Summer Travel Tips: Safety, Memory Making, & More!

By: Jordan Ross

Travel can be inspiring, relaxing, and eye-opening. To feel ready and excited to visit a new place, the best thing you can do is be prepared. Here are some tips to make your trip seamless and unforgettable.

Safety: Passport + Valuables

1. When carrying your passport with you, always keep it in front of you. Passports stuck in

backpacks behind you or in an open shoulder bag are out of your sight and can be easily

stolen. It is ideal to keep the passport in front of you in a passport pouch (can be easily

hidden under clothes) or cross-body sealed bag. If you leave your passport in a hotel, be

sure to utilize the safe.

2. Keep your phone safe! Do not leave it out on your table at a restaurant or propped up

against something for a TikTok. Be aware of your surroundings when using it, and bewary of letting a stranger use it to take a photo of your group. Also, it is great to be

prepared for long days with a portable charger.

Disposable Cameras

Taking fun photos on vacation is always a must! Bringing a disposable camera in addition to my phone is my favorite way to capture memories and relive them a few weeks after the trip once they’re developed. Bonus points if everyone in your group uses one, as you’ll all capture different memories from different perspectives.

Public Transportation

1. Be sure to research the transportation of the city you’re visiting. Many cities, such as

London, Paris, and Barcelona, have easy-to-use trains to get you to different destinations.

Using the local train or bus is a great way to see your city from the perspective of

someone who lives there.

2. Some cities do not use Uber and Lyft like we do in the U.S. There may be a different app,

or they may mostly be taxi cab services. Be sure to schedule any needed car services or

learn how to call a cab!

Hydration + Health

1. Forget the memes about Americans walking around European cities with their giant

plastic water bottles, okay? Hydration is important! You can often find water bottles in

convenience stores or souvenir shops. Rome, Italy even has clean public drinking

fountains. During hot days, limit alcohol intake and be sure to consume water and even

replenish your electrolytes with a Gatorade or Powerade, which tend to be available at

most stands.

2. Pack a “just in case” medical bag. I would highly recommend bringing a cold medicine

with you that you know works for you. Medicines in the U.S., Europe, and Asia can vary!

Band-aids, tissues, hand sanitizer, and pain medicine are also always good to have on

hand. Sometimes long travel days and time differences can take a toll on the body, and

trying to explain your needs to a pharmacy worker if you don’t speak their language can

be difficult.

3. Have some loose coins in the currency of the country you’re traveling to. In Europe,

many bathrooms will cost money to use.

Let go + Have Fun

Sometimes during our meticulously planned travels, everything doesn’t go exactly to plan. That’s okay! Give yourself grace if you need to rest, and prioritize activities that are the most special to you. Be open to learning about new cultures, and have the best summer ever!