Best Way to Find a Free Local Travel Guide

I’ve heard of many creative ways to get a local to be your travel guide but my favorite is by a friend who had a yearning to go to Iceland. She is the inspiration for this post. Her unconventional way to get a free travel guide demands a write-up.

Lavalife. Yup, that online dating service is what she used to find a local to chat with and learn about Iceland long before she ever went there.

She went online and searched specifically for a fellow in Iceland and found a guy from Spain who had been living there for five years. They exchanged emails online for another four years before time and money synchronized (the fall in the economy certainly helped) and she went.

The emails were platonic. The crime rate in Iceland is practically non-existent. And my friend is smart. She went with accommodation booked. The results were wonderful. She was greeted in Reykjavik by a friend.


Here’s her summation of the experience, how he helped her plan and his hospitality:

“He was able to comment on the economic crash the country recently experienced and how it might affect my trip. His first hand information was a bit different than the media’s spin on the situation. As someone who was living and working in Reykjavik, someone completely immersed in the culture, he was able to tell me everything I needed to know to plan my trip. He was an excellent guide and host while I was there. Through him, I met many locals who were equally helpful.”

Now, I wouldn’t recommend Lavalife for all destinations but it certainly worked in this case.

More ways to find a free local guide.

As a solo traveler, it’s helpful to have a local to take you around. It helps you slip into the scene and gives you a companion for a few hours or a day. This service can be booked through most hotels for a fee but not everyone has that budget. Plus, there is something special about people who show you their city, not because they’re being paid, just because they love it. Here are a few more ways, other than Lavalife, to help you find a free local guide.

Greeter Programs
I thoroughly enjoyed the free Greeter Program in Chicago. I asked for a cyclist and we covered a lot of the city in five hours. It was fabulous. Check to see if the city you’re going to has a Greeter program through their tourism office or on the Global Greeter Network site.

Meet-ups through Meetup.com
Are you into rock climbing, raw food, Harley Davidsons practicing French, social media…? There is a meetup on just about anything that interests anybody. Check out the meetups to be held while you’re at your destination for a great way to meet locals who share your interests. If it’s a group on the move, like walkers or cyclists, you’ll probably get a unique tour of the city as well.

Tweet-ups through Twitter
Are you on Twitter? If so you likely have friends all over the world. If you’re not following tweeple in your destination city, search for them on Twitter and communicate with them for a while. Contact them when you’re getting ready to go to find out if there will (or could) be a local tweet-up when you’re in town.

HERmail.net Great for Women Traveling Solo
HERmail.net is an email-based, international directory of women travelers. It allows any woman anywhere in the world to connect at this site with other females who love to travel.

Free Walking Tours – lots of options.
From Berlin to San Francisco to Tel Aviv and Tokyo, there are free walking tours everywhere. Google “free walking tours” or go to sites like Sandemans.

5W – Women Welcoming Women World Wide
With about 2500 members in over 80 countries, 5W helps women connect with others around the world, make friendships and have a contact when they travel. Accommodation is often on offer but it is best to keep the first visit short. This is a non-profit membership site so there is a membership fee.

The Expat Community and your University Alumni
There are numerous expat website, communities and clubs all around the world. A search on Google will help you narrow down the field to your geography of interest.
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Know which items not to bring on a plane

1

Know which items not to bring on a plane. This applies to safety, size, weight, and even food, as there are restrictions on all of these.

• Safety restrictions vary between countries but include obvious safety hazards (knives in your carry-on, flammable liquids in any of your luggage), not-so-obvious hazards (nail clippers or files in your carry-on), and a few seemingly inexplicable items (an unopened bottle of water on US flights – unless you purchased it after going through security).
• Weight and size restrictions depend on the airline, so check their website ahead of time for more information. Most medium duffel bags and hand luggage marketed as carry-on will be accepted into the cabin.
• Avoid bringing peanuts on planes. These can cause allergic reactions in other passengers.
• If crossing international borders, don’t bring agricultural items (fruits, vegetables, seeds), meats, or dairy products. Though you may be able to get away with it in some countries, many regulate these items to reduce the spread of nonnative species and disease.

