Many professionals agree that 20 percent of travelers can be subject to cyber-crime when abroad. 

Imagine how hard it could be to recover lost information or fix a data breach in a foreign country or a new area. Simple tools, like VPNs, can protect you while you have a wonderful time. 

How Could a VPN Help You?

The Risks of Connecting to Public Networks

I know it’s tempting to connect to the first network that we see when we’ve been disconnected, but make sure to do it wisely. It doesn’t matter if it’s in an airport, hotel coffee shop, or coworking space: public Wi-Fis, especially those who you can’t know for certain where they’re coming from, could be very dangerous. 

Unfortunately, public Wi-Fi networks are incredibly convenient but a threat to your security. These kinds of networks are prime targets for hackers and cybercriminals. A public network is an easy gate to corrupt other people’s information. 

Protecting Your Privacy in a Digital World

Most of us are fully dependent on digital tools by now. We access our online data for almost everything we do. We pay for stuff, connect with others, and even do the most essential things online. The internet offers us a solution, even for the most surprising activities like exercise, therapy, education, and many others that we use to relate only to human contact.  

That is exactly why our private data and its exposure to the network are more important than ever. As a traveler, your risk is amplified because you will probably often use unfamiliar networks.

How Does a VPN Work?

An easy way to explain how VPNs work is to say that they can encrypt your internet connection by hiring outsiders to do your online activity. VPNs are a good way to ensure your sensitive information remains confidential and protected. When you use a VPN server, your internet connection is routed through a specific server that protects your devices. This not only hides your true location but also codes your data, ensuring that no one can intercept or corrupt it.

How to Choose a VPN 

Luckily, there are many VPN options and providers out there, but if you are a frequent traveler or you work remotely, you should consider these factors when choosing one:

• Security Features: Look for VPN providers with strong encryption protocols and good security features. 
• Speed and Reliability: VPNs with fast and reliable servers can ease your travel experience and save you many headaches. During an emergency or an important meeting, you won’t have to worry about your internet connection speed. Some companies might provide slow VPN services, and this is something you might have to investigate. 
• User Experience: A friendly user interface is important for every app and tool you use, and VPNs are not an exception. Our advice is to go for a VPN with good apps capable of adapting to different devices and operating systems. 
• Pricing and plans: There are many free options for VPN services, and even though they are an option, they might not be as complete as those of other competitive and experienced companies. Free VPNs usually have many limitations that might make them uncomfortable to use, especially while traveling. 

How to Set Up Your New VPN

Once you have chosen the correct VPN for your needs, you will be ready to use an internet connection everywhere while stress-free. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you go for it in case you don’t know how to use a VPN:

1. Contact Your Chosen Provider: Make sure to hear from your VPN company before you actually start using it, just in case you need to know any important information in advance. 
2. Sign up and create an account: This might be a bit obvious, but it is important to follow the provider’s instructions to create an account.
3. Download the VPN app on all your devices: Remember that not only your computer could be hacked, but your phone, tablet, and even smartwatch could be hacked too. As a frequent traveler, my mobile phone is my office on wheels, so it needs to be protected at all times. 
4. Select a server location: Choose your desired server location. This is another advantage of VPNs: you can access content from any specific country even if you are not physically there. 
5. Connect to the VPN: Make sure to always be connected to your VPN; some servers connect automatically, and others don’t. 
6. Browse securely: You are now protected! Continue browsing, shopping, or working with peace of mind.

Conclusion

Not using a VPN can be compared to not having a lock on your house’s front door and that sounds crazy. Hackers and cyber criminals rely on inexperienced or distracted people to steal their private information. You don’t need that stress while traveling.

Of course, you can travel without precaution and everything could be great anyway, but taking unnecessary risks shouldn’t be the right way to go. Traveling should be an adventure, not a risk to your online safety. Using a VPN is a cheap and practical tool to secure your online transactions. 

