Staying safe as you travel is really important. It shouldn’t be the only thing you focus on - if you do that, you’ll probably spend your entire travel time a nervous wreck! However, you do need to take some precautions and be smart so that you can stay safe on your trip and enjoy it to the fullest. These tips can help you!

 

Making a few copies of important documents and keeping them in a separate place can save you from big trouble if you lose any of your things or forget where you put something. You might never need them, but this won’t hurt.

 

Wherever you’re travelling to, make sure you research the area properly. Make sure you know the safe areas, and the areas you should maybe avoid. Make sure you’re aware of what to look out for so you can spot a scam. You can find free information on anything from Italian hotels to Crete villas. Do your research so you’re well clued up before going anywhere.

Read up on places to stay and stay somewhere with good reviews. There are lots of hotels and villas you could choose from.

Make sure you know what to do in the event of an emergency. If somebody dangerous did approach you, how would you react? Sometimes, it’s best to give them what they want rather than trying to fight them or resist - like your wallet. For this reason, some travellers carry two wallets with them.

 

Write down any important numbers you might need. If you lost your bag with your phone and other important things inside, what numbers would you really need? You’d likely need some for home, and some for the country you’re in.

Dressing in a flashy way is a huge mistake, especially in poorer countries. Even a watch could indicate that you have money and make you a target for scams and things. Dress modestly, and in line with the country you’re visiting. You’ll avoid all kinds of awkward situations if you look like you belong there rather than like a tourist.

Make sure that wherever you go, you keep your loved ones in the loop. Find ways to stay in touch with them and tell them what you’re doing. This way, they can raise the alarm if they don’t hear from you for a while. You can Skype them for free as long as you have an internet connection. There are other ways too, so make sure you do. Even if you don’t have anybody to contact, leaving a note in your hotel room telling them when you expect to be back and who you’re with could help you. Making new friends as you travel is amazing, but you shouldn’t trust everybody you meet straight away.

I hope these tips for staying safe as you travel help you to have a stress free, safe trip. Try not to worry too much about the things that could go wrong. As long as you take precautions, you should be fine. Leave your thoughts in the comments!