Vacation Travel Tips – Know Before You Go!

Traveling is a wonderful way to broaden your horizons. Traveling provides a worldly education second to none and an opportunity to learn about yourself along the way.

Our STS on-site staff provides personal assistance to all travelers, including: greeting travelers upon arrival in country; providing detailed orientation to the destination; and being readily available, on site, 24 hours a day for the length of their vacation.

Making educated decisions when booking your trip will help to ensure hassle-free travel.

Some Tips to Remember:

• Book early! This will give you an advantage in getting the hotels and flights of your choice. In most instances, you save hundreds of dollars through early booking discounts and lower airfares.
• Use a tour operator that understands your travel needs. STS works closely with hotels that understand the student market and the needs of young travelers. Be certain that your tour operator has representatives physically available at your destination.
• Make sure you have all of your necessary travel documents and printed itineraries. Leave copies of each with a trusted individual at home. Be sure to fill out the emergency information page in your passport. Passports can take up to 6 weeks to obtain. Apply for your passport now.
• Take a minute to check location specifics, such as local laws, embassy locations and any travel alerts.
• Check in with your medical insurance company so see what they cover when overseas. Bring your card with you.
• Purchase travel insurance. This will protect your travel investment and make life easier should you get sick or injured while on vacation.
• Establish your boundaries with your friends before you travel. Going with the flow can cause altercations when traveling. If everyone has agreed upon boundaries prior to travel, you can avoid unsafe situations.

Below are more tips to ensure a safe and successful trip.

Travel Tips:

When driving to Spring Break destinations:

• Make sure to buckle up. Not only is it the law, but seatbelts save lives; plain and simple.
• Take turns behind the wheel for long trips. Whoever the passenger may be should also stay awake to keep the driver company.
• Make sure everyone who drives has a valid driver's license and the vehicle registration and insurance card is in the car before driving off.
• Be aware of changing speed limits when crossing state lines.

When flying to Spring Break destinations:

• Arrive to the airport early enough to allow time for check-in. Different airports have different check-in procedures, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to make your flight.
• Take check-in procedures seriously and respect the authority of the Transportation Security Administration Agents. Nothing will ruin your vacation like being placed on the “No Fly” list. Unsure of current flight rules and regulations? Check out your airline carrier's website or visit: http://travel.state.gov

General Safety Tips:

Traveling abroad is very similar to traveling to a new locale in your current country. There will always be people and places to avoid. Use your common sense, be aware, and you should not have a problem.

• Go to the ATM in groups during daylight hours. Be aware of who may be around during your transaction. If it feels sketchy to you, find another ATM.
• Stay alert! Scam artists and thieves target travelers in airports and tourist destinations. Do not leave your luggage and carry-on items unattended at any time. Do not check valuables (i.e. cameras, jewelry, cash, etc) in your with your luggage- put them in your carry-on.
• Never get into an unlicensed/unmarked taxi cab. Negotiate the fare before entering the taxi and always travel with a buddy. Remember, there is safety in numbers.
• Only purchase side excursions and party programs from STS approved vendor or ground operator. We cannot help you if you have problems with side excursions not purchased through STS.
• Use the hotel safety deposit box. Store away your money, passports, airline tickets and other valuables. A little precaution goes long way in making your trip stress free.
• Use sunscreen of at least SPF 15 and reapply often. Make sure you bring more than one bottle; they are pretty expensive in tourist shops. Pay extra attention to ears, nose, face, knees and shoulders. Why ruin your vacation with sun burn pain? Remember, the sun is stronger in tropical areas closer to the Equator. Avoid lengthy sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day; remember you can burn even when it's cloudy.

Etiquette:

• Be polite and respectful. Everyone is on vacation to have a good time! Please be respectful to those around you, especially the citizens of the country you are visiting. You are a guest in a foreign country that has a different culture. Mind your manners as you would in someone's house at home. Respect others and they will respect you back.
• Use your common sense when it comes to the law. Foreign countries have a different set of laws and a different legal system. A general rule of thumb is if you wouldn't do it in the US; don't try to do it in a foreign country.

Nightlife Safety Tips:

• If you choose to drink; do so responsibly. Know the liquor laws of where you are vacationing. Know your limits and trust your atmosphere. Never wander off alone; utilize the “buddy system”.
• Follow the STS party schedule. When planning your Spring Break entertainment, you only need to look at your STS Party schedule. This will save you money off cover charges, get you free drinks, and put you in the middle of the best action.
• Do not accept drinks from strangers. Trust your intuition, if you feel “off” inform a friend and seek medical attention. Be a good buddy; be aware in any changes in your friend's behavior or actions.
• Don't use, sell, or buy drugs. Drugs are illegal in every country and such laws are strictly enforced.
• Drinking, plus the sun can equal bad sunburn and an even worse hangover. Sun exposure can maximize the effects of alcohol so keep this in mind if you party on the beach. Take it slow and stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. If you start feeling faint or light headed, get shade and water immediately.

STS is happy to speak at your school regarding safety when traveling abroad. Whether it be for spring break, summer vacation or a graduation trip we can provide useful insight and information from our 29 years of travel expertise. Please contact us at: 800-648-4849 for further information or fill out the form below and have information e–mailed to you.