People travel for many reason, both for business and for pleasure, every single day. Most people are able to travel without incident, but for a few, a simple trip becomes a huge hassle. What we’re speaking about, of course, is losing your wallet while traveling overseas. Losing your wallet anywhere is a big deal, but losing it in another country gives you a strict time limit for recovering it before you fly back home.

Always Travel Prepared

The best thing you can do when you travel is travel prepared. One way you can prepare is by making colour copies of your important documents and cards. ATM card, credit card, passport, IDs, all should be copied. Keep a copy with you but not in your wallet. Keep another copy at home, and if possible, email a copy to yourself or a friend so you have digital access. It’s much easier to replace your documents if you have high-quality copies.

Safeguard These Copies

The last thing you want is to not lose your wallet and instead lose the photocopies of your card information. That information is just as dangerous as the card itself, if a little less convenient to use. Don’t keep it in an obvious place in your luggage, because you never know who has access to your bags when you can’t see them. Find a small hiding place to keep your copies. In a shoe or sewn into clothing, hidden in secret pockets or inside electronics you keep on you at all times, and other such places make good hiding spots.

Prune Your Wallet

Before you travel, take anything out of your wallet that you won’t need. This includes any of those rewards cards for local businesses, extra forms of ID you should carry separately, or secondary credit cards or ATM cards. Take only the bare minimum of what you need so you don’t have to worry about losing everything important.

Carry a Decoy

This one is more applicable if you’re traveling in a dangerous location and you worry about being mugged, but it also worked for any travel. Carry a wallet with a few dollars in it and if you have one, an expired credit card. This way you have something to produce if a thief attempts to mug you, and you can escape without harm and with your primary wallet intact.

Know Your Bank Policies

Especially important if you lose your credit card or ATM card, you’ll want to know your banking policies. Figure out how you can contact them if the worst happens. If they have local branches, even better. If not, look into their contact numbers and hours. Find out what needs to be canceled, what needs to be replaced, and how long it will take. Know your account and card numbers, and be ready to file a police report if required.

Locate a Consulate

Whatever your home country is, there’s probably a consulate or embassy nearby. Find out their location and hours of operation. This is primarily where you’d go if you lose your passport, but they can often direct you to the proper authorities to help with other lost items.

Have Another Cash Resource

One simple thing to do is to carry your cash, or at least some of your cash, in a separate location from your wallet. If you don’t like carrying cash, Western Union has a presence in nearly any location you could travel. They’re always an option for friends and family to send emergency money. If you have your credit card company’s contact number, you can often call them for a cash advance. It might cost you, but it will get you out of a tough situation.

Contact Your Bank

This one is obvious, but if you lose a credit card, you should immediately call the contact number for the credit company and let them know. While it can be a huge hassle to deal without the card in the case that you find it, if it’s truly stolen you won’t want to deal with someone else using it. Having your card numbers and expiration date from a photocopy helps this process immensely. The sooner you cancel the card, the less likely it is for anyone to make fraudulent purchases using it.

With these few simple tips and things to keep in mind, it’s easier to travel with less stress. It also becomes much easier to deal with the loss of these important items if you have backups and contact numbers.

Andy co-founded and helps run the CreditCardCompare.com.au credit card comparison website. He also helps contribute articles to their blog about managing money where he focuses on useful tips, guides and roundups of tools. Out side of work, he enjoys the outdoor life and travel.

If you are on vacation in a foreign country and you decide to rent a motor vehicle then you must consider your safety at all times. You do not want to get paranoid but you do need to make your own safety and that of your travelling companions as important as possible. Here we look at some safety measures to take while driving when you are travelling abroad.

Renting an automobile in a foreign country necessitates taking certain precautions. First of all you should select a type of car that is readily available in the local area. Take a look around and see what the most common vehicles driven by the locals are. Then choose one of those.

Make sure that the vehicle is in good to excellent shape. Also if possible ask to rent a car that is not identified as a rental car. You do not want anything to announce that you are a tourist. You want to rent a car that has features such as power windows and universal door locks.

