Advice for the Woman Traveler The following is an excellent guide speficially for women travellers. Introduction Lessening the Culture Shock Travel Light, Travel Smart Extra Security Makes Sense Air Travel Accommodation Networking Along the Way Dress Sense Avoiding Harassment Alone After Sundown Maintaining Connections Staying Healthy Coping with Foreign Bathrooms The Pregnant Traveler Traveling with Children International Adoptions The Older Traveler Businesswomen Abroad Advice for the Woman Traveler

Accommodation

Choose your accommodation carefully. You may wish to consider small hotels, B&Bs or homestay exchanges. Their size generally allows for caring, personal attention. To avoid extra stress, travel early in the day, especially if you don't have reservations. This gives you time to find a place you like before it gets dark.

Whether the accommodation is a hotel, a B&B or a hostel, always ask to see the room before you take it. Is it clean enough? Does the door lock properly? Does it feel safe? Trust your intuition. Don't stay anywhere unless you feel entirely comfortable with both the accommodation and its location.

Never accept a room if the check-in clerk calls out your name or room number. Others within hearing distance may use this information to try to call you or gain access to your room.

You should avoid ground-floor rooms or any room that has easy access from outside, such as from a balcony or fire escape. Book a room that is close to an elevator and away from exits. Stairwells allow troublemakers to hide and to come and go undetected.
Never open your door to anyone without taking the necessary precautions. Even if your visitor claims to be a member of the staff, you should check with the front desk to verify the person's need to enter your room.

Consider investing in a small, lightweight, portable smoke detector, as well as a deadbolt that can easily be installed on any inward-opening door. These items are perfect if you plan to stay in very simple accommodation.

Tip / Info: "Women travel differently than men. Whether they choose a hot pink nail buff, a fake wedding ring or the proverbial baggy dress while trekking in Nepal, life on the road for women is simply a different trip." - Debra Cummings, columnist specializing in women's issues

Please choose from the following sections:

Introduction
Lessening the Culture Shock
Travel Light, Travel Smart
Extra Security Makes Sense
Air Travel
Accommodation
Networking Along the Way
Dress Sense
Avoiding Harassment
Alone After Sundown
Maintaining Connections
Staying Healthy
Coping with Foreign Bathrooms
The Pregnant Traveler
Traveling with Children
International Adoptions
The Older Traveler
Businesswomen Abroad

Canuck Abroad takes no responsibility for the information or accuracy contained in this section and suggest you go to http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/her_own_way-en.asp for the latest information.

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