Seven Safety Tips for Girl Travelers
Have you ever wanted to just pick up your bags and travel the world with your friends? Do you ever just want to get away from it all, but don’t want to go on another family trip?

By Olivia Neri

Take note of these seven safety tips that I learned from my experience as a female traveler...
1. Arrive during the day.
Use your first day to familiarize yourself with your new local. Walk around and get to know the area where you are staying and be sure to walk with confidence. It’s less likely that you will be a target for violence if you exude confidence.

If you must arrive in a new city at night, make sure to book your first night’s accommodation ahead of time and find out if there’s transportation from the airport or train station to your hotel so that you can get there with ease. Also avoid taking public transportation or walking, instead pay for a taxi.

2. Make friends with strangers.
Speak to people that you meet, but don’t give them too much personal information. Be cautious of people who approach you and sit next to families and couples.

3. Pack lightly.
If it feels heavy before you leave home, then unpack some stuff. The easiest piece of luggage to handle is a backpack. This will free your hands and make it easier to get on trains or walk around town.

4. You left home for a reason!
Many travelers don’t realize how different things are in other cultures. As soon as you get on that airplane you know that you are going to another destination so prepare yourself on the cultural differences that you will encounter by reading a guidebook. This will help ease the culture shock you might encounter.

5. Keep in touch by e-mail.
The Internet is one of the best things that could’ve happened for travelers. Not only can you read up on your next destination, but you can also keep in touch with people from home. The Internet is an inexpensive and convenient way to keep in touch with friends and family.

One person should know your itinerary. This person can also tell you important information on your where you’re visiting that you won’t see in newspapers or TV. Make it a point to email this contact at least once every two days.

6. Enjoy the nightlife, but be careful.
Drinking ages are lower in other countries, but you must be careful. In many cultures women are expected to not drink, and doing so will result in unwanted attention.

If you go out on the town ask a local where you should avoid as a tourist. Some clubs are only for local men and will not welcome foreigners. Other clubs could be nothing more than trouble.

7. Always say that you’re meeting a guy.
If someone asks you if you’re traveling alone with your friend, tell him or her that you’re meeting your boyfriend or brother later.

Olivia Neri is a freelance writer who resides in Los Angeles. To contact her, go to her web site: www.writeson.net/.