SANTO DOMINGO

You do all kinds of things on your own -- so why not travel solo? Whether you are going to Brazil, Bangkok or Barcelona, you can have the time of your life even if you aren’t going with friends and family. Here are tips to stay safe and healthy and still get the most of your solo travels, no matter where you may roam! How to avoid getting sick Keep your hands clean! Bring along some wet wipes or at least some hand sanitizer, as facilities often aren't as readily available as they are stateside.Food and drink in foreign countries can cause illness. To avoid getting sick, only drink bottled water. And if the water doesn’t taste right -- even if it was unsealed in front of you --send it back and get another. Remember that glasses and mugs may have been "washed" with an old cloth, and that cans and bottles may have been stored where insects or rodents roam. Our suggestion: Stick with the original product packaging, and clean off the drinking surfaces before...

You do all kinds of things on your own -- so why not travel solo? Whether you are going to Brazil, Bangkok or Barcelona, you can have the time of your life even if you aren’t going with friends and family. Here are tips to stay safe and healthy and still get the most of your solo travels, no matter where you may roam! Taking care of your money and documents Always carry copies of your most important documents -- like credit cards, passports, tickets -- separately from the originals. (You might want to email them to yourself so you can access them online.) Consider bringing an extra credit card -- again, packed separately from the one you usually use. Let your credit card company know where you are going before you leave. If they receive many charges from foreign locations, they are likely to think your card was stolen, and not accept them. Find out what your daily ATM card withdrawal limit is while abroad, and make sure your pin number works in the countries you...

You do all kinds of things on your own -- so why not travel solo? Whether you are going to Brazil, Bangkok or Barcelona, you can have the time of your life even if you aren’t going with friends and family. Here are tips to stay safe and healthy and still get the most of your solo travels, no matter where you may roam! When Natalie Bishop told her friends and family she was going on a week long trip to Cairo, