Globetrotting Tips for Savvy Traveler

We often hear that "we booked ourselves online" .  It's easy to book simple air tickets or hotel rooms online.

It's not so simple to plan a round-the-world  trip or a multi-city airline ticket.  There a many reasons that a travel professional is a good investment for your travel dollars.  Is the lowest price really what you are always seeking?  In fact many online travel offers are non-refundable or next to impossible to change.  A good travel consultant will make sure you are aware of the penalties and offer you more than the lowest price.  If something goes wrong during your trip you can call your consultant for help. You can't call your computer.

A recent NBC Today show interview explains the importance of having a qualified professional travel consultant working for you.  Click here to view the interview.   

We look forward to assisting you with your travel plans.

Dubrovnik ,Croatia  is known as the Jewel of the Adriatic ,and with good reason as it's one of the most awe inspiring ports of call in the world. This medieval walled city which is a UNESCO World Heritage city  and host to some of the worlds most exciting and ancient attractions, including the Onofrio's fountain the Sponza palace and the Franciscan monastery.

Large Cruise ships dock in the nearby Gruz Harbour while some smaller ships may make use of the Old harbour which is located in the heart of the old city. Once you dock at the Gruz harbour you have three options to get yourself emersed in the heart of the action

1. Take off by foot and walk back into the town centre.

2. Jump on a local bus which are found just outside the pier gates

3. Flag a taxi from just outside the pier gates

( Note some cruiselines do provide free shuttles into the city )

Once you are in town there of coarse of things not to be missed

1. The Dominican Monastery

2. The Rector's Palace

3. A magical wallk on the great wall for stunning vistas and picture taking opportunities

4. The Fort of St. John Maritime Museum and Aquarium

Regardless of how you get to the Port city of Dubrovnik, Croatia this is one of those places you will fall in love with within the hour, so don't wait start planning your trip to this gem of a city today !!!!!

In celebration of our very own Priscilla Meyndert winning a recent national contest with Carlson Wagonlit and RBC Insurance - and a one week all-inclusive trip to Panama! - I wanted to share this video on travel to this incredible country. Watch through and you'll see all that it has to offer - music, art, history, culture, dance, wildlife, architecture, flora, fauna - all completely unique and wonderful. 

We can't wait to see your travel photos when you get back! 

CWT Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres congratulates our own Priscilla Meyndert for winning a recent national contest with Carlson Wagonlit and RBC Insurance.

Have a great time on your one week all-inclusive trip to Panama!  

Ah, Rome. With a history spanning some two and a half thousand years and more art and culture than you can experience in a lifetime, it's certainly worth the trip. The entire city centre is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and I cannot even begin to tick off the reasons why. Here's a list though for where to start:

1. Take a walk through the Roman Forum.

This was Rome’s main street in antiquity and truly lets you step back into time and uncover what Rome

might have been like hundreds of years ago.

2. The Pantheon.

Unlike the Forum, the Pantheon looks exactly like it did 2000 years ago and as you walk on its marble floors you can truly transport yourself back thousands of years.

3. Tour the Colosseum inside and out.

This structure is amazing and is brought to life by the tour guides who can take you through and explain how the Colosseum was built and now how its being restored.

4. Take a tour of the Vatican.

Although technically its own city and state, the Vatican is a great experience. A great guide is essential here as they help lay a foundation of what you are seeing. Also don’t forget to visit St Peter’s Basilica and its famed dome built by Michelangelo.

5. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain.

This is a must! The fountain is spectacular and tossing in a coin is a tradition that will help guarantee you a return trip to this amazing city.

6. People watch at the Spanish Steps.

The steps were named after the Spanish who ruled Rome centuries ago and is a great spot to relax and do some people watching.

7. Browse the Campo Dei Fiori Markets.

A favourite since the mid 1800’s. The market is located very close to the famous Piazza Navona and is a great place to grab some fresh food for a picnic lunch.

8. Eat in the cafes and street side restaurants.

Rome is known for its cuisine so bring your appetite and some loose clothing for the after effect.

9. Explore the streets.

A great way to explore Rome is by foot. It is surprisingly accessible. With mostly car-free cobble stone streets, there is much to explore as you walk the streets of Rome.

10. Ride on a double decker 'hop-on-hop-off' bus.

These narrated tours allow you to see Rome at your own pace and provide a great way of getting around the city.

Ready to go to the Eternal City? Book with Blowes Travel. We can plan your perfect trip. 

