If you’re planning a trip to Denmark, Italy, or the United Kingdom, the U.S. State Department urges you to exercise increased caution. In September, these popular European vacation destinations had their warning levels elevated due to the risk of potential terrorist attacks.

The Travel Advisory for each country was raised from Level 1: Exercise normal precautions to Level 2: Exercise increased caution. The State Department warns that in these destinations, “Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.”

If you do decide to travel to Denmark, Italy, or the United Kingdom, the State Department advises following these safety tips:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in your destination on social media to receive important updates.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.
• Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Several other European countries are already at a Level 2 Travel Advisory, including:

• Albania
• Belgium
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• France
• Kosovo
• Serbia
• Spain
• Turkey
• Germany

The post US Increases Travel Warnings for Three European Countries appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The U.S. Department of State has just raised its travel advisory for Germany to Level 2: Exercise Increase Caution due to the risk of terrorism. “Terrorist groups keep planning attacks in Germany,” says the State Department’s advisory. “Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations and transportation hubs.” 

The State Department warns that Germany’s markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, large events, schools, airports, and public areas are potential terrorist targets. 

The previous travel advisory level for Germany was Level 1: Exercise Increased Caution, and it was raised to Level 2 on May 1. A  number of other popular European destinations, including Denmark, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, are already at a Level 2 travel advisory.

If you’re traveling to Germany, the State Department recommends taking the following precautions:

1. Be aware of your surroundings, especially in tourist locations and crowds
2. Monitor local media to learn about any potential dangers or emergencies
3. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and to help the U.S. government locate you in case of an emergency
4. Identify safe places, like police stations and hospitals, to go in case of an emergency

The Canadian government also issued a travel warning for Germany in March, advising its citizens to “exercise a high degree of caution” if traveling to the country. 

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Uncooked rice can contain a bacteria called Bacillus cereus, which can sometimes survive the cooking process. According to FoodSafety.gov, if rice is not kept at 140 degrees when it is left out for two hours or longer, any remaining bacteria can multiply and make you sick if you eat that rice.

Symptoms will set in quickly (anywhere from 30 minutes to 15 hours after eating) and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. You’ll be sick for about 24 hours if you fall victim to Bacillus cereus.

Bad Buffet Warning Signs

I asked Janilyn Hutchings, a Certified Professional in Food Safety, what signs to watch for at a buffet to make sure the food you’re eating is safe. Hutchings advises to look for these three red flags:

1. Food that’s supposed to be hot isn’t hot.
2. Food that’s supposed to be cold is thawing or melting.
3. Buffet workers put new food on top of old food instead of replacing an entire container of old food with a new container of fresh food.

Which Foods Should You Avoid at Buffets

Rice falls into the category of Time or Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS). According to Hutchings, these are foods that have high carbohydrate and protein levels, are neutral or slightly acidic, and contain moisture. Other foods in this category that you’re likely to find on the buffet include sliced melons, cut greens, and meat.

The post The Surprising Item You Should Skip at the Buffet to Avoid Getting Sick appeared first on SmarterTravel.

That doesn’t mean you should let fear hold you back from planning a trip on your own—it just means you should take a few extra precautions. Follow these ten tips for solo travelers to help protect yourself when away from home.

Check Your Hotel Room

The first thing solo travelers should do after checking in to a hotel (even before checking for bed bugs) is sweep their room to make sure there are no intruders. Leave the door to your room open while you quickly and thoroughly check any potential hiding spots. 

Where to look:

• Under the bed
• In the closet
• In the shower
• Behind floor-to-ceiling curtains

Pack a Doorstop 

A number of hotel employees have access to keycards that will open any room on the property. Mistakes happen and another guest could be given the key to your room. Or, the lock on your door simply might not be functional. All of these scenarios are reasons why you don’t want to solely rely on your hotel room’s door lock to keep you safe.

As a secondary layer of security, pack a doorstop or a doorstop alarm that can be used to prevent anyone from opening your door from the outside. The doorstop alarm will also alert (and everyone around you) you if someone is trying to get in. 

Don’t Accidentally Give Out Your Room Number

Solo travelers should be careful not to let strangers know where exactly they are staying. When you check in, make sure the front desk employee doesn’t say your room number out loud (have them write it on your key card envelope instead).

If you’re ordering at a hotel bar or restaurant and want to charge something to your room, write your name and room number on the check rather than saying it verbally if others are in earshot.

