As a digital nomad, you are always traveling and always connected to the cyber world. So, when it comes to shopping you may not have the time to go to a brick and mortar retail store. Digital shopping is the current trend and digital nomads are a part of the new way we buy.

However, the digital world is also a new opportunity for fraud and identity theft. If you are a digital nomad who loves to shop online here are some tips to keep your browsing safe.

Frequent Password Changes

Most identity thieves rely on the laziness of the average consumer. Once most consumers have established a password they tend to stick with it. This indifference tends to make it easier for hackers to access your information. Setting up a schedule to change your password adds a buffer of security to your online searches and shopping. Experts recommend a monthly password change. Stick to the schedule and have several passwords prepared as options over a year’s time.

Shop Safe Sites

There are countless e-commerce sites out there. Not all of them can guarantee a safe online shopping experience. Look for the SSL lock on the navigation bar when you visit a shopping site. The secure socket layer is an added level of protection that most e-commerce sites should provide to consumers. Ones that don’t are either taking a risk with your confidential information, or are out to steal it.

Shop Familiar Sites

Online search can be modified to lead you to a site that is not at all what you think it is. Look out for misspellings in the URL or sites that use .net instead of .com. A Home Depot.net is not the big box home improvement retailer and you may be handing over your information to a thief. Stay with well-known sites like QVC for your online shopping and purchasing. When you use any specials like coupons or discount offers, be sure to use the ones specifically from the retailer. For example, QVC is offering these savings and they are legit becomes they come directly from the company. Use promo codes like these for safe shopping discounts.

Credit Not Debit

Always use a credit card when shopping. Debit cards are very vulnerable as a thief can quickly access your bank account and clean it out. Most well-known credit card companies offer a buffer between your purchase and payment to the vendor. They can halt unauthorized charges and prevent fraud.

Before your set off on your travels, there are a number of things you need to consider and prepare for. One of these things is travel insurance. Depending on the nature of your travel plans, there are a wide range of covers and plans on the market. To help you better understand what the best option for your requirements and budget is, you should first consider the countries and activities you will be traveling to and from and the regions of these countries you may travel to once you reach the destination.

• One question that many travellers ponder over is “Do I need extra travel insurance or the insurance from my credit card is enough?”

When doing a comparison on credit cards and travel coverages, travel coverages are included in both. For example, trip cancellations, flight delay, trip interruptions, luggage delays and emergency medical cover are covered as standard. What people need to be mindful of and really understand are the limitations and benefits because not all credit cards will have all of the travel coverages included.

When reading through your credit card policies, two things to keep in mind are

1. what is covered, and
2. how much is covered.

Here’s an example: You may well have your lost baggage covered but what if that is limited to $1,200? You will want to reconsider consider packing your $2,000 laptop and expensive clothes! Make sure you have enough coverage for what’s in your bag!

Three main insurance coverages that travelers should be aware of

1. Trip Cancellation and Interruption – This covers your non-refundable travel bookings if you need to cancel your trip, travel home prematurely, or if you must stay for a longer period of time in your destination.
2. Emergency Medical Travel – This will cover you in the unfortunate circumstances of you becoming ill or if you are in an accident and require emergency medical attention.
3. Baggage and Personal Effects – This particular insurance gives protection against damaged, lost or stolen luggage and personal effects. In most cases, it will also cover some of the costs for the replacing of lost or stolen birth certificates, driving licenses or passports. This type of insurance might also provide you with cover for essential toiletries and clothes if your checked luggage is delayed by your carrier for twelve hours or longer while on your journey and before your return home.

The fine print…

When reading through your insurance policies, which coverage(s) should you check on?

If you’ve thoroughly gone through your policies, checked out the limits of your coverage, understand the exclusions and still have questions about whether or not you need travel insurance, a professional travel insurance advisor might be worth a visit.

Once you are purchasing a policy that provides the areas of coverage that you are most concerned about, and as long as you read the policy and fine print and fully understand what you’re getting, the cost of travel insurance is minimal, compared to what a real life scenario might cost you!

When traveling there are a few ways to make your travel life less stressful. Whether you are booking for business travel or a leisure vacation getaway, booking an airport hotel can make a lot of sense.

Perhaps you have a layover that is just long enough that you could get some much needed sleep. Or maybe your travel itinerary gives you a short day where it doesn’t make sense to go all the way into the main part of a city for your stay. Your time might be better utilized and more efficient by utilizing all the conveniences of booking airport hotels.

Here are some common questions to ask yourself about deciding which airport hotel to book:

Distance

This is one of the main questions to ask – how far is the hotel from the airport? Some airport hotels might be within walking distance of the airport while others may require a shuttle. Both situations can be great for your situation, you just want to know how far away the hotel is and how long it will take to get there. Having a place to catch some shut eye will greatly help you ward off the ill effects of jet lag.