One last kind reminder: Taking precautions is not just about protecting your data; it’s also about making sure your adventures don’t become a traumatic experience. So, the next time you’re planning a trip, don’t just investigate hotels, tours, and bars; think about your online safety, too, and have a plan. Safe travel, everyone!

The post Your Complete Guide to Using a VPN While Traveling appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

Booking your flight 

Babies under the age of two travel for free (you’ll only pay taxes) on virtually every airline, which obviously can save you a lot of money.  And most airlines will keep bulkhead seats reserved for families traveling with babies as they usually offer a little cot that clicks into the bulkhead wall. Call your airline ahead of time, they likely can’t guarantee availability but will make a note of your request on your ticket. Taller babies like baby Dining Traveler quickly outgrow these cots, which means that they will be seated on your lap. Between the two of us, the Dutchman and I take turns holding the baby, which works fine. If you have a little more money to spend though, you could, of course, decide to buy a separate seat for your baby which comes at a (moderately) discounted airfare.  For more tips on how to fly with a little one, check out our “Flying with a Baby” post.

Getting Your Baby a Passport

Traveling overseas with a baby requires a bit of paperwork. Surprisingly enough, some people don’t realize that even an infant needs a travel document like a passport or ID card to cross borders. A requirement during the application process for such a document is that you are able to demonstrate your child’s identity, and, of course, to prove that you are the child’s parent or legal guardian. 

To do so, you will have to acquire certified copies of the birth certificate.  “Certified” in this case means that you cannot just make a photocopy of a birth certificate, it will have to be a ‘new’ certificate, issued by the jurisdiction where the baby was born. In our case, with a baby born in the District of Columbia, that means the DC Department of Health. 

The reality is that most government organizations are a little slow, bureaucratic (Lots of paperwork!), and not always very customer friendly; but don’t worry, there is an excellent service that can avoid all those headaches: FastBirthCertificates.com

Baby Dining Traveler already has her US passport but she does not have a Dutch passport yet. Therefore, for our upcoming trip to Europe, we used this service and we highly recommend it. FastBirthCertificates.com is not a government organization and it shows. The online application process is super easy (took me 5 mins), they offer standard as well as expedited service options and you can track the order as well as the shipping process online. We chose the expedited option and within an incredible 5 business days, our birth certificate was delivered!

If you are just like us, and always find yourself out of time despite those good intentions, FastBirthCertificates.com can save the day..!

In addition to a passport, check visa requirements and don’t be surprised if local border control agents ask you if both parents (when not traveling together) provide consent for the child’s travel. You might want to carry a notarized consent statement for that purpose. Most banks offer notarized services for free if you are a member. 

Contact your Pediatrician

When preparing to travel overseas with a baby, make sure that your baby has all the right inoculations for your travel destination. I also recommend to talk your plans over with your pediatrician. He/she knows your child’s medical record and can give you useful pointers on perhaps some over the counter medication you may want to bring. For the more exotic destinations you will likely have checked the CDC’s travel advisory website for yourself as well but ask your pediatrician if you have any specific worries about your child.

Many pediatricians, such as ours, have a nurse phone line. The nurse can probably answer many of your questions without having to take time off to go to the doctor. 

Sleep Schedule & Jetlag

Depending on how frequent of a traveler you yourself are, you will know all about jetlag and the little tricks to minimize the impact of disturbing the body’s internal clock and your sleep schedule. Any parent knows that sleep is at a premium with babies. When traveling overseas with a baby, that is something that needs to be taken into consideration. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned when traveling with my daughter is not to fall in love with my plan. When baby Dining Traveler wants to sleep….she’s going to sleep! 

Gradually start adjusting to your destination time zone about a week prior to travel, for example.  On the plane, replicate your normal going-to-bed routine as much as possible.  Whenever we tell baby Dining Traveler it’s time for ‘tandjes poetsen’ (brush her teeth) and ‘haartjes kammen’  (comb her hair) she knows it’s bedtime. Before we board, we dress her in her pajamas and giving give her her favorite bedtime stuffed animal to make her feel at home. Thankfully most flights to Europe are overnight so it works perfectly with her sleep schedule.

