When you first enter, do basic security. Lock the knob on the inside of the door and push the deadbolt or chain across to latch it securely. Check windows and doors leading to balconies and adjoining rooms. Make sure they’re closed and latched. Every time you re-enter the room, check them again.

Use the room safe for cash and jewelry while you’re out. Don’t leave wallets, purses, travelers’ checks or jewelry visible in exposed areas. When cleaning, housekeeping staff may have the room door open to hallway traffic while they work.

Use your smartphone to keep in constant communication with travel companions in other rooms in the hotel. To enhance security, call each other before going to bed and after getting up in the morning.

In our experienced opinion, the best has to be New York. There are other good ones around the globe, but they can’t compare with the scope and extensive services pr0vided by buses, subways, trains and ferries available to New Yorkers and visitors.

With the world’s largest subway system, cheap public transportation in Manhattan and its five surrounding boroughs covers just about any trip. Riders can get quickly to and from work, shopping, entertainment, dining and just about anything else on the subways, trains, buses and elevated trains.

New York is the only city in the US where more than half the eight-million-plus residents use public transportation and don’t own cars. The subways and most other city services run 24 hours a day.

Adventure travel requires more than a ticket and a suitcase. Depending on destination and what to expect, you’ll need all kinds of intelligent planning. It includes necessary clothing, personal care items and everything else to make the journey a safe, enjoyable experience.

If plans include backpacking, you’ll need equipment for the trail, bike or water travel. If for more than one day, and not in a city, you’ll also need tenting, sleeping bag and other essentials for overnight stops. Other suggestions may help in planning.

Giving advice about how to be a frugal gambler may often be like telling a 300-pound chow hound to gobble just one helping at all-you-can-eat Vegas buffets. Once you start gambling in Las Vegas or at any other casino, you can easily become hooked, and throw frugality to the winds.

Understand the reality. Las Vegas doesn’t provide all those big shows, bright lights, cheap rooms and buffets just to be nice. It’s because they expect you to forget moderation while you’re in Sin City, and gamble away lots of money.