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When you are traveling, it is extremely important for you to be aware of useful tips, which can assist you to stay away from frustration throughout the journey. Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts that you need to follow when you are traveling in order to get the best out of your experience. The rules of etiquette still apply when a person travels, so I wanted to gather a list of helpful do’s and don’ts to help everyone as they are becoming worldwide travelers.  This list has helped me tremendously over the years as I have jetted off to one country or another and I know it will be helpful to every other traveler out there, whether they have traveled a little or a lot. 

 

Do’s:

 

First of all, you will need to take a photocopy of your passport. Passport can be considered as the most important document that you possess when you are traveling abroad. When your passport is lost or damaged, you will have to deal with a lot of frustration. But when you have a copy of your passport, you don’t need to go through that frustration.  (Always make copies of passports and credit cards in case they are stolen – This will allow a person to get a replacement passport as well as report credit cards as stolen.)

 

In your hotel room, you will be able to find a safe. You should think about using it, instead of just leaving your valuables in the open. Therefore, you need to make it a habit to leave the valuables inside the safe, whenever you are leaving the room.

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Always be aware of your surroundings – There are always people out there who will try to steal from someone and tourists are usually easy targets.

Dress appropriately for the area that is being visited – Some countries are stricter than others, plus dressing like a local will not attract as much attention as looking like a tourist would.

Travel with another person if possible – There is always safety in numbers.

It is always best to drink bottled water in foreign countries – It is also recommended that everyone eats where there are long lines instead of a hole in the wall where no one else is eating, to avoid food poisoning.

Learn a little of the local language, in order to communicate with people while in the country.

Respect the environment at all times.

Be respectful when taking photographs, especially of people and sacred areas.

Behavior should always be respectful – No one should ever be rowdy, rambunctious, rude, or act in a manner where they could get in severe trouble.
 

You should obviously try out new foods when you are traveling. Once you are engaged with traveling, you would realize that the entire world is not the same. Therefore, you need to take necessary steps in order to enjoy the diversity that you are provided with. Trying out new food items can be considered as one of the best options available for you to enjoy this diversity.

 

While enjoying different food items, you should also find time in order to explore the culture. It would be possible for you to explore the culture, even if you don’t have a clear understanding about the language that is spoken.

 

Weather can quickly change in the destination that you are traveling and you will need to be ready for it. Therefore, you need to be ready for the unforeseen weather conditions while you are traveling.

 

Don’ts:

 

When you are making a reservation for a hotel room in advance, you will be asked to make a payment. However, you should never pay that advance using cash or wire transfer. You should always make the payment using credit card, in order to avoid scams.

 

Most of the travelers do the mistake of talking about politics while they are traveling. When you are exploring another country, you need to be careful enough to think twice before you speak something. For example, you should never talk about politics. Instead, there are plenty of fun topics available for you to start a discussion and you can select any out of them.

 

Last but not least, you need to be careful enough not to try any drugs when you are exploring another country. In fact, you should never accept something that is offered to you by the strangers.

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Never carry large amounts of cash.

Try to never look at maps while in public – This will attract thieves and other unwanted people.

Keep all bags close – It is recommended that people use a bag that they can place over one shoulder and have it cross the front of them – This prevents another person from snatching it off a person.

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Never visit dangerous or sketchy locations – The same goes for walking in dimly lit places at night.

Never leave any valuables laying around in plain sight.

Never leave luggage unattended.

Never purchase items that were made from endangered or protected animals.

Never hitchhike.
 
These are the main do’s and don’ts when it comes to travel, but there are plenty more, I'm sure!  Are there any that you think are important?  If so, let me know and I will share them as well.  After all, we are all in this love of travel together and we can all learn from each other!