What to Pack for an International Flight

Going on a 2-hour drive can sometimes feel like moving house, bringing all those baby extras. Although when flying, we love to travel light though and depending on your destination, keep in mind that you can always buy things such as wipes, food and diapers at your destination rather than maxing out your valuable luggage space. Traveling overseas with a baby has humbled me in terms of my austere packing style! 

Our experience was that baby food and especially formula in the Netherlands are approximately 75% cheaper than what we pay here in the States so we saved space as well as money.  I ended up bringing formula back home as it was so cheap! One thing I’ve learned from traveling to Colombia and several European countries is that baby food is easily accessible in supermarkets. Lastly, double check the latest TSA guidelines as travelers are allowed to carry baby food, in solid and in liquid form as an exception to the stricter general liquid limitations. 

I also reach out to my friends who have experience for their tips. A fellow traveling mom, Amanda Duff, a hospitality public relations pro with Duff PR says that noise canceling headphones have been a lifesaver for traveling overseas with a baby. I will try that tip on the next flight!

Traveling Overseas with a Baby: The Verdict

Have baby, will travel! Traveling overseas with a baby takes a little extra work, but it is so rewarding to show our little baby Dining Traveler the world. We believe that the best education we can give her is travel.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by FastBirthCertificates.com. As always, opinions are our own. We had the opportunity to try the service and are happy with the outcome and recommend it to our readers. 

The post Piccola Travels: Traveling Overseas With a Baby appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

2015 has not been a good year for the travel industry.  With unfortunate events such as the Paris and Beirut terror attacks, I know personally of people who have cancelled their trips.  Sadly, we look at acts of terror and hindsight is always 20/20. The best thing we can do is to be prepared if something does happen to us.

My key travel safety tips I have learned from my fifteen years on the road:

Keep Someone Informed of Your Plans:  The whole thought of wandering on your own sounds romantic but then again, look what happened to the guy of “Into the Wild”.  There’s nothing wrong with traveling alone, but I highly suggest you keep someone informed of your plans or any changes that come along.  Share your itinerary with your significant other, friends, colleagues, or parents.  If there is an attack or a natural disaster, they can quickly contact the authorities or your country’s embassy.

Register with the Embassy:  If you’re an American, you can enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program online before you travel or as an expat.  When I lived in Brussels, I appreciated the emails I used to get from the US Embassy about any issues ongoing in the city, such as protests that may hinder traffic and mobility within the city.  Also, each embassy also has information on scams or things that you should look out for while traveling.  As an American, I can share firsthand about my experience with the US Embassy but I know that many countries offer similar services.  Most importantly, being registered ensures that you are accounted for in case of an emergency at your destination.

Communicate:  I love my Simple Choice Plan from T-Mobile.  It allows me to use 3G free data and unlimited text internationally. When I traveled to Taipei earlier this year, I would send my husband quick texts via WhatsApp to let him know what I was up to, especially when I was out late exploring the night markets.  Google Translate is also a great tool to have.  You can type into the app and it can turn it into the voice of your language of choice.  Useful if you need to deal with authorities.

Know how to contact the authorities:  Yes, in the USA you can reach the police via 911.  EU emergency phone number across all member nations is 112.  The emergency number in Japan is 119.   It’s a good idea to have these numbers on hand and programmed into your phone before traveling.

Who’s Trying to Get Information?  There have been plenty of great people who I have met on the road, whether it’s at a restaurant, market, or bar.  However, be aware if someone you have encountered is asking too many questions.  Ask yourself: “does this person need to know where I’m staying?” “Does he/she need to know that I am traveling alone?” I recall being in Sydney years ago at a bar with two of my coworkers.  A random guy started chatting us up and then started asking questions about our jobs.  One of my colleagues clearly looked like a military guy.  We knew it was time to switch up the conversation and gracefully move to another spot.  Most people are genuinely curious but trust your gut.

