Part 1 - by Beth Klemick
Weather if you think about it has a starring role in all of our travels; at the end of the trip it will either get a standing ovation or be harshly criticized with a bad review. There are no guarantees when it comes to weather, even with recommended travel times and seasons. With that said as unpredictable as weather can be, in every location around the world there recommended times of year to travel. Keep this in mind even bad weather can have its advantages like smaller crowds at popular tourist destination and will make you think outside the conventional box and possibly do something different for a change.
To be continued.
continued from "Tips on how to avoid Getting Robbed" - Part 4 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans
Lastly, if you do get robbed, it's extremely important that you immediately block debit and credit cards, mobile phones and your Traveler's Cheques. I mention the mobile phone as, especially in Europe, many thieves will use your mobile phone to call (abroad) and charges add up quickly.
Tip 8: Blocks cards and phone immediately
So, keep 2 lists (one with you, one at home) of the phone numbers you'll need in case of a robbery (credit card company, banks, mobile phone company, airline, embassy, travel insurance, local police) so you can quickly block your cards and phone. This is the first thing you do. Then, it's important to always file charges at the local police station.
Tip 9: Always notify the police
We know there is only a very small chance that you will get your valuables back, but you require the police report to file a claim with your travel insurance. In many countries, you can report a robbery over the phone in various languages, and sometimes even on the internet! In addition, if you report the robbery, this will add to the yearly statistics of crime, and maybe, just maybe, it helps the police receive more funds to hire more people to keep the city safe.
Lastly, start the process of duplicating other lost items, such as airline tickets and your passport or driver’s license.
I hope my suggestions help you be aware and prepared, which is probably the best insurance against you being robbed. Keep in mind that most people are lazy and will go for the easiest target. Just make sure you’re not it, and you'll be fine!
Tip 10: Don't be an easy target (and they’ll pick the person after you)
continued from "Tips on how to avoid Getting Robbed" - Part 3 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans
Even though you try to fit in with your environment, you stay in well-lit places, you don't wave wads of cash around, you can't entirely eliminate the risk that you do get pick pocketed or robbed. For example, I'm 6ft tall and blonde, I just have to accept the fact that I will never go unnoticed in a Central American country. So be prepared just in case, by making copies of all your important documents and leave one set at home and another set with you (preferably in a different place as where you keep the originals).
Tip 5: Have copies of all important documents
It won't prevent you from getting robbed but makes the process of replacing the documents much easier.
Most of the robberies occur without any type of violence. For many thieves, this is their way of living and they really don’t go about wanting to hurt people. They just want money. That said, equally as many criminals won’t have any qualms about resorting to violence to get what they want. So give it to them without resisting. It's useless and dangerous and really just not worth it.
Tip 6: Don't offer resistance
To return to my advice about money belts; the best way to protect your valuables is to let nobody know you have them with you. Therefore, when I wear my money belt, I always also carry a wallet with me with some cash and a card or so. My reasoning is; when I get robbed, I have something to give the attackers, and hopefully it won't occur to them to look further.
Tip 7: Have something to give
If you say you have nothing on you, it's not very believable and thieves also know money belts exist. You don't want them go looking for it.
To be continued...
continued from "Tips on how to avoid Getting Robbed" - Part 2 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans
When you've made it to your hotel/homestay/friend's house or wherever you'll be staying, it's time for the next step.
Tip 3: Lock up your valuables
Leave anything you don't need locked up at your accommodation. You really don't need all your credit cards and a large amount of cash to go wander about town (this is also very effective against impulse purchases I've found!). If you must take your credit cards, passport, flight tickets, etc. with you, place them in a money belt under your clothes.
Tip 4: Wear a money belt
Do make sure you can access what you need (you don't want to be groping in your pants when you need to pull out your credit card). I do a lot of 'transfers' in bathrooms, i.e. if I find something really nice I want to buy I ask to use the bathroom in the store where I take out the cash and/or credit card and put it in my pocket. And upon arriving to the airport I will go to the bathroom to take out my passport and ticket. The whole idea of a money belt is that you don't show people you're wearing one.
To be continued...
Tips on how to avoid Getting Robbed - Part 1 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans
This is not a guide to 'how to get robbed', but rather some helpful tips about how to avoid it and what to do when it does happen.
Most places in the world are not particularly more unsafe than any big city in the United States. The only reason that you statistically have a higher chance of loosing your valuables is because you are in an unfamiliar environment.
If you get robbed or pick pocketed, it's very likely that this will happen during the first couple of days (let's say, 3 days) of being in a new place. I think that the overload of new impressions, the attention you need for learning how to work the public transportation system, for trying not to get lost in the streets, combined with (often) jetlag, tiredness and getting used to a different climate, all this makes you less attentive to your surroundings.
A 'professional' (many criminals really specialize in a certain technique and develop great ability in their line of 'work') will pick up on those signals and take advantage of them. You won't be able to avoid being tired or unfamiliar with your environment, but you can try to fit in as much as possible by wearing the same type of clothes as the locals.
Tip 1: Try to fit in with your surroundings
So you shouldn't deck out in the typical tourist outfit of shorts, sneakers, T-shirt and a cap in a cosmopolitan city. It's a dead give-away.
If you're unsure where to go (and this is particularly true for public transportation) just pretend you know where you’re going and follow the crowds, until you come to a hall or other open, well-lit area where you can either ask a customer service agent for help or go stand next to the security guard while you look at your map.
Tip 2: Follow the crowds
Or treat yourself to a taxi. It's worth it.
I have personally experienced that thieves operate a lot on public transportation, especially those metro-, train- and bus lines that come from the airport. Think about it; a traveler that just arrived is usually tired, has all his valuables on him/her and will often stand still staring at a map, not concentrating on his/her environment. Ideal target for thieves, isn't it?
More to come..
with a companion - Part 3 - By Beth Klemick
Learn to enjoy your travel time together and don't fret over the little things, like their incessant tacky souvenir shopping. Remember everyone copes differently in stressful situations. Just think you are away and can escape the everyday routine and enjoy cultivating your relationship. Happy and safe travels!
with a companion - Part 1 - By Beth Klemick
Last year my fiance and I traveled to Portugal together, prior to our departure several family members kept referring to our trip as the, "trial honeymoon", or "good thing you are taking a test drive". Traveling with a companion whether it is a romantic interest, friend, family member or acquaintance can be a blast and a rewarding travel experience but it will have it's high and lows.
To quote a colleague, her advice is, "think long and hard before going with someone, especially on a longer trip/adventure". From her previous solo travels and those with someone, the latter may prevent both parties from meeting new people and venturing out beyond the comfort zone. It is impossible to ensure that traveling with a companion will go smoothly. There is also no foolproof way to choose the perfect travel companion, but thankfully with the internet along with this article a few tips can be provided and referred to.