When I came across this article by Leah McLennan I realized she had discovered a paradise. "Island almost a time warp" describes her experience in this incredible, remote place a two hour trip from Sydney in Australia. 

Ms. LcLennan describes this serene, seemingly secret getaway as a trip back in time, where, as she learns from Dani, manger from Pinetrees, the oldest of the island's resorts:

"The speed limit is 25kmh, everyone rides bikes and there are honesty boxes eveywhere - "at the boatshed just put the money in the tin and help yourself to a drink, at Neds Beach the masks, fins and snorkels are in the shed and at the nine-hole golf course help yourself to the equipment."

A place without crime. There is, however, plenty of "delightfully simple" but delicious food and friendly people. 

Check out her article for more information about this little paradise, and to plan your next trip, contact us at Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres. 

With Valentines day right around the corner, a romantic getaway on a beach - in the warm weather - is sounding pretty good right now. But with so many amazing places to choose from, how do you decide?

We have a few ideas, plus I wanted to share this article by Alexis Lipsitz for Frommers.com: Best Secluded Beaches & Romantic Hideaways. This post has me dreaming of sunsets and sand. 

One place in particular I've always wanted to go to is Vieques, Puerto Rico - not only is there a beautiful beach but the Vieques is home of the bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, where you can take a boat out at night and experience the sea lighting up. Incredible!

Photo Caption: Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. Photo by Andiamodue/Frommers.com Community.

Check out the full article, and to book your next trip, get in touch with us at Blowes Travel! Do something special with your special one this spring. 

There's a certain art form to packing: being able to bring as few clothes as possible that will cover you for your entire vacation, no matter what happens; choosing clothes that don't easily wrinkle or show stains; finding the right fabric for the temperature of your destination; the list goes on.

I tend to be an overpacker, so whenever I can get my hands on super versatile clothing that I know I'll use over and over, I try to stock up.

ColoradoGal of TheVacationGals.com blog, wrote a great review for a wrap dress from GGO Clothing, made of 88% organic bamboo and 12% Lycra. Not only is it soft and wrinkle free, but it's "naturally antibacterial and wicks away moisture better than cotton."

Not to mention cute! Usually versatile clothing means utility, and utility doesn't often yell "travel glam." This dress is simple enough that you can dress it up or down, for a variety of occassions, and still look great. Plus the wrap-style works for many different body shapes. 

I agree with ColoradoGal though, in that I would probably layer a light tank or camisole underneath, unless I was going to the beach in the dress. 

Check out her full review here. Also, take a few minutes to poke around the GGO Clothing website, full of casual ready-to-wear items for women (and men!). 

Even if you haven't had the pleasure yet of visiting this gorgeous island chain, surely you're familar with the classic images of the area: beautiful sunsets on black sand beaches, volcanos and mountain formations, and Polynesian dancers. All of these features contribute to the unique diversity of Hawaii, but it's important to remember there's so much more to explore. 

In fact, Kyle Ellison of BootsnAll.com posted Six Hawaiin Adventures Off the Beaten Path. From cage diving with sharks to snowboarding on the Big Island, there is so much to experience. 

Check out the full article for inspiration, and for more ideas or information, be sure to contact us at Blowes Travel and Cruise Centres!

Westjet is first out of the gate with all-in fares, allowing those booking to see immediately what the actual cost of the flight will be.

While the price listed on the website for each flight option is still just the base fare, hover over the number and a box appears adding up all the fees and taxes.

That $209 flight to Regina this weekend? It will actually cost you $272.08.

All Canadian airlines will be required to post the  full fare in advertising and on booking websites by the end of the year (typically you get a tally when you choose a flight and go to pay for it).

But WestJet launched the all-in pricing Thursday along with its current sale, “thereby beginning the transition to a pricing approach where the final price of seats purchased will be more prominently displayed to the consumer.”

The news came near the bottom of a press release that outlined the airline’s monthly reporting of traffic and load factor numbers.

Canada’s new all-in legislation was actually passed in 2007, but a delay was sought after lobbying by WestJet and Air Canada, who argued it created an unfair playing field with competitors who fly in to the country but are not based here.

Both airlines have since gotten on board.

Why does my printer always run out of ink at the very moment I'm scrambling around last minute, trying to print some important document in a time crunch? 

This is the last thing you want to deal with when you travel, so instead of printing your boarding pass, there's a much easier (and green!) alternative: having it scanned through your Smart Phone. 

