Mediterranean Travel Tips to safeguard your Money and Cards!
MEDITERRANEAN TRAVEL TIPS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR MONEY AND CARDS!
INTRODUCTION: MEDITERRANEAN TRAVEL TIPS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR MONEY AND CARDS!
Traveling through the Mediterranean gives you the opportunity to experience various cultures and see spectacular landscapes. However you still need to maintain safe practices to keep your money safe while traveling. Travelers often encounter challenges such as pickpocketing and card skimming, which can disrupt the enjoyment of the trip. By staying vigilant and employing precautionary measures, you can protect your cards and cash, ensuring a hassle-free journey. This post will offer practical Mediterranean travel tips and advice on how to safeguard your money, cards and documents, while exploring this vast region and discovering different cultures.
As someone who has lived on the Mediterranean for over a decade, I’m happy to share my inside tips and knowledge to help you make the most of your travels.
(To find out more about the Mediterranean see our related posts,”The Ultimate Mediterranean Budget Travel Guide“, “Mediterranean Currency Tips“, “Ultimate Mediterranean Vacation Planning Guide” and “Guide to the Mediterranean Coast“)
WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR MONEY AND CARDS?
Safeguard Your Money from Loss or Theft
To protect your money from loss or theft while traveling in the Mediterranean, consider using a money belt or hidden pouch to securely carry cash and important documents. Split your cash and cards between different bags or pockets to reduce the risk if one is lost or stolen. Additionally, use hotel safes for storing valuables and keep your guard up when in crowded areas to prevent pickpocketing.
Tip: Spend some time checking out YouTube videos that show the various scams you might run into during your trip. Being aware of these scams will help you avoid them before you become a victim.
Safe Ways to Carry and Store Cash and Cards
While traveling, consider using RFID-blocking wallets or sleeves to protect your cards from electronic theft. Carry only the amount of cash you expect to use for the day. Keep the rest locked in your hotel safe. Opt for a crossbody bag or money belt to keep your cash and cards close and secure. This is especially important in crowded areas. For water activities, consider getting a waterproof wallet or bag to keep your money and cards safe and dry.
Financial Emergencies Abroad
To handle financial emergencies, keep a list of emergency contacts, such as your bank’s international helpline, to resolve any financial issues swiftly. Ensure you have a backup credit card or access to an emergency fund to manage unexpected expenses. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the locations of local embassies or consulates for assistance in severe emergencies.
What if You Lose Everything?
We recently took a trip to Gibraltar and stopped for a quick meal. While seated, someone came into the restaurant in a panic looking for his packsack which he had forgotten there a few minutes earlier. Unfortunately, it was long gone, with his tickets, wallet, and passport. In this instance, he was fortunate since he was British and this was Gibraltar. But imagine this was you and you are in a country where you don’t speak the local language and now you’ve lost all of your identification. Now prove who you are!
Photograph Your Cards
The following tip is something I’ve been doing for years, and I am now sharing it with you. First, before you leave home, lay out all your credit cards, bank cards, ID, tickets, etc.… on the table and take a photo. Then flip all the cards over and take another photo (Make sure that when you zoom in on the photo, all the info is legible; otherwise, this will be pointless). You should also take photos of the key pages of your passport.
Keep these electronic photos on your cell phone ( I use an app called “Secure Folder”). Then, if you happen to lose a card while traveling (or all your cards or your passport), you now have all the information related to your cards at your fingertips. This will often include the phone numbers you are supposed to call in the event you lose your cards (You see the irony here, right?). This way you can quickly cancel any cards before any financial damage happens and have at least a starting point to prove who you are (This won’t replace your passport but will definitely help you at the embassy to start the ball rolling for replacement or temporary papers).
What If You Lose Your Cell Phone?
What if you lose your cell phone (with your card and document photos) you ask? What I also do before traveling is send an email to myself with those same pics as attachments. Then during my trip, if I was to lose everything, I can at least go to my hotel for example, log into a computer and access my email account. Then I can open up the email with the photos, print out a copy (hopefully the hotel will help you out with this), and have all that information readily available when contacting the bank, credit card company, police, embassy, etc…
TIP: Make sure that your email service does NOT use 2-factor authentication that involves texting a code to your cell phone. The problem with this authentication method is that it assumes that you are in your home country with your cell phone. This won’t work if you are traveling in a foreign country and definitely won’t help you if you have lost your cell phone. In this case, you may want to consider a different email service (even if its just for this trip), that offers alternatives to cell phone texting for 2-factor authentication – before you leave on your trip!
FINAL THOUGHTS: MEDITERRANEAN TRAVEL TIPS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR MONEY AND CARDS!
As you travel through the Mediterranean, keeping your cash and cards secure ensures a journey without worry. By staying vigilant and prepared, you can experience diverse cultures and histories without stress. Remember, caution allows you to fully engage with the experiences this region offers. With the right knowledge and precautions, you can explore the Mediterranean with confidence and peace of mind.
“Don’t Just Dream It! Do it!”
How about experiencing the Mediterranean firsthand? Use the map below to inspire you and plan your next Mediterranean vacation right now!
Reg Auge
Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.