A car with an air conditioner is a smart option as it is a safety feature worth having. This means that you can drive around and keep your windows firmly closed. It is not that difficult for a thief to reach through the open window of a car and grab a handbag or any valuables that are lying on the seat.

Keep the car doors locked at all times. That means when you are in it and when it is unoccupied. It is also important that you wear your seat belt when you are in the vehicle and that you drive as little at night as possible.

Do not pick up anyone who is hitchhiking along the road. Do not stop the car and get out in any area where you see a suspicious looking person, or a suspicious looking group of people. Drive away immediately.

Do not park the rental car on the street on an overnight basis. If you are unable to park in the parking garage of your hotel or in a secure area it is essential that you park in an area that is well-lit.

Your valuable items should not be kept in the car with you. If you must take valuables with you in the vehicle then you should lock them in the trunk. Once you get to where you are going then take the items with you.

There are places that are common vacation spots for tourists to become victims of crimes when they are motorists. An example of this would be regions throughout southern Europe. This is something that U.S. embassies are aware is happening. Consular officers team up with local authorities to let the public know about the dangers that lurk in these areas. In some places the crime rate has dropped because of the measures that have been taken.

When renting a car it would be a very smart move to ask the rental car agency to give you advice as to how to avoid running into potential problems as a motorist when you are visiting tourist destinations.

Criminals and carjackers can be found operating in many different places. They are found in parking lots, along the highways, at gas stations and in the hectic traffic of the city. You need to be aware of the problems that a motorist could run into when driving on roads and highways far away from home. Only then can you do what is necessary to protect yourself from falling into harm’s way!

When traveling abroad you need to observe the rules of safety as much as you would at home. Here we look at some ways to remain safe while in your hotel and when you are taking public transportation.

Hotel Safety

Make sure that your hotel door remains locked at all times. There should be no exceptions to this. If you have a visitor coming to see you then agree to meet him or her in the lobby.

Keep your money, credit cards and any other valuables you may have in your room in the hotel safe when you are not in your room. Do not leave these items unattended or in plain sight!

If you plan to stay out late in the evening then let someone know what time you are expected to come back, where you will be and who you will be with. In this way if you do not return on time then the person you have told knows where to look for you.

If you are alone and you go to use the elevator and there is already  an individual on it who looks suspicious for one reason or another then do not get on it. Use the stairs instead. Listen to your instincts.

Every hotel room should contain information about fire safety in it. Take the time to learn what the procedure is to report a fire. You also need to find out where the nearest fire exits are and where there are alternate exits. The more prepared you are in case of a fire the safer this can be for your life!

Public Transportation Safety

Taking public transportation is safer in some countries you visit than in others. Before you book a trip to a country take the time to read up on the crime in the particular country you are looking at. In some areas tourists are commonly targeted by criminals by way of public transportation. This does not mean that you should completely avoid public transport but that you should be very careful.

If you want to take a taxi in a foreign land then only take one that is identified by its official markings. Do not take an unmarked cab. If you cannot verify that it is a legitimate cab that belongs to a local cab company then continue to wait until you find one that is.

Many popular tourist routes have experienced robberies of passengers on trains. This is an increasingly common popular in many foreign countries. It happens most often at night and on trains that are overnight.  Do everything you can to avoid confrontation. Avoid eye contact with people who look like they could be trouble and move away from others who get close to you on the platform, in the station or in the corridor of the train.

Do not accept any food or beverage that is offered to you by a stranger. Criminals often put drugs in food or drink items and then offer them to passengers. It is also essential that you lock the compartment you are sleeping in. If this is not possible and you are traveling with someone else then take turns sleeping. If you are alone then do not go to sleep. You may be tired but at least you will be safe and so will your luggage.

Many public buses and bus stations also experience the same problems that are found on trains. It is important that you keep your wits about you and do not let down your guard. If you must sleep in a station or on a bus unprotected then tie down your luggage and do everything you can to keep your valuables secure.

