A great holiday can provide you with memories that can last you a lifetime. However, a trip abroad can also be something that can stay with you for all the wrong reasons, such as injuries, holiday compensation claims and terrifying encounters with robbers. To make sure that your holiday goes as well as it possibly can it’s important to take certain measure to steer clear of danger. Here’re five great tips for staying safe on your travels.
Photo Credit: leighton gleicher
Get cover
Whether you’re skiing, scuba diving or just taking a relaxing break by the sea, it’s vital to get holiday insurance. Getting covered will not only give you peace of mind, it will really help you out if the worst happens and you do have to make a claim. Basic holiday cover is available for fairly cheap, however, the more adventurous the activities you plan to do the more expensive insurance options you’ll need to choose.
Stay hydrated
With all the excitement of going away, it can sometimes be easy to forget the basics; including remembering to drink enough water, however, it is vital to make sure you stay well hydrated. This is particularly true if you’re travelling to a hot country, where the effects of unfamiliarly hot climes can quickly take their toll on your unaccustomed body. Unfortunately, many places around the world don’t have running water that you can drink, so unless you’re sure that it’s safe to the drink tap water it’s best to drink bottled water.
Know your surroundings
Going on holiday is a great way to experience new areas and cultures. However, before you go out exploring, it’s important to do a bit of research on the area beforehand. Even if a town or city looks nice, there’re bound to be undesirable people lurking in certain areas, by reading up about an area in guide books and online forums you can learn which areas are best to avoid, leaving you to take in your new surrounding in safety.
Dress down
Sure, you want to look good one your travels, however, it’s best to leave the fancier items of your wardrobe at home when you’re on holiday. At the very least it’s important to leave expensive jewelry back in your hotel room if you’re going out for a wander, especially if you’re in certain parts of South America, such as Venezuela or Colombia, or countries in South East, like Thailand or Cambodia.
Eat well
Eating well on holiday doesn’t just mean getting enough fruit and vegetables, it means watching where you eat as much as what you eat. Stomach bugs are one of the most prevalent causes of holiday illnesses among tourists. It’s a good idea to cook your own food while you’re away, so that you know exactly what’s going into your meal, however, if you want to eat out and relax, try to go somewhere that comes well recommended from a fellow traveler or guidebook, and avoid anywhere that looks dirty.
Tony Hill is a travel enthusiast who has visited every continent
