1. Carry less to show you have less to steal than others around you. A single small backpack (wear it on your front in crowded areas) means you are more agile and have your hands free. If you don’t look like you have anything useful to steal, thieves will move on to better targets.
2. Similar to number 1: dress to fit in, not to impress. Flashing expensive clothing, cameras, jewelry or luggage is a sure way to draw attention to yourself – unwanted attention. The kind of attention that identifies you as a target for thieves.
3. Avoid high-risk areas. When you get to a new place, you’ll want a map. Visit an official tourist office to get a map and ask the person on duty to highlight the areas you should avoid. If you can, try to verify those highlights with the clerk at your hotel too (just in case the person at the tourist office is less than honest).
4. Don’t require the use of your phone in remote areas. Where coverage may be limited, your phone’s battery will drain much quicker. If your phone dies or breaks, you’ll want alternative means of getting around and finding what you need to find (think paper maps and hand-written notes).
5. Don’t panic in an emergency. If your plane has to make an emergency landing, or you encounter a civil riot, or you leave something important in a taxi, panicking is only going to make things work. Understand what ‘brace for impact’ means, stay away from civil demonstrations because as peaceful as they look at the start, they can quickly become violent, and take your time exiting a taxi.
6. Tell someone where you’re going. If you’re going off the grid for a time, let a friend or family member back home know where you’re going (as specifically as possible) and when you plan to return. Also, let them know who to contact if they don’t hear from you when they are supposed to. National parks usually have a ranger station where it’s useful to check in and out, for example. Friendly innkeepers are usually happy to note when you are expected to return and call for help if you don’t return when you should.
7. Be prepared. Take the time to think about and research the risks for your destination and be prepared. The risks you face can be as simple as loss of power in your hotel on a short weekend trip to New York City. See our tips for what should be in your travel emergency travel kit. For a remote adventure, see our list of essential travel products for off-the-grid trips.

Of course, we also recommend you think carefully about and purchase travel insurance for your trip. If you’re not sure what you need, see our Travel Insurance 101.

So, most passengers understand that in the event of an emergency, we are to leave our belongings behind so we can move quickly to safety, use the floor lighting to find the nearest exit, and when using the emergency chute, we go down feet first and move out of the way as quickly as possible when we get to the bottom.

Given the relative safety of air flights, what we haven’t heard in some time is “Brace for impact.”

The brace position is described as:

1. Placing your feet flat on the floor.
2. Tuck your arms and elbows close to your sides.
3. Bend forward, over your thighs, as tightly as possible.
4. Tucking your head on or as close as possible to, the surface you are most likely to strike when slammed forward. That is, the seat in front of you or the bulkhead, depending on your position in the plane.

• What kind of traveler you are – business travelers have different needs from vacationers.
• Who you are traveling with – family travelers have different needs than singles.
• Where you are traveling – travel to a remote island with limited medical care is different than heading to a big city.
• What you plan to do on your trip – scuba divers have different travel insurance needs than retirees.

1. Know WHEN to purchase your policy. Sure, a traveler can purchase a quick travel insurance plan right before they leave, but in choosing to wait you miss out on important coverage including: pre-existing medical conditions, ‘cancel for any reason’, ‘cancel for work reasons’, financial default, hurricanes, and work conflicts. Purchasing your policy soon after making your initial trip payment (10-14 days is required by most plans) means you’ll have access to these time-limited coverages. Read more here: When should I buy my travel insurance?
2. Know what coverage you NEED in your plan. To best understand what coverage you need, you’ll need to think about: a) the risks, b) the exclusions in the plan, and c) your comfort level. If you’re planning to ski the back country in Switzerland, for example, you’ll need to check your plan to see if it covers that sport. If it’s excluded, you’ll have to look into adding an adventure sports option and perhaps increase the medical coverage limits to meet your comfort level. If you have been to the doctor to treat any illness or injury during the plan’s look-back period, consider whether it’s necessary to have a policy that provides coverage for pre-existing medical and purchase it within the required number of days after making your first trip payment (see step 1). Read more here: What travel insurance doesn’t cover.
3. Know what coverage you can LEAVE OUT. Not everyone needs ‘Cancel for any reason’ coverage, for example, because the covered reasons for trip cancellation are quite broad. Of course, we recommend you carefully review the plan you choose and think about the circumstances you could encounter before your trip, but if the risks are covered by the policy, there’s no need to add the extra coverage. Read more here: When travel insurance is not necessary.