Taking a trip abroad can be a wonderful way to enjoy some much deserved vacation time. However you must be careful when you travel outside of the United States. You must handle your money with the greatest of care and you must make safety a top priority. You also must make sure that you obey all of the laws in the country you are visiting and stay on your best behavior. The last thing you want to have to deal with is a legal problem when you are thousands of miles away from home. Let us take a closer look at this.

Be Money Savvy!

The last thing you want is to be carrying wads of cash with you on your trip. To avoid this potential for problems change your travelers’ checks only as you require the currency. When you use your credit card to buy something make sure that it is handed back to you immediately. When you are exchanging money in any manner in a foreign country always deal with authorized agents only. This includes when you buy souvenirs and purchase airline tickets. Whatever you do avoid buying anything off of the black market!

If your money or any of your possessions is stolen on your person or from your hotel room then do not delay in reporting it to the local police department. Make sure that you hold onto a copy of the police report that you can use for your insurance claim (if applicable).

Avoiding Legal Troubles When Abroad

You went on a vacation abroad in order to have a good time not to get into legal hot water! There are things you must do to ensure that you do not run into legal issues that can follow you home or keep you in the foreign land for longer than you wish to be there.

When you visit a foreign country you are subject to all of that country’s laws and rules. You are under that country’s jurisdiction. There are no exceptions to this! The laws in the United States are not the same as they are in every other country. There are actions that are legal in the U.S. or are minor infractions that can lead to an arrest in other countries. This is something you need to be aware of before you go! You need to get acquainted with the country’s laws before your plane lands.

Drug violations are taken seriously in other countries. In fact more than one-third of American citizens who are in prison abroad are there because of drug charges against them. Possession and trafficking are considered the same in some countries and carry mandatory sentences. There have been Americans who have been arrested abroad for being in possession of prescription drugs (the most common examples of these being amphetamines and tranquilizers). If you are taking any type of drug treatment then find out about foreign drug laws from the U.S. embassy or consulate before you take your trip.

You would not think that taking photographs would be a crime but it is in some countries. In a number of countries you can be detained if you are caught taking pictures of any institutions that are related to security. Examples of these include police stations, military installations, border areas, transportation facilities or buildings that house government offices. If you are not sure if you are allowed to take a specific photo of a building or not then get permission before you start snapping away.

Safety on the street when you travel is as necessary as it is when you at home on American soil. Use common sense at all times! You need to be careful when you are walking on the streets of a foreign country. You want to be cautious and in some cases, completely avoid areas where the chance of being victimized is greater. The places to be careful of the most include tourist sites, market places, crowded subways, train stations, festivals, elevators and neighborhoods that have high rates of crime.

Do not take foolish chances and do not think that other people may be more at risk than you are. You are in as good a position as anyone else is to be victimized! That is why you have to be careful where you go and what you do!

There are other things you can do to reduce your chances of being a victim of crime when you travel abroad. Traveling alone at night is not advised. Stay away from short cuts as they can be a short cut to trouble. Stay on the well-trodden beaten track. You should also not wander down narrow alleys or streets that are poorly lit.

Always keep a low profile when visiting a foreign land. You do not want to do anything to draw attention to yourself.  Avoid having loud conversations and avoid others having them around you when out in public. The same can be said for arguments. Stay away from public demonstrations or any other type of civil disturbance. This is a recipe for problems.

When you meet other people do not discuss your travel plans with them and do not discuss any other personal matters with them. Keep conversations with strangers on a casual basis only. In the same way if a stranger approaches you and offers to sell you something cheap or to be your guide then be wary. This is the way many scam artists operate.

You need to be aware of pickpockets as well. Many pickpockets are clever and will work with a partner who will ask you for the time or for directions, push or shove you, or distract you by creating some form of a disturbance while the pickpocket is robbing you. Be aware of the potential for this in order to avoid it. Vagrant children make some of the best pickpockets. Beware of these groups of children standing around in crowded areas as they could easily create a distraction and then rob you.

