Top Five Tips for Travel Safety and Convenience for the Best Vacations

I've been fortunate to have taken some exciting and fun-filled vacations in my lifetime, quite a few have been to out of the country to Europe and Central America so there are a few extra steps I take when traveling that are very necessary regardless of what your destination.

Travel today is a lot more complicated then it used to be and seems to get even worse with all the added security and uncertainty that you face with each departure. I just wanted to share a few of my tips that hopefully will make your travels a bit less stressful in the long run..

Ok, so your bags are all packed...you've followed all the new rules about what liquids to take and have them in the right sized containers and amounts, anything you want to bring that may be questionable upon boarding your flight is in your bag that will be checked in.

More New Rules: most airlines now have luggage weight restrictions, so when packing check with your airlines as to how much your bag can weigh before they charge you for extra poundage..for example, JetBlue and American will charge $20 if your bag weighs over 50 lbs ands the price goes up at certain weight intervals...also don't bother locking your suitcase unless you have the specified locks approved by the TSA, therefore never put anything valuable in your checked in bag..

You've made all the arrangements to care for your pets and plants, your newspapers and mail will be taken care of.

So it's time to head out for that vacation you've planned for all year...But first, there are a few more necessary but very important things that had to be done to insure a more worry free trip.

First and foremost:

Make two copies of all your important documents: Passport, airline tickets, credit and debit cards, driver's license, health insurance cards, and numbers of your traveler's checks with the emergency contact phone numbers listed on the backs of all those items. I use my scanner and it is so easy, not only do I have copies in my computer files but I printed the copies that come with me directly from the scanner. If you don't have a scanner you can do it by hand or go to one of those stores that can copy them for you.

Always leave one copy at home or with someone you trust and include the phone numbers to call to report a loss.

Give the other copy to your travel companion, so someone else on your trip has them close by. Or, if traveling alone, put them in another location away from your originals.

Leave a copy of your itinerary, with phone numbers, with your home contact.

Two

Get a money belt or and some kind stash pocket, one that goes around your neck or around your waist, under your clothes, for your cash, passport and credit cards... There are so many different types of items like that on the market now...My husband has a small leather wallet that loops on the inside of his belt, and is worn under his clothes. My favorite items are my travel vests, they have multiple pockets, one, on the inside, with zippers that nobody could get to, unless it was ripped off. Those photographers' vests are handy also...I've seen them selling in Travel Smith and Magellan catalogues as well as online.

Bring only jewelry you won't mind losing. Why call attention yourself with a lot of bling... Leave all other credit cards and unessential stuff at home. Try not to carry a lot of cash. Traveler's checks, though a bit passé, are still honored in most places and for some reason my favorite way of bringing along some extra money to spend safely. You will need ID to use them though.

Three

Check your credit/debit cards as well as your ATM cards. Find out if your particular ATM card will work in Europe or wherever you will be.... Or, if getting cash from your credit card will work in those other countries. Be sure to find out if you will need authorization before you go. If you do then arrange for that in advance... fine out from your credit card company what number to call in what country, if you need to report a lost or stolen card. If that company does not have such a number, leave that card at home. And take the ones that do.

Four

Check your medical insurance. What will it cover in the countries of your itinerary and what doesn't it cover and find out their contact numbers in an emergency. Write down whatever information you've been given and get the person's name who gave you the info. Bring all your prescriptions in their original containers with the labels in your name...also if you take vitamins or any other medications bring their original containers too...I once had a problem with some vitamin C and other plain looking vitamins I had with me in a Ziploc bag...

If you will be driving find out what the rules of the road are and whether you will need an international drivers license, what your insurance covers and how much, and, if your companion will be able to drive as well. Ask the car rental company and or your insurance company, get it in writing if you can...Some credit cards have there own policies...It never hurts to ask and knowledge is your best tool if anything should go wrong.

Five

Hotel reservations: Always, and I repeat, always bring with you a copy of the confirmation letter you received from the travel agent, hotel chain or online travel service. Wherever you negotiated the price of your room. I am still of the old school when it comes to travel, I like to speak to someone on the phone so I always ask that they send me a confirmation either in the mail or e-mail... Over the years I have had a few times, upon arrival or checkout, when I was told the price of the room was different than what I had been quoted on the phone. Once, when checking into a hotel in London we were told our reservation started the following night and they had a full house. Had I not had a confirmation letter there would have been nothing I could do... But, in that case, they found a hotel nearby with a hotel room for us for that night.. Our hotel was full but because I had that letter they had to find us lodging for the night. The next day, with great apologies, they upgraded us to a suite...Another time, again in Great Britain, but this time in Edinburgh Scotland, I had a reservation in a small hotel which, at that time, was managed by the Hilton hotel chain...I had a great rate for the room that I received through the Hilton Honors 800 phone reservation number. When we were checking out our bill said we owed them over $200 a night for our 4 night stay.. My quoted price had been $109 a night. The desk clerk said that was impossible, rooms never were that low. Luckily, I had brought with me the confirmation letter I had received from Hilton.. The look on her face was a picture of pure surprise and a bit of indignation, but upon conferring with the hotel manager there was nothing they could do but honor our quoted price.....Funny thing, that hotel is no longer under the banner of Hilton hotels!

The same applies when traveling domestically, always have documented proof of hotel reservation dates, price quotes, and whatever arrangements or room configurations you might have requested when making your reservations.

You should always have written copies of car rental rates and specified type of car you negotiated for... whatever you might need to assure you of less hassles upon your arrival.

My favorite theme and best tip...GET IT IN WRITING!

These simple yet very important steps could make the world of difference in dealing with any situation, should one come up, with a lot less aggravation and stress. Not that the worst will happen, but you have to be prepared in any event.

Travel had become a lot more complicated these days, but hopefully, following these steps can lessen and alleviate some of the worry and leave you free to enjoy the adventures and pleasures that are ahead of you.

When you don't have to worry about all those little things and remember to be a bit diligent wherever you are, there is no reason why a fun filled vacation isn't just around the corner.

Safe and Happy travels!!