Travel and Safety Tips

In the years before deregulation of the airlines in the U.S., air travel was a comfortable, middle-class privilege. Flying could be quite glamorous, and, before 1978, it was an experience affordable to only a few. Today, air travel is not what it once was, especially in economy class. In modern times, although most travelers can... 

Do you know where your passport is right now?  Are you certain?  Go ahead and check….you know you want to It’s just where it should be? Good! But…what if it isn’t?  What if it were stolen or lost either while you’re at home in the U.S. or, worse when you are traveling in a...

The rigors of travel can be exhausting!  From lineups at the airport to flight delays, air travel definitely isn’t the ‘walk in the park’ it was a few decades ago.  What you don’t need to add to your stress, is having your credit card, wallet, or passport stolen when you’re traveling.  To have this happen... 

When you book a hotel while traveling near home or far abroad, it’s reasonable to expect hotels to look out for your safety. Unfortunately, not all do, and you should expect to be your own security guard in certain ways.  Valuables can be placed in hotel safes; you can’t fit into a safe, and even... 

From tiny terminals to longer lines and beefed-up security, you may be in for a bit of culture shock when using European airports, especially if you’re using a lower-cost carrier.  Just as in America, Europe has its share of good, bad and ugly airports, where good (if not great) might be the Helsinki Airport in... 

AirBnBs and VRBO vacation rental properties are a hot ticket item right now for many travelers.  They offer the advantage of being ensconced in an area inhabited by locals rather than in a hotel inhabited with other travelers.  Sometimes the homeowners will be there during your stay; at others, you may be there on your... 

Having your luggage stolen, getting pickpocketed, and facing the uncertain behaviors of strangers are always possibilities when you travel. Whether you’re flying to a third world country or taking the train to see a friend five hours away in your state, you should follow current events and research your destination for crime statistics that could...

What are the safest destinations for solo travelers? Asian and European countries tend to be lowest on crime worldwide, according to the 2015 Legatum Safety & Security Index. The Index rates each country on several quality-of-life factors: economy, entrepreneurship and opportunity, governance, education, health, security and safety, personal freedom, and social capital. Below is a...

Nowadays criminals can be anyone, and they only get shrewder with time. Crimes of opportunity and crimes against property are a constant wherever you may be going. Whether you’re at home, across the country, or on another continent, no one is immune to crime. The following travel safety tips and travel gear won’t make you... 

It doesn’t matter where we are going over the holidays we want to get there as fast and as smooth as we can. The last thing we want is to be held up in airport security because of something silly we did (or didn’t) do. 4 Tips for Packing Your Carry-on Use a clear plastic bag... 

Comedian Larry David once said, “I don’t like talking to people I know, but strangers I have no problem with.” Larry David must be a solo traveler. Some of the best trips are the ones you take alone.  Solo travel can teach you to be more resourceful and comfortable in your own skin. Plus, traveling...

The ability to camouflage in order to blend in and ward off predators is a survival skill used by every species—from butterflies to humans. National Geographic says, “Organisms use camouflage to mask their location, identity, and movement. This allows prey to avoid predators, and for predators to sneak up on prey.” Travel calls upon the...