While sales of travel medical and medevac plans are also growing, policies that incorporate trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits continue to be the most popular plans and account for over 90% of all total travel insurance plans sold in the U.S.  – and for good reason.

The covered reasons for trip cancellation have expanded to include coverage for revoked leave, having to work, and job loss – all of which are likely events in the tough economy Americans have experienced for the last decade.  Knowing that they can cancel their trip for a covered reason and be refunded their pre-paid trip costs has given travelers a great deal of security.

Trip interruption benefits typically include the covered reasons stated in trip cancellation benefits, so (depending on the plan) coverage for terrorism, financial default, and serious illnesses or injuries back home and for the traveler are all covered reasons for abandoning the trip and receiving reimbursement for their unused trip costs. Again, that’s simply comfort of mind.

A growing number of families are looking at travel differently these days. Given the recent economy, many families have had to eliminate travel in favor of ‘staycations’ at home. Sharply rising gas prices have done little to ease the pain or allow people to substitute road trips for vacations involving air travel.

Even if you are traveling in the U.S. and have a health plan, you’re likely traveling out of your health insurance network area. So even a minor injury or illness can run a small fortune in costs you weren’t planning to spend on your vacation.

According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association (USTIA), more than 120 million people insured themselves against travel-related losses last year. This number is up a whopping 35% over past years. It’s easy to see why as family budgets get tighter, jobs are scarce, and the cost of just about everything is rising. Travel insurance isn’t free, but it’s helped a number of travelers defray what would otherwise be very high and unexpected expenses resulting from a wide variety of sticky and uncomfortable situations.

Tim Leffel, the author of The World’s Cheapest Destinations and a world-class traveler himself, says travel to Eastern Europe isn’t what it used to be. “When I researched the revised edition of my book The World’s Cheapest Destinations, I found the picture in Eastern Europe to be far different than when I researched the first edition in 2002. Prague is getting as expensive as Western Europe, Budapest is coming on strong, and Romania’s tourism business is increasing by leaps and bounds. Several macroeconomic factors are at play here. The euro is way up against foreign currencies, especially the dollar. As Eastern European countries have aligned with the EU, they have become much pricier in dollar terms. Also, the proliferation of budget flights within Europe has resulted in a huge influx of visitors from the western half of the continent.”

So with the falling value of the U.S. dollar and the surge in popularity, Prague, Budapest and Krakow are now out of the cheap range, so the further east you go the more inexpensive it gets. Places like Slovenia, Estonia, Albania, and Romania offer some of the best travel values in Eastern Europe.

Slovenia, once part of the Roman Empire, is steeped in history. The country offers a wide variety of scenery with the Alpine in the northwest, Mediterranean in the southwest and Dianric in the southeast. The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, offers a look at Baroque and Art Nouveau influences in art and architecture. There is the wine making region in the hills around Maribor to see and Triglav National Park with its mountains, lakes and rivers which flow out the Adriatic and Black Sea.

Estonia is trying to get their fair share of travelers with a very informative website, VisitEstonia.com. The country is in the Schengen area, so their borders are open to the rest of Europe. Americans can enter Estonia visa-free. However, accessible Estonia may be, don’t try to learn the language, visitors say it is a nightmare to get a handle on, but luckily most individuals in tourism speak good English. Tallinn is the medieval capital and the European Capital of Culture. Estonia on the Baltic Sea has over 1500 islands to check out and you can see how Estonians used to live before the modern age. Medieval castles, untouched natural areas and sleepy fishing villages are all waiting to be discovered.

