From route planning to environmental awareness, small oversights can create avoidable risks when traveling abroad.

At the most basic level but arguably the most important base skill to have when traveling anywhere is situational awareness. As well as actively looking at what and who is around you and understanding the environment that you are in. What this means to the average person is putting your phone away when you are not in your hotel or work space, and keeping your head up and absorbing the environment around you. Which means actively seeing the buildings or mountains and trees, the people that are walking past you, the types and volumes of vehicles driving around, the stores and vendors on the streets that you are on. This does not just translate into looking for people that are trying to hurt, kidnap, or rob you. This also translates into enjoying where you are at this moment in time. The dual benefit to this is that you are far more likely to spot a person or situation that feels off, uncomfortable, or dangerous. If something is telling you that you are uncomfortable then listen to yourself! Look 360 degrees find a path of least resistance or something that looks safe and move to that area. After getting to that area do a 360 degree scan reassess the situation and move again until you are in a safe area. This basic technique will keep you out of a lot of trouble and danger when you have situational awareness and actively observing your surroundings.