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Safely Navigating the Challenges of Third World Travel

Travel News- May 2026
Travel News- May 2026 1280 723 Greg Ellifritz

These new tools will track your flights and get you refunds if the price drops

I’ve never used these tools, but they might be worth exploring.

Across the Pamir Highway: Road Stories from the Roof of the World

“If you’ve ever wondered what it actually feels like to travel one of the world’s most remote roads, this post tries to capture that experience.

Because sometimes the best part of travel isn’t the scenery.
It’s the strange, ridiculous, unforgettable moments along the way.”

U.S. Customs And Border Protection Is Enforcing Little-Known Passport Rule That Denies Entry To International Travelers

Make sure you have at least six months validity left on your passport FROM YOUR PLANNED DEPARTURE DATE if you are coming to the USA as a tourist or business traveler.

 

Mount Everest guides allegedly ‘poisoned’ climbers as part of sinister $20M scam

Being at high altitude is bad enough without being poisoned by your guides.

 

Multiple Train Push Attacks Reported in 2026—How to Stay Safe on Platforms

Subway platform safety strategies.

 

How to Find Lower Airfares Now

Current best practices for avoiding airline price hikes.

Accessing Long-Term Healthcare Abroad: What Are My Options?

Options for international health insurance coverage.

 

 

10 Most Dangerous Cities in Europe That Tourists Should Avoid This Summer

European cities you may wish to avoid.

While we are speaking of Europe, did you know it is known for pickpockets as well?  Read The 5 Most Pickpocket-Infested Train Stations in Europe (And How to Guard Your Bags) and then The Habit That Stops Pickpockets From Choosing You as a Target.

 

Delta Air Lines Passengers Are Noticing A Concerning Trend As To Why The Carrier Is Cancelling Flights At The Last-Minute

For those of you who may be flying Delta.

 

Southwest Airlines Limits Passengers To One Portable Charger On Flights

Since they don’t search carry-ons, I don’t know how this might be enforced, but it’s probably a good thing to know if you fly Southwest.

Passengers Keep Stealing From Carry-On Bags On Hong Kong Flights — But Cabin Cameras Still Aren’t Standard

Be alert if you are flying in or out of Hong Kong.

 

Here’s What Major U.S. Airlines Now Charge for Baggage Fees

How airlines are compensating for increased gas prices.

 

Interactive map shows how vulnerable your neighborhood is to disaster

Something to check for both home and your travel destinations.

 

 

 

Travel News- March 2026
Travel News- March 2026 150 150 Greg Ellifritz

Fares Are Going to Have to Rise Quickly

It might be a good idea to buy your airfare for this year’s travel destinations before the airlines start building higher fuel costs into their prices.

 

 

This Major European Airport Is Scheduled to Halt All Departing Flights This Week Due to a Strike—What Travelers Should Know

I hope you aren’t traveling through Belgium this week.

 

 

This Swiss Army Multitool Is Built for Travelers (Yes, It Can Get Through TSA)

If you are looking for a multitool you can take on an airplane, the SAK Jetsetter is a solid option.

 

 

7 Masterful Ways of Exchanging Money in Mexico, ATM Tips & More!

Everything you need to know about money in Mexico.

 

 

U.S. Embassies Issue 11 New Security Alerts As Global Unrest Reaches Canada

Latest embassy security warnings.

 

 

Do Not Disturb

An entertaining podcast about a travel danger you may have never considered.

 

 

Airport Security Lines More Than 3 Hours Long as TSA Faces Major Problem

Get ready for even longer lines at the airport in the next couple weeks.  Most of this is due to the lack of current funding for the TSA.  Some is due to increased device searches.

 

Global Entry Restored, Supposedly

Even though domestic security lines at the airport are getting longer, at least Global Entry is back.

 

FBI warned California police of possible Iran drone attack amid war: Reports

If you are traveling to California, be alert for Iranian drone attacks.  There is also a new terrorist warning for Nigeria.

 

 

Protesting taxi drivers complicate passenger travel in and out of Mexico City International

The taxi unions in Mexico have historically been very hostile towards ride-sharing app drivers on the Caribbean coast.  Now the issues are spreading to Mexico city.  If you are traveling there, book your transportation in advance.

