Travelling isn’t always the fantasy it’s painted to be in photos and videos you see on the internet. Often, there are things (big and small) that could and do go wrong when one goes on a trip. To prevent this, one must take precautions as well as some tips to make things run as smoothly as possible. Read on for some reminders on how to secure a more hassle-free vacation.
Make A Checklist
Checklists are a great way to keep tabs on personal necessities. They’re not only for making sure you have everything you need to bring, you can use them to number and remind you of what you must do before you leave. Make a list of what you’ll need to do around the house to secure it (turn off the electricity, water systems, lock doors) as well as the preparations you should make in case of any emergency. This way, you will not only have peace of mind that everything’s set when you leave, you’re also being thorough with your responsibilities.
Prepare Your Insurance
One of those to-dos on your checklist should be to prepare travel insurance. When you’re in a different country, it’s always good to have something to back you up in case you get into a medical emergency. Instead of risking paying thousands of dollars if you end up in the ER, getting insurance lets you spend the rest of your trip worry-free of ridiculous hospital fees over something as small as a sprained arm from one of those exciting motorcycle tours you took.
Keep Your Valuables Close to You
Tourist spots are known for having thieves, no matter how glamorous that location may be. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a wet market in southeast Asia or in a world-famous landmark in Europe, you need to keep an eye on your cash and valuables. If possible, pick up a body wallet so it’s harder to pickpocket you. As much as possible, don’t let anyone you don’t trust hold your camera or smartphone to take a picture of you, because they may just take off with it.
Be careful of scams as well – some con artists will stop you and pretend to look for directions when in fact, they’re distracting you from stealing something in your bag. Don’t leave your luggage unattended, and as much as possible, don’t trust strangers with your things in general.
Be Vigilant
While it feels great to let loose while you’re on vacation, it pays to be vigilant. This works for not just pickpockets, but also other potential scenarios, such as someone slipping something in your drink in the bar of a beach, or being ogled at by men in countries who have generally less respect for women. Being vigilant doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of an experience, it is simply an extra precaution to keep you safe. You can do something as fun as taking motorcycle tours in Sri Lanka and still enjoy it, but your heightened awareness of your surroundings protects you more than you give it credit for.