6 Safety tips for first time travellers

Going on holiday should be one of the most exciting times of the year since, for most of us, it will be the only time we get to ourselves without having to worry about work, school, paying taxes and remembering to pick up milk before heading home. However, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't always remain vigilant and protect yourself from anything that might happen unexpectedly on your trip into an unknown location. The following is a quick list of some of the most fundamental safety tips that will help anyone travelling to a new place.

 

1. Know your surroundings

 

Travelling to a new country or city is great – allowing you to expand your horizons and meet new people. But along with that comes the fact that you will be out of your comfort zone. In order to avoid any one of a dozen things that might happen to you as a result of being in a new place, do a little bit of research on it before even arriving. Check where you’ll be staying; find out where the nearest police station is, where your country’s Embassy is, and what the easiest way will be to get around. Once you have that down, even if something were to happen, at least you have a way of getting help.

 

2. Keep your valuable documents on you at all times

 

One of the most important things to remember when travelling to a new country is that you are only a visitor, and as such, you will need to be able to prove that you have permission to be there at any given time. If something happens to your accommodation (whether it’s a hotel, a backpackers lodge, a train compartment, etc) and your valuables are lost, your travel insurance will most likely cover anything that is lost, except your passport and visa. Make sure to carry them safely on your person at all times, or find out whether it will be possible to use certified copies as valid identification, that way you won’t have to risk losing the real ones should something happen.

 

3. Get travel insurance!

 

As mentioned above, any valuables you happen to have with you (like laptops, cameras, cellphones, and even in some cases currency) will be covered by insurance if you are willing to pay for the coverage. This will allow you to get on with enjoying your holiday without having to worry about what will happen to your possessions – but this does not give you an excuse to treat your possessions as if you were at home, by leaving them lying around in public. Always keep your valuables safely with you or locked up in a place where you are the only one with access.

 

4. Take advice from experts, not locals

 

If you are travelling around and decide to try find out where the best spots are for sight-seeing, ask the concierge or clerk at your hotel, at an information kiosk, or at your embassy. Sure, asking locals will allow you to interact with them and perhaps make new friends, but you never know if the person you are approaching is interested in helping you or if they are willing to scam off an inexperienced tourist. Make sure you are aware of all kinds of scams that are known to be happening in the area, and even if a situation seems to be legitimate, be as careful as you can when dealing with locals. Make sure you don’t make yourself identifiable as an easy target by flashing your expensive camera, your money and wallet, or openly advertising that you are a tourist, because there is always at least one person who will know how to take advantage of that.

 

5. Get appropriate vaccinations, and be cautious with local cuisine

 

Most countries require proof of vaccination if there is a risk in their area (or yours, depending on where you’re travelling from) of any contagious disease. It is always a good idea to get vaccinated for the regular set of risky infections anyway, such as flu, TB, malaria, yellow fever, etc. Also, when travelling to a new country, everyone wants to experience the local culture as much as possible, and usually that means indulging in the local food. If you’re travelling to France, and your idea of experiencing the culture is sitting at a quaint bistro, you have nothing to worry about. However, travelling to China, India, South Africa, and many other Asian or African countries have traditional foods that aren’t always served from kitchens, and are sometimes prepared for you on an open fire in a busy market for suspiciously low prices. I’m not saying that this kind of food is necessarily bad – in fact, a lot of it is amazing, but you can never be too careful. Again, if you have done your research and know what to look out for, you will be able to navigate this aspect without any disruptions, but always try stay on the safe side if you don’t want to risk getting sick.

 

6. Keep multiple sources of currency

 

It is always a good idea to have multiple options when it comes to available money in a foreign country. Best-case scenario: you are able to spend it all happily without a hitch. Worst-case scenario: your wallet and/or money pouch gets stolen. If you decided to keep all your money in one place, thinking it will be safe since its so close to you, you might have a bad time. Keeping some of your money separate means you have a better chance of at least having the option to do something about it should something happen to your other source of currency.

6 Safety tips for first time travellers

Going on holiday should be one of the most exciting times of the year since, for most of us, it will be the only time we get to ourselves without having to worry about work, school, paying taxes and remembering to pick up milk before heading home. However, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't always remain vigilant and protect yourself from anything that might happen unexpectedly on your trip into an unknown location. The following is a quick list of some of the most fundamental safety tips that will help anyone travelling to a new place.

