How to Stay Safe Traveling On Your Midlife Gap Year
A midlife gap year is an incredible opportunity for exploration, adventure, and personal growth, whether you are volunteering in South America, teaching English and Asia backpacking, or across Europe. You will find that taking a year off from work to travel can give you invaluable experiences that shape your future. Whether it can come with some of its challenges and risks, this means that you need to make sure that your midlife gap year is both safe and memorable.
Let’s have a look at some of the essential travel tips that you need to keep in mind:
How to Stay Safe Traveling On Your Midlife Gap Year
Research Your Destination Thoroughly
One of the best things that you can do before you set off in your midlife gap year is to do your homework and research your destination properly. You need to make sure that you research every destination that is on your itinerary, including the potential safety risks, cultural norms, and any laws. Understanding the local culture and customs can help you avoid any unintentional offenses or mishaps. It is also essential that you know which areas are the safest for you to explore and which ones you need to stay away from.
You need to make sure that you are looking at reliable sources such as the US Department of State and the UK Foreign Commonwealth Office websites. These are the sites that will contain the most up-to-date information about which areas are the safest for you to travel to.
Invest In Travel Insurance
It would be best if you didn’t travel during your midlife gap year without travel insurance. Your travel insurance is something that you don’t want to use; however, it is something that you will regret not having if you do need it. It might seem like you are spending money on something that you don’t need to. However, it will save you a lot of money in the long run if you do need to use it for anything. You need to make sure you are using a fully comprehensive cover.
Stay Connected With Friends And Family
If you want to make sure you are traveling safely in your gap year, you need to make sure you are staying in touch with people back home. This means you need to have regular communication so that someone at home knows you’re aware of it. It not only helps keep you safe but also reassures your loved ones that you are safe. Share your accommodation details, itinerary, and travel plans with a trusted family member or friend. Ensure you have a working mobile phone with a local SIM card or that you are using an international roaming plan. Use an app like WhatsApp so that you can see that your messages are being delivered, and you can use them free of charge over Wi-Fi when you get the chance.
Use A VPN For Digital Safety
You may not think about it, but your digital safety is just as important as your physical safety when you are traveling. You need to make sure that you are aware of how to use public WiFi networks. If you are using networks at cafes, airports, you have accommodation, and hostels, you could be targeted by hackers as they like to target these areas. If you use a virtual private network, you can protect your data by encrypting your internet connection; this makes it extremely hard for hackers to access your information. If you are looking for a good VPN for your iPhone, look at the best vpn for iPhone to ensure your online security while you are traveling.
Stay In Safe Accommodations
It’s a good idea for you to read reviews and choose accommodations if you feel they are safe. You should choose your accommodation very carefully and do your research before you book. Use trusted travel websites such as booking.com or TripAdvisor to make sure that your guest house, hostel, or hotel is secure and safe. It is a good idea to look for places that have secure locks, good lighting, and 24-hour reception. When you check in, make sure that you know what the emergency plan and exits are in case there is a fire or another emergency. Make sure you lock your door every night, and if you are staying in a shirt dorm, you use a padlock or locker to secure your suitcase.
Conclusion
You must ensure your safety when traveling on a midlife gap year trip. The tips above should help you get a good start. Do you have any other ideas that could help you stay safe? Let me know in the comments below.
Until next time!
