As with any trip, good preparation is essential.
Staying with a family abroad is a safe practice that people have been doing for a very long time. Our own children have generally spent their first holidays abroad in this way.
Thanks to our subscriber identity verification process, TalkTalkBnb is an extremely safe platform.
Nevertheless, you are still responsible for your personal safety, so here are some tips for a successful visit.
1. Study the profiles and comments
Study the recommendations and comments posted by other travellers. Don’t hesitate to ask your contact to complete their profile before booking with them, or just focus on the people who already have a solid reputation on the website.
Carefully read all the information provided by the hosts about their lodging (location, description, equipment, etc.) to avoid surprises.
2. Young female traveller
Opt for a host who is another young woman, a couple or a family. Ask them who will be there at the same time as you. Insist on this point in your exchanges and contact us as soon as you arrive if the situation is different from what they said.
3. Communicate via the TalkTalkBnb platform
We recommend communicating via our messaging service, so that we can record the exchanges and identify any issues easily and quickly.
After the exchange, leave comments about your experience and your host/guest, to help build a community of trust. Each review will help to reinforce TalkTalkBnb as a safe and secure platform.
4. Communicate with your host
After checking your host’s history, start up a conversation to introduce yourself and explain what you are looking for. If you find a message uncomfortable or if you need help to book, contact us. And follow your intuition: if you are in any doubt, don’t do it!
5. Be reliable
Let your host know precisely where, what date and what time you’ll be arriving. Check these details and confirm them the day before your arrival. Be precise and punctual and, ideally, exchange mobile phone numbers so you can contact each other if something unexpected happens.
6. Keep your wits about you
Travel can be disorienting. Using drugs and alcohol can further complicate the experience. Don’t let yourself be fooled or misled, and stay in control of every situation, at every moment.
Have an alternate plan, just in case. Check for hotels or hostels nearby, and directions for how to get around the area.
7. Make copies of your important papers and keep them in a safe place
Make sure you have all the documents necessary for your stay (national identity card, passport, visa) and check that they are valid.
Make copies of all your important papers, such as your passport and visa and email them to yourself or store them on a drive. A paper or digital copy of your papers will be very useful if the originals are lost or stolen. Keep your papers separate from your money and don’t keep too much cash on you.
8. If you find yourself in an emergency
If you feel personally threatened or in danger, always contact the local police and emergency services first, and then contact us later if appropriate. Our multilingual team will do everything possible to help you, warn the emergency services, or put you in contact with a different family.
9. Check your Country’s embassy website
Stay updated on news as well as any public health recommendations (vaccinations, etc.)
10. Be informed about cultural differences
Countries have different traditions, gender roles, and sensitivities. When travelling, make sure you have researched your destination, so that you can have a polite and respectful exchange.
ENJOY