 

1.Know your surroundings

 

Travelling to a new country or city is great – allowing you to expand your horizons and meet new people. But along with that comes the fact that you will be out of your comfort zone. In order to avoid any one of a dozen things that might happen to you as a result of being in a new place, do a little bit of research on it before even arriving. Check where you’ll be staying; find out where the nearest police station is, where your country’s Embassy is, and what the easiest way will be to get around. Once you have that down, even if something were to happen, at least you have a way of getting help.

 

2.Keep your valuable documents on you at all times

 

One of the most important things to remember when travelling to a new country is that you are only a visitor, and as such, you will need to be able to prove that you have permission to be there at any given time. If something happens to your accommodation (whether it’s a hotel, a backpackers lodge, a train compartment, etc) and your valuables are lost, your travel insurance will most likely cover anything that is lost, except your passport and visa. Make sure to carry them safely on your person at all times, or find out whether it will be possible to use certified copies as valid identification, that way you won’t have to risk losing the real ones should something happen.

 

3.Get travel insurance!

 

As mentioned above, any valuables you happen to have with you (like laptops, cameras, cellphones, and even in some cases currency) will be covered by insurance if you are willing to pay for the coverage. This will allow you to get on with enjoying your holiday without having to worry about what will happen to your possessions – but this does not give you an excuse to treat your possessions as if you were at home, by leaving them lying around in public. Always keep your valuables safely with you or locked up in a place where you are the only one with access.

 

4.Take advice from experts, not locals

 

If you are travelling around and decide to try find out where the best spots are for sight-seeing, ask the concierge or clerk at your hotel, at an information kiosk, or at your embassy. Sure, asking locals will allow you to interact with them and perhaps make new friends, but you never know if the person you are approaching is interested in helping you or if they are willing to scam off an inexperienced tourist. Make sure you are aware of all kinds of scams that are known to be happening in the area, and even if a situation seems to be legitimate, be as careful as you can when dealing with locals. Make sure you don’t make yourself identifiable as an easy target by flashing your expensive camera, your money and wallet, or openly advertising that you are a tourist, because there is always at least one person who will know how to take advantage of that.

 

5.Get appropriate vaccinations, and be cautious with local cuisine

 

Most countries require proof of vaccination if there is a risk in their area (or yours, depending on where you’re travelling from) of any contagious disease. It is always a good idea to get vaccinated for the regular set of risky infections anyway, such as flu, TB, malaria, yellow fever, etc. Also, when travelling to a new country, everyone wants to experience the local culture as much as possible, and usually that means indulging in the local food. If you’re travelling to France, and your idea of experiencing the culture is sitting at a quaint bistro, you have nothing to worry about. However, travelling to China, India, South Africa, and many other Asian or African countries have traditional foods that aren’t always served from kitchens, and are sometimes prepared for you on an open fire in a busy market for suspiciously low prices. I’m not saying that this kind of food is necessarily bad – in fact, a lot of it is amazing, but you can never be too careful. Again, if you have done your research and know what to look out for, you will be able to navigate this aspect without any disruptions, but always try stay on the safe side if you don’t want to risk getting sick.

 

6.Keep multiple sources of currency

 

It is always a good idea to have multiple options when it comes to available money in a foreign country. Best-case scenario: you are able to spend it all happily without a hitch. Worst-case scenario: your wallet and/or money pouch gets stolen. If you decided to keep all your money in one place, thinking it will be safe since its so close to you, you might have a bad time. Keeping some of your money separate means you have a better chance of at least having the option to do something about it should something happen to your other source of currency.

Travelling to Zimbabwe

 

Travelling to Zimbabwe

 

One of Citiliner’s most prominent set of routes allows customers to travel to and from Zimbabwe on one of its many semi-luxury coaches at some of the best rates in the country. It is important to remember, however, that since Zimbabwe is an international destination, the restrictions and requirements for boarding and travelling in general may vary from trips to other cities within the country.

 

Firstly, travelers from South Africa to Zimbabwe are legally required to have a valid South African passport on hand in order to both book the trip and to cross the border. South African passport holders are not required to apply for or carry a visa in order to get into Zimbabwe.

 

If you have recently visited a Yellow Fever risk area, then you will need to vaccinated before your trip, and Tetanus, Hepatitis A and Malaria vaccinations are highly recommended, as Zimbabwe is a general risk area for those diseases.