Price

Cost is a big factor for a lot of people when they are deciding on which hotel to book. When looking at an airport hotel, it is important to factor in the total cost of the stay, not just the price per night. Is there a shuttle to your hotel or will you have to pay for a taxi? Even if you found a cheaper hotel on your own, the cost of the taxi might off set that. Bear in mind that often times taxi companies charge even higher rates for very early morning or very late evening driving services and can add to your cost. So make sure you take that into consideration as you as calculating your costs.

Amenities

Take your time in checking out the amenities offered by the hotel. Do they have wifi in all the rooms? Is breakfast included? Are you able to order food at any time of the day? A big consideration for many people can also be parking. If you need a place to park your car, you may be able to save a significant amount by booking a stay and park deal ahead of time. Make sure you enquire what your parking options are.

Rewards

An added bonus is many of the airport hotel booking offers are also part of major rewards programs. Hotel options range from the Hilton, Marriot, Radisson, Holiday Inn, Premier Inn and others that you can earn some great reward bonuses on. So as you stay in style you will be gaining rewards for your next getaway all at the same time!

As you plan out your next business trip or holiday, don’t overlook the conveniences of booking an airport hotel. When you arrive to your destination more refreshed and ready to either enjoy your vacation or make solid business decisions and you’ll be glad you got yourself a good night’s sleep.

Ah, Dubai. Considered to be one of the most exotic places to visit, Dubai is a hub for travellers from all over the world. Although the Dubai International Airport is right in the city center, the heat in the city is often intense, making commuting to and fro unbearable. Given that, travelling from the airport to the city, or even within the city itself, can be daunting but there’s a great solution for those of you looking to embark on a trip to Dubai soon. Available in 236 cities across the world, Blacklane is your premiere airport transfer and professional driver service for your stay in Dubai. It offers a unique experience and special perks that you won’t find with any other transport service. Trust us.

Why Blacklane?

Well, because it’s going to make your stay so much more pleasant. Blacklane’s app allows you to book or request a ride much like you would any other appointment, so you’ll be sure that someone will show up on time at your select location. If you’re arriving at the Dubai International Airport, your professional driver will be waiting to greet you at the arrivals gate with a personalized sign. They will even help you with your luggage so that you can sit comfortably in the vehicle you’ve chosen for your ride to the hotel. How amazing is that?

Additionally, Blacklane is the premiere Dubai limousine service provider so that you can get around the city comfortably. When the heat is at its peak, having such a service on-hand can make all the difference. These limousines come in three classes of vehicles including:

• Business class – for hourly hires or business travellers with tight schedules
• Business Van/SUV – for transferring clients between the airport, hotels and trade fairs
• First Class – for when you need to arrive in style

Simply put, it makes getting around a breeze and if you need a little extra comfort with a taste of luxury, Blacklane has that too.

What Other Perks Are There?

Many more. Blacklane is distinct in how it operates. Unlike Uber and other taxi services, Blacklane focuses heavily on giving the control over to the client so that they can book and request rides as they wish. It’s not about hoping a driver is available to pick you up, it’s about knowing there’s a driver to always pick you up whenever you want.

But, besides it’s user-friendly app and customizable experience, it also offers the following great perks:

• Professionally licensed and friendly drivers
• Modern and safe vehicles available in three classes based on your preferences or needs
• No surge pricing
• The availability of three services so that you can hire either on a hourly basis, to get you to the hotel from the airport or, to simply get you to wherever you want to go.

What more can we say? Navigating Dubai is going to be really simple and easy with Blacklane helping you get around. Make your trip a truly memorable one and give Blacklane a try when you find yourself in beautiful Dubai.

Orlando is an exciting place to visit for both American and international tourists. When someone mentions Florida, you think of the sunshine, theme parks, and alligators. This is a great destination for all ages and any interest in travel and is especially a favorite for the kids. The good news is that you can get a car rental and find a few cheap hotels without spending an absolute fortune. And there are so many different activities for people to do in Florida. What I recommend when you arrive in Orlando is to first get a car so that you can explore the region on your own. This article describes the advantages of renting a car in Orlando.

Convenience Factor:

It will come as no surprise that Orlando is a huge sprawling metropolis with the attractions and amusement parks being far apart. Public transport is available, but it’s limited and unreliable. Getting a car when you arrive at the airport is straightforward. You can book now on Viajemos.com and collect the keys when your plane arrives at Orlando International Airport. This means you can then get back to the hotel in record time and start exploring the city.

A Car Gives You Freedom:

It’s not always possible to explore and see everything that a city has to offer when you have to rely on public transport. Sometimes the best experiences happen by chance when you drive past something that looks interesting and you stop to investigate. Another part of this is that Orlando has a lot of cool neighborhoods. These are worth exploring themselves whenever you get the chance. Each one is full of different cafes and restaurants and their own unique character. It’s easy to zip around the city in your car rental and explore the parts of the city that are difficult to reach on the bus.