When you check-in with your airline online, if this service is available, you will be prompted, "How do you want your passes?" Check "Send my passes to my SmartPhone."

You then receive your boarding pass by email and you can use your mobile boarding pass at the kiosk (to check a bag), at the security checkpoint and at the gate when you board. 

This new system is not only easier but in many ways safer; according to TSA, fraudulent boarding passes, printed from home, can be prevented. 

This option isn't yet available for all airlines, and you might be only able to use it on domestic flights and if you only have one person on your reservation. And remember - don't forget to bring your photo ID to confirm your identity. 

Here's some more information by Air Canada

How long has London been on your travel list? A year? Five years? Why not make 2012 the year you visit this cosmopolitan world capital?

Rich in culture and history, you can experience some of the world's greatest art (free to the public in places like the TATE!), enjoy the culturally diverse food, shop at some of the most fashion forward boutiques in the world, and rock out to the eclectic music scene. Need we go on?

Everyone wants a taste of local life when they travel, and London is no exception. We found this article on the Huffingtonpost.com: London Like a Local, that we wanted to share. Check it out for ideas and inspriation!

And to set up your next trip, contact us to help you plan and book!

I wanted to share this really neat travel tool I came across: Marine Traffic, a comprehensive online program that is part of an academic, open and community-based project. It's dedicated to collecting and presenting data relevant to many areas and field.

Using a Google Map and AIS (Automatic Identification System), you can see the locations of large vessels at sea all around the world. Different types of boats are color-coded to help you distinguish them - ferries, cruise ships, etc. 

It's truly amazing how many ships are out there at any given moment! Check it out - and get inspired for your next trip! 

by TravelandTransitions - The video is in Italian but even non-speakers can more or less understand this mouth-watering tour of a gourmet Sicilian dinner. The chef walks you through each meal, many of which are fish dishes, and explains the ingredients.

From the video's description: 

This video was taken during my language study trip to Taormina in 2007. Sicily was absolutely awesome! This was an official travel writing assignment and you can read the detailed articles about my experience at this link: TravelandTransitions.com

Remember!

Whether it's a cruise around the Mediterranean or to the beautiful Bahamas, Blowes Travel has you covered. We can make all of your travel dreams a reality - just contact us for more info. 

Here is an excellent list by Chris on Brilliant Tips on where to stay with your beau while visiting lovely Bah-ston. This historic, beautiful city becomes even more lovely in the snow, and would make a very fun weekend destination. 

Canals are used for both transportation and entertainment, and are a wonderful way to experience this city. 

The Khlongs is a networks of canals that allows you to explore an area not normally seen by the average tourist. Canals are an important transportation portal and an excellent way to see the significant areas of the city.

Traveling down the Chao Phraya River on a short cruise is a great activity; you can a meal and get some great photographs. 

A bit daunted by the idea of a trip to Bangkok?

That's where we come in. With our knowledge and expertise, we can make even the most wild of trips happen. Just contact us for more information. 

As regulation in Cuba gradually softens, more and more artists are coming out to share, exhibit, and sell their work. The Cuban art scene has a rich history, and now it is easier to visit these amazing collections in person. La Galería La Acacia in particular is a must-see for art aficionados.

La Acacia

Located in the heart of Central Habana, the Galería La Acacia is surrounded by some of Habana’s most valued architectural structures, including The Grand Theatre of Habana, the National Capitol, and Hotel England, and is a short walk from Central Park.

La Acacia is widely recognized as one of the premier art institutions in Cuba and holds collections of styles ranging from La Academia, La Vanguardia, to contemporary pieces that have won National Art Awards. The gallery also promotes young talent and regularly circulates new exhibitions.

Hours: Mon - Fri, 10am-3:30pm; Sat 10am-1pm

Address: San José 114 e/ Industria y Consulado, Centro Habana, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba. 

Phone: 537/ 861-3533

P.S.

Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres can set up that trip to Havana in a snap - whether it's by plane or boat, we can take care of all your travel arrangements. Just contact us for more info. 

Start your day in the city by planning your itinerary along the Bosphorus and enjoying a delicious breakfast. Sundays in particular are designated by locals for grand breakfasts and brunches and you should without a doubt get in on the action.