Don’t Let Others Know You’re Traveling Alone

You don’t have to be totally honest with pushy strangers striking up a conversation with you. If you’re feeling uncomfortable about someone asking you if you’re traveling alone, invent a friend or spouse who is “just taking a nap in the room” or who you’ll be meeting later. 

Request a Room on a Higher Floor

Hotel rooms on the first floor offer an easy second entry point (through the window) for intruders. Request a higher floor to reduce break-in risks when traveling alone. 

Leave Your Itinerary With a Trusted Friend

As a solo traveler, someone should know where you are just in case something goes wrong—even if they aren’t on the trip with you. Leave a detailed itinerary with a trusted friend or family member back home. 

This is especially important if you’re planning on activities such as hiking on your vacation—always let a friend or even the hotel concierge know where you are going (with specifics, such as what trail you’re taking) and what time you’re expected to return, so they can raise the alarm if you don’t come back.

All travelers, solo or not, should register for the US State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program before going abroad so that the embassy can reach them in the event of an emergency. 

Loud is Better Than Polite

Always trust your intuition while traveling. If you feel uncomfortable and think that someone is following you, or if someone is harassing you, you want to attract a crowd who can intervene. 

The State Department advises travelers, “If you do find yourself in an unsafe situation, be loud and draw attention to yourself to deter unwanted actions/attention. Being safe is more important than being polite.”

Spend a Little Bit More on Safety

A solo traveler’s budget should always have a little bit of extra cushioning. You don’t want to be in a situation where you’re forced to make an unsafe choice because you can’t afford to do the smart option. 

For example, if you don’t have a lot to spend on transportation, you may be tempted to walk alone at night in an unsafe neighborhood rather than taking a cab.

Research Your Destination

One of the best ways to stay safe as a solo traveler is by blending in. Before you travel, research your destination to figure out what locals wear—if you’re headed somewhere where people typically dress modestly, you’ll definitely call attention to yourself if you’re wearing short or tight clothing. 

You’ll also want to do your research on local scams, dangerous areas to avoid, and whether public transportation is safe to take by yourself. The most reliable place to find this information is  the State Department’s country-specific travel pages. 

Watch Your Drinks

Solo travelers are prime targets for drink-drugging crimes. Perpetrators may slip drugs into the beverages of travelers to knock them out, and then rob or assault them. Never accept a drink from a stranger, and always watch your drink, especially at a crowded bar or restaurant. 

Although it’s fun to enjoy a local cocktail on vacation, it’s best to moderate your consumption so you can remain aware and alert.

The post Top 10 Safety Tips for Solo Travelers appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Unlike with travel-sized toiletries, which are replaced after every guest, these large bottles are shared between travelers, and simply refilled as needed. Is it safe or sanitary to use these bulk toiletries? 

We recommend erring on the side of caution and bringing your own reusable travel-sized containers filled with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. The large, refillable bottles found in hotel rooms can often be opened by anyone, and previous travelers could have easily tampered with them, adding unsavory contents such as bodily fluids or bleach to the shampoo for the next unsuspecting guest. 

Even if the containers are locked down and can only be opened by a housekeeper, using the shared toiletries is still not very sanitary. 

Dr. Charles Gerba, a professor of virology at the University of Arizona, warns, “Bacterial growth is an issue with refillable dispenser use for soap and shampoos. Most of our studies have been on hand soaps, but we also did studies on shampoos in hotels—all of which can grow bacteria to large numbers.”

These refillable containers may not be cleaned thoroughly between uses. If anything, housekeeping probably quickly wipes them down when they clean the shower. It would be rare for these large containers to be emptied and cleaned frequently.

“Coliform bacteria can survive in soaps and grow. We have noticed that when the containers are refiled the bacterial numbers decrease—probably because they do contain some antimicrobial—but then increase rapidly again,” explains Dr. Gerba.

The best way to be sustainable and safe? Bring your own reusable travel-sized containers of toiletries with you when you travel. You’ll know exactly what’s inside (and how clean they are).

The post Is It Safe to Use Refillable Toiletries in a Hotel Room? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Newer iPhones (the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15) have an Emergency SOS via Satellite feature built-in, which allows you to contact emergency services via satellite, even if no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is available. If your attempts to call or text emergency services fail due to a lack of traditional connectivity, your device will automatically try to connect you through a satellite.

