“I am 69 and what I worry about on vacation is my health.  I have some heart problems and do worry that I’ll get very sick on vacations.”

Keith

2. Political situations/anti American feelings



“When planning for travel, I worry most about danger to my spouse or myself.  I won’t visit a country that is hostile to tourists or to Yankees.  I won’t visit a country that is unstable.  Right now, Egypt, Georgia, Kenya, Congo and Zambia would be examples.”

Take care and be well,
Pat Milligan

3. Terrorism

“Although the chances of anything happening are slim, today it’s terrorism is something that is always present in the back of my mind. But of course, the same can be said of staying in the US too.”

Christine Woods

4. Language barrier

“I love to travel, but I also like to be in control, but sometimes language can get in the way.

I try to make the effort to learn a few phrases, but I’ve had more than one experience of nearly missing connecting transport as I’ve not been able to find which platform to go to, or find someone to understand me when I’ve asked.

But I guess that’s all part of the experience.”

Barry

5. Luggage security in airports

“Whether traveling for business or pleasure my biggest concern by a large margin is the security of my belongings going through TSA checking and then going unlocked through multiple baggage handlers. It is getting increasingly difficult to take items on board but I have little faith that anything I check in at the ticket counter will arrive intact and  be with me when I reach my destination. It is just as important today to take everything on board that you will need at the other end when traveling.”

Bruce Stenman

6. The food

“So, it’s my fault for being fussy, but I always worry I won’t be able find something I can eat on the menu.”

Regards,

Jean McBride

7. Flying

“No matter how many times I fly, I still can’t get over the fact that a huge hulk of metal shouldn’t be able to stay in the air, no matter what the laws of physics say.”

Daniel Pozzi

8. Missing important news

“I have lots of family that we’re very close to, so when I go away I always worry that if something happens I won’t be able to help. I guess that why I got my Mobal phone in the first place.”

Mary Barnet

9. Forgetting something

“There are a lot of “things” to finish up before setting off on a trip.  I have a check list that I complete before locking the front door behind me.   I know that if I have checked off every item on that list, that there is nothing more I can do about what I leave behind, so I simply go forward with my travel plans.    I could worry about everything that “could” happen, but then I would never have the courage to leave home.   Once I am at the airport, I have forgotten about my day-to-day life and simply look forward to my adventure.”

Pam

10. Budget



“Travel is a passion, but I always have to keep myself on the strictest budget. Although you can research costs you never truly know until you arrive. I worry that what I’ve budgeted for 3 weeks gets spent in a week and I spend the rest of the vacation living on bread and water!”

J. Hooper

11. Crime

“As I’ve gotten older, and dare I say it, a bit frailer I’ve started to think I’m more of a soft-target as a tourist.”

Anon.

13. Disappointment

“I put a lot of money, time and effort into my vacations to visit places I’ve always dreamed of seeing, so I worry that when I get there, they won’t live up to what I hoped for.”

Susan Sottrup

14. Nothing



“NOTHING!!!!!!  I CAN DO MY WORRYING AT HOME”

Marlene Uebel

What do you think?

Should travelers have these worries?
Have you overcome these worries yourself?
Do you have worries not in the list?

Leave a comment below and share your experiences…

Even if you have a guidebook, write out a brief plan for visiting a city on a sheet of paper (I do this on the plane ride over).  This way, you have a quick reference of what you want to see, as well as a backup in case you lose your travel guide (like I did at the Paris Airport trying to catch my train into the city (and figure out how to buy the ticket without standing in line for an hour…).

2. How to easily remember addresses for postcards

If you’re sending post cards, pre-address sticky labels (and don’t forget the country!) to save time trying to remember Aunt Sarah’s address (is it 34 West 54th St or 54 West 34th St?)

3. The phone numbers you should pre-program into your Mobal World Phone

Pre-program in the phone numbers of the hotels you are staying at in your Mobal phone - so that in the worst case, you can call them to figure out how to get there.

4. Why you should keep a note of your Mobal World Phone

(And this happened to me!) Record the phone number for Mobal on paper and store it separately from your phone.  That way in case it gets lost or stolen, you can contact Mobal to have the service cut off (and not get billed for Ludmilia calling Boris from Paris to Moscow…).

I enjoy the travel tips!

Jim

5. Why you should cross pack your luggage

Cross pack – Pack each suitcase with clothing from both traveling companions.  Then if one suitcase is lost or delayed, you each have some of your belongings.

Diane Weisstuch
Wayne, NJ

If you’ve got a travel tip you’d like to share, or something to add to the tips above, leave a comment below…

Here are the results from Mobal Members of where they’d love to spend a year if they could just drop everything and live the dream.

