Latest news with #travelsafety
The Sun
18 hours ago
- The Sun
The safest country for families this summer has 29C highs – and it's one of the cheapest with beers costing £2.25
A TINY and landlocked country in Europe has been called the safest place for travellers in the world. Andorra is wedged between France and Spain, and research has revealed that it's got a very low crime rate particularly compared to its neighbours - and it's very affordable too. 6 6 Safety is a big factor for families when it comes to booking a holiday and Andorra is the safest. Home security provider ADT has analysed data including overall crime rates and fear of being robbed to calculate the safest and riskiest countries for tourists to visit this summer. The tiny Spanish-speaking country of Andorra tops the list of being the safest with a score of 90 out of 100. According to ADT Andorra has an "impressively low crime index rate" with few visitors and residents reporting few concerns about personal safety." Despite its low crime rate Andorra is much less popular than its neighbours France and Spain. Andorra attracts just 150,000 British tourists each year, which is over 100 times fewer than its neighbour Spain, which has 18.8 million. It's a sunny destination too with highs of 29C in the summer and a daily average of 24C - which is a good exploring temperature. And there is plenty to see in the country that's 468 square kilometres, from enormous mountains to beautiful lakes in the national parks. There's also an outdoor amusement park called Naturland which is home to the longest alpine slide in the world called the Tobotronc. Sitting on a toboggan, riders go down the slide that descends through the Andorran forest - and goes on for over three miles. Inside Europe's highest capital city with no airports or train stations - but welcomes EIGHT MILLION tourists a year 6 6 To ride the longest toboggan ride in Andorra costs around €10 (£8.63). The park also has the longest sky trail in Europe, a 170 metre zipline and a giant trampoline. In Andorra, you get a lot for your money too, the average cost for a local beer is €2.60 (£2.24). A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant for two people costs around €44 (£37.98). If you want a drink, the average price for a glass of wine costs around €6 (£5.18). When it comes to the country's food specialities, there are plenty like Escudella which is a flavourful stew. There's also trinxat made from cabbage and potato, and Crema Andorrana which is a creamy custard dessert with brandy. The price of a hotel room varies but can be as cheap as €17 (£14.68). At a mid-range hotel, prices range from €56 (£48.35) to €96 (£82.89). 6 Andorra is a good winter spot too and offers a cheap ski season between early December and late April. In Grandvalira Ski Resort, considered one of the best in Andorra, you can expect to pay €40-60 (£34.53-£51.79) for a day pass during peak season. At one of the cheapest resorts in France, Les Gets, a pass can cost €48 (£41.44), but expensive resort in France like Val d'Isère in France can be from €71 (£61.30) per day. Currently, to get to Andorra, visitors from the UK will have to fly to Barcelona. From there, you'll then hop on a bus from the airport which goes directly to Andorra and takes around two hours. The cheapest flights to Barcelona are in November 2025 with a starting price of £15. The Andorra direct bus runs 16 daily services between Barcelona Airport and Andorra la Vella - the journey costs €35 (£30.21). And this small country that's just a few hours from the UK was previously named the 'safest in the world'. 6
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
I'm a Solo Traveler, and I'm Eyeing These 13 Amazon Deals on Personal Safety Devices—From $9
I started solo traveling just after college when I put over 10,000 miles on a rental car driving around South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia to update a Lonely Planet guidebook. The start of my first trip was intimidating. I worried about getting tired of talking to myself and feeling awkward about dining alone. But once on the road, I realized how much I loved traveling solo. Doing so offers the freedom to read a book at dinner, skip must-see attractions I care little about, spend a day drinking poolside, and listen to the same song on repeat for hours on end if I feel like it. It's an empowering experience. But as a female solo traveler, I know that being alone comes with a few inherent risks. This is why I always pack some essential safety items before I hit the road–and right now, many of my favorites are discounted. What I pack depends on where I'm going and how I'm getting there. I love digital trackers like Apple AirTags and use them for everything I want to keep an eye on while traveling. I throw one in my checked luggage to be able to locate it if it gets lost. And I place one on my Poppy's collar just to be safe. I'll even throw one in my vehicle when I park at the airport so that I can at least know where it is located if it gets stolen. If you have an iPhone, AirTags are the way to go–and a four-pack is currently $80 at Amazon. Every tagged device's location will appear in your Find My app. Although I've worn money belts as theft security in really dodgy places before, I mostly use mine as a hands-free way to carry my phone, ID, and credit cards when going on a hike or heading to the resort pool. I like Aikelida's travel wallet for this purpose. I like that it has RFID-blocking capabilities. It has two main zipper pockets and two stash pockets inside the larger main pockets. A concealed stretchy mesh pocket on the back makes it very easy to separate and locate items. Amazon shoppers who bought this money belt to wear under clothing also praised it, with one reviewer saying: 'This was so lightweight and comfortable to wear I forgot I had it on.' If you've heard horror stories about shady Airbnb hosts installing hidden cameras in the intimate parts of their homes, traveling with a hidden camera detector can put your mind at ease. This anti-spy camera detector by Huynl is lightweight, portable, and can detect RF signals in frequencies of 100MHz to 8GHz. It has a built-in rechargeable battery that can work continuously for 25 hours and only takes two hours to charge fully. It is also on sale for $47 thanks to an amazing