Breakfast in Istanbul typically consists of tea, warm bread, feta cheese, olives, sliced and spiced uncooked tomatoes, cucumbers and green peppers, menemen, a type of egg dish with veggies and cheese, and sucuk, a spiced meat similar to chorizo that can be eaten right out of the pan. Order a breakfast plate to share so you can try everything. Don’t forget to have some cookies, pastry, and turkish delight.

There is a wide selection of places to have your breakfast in Istanbul, but one of the best is Arnavutköy Bahar Pastanesi. Go for the food, fresh juice, and view of the Istanbul Strait.

Address: Central Bolluca mah.1, Street No.:46, 34345 Istanbul Arnavutköy 
Phone: (0212) 265 15 64

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Bonus!

A Mediterranean cruise is a trip of a lifetime. We can help you plan the perfect travel experience. Just contact us for more information!

100 Montaditos is the brainchild of Spanish foodies for simple, delicious, inexpensive sandwiches that you can eat anytime of the day.

On the menu are the famous “100 Montaditos” - which are 100 different variations of a classic, 3 bite sandwich, priced around a couple dollars each. On wednesdays ALL drinks and sandwiches are $1. They just added a bunch of vegetarian options to the menu so plenty of choices if you're traveling with a mixed group of diners.

They only offer one kind of beer, but it’s pretty good and they have their own sangria too.

The service is quick: you fill out a little sushi style form, stand on line to turn it in and pay, and wait a couple of minutes for your food. Super fast!

It’s great for lunches with large groups, or to snack in the evening. Right in mid-town Miami next to shops and other cafes. 

Bonus!

Miami is absolutely beautiful this time of year! We can get you out of the cold and into the Miami sun. Let us plan and book your next trip!

Take a full day excursion to Saona Island and experience the Caribbean Sea marine refuge while you enjoy the pristine beaches and varieties of indigenous wildlife in their natural habitat. The excursion includes a snorkeling trip so you can get up close with several tropical fish in the underwater world.

Drinks (including rum!) and hot lunch also included. The Colonial Tour and Travel picks you up from your hotel, tours you through the nature park and through some of the island's historical sites. 

Sounds too good to be true, right?

We can help make this trip happen! 

This area is known for its incredbily fresh and delicious conch salad, so you'll have a lot of options on your trip. Conch salad is traditionally made with conch that's been chopping up with onions, tomatoes and green peppers dressed with fresh citrus and some spice. (Be careful when asking for it spicy!)

Down Arawak Cay (aka “Fish Fry”) you’ll easily find quality conch at several different eateries. Arawak is where the locals eat and by visiting this beach row you can get a feel for the local population: businessmen and women, construction workers, and cooks all gather in this area for the food.

Go for lunch because you can take a short bus ride from Cable Beach on the #10 ($1.25 per person, per trip) instead of at night when you’ll need to take a cab ($12 each way for 2 passengers).

Goldie’s Conch House is a wonderful local spot with friendly service and delicious food. Meet some local people and you can watch them make it fresh right in front of you. Made-to-order conch salad only $10.

Twin Brothers is another terrific restaurant where you can watch the conch being prepared fresh right in front of you. Try one of their famous Daquiris.

At Seafood Heaven the food is yummy and you will definitely get value for your dollar. The place is clean and the owner - Alfred Butterfield - will make you feel welcome. Tell the doorman that a little white poodle sent you - he’ll understand. Closed on Wednesdays.

King is a small booth near the west entrance of Goldie’s run by a friendly local and his mother. Great conch salad, plus pan-fried snapper and more.

These local spots are particularly great because you can talk to the locals and get tips about things to do and what to see. Just about all of them are very reasonably priced and there are many things to try: conch salad, fritters, and stew, plus grouper, snapper and other seafood. Cheap local beers are a plenty. Most of this area is very clean and safe.

Potters Cay also had many eateries serving up fresh conch.

Bonus!

Remember we can help you plan the perfect getaway trip to the Bahamas or anywhere else in the Caribbean. Just contact us for more info!

Here at Blowes Travel, we LOVE taking a scenic cruise to the warm Bahamas islands. The Bahamas, particularly Nassau, is a relatively safe place provided you take some precautions while you're there. Here are some travel tips.

Many water sports and scooter rental industries in the Bahamas are not carefully regulated. This is the cause of many injuries every year due to improper, careless or reckless operation of scooters, jet-skis, and personal watercraft or scuba/snorkeling equipment.

If you want to take part in one of these activities, seek out reputable operators to rent your equipment from, and get sufficient training before using it. Some operators do not actually provide insurance coverage even when the renter opted (and paid) for insurance converge. Get proof that the operators have sufficient medical and liability insurance.

