Traveling abroad is always fun and exciting. Common travel advice like keeping an eye on wallets or not drinking tap water is indispensable to hear before taking a trip. However, there are some more exceptional issues and travel taboos that one must be aware of when going abroad. Bear these eight tips in mind on what not to do in order to be sure and enjoy your trip.

• Trusting the hotel safe

You may be used to stowing your passport, money, tickets and other valuable items in the hotel safe, to avoid losing them when you are out and about, or getting robbed.

How safe are hotel safes, though? Not particularly – some very old models can be opened if the power supply is cut. Other safes can be opened if they are returned to their factory setting. Then there are those that spring open if you punch the lid.

Safes in hotel rooms often present a little obstacle for thieves as they are only mounted in the wardrobe or on the wall with screws so they can easily be removed from the site, a German consumer advice center warned in 2019.

It is safer to use the safe at the hotel reception, where you can drop off your valuables. You’ll get a receipt and your items will be fully insured – unlike if you use the room safe.

• Making phone calls or downloading a video onboard a ship

If you’re on a ferry, say from Germany to Sweden or Norway, you might not think twice about reaching for your smartphone, after roaming charges in the EU and some other countries were dropped back in 2017.

But that only applies to land-based networks. As otherwise, passengers would not have a mobile phone connection at sea, major ferries often have an onboard mobile phone network, connected to a satellite network.

Sadly, these onboard networks are very expensive and the costs are not capped at a certain level. A brief call costs between €3 ($3.17) and €7 per minute.

You can also expect to pay up to €2.50 per 100 kilobytes of data – and bear in mind that a brief WhatsApp video of less than a minute has a volume of around one to three megabytes, meaning playing it back could cost €25 to €75. The cost of letting the kids watch a YouTube film would be eye-watering, so you are safest if you switch the phone to flight mode until you reach dry land.

• Packing everything in your check-in bag

Another piece of vital travel advice is to put your necessities in your hand luggage. In 2019, airlines worldwide lost around 25.4 million luggage items, or just over 5.5 suitcases per thousand passengers, according to IT service provider Sita.

That is not necessarily a cause for concern, as 99.5% of all missing luggage turns up, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). But if you want to avoid being among the remaining 0.5%, make sure your bag doesn’t have loose straps dangling off it, and ensure your suitcase is not excessively worn.

A further issue to bear in mind is the minimum connecting time at a transfer airport. If you have less than the minimum specified, time might get tight and your suitcase will probably only reach your destination on the airline’s next flight at the earliest, to be sent onward by taxi or courier.

So if you want to avoid being stranded without fresh underwear and a toothbrush, carry the bare minimum in your hand luggage.

• Being unprepared in case of an emergency

Have you ever checked out where the hotel’s emergency exit is? No matter how good the sprinkler system is, you want to know the way out if something catches fire, particularly if you’re on an upper story as fire brigade ladders only reach up to the seventh or eighth floor.

While we’re at it, make sure you know what emergency number to dial in the country you’re in – and whether it is worth calling there at all. Just over 70 countries (two-thirds of them in Europe) have a nationwide emergency service that’s always available. Elsewhere, you need to make your own way to the nearest hospital.

• Skipping a leg of a flight

It seems odd that a flight ticket from Oslo to New York via Berlin costs less than a ticket from Berlin to New York, without the first leg. You might wonder, do I really have to board the plane in Oslo? Yes, you do.

If you skip a leg of the journey on your ticket, the airline may charge you the difference compared to the regular route price. Legally, that may be a grey area, but it could be an expensive headache afterward.

• Being unaware of local laws

Most travelers make an effort to be sure they abide by local laws but sometimes that requires some extra research. Be aware that if you are in Thailand for example, you don’t want to place your foot on a banknote, as there’s a picture of the king on it, so you could get into trouble.

Meanwhile, in Buddhist countries, some people don’t like to see tourists posing playfully by Buddha statues. If you’re in the native islands of the Maldives, that aren’t part of tourist resorts, bikinis are banned. In Bhutan, you may not smoke in public. And if you are in Singapore, you may not transport the musty-smelling durian fruit underground.

Taking pictures using drones may cause you problems in several places – special permits are required in many countries, while the practice is banned completely in Morocco, Iran, Kenya and Egypt, for example. Flying a drone without the right paperwork close to a military zone could land you in jail.

• Being careless with your medication

There are pills for everything from tension to fear of flying but think twice about whether to pack them when traveling.

Many countries have strict drug laws such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Malaysia and many others, so while a drug might be commonplace in Europe, for example, even a small quantity could land you in jail abroad.

Check embassy websites before you travel and a letter from your doctor confirming that the medication is necessary is also advisable.

