7 Secrets To Travel Safe On Your Next Vacation

You've got the plane ticket, the hotel reservation, the itinerary. But have you given any thought or taken any steps to protect your health and safety? The worst thing that can happen is that you spend your vacation in a hospital- or bring home a weird, exotic virus that has you bedridden for weeks.

You also want to avoid theft, mugging, or worst, terrorist attacks. Your resort may call itself an "island paradise" but let's not be naïve and assume everyone is as friendly as they look in the brochures.

Be smart. Prepare, make informed decisions, especially if you're traveling with your family. This vacation is supposed to be fun-and you can do your part by preventing most disasters.

1. Check Travel Advisories

Your embassy will list places that they recommend "caution" or right-out tell you to stay away from altogether. This could be because of a tense political situation, or a low level of security in underdeveloped areas.

But also take advisories with some degree of salt. You can safely assume that the capitals and major cities of a country will be more tourist friendly, since governments would've probably taken great efforts to develop them. The exception, of course, are countries going through civil war-in which case, read the international newspapers (or the web-version of their local English paper) to see how bad it really is.

2. Get Vaccinated

Some viruses that are relatively rare in your country may proliferate in the climate of another-and you don't have the natural antibodies to fight them. Get the full range of vaccines (your embassy website will also recommend which ones you really need, depending on here you want to go).

3. Bring Medicines and Prescriptions

Ask your doctor for two copies of your prescriptions (carry one in your wallet, and leave one in your luggage). Also bring enough anti histamines (for allergies) or any maintenance vitamins or medications. Asthmatics should carry have a nebulizer-especially since attacks can be triggered by change in climate or physical exertion (you never know how much walking you'll be doing during the tour).

4. Never Flaunt Your Valuables

Wearing your Rolex or flashing large amounts of money practically screams "Rob me!" to the pickpockets. Keep small bills and change in your belt bag for easy access (these are for entrance fees, cab fares, snacks). Keep larger bills in a zippered pocket. To be very safe, divide the money and distribute it among several pockets-at least, even if you do get robbed, you still have something left.

Another tip: bring only what you need for that day and leave the rest in the hotel safety deposit box.

5. Travel in Groups

This is unfamiliar land, and you may not even speak the local language. So stick together (at least divide into pairs), especially at night.

6. Ask the Hotel Receptionist/Travel Agent Which Places to Avoid

Before exploring the area, get a list of places known for its crime rate, or streets that tend to get dark after a particular hour. Identify the areas on a map and avoid accordingly.

7. Tell the Hotel Receptionist Where You Are Going

This is very important if you are going skiing, hiking, or participating in any activity where there is a risk of getting lost or injured. Name how many people will be in your party and what time they can expect you. Then, they can alert authorities if you have not returned.

Travelers Advisory: SFO Limo Service Users, Watch For Undisclosed Charges

San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Jose and Oakland host many trade shows each month. Often smart business traveler hires a limousine or car service for airport pick-up and delivery to the trade show or hotel.

But when hiring a San Francisco limo or car service there are several hidden charges
an executive assistant or trade show planner should be aware of.

First, understand the cancellation or rescheduling fees of the car service. If a flight is canceled and you are put on a later flight, you may be charged for 'rescheduling". Many firms do not charge rescheduling fees for customers with profile accounts, unless the driver has actually been dispatched. At most reputable limousine and car service firms, there are no cancellation fees of any kind for established accounts.

Second understand the car service policy for waiting time and charges for delays. For example, Quicksilver TownCar (www.QSTC.net) allows a 10-minute grace period for reservation pickups, including loading and unloading a vehicle. Be aware that some firms add charge after 5 minutes.

It is important for trade show managers to understand the cost for waiting while executives and others on international flights clear customs. Most firm figure in a waiting 30 or 40 minutes no charge, grace period after an international flight arrives. But at some point a waiting charge will kick in, for example, while the sales team from Australia is celebrating their arrival in San Francisco.

Schlepping Last Minute Press Kits

Third, schlepping last minute press kits, giveaways and brochures can add up. If you will be loading up the limo for your trade show, find out in advance if there are "extra" charges. Sometime extra boxes can cause another $20+ charge to the trip. If you know in advance that you will be arriving with a lot of trade show materials ask your car service of an SUV.

The Bay Area is home to the legendary Golden Gate Bridge and other spectacular bridges. Find out if any bridges are to be crossed and how much will be charged. Generally no receipt is available because the car service pays via electronic transponders.