If you’re riding a moped through the city streets, be careful - traffic here is different than it is in Canada or the States. Wear a helmet and drive defensively.

Also, you’re on vacation and want to have a good time, but watch your alcohol consumption as it greatly increases your chances of being mugged or getting into an accident. Don’t buy drugs from the people selling them in the street. This is unsafe, and some of them may be undercover cops.

Some criminals target restaurants or nightclubs popular with tourists and offer rides or assistance, and then assault or rob the “passenger.” Don’t accept rides from strangers or unlicensed taxi drivers.

The Bahamas does have a high crime rate, and while most of this is limited to pickpocketing and theft, there have been more recent occurrences of violence against groups of tourists. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of assaults in diverse areas such as in casinos, outside hotels or on cruise ships. Many of the victims reportedly were drugged. Most of these assaults and others are not motivated by race, religion, or citizenship, just rather that tourists make easy targets. Women may feel uncomfortable from unwanted attention and verbal harassment.

The “Over-the-Hill” area located south of downtown is the poorest area of Nassau and tourists should take heed.

In the event of crime, you should report to the Royal Bahamas Police Force as quickly as possible, as this will improve the likelihood that the perpetrator will be caught.

This sounds like a lot, but having been the Bahamas myself I can affirm that using your head and making good decisions will keep you out of any danger. Remember - there's crime everywhere, and the best way to avoid it is by using common sense.

Canadian Consulate in Nassau, Bahamas

Consulate of Canada in Bahamas
Shirley Street Plaza, Nassau
Tel: (242) 393-2123 OR (242) 393-2124

Fax: (242) 393-1305

U.S. Embassy Nassau 
Queen Street #19 
Tel: 242-322-1181 
Emergency after-hours telephone: 242-357-7004 

Here is an article by Cruise Law News about The Bahamas as a safe destination.

Bonus!

Remember, for the best deals and least stress, plan your trip to the Bahamas with one of our experienced travel consultants!

Tipping on a cruise can be confusing: how much gratuity has been included in the package? Is it evenly distributed among the staff? When do I tip? Here are some tips to tip appropriately while on a cruise.

Most standard cruise packages set up your shipboard account with an extra (usually $10) gratuity fee per person, per day - and thus no tipping is required.

Or is it? Some luxury cruises have a no-tipping policy, but in many the cruise staff heavily depend on tips as part of their income. Automatically included gratuity picked up steam with an influx of European and Asian cruise travelers, unfamiliar with tipping customs in Canada and the States.

This is common on more luxury-type cruises. Some cruises allow passengers to opt out of the automatic service charge, leaving it up to their independent discretion as to who and when to tip. On more commercial cruise lines tipping cash is acceptable and recommended.

The automatic gratuity does help ensure more evenly distributed tips among the crew. Some of the service staff who work in the breakfast or snack areas aren’t tipped and instead depend on tip sharing with other staff and the automatic gratuity charged to passengers.

It is customary to tip cabin stewards, butlers, dining room servers and assistant servers on the last night of the cruise. You also can tip dining staff every night about $5. For cabin stewards you can give $5 a night and bartenders $1 per drink. The maître d’ does not need to be tipped.

A good estimate for your tipping budget is around 10% the cost of the cabin, so something like $15-20 per person, per day. Envelopes are sometimes left in cabins, or can be picked up at the Cruise Information Center.

Ultimately, tip according to what feels right for you. Gratuity can save you some hassle, like having enough cash to tip with on board. But tipping may help to build more personal relationships with the staff that serves you and your family on vacation. 

And if you have any questions - don't hesitate to contact one of our agents! We know the industry inside and out and want to ensure a smooth, worry-free trip for you. 

Some seasoned travelers have it down to a science. If you aren't eligible for the VIP/First Class/Business short-cut line, here are a few ways to reduce your waiting time (and stress) as you get through security.

1. Before you get in line have your passport, ID, boarding pass out and ready to show at the first security station. There are signs everywhere telling you to do this, but there is always someone rooting through their bag trying to locate these items.Don’t be that person. 

2. In case you have been missing for the past few years, make sure you place any liquid items - toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, etc. - in a quart-sized ziplock bag. Airport security sometimes has these on hand but that is rare. All liquid items must be 3oz or less, otherwise they will be tossed. This goes for food too. 

