Hitchhiking is perfectly safe in many parts of the world.

Also, the phone number for the Australian embassy does little good if you're not an Australian citizen.

"Hitchhiking is perfectly safe in many parts of the world"

Hitchhiking USED to be safe most of the time in some parts of the world. It MAY be safe some of the time in SOME (not many) parts of the world. Until the time it isn't. I am a female traveling solo. I consider hitchhiking only in the rarest of circumstances. If you are two tough guys traveling together it's probably a lot safer for you to hitchhike, except then you may have trouble getting a ride.

Blanket advice to hitchhike is totally irresponsible. Even Lonely Planet puts up warnings when discussing it.

A friend of mine, mousy little gal, hitchhiked from Pakistan to Uzbekistan. In some parts of the world, it's still safe to it.

When? And ever heard of dumb luck?

Note. You said: "perfectly safe in <b>many</b> parts of the world"

I said "safe in "<b>SOME</b> (not many) parts of the world"

Now, you say: "In <b>some</b> parts of the world, it's still safe to it."

Seems we actually agree, now you think about it. (And for heaven's sake drop the "gal", which century are you living in? Oh, I forgot, you think hitchhiking is safe: middle of the last one.)

My advices for trip are:
Be devilish.
Follow the pros.
Stay open-minded.
And the last one make photocopias of urs credits cards, ur passport, ur ticket.

Fasten a "To Check" list on the underside of your luggage lid or some other can't-miss-seeing-it place.
My list says -
Check SAFE, BEHIND BATHROOM DOOR, CHARGERS, REFRIGERATOR, UNDER BED

I take plastic zip lock bags in a range of sizes for packing.
Makes it easy to keep all camera/cables items together,or for underwear and beachwear etc.Much easier to find items.
I also use plastic electrical cable ties as a quick security measure ,used between zips on baggage ,instead of locks .

If I am going on a trip where we will be traveling from one place to another, I use packing cubes. That way I don't have to dig through my suitcase to find things or pack and unpack over and over.
I have one cube for underwear, one for tops, etc.

To enjoy is so important. Never travel without troubles. Depend on you enjoying the troubles, your travel decides whether good or poor!

Use your smartphone to take a picture of your rental car and the license plate. When you get to the desk of the hotel, they will likely ask you for those details.

Also, when you park in an unfamiliar town, take a picture of the street signs near where you parked. That way, if you get lost, you can ask a local to point you in the right direction.

When travelling with a companion, put 1/2 of each others clothes in the other one's bag. If one bag gets lost, the other person will have clothes.

If traveling by car, keep swimming items (bathing suit, towels, etc) in a bag that you can leave in the car. I do the same with shoes and extra jackets, hiking gear, whatever you need for specific activities that you don't need in your hotel. This tip is especially good for those times that you are on a road trip where you stay in a few hotels. Your luggage schlepping will be easier.

So many good tips here! I'm not sure how many of you get home delivery of the newspaper, or f yours even comes in a protective plastic bag, but here in Seattle that's how it works if there's any change of dampness (often). So, what to do with the long plastic bags? USE THEM FOR YOUR SHOES when packing. One shoe fits perfectly in each bag, and they take up NO room, unlike shoe bags. Everything stays clean in your suitcase, and you have an unlimited supply if you save up for a few weeks. If you can't get these bags, the SUBWAY sandwich bags work the same way.

<i>Use your smartphone to take a picture of your rental car and the license plate. </i>

Doesn't the keychain normally have the make, model, and license plate written on it?

>>Doesn't the keychain normally have the make, model, and license plate written on it?<<

Sometimes but IME mostly just the license plate number.

I think photos of the rental car are a good way to record dinks and dents when you're first picking the car up. (in addition to noting it on the rental papers).

I avoid carrying a purse. I put everything in a light weight travel vest. I have tiny safety pins that I discretely pin the tabs closed to keep valuables away from pick pockets. Being an older woman, I'm an easy mark. If I carry a purse, it rarely has anything in it of value. I've also stopped taking photo's. and just enjoy being in the moment.If its a great picture there is usually a postcard I can buy with a better shot than I could have taken. However I do take a picture of my suitcase before I check it and keep it on my phone.

Buy and take a digital luggage scale with you. Very small and lightweight. Great to know how much your bag weighs before you get to the airport-especially if you like to shop on trips!!

I second many of these tips too. But here's something particular to me, if not peculiar... I used to go the Rick Steves route and do laundry in the hotel sink every couple of days. But now, being older and wanting to feel like a civilized person, I try to stay in apartments whenever possible. And I make sure that at least every 10 days I am staying in an apartment with a washer and dryer.

Then, I pack 10 changes of undies, T-shirts and socks. So the only time do a laundry is when I have proper equipment - and also at that time I try to bring my sweater and 3 of my 4 shirts to a proper drycleaner to have them cleaned professionally, and (the shirts) ironed.

So for me personally, the charm of "roughing it" has sort of worn off, and that's my solution to having clean clothes everywhere. I still travel very lightly however - carryon only! - even if the bulk of it is now socks and T-shirts.

I take a picture of my open suitcase prior to departure. If it goes missing it would help me remember the contents (for insurance purposes). I also take a pic of the suitcase closed. If it goes missing I can show clerks rather than describe it.

tC

Wow - great tips.
Here is my contribution:
If you are checking your suitcase (not everyone is a minimalist), make sure to have a carry on with everything you may need if the suitcase gets lost or comes late - toothbrush, medicines, essential toiletries that can be taken on a flight, change of clothes. We used to take a small trolley and on our last trip discovered that a decent sized backpack is much better. It leaves your hands free.
Next, if you rent a car, check that everything works before you leave the lot! We rented a car in Barcelona only to discover that the horn didn't work while we were on the way and we wasted time in Girona switching to another car. Check the lights, horn, radio - all the buttons and switches. It takes 5 minutes and will save you grief later.
Going to places where no one knows English (especially when you're driving).Sometimes you'll get to places where the GPS doesn't work properly and you'll have to ask for help. When we were in Northern Spain, I'd go into a store/gas station with a piece of paper and a pen. I'd write the name of where we want to go to and the person I showed it to would draw me a map. Worked every time.