Albania, located in the middle of the Mediterranean, borders the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. A few of the top destinations in the country are Butrint, Gjirokastra, Berati and Antigonea. In many places, throughout the country, cultural and natural heritage abound. Visit the many archeological parks, museums, religious monuments or get out in nature and explore the seashore or hike in the mountain regions.

Snagov, Romania, known for its “vampire” heritage and famous ruler Vlad III the Impaler, offers beautiful mountain scenery, ancient medieval castles and lovely villages, also, hiking opportunities abound. If you are a vampire fan, you can even visit the tomb of Vlad III. Although, prices in some parts of Romania have risen recently, there are some areas such as Snagov that are still reasonably cheap to visit.

Make a point to visit these historical and culturally vibrant countries before the U.S. dollar flips and makes them yet another expensive vacation spot. Right now is the perfect time to see a part of the world you might never have considered, but would add greatly to your love and knowledge of other cultures and countries.

To go along with your inexpensive travel abroad it is advisable that you pick up some cheap travel insurance that will cover you in case something goes wrong. Many types of travel insurance policies and travel insurance packages are available according to your needs and will give you peace of mind when traveling so far from home.

Avoid the Summer Rush
During the summer months, Europe is crawling with excited travels. To meet the demand, prices on airfare, restaurants, and hotels are also much higher. Frugal seniors who wait till winter can travel to Europe and experience the same wonderful cultural options but with fewer crowds and cheaper prices. On airfare, this could lead to huge savings since most airlines charge holiday surcharges during holidays and the busy summer season.

Seniors are more prone to accidents and injuries than younger adults. On a European vacation, extensive walking and different weather conditions could be a problem for some; especially seniors who already have preexisting health conditions. With a Medical Evacuation policy, seniors can be reassured that no matter how remote their European travel destination is, they are not out of touch. This travel medical insurance can get seniors airlifted and returned home to receive immediate care.

Compare Package Deals
When booking a trip online seniors can easily compare travel agencies and book hotels, air flights, and even some tours online. River cruises however, usually offer better savings since airfare is not a concern. These cruises are also suited to seniors looking to experience Europe at a more leisurely pace. As cruises are only in shallow waters, motion sickness is not a concern. Seniors get the price of the room, meals, onboard activities and tours of Europe’s most appreciated wonders with local guides – all at one low price. Some tours also feature hotel stays as part of the cruise and meals at local restaurants. By buying in bulk, cruise lines can negotiate lower hotel prices than those available to individual travelers.

Save when Traveling Around Europe
If planning on traveling between England, France, Germany and other countries in Europe – trains, airlines, and rental cards are all options worth considering. Budget airlines offer reasonable prices for those looking to quickly hop between countries. Each country has its own set of train cards with discount cards for those over 60, available in some countries. Seniors who plan on mainly visiting one or two specific countries might consider renting a car. By traveling by car seniors get to move at their own pace and cars can be rented through online travel agencies weeks in advance to get a discount. Look into Rental Car Policies to cover the cost of any repairs needed in case of a car accident or to protect against theft of personal property stored in the vehicle.

When exploring Europe, enjoy some of the many free adventures offered to save money. Ancient churches and cathedrals, grand parks, art galleries, museums, libraries, architectural wonders, and free concerts are some of Europe’s most amazing experiences. Seniors who set a realistic budget and protect against the unexpected with a travel insurance policy can have a grand adventure touring Europe.

Airlines
Round-trip airline tickets to Europe are ranging from $1000 to $1500 during high season and can be as low as $500 during off season (September through May). Right now there are two competing airlines, Continental and U.S. Airways, which are undercutting most other airlines on many flight routes to European countries. If you dig around on the Internet a bit, you may come up with a good deal. There are many websites that have a feature which compares different airlines, different flight times and different routes all to your benefit. If you find a good deal, go ahead and lock it in, the further out the better, so you will be assured the price and a seat, and your departure won’t be impeded.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is quite inexpensive these days, so this is one cost you won’t have to stress about. If you’re booking ahead, trip cancellation insurance is a must. You don’t want to get stuck at the last minute being out all the vacation money you’ve invested because you had to cancel your travel plans. These cheap travel insurance policies will protect you for a number of covered reasons for trip cancellation. Being stuck with a huge emergency care bill will really stress you out, so make sure you get covered with (ravel medical insurance as well—just in case of an accident.