3. As you creep closer to the end of the line, get out your ziplock bag and laptop from your carry-on. Both of these items need to be placed in the security bin that goes through the X-ray conveyor. 

4. Grab your bin(s) as soon as you can, place in your ziplock bag and laptop, along with the contents of your pockets. Throw in a small bag if it fits, otherwise that rides alone on the conveyor. You may use more than one bin if you need. 

5. Wear shoes that easily slip off. Throw the shoes in the bin. Wear socks. Also throw in any overcoats or jackets. 

6. If you are in a serious hurry take the body scan. It is indeed an invasion of privacy but unfortunately you may otherwise be delayed and touched in some personal places. Your luggage will also probably be checked mercilessly. You are fully entitled to a pat-down, from the same gender, should you decide.

7. After you walk through, grab your stuff at the other end. There are almost always benches on the other side for putting your shoes on and collecting yourself.

8. Be courteous! You may be a seasoned pro but many people are not and all that security could make anyone nervous. If someone looks clueless point out some help. Don’t groan if someone who is elderly, disabled, or with children takes longer than you would like. Chances are it’s more stressful for them to travel than for you to wait an extra minute. Remember we are all in this together!

Congrats! You are now a security expert. Spread the word and help speed up security lines around the world.

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It's a traveler's nightmare that unfortunately can happen to anyone. While it's not common, getting mugged while traveling can mean losing money, important documents, other valuables or worse. Follow these steps to avoid being a target, and find out what you can do if it happens.

Research your destination beforehand for laws and any potential issues you may encounter. Know some of the local language, as well as local customs - some gestures have different meanings abroad (for example, the thumbs up in Iran is akin to the middle finger here).

Also learn the local dress, even if you are not in an area where a dress-code in enforced, like the Middle East, you can attract unwanted attention and even harassment with the wrong clothes.

Don’t look super touristy - leave the fanny pack at home and try to blend. Avoid wearing expensive looking jewelry and flashing electronic equipment around (phones, laptops).

Make copies of all your important documents. You will hear this over and over but that is because it is so important. Store the copies in a different place from the originals.

Get the addresses and phone numbers of your embassy and any military bases before your arrival. 

When checking-in to a hotel or hostel, get a room that is not on the ground floor and away from any elevators or stairs. Use a chair or rubber door wedge under the door when you go to bed. Keep valuables out of sight, and store them in a locker or safe.

Be aware of your surroundings. You want to sightsee but be conscious of what is going on around you, particularly on public transportation and in crowded areas.

Don’t put yourself in a position where you are vulnerable. Stay with a buddy or in a group, and stick to public, well-lit places. Be especially careful at night. Stay sober enough to make smart decisions. Keep a careful eye on your drink so you don’t get drugged.

When you walk, stand up straight and confidant, and look like you know where you’re going. Walk with a phone on you. I’ve even pretended to have fake phone conversations to look like someone was expecting me.

Don’t carry a lot of valuables on you. If possible, store stuff in your hotel or hostel locker. Keep small amounts of cash on you, and carry the photocopy of your passport instead of the original when you can.

Keep your money in different places - hidden wallets, pockets in clothing and bags, shoes, etc.

Carry a dummy wallet - a cheap one or one that you make yourself. Put some money and maybe an expired credit card. It can give potential thieves enough to keep them from further harassing you.

If you are being mugged - especially if there is a weapon involved - give them what they want. It is not worth being a hero if you get seriously injured. All of these things ultimately can be replaced - you can’t.

NEVER get in a car with someone trying to abduct you. Chances are if they are going to hurt you they will do it anyway - scream, run in a erratic pattern, fight back.

As a foreigner it can be frustrating to be in a country where you are not only unfamiliar with the legal system but are unable to find someone to help you understand. Write down the details of your crime - where you were, what time was it, and what was taken.

Then, get in touch with your nearest Embassy or Consulate to ensure your rights and well-being are taken care of. The Embassy will help you contact the appropriate law enforcement so that you can potentially recover your property. If you need medical attention the Embassy will help you find a qualified doctor, hospital, or clinic, and help you inform the authorities that you were robbed and physically assaulted. They can also help get money wired to you if you need it.

Get in touch with the Embassy immediately if your passport has been stolen.  

Don’t feel bad! Hopefully you’ve gotten away unscathed, and while being the victim of theft is demoralizing it is not the end of the world. Do not blame yourself too much - remember you were the victim - and don’t let it ruin your entire trip.

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