double discount deal. An anti-theft crossbody bag is another must-pack for me, and this one by Travelon is on sale in four different colors. Lightweight but durable, this small messenger bag has RFID-blocking technology to protect thieves from accessing your credit card numbers and personal details through a quick skim (i.e., scan) of your bag on a busy street or bus. It is also slash-proof and cut-proof to help keep you safe from pickpockets. It even has locking hardware that lets you strap it to something at a restaurant or bar. You can't fly with pepper spray or mace, but the TSA has no issues with personal safety alarms, which I find comforting as a solo female traveler. The She's Birdie Personal Safety Alarm lives permanently in my travel suitcase. I like how easy it is to use. If you feel like you are in a dangerous situation, you simply pull the pin on the alarm, and a loud, flashing siren quickly draws attention to the problem. Just slide the pin back into the alarm's body to turn the alarm off. Luckily, I have never had to pull the alarm, which I carry clipped onto my purse or pocket depending on where I'm walking. However, Amazon customers who have purchased it say it works, giving it more than 12,000 five-star ratings. 'I feel much safer in a crowd; all I have to do is pull on this alarm, which starts shrieking," one reviewer wrote. "I keep it pinned to the strap on my purse for easy access." Staying healthy when traveling solo is paramount, and I always consider where my drinking water will come from when packing for a trip. If I'm headed somewhere like Thailand, where most tap water is unsafe to drink, I always carry a water purification device. I like LifeStraw Filter Straw for its portability, ease of use, and ability to filter out more than 99.99 percent of waterborne bacteria and parasites, including E. coli and Giardia. Remove the caps at both ends, submerge the bottom into whatever you are drinking out of, and sip like you usually do. It is hard to believe something so simple can be such a lifesaver, but it really is. The LifeStraw has garnered over 10,000 perfect five-star ratings on Amazon. I rely heavily on Google Maps to navigate unknown cities when traveling solo, and having my phone die en route is a scary thought. So, I always stash a portable battery charger like this one from Anker in my purse. Just knowing it is there gives me peace of mind. Slim and easy to carry, this charger still packs a powerful punch. It can charge my Google Pixel Pro 8 about four times before I need to recharge the charger, and it can also charge two devices at once with USB-C and USB-A ports. It charges my devices quickly, taking about two hours to charge my phone fully. And right now, you can score a few dollars off thanks to an on-page coupon. You really can't go wrong with throwing a luggage cable lock like this one from Search Alert onto your packing list. It is TSA-approved, so you can use it to lock your luggage on your flights to protect against theft during transfers. I've had friends get items stolen from their checked luggage before, so this lock helps prevent that. The lock is also great if you are taking public transport or staying in hostels, as it allows you to keep your suitcase locked whenever you're away from it. I never leave for a road trip without an emergency roadside safety tool kit, and this one from Everlit includes most of what you need to get out of a roadside emergency, including a compact air compressor that can inflate your tire in seconds should you have a slow leak. It also comes with 12-foot-long jumper cables that are longer than standard ones, making it easier to get your vehicle started no matter where it is parked. The 108-piece first aid kit is another perk; so whether it's on sale or not, it's a smart idea to grab it. I carry bear spray on road trips, even if I'm not expecting to run into a bear or a mountain. It can also be used for self-defense against humans when traveling solo, especially when hiking alone or camping. However, if you are going to carry bear spray to protect yourself if attacked by a bear, you will want to know how to use it before setting out. Before spraying a bear, you'll want to diffuse the situation less aggressively by turning your face away from the bear, staying silent or speaking in soothing tones, and slowly backing out of the problem. If this doesn't work and the bear charges, you can use the spray when the bear is within 15 feet. Don't pack your bear spray for a flight, though. It is illegal to carry in carry-on and checked luggage, and TSA will confiscate it. I think phone straps are a brilliant idea for numerous reasons. From a safety perspective, they help keep your phone attached to you and out of your pocket, where pickpockets can nab it. But I also love them for active adventures where I want to take pictures but don't want to drop my phone while scampering up rocks to see a waterfall. The Casetify Rope Phone Strap is compatible with most phone cases and has a two-layer adjustable rope strap to make carrying it anywhere a breeze. Charging your phone via a USB outlet in a public place seems innocent. But what many people don't know is that most USB cables can transmit data, making it easy for someone to hack into your phone and steal stored info like credit cards on file and passwords. It's called 'juice jacking.' Luckily, there is a cheap and easy fix with a data-blocking device like this one from PortaPow. Simply plug your USB cord into the device and then plug the device into the outlet the next time you are charging at an airport or train station. I'm not a big fan of wearing money belts, but I'm all about the bra wallet when I need to stash cash or credit cards in areas where pickpockets operate–it also works great if I don't feel like carrying a purse to a concert and am not wearing clothes with pockets. This comfy, discreet undercover wallet comes in two sizes to fit multiple bra sizes. To use, you just snap the adjustable elastic straps over your bra strap and tuck the pouch inside. It is big enough to hold numerous credit cards, IDs, and even a car key. It also blocks RFID, and the lining of the wallet's interior pocket is moisture resistant. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
TSA urges travelers to avoid these airport freebies to stay cyber safe
