[Please add contents]

Travel Tips From Bradfield Travel Choosing a Hotel The following is especially true for female travelers, but the rules are essentially the same for all travelers - male, female, young or old. Smaller is smarter: you want the staff to be familiar with guests and with you. The smaller the lobby, the more noticeable the loiterers Aim for a well-trafficked street (neighborhood restaurants and late-night stores mean traffic, corporate offices mean darkness). Affluent residential areas tend to have more efficient transportation and fewer threatening street people. If you're still concerned about the area, ask a female employee--not one in reservations--whether she walks around at night. (Call the restaurant, for instance). A reception and concierge desk near the entrance, and/or the elevators, is more likely to deter undesirable non-guests. There should be privacy for guests checking-in: no one should be able to overhear a name, room number, or other personal information. Room numbers should only be written on the key envelope, not mentioned aloud or inscribed on the key--this way, anyone finding your key won't have access to your room. Look for a parking lot that is well lit and secure. Find out if there's valet parking....and if it will be available when you need it. Does the hotel gym have an attendant? Being alone and semi-dressed in the basement is not good for your health. The hotel should have sufficient staff to walk you to your room late at night. Inquire when you book and you'll get an idea of how woman-friendly the hotel is. Room Rules Request a room near the elevators and away from any renovation work. Have your key out when you leave the elevator. The door should have double locks--one of which is a deadbolt--and a peephole. Bring along a rubber doorstop for extra security. The please make up this room sign tells everyone you're not there. Call housekeeping instead. Conversely, the do not disturb sign can make the room seem occupied (especially handy if you leave expensive items inside). Put expensive clothing on hangers under other garments. Robbers usually "shop" what they can see. Lock valuables in the front-desk safe. If your bag is stolen from the hotel, recruit management to search for it. Most hotel robberies are committed by the staff, and many properties especially overseas, don't allow employees to leave with packages; thieves take the money and dump the rest. Stand near the elevator buttons with your back to the wall; if threatened, push all the buttons at once. Transportation Savvy In public rest rooms, use the corner stall. Talk to female passengers and flight attendants on the plane about the safety of your destination. In a busy area, if you deposit your belongings on your car's passenger seat, lock the door before walking around to the driver's side. Don't exit a taxi until your sure you've arrived at your destination. Pay while still in the car so that you can be sure you've gotten the proper change. Stay close to your valuables when passing through airport security. If you place your carry-on bag on the floor when sitting in a restaurant or other public areas put your foot through the strap; don't leave it loose. Tear you name and address off magazines before leaving them on the plane. Why announce to the world that you're away? So you won't get lost when leaving a tricky airport, hire a taxi to lead your rental car to the expressway. Don't use an unmarked taxi; if necessary, take public transportation to a city center. Rent a mobile phone or bring your own. Put the police on speed dial. On the road, if someone tries to get your attention or your car is bumped, don't stop until you arrive at a well-lit and busy area, or lacking that, stay in the car and blow the horn until someone comes to your aid. If suspicious about "phony" police, don't open the window. Instead, hold your license against the glass. In your car, keep items out of sight (especially maps and guidebooks). Hatchbacks, leaves your luggage in plain view. When possible, park so you won't have to back out. It makes for a speedier departure. General Advice Don't just check the weather at your destination; also make a note of when the sun rises and sets. Log onto an internet chat room to obtain safety information about a place you're planning to visit. If you're the victim of a crime, contact the police and keep the report, insurance companies require this documentation