Problems with travel insurance:
We are hearing a lot about nightmares travellers are having with travel insurance and claims that they need to make. The biggest piece of advice we can give is take your time and scrutinize the small print, when it comes to the crunch and you need to make a claim the small print is the insurance companies get out clause - you are then uninsured! fine it it is just a wallet, or delayed flight but not if it is for a medical evacuation flight, or hospital bills, do you really want to risk your family's finances because the last thing you wanted to do while you were getting ready to leave was spend half an hour reading small print. The insurance companies know full well most backpackers are not going to read it, so in reality much of the insurance that is sold does not properly cover the traveller for the activities they will be doing whilst away. Do your family a favour and read it.

Getting some sleep: No matter where you are or how you travel, at some point or other you are going to be delayed or be travelling overnight and do not have the option of a cozy hotel or youth hostel. When you need to sleep try lying on your bag use it as a pillow, this way you protect it from being removed, rummaged through and put back - with you none the wiser. Try using one of the straps and tie it to something - like yourself, use this method when you are eating in cafes etc. and the like, tie the strap to a chair, anyone trying to make off with it will definitely be noticed.

SCAMS: Nearly all tourist scams in are nonviolent, avoidable, and require a naive and trusting tourist. Be wary of any unusual contact or commotion in crowded public (especially touristy) places. If you're alert and aren't overly trusting, you should have no problem. Here are a few clever ways thieves bolster their cash flow:

Dropped coins: Standing near a phone booth in a busy railway terminal someone goes to use the phone near you, but they suddenly drop their loose change on the floor you bend down to help and their accomplice makes off with your bags in a split second. Look after yourself they know how to pickup coins - it may be totally innocent but do you want to risk your luggage to find out?

Slow count: In Italy, cashiers who deal with lots of tourists thrive on the "slow count." Even in banks, they'll count your change back with odd pauses in hopes the rushed tourist will gather up the lire early and say "Grazie." Also be careful when you pay with too large a bill. Waiters have a tough time keeping track of 10,000 and 100,000 lire notes. Take time to give accurate coins to minimize the complexity of the deal (e.g., give 50,300 lire for a 10,300-lire bill and wait for 40,000 in change).

Oops!: You're jostled in a crowd as someone spills mustard, ketchup, or fake pigeon poop on your shirt. The thief offers greedy apologies while dabbing it up--and pawing your pockets.

The "helpful" local: Thieves posing as concerned locals will warn you to store your wallet safely--and then steal it after they see where you stash it. Some thieves put out tacks and ambush drivers with their "assistance" in changing the tire. Others hang out at subway ticket machines eager to "help" the bewildered tourist buy tickets with a pile of quickly disappearing foreign cash. If using a station locker, beware the "hood Samaritan" who may have his own key to a locker he'd like you to use.

Young thief gangs: These are common throughout urban southern Europe, especially in the touristy areas of Milan, Florence, and Rome. Groups of kids with big eyes and colorful dresses play a game where they politely mob the unsuspecting tourist, beggar-style. As their pleading eyes grab yours and they hold up their sad message scrawled on cardboard, you're fooled into thinking that they're beggars. All the while, your purse, fanny-bag, or rucksack is being expertly rifled. If you're wearing a money belt and you understand what's going on here, there's nothing to fear. In fact, having a street thief's hand in your pocket becomes just one more interesting cultural experience.

If you're ripped off: Even the most careful traveler can get ripped off. If it happens, don't let it ruin your trip. (If you'll be making an insurance claim, get a police report immediately. Traveler's check thefts must be reported within 24 hours.) Many trips start with a major rip-off, recover, and with the right attitude and very light bags, finish wonderfully.

Before you leave on your trip, make photocopies of your valuable documents and tickets. It's easier to replace a lost or stolen plane ticket, passport, Eurailpass, or car rental voucher if you have a photocopy proving that you really owned what you lost.

Embassies for your nationality or consulates are located in major cities. They're there to help citizens in trouble but don't fancy themselves as travellers' aid offices. They will inform those at home that you need help, assist in replacing lost or stolen passports, and arrange for emergency funds to be sent from home (or, in rare cases, loan it to you directly).

Yes, travel is fun!: Be aware of the pitfalls of traveling but relax and have fun. Limit your vulnerability rather than your travels. Most people in every country are on your side. If you exercise adequate discretion, aren't overly trusting, and don't put yourself into risky situations, your travels should be about as dangerous as hometown grocery shopping. Don't travel afraid--travel carefully.

Tips for travel by train in Russia

Learn to read the Cyrillic alphabet , this will assist you with reading signs and communicating with people .
Dress modestly , wear clothes like the locals around you . If you flirt wealth then you'll become a target for thieves.
Carry some food on the train , don't rely on the dining car . It usually serves a limited menu as most menu items will not be available ( example menu : goulash and borsch ) , it is also not particularly cheap. Some food such as potatoes and eggs are available at station platforms , often from elderly women . From China a supply of instant noodles is useful.
Carry a supply of toilet paper , it may also be bought at stations but often not .
Always double check departure times at stations en-route or you'll get left Beijing , sometimes there is little warning that trains are departing ( apart from a rush of traders heading for the nearest door ) .
Take some reading material , but not too much , you will want to see the countryside and enjoy the company on the train.
Take care with valuables , backpacks can be put in a box under the lower seats , or else it is good to sleep on them.
If you meet Russians , be prepared to drink half a bottle of vodka , they generally take three glasses each , so it is ok to ask them to put only a little (Ru: malo ) in each glass .
Take fresh , clean , UN-TORN and un-creased USD notes , otherwise you will have difficulty changing them.
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