Do not wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your shoulder but across your chest. To avoid drive-by purse snatchers you should walk with your bag away from the curb. Try to look as confident and as purposeful as you can as you walk about. If you look vulnerable or unsure of yourself then you are more likely to fall victim to a predator on the street. Even if you do not know where you are going act and look as if you do. Only ask those in a position of authority to provide you with directions if you do get lost.

Make sure you take the time to learn a few phrases or sentences in the local language and write them down for yourself. In this way you will know how to ask for simple things and you will also know how to get in touch with the police, the fire department or medical personnel if need be. You should also have in written format important numbers. These include police, fire, the nearest consulate or embassy and the number for the hotel you are staying at.

If despite all of your measures to remain safe you do end up confronting trouble do not fight back, try to bargain or reason your way out of the situation. Just hand over your valuables.

You have booked a vacation in a foreign land. Before your plane takes off in the United States and lands on international soil you must be aware that when you arrive in a different country you are subject to the laws of that country. That is why it would be useful to do some research on the country you are going to visit. The more you know about the local customs and laws beforehand the better it will be for you because you will know what you can and cannot do. It also helps to listen to the news and read media reports to keep abreast of what is happening.

Being prepared for your trip can go a long way in making you feel more relaxed about your upcoming journey. To be prepared to leave for your vacation there are some arrangements that need to be made. Let us look at those now.

Your itinerary is important, as is your safety, wherever you are staying. Whenever cost permits it is advisable to stay in bigger hotels that can offer you the most superior security measures. Those who are experts in the field of safety recommend that you book a hotel room that is on any of the floors from the second to the seventh. Choose a floor that is high enough that it will discourage intruders from breaking in from the outside but is low enough to the ground in the event of a fire.

Hopefully  tragedy will not strike when you are away from home but since we never know what life has in store for us it is important that you get your affairs in order before you leave for your trip. This means all of your legal documents. Leave your power of attorney papers, as well as your current will and your insurance papers with a trusted member of the family or a trusted friend. If you have young children then you may want to make arrangements for their guardianship in the event that you pass away while away form home. Doing these things can afford you peace of mind and a sense of security that important matters have been taken care of.

You need to look closely at your insurance policies before you take off for some fun in a foreign land. Take the time to contact your insurance company to find out if your personal property insurance covers you for any losses or thefts while you are travelling internationally.

You also want to find out if your health insurance plan extends to travelling done abroad. This is pertinent to know because neither Medicare nor Medicaid provides payment for medical treatment that is received while outside of the United States. If your health insurance will cover some types of care then find out what they are and find out what it will not cover. For additional coverage you may wish to buy a policy that is geared towards travelers. Most of these policies cover such things as emergency assistance and short-term health. Some may also cover medical evacuation if an accident or major illness were to occur.

If you plan to take a credit card or two with you in your travels then find out ahead of time what the credit limit is on each card. Get to know the currency exchange between the United States and where you are going and do not charge over your limit. Not only will this cost you a bundle in charges but it could even get you arrested in some countries!

You also should find out from your credit card company how to report your card lost or stolen when you are in a foreign country. The 1-800 numbers you would call from home will not work when you are in another land.

Traveling to a foreign country, especially if it is your first time can be exciting and can be the opportunity of a lifetime! To be prepared for your trip you need to be smart and you need to do everything you can possibly think of to play it safe. Here we look at some things to think about before you step onto the plane and head off to a faraway destination!

There are some items that you travel with that should remain with you when you are on the airplane. These are your essentials such as your glasses and any medications that you may take. Both prescribed medications as well as over-the-counter meds should be packed in your carry-on bag. In this way you do not have to worry about any of your essential items getting lost.

To avoid running into any problems as you are going through customs in terms of your medications, it is advisable that you keep all of your medications in the original and labeled containers that they first came in. Bring copies of your prescriptions with you if you can as well as the generic names for the medications in question.

