Traveling to a new country is awesome, and you want to have the best experience possible. However, you must make sure that you think about the safety of your family first. By doing certain things, you can help you and your family to stay safe and have the trip of a lifetime. Keep reading to learn more, and use these seven helpful tips for out of country travel.
Keep a credit card on you for emergencies. This is a different card than what all you have planned for the trip. Keep it in a different place, a safe place, and make sure it is ready to go. You want to have access to this card to provide for you and your family in case of emergency.
You aren't going to want to carry too much cash on you. This is a major red flag for traveling to other countries. Cash is very noticeable, and you do not want to be flashing American dollars everywhere. Instead, use traveler's checks. Also, keeping cash on you when you have to trade it in for foreign currency in most places isn't a good idea anyway. Traveler's checks will ensure seamless travel financially speaking.
Always write down and copy a few times the number, address and any other contact information concerning the American Embassy where you are traveling. You need to have this information at the drop of a hat in case there is any confusion or something goes wrong.
Make an itinerary for your travel, even though you are likely to make changes. You should leave a few copies of this itinerary with family and friends back home. This will give them an idea of where you are at in case there is an emergency back home or one where you are.
When you are planning your travel, make copies of all important documents, such as your passport. When you arrive at your destination, keep your official passport in the hotel safe where you stay. This does not mean the hotel safe in your room. Ask the hotel staff to keep your important documents in their safe. You will have copies on you as well for proof of who you are.
You must always be watchful of your surroundings because tourists stick out like a sore thumb. You don't want to become someone's prey. That being said, you should also keep things on you at all times. Do not leave things sitting somewhere where people can swipe them. Also, do not create the appearance that you have things on you that a thief would envy. You want to play it smart, and you want to focus on having a good time.
Traveling to another country is one of the most exciting things you can do. However, it can also be devastating if you don't make the necessary preparations. Use the tips and advice that have been provided to you here so that you can get a good jump on the game.