Travel safety tips: how to plan a safe & confident trip

Protect your peace of mind without sacrificing the adventure

There is a certain thrill in travel: boarding pass in hand, wheels lifting off the runway. The delicious unknown waiting on the other side.

And then… the little voice.

“What if?”

Instead of letting that voice steal the spotlight, let’s talk about it and put it to work. Smart preparation is not about fear. It is about freedom. The kind that lets you fully exhale when you arrive.

Here’s how we travel boldly and wisely at the same time.

Step one: know before you go

Before you ever contact me to start your trip planning, head to travel.gov and check the U.S. State Department advisory for your exact destination.

Don’t worry about the dramatic headlines or the friend of a friend’s story. Look at the actual advisory.

Look at:

• Specific regions within the country

• Transportation guidance

• Safety updates

• Local laws and expectations

Then build your plan around that information. Even better, let me help you interpret it. Some advisories sound alarming but apply to very specific areas far from where you will be staying. Others require smart adjustments.

Experience matters here. I help you make choices that feel safe to you, not just what looks good online.

Skip the gamble, choose the vetted

Picture this: you land after a long flight. You are tired. Slightly disoriented. Someone waves you toward a random curbside car.

Hard pass.

Now picture walking out to pre-arranged, vetted transportation with your name on a sign. The drive has already contacted you to tell you where to meet. Smooth, seamless, done.

With my help, you receive:

• Carefully vetted airport transfers

• Reputable hotels and resorts with strong safety practices

• Excursions chosen not just for beauty, but for solid safety protocols

After more than two decades in the travel industry, I know what questions to ask and which partners consistently deliver. That is part of what makes us different.

It is not about wrapping your trip in bubble wrap. It is about thoughtful layers that protect your experience.

Enroll in STEP and stay in the loop

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, allows you to receive alerts from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate while you are traveling.

If something shifts locally, you know quickly. No guessing. No scrambling.

It’s free. It takes minutes to enroll. And it comes with no annoying future notifications, just when you’re traveling. Edge of your seat adventure is wonderful. Being uninformed is not.

Travel insurance that actually works when you need it

Let’s talk about the thing no one wants to use: travel insurance.

It’s important to pay attention to:

• Medical coverage limits

• Emergency evacuation

• Trip interruption and disruption components

This is where my expertise really comes into play. I can help you sort through options and choose coverage that matches your destination, your itinerary, and your comfort level.

If weather reroutes your trip or a medical issue pops up abroad, you want more than fine print. You want a plan.

Tell someone your plan

Adventure does not require secrecy. Peace of mind includes people.

Before you go:

• Share your itinerary with a trusted person at home

• Include hotel names and transportation details

• Set check-in times

I provide beautifully organized itineraries that make this easy to share. If something does go sideways, you have support on both ends, at home and on the ground.

And you have me.

While you are there: be intentional

When out & about, keep a low profile. As Americans we tend to stick out anyway.

Leave the flashy jewelry at home. Skip obvious designer logos. Avoid carrying large amounts of loose cash. Speak more softly than you normally do. (Americans are typically loud.)

The goal is simple. Blend in with confident ease.

You are there to experience the destination, not to broadcast your valuables.

Stick to main routes and vetted transportation

Charming side streets are lovely in the right context. They’re some of my favorite discoveries! Wandering into poorly lit areas without guidance at midnight is less charming.

Stick to well-lit areas at night. Know where you’re going. Use vetted drivers when going to unfamiliar areas. Keep emergency contact numbers for your hotel or resort and transportation company easily accessible.

These are small habits. They create big confidence.

The gut check no one talks about

What I’ll always tell you: if the stress of a particular destination is going to keep you tense the entire time, it may not be the right trip right now.

There is no prize for white knuckling your vacation.

Part of my role is helping you evaluate options and choose experiences that feel exciting and expansive, not stressful and draining. The world is full of amazing places. We can find one that lights you up and allows you to breathe deeply once you arrive.

The real bottom line

There are no guarantees in travel.

But there are smart, strategic ways to reduce risk and travel with confidence.

You do not have to decode advisories, compare insurance policies, or wonder whether that transfer company is reputable. I can guide you through everything, from the first conversation to the moment you return home, and be a trusted source if something unexpected happens along the way.

Because your trip is not just a booking, it is connection. It is memory and meaning.

Which of these steps are you ready to add to your next adventure?