 

Also, because Zimbabwe is generally considered a highly unstable country due to its volatile political state, it is highly recommended that you take as many safety precautions as possible. When possible, do not travel alone, refrain from carrying cash, make sure your passport is accessible at all times and know your surroundings as well as you can beforehand.

 

Citiliner offers semi-luxury bus trips all over South Africa in stylish coaches, at some of the most affordable rates on the market. To find out more about how to book a trip, or for route and timetable information to any of Citiliner’s destinations, including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, East London, Maputo and many more, visit the website or contact the 24 hour customer care line on 083 915 9000.

 

 

5 Travel tips for venturing out in the Winter.

 

1. Put some extra clothing and emergency items in your vehicle; these will come in handy if you break down in very cold weather. It doesn't take much -- assemble a basic kit including an extra pair of gloves, weather-resistant pants and/or coat, maybe an old pair of boots, a blanket, jumper cables and a flashlight with some extra batteries, and you should be in good shape if you somehow get stranded with just your car out on the open road. It may be a while before anyone is able to come along and help you out!

 

2. Before booking any accommodation on your winter holiday, check if that accommodation is prepared for the cold conditions. Heaters in your hotel room will be sorely missed if you arrive during a cold front. Think about keeping an extra blanket or electric blanket in your luggage when you travel.

 

3. If you’re going to be flying, cold weather, especially in areas where there tends to be heavy snowfall, may cause delays at the airport. be prepared to either wait for your delayed flight or make sure you have accommodation planned if all flights are cancelled. if you’re traveling to the Northern Hemisphere to experience the winter there, be prepared to be plagued by snow storms and long waiting periods.

 

4. If you’re driving in the cold, make sure you drink enough water to stay hydrated, and eat enough food to keep your body from using all your stored energy for heat. Avoid sugary snacks, however, because these will give you quick bursts of energy, but will drain you quicker afterwards. If you do feel fatigued when driving in the cold, it is even more important to take a break to keep yourself awake and fully alert when driving, you reaction times need to be faster to compensate for slower movement and hazardous conditions.

 

5. Know how to recover from skids. When braking on a slippery road, it’s all too easy to “lock up” your wheels by stepping on the brakes a little too hard. If you start to skid, steer the vehicle gently in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go and don’t touch your brakes.

How to enjoy a long bus ride

For everyone who has experienced it, bus travel may be one of the most frustrating things in the world. Comparable only to air travel, the length of trips that you’ll have to endure on the bus can make it difficult to handle for anyone. However, there are quite a few things that you will be able to do to keep yourself busy and stop yourself from going crazy in the process!

 

Plan your time and know what you have in store

 

When you decide to take the bus for a long distance trip, find out from the coach driver or the booking agent how long they estimate the trip will take. Use that information to plan what you will do as well as you can, avoiding long stretched of time where you’re simply sitting around with nothing to do.

 

Take along stuff to pass the time

 

Take along a backpack with anything you think might help you pass the time, make sure that everything you take along is fully charged (if you’re planning on taking along any electronics). One of the easiest ways to make sure you have a (somewhat) constant companion is to bring a laptop, tablet or smartphone, or if you prefer, bring along your handheld gaming console or e-book reader if you want variety (since you will only be able to fit around 2-4 hard copy books in your backpack, you’ll have a much easier time carrying around a thin electronic reader anyway).

 

Ready yourself for the trip ahead

 

Once you’ve set off and you have all your time passers with you, try to remind yourself that you will be stuck on the bus for a very long time, and the sooner you come to terms with that, the sooner you will be able to relax, and you probably won’t end up blowing your gasket when you look at your watch every five minutes. Also, stop looking at your watch every five minutes; you’re not doing yourself any favors!

 

Be nice to those around you and make friends

 

Another thing you will need to remember is that you and the rest of the passengers on the bus are in it together. No one wants to make the ride more awkward and frustrating by causing trouble, so take care to be courteous and friendly towards your fellow travellers. This way, you may even find yourself enjoying their company, making the time go along quicker. Even if you’re not too social, don’t go around making it uncomfortable for everyone, a smile and a quick hello every now and then never hurt anyone, so turn to the person sitting next to you or on the other side of the aisle and introduce yourself.

Things to remember when travelling abroad.