How to Use the iPhone Satellite SOS

The satellite SOS feature is only to be used in an emergency. Use it in scenarios where you would call 911, like a car crash or getting injured while hiking. 

To utilize the Satellite SOS service, you must be outside and have a clear view of the sky and horizon. Trees, mountains, and buildings can all block the connection. 

First, try calling the local emergency number to reach emergency services. Even if your normal cellular carrier network isn’t available, you might be able to make the call.

After an emergency call fails, an option will pop up where you can tap “emergency text via satellite.” Then follow these steps:

1. Tap “report emergency.”
2. Choose from the following prompts to describe your situation: Car or vehicle issue, sickness or injury, crime, lost or trapped, fire.
3. The iPhone will then ask you a series of questions based on your response, that can be answered using simple taps. You will be given the option to share your location and nature of your emergency with your emergency contacts. 
4. Follow onscreen directions to connect to a satellite. You’ll need to manually position your phone to help it lock on to a satellite.
5. Stay connected as emergency services asks you further questions over text.

Once you’re connected, your iPhone will start a text with emergency responders that shares any information you have provided (such as your medical ID), your location (including elevation), and how much battery life you have left. 

How to Use the iPhone’s My Location via Satellite Feature

For non-emergency situations, where you simply want to share your location with your contacts, you can use the My Location via Satellite feature on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15. This feature is available in the Find My App. Tap the “me” tab and navigate to My Location via Satellite. Tap “send my location” and follow the steps to connect to a satellite and send your location. 

Before You Travel

Apple recommends watching the Emergency SOS Satellite demo at home in order to familiarize yourself with the process in case you ever need it. 

Make sure you have the most recent version of iOS installed on your phone. iOS 16.4 or later may be required to use the feature. 

Set up your iPhone’s Medical ID and emergency contacts, which the satellite feature can transmit to emergency services. You need to set up this information before going somewhere with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

How Much Does the iPhone Satellite Connection Cost?

The iPhone Satellite Connection is currently free. Apple has indicated that this will be a feature it may charge for in the future, but has not disclosed when that will start or how much it will cost.

Where Can You Use the iPhone Satellite SOS?

The iPhone satellite feature is currently available in: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.

The post How to Use the iPhone’s Satellite SOS When Traveling appeared first on SmarterTravel.

We’re not saying that you can’t strike up conversations and enjoy being on your own while traveling, but creating at least the initial illusion of a safety net with a fictional travel companion (who just happens to not be around at that moment) can help keep you safe.

Here are some situations we can think of in which this solo travel safety tip can come in handy:

• Fending off unwanted advances.
• An easy out with persistent sellers: (for example, “Oh, I can’t buy that without consulting my husband, but he’s back at the hotel. Maybe we’ll come back later”).
• An excuse not to join an activity that you don’t want to do—”Sorry, my friend is waiting for me at the hotel; I have to get back!”

If you want to go even further, embellish the story by picking up two room keys when you check in (you never know who might be watching).

Caroline Morse is a Senior Editor at SmarterTravel. Follow her adventures on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline and on Twitter @CarolineMorse1.

The post The One Lie You Should Always Tell While Traveling appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Still, if you’re planning a trip here, you might wonder: Is Cabo San Lucas safe? That’s a valid thing to ask, especially considering that in recent years, the city has experienced the highest crime rate in Baja California Sur.

The U.S. government recommends “increased caution” when traveling to the state of Baja California Sur, where Cabo San Lucas is located. It should be noted, however, that most forms of violence in Baja California—homicides, kidnappings, extortions, and so on—are related to the drug war, so travelers have mostly been spared.

While that’s reassuring to know, it’ll behoove you, before landing in Cabo, Mexico, to be informed about what not to do in Cabo, whether you can drink the water in Cabo San Lucas, what you need to know about swimming in Cabo, plus key information about wildlife like snakes and scorpions in Cabo San Lucas.

