Traveling to a new destination is so exciting that we sometimes forget the basics of preparing. Coronavirus has taught most people to err on the right side of caution. Before traveling to any destination one of the first things travelers should do is ensure that they have a way to spend currency in the destination country. Most banks are able to do this for travelers. However, if you are like me you probably use a credit card when traveling. To ensure that you won’t be stranded you should call your credit card company and inform them of your travel dates. Otherwise, your card may be blocked while a fraud investigation takes place and you will be stuck without a way to pay for anything.
You should also check with your bank to see if your debit card can use ATM’s in the destination country. While this won’t be a problem for travelling between the United States and the European Union in most instances. It will be a problem if you are traveling to places like Algeria which has a very unique banking system and you will not be able to use the ATM with an American debit card.
If you aren’t familiar with a destination, you should stick to the tourist areas. Unless of course you know someone local to the area. Crimes against tourists take place all too often when people stray too far from safe zones. For instance, if you are traveling to Paris, you may want to have a specialized wallet or purse before traveling. This is due to the amount of professional pickpockets that prey upon tourists. I personally know seven people that have been victims and one lost his passport.
Travelers planning adventurous vacations should do it safely with a local tour guide. If a traveler wishes to brave the wilderness alone of a destination country, they should familiarize themselves with knowing the local fauna and wildlife they may encounter. The purchase of a satellite phone would be a good option for adventurers traveling to remote destinations. When traveling it is always best to buy bottled water to drink. Sometimes water in certain countries can be contaminated and cause severe illness in travelers. Just because a local drinks from a particular water source will not mean that it is safe for the traveler.
