Avid traveler warns about common vacation practice that you may not realize is putting you in danger
An avid traveler who has been to all 50 states in the US has warned about a common vacation practice that many may not realize is actually putting them in danger.
Emily Hart, 40, from Boulder, Colorado, known online as EmilyVentures, took her first solo trip in her early 30s, and it quickly became her passion.
Over the last decade, she has not only visited every state in America, but she’s also hiked all 63 US National Parks, all while documenting her endeavors online.
Hart – who ultimately quit her job to become a full time travel content creator – has taken most of her trips on her own, but being a solo female traveler comes with a slew of risks.
Thankfully, over the course of her travels, Hart has uncovered a slew of important safety tips and hacks to protect herself and avoid risky situations.
She broke them down exclusively to the Daily Mail, while also highlighting a popular travel practice that she believes is a lot more dangerous than people realize: posting about your vacation on social media in real time.
Have you ever taken a snap of a stunning view out your resort window or the ocean from your lounge chair and immediately shared it to your Instagram Stories or Facebook feed?
Well, according to Hart, the seemingly innocent activity may be putting you at severe risk.
Avid solo traveler Emily Hart, 40, from Boulder, Colorado, has been to all 50 states in the US warned about a common vacation practice that many may not realize is dangerous
Over the last decade, she has not only visited every state in America, but she’s also hiked all 63 US National Parks, all while documenting her endeavors online
She pointed out that constantly sharing your travels online could allow predators to figure out exactly where you’re staying or what you’re doing.
‘Never post your travels in real time. Even if you have a private profile, don’t think many people are looking at your social media, or that you don’t tag the specific location, there are many ways to figure out exactly where a person is from a photo, and it is not safe,’ she stressed.
In addition, she recommended you always ‘tell others about your plans or share your location with trusted friends or family’ if you’re planning a solo trip.
‘I sometimes go on hikes or long drives where I have no cell service, but I have shared my plans with others in case I don’t return as expected,’ she explained.
Hart also stressed the importance of not giving out too much information to any strangers you meet along the way.
‘Lie when necessary. I often lie about who I am with, where I am staying/my plans when asked by a stranger,’ she said.
‘Even if someone seems friendly or harmless, it’s better safe than sorry. This could look like telling an Uber driver you are meeting friends at the hotel, telling a waiter that your boyfriend is picking you up, that you are saving the seat next to you if someone is making you uncomfortable and asks to sit down, that you don’t have a social media if someone asks, or that you are heading home when you are still going to be staying in the area.’
Hart admitted that there have been situations during her travels that made her so uncomfortable she’s had to change hotels or alter her itinerary, and recommended solo travelers ‘always have a plan B and the resources to execute it if necessary.’
But the content creator highlighted a popular travel practice that she believes is a lot more dangerous than people realize: posting about your vacation on social media in real time
She recommended you always ‘tell others about your plans or share your location with trusted friends or family’ if you’re planning a solo trip
Hart is seen in Arches National Park in Utah
She recommended solo travelers ‘always have a plan B and the resources to execute it if necessary’
‘Listening to your intuition is key,’ she added. ‘If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, or if your intuition tells you something is off, go/turn around/change plans without feeling bad about it.’
Hart also shared a slew of hacks to save money while traveling.
She explained to the Daily Mail that ‘booking well in advance and traveling during the off-season’ are his biggest pieces of advice.
‘Planning and research have saved me the most throughout the years. If you are left to find last-minute lodging or a rental car, you will ultimately pay a premium,’ she dished.
She also recommended ‘deciding on a daily budget in advance’ so you know before you leave what’s worth spending on and what’s not, making decisions in the moment much easier.
‘If I want to take myself out to a nicer dinner, then the rest of the day will have to be cheaper,’ she said.
In addition, she said she takes advantage of credit card points, hotel reward programs and airline miles, which she described as a ‘game changer.’