Tips for Safety in Cabo San Lucas

• When making your way around Cabo San Lucas, limit your explorations to daytime hours, beware of pickpockets and other thieves, don’t hail taxis off the street, and—as with any destination—if you get into an Uber, share your ride’s progress with a friend or loved one.
• Drinking water in Cabo San Lucas should be restricted only to bottled water and glasses of water poured at reputable hotels, resorts, and restaurants where your server has reassured you that what they’re serving is agua purificada—purified water. And skip the ice.
• In Cabo San Lucas, swimming in the ocean can be a risky proposition. The riptides are fierce, the jellyfish are plenty, and the lifeguards are all but nonexistent. Stick to swimming only at your hotel’s swimming pool, or at a beach that’s known to be safe, most of which are on the eastern side of the Baja Peninsula. Never enter a closed beach, and heed all posted signs and flags.
• Some of Cabo’s wildlife species are forces to be reckoned with. Snakes and scorpions in Cabo San Lucas can cause serious injuries and medical emergencies—especially rattlesnakes, yellow-bellied sea snakes, and the bark scorpion. Know how to identify and avoid these species, but if you get bitten, seek immediate medical attention. Worried about bug bites in Cabo San Lucas? The key ones to avoid include the Baja brown recluse and mosquitoes, so wear DEET and pack antihistamines
• Topping the list of what should you not do in Cabo San Lucas: drugs. Not only do they incapacitate you, making you more likely to be targeted as a victim, but if you’re caught using drugs in Cabo San Lucas, the punishment will be severe—Americans charged with drug possession can be kept in a Mexican prison for months before their cases finally go to court..

How to Get Around Safely in Cabo San Lucas

Yes, there are larger security issues going on throughout Baja California, as well as in adjacent parts of Mexico. But in Cabo San Lucas, crimes that affect tourists are mostly relegated to pickpocketing and other petty forms of theft—so hide your valuables, lock your doors, and use common sense when it comes to exploring anywhere off the beaten path or going out after dark. If you get mugged or forced to access an ATM, don’t resist—your physical safety is always more important than your money.

In terms of what to avoid in Cabo San Lucas, the U.S. Department of State recommends that travelers not hail taxis directly off the street anywhere in Mexico. Instead, use hotel transportation services or taxis that have been officially dispatched; unlicensed cab drivers have been known to scam travelers. Taxis are not metered in Cabo San Lucas, so always negotiate the price before getting in, and don’t pay until you arrive at your destination. Taking public transportation in Cabo San Lucas is not recommended either, since buses have been hijacked and theft is commonplace.

Uber runs in Cabo as well, though tensions between taxi and Uber drivers have sparked protests at times. If you decide to use a ridesharing app in Cabo San Lucas, take all the usual precautions: Share the progress of your ride with a friend or family member so that someone always knows where you are. When waiting for your ride, choose a busy, well-lit area. And when your driver arrives, confirm that his or her face and license plate match what comes up on your phone. Then sit in the back seat—never the front.

The American government also recommends that travelers in Mexico “avoid driving alone or at night” and to use toll roads when possible. If you must drive, keep your gas tank as full as possible, carry a spare tire, and charge your phone.

Natural Disasters in Cabo San Lucas

How dangerous is Cabo San Lucas in terms of natural disasters? The region is prone to hurricanes from roughly July through September; if one should hit while you’re there, take cover and follow authorities’ instructions. Baja California Sur is also subject to earthquakes and volcano eruptions, so read up on what to do in case either of those happens while you’re visiting, follow official advice, and pay attention to any and all warnings.

Drinking Water in Cabo San Lucas

Can you drink the tap water in Cabo San Lucas? The short answer: It’s not recommended. The pipes here can contaminate the Cabo San Lucas water, which often causes digestive issues for anyone not used to drinking water in Cabo right out of the faucet.

Instead, stick to bottled water, or ask your restaurant server for purified water—agua purificada—with no ice. (Speaking of drinking in Los Cabos—or anywhere you may travel—never leave your beverage or meal unattended, since spikings are not unheard of.)

Other hygienic factors to keep in mind while traveling in Los Cabos: be judicious with the street food you buy and avoid raw vegetables—similarly to the tap water, these items may be prepared in a way that your digestive system is unused to.

Swimming in Cabo San Lucas

The expansive sea, of course, is the main draw in this part (and many other parts) of Mexico. But is swimming in Cabo San Lucas safe? Not always. There’s much to know before submerging yourself in the Cabo ocean. The fiercest danger is riptides, which make many Cabo beaches unswimmable. Along with rogue waves, they regularly drown strong swimmers, tragically sweeping them out to sea. They can even knock over adults who are standing in water that’s only ankle-deep.

If you do find yourself getting pulled out by a riptide, try to stay calm and swim parallel to the beach into the breaking waves. Should you need saving, try to float, raise one arm up in the air, wave, and call for help.