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Separate liquids from the rest of your carry-on. Liquids should be easily accessible so that you can remove them for inspection while going through security. In the US, there are very specific liquid and gel allowances:

• You are allowed to bring a maximum of 3.4 ounces of a liquid/gel per container (not total). For example, a 2-ounce bottle of shampoo, a 2-ounce bottle of toothpaste, and a 3.4-ounce bottle of face wash would be okay.
• All individual containers of liquid must be placed together inside a resealable 1-quart bag (provided for you if necessary as you move through the security line). Before you and your luggage go through the scanners, you will have to place the bag of liquids by itself on the luggage conveyor belt so that it can be inspected if necessary.
• To circumvent the hassle of packing and storing liquids separately, bring solid toiletries (ex. solid deodorant, powder concealer, etc.). You can also put liquids in your carry-on bag.
• Liquid allowances don’t usually apply to prescription medication (provided that you have documentation with you to verify), infant formula, breast milk, or the like. Just be sure to store these separately from your other liquids and inform an agent that you have them.

3

Avoid checking in luggage if possible. Many airlines pad their bank accounts by charging passengers for check-in luggage. Even if you don’t mind the extra expense, waiting for check-in luggage to be processed and redistributed after arrival can add another half hour or more to your airport experience – and occasionally, bags that don’t make the flight must be sent to you at a much later date. If you are traveling with kids, make sure each one carries the maximum amount of luggage allowed (if possible) so that, as a group, you can bring more items into the cabin. Wear your heaviest clothing (such as jeans, running shoes/tennis shoes, sweatshirt) while traveling to save on space. Consider replacing your jeans with light-weight travel pants which take less space and dry quickly.

4

Consider getting a TSA-approved laptop bag. If you are flying in or through the US and your laptop is inside your bag together with other items, you will be asked to remove it before your things are X-rayed, which can slow down the line and create a mess if not properly organized. If you’re still luggage-hunting, you might want to get a bag designed to avoid this process (usually consisting of a laptop flap that folds away from the rest of the bag so that the laptop can be X-rayed by itself without technically being removed).

5

Keep your most important items in your smallest bag. Most airlines allow one small and one medium piece of carry-on so that people are still able to bring things purses and diaper bags. Since you will most likely be stowing the larger of the two bags in the overhead bin, avoid putting things you will want during the flight (ex. a sweater, book, or snack) up there or you will have to stand in the aisle and dig through it mid-flight.

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Travel Checklist – 60 Items to Bring on Your Next Trip

Making a travel checklist before any type of trip is a great way to make sure you pack everything you need.

It's easy to forget items at home, especially when you're preparing for longer getaways. But even a quick overnight trip can become a big headache when you realize you forgot to pack an essential item.

To help you remember everything you may need while you're away, we've created a quick travel checklist below. Use this packing list as a guide to determining what to pack for your journey – and what you might want to leave at home. Feel free to print this page, and cross off items after you've packed them.

Travel Checklist

Important Travel Documents & Finances
These are some of the most crucial items on your list! Before you pack your favorite tee, make sure these items are packed and secured.

1) Driver's license and/or personal ID
2) Passport / Visa3) Cash / wallet4) Credit cards5) Airline / train tickets6) Copies of reservations7) Itinerary printouts8) Contact info for hotels, tours, etc.9) Copies of passport10) Health insurance cards / documents11) Travel insurance documents12) Emergency contact info

Toiletries & Essential Bathroom Items
Don't get caught scrambling for toothpaste when you arrive at your destination in the middle of the night. Make sure these essential hygiene products are packed and ready when you need them.