Remember having to hunt for an electrical outlet at the airport? Now many boarding areas have USB ports built into their seats, but federal authorities urge travelers to avoid plugging in, at least directly. 'Hackers can install malware at USB ports (we've been told that's called 'juice/port jacking'),' the Transportation Safety Administration posted on Facebook this spring. 'So, when you're at an airport do not plug your phone directly into a USB port. Bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there.' Here's what else travelers should know before their next flight. Is charging your phone at the airport safe? It depends on how it's done. 'Using AC power outlets can help you avoid any potential risks, so be sure to pack AC, car chargers, and your own USB cables with you when traveling,' the Federal Communications Commission advises. Like TSA, the FCC also recommends external batteries, but if a USB port is necessary 'and a prompt appears asking you to select 'share data' or 'trust this computer' or 'charge only,' always select 'charge only.'' Cruising Altitude | No traveler should ever post this on social media Is it safe to join public Wi-Fi? TSA suggests avoiding it. 'Don't use free public WiFi, especially if you're planning to make any online purchases,' TSA warned. 'Do not ever enter any sensitive info while using unsecure WiFi.' 'Anytime you're exchanging some sort of password … you want to be cautious of the networks that you're on,' Eric Plam, an executive at SIMO, a mobile hotspot company, told USA TODAY last year. Password manager tools can protect and encrypt passwords. But Plam also advised using a VPN or virtual private network when possible. 'It's not a very big investment … and adds an extra layer of security from your computer to whatever server you're accessing.' Contributing: Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: TSA warns travelers about free Wi-Fi, USB charging ports at airports Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Daily Mail
TSA issues urgent warning to all smartphone users over data theft
By Many people would consider themselves to be nervous flyers. But a recent warning from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may be an indication that you need to be more worried about what happens before you even get on a plane. 'In this technology age, cybersecurity has never been more important,' the TSA wrote on a recent Facebook post. 'You've likely heard about things like email scams and social media scams (tip: don't accept that friend request from your buddy's "new" profile), but today we want to share our two best tips for staying cyber safe at airports while you're traveling.' Both of the tips involved safety with your smartphone. While we all typically glue ourselves to our phone once we're safely by our gate and waiting for a flight, it's possible that your mobile device might be behind your next cybersecurity attack. The TSA suggested that charging ports at the airport aren't always as trustworthy as you might have assumed. They warned against 'juice jacking,' which is when a charging port has been altered so that it can be used to transfer malware to or steal personal information from a phone. 'So, when you're at an airport do not plug your phone directly into a USB port,' the TSA wrote. 'Bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there.' The second warning involves WiFi. In terms of free internet, the TSA pretty much says to stay away entirely. 'Don't use free public WiFi, especially if you're planning to make any online purchases,' the entity posted. 'Do not ever enter any sensitive info while using unsecure WiFi.' Similar to juice jacking, some unsecure WiFi networks could be stealing your information - which includes your card information when you're trying to pay for something. So what if you need to get on the WiFi? The TSA suggested you disconnect from unknown networks, only enter encrypted sites, and stay away from downloads.
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Daily Mail
TSA issues urgent warning to all smartphone users over little-known method used to steal private data at airports
Many people would consider themselves to be nervous flyers. But a recent warning from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may be an indication that you need to be more worried about what happens before you even get on a plane. 'In this technology age, cybersecurity has never been more important,' the TSA wrote on a recent Facebook post. 'You've likely heard about things like email scams and social media scams (tip: don't accept that friend request from your buddy's "new" profile), but today we want to share our two best tips for staying cyber safe at airports while you're traveling.' Both of the tips involved safety with your smartphone. While we all typically glue ourselves to our phone once we're safely by our gate and waiting for a flight, it's possible that your mobile device might be behind your next cybersecurity attack. The TSA suggested that charging ports at the airport aren't always as trustworthy as you might have assumed. They warned against 'juice jacking,' which is when a charging port has been altered so that it can be used to transfer malware to or steal personal information from a phone. 'So, when you're at an airport do not plug your phone directly into a USB port,' the TSA wrote. 'Bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there.' The second warning involves WiFi. In terms of free internet, the TSA pretty much says to stay away entirely. 'Don't use free public WiFi, especially if you're planning to make any online purchases,' the entity posted. 'Do not ever enter any sensitive info while using unsecure WiFi.' Similar to juice jacking, some unsecure WiFi networks could be stealing your information - which includes your card information when you're trying to pay for something. So what if you need to get on the WiFi? The TSA suggested you disconnect from unknown networks, only enter encrypted sites, and stay away from downloads. You should also be weary of inputting any information of yourself aside from your email onto any sort of site. Though both charging points and WiFi are offered at airports, it might be safest to avoid them. By following the TSA's tips, the most dangerous thing to consider at the airport would be missing your flight.