When sending people to a trade show in the San Francisco Bay Area the savvy executive assistant or trade show planner should know the questions to ask advance regarding all the charges are when hiring a car service.

Free SFO Parking For Cell Phone Use

If your trade show schedule has you picking up at SFO, airport management has provided a free parking lot where people can wait for cell phone calls from arriving passengers. It's free for now, Location: http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/parking/options/cell-phone/index.html

A similar lot at Mineta San Jose (SJO) was eliminated during construction of the new airport is the North Concourse, currently under construction, located between Terminal C (American Airlines and Southwest) and Terminal A (the rest). For more information check in with SJC: Mineta San Jose International Airport Ground Transportation: http://www.sjc.org/travelers/ground_trans.html

By the way, all Quicksilver TownCar drivers carry cell phones with radios. When you land, just call quicksilver dispatch and dispatch will notify your driver to pick you up.

Getting More From International Travel Guides And Deals

The growing demand for international travel is a by-product of the extensive tourism efforts of many countries to draw tourists to visit their shores. This is evident in the mass distribution of pertinent travel literature by host countries at many overseas markets and exhibitions to sell their local attractions to potential tourists from all over the world, apart from lobbying with foreign embassies for the issuance of travel-friendly advisories.

The undeniable presence of travel agents and travel agencies in domestic markets has fast-tracked the promotion and sale of overseas destinations to locales who are enticed by discount travel rates, affordable tour packages, attractive locations and other vacation deals that are available at their choice destination. Apart from delivering regular sales functions, travel agencies assume the hustle and bustle related to overseas travel by providing premium services to all their clients. These services range from the booking of flights and hotel accommodation, securing of pertinent travel documents such as passports and visas, obtaining adequate travel insurance for the traveler and coordinating with overseas agencies in the case of packaged tours. Legitimate travel agencies are usually affiliated with an international network of travel agents to ensure that the traveler is better served from the moment he sets foot on the flight right to when it's time to say goodbye.

Incidentally, major airlines have expanded their global destinations and likewise increased the frequency of flights between host countries to support relevant tourism objectives. The incidence of air travel is steadily on the rise each year and airline companies benefit much from economies of scale which allows them to offer more affordable flight packages.

All these developments prompted an upsurge of demand for international travel and flights from families and friends who wish to travel abroad for recreation, as well as from individuals on official business overseas..

THE FRANKENSTEIN’S MONSTER AND THE STORY OF A TRAVEL ADVISORY

USA's  travel advisory to its citizens to be most vigilant while travelling to/across India as a terrorist strike is imminent at any place across the nation is laughable, to say the least. We are at a loss to know from where this 'sudden enlightenment' came from.

 

It seems the self-proclaimed Super Power nurses paranoid delusions since 9/11. Even after passage of more than seven years, these delusions persist in the American psyche. While other nations fell victims to occasional terrorist threats and attacks, USA remained pretty comfortable caring two hoots to the painful state of other nations after falling victims to terror attacks. Its complacency was so strong that it was impervious or immune from such horrendous crimes committed by religious fanatics across the world.

 

And USA's role in nurturing the lunatics was condemned by many nations and those condemnations were never attended to by the successive governments of America.

 

USA is now engaged in an hot pursuit of Taliban and Al-Quaida elements engaged in fierce battle against the Army of Hamid Karzai regime who is presently the head of Afghanistan, ruling ofcourse with the whole-hearted support of USA. It is somewhat amusing to note here that the Taliban elements and also the Al-Quaida militants led by World's most wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden were provided with money power and logistical support to fight against the erstwhile Soviet Union to drive them away from Afghanistan. The Frankenstein's monster later turned against its own god-father is a cruel joke of history. This creature even went to the extent of striking at the very nerve-centre of its creator on 9/11, thus giving an unexpected and unforgettable jolt and in the process snuffing out the lives of 3000 innocents.

 

The hunt for the perpetrators still continues. A massive hunt followed, Guantanamo Bay, Abu Graib, extra-ordinary rendition and hitherto unheard of cruelties like water-boarding were committed with the overt support of George Walker Bush, the former President. His hawkish approach could only inflame the religious passions of a community thus making a lot of Muslim nations its enemy. Barack Obama, his successor is now busy engaged in a damage-control exercise and in hot pursuit of befriending the Muslim nations across the globe and his historic speech at Cairo University is a pointer in that direction. How far he will be able to succeed in his venture is another thing. But such a positive approach itself is something to be applauded. While President Obama was addressing a large gathering at Cairo University it is sort of 'tamasha' (comedy) that an advisory to its citizens to be vigilant while travelling to and across India, World's largest democracy by the US government.

