Female Travel Tips
Both Male and Female have very similar needs and desires especially when it comes to traveling, they both endure the same pain and struggles whilst carrying their "home" around on their back. Although the world is is a fairly safe place, it has to be agreed that female travelers do have additional safety concerns. Due to the fact that the world is still predominately a Male domain, (even in 21st century), women travelers are more vulnerable, due to their (usually) smaller size and strength, and especially their "desirability" by males (this can vary drastically depending on the countries traveled in).

This does not mean that females have to stay at home or take local holidays in their own country, if you do this you are missing what would probably be one of the best experiences of your life. It just means that they have to be extra cautious and use their famed intuition a little more. This might include avoiding hitchhiking, sticking with a trusted partner when walking at night and not letting yourself fall into uncomfortable situations. I personally would NEVER go somewhere I felt uncomfortable about.

Most of the time, when a traveler finds him/herself in an unsafe situation it is something that they probably could have avoided with hindsight. This might mean staying out of, or at least, not traveling alone in dangerous parts of a city at night (these places are usually well known and inquiries should be made prior to leaving your hostel/hotel), not hitchhiking alone. Here are some basic safety rules to follow when traveling.

If you think I have missed something important please let me know, it may save some unfortunate young lady from a terrible experience.
Please send your tips to me @ Gordon@youtrek.com

Safe Traveling Tips

• Try to look and act like a local.
• Educate yourself on the local dress codes and customs. If dressed inappropriately, you may find yourself either in jail (in some countries) or offending the locals.
• Avoid clothing that will attract unwanted attention. (usually male) loose clothing that covers more of the body is a safer bet, applicable in some countries more than others.
• Look for all-female train cars when traveling at night
• If you are being hassled, try to stay in a public place or where there is a lot of people.
• Act like you know what you are doing and where you are going, even if you don't.
• Learn about the places to avoid (from other travelers or locals)
• Make yourself clear if someone is bothering you or making you feel uncomfortable. A LOUD "NO" (or maybe a few) should get the point across. Try to make sure other people can hear you.
• Try to ignore obnoxious comments and gestures from local men/youths. Although sometimes they are really compliments and completely harmless, the time and place may help your decision.
• Do not forget some in countries it is difficult to get condoms, you never know you might just meet somebody who makes your toes curl
  

It goes without saying, women should be allowed to travel where ever they want without being hassled, at least we could expect that in a perfect world. BUT unfortunately in this predominately male dominated world, (yes Even in 21st century), it is sometimes made rather difficult for them. There are unfortunately still many countries where women are treated as second or even third class citizens, viewed as objects rather than fellow human beings. For this reason, female travelers need to take a few extra precautions to ensure their safety while traveling in some foreign parts.

Useful Sites for Female Travelers

• Christine Columbus: Valuable travel information for women. "Christopher Columbus may have discovered the New World, but it was Christine who packed his bags," says this site.
• Hermail.net: Connects traveling women around the world. Good place to find traveling information from other women.
• Hitchhiking Vietnam: A woman's experience hitchhiking Vietnam alone. Offers plenty of advice and tips too.
• Journeywoman: Online travel magazine for women who love to travel.
• Maiden Voyages: Another magazine for the independent woman traveler. Self-proclaimed as "Owned by Women," "Run for Women," and "Geared Towards A Woman's Sensibility."
• Sexy-Sex-Toys.com This site has some really beautiful exotic lingerie, not really for travelling in but perfect for home.
• Travel and Leisure.com: 50 Tips for Women Traveling Alone.
• TravelGrrl.com: A promising site, includes a message board to help find fellow travelers to share a trip.
• Vagabunda: A travel e-zine written by a group of enthusiastic women. More than tips on how to fold your clothes so that they don't crease, Vagabunda wants to encourage the wonder of exploring the world.
• Women's Travel Club: Self-proclaimed as the largest travel club in America, they plan and organize over 20 trips abroad each year. They also offer plenty of travel advice, tips and a thorough packing list.

