Whispers Online Magazine for Women 210 Circle Inn #82 Chubbuck, Idaho 83202 208 637 1803
General Safety Tips
American Society of Travel Agents
ASTA, short for the American Society of Travel Agents, is the world's largest association of travel professionals. Our 24,000 members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc. We are the leading advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public. For the "official word" on what ASTA does, please see our Mission Statement below. http://www.astanet.com/travel
Work with your travel agent to get as much
information as possible about the destination, especially if you will
be traveling alone.
Be sure your passport, driver's license, and other
ID have accurate photographs, and are valid. If any ID is expiring before
you return from your trip, get a new one before you leave. Without valid
identification, you will be barred from traveling.
Cooperate with authorities and airport personnel.
Expect long waits to get through security check points and keep identification
handy for security checks by authorities, and airport personnel at parking
lots, curbside check-in, ticket counters, security gates, airport gates
and on the plane.
Be patient, respectful, and cooperative with officials
who might stop and question you. Do not make any inappropriate comments.
Any inappropriate comments will be taken seriously by authorities and
you may be detained for questioning.
Stay in quality hotels on well-traveled streets in
safer areas of any city. The more expensive hotels usually have better
security. Stay on lower level floors in case of fire or other need to
evacuate quickly. Avoid the first floor, as it may not be safe from
burglars.
Close and lock your hotel room door at all times.
Check sliding glass doors, windows and connecting room doors. Acquaint
yourself with the location of stairways, fire escapes, exits and alarms.
Do not answer your hotel room door without verifying
who it is. If someone claims to be a hotel employee, call the front
desk to verify. Never invite strangers into your room.
If you see suspicious activity or suspicious object,
contact someone in authority immediately.
Your travel agent can arrange for transfers from
the airport or port, if necessary. Taxis or private car hires are recommended,
as you are more insulated. Most airports, ports and train stations have
areas clearly marked for taxis and car service pick-up. Do not enter
any vehicle that does not have a proper license or does not pick you
up from the designated area.
Do not discuss your travel plans or itinerary publicly.
Vary your schedule, if possible. Vary travel routes when possible.
Maintain a low profile. Dress down, if possible,
and leave the expensive jewelry and watches at home. Do not display
large amounts of cash or travelers checks. Look like a person of modest
means. Do not leave your itinerary or other sensitive business information
in your hotel room.
Blend in with the locals as best you can so you do
not want to stand out. Cultural and racial differences may make this
impossible, but you can still make yourself look like a person of modest
means.
Be alert for surveillance, especially in high-risk
countries. Kidnappers and extortionists identify their targets and then
watch their potential victims to determine daily patterns.
Avoid disturbances and civil demonstrations, as they
may become violent. Seek safe shelter away from the disturbance as quickly
as possible.
Keep your valuables, including passports, etc., in
a money belt concealed under your clothes. Or, use the hotel safe to
store valuables. Keep a copy of your passport with you at all times,
but separate from where you are carrying your passport. In high-risk
countries, it is a good idea to check in with the American Embassy and
provide them with a copy of your passport in case you need to have it
replaced. Pickpockets and thieves operate widely in many cities around
the world, but especially near tourist attractions.
Whenever you use your credit card, keep an eye on
it until it is returned to you. Always verify that it is your credit
card before storing it again. Check credit cards when they are returned
If you are unfamiliar with the local language, carry
a card or matchbook with the hotel's name and address. You can show
the card or matchbook to a cab driver or police officer if you get lost.
Before leaving the United States, make up several pocket cards with
key phrases in the local language. (i.e., "Which way is the airport?"
and "Where are the restrooms?")
If you will be renting a car, get maps in advance
and clearly write out the directions from the airport to your hotel.
If you need to stop for directions, go to well-lit public areas. Keep
the phone numbers of your destinations with you.
Lock your car doors while driving. Do not pick up
strangers or stop for people you don't know. Police cars will have blue
and red lights; do not stop for cars flashing their high-beams.
Be careful when out on the town at night. Watch your
drinks being poured and never accept a drink from a stranger. Get advice
from your hotel concierge or other trusted source about reputable restaurants
and other entertainment. Avoid being out on the streets late at night.
Have your hotel arrange for car service or taxi service and know the
addresses and directions before getting in the car.
When returning to your hotel at night, use
the main entrance. Be observant before entering parking lots.
Book Description: An experienced traveler and the author of five books, including How Proust Can Change Your Life, De Botton here offers nine essays concerning the art of travel. Divided into five sections "Departure," "Motives," "Landscape," "Art," and "Return" the essays start with one of the author's travel experiences, meander through artists or writers related to it, and then intertwine the two.
Book Description: Rick Steves doesn't just list where to travel in Europe, he leads travelers through the "Back Door," and reveals how to give every journey an extra, more authentic dimension. He shows travelers how to delve into European culture, make friends with the locals, and experience each region's natural wonders -- economically and hassle free.
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