This article is the second part of a two-part series. This article contains an affiliate link.

Unfortunately, physical health and wellness is not something that most travelers prepare much for.  Many of us simply take the “we’ll cross that bridge if we come to it” mentality.  Travel industry expert Bill Amaral provides more valuable advice for those venturing away from home. 

Covid-19 Tips

These days, the number one health concern for travelers (domestic, international, airline, boat or otherwise) is the pandemic.  I asked him what precautions he thought people should take beyond the obvious (masks and hand sanitizer).  Here are his top suggestions:

  • Bookmark the CDC’s website.
  • Do the research on the protocols that have been implemented by the airlines, car rental companies, taxis, transportation network companies and hotels.
  • Load the food delivery apps on your phone to limit contact.
  • Research the destination cities & their infection rates/hospitalization rates and overall masking compliance.
  • Know the limitations of your health care coverage while traveling and make plans if you need to get assistance so you will know where to go.  Document what to do if you need to be medically evacuated.
  • Update your immunizations, especially if you have received the COVID-19 Vaccination. Carry your international shot record, just in case.
  • Step out of the aisle and disinfect your seat and tray table before sitting down.

General Medical Care Tips

In the event that you should become seriously ill while traveling, it is wise to get your legal paperwork in order before you leave.

  • Have your healthcare documentation up to date, including your will and Advance Healthcare Directive and any DNR’s or other directives.  Consider leaving copies of all this with family.
  • Notify family of where you are going, where you are staying and who you are seeing.  Leave them a copy of your itinerary.
  • Map out the Urgent Care centers/ER’s in the area in which you will be staying
  • Take medication in bottles with prescriptions attached in your carry-on bag.
  • Carry a list with your blood type, allergies, medical conditions and special needs.
  • Step out of the aisle and disinfect your seat and tray table before sitting down.  Yes, I repeated this tip because it will still be helpful even after the Covid-19 crisis winds down.
Eiffel Tower rain, night
If you hike up the Eiffel Tower in the rain at night, you will definitely get sick and require cold medicine.

While many of us don’t need to be reminded to park in lighted areas and to avoid walking alone at night, there are other ways we can take control of our environment too.

  • Download the Lyft and Uber applications on your phone and research their service areas.  If they are not available, then arrange for taxis through your hotel. Have the address of your destination in the native language. Carry a hotel card to show the driver. Agree on a fare prior or have the hotel negotiate the fare.
  • In general, be careful about getting into a taxi with other passengers you do not know. Keep your luggage with you, in sight. Try to have exact change or small bills.
  • Use valet parking, if the hotel’s garage is dimly lit or the destination has a high crime rate.
  •  Always ask the concierge about the safety of any area you’re considering visiting. Neighborhoods can change and new threats can emerge at any time.

A quick note related to the last bullet point above: In Columbia, South Carolina there was a large park near our hotel that I’d heard about.  One morning before leaving for my daily walk, I asked the front desk clerk about it.  He was brutally honest.  The gentleman made no effort to hide his shock when he said, “Don’t go there.  Absolutely, do not go there.” He gave me a suggestion of a much safer park and provided me with the street name so I would have an easier time searching for it in my vehicle’s GPS.  I am forever grateful for his honesty.

Hotel Safety

When it comes to selecting somewhere to stay Amaral reminds travelers to, “Select a secure hotel. Do your research.”

  • Does the hotel have round-the-clock security personnel on duty? 
  • Research their COVID-19 cleaning protocols.
  • You can research Marriott protocols here.
  • Does the hotel have an emergency evacuation plan and multilingual staff?
  • Denver hotel
  • Greenville hotel atrium
I have a soft spot for hotels with really good atriums. Just don’t get distracted by the beauty. Watch your bag!

Once you arrive at the hotel, there are additional things for you to pay attention to.  You can take control of your own safety in many ways. 

  • Did the hotel receptionist announce your room number? If so, you should request another room. Properly trained employees will show you your room number — and never broadcast it.
  • Ground floor rooms, rooms close to the elevator landing and the stairwells should be avoided.
  • Keep in mind most fire rescue ladders cannot reach past the 6th floor safely. Keep a penlight in your room and have extra batteries. If rooms are directly over the lobby, stay on the fourth floor or higher.
  • Count the number of doors between your room and the exits, in case you need to escape in smoke or darkness during your stay.
  • In off-hours, request that a hotel employee escort you to your room.
  • Don’t indicate that you’re traveling alone or are not in your room. Request housekeeping and room service by phone, not by hanging out the “please make up this room card” or the room-service breakfast-order card on the doorknob.
  • Don’t stay next to government offices, embassies, landmarks, or religious centers, especially in destinations where there’s been recent unrest or that have been the subject of a U.S. State Department travel warning or alert.
  • Only stay at hotels with electronic key-card access. In high-crime cities, make sure the property’s elevators also require key cards.

On a personal level, we keep our “Do Not Disturb” sign on our door most of the time.  One or two days each week, we remove it for a few hours so that housekeeping can service the room.  I typically call down to the front desk and let them know that I want the room serviced that day.  Then, when their service is complete, I put the door tag back out.  This minimizes other people accessing my room (helpful during Covid, too) and makes it hard for anyone to tell when I am in my room and when I am out. 

It seems there are a thousand steps to preparing for a trip.  It can be overwhelming for even the most-seasoned traveler.  Taking one or two new precautions on your next trip can have big benefits for your peace of mind.  I am sure my readers will join me in thanking Bill Amaral for his insider tips.  Many of them had never occurred to me and I feel confident in saying that they have the potential to be life-changing & life-saving.

What are your sneaky health/wellness/safety/security tips?