The origin of the word “travel” is most likely lost to history. The term “travel” may originate from the Old French word travail. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the first known use of the word travel was in the 14th century. In English we still occasionally use the words travail and travails, which mean struggle. According to Simon Winchester in his book The Best Travelers’ Tales, the words travel and travail both share an even more ancient root: a Roman instrument of torture called the tripalium.
Today, travel may or may not be much easier depending upon the destination you choose (i.e., Mt. Everest, the Amazon rainforest), how you plan to get there (tour bus, cruise ship, or oxcart), and whether or not you decide to “rough it (see extreme tourism and adventure travel). “There’s a big difference between simply being a tourist and being a true world traveler,” notes travel writer Michael Kasum. This is, however, a contested distinction as academic work on the cultures and sociology of travel has noted.
Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
Confucius
Authorities emphasize the importance of taking precautions to ensure travel safety. When traveling abroad, the odds favor a safe and incident-free trip, however, travelers can be subject to difficulties, crime and violence. Some safety considerations include being aware of one’s surroundings, avoiding being the target of a crime, leaving copies of one’s passport and itinerary information with trusted people, obtaining medical insurance valid in the country being visited and registering with one’s national embassy when arriving in a foreign country. Many countries do not recognize drivers’ licenses from other countries; however most countries accept international driving permits.
Automobile insurance policies issued in one’s own country are often invalid in foreign countries, and it is often a requirement to obtain temporary auto insurance valid in the country being visited. It is also advisable to become oriented with the driving-rules and -regulations of destination countries. Wearing a seat belt is highly advisable for safety reasons; many countries have penalties for violating seatbelt laws.
As trusted travel advisors we are here to help you navigate the travel maze. We recommend travel insurance that covers unexpected issues while on the road including cancellations, delays, lost luggage, medical and dental emergencies, emergency evacuation, rental cars and more.
We also advise our clients to enroll in STEP, the smart traveler enrollment program provided by the state department. This information is provided to the closest embassy so they can contact you in the event of an emergency situation that develops while you are visit a foreign destination.
With our personal experience in most destinations we can direct you to the best options for your mode of travel, recommend accommodations, tours and transportation, activities and more.
Contact a Comphoppers Travel Advisor.