How To Plan A Trip Around The WorldSafety and Health

Yes, traveling involves taking risks. Being aware of the risks and having some common sense about potential dangers will lead to a safe and enjoyable experience.

While political situations, terrorism, and dangerous crime often make news headlines, these are not your biggest risks while traveling. They are actually extremely rare. Instead, more travelers find themselves victims of food-borne illness, auto accidents, and pickpockets.

More travelers get sick from food than anything else. Food often leads to mild illness, but sometimes can cause serious diseases, and this is how most trips are ruined. Because of this, we compiled the following sections for this guide: Vaccinations and Food Safety.

Automobiles and buses are another huge, yet unavoidable, risk while traveling. As soon as you step foot into many foreign countries, you'll be reminded that not all roads are as organized as those at home. Whenever possible, wear a seatbelt.

Where crime is concerned, pickpockets and thieves are everywhere, even in the country where you live. Following some basic preventative actions will help you hang on to your belongings and having a better trip. (Check out the section on Money Belts.)