Most beaches in Cabo San Lucas don’t have lifeguards, unfortunately, but officials often put out colored flags to let beach-goers know where and when swimming in the Cabo San Lucas ocean is safe—and where and when it’s not. It’s critical to obey all posted signs, never enter a closed beach, and know that this isn’t the place to rent or play around in water vehicles, since many aren’t maintained to standard. Instead, swim at your resort’s swimming pool or at a beach that’s well-known to be safe, including several on the eastern side of the Baja Peninsula.

One other danger to be alert for if you’re planning on swimming in Cabo San Lucas: jellyfish. You can wear a Lycra skin for protection, or just consider this just one more reason why you shouldn’t swim in Cabo seas.

Snakes, Scorpions, and Insects: Wildlife Dangers in Cabo San Lucas

Besides jellyfish, there are other animals to be wary of in Baja California. There are 35 species of snakes in Cabo San Lucas, about half of which are venomous. Most people never encounter one, but it’s still good to know what the poisonous snakes in Cabo San Lucas look like: The yellow-bellied sea snake looks like a floating stick in the water, while the area’s 18 species of rattlesnake are identifiable by their signature noisemakers.

Cabo’s snakes tend to hide in rock piles, brush, or trash piles, so avoid those. It helps to wear closed-toe shoes, stay on the beaten path, and carry a travel first-aid kit. If you get bitten, keep the wound below your heart and don’t cut open the wound or try to suck the venom out. Most importantly, get to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.

Bugs in Cabo San Lucas are also worth knowing about. The Baja brown recluse spider, in particular, can cause extremely damaging bites. Identify it by its tan to brown color; long, fuzzy legs; and the “violin” pattern on its back.

Cabo has plenty of mosquitoes, too, so wear DEET repellent and pack antihistamines. There haven’t been many cases of Zika in Mexico recently, but the CDC reminds travelers that a risk of the mosquito-borne illness may still remain.

Mexico has upwards of 200 scorpion species, though only eight of those are dangerous to humans. The scorpions in Baja, Mexico, that travelers need to know about include the venomous bark scorpion, which is yellow and about three inches long. You definitely don’t want it to sting you, especially if you’re older or a child. If you do get stung, apply ice and seek medical help immediately.

Scorpions are more active in summer and at night. To keep your life free of them, tap and shake out your shoes before putting them on, shut your bags tightly so they can’t crawl in, and leave them alone if you see them. You can also carry a scorpion toxin antidote, available at some Mexican pharmacies.

—original reporting by Avital Andrews

The post Is Cabo San Lucas Safe? Swimming Dangers, Drinking Water, and More appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The State Department advises travelers to:

1. Stay alert in tourist destinations.

2. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts while traveling and so that you can be easily located in an emergency. 

3. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter for emergency alerts.

In a briefing on October 19, State Department spokesperson Matt Miller explained the new travel advisory: “We are constantly assessing the safety and security of our personnel in every place where we operate overseas.” According to Miller, U.S. citizens overseas should exercise increased caution: “Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”

In response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the State Department recently raised the warning levels for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza to Level 3: Reconsider Travel and Lebanon to Level 4: Do Not Travel.

The post State Department Issues Worldwide Caution to Travelers appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Of those who found a camera, 20 percent discovered one on the exterior of the property, and 5 percent located one inside the rental.

Surprisingly, only one in ten travelers who found a camera unplugged or covered it for the remainder of their stay. 

Are Cameras Allowed in Vacation Rentals?

Finding a camera in a vacation rental may feel like an invasion of privacy, but some types of cameras are permitted by most vacation rental companies.

For example, Airbnb allows “disclosed devices monitoring only public spaces and common spaces,” but forbids hidden cameras and cameras in private spaces (sleeping areas and bathrooms). 

VRBO has a stricter policy and does not allow any cameras inside properties. The exception to this policy: smart devices that cannot be activated remotely. Guests must be informed of the cameras and given the option to deactivate them. 

VRBO does allow cameras outside of properties as long as they are disclosed in the property description page with the location and coverage of the devices clearly noted. 

Since cameras should always be disclosed in vacation rental listings, be sure to carefully read through a post before booking, so you know where you might find a camera if you want to cover or deactivate it.
Concerned about hidden cameras in vacation rentals that aren’t disclosed in the listing? Read our story on how to find secret cameras in vacation properties.

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