Traveling TOP TRAVEL TIPS

No matter how great your vacation, you will find the going rough at some stage. It could be a little thing like an unfriendly cabbie or a more serious issue like your hotel room being robbed, or your luggage going astray at an unfamiliar airport. Whatever your horror story, here are 10 ways to make sure such hurdles are minimized: http://www.etravelforum.com 1.

Use a hidden wallet to carry most of your valuables and identification. Also, carry important papers on your person and DO NOT check in anything that you cannot afford to lose. For good measure, photocopy your passport, driver's license and credit cards and leave them at home. And try not to carry more than two credit cards. Better still, use a prepaid credit card 2. Mail a money order or travelers checks to yourself at your hotel so that even if you lose some of money, more will be coming 3.

Bring important phone numbers with you and put them in two different places. Carry the phone number that will cancel your credit card; if traveling abroad, carry your country's embassy details; and carry the numbers of family and friends who can help you if you get into trouble 4. Be sure to keep a copy of your travel insurance at home as well as on your trip so that a family member can access it if necessary. Credit cardholders should know what kind of insurance is covered on you're their cards before they set out 5.

Carry basic medical information like your blood type and allergies, and make sure it is translated into the primary language of the place you are going to for the benefit of non-English-speaking doctors. Your prescription medicines should be labeled accurately because certain prescription drugs are forbidden in some countries. Also carry a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, diarrhea medicine, etc. 6. Never list your home address on the luggage tag.

If on business, put the company's address on the tag; if visiting friends you can list their address. Stay with your luggage until it is checked in. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle. Also, do not wear name tags in public 7.

Never wear anything that indicates affluence such as jewelry and gold watches. Also, do not flash your passport and money in public and do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information within earshot of strangers 8. If traveling with children, carry a recent photograph of each child in case you are separated from them.

Write each child's name and your hotel number on a card and include a close friend or relative's contact information. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them 9. Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternate plan in place in case your transportation plans change 10. Preferably stay in hotels that use cards to open room doors and make sure your room has a peephole and deadbolt lock. A room near a stairwell is always better than other rooms.

Beware of over-friendly fellow guests. Women in particular should never accept a drink from a stranger. Keep an eye on your drink at all times Have a safe journey! http://www.etravelforum.com .

By: David Smith