| I worked for several years as a Travel Host for a | | | | creeps wait in the shadows and look for the |
| major travel company escorting tour groups to | | | | impaired; the drunk, stoned, and otherwise |
| resort destinations in foreign countries. During that | | | | defenseless targets. |
| time I saw a lot and learned a lot. One of the most | | | | Travel Tip number three. Phone home every couple |
| important things I learned was how to keep my | | | | days to assure family members of your safety and |
| charges safe and out of trouble. | | | | let them know where you are. Remember old mom |
| Over 200,000 American teenagers and young adults | | | | and dad? Well, they really do want to hear from you. |
| travel to timeshare and hotel resort areas throughout | | | | If you happen to later get in a jam it will help if they |
| the Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico and various other | | | | have a good idea of where you are. Let your hotel |
| foreign country destinations during college spring | | | | or timeshare [ resort know where you are going and |
| break each year. Most will simply enjoy their travel | | | | your approximate time schedule. |
| and vacation without incident. But several may | | | | Travel Tip number four. Remember, you are in a |
| actually die in accidents or be killed. Many hundreds | | | | foreign country! The laws are different than those in |
| will be arrested and placed in horrible jails. Many | | | | the US and you are subject to the laws and customs |
| hundreds more will make tragic mistakes that may | | | | regulations of the country you are visiting. Respect |
| affect them for the rest of their lives. | | | | the people, the culture, and the laws and you will be |
| There are, unfortunately, dozens of ways to create | | | | fine. Acting arrogant or being ignorant, can lead to big |
| problems for yourself when traveling abroad. The | | | | problems. A foreign country law can impose harsh |
| good news is that it is really very easy to stay safe | | | | penalties for violations that would be considered |
| and have a great time. It just takes a little know | | | | minor in the United States. Remember that U.S. |
| how and common sense. Following are six proven | | | | citizenship in no way exempts travelers from full |
| spring break travel tips that you can use. | | | | prosecution under the host country criminal justice |
| Travel Tip number one. Before you travel, become | | | | system. |
| generally familiar with the basic laws and customs of | | | | Travel Tip number five. Holiday makers should use |
| the country you plan to visit. A great source for | | | | extreme caution when renting vehicles and anything |
| getting a good overall feel for any country is the | | | | else that moves. This includes jet skis, mopeds, and |
| Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook . | | | | even beach bikes. Many are not properly serviced |
| The CIA is a whole lot more than a bunch of | | | | and in poor condition. Many are uninsured or |
| clandestine spooks chasing bad actors around the | | | | under-insured. Read rental contracts carefully to be |
| globe, as sometimes characterized by Hollywood. Use | | | | sure your own insurance will cover you in the event |
| their services to learn about the country you will visit. | | | | of an accident. |
| Travel Tip number two. Remember that reckless | | | | Travel Tip number six. Drivers of any vehicle, including |
| behavior while in another country can do more than | | | | jet skis and mopeds, should exercise extreme |
| ruin your vacation; it can land you in a foreign jail or | | | | caution. Always ask the rental agency about local |
| worse. To have a safe trip, avoid risky behavior and | | | | laws and procedures before operating the vehicle. |
| plan ahead. Alcohol is involved in the vast majority of | | | | The US Department of State has received many |
| arrests, accidents, violent crimes, rapes, and deaths | | | | reports of scam equipment rental operators. The |
| suffered by Americans on Spring Break. | | | | scam is to sometimes use locals to form a mob |
| Young people should travel in at least pairs and | | | | which then intimidates young customers into paying |
| always use a buddy system. One person should | | | | exorbitant amounts for damage to rented equipment |
| remain sober and drug free on the buddy plan. There | | | | that never actually occurred. |
| have always been and will always be predators | | | | Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy your travel |
| looking for easy targets of opportunity. These | | | | adventure! |