TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

When you are a tourist, you don't want to stick out. Tourists are easy targets for pickpockets, thieves, scam artists, and those who may want to do you harm. Therefore, the more you blend in, the better. This advice is especially pertinent when traveling to a foreign country, where you are most likely to stick out like a sore thumb.

Don't wear flashy jewelry or walk around with a fancy ipod (unless you're a tourist in Beverly Hills, in which case, forget all of this advice because it's not applicable to you).

Be discreet when opening your wallet.

NEVER count bills out in the open.

Keep your credit cards tucked inside deep wallet pockets where people can't see them when you open your wallet.

Wear a money belt.

Never let your credit or debit card out of your site. If you're at a restaurant and the waiter tries to take your credit card away to slide it through the machine, follow him. If he's a good person, he'll understand.

Above all, use common sense!

Stay safe during your road trip, and don't get distracted by your cell phone, PDA, Blackberry or even the GPS. You should NOT be texting, dialing, or any other kind of button-pushing while you are driving. You can change the radio station, but that's it.

This can be especially dangerous if you've already been driving for 8 hours straight, and in an unfamiliar area. Watch the road and concentrate on your driving at all times.

If you must use a GPS, do all the programming before you start your driving for the day. And try to let your passenger help you with the directions, so you don't have to keep watching the screen to see where you are going.

Frequently washing your hands is a good way to keep from picking up any stray illness, especially if you are traveling in a foreign country. But finding a convenient washroom isn't always easy, and some are so dirty that you feel like you need to wash your hands after you wash your hands.

So carry a pocket-size bottle of hand sanitizer gel with you, and use it periodically throughout the day. Try to be reasonably discrete with it though. It's pretty rude to shake someone's hand, then reach for your hand cleaner.

Taking the kids along on vacation can often be difficult. Kids are impatient and restless. It is a much easier venture when one follows basic tips for traveling with kids. Below are some easy to follow tips that will make your next trip more enjoyable and less worrisome.

1) Children traveling on planes should be placed in a car seat if they are forty pounds or less. This will keep them safe, just as in a car.

2) When on a road trip, it is good for everyone’s safety to keep a low profile at stops. Don’t be outwardly touristy. This often attracts predators.

3) Travel in a roomy vehicle. Kids who are too cramped will be cranky quickly. A minivan or SUV allows for more personal space and comfort.

4) Before traveling out of the country, check the qualifications children need when abroad. If you need their birth certificate, social security card, or other pertinent documents, you will want to know in advance.

5) Bring items to keep the kids busy. Portable game consoles, CD players, and DVD players entertain children for hours. Other ideas include travel games, such as spot the license game, cards, or even jacks.

Everyone has heard that you shouldn't drink the water when you are traveling outside the country. While this is certainly true, that isn't where your safety concerns should end.

If the water in an area is especially suspect, don't even eat any raw fruit or vegetables unless its something that you peel the skin before eating. All food should be well cooked, so try to avoid rare or raw meats.

Some places in developing countries may try to sell you "bottled water" that is actually filled with tap water. If your water has a broken safety seal, don't trust it. For the best security, buy carbonated water. Bubbles mean it hasn't been opened.

Don't forget ice cubes. No sense drinking bottled water if you are going to drop a few tap-water ice cubes in your drink. That includes any drinks ordered in a restaurant.

With identity theft getting so much attention, credit card companies are always on the lookout for strange transactions on your credit card. While it can be nice to know someone is watching out for you, it can also mean that when you intentionally do something out of the ordinary, it will raise red flags.

So to keep your credit card from being suspended while on vacation (a potential disaster!), call the company and let them know of your plans. Be specific too. Tell them precisely where you are going and when.

The news can always alert you to major conflicts in your destination area, but you should be prepared for the unexpected. Check for any possible risks to tourists at the U.S State Department website (travel.state.gov) in their travel warnings section. Warnings with regards to violence are usually well-known due to news coverage, so it won't be much surprise that certain countries are not safe for tourists.

What may not be reported in the news as often, are outbreaks of disease in various parts of the world. They may not be newsworthy, but you need to know before you plan your trip. The CDC website (www.cdc.gov) offers warnings for even minor disease outbreaks around the world.

Traveling to a different country, or anywhere for that matter, requires some basic safety precautions. Unfortunately, some shady characters do prey on vacationers. You don’t have to be a victim on your vacation. Following these safety tips will help you steer clear of trouble.

• Travel lightly. The less you have with you, the less someone can steal. In addition, lighter bags means the odds of leaving your baggage unattended are lowered.

• When not using your valuables, leave them in the hotel safe. Avoid wearing your valuables (your passport, credit cards, and cash) outside of your clothing. Instead, invest in an under-the-clothes, shoulder strap cash protector. Wearing your valuables under your clothes makes them much harder to steal.

• Don’t bring the bulk of your funds in cash. Instead, bring some cash and a credit card or traveler’s checks, which are safer.

• Always leave an itinerary for your family in case they need to get in touch with you.

• Always check travel warnings before leaving; sometimes it is dangerous to enter certain countries.

• If traveling with medications, keep all drugs in the original packaging. Also carry a doctor’s note that says you are allowed to have it. Remember, drug laws vary in other countries. You may want to check with customs before taking certain medications with you.

• It is a good idea to register with the State Department before traveling; this will help in the event of an emergency.

If you are traveling in a foreign country, particularly in Asia, South or Central America, or Africa, it's advisable not to drink the water, or else you might get sick.

Instead, always drink bottled water. Make sure that the bottle is properly sealed when you buy it, because sometimes people will fill old bottles and try to sell them as new.

Also, when you order a drink at a restaurant, ask for the drink without ice. You can bet that the ice they use probably comes from the tap, which means it's just as unsafe as drinking the local water.

Women traveling on their own is becoming increasingly common. However, women should take certain safety precautions to help ward off any potential mishaps.

Being safe whilst traveling has a lot to do with common sense. Don't go anywhere alone at night, and if you sense you are wandering into a bad part of town, leave immediately.

Never accept a drink from anyone (no matter how good-looking he may be). You have no idea what may be in that drink - he may have laced it with something that will put you to sleep.

Carry pepper spray in your pocket or an easy to reach location in your purse. There's no sense in throwing pepper spray into an overstuffed purse if it just winds up at the bottom where you can't get to it in a hurry.

Carry a whistle, either around your neck, in your pocket, or in your purse (see above). If someone starts giving you trouble, blow the whistle and hopefully others will take notice.

If worse comes to worse, and you have no whistle nor any pepper spray and someone tries to attack you, scream at the top of your lungs. If someone is trying to hurt you, don't be afraid to fight back. Use your fingernails and go for their eyes. Use the palm of your hand to hit their nose up into their face. Kick him in the groin. Do whatever you can to get away.

It's not a pleasant subject to talk about, but this kind of stuff does happen, and it helps to be prepared. You may want to enroll in a women's self-defense class before going on your trip.

Above all, be sensible, stay alert, and use your street smarts!