13) Deodorant
14) Soap15) Personal hygiene items16) Skin care / lotion17) Shaving kit18) Shampoo & conditioner19) Brush / comb20) Toothbrush21) Toothpaste and floss22) Toiletry kit23) Tissues

Clothing and Outerwear

Check the weather before you depart, to make sure you're prepared for the elements and the environments where you'll be trekking.

24) Shirts, tees, sweaters & other tops
25) Pants, jeans26) Skirts, dresses27) Socks28) Shoes, sneakers, boots29) Underwear30) Pajamas31) Hat32) Watch33) Sunglasses34) Rain jacket

Electronics & Gear

35) Mobile phone & charger
36) Camera and memory card37) Laptop / tablet38) USB cables39) Electrical outlet converters40) Music player41) Travel alarm42) Binoculars

Health & First Aid

43) Prescription medications
44) Aspirin45) First aid kit46) Cold medicines47) Vitamins48) Sunscreen, sunburn relief49) Hand sanitizer50) Tick/insect repellent51) Antibiotic ointment

Additional Everyday Basics & Travel Essentials

52) Headlamp / flashlight
53) Umbrella54) Water bottle55) Travel Pillow56) Journal57) Reading material58) Compass59) Guide books60) Pocket knife

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Never Wear When Traveling Abroad

Traveling abroad isn't as simple as buying a ticket and hopping on a plane. Safety should be a key consideration no matter where you travel, and part of staying safe in an unfamiliar place is dressing to blend in -- or, at least, not dressing to stand out. Beyond avoiding matching T-shirts, baseball hats and white sneakers, not to mention "I Love NY" sweatshirts, keep in mind local customs and attitudes, as well as religious beliefs, when choosing your attire.

"My adventures have taken me, as a solo female traveler, through primarily Muslim countries as well as primarily Christian countries," says frequent traveler Lisa Munniksma. "I've always been modest in my appearance, but after traveling and meeting so many travelers and locals from various cultures, the importance of respecting traditions in dress has been driven home."

Before you get out your suitcase, here are 10 things to leave in your closet as you pack for your next trip abroad.

Religiously Immodest Clothing
It's wise to dress conservatively in any country holding deeply religious views, such as those in the Middle East (if you're not sure, your travel agent or guidebook can offer advice on local religious customs). Women in particular should avoid miniskirts, tank tops, bra tops, short-sleeved shirts, shorts and sometimes even capri pants. Revealing dresses and cleavage-bearing necklines are also huge no-nos. Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless tops in many Middle Eastern countries or when entering a church or other holy place.

Pants and long skirts are a safe bet, and women should carry a shawl in their bag or purse just in case. As a general rule, travelers should cover their shoulders and knees when entering any church or holy site to avoid unwanted stares or being denied entry. It's also wise to keep your feet and ankles covered. When in doubt, stick to long sleeves, and men, keep that chest hair concealed.

Sneakers and Open-Toe Shoes
In Europe, in particular, sneakers are for sporting activities only. White tennis shoes, Crocs and Birkenstocks are notably frowned upon by Spaniards and Italians. Instead, wear comfortable leather walking shoes in the city, and keep them polished and in good shape. White, lace-up tennis shoes are the calling card of American tourists (and don't even think about Velcro sneakers).

It's also wise to stick with closed-toe shoes, which can help prevent insect bites or cuts on your toes from gravelly surfaces. "It is not sanitary to wear flip-flops and other open-toe shoes when traveling to some areas because you can get infections," notes Talia Salem, a communications specialist at PlanetWildlife.


Shorts
Yes, we Americans do love our shorts, but most other cultures don't wear them for everyday walking around, no matter the season or how close they are to the Equator. Leave the khaki shorts for beaches, parks, tennis clubs and hiking trails. Our habit of dressing down to be comfortable is puzzling to most people overseas. Rarely will you see locals wearing shorts unless they're off to play soccer.