 

True, India occasionally falls victim to terrorist attacks. But an advisory at the present juncture to its citizens is somewhat baffling. It is worthwhile to note that a terrorist attack can affect anywhere across the World. USA is not an exception.

 

Citizens across the Globe sometimes are subjected to humiliations by the American Intelligence authorities in the name of security checks. Even VIPs fall victims to their paranoid delusions. Recall the humiliation our former Defence Minister, George Fernandez had to undergo years ago. He was strip-searched  by the intelligence authorities after a prolonged grilling on suspicion of being a terrorist. No amount of explanation could satisfy the security officials. Recently an Indian super-star had to undergo similar grilling at the hands of those officials. The Indian super-star was not that 'super' to US security officials. These types of absurd and meaningless steps are nothing but the after-shocks of 9/11.

 

The reason behind USA's not-so-friendly-attitude is not at all a mystery. The greatest democracy from 'time immemorial' wanted to keep a check on India. India's development in various fields are not to the liking of Uncle Sam. And to have a check on it USA found a convenient way by providing money and logistical power to the 'traditional enemy' Pakistan. As if by reading the mind of US authorities, Pakistan turns its guns in the direction of India (now nuclear weapons also), provides assistance and training to all sorts of terrorist elements who try to intrude across the border to create massive law and order problems, destruction of life and property, thus trying to deflect the attention of the authorities away from the developmental agenda of the nation as a whole. Pakistan has already been classified as the epicentre of terrorism. Whether they take pride in this categorization is something to be watched. Otherwise the release of Hafeez Muhammed Saeed, the founder of LeT and also JuD by the Lahore High Court and USA's 'vow of silence' on this serious matter is deplorable.

 

As one strategic analyst pointed out, it is time for India to stop holding on to the coat-tails of USA and evolve a foreign policy framework and engage in bringing international pressure on Pakistan to desist from indulging in nefarious activities to wreak havoc with the peaceful atmosphere in our nation. Whether the foreign policy mandarins will listen to his advice is something to be awaited and seen.     

How To Know When You Should Buy International Travel Medical Insurance!

Many international travelers today don't think they need international travel medical insurance because they don't realize their company insurance, travel insurance or personal medical insurance may not be valid outside of the United States. And this goes for government-funded health insurance too. Check to see what your health insurance or travel medical insurance policies cover. Make sure to read the fine print and the exclusion clauses.

Most comprehensive insurance policies offer three types of coverage - financial reimbursement for trip cancellation or lost baggage, medical coverage and emergency medical transportation and they differ from standard travel insurance policies. The cost of international travel health insurance policies depends on the type of coverage you need, your destination, your age and gender and the cost of the trip.

International trips or trips abroad are generally more expensive so you should consider getting additional insurance for any trip outside of the mainland USA, especially one with nonrefundable deposits.

There are a number of unforeseen circumstances that can interrupt your vacation or even cancel it, such as an unexpected illness, bad weather, a sudden death in your family or even a job change or jury duty that you can't leave.

Any time that you have nonrefundable deposits or purchases you should have travel insurance. You should consider buying international travel health insurance if you have invested a lot of money in your vacation or if you can't cover any unexpected medical costs or emergency costs at you arrival destination.

If you're traveling by yourself or with your family at an additional cost to you or if you're traveling to areas that have known catastrophic events such as natural disasters, extreme political turmoil or health advisories, you should have international travel health insurance. Or if you have an existing medical condition that is cause for concern, then by all means get insured properly.

You don't want to be sitting in a hospital emergency room in another country and find out that you're not covered by any of your other insurance policies. And Medicare doesn't cover any eligible U.S. citizen traveling in Canada or Mexico either.

One of the most important reasons to buy international travel medial insurance is for getting emergency transportation out of an undeveloped country and into a country with proper medical facilities. It can easily cost $20,000 to get airlifted out of a foreign country. International travel medical insurance may seem cheap after an experience like this.

Oftentimes people think when they have travel insurance that they are fully covered for international travel or they think they are covered on their health insurance policy for medical expenses. This is usually not true.

Make sure to read your existing policies thoroughly especially the fine print and the EXCLUSION clauses to fully understand what you have and don't have. There is a big difference between travel insurance policies and international travel insurance policies. And make sure to get several quotes to get the best low cost international travel insurance. It's important to think ahead and it can be a tough decision for some but you can't buy international travel medical insurance when you NEED it!