No one’s asking you to take a probiotic and an Airborne tablet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and no one’s telling you to lock yourself inside your room, but some good planning can go a long way in ensuring that your fun trip is just that – fun!

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.”

Mark Twain

Travel Insurance

It cannot be mentioned enough. It is extremely important that you purchase travel insurance.

Your host country will not let you die, but travel insurance will help protect you from thousands of dollars in hospital fees – your debt might even force you to cut your trip short and if that’s not a tragedy, I don’t know what is. But how do I choose the right travel insurance? This is really unique to the individual.

Even if you think you could never in a million years hit your head cliff jumping or contract a case of meningitis, buy travel insurance.

Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

We often hear stories of people getting pickpocketed or at the extreme – never being found, but most of the time, this is preventable. Read up on common scams in the country of your choice. This doesn’t mean that you can’t trust any local, but take a healthy amount of skepticism until you can.

Drink Within Reason And Have A Buddy

No one is telling you not to drink, but it is no secret that that fermented seductress called alcohol can often lower inhibitions and if too much is consumed, can cause you to lose control of yourself or forget what is happening.

“Once a year, go Some place you’ve Never been before.”

Dalai Lama

Drink, but make sure that you are in good company. Drink, but make sure you have a friend or two who won’t let you wander off with that “nice man”. Drink, but be smart about it.