If you are taking a medication that is a little out of the ordinary then include a letter from your physician that explains that you require the drug. The same can be said if you are traveling with a drug that contains narcotics. If you question the legality of traveling into a foreign country with a specific type of drug then your wisest course of action would be to get in touch with the consulate of the country in question or the embassy to find out if you will not be breaking any laws.

What else do you need to think about when you are packing for the airport? Always make your safety a priority in every way. Travelers’ checks are a much safer way to make purchases than are cash. As well taking one or two major credit cards is also a safer option than is carrying money with you.

Here is one that many people do not think about but should. Bring an extra set of passport photos with you. In the same way make a photocopy of the information page of your passport and bring it with you. If your passport goes missing or is stolen then getting a replacement that will allow you to get home will be much easier to do.

Every piece of luggage that you take with you should have your name, address and telephone number on the inside and outside of it. Covered luggage tags are the best as they are less likely to be casually taken notice of by others. If it is at all possible, see to it that your luggage is securely locked.

As far as what you should not take with you on your trip, do not bring anything that it would tears to your eyes to lose. Leave anything that is valuable to you at home, such as a favorite ring or necklace. In fact you should not bring any expensive jewelry with you at all. Do not bring any family heirlooms with you and leave unnecessary credit cards at home. Leave any cards in your wallet that you will not need where you are going at home.

Provide a family member or friend with a copy of your itinerary and any pertinent phone numbers in the event that an emergency arises while you are gone. Before your trip make two photocopies of these items- airline tickets, your driver’s license, the credit cards that will travel with you and your passport identification page. One copy should be left with a loved one or close friend. The other copy should accompany you on your trip but should be packed separately from the original.

Travelling abroad can be a very rewarding and eye opening experience that can expose you to a new culture. People travel abroad all of the time and most often are able to enjoy a safe trip. However it is important that you are aware of the potential danger of becoming a victim of a crime when you are visiting a foreign country.

U.S. embassies and consulates are flooded with calls 365 days of the year from American citizens who have run into problems in the course of their travels. The goods news is that most of the time the problems that arise come with a relatively simple solution. It is always better to be safe than sorry though! Here we look at some things that you should take with you when you travel abroad.

What Travels With You

You need to consider your safety even before you get on the airplane. Traveling abroad safety needs to get its start when you pack for your trip. You do not want to wear anything that will call undue attention to yourself and will make you look like you have money. Leave your expensive jacket or coat at home and the same can be said for your expensive pieces of jewelry.

While you are at it pack as light as possible. Take essentials with you only. In this way your movements will be less restricted and you are less likely to misplace something. You will also not be weighted down with cumbersome luggage.

Take as few valuables with you as possible and make sure you keep them out of sight at all times. When you are at the hotel the safest place for your money, credit cards and passport is a safe. When you are out and about and need to have your valuables with you it is wise to put them in different places on your person. In that way if you lose one you will not loss them all.

Purses are easy targets for thieves when you are traveling in a foreign country. The same can be said for fanny packs and outside pockets in your jacket, coat, sweater or pants. Inside pockets that are not evident to onlookers are safer places to stash your valuable items. The same can be said for a shoulder bag that is sturdy and is worn not over your shoulder but across your chest. It is more difficult for a would-be thief to grab a bag that is slung across the chest.

One of the safest places on your body to keep your cash and your credit cards when you are out shopping, eating or sight seeing is in a money belt or a pouch that is worn under your clothing and cannot be seen by anyone.

If you wear eyeglasses then having a second pair with you in your carry-on luggage is strongly recommended. If you wear contact lenses then make sure that you have a few extra pairs in case you lose a pair or they get damaged. Be aware however that it is not advisable to wear contact lenses on the plane as the pressure changes can be hard on the eyes. Pack your extra pair of glasses, your contact lenses and any medication that you are taking with you in your carry-on bag for safe storage. Then off you go to enjoy yourself!