This list of tips below was kindly sent to me by
Women's Travel Club:
Tips for your First Soft Adventure Trip…
gathered from nine years of The Women's Travel Club and a bird's eye view of women away from it all. The Club is the largest such organization in the country; we do about 25 group trips each year. Summer trips include: Scotland, Norway, Bali and Borneo, Kenya Safari, Hawaii and others. Membership is $35 per year

Ask lots of questions you need to know how much experience is warranted. Tip: if special gear is recommended, this is not for novices!

Do not bring valuables; many outdoorsy places do not have a safe.

Wear new shoes a minimum of ten miles before a trip. Same with socks, backpacks, and any other weight creating carry-with-you item.

If you are afraid of something, ask for the alternative . If it is to stay behind, ask if you will be accompanied especially in remote areas. Similarly, ask what happens if you are the slowest walker!

Consider your flexibility. S Test your flexibility in the next massive traffic jam and see if you can to relax when things are not going according to schedule!

Assume road conditions will be poor.

If you want to photograph a native, ask first but ask for him or her to show crafts or children in the photo also. You will more likely get her permission.

Ask for the size of the group; a small group makes rafting, hiking etc easier. If you are a sightseer par excellence, ask how much time is for shopping

Soft adventure does mean you have to trust your tour operator who presumably knows the trip is safe. If you are a second guesser, this mode of travel is not for you.

To double check on a tour operator for issues such as safety read on the web the local English newspaper of the area you are visiting . You can pick up accidents, crime, and, alternatively, non events which might have been hyped in your hometown press.

Contact several large travel insurance companies and ask if they cover your tour operator.

Analyze the itinerary for nights in each place, for jet lag , and for parts of the trip you find hardest. If you are traveling more than 4 time zones, pay attention to the beginning when sleep is most disrupted. This precaution also applies when the altitude or food/water are very different.

Assume early mornings for all nature trips and be a good sport. For any trip which includes birds or wildlife, assume you will be up at 4:30 or 5AM. Similarly assume some really long drives as any place remote will not be around the corner.

Special diets can be difficult on soft adventure trips. .Bring your own supplies. Especially be aware that low fat meals are difficult to prepare for outdoor or Third World country dining. Bring along your special diet written in the language of the country you are visiting.

If you are allergic to animals, ask if any are used to carry supplies or to carry you in cases of emergency or used for fun, such as a camel ride on the desert.

If water is an issue, bring iodine pills but taste iodine treated water beforehand: some people cannot tolerate it. You can use iodine treated water to disinfect fruit and vegetables in a container in your room.

If you have a physical limitation, test yourself so you can be honest to the tour operator: if you can walk a mile, do it to make sure you know the difficulty.

Small planes, helicopters, vans and "sherpas" cannot carry large suitcases-be prepared to leave behind clothing.

Good things to bring along: lipsticks and stamps as gifts, a beach ball globe to show where you live, tape for repairs of all kinds, one hefty bag, flashlight and batteries, water bottle, safety pins. ( in many countries, there are no tampons)

Still undecided, check out seniors' tour groups to see if they are including your intended adventure.

Read, read, read especially European or Australian guidebooks which cater more to adventure. Favorites are The Lonely Planet. Rough Guides, Moon Publications, Let's Go and Berkeley from Harvard and Berkeley. these tips are copyright WTC 2001

The Women's Travel Club Trips Designed by Women for Women 800-480-4448
fax 305-937-7649
local tel 305-936-9669
E-Mail womantrip@aol.com
www.WomensTravelClub.com Dues $35 per year and we send you your password.
21401 NE 38 Avenue Aventura Fl. 33180
Upcoming trips include:
group discount to Canyon Ranch Health Resort-Tucson AZ. Mediterranean Cruise, Paris and Belgium, San Miguel de Allende, Canada, Northern Italy -- a total of 30 trips each year.