25/08/2016
Important Tips before travelling:
Traveling can be tons of fun, especially if it’s going to a place you’ve never been before. Unfortunately, nothing can be a bigger vacation buzz kill then things going horribly wrong: think missing luggage, not being able to withdraw from an ATM, or getting sick!
Making your trip as fun (and hassle-free!) is pretty easy. All you need is to make the proper preparations before heading to the airport! Here are seven things you need to do before your travel.
Be aware about travel alerts. While you’re absolutely gung-ho about taking multiple selfies at exotic locations, you might want to check if there are any travel advisories about your destination. The last thing you want is to find out that your destination is suffering from civil unrest or terrorist activities—while being smack in the middle of it! Always check the news to see if it’s safe to travel to your destination.
Have copies of all your travel documents. Make two (2) printed copies of your passport, tickets, IDs, and travel insurance documents; then leave one for a family member, and another with a friend. This is so either can send you these copies when you need them. As for your personal back-up? Scan your passport and e-mail the images to your personal e-mail, your device of choice (phone or laptop), or in the cloud.
Get the right kind of travel insurance. It may sound like a drag to think about now, but you’ll be thanking us when you find yourself in the emergency room due to food poisoning. Okay, that may not happen—but it’s always better to be safe than sorry, right? Besides, travel insurance doesn’t only cover medical expenses. It also insures you against trip cancellations, lost baggage, accidents, and other losses you may incur while on vacation. But make sure to contact your insurance provider to find out what’s covered, and what’s not.
Get vaccinated. It’s a good idea to check the health concerns of your chosen destination, so you can get the appropriate vaccinations. Some countries may require you to be vaccinated prior to your arrival. Get the proper immunizations so you’re protected during your trip.
Let your bank know that you’re traveling. If you plan to use your credit card, checkbook, or ATM abroad (which you most likely will), then let your bank know where you’re going, and how long you plan to be there. As part of their anti-fraud protection policy, banks may freeze your card if you try to use it abroad. Notifying your bank of your travel plans will prevent you from logging long-distance phone calls to customer service—or worse, having to explain to the merchant that you are not a thief!
Get your own data plan. It may be tempting to just latch on to free public wifi networks while you’re on holiday—but doing so may make you vulnerable to hackers. Internet cafes aren’t exactly safe either, as criminals can use keylogger software to obtain information. Check with your telco provider for reasonable data plans and packages, so you’ll be confident that you’re surfing the internet on a secure network.
Keep a list of emergency contacts. Do you have any friends or distant relatives at the place you’re visiting? Even if you have no plans on meeting up with them, keep their numbers on you—you’ll never know when you’ll need to contact them. Also, have your country’s embassy’s contact details (telephone number and address!) handy.