find the most economical card on which to place your foreign purchases.

Should I use my ATM card while traveling?

Yes, you’ll have access to cash during your trip so you won’t have to take as much cash with you and using your ATM card can also be a good way to get cash in foreign countries.

The ATM will issue money in local currency.

You should exchange at the bank’s wholesale exchange rate. You may still want to shop around to different banks since some will charge a high usage fee for their ATMs. Although, even high ATM fees may be less than others will charge for currency exchanges.

Don't wait until you're out of money to go to an ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down.

What should I know about using travelers checks?

If the particular brand of travelers checks are accepted in the country you’ll be visiting.

How widely they are accepted within the countries you’ll be visiting.

Any fees for purchasing and using the travelers checks.

The travelers check company’s loss, replacement and refund policies.

How can I protect my travelers checks while traveling?

Take the same precautions you would to protect your cash. Be sure to learn and follow the procedures required if you lose your travelers checks. You’ll also need to make copies of your travelers checks before you go and keep separate from them the following information.

The serial numbers of the travelers checks.

The denomination of the travelers checks.

The date and location of their purchase.

The phone number to call to report them missing.

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Safety tips

How can I protect my safety while traveling abroad?

Do the research so you’ll know the particular risks you face.

Know the local laws and abide by them.

Register your whereabouts with your. Embassy if you are staying longer than two weeks or are in a particularly dangerous area.

Take care when choosing your hotel and transportation providers.

If you haven’t left your valuables at home, leave them in your hotel’s safe.

Don’t draw attention to yourself, avoid wearing flashy jewelry and don’t display large amounts of cash. Carry only enough cash to make it through the day and leave the rest in the hotel’s safe.

Avoid traveling alone.

Be careful about sharing your traveling plans with strangers.

Stick to the main roads and avoid taking shortcuts down narrow alleys and/or poorly lit streets.

Always be aware of what is going on around you.

Only use taxis, tours and other transportation services with official markings. Only select transportation from official pickup points at transportation hubs.

Be very careful if you are asked to sell or part with your personal items. Many countries have restrictions on items foreigners can sell or give away and you can get into serious trouble for violating those laws.

Never accept gifts or packages from unknown parties.

Don’t accept items from locals to carry out of the country and deliver or mail to someone they know.

Approach any "special deals" with caution, especially if you have to go off the beaten path to get them.

Know the laws about exchanging money. Only use official exchange facilities since this is another area that can get you into trouble fast.

How can I avoid being the victim of a pickpocket?

  • Don’t travel in narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.
  • When possible, avoid having crowds of people surrounding you.
  • Carry a dummy wallet and put your money in your front pocket.
  • Place a rubber band around your wallet, it will make it much more difficult to remove from your pocket without your knowledge.
  • Carry your purse under your arm.
  • Carry your money under your clothes.

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