• Checking your bank balance at the hotel

It’s a bad idea to do online banking at the hotel particularly if the wi-fi is not password-protected. You might wind up in the wrong network if you see something like “Guest” on the list of free networks and assume that is the one for you. It could be a scam set up close to the hotel and if you are unlucky, thieves can find your email log-ins and bank passwords, track all your activities, install malware or redirect the connection to phishing sites.

Beware of similar issues at airports and in restaurants. For safer browsing, you can also use your own mobile data or VPN tunnel software.

Whether you’re flying thousands of miles to lay on a gorgeous beach in Bali or taking a short drive to go leaf-peeping just a few hours away, you better believe your loved ones want to follow along on your incredible adventures. Nowadays, as you walk out the door with your luggage in tow, friends and family will tell you to “have fun!” and “post a lot on Instagram!” in the same breath. (What happened to the days of “We’ll miss you dearly,” right?) Once you’re at your destination, it’s normal to have limitless options for breathtaking photos to post and yet be at a total loss for words when it comes to writing your Instagram captions.

You probably feel the pressure to write a clever caption that matches the awesomeness of your photo, but no one should waste a moment of hard-earned vacation time hemming and hawing over a sentence or two. That’s why we put together this list of cute and inspirational travel Instagram captions for all those moments when you don’t have the patience or energy to come up with something on your own. Pick one for now, save some for later, and get back to your amazing trip already!

General Travel Captions

I’ve found my happy place.

• What’s on my bucket list? Everywhere.
• Take memories, leave footprints.
• Always say yes to new adventures.
• Life is short and the world is wide. I better get started.
• My new routine: Journey. Explore. Discover. Repeat.
• Only going places that spark joy.
• Keep calm and travel on.
• Will travel for food (and a good sunset).
• The best things happen outside of our comfort zones.
• Constantly searching for views that take my breath away.
• When I’m exploring the world is when I feel most at home.
• Until you step into the unknown, you don’t know what you’re made of.
• Life is not meant to be in one place.

Cheeky Travel Captions

• I follow my heart … and it usually leads me to the airport.
• Greetings from [insert location]. I live here now.
• I travel so my life isn’t disrupted by routine.
• Maybe you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy plane tickets.
• I decided to skip ahead to the part of my life where I travel the world.
• Tans and jetlag fade, but memories last forever.
• I’m a travel addict on the road to recovery. Just kidding, I’m headed to the airport.
• All I need is a 3-month vacation four times a year. That’s really not asking for much.
• BBN. Be back never.

Travel Quote Captions

• “I am one of those who never knows the direction of my journey until I have almost arrived.” —Anna Louise Strong
• “Not all those who wander are lost.” —J.R.R. Tolkien
• “We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.” —Anaïs Nin
• “An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered.” —G.K. Chesterton
• “Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.” —Margaret Lee Runbeck
• “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” —Lao Tzu
• “To travel is worth any cost or sacrifice.” —Elizabeth Gilbert
• “One’s destination is never a place but rather a new way at looking at things.” —Henry Miller
• “Surely, of all the wonders of the world, the horizon is the greatest.” —Freya Stark
• “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” —Robert Louis Stevenson
• “This is what holidays, travels, vacations are about. It is not really rest or even leisure we chase. We strain to renew our capacity to wonder, to shock ourselves into astonishment once again.” —Shana Alexander

When it comes to cardiovascular disease, some factors – such as age and family history – are out of your control. But you can adopt healthy lifestyle habits that make a difference in keeping your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels in check.

Topping the list? Eating foods that promote heart health.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, claiming the lives of 655,000 Americans every year. That’s roughly one in every four deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So it’s important to choose foods that will lower your risk.

What Makes a Food “Heart-Healthy?”

When shopping, look at the ingredient list and nutrition facts. Pick foods that are:

• Low in saturated or trans fats
• High in omega-3 fatty acids
• Low in sodium
• High in fiber

Many fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans are good sources of fiber. Fatty fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. So are some plant-based options like nuts and seeds; plant oils; and fortified foods, including certain brands of eggs, juices, milk and yogurt.

What Benefits Do Heart-Healthy Foods Provide?

Certain vitamins, minerals, fats, and macronutrients can affect your heart health. For example:

• Unsaturated fats can help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
• Low-sodium options can help control blood pressure.
• Fiber can help with weight management and lower LDL cholesterol.

Heart-Healthy Foods To Add to Your Diet

The Mediterranean Diet — a popular recommendation for heart health — focuses on replacing saturated and trans fats with healthier fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. For instance, instead of cooking with butter, use non-tropical vegetable oils like olive oil, grapeseed oil or avocado oil.

Fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, also provide omega-3 fatty acids, which have been associated with decreased risk of heart disease. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends eating a variety of fish at least twice a week.

For plant-based, heart-healthy protein sources, choose beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds. For healthy carbs, choose a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Beyond the obvious suggestions, here are five foods that might surprise you as being good for your heart.

