Uncommon Advice From Seasoned Travelers

Ensure you have change in the currency of any country you visit, in case you need to use a pay toilet.

Take a photo of your Emergency Medical Information and use it as your cell phone wallpaper.

If you want to purchase well-made leather products, Venice has many gorgeous pure leather purses at reasonable prices.

If you want to ensure a product is indeed pure leather, carry a lighter and ask the vendor to hold the flame up to the material.  Plastic melts.

Go through the pockets of any “designer” product you wish to purchase, to ensure there are no telltale “Made in China” tags.

If you see a sign in a public place warning you about pickpockets, DO NOT touch your pocket to check on your valuables.  Pickpockets hang out in such places waiting for innocent people to point out where their wallet is.

Take a photo of your expensive gear and/or electronics before you leave, in case you need to make a claim.

Protect yourself from Pickpockets.  There are many options available, including a fanny pack.  However, do not use the word fanny when talking to an English person.  In the UK the word fanny is slang for a woman’s privates, making for some interesting interpretations of “Could you grab my fanny?”  Fanny packs are called bum packs or bum bags in that part of the world.

(I think I’ll stick to a small bag that I can sling in front of my body!)