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Identity Travel Tip

Do you use your email account when traveling? Have you ever set up an email account just to use when traveling?

It might be a good idea to create an email account to use only when traveling. This is especially good if you are accessing wifi in an unsecured network.

Something like johndoetraveling@gmail.com. That way if someone would access that account, it doesn’t contain any personal data, any work or financial data or emails, or anything you don’t want to lose. Be sure to set a password entirely different from those you may already use. And, give that email address to those you want to communicate with while traveling.

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More Travel Essentials

Another item that makes it into my carry on bag or purse is disinfecting wipes. Many places carry them in packs of one or two. They are flat and fit easily into my bag.

Their uses appear to be endless. Use them for wiping off phones or remotes in a hotel room, dusty shoes after a walk, sandy seashells, and questionable door handles. They come in handy in rest rooms with no paper towels or with dirty surfaces. Wipe up spills before they set. Of course…use them to clean your hands!

There are so many other uses and I’ve used them in many places. What about you?

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Travel Essentials

What are some of your travel essentials? There are several I always take on a trip.

My shawl is one of the first things I pack in my carry on or my purse. It’s made of a thin wool, polyester blend so it rolls up nicely and fits in a small space. I have used it to keep warm on a plane, to dress up a simple outfit for dinner, as a skirt to enter a church in Italy, as  pillow, as a backrest, and to wrap my camera in. Plus, I’m sure I’ve used it for more than that…

I’ll let you in on a few other secrets next time…

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Travel With Food

When packing food for a road trip, use small frozen gel packs in your coolers. These can fit between layers of food, keeping both sides cold. Keep in mind they won’t last for long periods of time, though. For short trips, trips to the beach, etc. they work great. Check out ones that are made for diaper bags. They tend to be more streamlined and don’t take up as much room.

Some foods that travel well include: veggies like carrots or celery, cheese cubes, apples, bananas, nuts, cookies, granola, and dried fruit. I’m sure you have your favorites. Travel healthy!

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Different Cultures and Traveling

It’s always a good idea to read about the culture of a country or city before you visit. Check out everything from what to wear suggestions to whether tipping is expected or included in your bill.

Learn about the language, history, and common courtesies. It will make your trip more enjoyable and you will bring home great memories.

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Travel Tip for Countries to Visit

The State Department issues travel warnings about countries when there are long term issues or periods of unrest that make a country dangerous or unstable. If you have any questions or thoughts about the country you want to visit, check out travel.state.gov for the current listings.

The site also has great information on living abroad, traveling abroad, emergency situations, and so much more.

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Travel Tips for Important Numbers

Do you make a list of phone numbers associated with the credit cards you take on vacation? It would be a good idea. If they are lost, misplaced, or stolen…you can call the credit card company.

Do you make a copy of your passport? Again, it would be a good idea to have that with you.

Just one thing…don’t keep the lists in your wallet or in the same place your credit cards are! Keep them in a safe place.

Do you have the phone numbers for your airline, your rental car company, and your hotel? Are they stored in your phone and easily accessible? You may need them if your travel plans change or you get delayed.

Storing them in your phone is great…unless you don’t plan on using your phone in Europe or where ever you are. You might want to think about keeping those numbers in more than one handy spot.

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Travel Tip for Credit Cards

I may have I mentioned this before…

Plan which credit cards you will take with you on your trip. Then, call those companies to let them know you will be using their cards where ever your destination is.

You can go one step further and ask them to put a dollar limit on the card. This works by the transaction and they will notify you immediately if a transaction on that card is in the process of exceeding that limit.

If you are taking your debit card, call your bank to notify them as well. If you use ATMs, pay attention to where they are located and who is around. It’s common sense…but sometimes we get in a hurry.