Flashy Jewelry
Never wear expensive, flashy jewelry abroad, unless you want your diamond rings, pearls and pricey watches to be tagged for someone else's collection. Since there's probably no need to impress anyone that much on your trip abroad, leave the valuables at home.

Religious Imagery, Curse Words or National Flags
Avoid clothing sporting religious or military symbols, swear words, national flags and any words or symbols written in a language you cannot translate. There's no need to unintentionally spark an emotional debate while on vacation. It's also not a bad idea to leave religious jewelry, even cross necklaces, at home. If you must, wear them under your clothes so they're not visible to anyone.

Bright Colors
Stay away from bold colors, loud patterns, plaids -- you get the picture. Stick with conservative hues like navy, blue, tan and grey. Look put together, opting for classic, well-fitting clothing. You want to blend in, not draw unwanted attention to yourself (and nothing does that better than a neon green tank top).


Inappropriate Colors
In the Western world, we may wear black to wakes and funerals, but in parts of Asia, white is the funereal color -- good to keep in mind on the off chance you may be mourning someone's passing while on holiday. Meanwhile, stay away from wearing black or blue in central Africa, the favorite colors of large, biting tsetse flies.

Jeans
If a visit to a factory, rural area or even a touristy spot where the locals wear jeans is on your agenda, then, of course, jeans are acceptable. However, jeans should fit well and be wrinkle-free. It's even better if you opt for black or dark blue jeans. Baggy, ripped, even skinny jeans are generally frowned upon outside the United States.

tourists mapBackpacks
Planning to spend the summer backpacking across Europe? Then a large backpack is practical and probably a better bet than a rollaboard suitcase for lugging onto trains and traveling between destinations. But bring a secondary bag, like a small fabric tote bag, for everyday touring around cities. Any kind of backpack, big or small, will mark you as a tourist.

Cameras
Snap a photo, then put your camera away. Nothing screams tourist like a camera permanently hanging from your neck. Not only do you stand out, but you may get targeted by thieves. Carry a good camera that you can fit into your small bag.

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Ten things to AVOID in traveling

The Amsterdam forum has seen a few shots at compiling a list of things to avoid.  Try a search for "things to avoid" and you'll find the latest threads.  This is a compilation of some of the best and/or recurring pieces of advice.

• AVOID being separated from your baggage on the train ride into town.  There isn’t much street crime in Amsterdam, but the Centraal Station and the train are where it will happen to you first.
• AVOID the obvious tourist traps, such as Madame Tussauds and the Ice Bar (this advice applies in all European capitals, by the way), also AVOID everything sited on (the western side of) the Damrak.
• AVOID combining soft drugs with hard drugs (such as alcohol), and don’t take anything you have no experience of without also taking advice.  There are fatal combinations which will result in you jumping out of a third-storey window believing you can fly.
• AVOID walking in the cycle lanes.  Amsterdammers love riding down tourists in the cycle lanes.
• AVOID renting a bike and getting its wheels stuck in the tram rails, it's a sure way to break a bone.  If you haven’t ridden a bike since you were a kid, AVOID renting a bike at all;  that’ll be much safer for everyone.
• AVOID forming a large group on red rental bikes wearing knitted hats with AMSTERDAM across the front and pompoms dangling from them and ringing the bikes' bells like idiots, unless you are Italian (in which case this is the unmissable core of the Amsterdam experience).
• AVOID trying to stay away from other tourists.  It's a fool’s errand (it just can't be done) and the tourists in any city are the people doing all the fun stuff.  Large groups of drunken British males celebrating someone’s stag night are the exception and should be avoided at all cost.
• AVOID a pointless search for “typical Dutch cuisine”.  It either doesn’t exist or it's awful.
• AVOID falling into a canal, especially in the winter.  Most deaths in the canals are men;   many of the bodies are recovered with the trouser flies open and it happens most often in the winter.
• AVOID museums devoted to sxx or drugs, unless sxx and drugs are really your thing, in which case ... welcome to Amsterdam, have a great time.

