Here it is, the long-awaited date when you go on a trip! It doesn’t matter how long it takes: one day or several weeks. The main thing is that you are going to come back with tons of impressions and a full charge of energy. But different troubles on your way can happen. So we advise you to know more and listen to the advice of experienced travelers to be safe during your journey.
1. Check Information Carefully
Thousands of tourists from all over the world annually become victims of their own gullibility and desire to save money. Most often, inexperienced travelers fall into the traps of scammers who rent them non-existent housing for modest money. The scheme is as old as the world.
Having paid for accommodation, you can easily find yourself in front of the garage door in some vacant lot. Renting a house in the private sector is always risky, but try to search in advance for information about it, its owner, and find reviews from other guests.
Use trusted website like booking.com or airbnb.com to book an apartment or house. And also you may not make an advance payment in full. Then even in the worst case scenario, you will only lose the deposit.
2. Use Copies of Your Documents
Unless absolutely necessary, it is better not to carry the original documents with you at all, leave them in a safe place or put them in a safe. Use notarized or even plain copies. Law enforcement officers are generally loyal to tourists and may not even be asked to show originals.
A good life hack is to take photos of your documents on your phone. It’s not just about a passport. Obtain electronic copies of insurance, driver’s license, and even doctor’s prescriptions if you suffer from serious medical conditions.
3. Don’t Put Money and Documents Together
Our advice: don’t keep your money and documents in one place. Thieves can snatch your purse from your hands or pull out your wallet for money. They don’t need your documents.
To lose a small amount of money is, of course, unpleasant, but recovering lost documents is much worse, longer and more troublesome. Losing your documents will definitely ruin your vacation, so keep these points in mind.
4. Download Useful Apps and Gather More Information
In the era of the Internet, it seems that any information is always at hand. But the circumstances may be different. Make a list of useful contacts for yourself – the address and telephone number of the consulate, several telephone numbers of your relatives and friends, the address of your temporary residence (hotel or rented apartment), a couple of taxi services and an emergency telephone number.
It will also be helpful to have a couple of local apps installed on your smartphone. For example, application of taxi services, restaurant selection or food delivery. It can also be applications that inform about promotions and discounts.
5. Be Careful with National Cuisine
To come to another country and not try something from the local cuisine is simply unforgivable! Gastronomic tourism is generally a topic only about food. However, not all foods and local dishes can be digested well by your body.
If you are not used to spicy, overly spicy foods, or are allergic to certain foods, try to experiment in moderation. Before you taste cockroaches, spiders and snails, read reviews from other travelers. Also, be careful when choosing an institution. We advise you to focus not on appearance, but on popularity among locals. Also be sure to inquire about water quality.