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Women on Tour: Travel Safety Tips!

Becca’s love of travel fascinates me endlessly. After touring the whole of Europe, half of Asia and Africa, she’s yearning for some Latin American fun. Perhaps it was the hundredth time that I asked her how she dares to travel alone. She just shrugged and said, “What can stop a nomadic heart!” Nevertheless, I know that a safety enthusiast like Becca would have the tips and tricks for safe travel right at her fingertips. From all of those conversations by the creek and the coffee table, I learnt how she figured out a way to travel solo with confidence.

Where to Stay?

Becca said that she feels safer in a smaller hotel, located on a bustling street or a residential neighborhood. The frequent movement of people reduces the insecurity of potential lurkers. Therefore, she always prefers neighborhoods with restaurants, clubs, late-night stores, multiplexes, etc. In these parts of town, people are milling about at all hours. Moreover, a small hotel means fewer guests, which enables the staff to get familiar with you and intercept suspicious elements. Becca also said that she also checks out the parking lot to make sure that it’s well lit with easy access to the hotel and the street.

Booking a Room

What happens after a grueling long-haul flight? If you’ve not booked your hotel in advance, upon reaching your destination, you’ll perhaps hastily book a hotel room because all you want to do is unwind! But, Becca knows exactly what to do! After a tedious 12-hr flight from Chicago to Tokyo in a cramped Economy Class cabin, she spent another 2 hours looking for the perfect room. That’s what she told me when she called up from Tokyo. She said that she’s not comfortable unless she’s in a room near the elevator and away from emergency exits. That’s where she feels more secure. Her advice, “Keep insisting on a room where you feel the safest”.

As I remember, Becca also said that she never forgets to lock her valuables in the front-desk safe. She said that this is one of the keys to a worry-free vacation because she knows that her belongings are safe.

How to be Smart on the Street?

I’m a big fan of Becca’s map collection. From a dusty town in Vietnam to a chic and polished European city center, she’s visited an amazing range of places. The fact is that whenever she goes out of her hotel room, she grabs a map of the city or town. Not that she wants to pin down the locations and explore each and every neighborhood. This is just to guide her in case she loses her way.

From her experience, Becca found that ladies, the elderly and families are the best people to approach for directions. Regarding cash, the money belt is an old trick, but as an added security measure, Becca always divides her money in different wallets and compartments so that even if she loses her purse, she’s left with enough money to get back to the hotel.

Luggage Safety on Public Transportation

If you’re fussy about luggage safety, I think Becca has an answer. After packing all the bits and pieces, Becca would secure her luggage with duct tape, just to be sure that the luggage contents are safe. What if you need to use a public rest room? Follow Becca! Place your luggage at a corner stall, which is safer than a center stall.

In case she needs to take an overnight flight, Becca would stash her valuables in a security waist pack and wear it while sleeping. Your valuables are more secure around your waist than in your handbag in the overhead bin.

Becca loves bustling places. However, there are some rules to be followed here, too! In a market or a crowded street, if she needs to place her belongings on the taxi’s seat, I bet she would never forget to lock the door and window before walking around. Safety first!

Don’t let anxiety stop you. Get out and get going! With a few travel safety tips, you can tour the world without a snag just like Becca! Whether you’re a single woman traveling solo or a group of girls on tour, you can go around the world worry free if you have the safety tips and tricks right at your fingertips.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticles.org

Manoj Borah is a Senior Writer & Journalist working with CheapOair.com, a top travel site online. Manoj writes and reviews articles with special focus on à la mode vacation spots for budget travelers and road warriors, besides sharing tips and nuggets on booking cheap airplane tickets, hotels and cheap weekend getaways.