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Foods and Fluids To Avoid While Traveling Abroad

Diarrhea caused by bacteria in food is so common among travelers that they call it "Traveler's Diarrhea." To protect yourself from Traveler's diarrhea, avoid foods most likely to carry bacteria, such as:

• Unpasteurized milk, cheese, yogurt.
• Fresh fruits and uncooked vegetables, including salad, which can contain both bacteria and parasites.
• Any cooked food that has been sitting at room temperature, even for a relatively short time.
• Food sold from carts on the street, no matter how tasty it looks!
• Tap water, fruit juices and ice. Drink only bottled water to avoid exposure to bacteria.

Absolutely Avoid While Traveling Abroad

Don’t botch the slang
Flip Flops/ slippers are known as jandals! Don’t ask why. Swimming trunks are called Togs. Chicken are called chooks. Singlet tops are know as wife beaters. Cricket is a sport and not an insect. We have places named FUCK A PAPA, FUCK A TANI, spelled as Whakapapa, Whakatane. If you are chuckling right now, please re-read the sentence above!

Never disrespect the dialects, the Queen, or LOTR
Do not confuse New Zealanders with Aussies! Kiwi accent is funny, don’t point it out. The indigenous people of New Zealand are called Maoris. Do not make fun of the culture or language. Queen of England is still a big deal here! Not a good idea to make fun of her. Hobbiton is a real place. Kiwis are proud of Lord Of the Rings! Do not make fun of the franchise!

Feel free to go barefoot, but don’t swim, apparently
If you find people walking with no footwear whatsoever, don’t stare. It’s perfectly normal to go about in public places without footwear, and in some cases a shirt. You will still be served. Swimming in NZ waters is extremely tricky. Although there are no sharks, the tides and currents will kill you.

Don’t tip anyone
No one. NO ONE. Tipping is just not part of the culture. Don’t even leave small change. People will come running after you with it. Seriously.

Don’t forget to remove toilet slippers or wash your private parts.
Don’t forget to take off the special toilet slippers once you leave the toilet room. You will encounter ‘washlets’ or toilets with attachments for washing and drying your private parts everywhere. Don’t get too freaked out by them…and if you can’t figure them out, you can always use toilet paper.

Don’t get overenthusiastic about nudity
 People are pretty relaxed about nudity, and both men and women will for example change on public beaches without any attempt at covering themselves up. You are however expected to look away.

Never compare them to Sweden
Do not assume that everything in Sweden is more advanced and modern. Swedes and Norwegians may make fun of each other, but Norwegians are quite sensitive as to how we’re perceived abroad.

Make sure to give an odd number of flowers as a gift
Traditionally, an even number of flowers is given only at funerals. An odd number is given for celebrations. That’s why you can often find a man throwing out a flower when he buys a large bouquet.

NEVER wear your outdoor shoes inside the house
This is a major faux pas, particularly since Russian streets are generally very slushy and no one appreciates bringing grime onto their immaculate floor. This rule also holds in Norway, Malaysia, Japan, and many other countries.

Don’t touch the top of anyone’s head
Never touch anyone’s head or pass anything from above the head. It is considered to be the most sacred body part.

If you have to point, use your thumbs
Do not point your forefinger at things. Instead point a thumb. Pointing a forefinger at anything is considered rude.

If you’re a woman, avoid touching monks
Do not touch or give anything to a monk if you are a woman, they have to fast and do ritual cleansing.

Try not to kiss or hold hands in public
In some jurisdictions, kissing in public can get you into jail under “public obscenity.” Hugging and handshakes are still frowned upon in most parts of the country among members of opposite sex. This is not illegal and no one goes to jail for hugging/handshakes. On the other hand, among members of same sex hugging is pretty common.

