Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to go to Paris – to see the Eiffel Tower. I took three years of French in high school thinking that one day I would go and maybe know enough of their language to “get by.”

My mom’s best friend growing up took French all the way through high school and on through college. She backpacked around France after graduation – for what she thought was only a temporary visit – fell in love with a Frenchman, and has lived there ever since. And yes, they are happily married with children.

Does that not sound like something out of a movie?

I guess I always dreamed that might happen to me, either go to London or Australia (somewhere that spoke the same language, only with a beautiful accent).

Only now, London doesn’t sound so appealing, or as safe. Just this year they have been in the news four times and all because of supposed terrorist attacks.

The world is not as safe as it once was.

I might get to go to Europe next summer, but my dad said we will have to wait and see what the political stance is.

However, my aunt made the great point that who knows “in ten years it all could be blown up, I say go now!” As much as I want to go to Europe, I don’t know if I want to risk the chance of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

So here are some tips for traveling safely (from USA Today & my mom):

1. Know and go over the escape route for your hotel room.

In case of an emergency, you need to know the quickest exit out of the building. Familiarizing yourself with the place you are staying, even if it’s for a night, is really smart.

2. Leave an itinerary and emergency contact.

Giving someone back home a list of places you will be on a specific date is a great idea, then checking base with them when you get settled. My sister just got back from Africa and my mom told her she wanted a text every morning saying, “Hello, I’m alive and safe. Love you!” That was all my mom needed to keep her sanity.

3. Make a copy of your passport.

It’s smart to always have a copy of your passport on you in case you need it. You could always scan it into your computer and save the picture on your phone. Keeping the real copy locked in your hotel room is probably best, you don’t want it stolen.

4. Keep valuables and money out of sight.

This is probably a given, but if you are traveling to poorer parts of the world, don’t even take sparkly jewelry. Leave it back home because there are pick-pockets everywhere. You won’t exactly look local with the cameras and backpacks. This leads to the next tip.

5. Don't keep your money all in one place.

So if you are out for the day, take only what you need and leave the rest in your suit case back in the hotel. Keep that money closest to your body and not all in one place on your person. It could be at the very bottom of your bag in another little purse and the rest could be hiding in a travel pouch around your neck under your shirt.