Experience Nature:

If you drive out of the city for a few kilometers, you’re going to be faced with lots of nature reserves and lakes. There are plenty of opportunities to stop the car and enjoy the scenery or to drive to one of the many hiking trails. This is a great way to experience more of Orlando and to get off the beaten track. A great thing to do is to find a spot for either the sunrise or sunset. You can have the flexibility to do both without paying for a tour when you have your own car.

How to Get the Best Deals in Orlando:

If you want to find the best deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals or to see what special offers are available when you combine all three, click here and check out Traveling.com. This is probably the best website to find good deals and discounts before you depart for your trip to Orlando.

The Takeaway Message:

Orlando is a great destination for the young and the old with lots of exciting things to do and see. There’s always something interesting going on in Florida, and with a car rental, you can make sure you don’t miss out.

So, you’ve just booked up your trip to Los Cabos and want to know what the essential things to pack are? Then you’re in the right place. It doesn’t matter if you’re passing through on a budget or a staying at some of the more luxurious vacation rentals in Los Cabos, you still need to pack a few essentials. Los Cabos is a beach resort and you only really need to pack one bag. If you’re happy to do your own washing or go to the laundromat, you can take even less. Here are 10 essential and not-so-obvious things to pack for your trip.

1# Sunscreen:

In the initial excitement, it can be quite easy to forget sunscreen. The Mexican sun shines strong and bright for most of the year and you need to protect yourself. It’s quite easy to get burned when you’re swimming or relaxing around the pool. Avoid making the mistake of several tourists who arrive and get second-degree burns from exposure on the first day.

2# Sweater / Light Jacket:

The sun may be shining all the time, but it doesn’t mean that the weather is always hot. When the sun drops below the horizon, you’re going to notice an almost instant drop in the temperature. The average evening temps hover in the low to mid 70’s and after a day under the sun, you can start to feel slightly chilly. For this reason, remember to pack a light sweater or jacket to stay warm.

3# Waterproof Shoes / Sandals:

Most people like to participate in some kind of water activities when they visit Los Cabos. And even if you’re not, you’re probably going to be hanging around the pool or at the beach. Walking along the beach barefooted isn’t a good idea after it’s been baking under the sun for hours. Bring a pair of comfortable sandals or waterproof shoes to protect your feet.

4# Tissue / Toilet Paper:

This is a more practical issue that tourists often fall victim to. The public toilets in Mexico don’t usually have tissue and can lead to unexpected problems. It’s always a good idea to have some in your bag as a backup just in case. When you wash your hand afterwards, you should expect that you will have to let them air dry as there probably won’t be any paper towels.

5# Medicine:

You may not be able to get the same type of medicine in Los Cabos as you can back at home. This becomes even more of a problem if you can’t speak Spanish to explain to the pharmacist what you want. I’d strongly suggest bringing painkillers and anti-diarrheal tablets. The hygiene in Mexico isn’t always as good as it can be back at home, especially if you’re travelling through on a budget. The water may not be clean and developing stomach problems is a real issue. Bring something to protect yourself.

6# Fanny Pack or a Money Belt:

Los Cabos is one of the safest regions in Mexico for tourists. But it doesn’t mean that it’s completely safe and that it gives you an excuse to be careless. Pickpockets and thieves roam the streets in search of easy targets. You don’t want to keep any valuables insides your pockets where someone can easily get their hands on it. I’d recommend wearing a fanny pack to keep your day-to-day items such as your phone and keys and a money belt to store your cards, larger denominations, and passports.

Image from Wikimedia Commons

7# Something to Read:

If you’re going to relax in Los Cabos, you want to be entertained. In today’s day and age, most people are happy to sit playing on their phones all day. While this is an advantage, it also gets tiresome after a few days. Magazine and books are hard to find in Mexico and the ones that you do are much more expensive. The variety is limited and it may not be something that you’re looking for. If you like to read magazines, plan ahead and bring some with you.

8# Bring Your Own Snorkeling Equipment:

If you plan to go out and snorkel, it may be better to bring your own equipment along with you. A pair of goggles and a snorkel doesn’t take much room. The hygiene and quality of equipment in Mexico is lower, which means that they may or may not have been thoroughly cleaned after the last person used them. They’re not too expensive to rent, but for your own comfort, it may be better to bring you own.

9# Small Dollar Bills:

When people come to Mexico, they tend to tip the waiters and people that help them out. The standard price is usually about $1, which isn’t too much for you whilst making the recipient feel happy. It can be difficult to find smaller denominations when you arrive in Mexico, so save them up and bring them with you.

10# Insect and Bug Repellent:

Los Cabos is full of bugs that come out during the night. You may be used to this back at home or perhaps you aren’t. Bugs are inevitable. Repellents are expensive and in limited supply when you arrive. The best bet is to buy some at home and bring them with you.

The Takeaway Message:

Visiting Mexico and Los Cabos is a great experience. You don’t need to pack your entire house to come here for a week or so, just remember the essentials so you don’t get caught out when you arrive.