Useful Travel Tips for the Adventurous Globetrotter

Health

1. In developing and third world countries it is often wise to avoid raw vegetables, salads, unpeeled fruit, raw shellfish such as clams, cream, ice-cream and ice cubes and even undercooked or cold fold, which can be contaminated. Fresh Cooked foods are often safer.
2. Avoid swimming, bathing and wading in freshwater streams and marshes etc ... as they often contain microbes and other microbes that can make you sick. It pays to check with authorities that there is nothing dangerous in the water as well.
3. See your doctor and check with a Travel Health advisory such as the Centers for Disease Control or World Health Organization to see what shots you need for the country you visit and when. Remember to do the same for children who are traveling with you.
4. Wash your hands as often as possible
5. Bring insect repellant & sunscreen - some insects carry diseases such as malaria.
6. Mosquitoes generally bite from dusk to dawn, but some are daytime biters. When outside, try to wear light colored clothing and long pants and sleeves.
7. Make sure that the medication you bring is clearly labeled in its original bottle.
8. It's always a good precaution to have a full check-up prior to departure, including a dental check. A visit to the optician for an eye test or a change of glasses is also advisable
9. Check if it is ok to drink the water - try soft drinks or bottles water (make sure that it is not a fake). Avoid ice and ice cream in suspect areas.
10. Don't leave home without a recent dental checkup, as you won't want to be going to see a dentist while you are away, especially in the third world
11. Try to acclimatize yourself slowly to changes in heat, environment and altitude
12. Avoid sharing water and glasses as you never know what he/she has

13. Always wear something on your feat as you might catch diseases such as ringworm and athletes foot.

Safety

1. 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
2. Think about putting your money and passport etc. in a money belt or shoulder belt
3. Be very careful in subways, buses and other crowded places where pickpockets prowl
4. 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
5. Beware of hotels which don't have adequate fire protection and prevention such as sprinklers, fire escapes etc...
6. 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
7. Try to sit in the middle cars where there are other passengers. Do not sit in an empty train car alone
8. Make your car look local by removing the rental company decals and putting a local newspaper in the back
9. Try to dress conservatively when you go abroad. You do not want to appear too affluent or "touristy" as both looks attract thieves
10. Use the hotel room safe for your valuables, but avoid bringing valuables with you when traveling if possible
11. Avoid parking lots that glitter with broken glass and get advice from your hotel on where to park
12. 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
13. Don't tell strangers where you are staying

Extra Safety Tips for Woman Travelers

1. Women traveling alone are most vulnerable - keep an eye out for suspicious activities, take a room off the main floor and bolt the door
2. Try to learn the sexual customs of the country you are traveling to - this may help avoid misunderstandings and unwanted advances
3. Be aware of the local dress code, especially in Islamic countries
4. 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?"
5. Wear a ring on your wedding finger, even if you are alone and/or unmarried. This sometimes helps
6. If someone asks if you are alone, say that your husband or boyfriend will be right back
7. Have your key ready when you get near your hotel
8. Use cabs at night instead of walking if possible
9. Don't hang onto that purse if someone grabs it - is it really worth your life?
10. Avoid traveling alone
11. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry
12. Trust your senses, if it looks dangerous, it probably is. Be aware of your surroundings at all times

We at www.expatglobalmedical.com want to assist and answer any questions you may have. E-Mail us at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesita tener Javascript activado para poder verla . We want to thank David Tomkins at TGF Global Travel Insurance for this fine travel information.

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