Do you know where you’re going? Sometimes the best experiences are the ones we don’t plan, however, it’s smart to have an outline, especially on a multi-leg trip.  In case of a natural disaster at your destination, do you know the evacuation routes? What are the closest airports or train stations?  This takes just a few minutes to Google but can save you time and effort in case of an emergency.

Be Vigilant:  In Brussels, pickpocketing is a common practice.  I had plenty of my colleagues that came into my office with reports about being robbed.  I was a victim myself after my car was broken into twice.  Make sure to have all of your belongings close to your body.  That’s why I am not a fan of a backpack, especially if taking public transportation.  Totes or crossbody work best. Also, make sure you have positive control of your bags at all times.  Another trick I’ve seen too often is that a perpetrator will run by and cut the strap. If renting a car, make sure you keep your purse either in the locked trunk or on the driver’s side.  A common offense in cities like Brussels is perpetrators breaking the passenger seat and snatching the purse/bag while someone waits at the stoplight.

Luggage tags:  One of the things that make me cringe is when I see travelers or even people on the metro (especially those in military uniform) who have an open luggage tag with their address in plain view.  This gives easy access to perpetrators to know where you live.

Know your destination:  Aside from doing your research, ask a local friend or the hotel staff about safety practices.  For example, in San Juan you can treat a stoplight as a stop after 11pm in order to keep the vehicle moving and staying safe. During one of my trips in Spain, there was a warning about criminals throwing eggs at windshields of cars to make vehicles pull over and then rob the victims. Again, you can get a lot of this information via the local embassy website.

Change it up:  Many of us are creatures of habit, but especially during a long trip, change your habits up.  Go to a different bus stop to get to work at different times.  If you are a target for a robbery or an attack, it will be easier for a criminal to find you if they know your routine.

Valuables:  Make sure your valuables are locked up in a safe.  Also make a file on dropbox of essential numbers of your bank, embassy, airlines in case your wallet or passport get stolen.  Travel Insurance is a good thing to have.  Many travel credit cards provide travel insurance as well.  In the unfortunate case you do get robbed, make sure to get a police report as many insurance companies will require it in order to file a claim and be properly compensated.

Know the local laws:  Did you know that in many countries you can be detained without any right to a lawyer? Or that you may be detained for a certain amount of time before they have to inform your country?  Some countries require a specific dress code, especially for women.  Be aware of the laws, especially in developing nations in which laws can be vague at times. Unfortunately, I had to deal with my employees being detained by foreign police while living abroad.  They have an advantage as you are just a visitor. Don’t compromise your freedom, even if you don’t believe in those particular laws.

Driving: Do you know if you need an international license when renting a car at your destination? Are you comfortable driving on the left side of the road? Renting RVs is becoming more popular. Ask yourself: “do you need a special license to drive an RV?” before going on your adventure.

Trust your gut!  This is one of my main travel safety tips.  If there is something about a person you meet on the road that doesn’t give you a good vibe, trust your gut.  There’s a fine line between being courteous and being naive. I encourage people to explore local neighborhoods or places beyond the beaten path.  However, those experiences are best done with someone else or a walking tour if you’re traveling solo.

Latergram:  I know this one is challenging, especially from a blogger’s perspective as we are expected to capture our travel experiences in the moment on social media.  When I am traveling alone, I make my social media posts after the fact.  Even when I am traveling with my husband, friends, or group I use my judgement in terms of real-time posting.  If traveling on business, I suggest you check with your company or agency security officer and get their social media policy.

Despite the threats we face around the world, I think there is no better time to travel than now.  I think about my first time traveling abroad to Germany 15 years ago.  I was traveling alone-there were no apps, no google maps, no google translate. Things are so much more connected now.  Take advantage of that, prepare ahead, read my travel safety tips and see the world.

The post On the Road: Travel Safety Tips appeared first on The Dining Traveler.