Much has been said already that the first thing to put in your luggage before you travel is information. Learn as much as possible about the country you are going to: read reviews of travelers who have already trodden your future route (our blogs will help you), read the recommendations of local residents.

It will be useful to inquire about the crime situation at the destination. For exotic countries, information on the necessary vaccinations will also be important. You can find this information in our travel guides.

A great plan “B” in any spy movie is to back up your most important files. Take this technique into service and make copies and scans of the documents you need before traveling. It is better to store scans of passports in electronic form in your mail or virtual disk, and put several paper copies in different places.

Here’s a fun fact for you: statistics claim that stolen or lost wallets are much more likely to return to their owners if they contain … children’s photos. Why not take note of this information and insert such a card into your wallet? Who knows, maybe a photo of your son or niece (or even a fake photo) will help save your credit cards and rights.

Special attention should be paid to the places where you are going to keep all the most precious during the trip. At the hotel, ask about the presence of a safe or cells for valuables, although there are cases when guests’ belongings disappeared from there.

The back pockets of your trousers are great for storing gum, but never put documents or money in there. A small shoulder bag is considered the best option for travelers, but keep an eye on it too. Even in the most “civilized” cities, pickpockets are invariably wiped out near tourist spots.

We have already said that tourists change their currency in vain before leaving. It is often more profitable to make an exchange upon arrival at the destination. However, a separate topic is where to do it.

There is a good chance that you will be tempted by a favorable rate and try to exchange your cash with locals, but it is still better to donate some amount and go to an official exchanger or a bank branch – exchange frauds at “private traders” are not uncommon, but the harsh reality of most countries of the world.

In general, you should not carry a lot of cash with you – in case of theft, it will be much easier to block and restore a bank card.

Of course, if you go to Monte Carlo or Las Vegas, then it would be simply criminal not to succumb to the temptation and not leave (or maybe take with you) a certain amount.

But we strongly recommend leaving your gambling urges at home if the prospect of playing dice or cards in a dark Parisian gateway seems equally tempting to you. Be sure that you will not stay here to win, you will certainly be deceived.

By the way, about the gateways, if you really want to explore all the nooks and crannies of a big city, then, for God’s sake, do it during the day. The outskirts and poor areas of the vast majority of cities in the world are extremely inhospitable and even dangerous at night. Yes, the advice is trivial, but perhaps this is what will keep you out of trouble.

So that “good thoughts”, as is often the case, do not come late, check out the list of useful applications before your trip. Better yet, download, install and activate at least a few of them.

Find My iPhone, Anti-theft alarm for mobile, and React Mobile, which send notifications to a group of people you specify in case of theft, have proven themselves well. You can also attach a special beacon to your smartphone or any other thing, which will send a signal if they move away from you at a distance greater than the intended one.

As you know, life is unpredictable, and therefore it is almost impossible to completely protect yourself from a possible robbery. There are also some useful recommendations for this not too pleasant case. If you have an opportunity to escape (at least the slightest) when trying to robbery, do it without hesitation. As a rule, pickpockets will not run after you, so as not to attract the attention of others and the police.

Also, never put all your money and valuables in one place. Let it be better to have a small amount in your wallet, which in case of something you can give “at the mercy” of a thief.

Separately, it is worth talking about those who like to hitchhiking. Despite the growing popularity of this type of travel and its seeming democracy, it is far from being successful in all countries. For example, in Italy “stoppers” are not very popular, and therefore there may be problems with finding a car. It will be much easier in this case to use a service like BlaBlaCar.

If you are traveling by car, it would be a mistake to think that you are already safe behind its door. Make stops in well-lit and preferably guarded places (such as parking lots or gas stations), especially if you are going to spend the night in the cabin.

Experienced motorists are also well aware that leaving a laptop or bag on the seat can cause burglary or broken glass. In addition, there are countries where, in principle, they do not like to obey the rules of the road, there traveling by car is suitable only for the most desperate.

A trip always seems incomplete without tasting local delicacies. However, so that a pleasant pastime does not slowly flow into a tour of the nearest hospitals, we strongly advise you to keep a few simple rules in mind.

Avoid “purely tourist” locations. And the question here is not so much about the quality of food, but about the increased price and less friendly attitude towards visitors. Remember, Tripadvisor is not a guarantee that a place is truly the best. A nearby establishment that is not marked by a world rating, but is popular with local residents, can be much nicer and more accessible.

And if you decide on a street snack, then try to eat only what you have prepared in front of your eyes.

In many countries in Asia and Africa, water is a sore point. It is as easy as shelling pears to catch an unpleasant and even dangerous infection there. And in some European countries tap water leaves much to be desired. Therefore, avoid drinking tap water (and in some cases even brushing your teeth and washing your face), instead buy bottled water.

In the light of the recent events in Paris, the likelihood of falling into the radius of a terrorist attack is becoming an important issue. Remember that crowded places are the most likely targets for such attacks.

If possible, try to avoid mass actions and high-profile events in cities with an increased risk of terrorist attacks or street clashes. If you come during large-scale celebrations or Christmas markets, then for your own safety it is better to look around first – take a closer look at possible escape routes and shelters.

If you suddenly find yourself in the very center of hot events or street fights, follow the basic rules. Hearing shots, lie down and cover your head with your hands. Try to pinpoint their source and find shelter for yourself. A high curb, ditch, corner of a house and the like will serve as such a shelter. Don’t hide behind cars and explosive objects. Running is not recommended, move quietly and without panic.

The most relevant and useful information about countries and their cities in the tripmydream guides!