Lodging
Many European countries offer inexpensive hostels if you’re up for sharing space with strangers that range from luxurious to the barest of the bare for around $8 a night. If you prefer a bit more privacy and a more low key stay, you can get comfortable motel accommodations for around $120 a night during high season and even cheaper during off season. If you stay a bit away from the city center or historical areas the cost will always be much less, but you trade easy access for the lower cost.

Food
Just as there are large disparities in the cost of flights and lodging—the same can be said for food. Depending on the European country you are visiting and the way you like to eat, the cost will be reflective. Some people can eat on $20 a day in Turkey, while having to spend a $100 a day in France. If you are going to be spending more of your budget on lodging, then you may want to plan on spending less on nice meals out and go for a loaf of fresh bread, cheese and some fruit eaten in your room.

While most of these states have peak color around the same time, some can be different by a span of a month or more. For example, the peak fall colors for most areas of New York and New Hampshire are towards the end of November, but they peak in large areas of Connecticut in October. Think about where in each state you want to visit, and then create a map with a timeline so that you don’t miss anything along the way. Consider investing in some single trip travel insurance, in case an emergency arises while on the trip.

Since the fall brings chilly weather, and this weather can be much cooler in the New England states, it’s important to pack and dress appropriately. Overall, the fall month temperatures in the northern states vary from the mid 50s-60s during the day, to around the 40s or even colder at night. It’s recommended that you bring a sweater and a jacket or even a coat if you plan on being outside for any lengthy period of time. If you do not want to drive to New England yourself to take a look at the gorgeous fall foliage, there are many organizations that offer bus tours and guided trips. If you choose to participate in a trip like this instead of driving on your own, it’s still a good option to buy travel insurance in case anything gets lost or stolen such as luggage or identification.

Bring along a camera so you can capture some of the stunning colors and beautiful landscapes. There are also many fun things to do while on your trip to New England such as visiting landmarks or museums, and enjoying fine wine and dining.

First of all, it is important for travelers to know what kind of insurance coverage they need during their trips. Some travel insurance agents will offer policies with extra unnecessary coverage, and this means travelers will be paying a higher price for their travel insurance. One way to save money on travel insurance is to purchase a policy that provides only the necessary coverage, which usually includes medical expenses, personal liability, baggage, cancellation, and cash. It will also be beneficial if the travel insurance company can provide coverage for legal expenses. In the end, the amount of coverage needed depends on circumstances. Those who are traveling on a low-cost flight may not need coverage for cancellation because the amount of money they stand to lose from missing the flight is not very high.

Making the right choice between single trip travel insurance and annual multi trip insurance can also help travelers save money. Most travelers opt for annual multi trip travel insurance because many travel insurance agents offer single trip insurance at very high rates. It is also possible to find single trip travel insurance policies that are very affordable, and travelers who want to save money should do some travel insurance comparison shopping to find such deals. The choice between single trip and annual multi trip insurance should be based on the number of times a person travels in a year. Generally, those who go on overseas trips more than two times a year will be able to save more money with an annual multi trip travel insurance policy, while single trip travel insurance is the better option for those who are going overseas only once or twice a year.

It is also important to look for a special travel insurance policy designed for specific needs, because these policies offer great savings for those who are eligible. The most common special insurance is family travel insurance, which provides combined coverage for families and couples at lower overall rates. Senior travelers can take advantage of the special senior travel insurance policies, offering better coverage and benefits. Backpackers and those who have an existing medical condition can also avail of long-stay insurance policies and special policies for pre-existing conditions.

To get the best insurance deals, it is advisable travelers shop around and compare deals first before they decide which travel insurance policy is most beneficial to them. While the price is an important consideration when choosing travel insurance policies, travelers should also look at other benefits offered.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/annia316/