Crime is a reality of life even on your trip abroad.  Many travelers who are caught up in the moment of an overseas adventure or vacation, let down their guard.  Savvy travelers know that, from the moment the plane touches down, they need to be more vigilant about their personal safety and belongings.  You may be far away from your familiar safety zone.  You need to have both eyes open.

• Avoid wandering through unfamiliar territory alone.
• Never accept an invitation from a person you don’t know who offers you hospitality, a personal tour of the area, a drink, etc.  Be cautious about communicating personal information to friendly strangers.
• Don’t dress flashy.  This is a neon sign that you are a potential victim.
• Travel in legitimate taxis and agree on the fare in advance.  If you demonstrate that you are totally clueless about local currency, then look for dollar signs in the cabbie’s eyes.
• Be wary of pre-paying for local events from hawkers on the street, or even standing at the event location.  The ‘discount’ may end up being a donation into the scammer’s pocket.
• Are your pocket contents vulnerable?  Quick hands in crowded places can find out.  Keep your wallet and camera secure.  It’s wise not to keep large sums of $$$ in one pocket or in one place.
• Consider travel insurance that covers loss of money and personal property.  If you have trip cancellation insurance, does the policy cover wallet and credit card loss?
• Keep a photocopy of important travel documents, credit card numbers and airline ticket information in a safe place.
• Make sure that someone knows your daily itinerary.
• Have a cell phone with you at all times.
• Have phone numbers and contact information for law enforcement and the local U.S. diplomatic offices.
• Stay alert and follow your instincts.  If something doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it or don’t go there.  

Thanks to you, Girls Who Travel has grown beyond our wildest dreams! And because of that, we are able to extend our reach and provide you with even more ways to stay healthy and safe during your travels!

This week, Girls Who Travel has announced their partnership with IMPACT International, a personal safety, assertiveness, self-defense, training program for women. GWT staff Arden and Dawn can attest to the life changingness of this program. That's why we're so excited to announce that all IMPACT chapters are offering a 20% discount to Girls Who Travel (that's you!). All you have to do is mention GWT and you're good to go.

Check out Arden's post on the IMPACT Chicago blog and keep checking our discounts page for more partnerships throughout the year!

You no doubt have noticed some changes to our website, including a new name. Allow us to explain.

We felt that Anglophone Goddess Traveler, while creative, was too limiting a description for what we want to accomplish. It's also too difficult for non-native English speakers to understand, let alone rally around. We wanted something a concept that can traverse languages, cultures and borders, and unite all adventurous women who explore the world on a budget.

After much deliberation, we came up with Girls Who Travel.

Girls Who Travel allows you to fill in the blank--literally--to describe your unique purpose in travel and find resources for it all in the same place. Our core themes are on our home page:

Girls who travel for fun.

Girls who travel safe.

Girls who travel on the cheap.

Girls who travel smart.

Girls who travel start here to make friends, find tips, be inspired, get advice and stay safe.


For you, it could be anything. Girls who travel...to seek adventures, to find themselves, to broaden horizons, to grow, to become empowered, to shake things up.

The content and mission haven't changed. We still prioritize safety, preparation, health and knowledge above all else. But we hope that we've provided a more useful way for women to unite over their love for travel, and whatever it brings to their lives. The idea of the site is intentionally open-ended because after all, girls who travel can do anything.

Do stop by for a visit as we will be celebrating the relaunch all month with new partner discounts and giveaways. As always, we want to hear from you, so do not hesitate to contact us with your suggestions.

Happy traveling!

Arden, Debbie and Dawn

At AGTraveler, we're in love with ways to make the traveling experience simple and free. So it's no wonder we're all over digital scrapbooking as a way to fight post vacation blues, relive your memories and share your travel adventures. Not sure what it is or how to get started? That's ok - we've taken care of that. Take a gander at the newest article on AGTraveler.com by clicking here.

Sorry, they haven’t invented this yet.

There is an effective vaccine to prevent yellow fever and hepatitis. There are many medicines to prevent malaria. Modern medicine has no scientific method, however, to ensure that you exercise sound and sober judgment. Although immunizations before you travel are strongly urged, they can’t protect you against all risks. In fact, most of the unexpected difficulties that international travelers face abroad are not caused by infectious diseases. The leading causes of unexpected and unfortunate events are accidents and injuries. Most of these are preventable. Here are important travel tips to keep you safe abroad.

Many times during your trip you will face a choice of whether to proceed ahead or to pause and reassess the situation. The consequences of a bad decision can be very unforgiving abroad when you are in a foreign culture and removed from your familiar support network. Imagine being robbed, hospitalized, swindled, infected, arrested or made pregnant during your semester abroad. Travelers have suffered all of these outcomes, many of which could have been avoided. If a meal, a person, a piece of equipment, a taxicab, a tour guide, an intimate relationship or any other opportunity seems suspect, then put your gears in reverse and accelerate. Be cautious about placing trust in individuals you may have just met who may have unscrupulous designs disguised with a friendly and warm manner.

Stay on your guard. When you’re preparing your backpack or your valise in the morning, remember to pack caution and good judgment also. These will protect you as much as any medicine or vaccine.

Michael Kirsch, MD is one of the founders of Travel Clinics of America, an organization dedicated to the health and safety of international travelers. Visit their website for up-to-date information on travel vaccinations and safety and to find a travel physician in your neighborhood.

• Avoid wandering through unfamiliar territory alone.
• Never accept an invitation from a person you don’t know who offers you hospitality, a personal tour of the area, a drink, etc.  Be cautious about communicating personal information to friendly strangers.
• Don’t dress flashy.  This is a neon sign that you are a potential victim.
• Travel in legitimate taxis and agree on the fare in advance.  If you demonstrate that you are totally clueless about local currency, then look for dollar signs in the cabbie’s eyes.
• Be wary of pre-paying for local events from hawkers on the street, or even standing at the event location.  The ‘discount’ may end up being a donation into the scammer’s pocket.
• Are your pocket contents vulnerable?  Quick hands in crowded places can find out.  Keep your wallet and camera secure.  It’s wise not to keep large sums of $$$ in one pocket or in one place.
• Consider travel insurance that covers loss of money and personal property.  If you have trip cancellation insurance, does the policy cover wallet and credit card loss?
• Keep a photocopy of important travel documents, credit card numbers and airline ticket information in a safe place.
• Make sure that someone knows your daily itinerary.
• Have a cell phone with you at all times.
• Have phone numbers and contact information for law enforcement and the local U.S. diplomatic offices.
• Stay alert and follow your instincts.  If something doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it or don’t go there.