top-ten-tips on-the-go
Thursday’s Top Ten: Travel Safely (and wisely)
Who doesn’t need travel tips when planning trips around the busy holiday season? Whether you’re heading away from home for a business meeting or of to see grandma for a long weekend, check out today’s Top Ten for tips to travel smart this season.
1. Find out whether you will need to have a passport or visa to travel to your destination. The U.S. Department of State website provides this information.
2. Get background information about where you are going. The CIA Factbook is a very helpful site featuring overviews of the history, climate, political situation, demographics and industries of countries around the world.
3. Read up on exchange rates and make sure you know how much you are really paying for your purchases.
4. Contact your bank and credit card companies to let them know your itinerary so they know to authorize payments. You may also want to ask them about ATMs and getting the best exchange rates.
5. Learn how to make phone calls, whether you are in an emergency or just to check back with friends and family at home.
6. Make sure to leave copies of your itineraries and passports with family members at home. If you should lose your passport or luggage, having additional copies of these important documents can help you get out of a jam.
7. If you have food allergies, be sure to write down how to say those foods in the language spoken in the country you are visiting. It is amazing how people can communicate without speaking the same language, but if your throat swells after eating shellfish, you may want to learn how to say shrimp in Italian.
8. Don’t let your guard down when you are in your hotel. Take advantage of in-room or front-desk safes by locking up passports, credit cards, and other important documents.
9. Avoid carrying excessive amounts of money and multiple credit cards and make sure to have a back-up credit card. If you become a victim of theft or lose your card, you won’t be stuck without money.
10. Put a vacation hold on your mail by calling the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777. Your mail can be held at your local post office until you can pick it up or are home to receive it. Not only will you help thwart potential burglars, but you may also protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft.