1. Figs: Bursting with healthy phytochemicals and antioxidants, figs also contain heart-healthy minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron. Whether you eat figs dried or fresh, they’re a great plant-based food to include in your diet.

2. Grapefruit: Studies have shown that grapefruit — loaded with phytochemicals such as flavonoids and vitamins like A and C — can help fight heart disease and stroke.

3. Beets: Beets are composed of dietary nitrate, which acts as a precursor to nitric oxide. Research shows that nitric oxide can aid in reducing blood pressure.

4. Pumpkin: Full of fiber, pumpkin also contains potassium and vitamin A. You can easily find canned pumpkin (still loaded with nutrients) and pumpkin seeds (filled with high-fiber content). Both are rich in magnesium. For seeds, choose the unsalted kind.

5. Peanut butter: While nuts count as a plant-based protein, so do nut butter. Just make sure you check the ingredient list, which should only list peanuts and a little bit of salt. Avoid brands that add sugars or unhealthy fats like palm oil.

How to Navigate the Grocery Store
Focus on the produce section, where you’ll find fruits and vegetables rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. With fresh produce, you don’t have to worry about any added sugars, fats, or sodium.

While frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables also provide nutrients, be sure to read the label. Look for canned vegetables and beans marked “salt-free,” “low-sodium” or “no added salt.” For frozen vegetables, the ingredient list should only include the vegetables. Avoid choosing frozen vegetables with sauces or gravies, as they’re often higher in sodium.

Don’t forget fiber-rich whole grains, like whole-grain bread, brown rice, nuts, and seeds. When checking food labels, choose options with at least two to three grams of fiber per serving.

And look for “Heart Check Foods” by the American Heart Association — a labeling designation AHA puts on packaging to help shoppers identify heart-healthy foods.

Kisawa Sanctuary, sprawled across 300 hectares of beachfront and coastal forest on Benguerra Island, Mozambique, has launched with 22 spacious bungalows across 12 residences. While some lie on the calmer cove side, others shelter in the dunes on the ocean side. All residences are positioned within a secluded plot of at least one acre of beachfront, sand dunes and forest, providing maximum privacy. Each bungalow can accommodate two persons. Some stand alone, while others are positioned in groups, so groups can enjoy a balance of privacy and togetherness.

A 24/7 personal service team, plus a colorful fleet of electric Mini Mokes allows guests to choose between privacy within their bungalow and surroundings, or to adventure at their own pace throughout Benguerra Island and the Bazaruto Archipelago.

The first hospitality project by entrepreneur, creative director and philanthropist Nina Flohr, Kisawa’s approach to craftsmanship and commissions are designed to involve and create work for as many people from Benguerra and the neighbouring islands as possible. The work of local weavers, thatchers, carpenters and textile makers is showcased in the sanctuary.

Art and antiques are sourced from across Africa, ensuring the preservation of heritage artifacts and their remaining provenance within the continent. These works sit alongside locally made bespoke furniture, providing an authentic sense of place, and a connection with the natural environment. Colorful patterns and prints, evocative of the region, add a graphic element and intrigue while contrasting textures provide layers of tactility.

Around 80 percent of the construction workforce belonged to Benguerra Island, half of which were women. Today, Kisawa is run by a team of 220 staff, with 90 percent of the operational team from Africa and the remainder combining expertise from around the world.

At the heart of the resort, guests can discover shared spaces dedicated to relaxation, dining and well-being, along with an expansive Natural Wellness Center. Located amongst dunes, the wellness center offers guests individual treatments or personalized programs rooted in Ayurvedic medicine, in collaboration with the guest’s private chef and the Kisawa team. A Japanese Iyashi dome sauna uses gentle infrared heat to promote healing. Within the fully equipped gym, Pilates reformers are available for guests to use alone or under professional guidance.

Throughout the seven culinary locations at Kisawa, the ethos remains the same: A commitment to sanctuary-grown produce, the practice of organic, seasonal gardening methods, operating a zero-waste policy and no use of processed ingredients. Kisawa has built a network of farmers and producers ensuring fresh local produce daily. The multiple venues, including the Main Terrace, Baracca and two Mussassas, offer a wide variety of dishes, with a focus on African and Mozambican flavors, including an ever-changing selection of seafood inspired by daily conversations with local fishermen.

Besides founding Kisawa Sanctuary, Flohr launched its sister property, the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS), also located on Benguerra Island. It is Africa’s first permanent ocean observatory. Their parallel operations create a new, symbiotic business model whereby hospitality contributes directly to marine science and research. The data and knowledge output of BCSS informs the environmental decisions of the sanctuary, ranging from design choices and ocean awareness, to meaningful guest experiences, such as spending the day tagging sharks from the deck of the research vessel. Coined “resort to research,” this is an authentic, active, day-to-day relationship that allows for the harmonious existence of Kisawa Sanctuary and BCSS.