Sooner or later, many of us have to face decisions such as where to travel during the next holidays and how to make our journey safe and pleasant. Here in this article, we will show you several essential safety tips for travelers.
1. Find out about the COVID-19 protocols and restrictions of the territory:
Although vaccination against Covid-19 advances, the vaccination rate is uneven between countries. That is why you should find out about the local requirements and restrictions: each territory has its regulations which can be monitored on its official web pages.
In some places, a COVID passport, a digital COVID certificate, or medical certificates with a negative PCR are mandatory. In addition, many tourist places have tightened travel restrictions, so you’d better check them in advance before booking.
Pack enough masks in your suitcase, maintain hygienic standards, and in the event of any symptoms of COVID, contact the authorities to be aware of what protocol you should follow.
2. Choose the travel agency properly:
Opt for a travel agency with good references and adherence to the consumer arbitration system. They usually place this sticker at the entrance to the premises or in another visible place.
If you book online, choose the website well: read carefully the general conditions of the place or service you are going to reserve and check that the page has a physical address or a telephone number or email where you can contact a company that proves the reservation and the rest of the data (print the emails, save receipts and screenshots).
3. When you rent, formalize it in writing:
Whether you prefer a tourist rental or to rent directly to an individual, do everything in writing. Before booking any accommodation, compare the prices and conditions of different web pages. The price must be broken down: stay rate, platform commission if any, cleaning services, and guarantee deposit or bonds if any. And remember that an online reservation has the same legal value as a traditional contract.
4. Changing plans has a price:
Traditionally, if you decide to cancel a combined trip less than 15 days in advance, you will most likely have to pay a penalty of between 5% and 25%, plus cancellation and management fees. If it is about extra services, find out about the conditions before paying.
However, in the COVID environment we live in, travel companies have made the conditions more flexible: all tickets allow changes and cancellations up to 15 minutes before the transport departs.
5. Combined trips have more guarantees:
If you contract a combined trip, you will have more legal protection than when buying individual services. Сombined tours refer to the mixture of at least two of the following elements: transport, accommodation, and other different tourist services (transfers, rental cars, etc), with a duration of more than 24 hours, or a stay of one night, regardless of whether these services are provided by different companies.
This is explained by the joint responsibility of the travel agency and the company that renders the service (airline, hotel, tour operator, etc.). You can complain to the agency, although it is convenient that you leave a complaint when the problem occurs and before whoever causes it (if it is with the hotel, the guide, the airline, etc.).
6. Know your rights in case of delay, cancellation, or air strike:
According to the regulations, in the event of a cancellation due to a strike outside the airline (airport staff or air traffic controllers strike), the affected passengers could not claim compensation unless their flight was scheduled outside the strike hours. But it was canceled due to its effects. So, you may be entitled to compensation.
7. If you rent a car to travel, pay attention to details to avoid scars:
Check what the insurance covers. If there is coverage for damage due to collision or theft, the franchises, i.e. the amount not covered by the insurance policy, are usually rather high, up to 600-700 dollars. In this case, the optimal variant is to have comprehensive insurance which reduces the franchise to a minimum. Besides, negotiate for unlimited mileage, and don’t forget to check the condition of the vehicle on delivery.
8. Tell your friends and family about the trip:
Before you travel, you should tell your friends and family about your destination. This way, if something happens to you, people will know where you are. Imagine ending up in a hospital and not being able to contact anyone. You will avoid unnecessary problems and, above all, you will have support from people who will know where and how to help you.
Also, we recommend that you not get too close to some unknown person. It is advisable to check their identity on PhoneHistory. Go through their social media accounts if possible to understand what kind of person they are and do not trust anyone blindly.
9. Pay attention to food consumption:
Make sure you eat and drink healthily during a vacation. This will help you improve your defenses and be more prepared for any unforeseen event. Remember that this is something preventive because in no case does food, by itself, stop or cure coronavirus infection.
Likewise, we recommend maintaining good hydration, eating at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, prioritizing the consumption of whole grain products, choosing low-fat dairy products, choosing the consumption of nuts, seeds, and olive oil, and avoiding convenience foods and fast food.
Outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and fishing make it much easier to stay isolated from others and prevent the spread of the virus through the air. If you are not an outdoorsy type, try to choose destinations that are conducive to avoiding crowds. Also, if you plan to dine at a restaurant, be sure to choose to sit outdoors to maximize your health and safety.
10. Seek treatment immediately for any symptoms:
First of all, if you have symptoms of coronavirus or any other disease, no matter where in the world you are, seek treatment immediately. The sooner you get help, the better off you will be, and the sooner you will be able to contain the virus and stop it from spreading.