 

Do Not Bring Any Books To Korea?

Dead tree books will get additional security scrutiny when flying into or out of South Korea.

 

Our ‘medical tourism’ expenses in Chennai, India

A look at some medical tourism pricing in India.

 

 

What is Tusi, and is it dangerous?

On my last trip to Colombia, a street drug dealer offered me “Tusi.”  I didn’t know what it was.  It is not 2C-B (where the name comes from) or “pink cocaine” as it is also called.  It’s an amphetamine-heavy mix of various street drugs.  Stay far away from this one.

 

Jamaica Hurricane Aftermath
Jamaica Hurricane Aftermath 768 513 Greg Ellifritz

Most of you are aware of the devastating hurricane that hit Cuba and Jamaica last month.  It was the most powerful storm ever to make landfall on the islands and it wrecked a considerable amount of infrastructure.

What should those of you with Jamaican travel plans do?

 

Check out the valuable link below.  It provides the estimated opening dates for many of the larger resorts on the island.

 

Jamaica Reopening For Tourism: Here Are All The Dates For Each Resort

 

New Podcast
New Podcast 150 150 Greg Ellifritz

One of my favorite travel writers (Robert Young Pelton) started an incredibly informative new podcast.

Anyone who is interested in adventurous travel should definitely check it out.  Highly recommended.

 

Inside the Mind of Robert Young Pelton: Origins and Goals

 

 

Travel and Danger. The Thin Line Between Adventure and Disaster

 

Outdoor Hikes Where Bear Spray is Prohibited
Outdoor Hikes Where Bear Spray is Prohibited 1098 576 Greg Ellifritz

Did you know there are several National Parks in bear country that prohibit the carrying of bear spray?

This article gives you the info you need to avoid an expensive ticket or a potential arrest.

 

You Can’t Carry Bear Spray On These 7 U.S. Hikes

 

 

 

Travel Safety
Travel Safety 714 484 Greg Ellifritz

These are some very useful travel safety tips.  If you liked this article take an even deeper dive into 10 Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers.

Travelers Beware, How to Stay Safe While Traveling

Island Gun Laws
Island Gun Laws 717 478 Greg Ellifritz

Some very interesting reading about the history of gun control efforts in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

Island Gun Laws: The History of Gun Control and Crime in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK

Guns in Haiti
Guns in Haiti 1024 663 Greg Ellifritz

Take a look at the guns seen during the ongoing Haitian rebellion.  If you were trapped in a foreign country in a lawless situation like this, would you know how to operate all of these weapons?

 

 

An Examination Of The Guns of Haiti

 

Avoiding Bribes While Traveling
Avoiding Bribes While Traveling 1000 667 Greg Ellifritz

Bribes are a part of daily life in the developing world.  American tourists are aghast at the idea of paying off a corrupt cop, but few realize that paying a small bribe will generally be the least expensive way to deal with the police and judicial system in a foreign country.

 

Here are some good tips to remember.  Following these guidelines may reduce the chance that you will be targeted in a bribery scheme.

 

Option Gray: Avoiding Bribes While Traveling

 

Solo Female European Travel Advice
Solo Female European Travel Advice 768 629 Greg Ellifritz

Those of you traveling to Europe should check out this article about best practices for female solo travel there.   Most of the advice is applicable to males as well. She also has a great perspective about people providing travel advice:

 

“Most women are nervous about visiting Europe because they’re not sure whether it’s safe. Many of these women have well-meaning relatives and friends who tell them that sure, Europe’s safe if you have a man with you, but it’s not safe for a woman on her own.

Those well-meaning relatives and friends are wrong. They’re coming from a place of love and concern, but they’re wrong.

I always tell travelers to consider the source. Who is giving you this advice? Ask yourself the following questions:

Does this person travel?

Does this person travel in my style of traveling (i.e. backpacking as opposed to resort travel)?

Has this person been to this destination?

Has this person been to this destination recently (in the past 3-5 years)?

If the answer is yes to all of these, chances are you have an accurate source and should listen to what he or she has to say. But if the answer to one or more of these questions is no, you should seek out opinions elsewhere.”

 

 

Solo Female Travel in Europe: Complete Travel and Safety Guide