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Safety

• Don't open your hotel door to just anyone, even if they say they are security - call down to front desk to check their ID
• Think about putting your money and passport etc.. in a money belt or shoulder belt
• Be very careful in subways, busses and other crowded places where pickpockets prowl
• Know the neighborhoods in which you travel. Learn the locations of possible "safe areas" - fire & police stations, hospitals, and restaurants or stores that are open late
• Beware of hotels which don't have adequate fire protection and prevention such as sprinklers, fire escapes etc...
• Don't let yourself be distracted. Criminals often work in pairs  as one person will get your attention while the other steals your wallet, purse or shopping bag
• Try to sit in the middle cars where there are other passengers. Do not sit in an empty train car alone
• Make your car look local by removing the rental company decals and putting a local newspaper in the back
• Try to dress conservatively when you go abroad. You do not want to appear too affluent or "touristy" as both looks attract thieves
• Use the hotel room safe for your valuables, but avoid bringing valuables with you when traveling if possible
• Avoid parking lots that glitter with broken glass and get advice from your hotel on where to park
• Try doing a general security check of your hotel and room when you arrive -- such as checking to make sure windows are locked, see if there is a dead bolt on the door and make sure rooms that are connected to your room are locked
• Don't tell strangers where you are staying
• Think about bringing your baby car seat for your baby while in the airplane or other modes of transportation

Extra Safety Tips for Woman Travelers

• Women traveling alone are most vulnerable - keep an eye out for suspicious activities, take a room off the main floor and bolt the door
• Try to learn the sexual customs of the country you are traveling to - this may help avoid misunderstandings and unwanted advances
• Be aware of the local dress code, especially in Islamic countries
• If you are harassed or bothered, appeal to local women for assistance or maybe ask "What would your mother say if she knew you had done that?"
• Wear a ring on your wedding finger, even if you are alone and/or unmarried. This sometimes helps
• If someone asks if you are alone, say that your husband or boyfriend will be right back
• Have your key ready when you get near your hotel 
• Use cabs at night instead of walking if possible
• Don't hang onto that purse if someone grabs it - is it really worth your life?
• Avoid traveling alone
• Trust your senses, if it looks dangerous, it probably is

Booking Travel

• Make sure you know the cancellation policies in advance & request a copy before making reservation
• If you have to cancel your hotel booking, contact them ASAP and ask for a refund or credit. Maybe you can come at a different date.

Restaurant Tips

• Ask the locals - they are a great source for great places to eat.
• Call ahead to ask if formal attire is required.
• Ask if the tip is included. Many restaurants outside North America automatically include 15%. It is up to you if you want to leave more
• Coupons - Check the restrictions and let your server know you have a coupon and ask if you can use it.
• If you use a coupon, tip on the total bill before coupon is deducted

Travel Health

• If you have a food allergy, make sure you ask someone knowledgeable (manager) if that item is in the food or may contaminate the food you are ordering.
• If you get diarrhea while traveling for more than 1 day, consult a MD. Ignoring diarrhea can be serious.

Travel Insurance

• Arrange for your travel insurance at least a month before leaving
• If you are covered at work, examine your plan booklet and call the insurance company to make sure you know what you are covered for
• In the event of a claim, especially if at a hospital, have someone immediately call the insurance provider/company to pre-certify the claim. This is important because you will want to make sure that treatment is covered and you want to avoid any penalties which some travel plans have for non pre-certification. 
• For the Single and Multi-Trip Travel plans, All Hospitalizations, Emergency Evacuations, Emergency Reunions, Trip Cancellation, and Repatriation of Remains must be Pre-certified. Simply call, or have your Physician call, insurance provider and/or administrator with all information relative to your claim. Be sure to have your ID number available. If you do not Pre-certify, some company's medical expenses will be reduced by 50%, and all other expenses will be forfeited
• Bring your travel insurance card or certificate of coverage with you when you travel
• The larger the deductible, the lower the premium
• Remember that the insurance generally only covers emergencies. So if you broker your arm before leaving and it needs treatment, it probably won't be covered
• As obvious as it sounds, pay your premium! Coverage will not take affect if you forget to pay your premium
• Make sure you tell someone you are traveling with and/or a friend or relative at home you have travel insurance. Make sure that they have the policy number and insurance company contact
• Make sure that travel insurance company is able to pay claims directly to hospitals
• A great way to save if you take multiple trips outside the country is to purchase a multi-trip travel insurance plan. For one annual premium, you can usually cover an unlimited number of trips up to 15 or 30 days in consecutive trip length
• Most plans do not cover pre-existing medical conditions
• If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it may not be covered during your trip - read terms & conditions carefully.
• Get an online travel insurance quote now!