Don’t touch anything with your feet
If you stomp over a book, national flag, image of a deity etc, you can get into trouble. While stomping a book is frowned upon (people will think you are an idiot), deliberately stomping an image of a god of any religion or India’s national symbols (such as the flag and the emblem) might get you arrested.

NEVER walk in the bicycle lane
 In Amsterdam pedestrians should not walk in the bicycle lane! As you know the Dutch are know for their permissiveness, drugs..prostitution..all fine… but our collectively pent-up intolerance is reserved for those unlucky visitors that dare to walk where they are not supposed to.

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10 Foods to Avoid Before Boarding Travel

1. Beans
Avoid anything that can cause excess gas to build up in your stomach. That includes the obvious suspects (beans) as well as other usually good-for-you foods such as broccoli and cabbage. Besides the embarrassment of being gaseous, you don't want to spend the flight feeling bloated.

2. Carbonated Soft Drinks
Soda can cause flatulence. Plus, carbonated beverages with caffeine will both keep you from napping and lead to more trips to the airplane's toilet. The carbonation might also cause you to belch or get heartburn.

3. Explore Your World
Explore Travel with our newsletter filled with tips and ideas to plan the ultimate getaway. Join AARP today for savings on airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises.

4. Garlic
Eating garlic can cause bad breath. Halitosis in the tight quarters of a plane is not a nice thing to share with your seatmates. As garlic is absorbed into your bloodstream, it can cause body odor — again, something those sitting near you can do without.

5. French Fries
The smell of fries wafting from airport food stands might beckon, but the fats and oils in fried food can cause heartburn, which can lead to a very uncomfortable flight. Food high in trans fats and salt can also lead to fluid retention, which, in turn, can cause your feet to swell.

6. Alcohol
You might want to calm your nerves by indulging at the airport bar, but alcohol can have a dehydrating effect. Since airplane air may also leave you dehydrated, you set yourself up for a double whammy. Plus, a stiff drink or two can leave you with bad breath.

7. Cheeseburgers
A lot of people have difficulty digesting meat. Indulge in a burger at the airport, and you might find yourself spending the flight with digestive issues as your body tries to process the fat. Eating meat can also lead to unpleasant body odor as it stagnates in your digestive tract.

8. Coffee
A lot of us like to grab a pick-me-up before a flight, but it's best to avoid doing so. Besides leaving you with coffee breath, a cup of joe not only can make you jittery and dehydrated but also can irritate your bladder, making you generally uncomfortable.

9. Hot Peppers
Spicy food can cause stomach discomfort and bladder irritation; it can also cause bad breath and leave your mouth burning. You don't want to deal with any of these things during a flight, so save the spicy treats for when you land.

10. Apples (and Other Fruits)
Apples aren't easy to digest and, like other fibrous fruits, can leave you gassy. Avoid them before flying. Ditto orange juice. It's very acidic and likely to cause heartburn. Plus, vitamin C can make you have to urinate more, meaning more treks up and down the airplane aisle.

San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour

San Francisco is the ideal city for biking, so hop on a San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Bike tour! Exploring the city of San Francisco, riding across the Golden Gate Bridge and discovering the beauty of the coastal towns, this is a San Francisco tour with a difference that no visitor should miss.

Highlights

• 3-hour guided bike tour from San Francisco to Sausalito
• Bike over the Golden Gate Bridge
• Explore coastal Sausalito
• Whole day bike and equipment rental at your disposal
• Complimentary ferry ticket from Sausalito to San Francisco

Why Our Insiders Chose This Tour

It's a great value because after your guided bike tour, you can keep your bike for the rest of the day and explore on your own. Remember, San Francisco is famous for its hills, so this tour is best for more active individuals.

What You Can Expect

Riding Across the Golden Gate Bridge

Led by your local guide, your 3-hour San Francisco biking experience takes you along San Francisco Bay’s waterfront, across Golden Gate Bridge to the picturesque town of Sausalito. This coastal town is renowned for its breathtaking views and wide selection of restaurants and cafes, perfect for when hunger kicks in.

