Safety While Traveling Abroad

 I was just talking with another travel advisor who has clients in Barcelona for a cruise. The morning of the cruise, the family was sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for their transfer to the port to board the ship. The mother had her purse right next to her, but when she turned her head for just a minute, the purse was taken! Inside the purse was all six passports and a large amount of cash.

There are ways to avoid this scenario, and awareness is the first step. You need to constantly be on your guard, because pickpockets are everywhere in Europe - everywhere that tourists are. This may seem daunting, but caution quickly becomes second nature when you’re in a foreign country.

1. Keep your important belongings close to your body. Crossbody bags can be harder to grab and are safer to use when in tightly packed areas. Other good options are to wear a jacket with inside zipper pockets for your money and identification or to wear a money belt or pouch inside your shirt.

It’s better to skip backpacks and fanny packs, but if you are wearing a these, hold them in front while in a crammed public transit.

Cross-body bags and backpacks can be purchased with lockable zippers and cut resistant fabric. 

2. Use the hotel safe - OR if you have luggage that locks, keep you passports and other valuables locked in your luggage when you leave your room.

3. Take a photo of your passport on your smartphone or take copies of it.

4. Don’t flaunt your wealth. Louis Vuitton luggage will only attract the wrong kind of attention and let unscrupulous people know that you have expensive things inside. I don’t wear my diamond wedding ring when I travel but stick with a simple gold band. And I definitely don’t take expensive jewelry with me.

5. Don’t accept any  kind of offers from people on the street, whether it’s currency exchange, restaurant solicitations, or offers to drive you. As negative as it sounds, assume that anyone you run into is ready to prey on tourists.

6. Don’t hand your phone off to a stranger to take photos of your group. Better to go with selfies.

7. Packing neutral colored luggage and wearing clothing that doesn’t attract attention can help keep you and your belongings safe.

8. Purchase travel protection to help with unexpected emergencies and to have access to 24/7 travel support.

Making smart decisions can help ensure that your trip is trouble-free! Enjoy immersing yourself in a foreign culture and all the new experiences that go along with that. As always, Vacations by Shannon is here to help and support you throughout the travel process.