In addition to cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or discount travel packages, there are additional steps travelers can take to improve their odds of enjoying a good trip.
To stay safe:
1) Do not keep all your cards and cash in the same place. You do not want to lose your ATM card if someone steals your cash.
2) Carry a wallet with expired credit and bank cards that you can hand over if you get robbed.
3) Instead of carrying your passport once at your destination, only carry a copy. Lock your passport in a safe, if possible, or at least a safe place.
4) Avoid getting drunk since this is when tourists are most vulnerable and make poor decisions.
5) Wear a shirt or jacket with an upper breast zipper pocket where you keep valuables.
6) Do not wear jewelry, carry your camera in a new bag, carry a swollen wallet in your back pocket, or pull out a large wad of cash when paying.
7) Keep all valuables and travel documents close to you vs. in a backpack that is in a luggage compartment on bus rides.
Stay healthy while overseas by:
1) Drink plenty of water. To minimize jet lag, drink at least one gallon of water in the 24 hours prior to your flight.
2) Bring along ciprofloxacin (aka Cipro). This antibiotic has many uses, from treating a bad stomach ache to a bladder infection or UTI.
3) Always carry Neosporin and Band-Aids. Neosporin is an over the counter ointment that helps prevent infection in open cuts as well as treating rashes and skin irritation. While common in the US, Neosporin can be hard to find in local pharmacies. www.cheapfares.com