At the end of your guided tour you can continue your biking adventure at your own pace for the rest of the day. You'll be provided with a cycle path map to help guide you around San Francisco and its nearby coastal areas.

For a more challenging bike ride, follow the recommended route on the map and head up to the Marin Headlands. If city biking is your forte, use your complimentary ferry ticket for your return to San Francisco, where you can follow the map and continue to explore the city. Unmissable points of interest include the Presidio, Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach.

This San Francisco biking tour is a fun sightseeing activity for all ages and biking levels. A wide range of bikes, helmets and essential equipment is provided.

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Travel guide Itineraries for Los Angeles

If movies, stars and Hollywood are your first thoughts when you think of LA, you’re probably missing out on some unique experiences that the city has to offer. Swarming with tourists and wannabe starlets, LA is also home to some top-notch music, food, architecture, theme parks and museums. To do it justice, you must experience at least three different sides to this city extraordinaire. 

Day 1: More Than Movies

Start your day in LA with breakfast at the legendary Original Pantry Cafe in downtown LA before embarking on some sightseeing! Take the trolley tour to get a basic orientation of LA and take pictures of famous landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame. Take a walking tour behind the scenes of Hollywood’s most televised locations. Alternatively drown yourself in the world of art at the Getty Museum before heading downtown to enjoy dinner at one of many cafes and restaurants reminiscent of 1930s and 40s. If you’re still up for more, be sure to take a night tour and watch the city come alive as the sun goes down.

Day 2: Hollywood, Baby!

Alright, so no trip to LA is ever complete without some movie mania and celebrity spotting. A great starting point is the rather comprehensive Grand LA Tour which includes visits to all the famous sites in the city. If you’re keen on seeing where the celebs live, work and play, try the which takes you into Sony Studios, across 40 movie star homes and into the heart of Hollywood, all in six hours. For the gruesome Hollywood trivia lovers, the Dearly Departed Tour is an amazing way to experience the tragic events that have shaped and shaken Hollywood over the decades.

Day 3: Do-Something-Different Day

Step away from the maddening crowd and discover something new about LA today. Try your hand at tandem paragliding in Malibu, take a helicopter tour or a champagne airplane tour. Spend the day in one of LA’s famous theme parks or visit the Griffith Park Observatory by night. Check out this list of things to do in LA for more ideas on having a fantastic LA experience.

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Top tips for safe travel

The world isn't dangerous or unsafe. Quite the opposite. There are some desperate places and people, even in your home town, but these are a minority. In fact, you're more likely to get into trouble at home than travelling if you follow these common sense tips on your trips.

1. Back (packer) glance
Get in the habit of looking back when you get up to leave somewhere. Travel is very distracting, and you're probably carrying more stuff than when you're at home, so you're more likely to leave a jacket or journal at that Parisian cafe table where you were people watching.

2. Separate your sources of money
You know how you keep all your bank cards in your wallet/purse when you're at home? Well, don't do this while you're travelling. Keep at least one in a different place, preferably not on your person. If you lose all your cards on the road it is very difficult to get replacements, and being without money in Timbuktu can be kind of unfun.

3. Don't keep your wallet/purse in your jeans' back pocket
To avoid being pickpocketed, keep your wallet in your front pocket, especially a pocket that can be buttoned up. Best of all, use the inside pocket of your jacket. There are also a load of different 'money belts' (see examples here) that either hang inside your shirt or wrap around your waist (under your shirt), etc. Make sure it's waterproof because travelling can often be sweaty/perspiring work. I'd advise against the bum bag/fanny pack varieties. There is no better way to advertise the fact that you have a load of valuables on you...and, of course, they were never ever cool.

4. Scan all your major documents
Scan your travel documents and email them to yourself. It was traditional to photocopy your passport and visas, travel insurance etc, and keep them in a separate part of your luggage. But that's old school. These days, digital is best - that way your documents won't go missing even if your bags do.

