Like most of us with wanderlust, it seems every year we ‘discover’ new places to visit around the globe. Places once thought of as no-go for travel (Vietnam for example), have become quite the tourist destinations. Other countries and regions have gone the other direction, impacted by natural disasters, civil unrest and terrorism.

Today’s traveler has available to them a wealth of online information to assist in making common-sense choices for locations and itineraries.

Most of us tend to travel to places we’ve been to before or come highly recommended by family and friends (social media seems to have replaced the dreaded slideshow!). Those more adventurous may choose a location from an article or travel show.  Regardless of how you choose your next destination, here are some tips to make the most of your travels:

• Do your homework. If you are traveling to a new destination, research online to get general information, reviews from fellow travelers and to set up your itinerary in advance. Traveling in larger groups is safest, especially in remote or questionable locations (check below for link to State Department). Reading up on local customs can also make your trip safer and more enjoyable.
• For foreign travel, check with the State Department’s ‘Before You Go’ page. It provides a wealth of information with links to travel advisories, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) enrollment and a traveler’s checklist, to name a few.
• Let people know your itinerary. Leave a detailed travel plan with friends or family. Also, enroll in the STEP program (see above), which notifies the local US Embassy of your stay as well as sends out pertinent alerts.
• Be aware of your surroundings. In the military, it’s called Situational Awareness. Even travelling locally, be aware of what and who is around. Making brief eye contact will often thwart most pickpockets or petty thieves.
• Detach, but stay connected. Pleasure travel is a time to recharge and/or get away from it all. That said, it’s important to keep abreast of what is going on in the world. Most hotels/resorts have WiFi available. You can also sign up for temporary international calling plan with your service provider. Relax but stay aware.
• Purchase travel insurance. You invest a lot of time and money into planning your vacation so protect that investment with a travel insurance plan that can cover you for things like travel delays due to inclement weather, trip cancellation/interruption, and medical expenses.

Cruising can be a great way to try various activities and visit several destinations in one trip. These cruise tips can help make your next voyage memorable for all the right reasons:

• Bring your documents. You may need your passport if you plan to leave the ship on any port days if the ship docks internationally (as many ships do).
• Pack first day necessities in your carry-on. It can take several hours from the time you board the ship to the time your luggage arrives at your cabin so pack first day necessities like a swimsuit in your carry-on so that you aren’t waiting around for your luggage to start having fun.
• Check if laundry service is available. Many ships offer laundry service (either for free or a small fee). The money you save on fewer checked bags may pay for the laundry service itself.
• Arrive early. Don’t stress yourself out by trying to arrive in the port city the day of your cruise departure. This will put you on a tight schedule and any delays could mean you miss the cruise. Arrive a day or two early (especially if you’re traveling during the winter months) and enjoy exploring the port city.

Remember: The well-prepared traveler is the happy traveler. Safe Travels!

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