If your idea of a vacation for the summer is to go to a warm location with a lot of sun, tourist attractions to visit, and a beach to lounge around on then Orlando, Florida is the place for you to be. There are hundreds of options in the area that will help you relax and thoroughly enjoy your time away from home.

A lot of visitors to Orlando have the sole intention of spending as much time as they can in the sun and on the water. If this sounds like you then a beachside resort will be a wonderful place to stay. There is always water nearby in Orlando but some of the resorts are closer to the beaches than others. Getting a room right alongside the water will still give you easy access to the sights in the city but you will be mere steps away from the water. These resorts are some of the finest hotels in the state and there are accommodations to suit every budget and traveler. There are affordable results that easily fit into a budget or a luxury suite that could break the bank account a bit.

If golfing is you primary passion and you plan on doing a lot of it on your vacation then you will love staying at the Villas of Grand Cypress. The hotel accommodations are very luxurious and they have golf courses with 45 holes of golf on site. The courses are designed by Jack Nicklaus whose name is practically synonymous with the word golf. Apart from the golf they also have horseback riding on the premises and many other activities.

The Marriott Orlando World Center offers 200 acres of grounds that are perfect for anyone spending time on vacation in Orlando. They have a golf course and a spa on site to help you unwind and relax. This resort has suited itself more to conventions with over 200,000 square feet of convention space but it also perfect for a vacationer as well.

The ultimate in Orlando luxury is probably the Ritz-Carlton. There are over 500 acres of property with golf courses, spa service, and rooms with views of the entire resort. The entire hotel is set up for wireless Internet so bring the laptop to the spa with you and relax. It is also within 10 miles of both Disney World and Seaworld.

Whether you want to spend your time playing tennis, swimming, sailing, golfing, horseback riding, or anything else you can imagine then you might consider the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. There is also a spa service on site as well. There is so much to do at this resort you may never leave the grounds.

Whatever resort you choose to stay in you are sure to have a good time. Just remember that you can leave the resort and venture to the other sights in Orlando as well.

Never before have women traveled alone for business and pleasure than in the last several decades.  While the destinations and reasons for travel are the same as their male counterparts, women generally have different concerns.  Not only are there safety issues, there may be cultural differences that make traveling along difficult.  With a little extra care and caution and a few of these travel tips for women, you can travel safer.

First and foremost, learn as much as you possibly can about your destination.  This is especially important when traveling to a foreign country.  The dominant religious or cultural differences can directly impact how you need to compose yourself.  It is better to be aware before you leave that you might need to adjust the way you dress or demeanor in order to apply with the locals’ idea of proper behavior.  It is also worth mentioning that things that may be considered sexual harassment in your country may just be part of social life in another.  To be safe avoid wearing anything too form-fitting or revealing to prevent any unwanted attention.

As soon as you get to your hotel, introduce yourself to the staff.  Get to know the people who monitor who arrives and departs the building and who should be there and who should not.  Ask when you check in if a member of staff will be available to you if you arrive late at night to escort you to your room.  Specifically ask for a room that is on a higher floor and near the elevator, but as far from emergency exits and stairwells as possible.  Don’t accept a room if the clerk announces your name and room number at the desk, ask for another one.  While you’re at the front desk, take a card with the name, address and phone number of the hotel.  Keep this card with you all the time.  Check the room to make sure it has a peephole and a deadbolt, if not don’t open the door for anyone you don’t recognize.

When packing for your trip, pack light.  This way you won’t look weighed down or be slowed down, which will make you a target of pickpockets and thieves.  Lock all your suitcases and bags with a small padlock and put your office address on all the tags instead of your home address.  It is also wise to have a map of the area and familiarize yourself with it before leaving.  Ask the hotel concierge where the good and bad parts of town are.  All of this will help you avoid looking like a tourist, which ultimately makes your trip safer.  Knowledge is your best ally whenever you are traveling alone.

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