If you agree or disagree, leave a comment at the bottom!

1. Canada

2. Australia


3. Ireland


4. Italy

5. New Zealand


6. Great Britain


7. Greece


8. Sweden

9. Spain


10. Brazil


11. Norway


12. Denmark


13. Fiji


14. Turkey


15. Japan


16. Argentina


17. Tahiti


18. Germany


19. Switzerland


20. Austria


21. Iceland


22. Netherlands


23. Ukraine


24. Bahamas


25. France

If you agree or disagree, leave a comment below!

It seems Japan and China is full of incorrect, confusing, amusing, cute and sometimes unintentionally offensive mistranslations of English.

Check out When English Translations Go Bad here >>

The Ultimate Guide To Wonders Of The World

If you just thought Wonders of the World were confined to the 7 ancient ones, prepare for an education…

Check out The Ultimate Guide To Wonders Of The World here >>

50 Things To Do Before You Die

Although, I think they could have done with adding a 51st tip, which would be to become independently wealthy, cut all your responsibilities and become super-fit, otherwise you’d never have the money, time or energy to do them all.

Check out 50 Things To Do Before You Die here >>

How To Pack Efficiently With Bundle-Wrapping

It seems everyone has their favourite method of packing. I still go for the rolling up method, but here’s an alternative for you to try — Bundle-wrapping.

Check out How To Pack Efficiently With Bundle-Wrapping here >>

Maybe not so amazing but …pack light…Take only half the clothes you need and use a drop off laundry service in your destination city. We did this on a weeklong visit to Heidelberg and had plenty of space to pack souvenirs.

Cost was 20 Euro for two loads and we went walking the altstadt. Don’t forget a small tip for the person doing your laundry!

2. Practice The Art Of Disposable Packing

Practice what I call disposable packing. Take old socks, T-shirts, knickers or whatever that you can wear just one more time and then toss them on your last day.

Same thing for small toiletries. Shave creme, razor, toothbrush and so on. Again, more space to take home the swag. And if you find you really need something there’s nothing like coming home and wearing the sweater, scarf, shirt or jacket brought home from your trip.

Bruce

3. How To Make The Most Of The Available Plugs In Your Hotel Room

I always pack an inexpensive power strip.  You only need one adaptor, and many of your rechargables plug into the one strip!

L. Desjarlais,

4. A Compact And Convenient Way To Hold Your Important Info

I found a small clear plastic photo carrier at an office supply store that has three plastic envelopes in it.

In the first, I put several family photos that I want to take with me. The second envelope contains contact information: phone numbers, addresses, mailing labels, websites, bank and charge card phone numbers, etc. I can just pull out that envelope when I’m at an internet cafe or need to make a phone call. In the third, I have photocopies of our passports, drivers’ licenses, living wills, powers of attorney, medical insurance cards, and medical and eyeglass prescriptions–those things you hope you never need but should have along just in case.

The entire case is slightly larger than 4×6″ and about 1/2″ thick, so it takes virtually no room but is packed with a huge amount of information.

Marilyn Mertens
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas

5. How To Give Your Luggage The Best Chance Of Finding You If Lost

When traveling, put a nametag holder inside your bag(s), put your name, hotel/address, city, and Mobal Phone number on a separate card for each destination and number them from 1 (first destination) through your last destination on the trip, then add a card with your home address and label it “Home” and place the “deck” in order in the holder.

When you get to each destination, remove that card so that it has the next
destination listed.

With this, if your luggage gets lost or misplaced along the way, the airline/railway/bus line can contact your next location to get you your luggage.

Jim

If you want to recommend a book not on this list, mention it in the comments at the end of this post.

1. Ghost Train to the Eastern Star: On the Tracks of the Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux

An older and wiser Paul Theroux retraces his 1975 train trip from London to Tokyo and back.

2. The Unofficial Guide: Walt Disney World 2009 by Bob Sehlinger

Created by a team of unbiased inspectors and customer reviews, find out the real facts about Disney World before you spend your hard earned money.

3. A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World by Tony Horwitz

Discover the real truth about the discovery and history of America…

4. SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea by John Lofty Wiseman

A 26-year veteran of the British Secret Air Service (SAS) shows you how he taught his troops to survive.

5. 1,000 Places To See Before You Die: A Traveler’s Life List by Patricia Schultz

Incredible inspiration for your future travels.

6. Rick Steves’ Italy 2008 by Rick Steves

Europe travel expert Rick Steves inspires lifelong devotion from his fans, thanks to his tell it how it is style.

7. Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guide Book by Andrew Doughty

Discover everything you need to know about a visit to Maui, written by an enthusiastic resident.

8. Rick Steves’ Italian Phrase Book and Dictionary by Rick Steves

If you’re going to get his guide book (number 6), then you’d better get his accompanying phrase book too.

9. 1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Canada Before You Die by Patricia Schultz

If Patricia Shultz’s global list seems too much like hard work (number 5), then start off your travels a little closer to home.

10. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert

Discover one woman’s escape from the threat of husbands, babies and real life.

11. The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed by Andrew Doughty

Discover everything you need to know about a visit to Kauai, written by an enthusiastic resident.

12. Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips by National Geographic

Nobody knows the world like National Geographic, and here’s their top 500 picks of the world’s greatest trips.

Have you got a great travel book recommendation?

Share it with the Mobal Members’ Community using the comments box below…

I always enjoy reading the Mobal newsletter and have incorporated many useful suggestions into my travel.  However, as I read this poster’s advice on using Ziploc bags to carry prescription meds, I had to respond.

Every travel/airline website I have ever read states clearly that prescriptions should travel “in their original containers.”  I do have some meds that the pharmacist always puts in larger than needed containers, but I figure the small amount of room they take up would be far less of a pain that to answer detailed questions about individual pills, some of which I know I would be unable to answer.

When I travel by car and no inspection of luggage is expected, then of course, I combine meds into small bags for convenience, but not so much to save space.

Just my thoughts on this.

I enjoy having the Mobal telephone for our trips outside the US.  This year – Italy!

Paige Deal

2. How To Keep Smaller Items Of Clothing From Creasing In Your Luggage

I enjoy wearing scarves, but don’t like to see them get creased.  I’ve discovered that if you save the cardboard tube from a used-up roll of paper towels or wrapping paper, you can use it to roll up your scarf and pack it along the side of a suitcase.  (You can cut the tube down to size if necessary.)  Once you’ve rolled the scarf around the tube, you can add a bit of protection by then rolling it in the kind of thin paper that comes with new clothing.  This was really helpful on a recent trip.  Don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner.

Betty Sheldon
Glenview, IL

3. Why You Should Never Need To Over pack

Hi Michael,
I’ve worked in Denmark, the Caribbean, and many ports on the East Coast.  I’ve had a lot of packing experience for trips ranging from one week to three months. One thing that plagued me the first few times was over-packing. Remember, when going to Europe or the UK, they have everything we have, and it is so much easier to buy at the local “Wal-Mart” than pack everything you think you will need. Buy things like “T” shirts and shampoo, and it’s fun too!

Paul Wolters, Fredericksburg, Texas

4. How To Use Your Trip To Refresh Your Wardrobe

Pack your travel bag with old socks, underwear, etc. clothing that I wear on the airplane will be discarded 100% when I arrive at my hotel. Winter coat and sweaters for northern countries are also discarded prior to arriving for a visit south. Yes, the socks & Underwear with 50% to 70% of the other items picked, never make it home. However, the space is taken up with new purchases for gifts and personal items from wonderful venders and shops found during my visit.

When I return home I find new slacks, shirts, socks & underwear. Life is great.

John, Sun City Center, FL

5. Use Your Mobal World Phone As A Temporary Torch

I used my Mobal World Phone in London as a flashlight to find the keyhole to the front door of our house we rented.  So then promptly used it to find the keys buried in my purse!

Renee Gauthier

Now we’re heading into Autumn, I thought you might like reminding what a beautiful beach looks like…

…next summer suddenly seems a long way away.

Check out the pictures of beautiful beaches here >>

2. 5 Insanely Small Inhabited Islands

Apparently “no man is an island”, but if you owned one of these you might proove the exception to the rule…

Check out the 5 Insanely Small Inhabited Islands here >>

3. 10 Interestingly Abandoned Places

If you’re looking for a cheap holiday, why not buy the flights but then stay for free in one of these abandoned places. What they lack in comfort they certainly make up for in… well, weirdness I suppose.

And if Scooby Doo is to be believed, you might find the odd fake ghost wandering around…

Check out the 10 interesting abandoned places here >>

4. Packing List Generator

Take all the effort out of thinking what to pack, and let your computer do it for you. Just enter all the details of your next trip and get a list of what you need to take.

Check out the packing list generator here >>

Call in at Stand 1060 and meet Jane and Georgia in person.  Enter our competition, claim your free gifts or just come along and have a chat. We’d love to meet you!

For more information on the convention, visit www.nbtaconvention.org