00:00Alright, if you ever visit Venice, do not walk on the left side of the street.
00:05Doing that basically screams, hey, I'm a tourist, and can attract pickpockets.
00:11This unspoken rule is especially important on narrow streets or tight alleyways,
00:16as locals just know you always stick to the right.
00:19So blend in like a pro.
00:22Pickpocketing is actually a pretty common issue in Europe's big cities,
00:25but a simple rubber band can keep your thing safe.
00:28Just wrap it around your wallet, passport, or phone,
00:32and that extra friction makes it way tougher for someone to quietly slip it out of your pocket.
00:37And ladies, you can grab a hair claw and hook it over your bag's zipper to keep it shut, just like this.
00:43That way, nobody can unzip your purse without you noticing.
00:48Another good idea is to use a phone lanyard.
00:50It makes it harder for someone to grab your phone as they walk by.
00:53You can usually get one online for really cheap,
00:57and it's way better to spend less than 20 bucks on this than to end up buying a new phone.
01:03You can also carry a decoy wallet.
01:05Toss in some small bills, expired cards, and old receipts to make it look legit.
01:10If a bad guy ever stops you and demands your wallet, just hand over the decoy.
01:15This way, you won't be losing anything important.
01:18Keep your real cash in a money belt, for example,
01:20or hide it in a clever spot, like an empty lipstick, too.
01:24Some people even wear a fake wedding ring as an extra precaution.
01:29Speaking of accessories, be mindful of what you wear.
01:33A floral shirt, flip-flops, and a bucket hat aren't exactly low-key.
01:38When you look too much like a tourist, you might attract unwanted attention.
01:42So the key is to blend in.
01:44Before your trip, check out what the locals typically wear in the country you're visiting.
01:49Then pack clothes that match that style.
01:52Even small changes, like carrying a reusable shopping bag instead of a backpack,
01:57can help you pass more easily as a local.
01:59And if you're carrying a fancy camera or laptop, try using duct tape to make a fake patch.
02:06It makes them look broken, and most bad guys tend to ignore items that are damaged.
02:10Now, sorry to say, but just throwing a padlock on your suitcase isn't always enough to keep your stuff safe.
02:17That's because anyone can pop it open pretty easily, just by sliding a pen or pencil into the zipper.
02:23But there's a simple solution for that.
02:26Change your luggage.
02:27Look for hard-shell suitcases with either no zippers or hidden ones that are harder to tamper with.
02:33Oh, by the way, if the thought of your luggage getting lost mid-flight gives you nightmares,
02:39consider using luggage tracking tech.
02:42Some newer suitcases even come with a built-in GPS.
02:45But if you don't have one of those, no worries.
02:48Just use something like an Apple AirTag or tile tracker.
02:52This way, you'll always know exactly where your bag is, even if the airline doesn't.
02:57Now, once you get to the hotel, remember, room safes exist for a reason.
03:03Use them.
03:04And if you're the kind of person who forgets things easily, like me, here's a tip.
03:09Tie one end of a brightly colored ribbon or string to the safe handle and the other end to your suitcase.
03:16That way, when you're checking out, you will be reminded to grab whatever's in the safe.
03:21Oh, yeah.
03:23Now, losing your stuff isn't the only thing that can go wrong on a trip.
03:27You can also get lost.
03:29Sure, downloading Google Maps helps a lot, but it's always smart to have a plan B.
03:34Like if your phone runs out of battery or goes missing.
03:37So make sure you write down your hotel's address on a piece of paper, low-tech.
03:42Or have someone write it for you if you don't read the local language or characters.
03:47If the hotel has a business card, grab a few and keep them with you.
03:51And if you ever get lost, just flag down a taxi and show them the card.
03:55They'll know what to do.
03:57Before you start exploring the city, take some time to get familiar with the area around where you're staying.
04:03Start by walking around the block, then the next one, and so on.
04:08That way, if you ever get lost, once you're back near your area, it's usually pretty easy to find your way.
04:14Plus, getting a feel for your surroundings helps you find where the coffee shops, ATMs, and other useful spots are.
04:21You can also wear a whistle, either around your neck or on your keychain.
04:26A loud whistle can be surprisingly useful if you need to get attention.
04:30Like scaring someone off, or calling for help if you're lost on a remote trail, for example.
04:35If you don't have a travel buddy, make sure to share your location with family or friends.
04:41You can also take it a step further by leaving a digital breadcrumb trail.
04:46Use a secure cloud service to upload copies of your passport, travel insurance, and other important documents.
04:52Then, set up a shared folder with someone you trust and keep it updated with your location and plans as you go.
05:00That way, if you lose your phone or run into trouble, someone back home can help authorities figure out where you've been and give them the info they need.
05:08Now, sometimes the hotel you're staying at is so big, you can actually get lost inside, especially after a long flight, when you're tired or jet-lagged.
05:18But here's a smart tip flight attendants use.
05:21As soon as you get to your room, place your shoes pointing toward the direction of the elevator.
05:26That way, if you're ever in a rush or want to minimize walking, you will know exactly which way to go.
05:33And yeah, this little trick works on cruise ships, too.
05:36Now, hotels are usually safe, but you never know, right?
05:41So, if your room ends up being on the ground floor, ask to switch.
05:45Floors 3 through 6 are often considered the safest.
05:49I mean, they are high enough to avoid easy access from the outside, but still low enough to reach the ground floor quickly in case of an emergency, like a fire.
05:58And carrying a portable doorstop alarm can help prevent break-ins.
06:02We're talking about a cheap, lightweight device that wedges under your door and makes a loud noise if someone tries to open it.
06:09It gives you that extra layer of security while you're sleeping.
06:12Now, in case you don't have it, you can hang a couple of mugs on the door handle.
06:17Most hotel rooms usually have them.
06:18If someone tries to open the door, the mugs will fall and crash, making enough noise to wake you up.
06:26And if you're a woman staying alone in a hotel, it might be a good idea to place a pair of big men's shoes outside your door.
06:34It makes it look like someone else is staying there with you.
06:36Also, don't let the fear of being watched ruin your trip.
06:41There are plenty of simple ways to check for hidden cameras in your hotel room or vacation rental.
06:46First, do a careful scan of the place.
06:49Close the curtains, turn off the lights, and look for any small blinking lights.
06:54Some of the most common spots for hidden cameras include smoke detectors, air vents, and small holes in the wall.
07:01You can also go full spy mode by using Bluetooth.
07:03Just set your phone to pairing mode and see what devices show up.
07:08Ignore things like TVs and smart home gadgets and focus on anything unfamiliar that you can't easily identify.
07:15That could be a hidden camera.
07:18Now, here's a final tip that's essential any time you travel abroad, no matter the country.
07:23Learn the local emergency numbers.
07:26The 911 code works in several places outside the U.S., like Argentina, Mexico, and Canada.
07:31But that's not always the case.
07:34In Egypt, for example, you can call their police number, which is 122.
07:39In Brazil, it's the same idea, but you dial 190 instead.
07:44And in many European countries, it's 112.
07:48Sometimes, dialing 911 in another country might redirect you to their emergency services, but that's not guaranteed.
07:55So it's always better to know the local code just in case.
07:58And that's it. Save this video for your next trip, and stay safe out there.
08:05That's it for today.
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