Travelling abroad may be a daunting task if the correct procedures aren’t followed. Some destinations have varying laws and regulations that must be followed when entering into their ports, and it could get confusing as to which laws apply to which country.

Not only can the customs and security element of a trip be confusing and overwhelming, but travelling within a foreign land may also become quite frightening and even dangerous if one does not have the right information.

Here is a list of a few of the things one should remember when planning a trip to a foreign destination:

1. Familiarize yourself with the customs and import laws of your destination. Upon entering the country, your belongings may be checked and found to be illegal or may warrant a fine. Checking with airlines relevant to the specific country will get you a list of all items not allowed in, thus, saving you time and possibly trouble before your trip even begins.

2. Make sure all accommodation and any activities you may have booked have been confirmed before arriving. When staying at a hotel, make sure your room has been confirmed to avoid being left without accommodation. If you happen to get into this situation, finding an available and affordable alternative may be a difficult task if you are not familiar with the area.

3. Always keep your passport, alternative identification, flight ticket and bank cards on you and in a safe place. These are considered to be your way in and out of your destination, and should they go missing or get stolen, the process of finding them or making alternative arrangements at your country’s embassy could be a lengthy process.

4. Make sure to find out before hand which areas and situations to avoid. Different countries around the world are notorious for high crime rates and dangerous areas. Criminals often make a habit of targeting obvious tourists as they are vulnerable and may not be aware of common criminal activity while on their trips. Contact the authorities in the relevant country beforehand and also ask around at your place of accommodation for any information pertaining to crime in their areas.

5. It may be important when travelling abroad to familiarize yourself with the customs and traditions of a country if it is notably different to your own. While it may be easy to brush any offensive behaviour off because you are a tourist, it is still important to identify and respect the customs of the people whose land you are visiting. For instance, western travellers may need to remember various signs of respect when visiting Eastern countries to avoid unpleasant looks and confrontations. Remember that things will be different, and what may seem unusual and offensive to you may be considered acceptable wherever you go. Accept local customs and you will be unlikely to land in any trouble.

6. Do not wait until you arrive at your destination to try to exchange all of your cash for local currency. Either do this while still in your own country to make sure that the kiosk or bank that you make use of actually accepts your currency. Or alternatively, make use of your ATM card to hold all of your money, and when you arrive, either find information on which banks will give you the best rate, or simply use the ATM card as the source of all your money throughout the trip. This will also help keep your money secure behind your card and PIN number.

Why should we travel?

Many of us are quite comfortable where we are. We have daily routines that usually play out like clockwork, with one or two memorable events in between to stop us from going crazy. We sometimes ask ourselves and our friends “Why and ourselves travel? What is the point? I have everything I need right here!” Well, the answer is quite a bit simpler than you might think!

 

Firstly, travelling is easy; much easier, in fact, than we expect. Sure, it costs money, but there is always a way to get to where you want to go that will fit your budget, and the best part is that you probably won’t have to do much of the grunt work yourself anyway. Visit a travel agent and get advice on what you can expect, what kind of destinations might suit you, and if you feel you have the right fit, they will do virtually everything for you! If you are the kind of person who prefers doing things yourself, you might even find yourself having fun watching your planning unfold before your eyes.

 

Another amazing thing that travelling will give you, as clichéd as it sounds, is an all-round education. Not only will you learn about wildly different cultures to your own (along with tasting their cuisine, which might be a selling point for you all on its own), but you will gain perspective on how they view you, learn their languages and traditions and give you skills necessary for surviving in our increasingly global community. After all, it may come in handy one day to be able to order what you want in a restaurant in Venice or China, You never know when these skills will be needed, or who they might impress!

 

On a trip to a foreign land, you will almost certainly encounter people you never would have at home, and because you’re in a strange place, making friends will be a necessary step for your survival. Making friends in a little village in India, or being accepted into a local tribe in Venezuela will give you memories that you will never forget. Travelling to these places with someone from home will most likely also strengthen your friendship with that person, giving you shared experience that you will be able to bond over for years to come.

 

One of the most important reasons why travelling should always be an option is because, well, why not? Everyone needs an adventure every once in a while, and being able to take a break from your real life for a while might get you to appreciate what you have a little more, and when you get back, you may find yourself more excited than ever to get back to work and see all the people you normally see so that you can share your experiences with them.