5. Don't trust strangers who wear turtle neck/polo neck tops
Only kidding about the turtle necks. It is hard to get to know the locals at a destination if you don't trust them, but there are limits to how much you should trust them when it comes to your personal safety (going with them into a risky area of town), money, and consuming their food or drink (if they are not consuming it themselves). Do a search on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree forum for the latest scams that travellers have reported for where you are going. Also, look at the 'Dangers and Annoyances' sections in your Lonely Planet guidebook and ask your hotel/hostel staff for safety tips.

6. Get travel insurance
This is mainly for health costs if you get ill or injured while abroad. Hospital costs can quickly get into the tens of thousands of dollars, even for a minor injury. Insurance is worth it. We love these guys.

7. Get vaccinated
Visit your doctor before you leave to get all the relevant vaccinations/immunisations for the destinations you're visiting, and to learn what health precautions you should follow.

8. Avoid PDAs
I mean Public Displays of Affluence (not affection). If you're travelling abroad then you're more than likely to be richer than most of the locals, but advertising this fact by wearing gold jewellery or carrying a $2000 camera around your neck is not advisable. It makes you a target for thieves. Leave your jewellery at home and keep your camera in a bag when you're not using it.

9. Some things are best perfected at home
It may seem like a breeze, but be advised that teaching yourself to ride a motorbike or jet ski in a foreign country is probably unwise. In Thailand, for instance, 38 people a day die in scooter accidents. Some travel insurance policies won't cover scooter-related injuries so make sure you check your travel insurance first.

10. Check the fine print and certificates of instructors
If you're doing a specialist course (scuba diving) or something risky (bungee jumping) then check the operators have legitimate qualifications and a good safety record. There's usually a reason a course is cheaper than the others. PADI has a list of qualified diving operators here.

11. Don't leave your belongings unattended in public spaces
This is so obvious that I am embarrassed to mention it, but people do it all the time. Most notably, travellers leave their bags at their feet or hanging from the back of chairs when they're at cafes or restaurants. Either keep them on your lap or wrap its strap around your leg.

12. Give it up
There is a simple rule that people find hard to follow: if you are mugged, give over your wallet, watch etc. This shouldn't be a problem if you have insurance and you've left all your irreplaceable stuff (eg grandma's necklace) at home. Just do it, and walk away uninjured.

13. Don't give to beggars
There are exceptions to this rule, such as monks seeking alms. But, in general, don't give away money to people on the street. Apart from the fact that you may have to get your wallet/purse out, encouraging begging is not the most efficient use of your money (and goodwill). If you want to help out then do some volunteer work in the destination or donate some money to a local charity for the homeless or loan some money to a poor entrepreneur via Kiva.

14. Be wary of using your credit card at an internet cafe
Internet cafes' computers may have keylogger software or hardware that records your key strokes, so unscrupulous characters (not necessarily the owners of the cafe) can see the username and password to your online accounts (banking, email etc) or grab your credit card details. A good trick to make this more challenging for them has been proposed by Thorn Tree user Karlo: open a couple of other browser windows (for the website you are using) and half way through entering your passwords or credit card information type incorrect information into these windows.

15. Don't pat stray dogs and cats
This is more of a 'note to self' than to you, after a stray dog tried to pull my thumb off in Buenos Aires. You may be missing your pets at home, but stray animals may be carrying rabies and other fun infections (and big teeth). You should also not feed monkeys, for the same reason. (Pictured above is me with an affectionate Siamese cat in Bangkok — who belonged to this store owner.)

16. Your worst enemy may be your travel companion
Often your travel companions will take risks that compromise your safety. They'll ask for help from people that you wouldn't go near, they'll aggravate a situation with arrogance, or they'll break any number of the no-nos mentioned above. Don't submit to their peer pressure. Stand your ground. And if they continue to be unsafe then consider parting ways.

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