Transportation Tips

• Double check that you brought your tickets, passport and money with you before you leave home
• Make a list of things to bring
• Confirm your transportation, especially airline departure times as they can change without notice
• Request a seat assignment and special meals ASAP
• Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before departure
• Bring some currency of the country you are traveling to
• Avoid exchanging money at airports and train stations as they rarely have great rates. Try a bank
• Put a lock on your luggage as you may get something stolen or someone may smuggle contraband in your luggage
• Never lose sight of your luggage, even at security checks
• Travel lightly 
• Do you have enough money for departure taxes?
• Drink lots of fluids on the plane as the air is dry and you may get dehydrated, which affects your immune system
• Fasten those seat belts in airplanes and in taxis!
• Avoid excessive alcohol on the airplane as you will want to have your wits when you arrive and alcohol lowers your immune system and can make you dehydrated
• Airport Finder Link
• Rail Pass - Eurail Pass Site - great way to see Europe

Maps

• MapQuest - Excellent map site - free maps from anywhere in world
• National Geographic Maps
• World Atlas.com
• Lonely Planet Maps

Customs

• Make sure you bring your prescription receipts with your prescriptions so you can avoid potential problems with customs authorities
• Bring along a copy of your bill for expensive items such as jewelry and cameras so you can prove to customs that you purchased the items in your home country
• Get a pamphlet or check your county's customs rules before you purchase that expensive watch or ring
• Always be polite and respectful

Traveling Etiquette and Tipping

• GLOBAL VILLAGE ETIQUETTE - How to avoid offending international guests
• Snap Guide to Etiquette
• Tipping Guide
• Check your bill or menu to see if it already includes service because you don't want to tip twice

Packing Guide

• Epicurious Packing Guide & Information
• Travel lightly - this can't be said enough
• A bag with the dimensions 9" x 22" x 14" will fit under most airplane seats
• Rather than take a huge supply of toiletries, bring just enough to get started. You can find anything you need in most countries.
• Bring Travel detergent, usually in a tube - this will mean you won't have to take as much
• Universal Packing Guide List
• Rick Steves' Packing List

Living & Travel News From MSNBC

Hotels

• Conde Nast Top Hotels List
• Hotel Guide Site - International Hotel guide for travelers
• In the third world, try to avoid "cheap" hotels
• Your hotel's concierge can be a valuable resource, so make sure you give him/her a tip

Money

• Check expiry on credit cards before you leave on your trip
• Check if credit card limit will be high enough for those fancy hotels
• Photocopy front and back of all credit cards, debit cards and travelers checks and leave a copy in a safe place at home and with a trusted relative who you can call in the event your wallet is stolen or lost so that the cards can be cancelled
• Memorize those Debit Card Pin #s
• Research local currency rates
• Plan a daily budget for incidentals
• Banks often have the best exchange rates. Be wary of currency exchange booths at the airport and rail station as their rates are often sub-standard.

General Travel

• Buy some travelers checks & "don't leave home without them"
• Bring a credit card from at least 2 different card companies because one store or hotel may only take VISA or MasterCard.
• Things to Do Before You Leave Guide
• Trip To Do List from Epicurious Travel Web page
• Try spending more than just a few days in one city & possibly use it as your base for short day-trips to the surrounding area
• Try to take advantage of "shoulder" seasons, which are brief periods 2-4 weeks just before and after peak season. It may be worth it because they deliver moderate savings with generally good weather conditions. Thus, these offerings often sell out quickly
• For summer travel, consider someplace in the southern hemisphere, where it's winter
• Try to avoid peak periods of travel when
• Before you travel to your destination, check out the local events - such as Wimbledon in London, Mardi Gras in New Orleans or  Carnival in Venice
• Europeans and many other countries measure temperatures in degrees Celsius. Zero degrees Celsius equals 32 degrees Fahrenheit (C x 9/5 + 32 = F). Even easier and nearly as
  accurate, double the Celsius temperature and add 30.
  A memory aid: 28xC =82xF (very hot).
• Disabled Travel Resources Links

Some Links

Here are some links to site with important information about health, environmental and political conditions that could be encountered on your next international trip. 

Center for Disease Control (CDC) 

US State Department Travel Warnings 

International Terrorism and Travel Warnings 

Note: Use of Travel Tips & Travel Links & Travel Info information is at your own risk. Travel safe and enjoy yourself.