Tips from a Seasoned Traveler:

• Pack light so you don't have to struggle with luggage and are always aware of what is going on around you. A woman struggling with a purse, luggage or packages is a great mark for a pickpocket.
• Don't become too caught up in sightseeing - know where you are. Use street maps.
• Leave your good jewelry at home. Jewelry attracts attention, sometimes from the wrong people. The less attention you draw, the better off you will be.
• Let your family and friends know your itinerary and advise them if you make changes en route.
• Almost every major city in the world offers Grayline tours. Try the half-day programs to get acquainted with the city and to get your bearings before going off on your own.
• Photocopy the picture page of your passport and leave one copy at home, one in your suitcase and keep a small one in your wallet. In addition, always keep copies of credit card numbers and traveler's checks, airline tickets and important documents. Copies will speed up the renewal process if any of these are lost or stolen.
• Use credit cards or traveler's checks whenever possible. Avoid carrying quantities of cash.
• Don't carry purses with shoulder straps, wallets in back pockets... or any pocket. Never keep money in your pocket. Keep it in your bra or shoe.
• Use a money belt or passport pouch under your clothing, or wear a fanny pack (facing forward) to keep your valuables. Be sure to put it through belt loops.
• Take small denominations of bills for tipping.
• When entering a hotel room, make sure the bellhop checks all area and secures all windows.
• Don't open the door for any stranger without checking the hotel desk to ask if they have sent someone up.
• Always us the deadbolt locks and chains when you are in your hotel room.
• Know where the emergency exits are on airplanes, trains, and in hotels.
• Make use of hotel safes. Leave jewelry at home.
• Drink bottled water. When it comes to food: boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it!
• A good supply of kleenex plus handiwipes or gel hand cleaner is a must.
• Take clothes that you can layer.
• When renting a car, cover the rental sticker with something local like, "I love Paris". Leave a local newspaper on the dashboard...anything that will help make you look like a resident rather than a tourist.
• Travel insurance brings peace of mind, even when a cancellation, trip interruption or other unforeseen event threatens your vacation.

Pre-Trip Suggestions:

• Have you ever considered disconnecting your garage door opener and locking the garage doors when leaving on a extended vacation?
• Ask your neighbors to park a car in the driveway from time to time. Many neighbors have to shift cars around in the morning for work and school. An extra driveway is often a real treat.
• Have your neighbors put some of their outgoing mail in your box. A red flag up has the appearance of someone at home.
• If someone isn't available to pick-up your mail and papers, call and have them stopped even if it is only for a week.
If you have a neighborhood watch, advise whoever is in charge that you will be gone.
• Always give a neighbor your itinerary and phone numbers when you leave in addition to family members.

Air Travel:

• Always carry socks and a sweater / jacket aboard a flight. It can often be drafty and cold on an aircraft. I you need a blanket or pillow, ask for one as soon as you are seated. They become very scarce once the flight begins.
• If you have a domestic flight connecting to an international, ie. Lansing to Detroit to Paris....your luggage will be checked thru to your destination at the originating airport. No collecting luggage and rechecking at connecting airport.
• If you suffer from earaches while flying, take an antihistamine 30 minutes before takeoff. Pop your ears before take-off by holding your nose, shut your mouth and try to blow air thru your nostrils. this will help clear eustachian tube. Remember to chew on gum or candy and continue to pop your ears during the flight.
• Exercise in your seat. Breathe deeply, exercise your feet, hands, neck muscles. Sit tall, contract and expand your muscles. Move around the plane when possible. Don't fall asleep and let your head fall to one side rather bring an inflatable pillow.
• Put your carry-on under the seat in front of you and once in flight it will give you something to put your feet on!
• If "jet lag" is a concern, there are any number of "cures" with many found in a variety of publications. The U.S. Department of Energy has a "Feast-Fast Jet Lag Diet" free for your asking. Just send a stamped self-addressed envelope to Argonne National Lab at 9700 South Cass Ave., Argonne, IL 60439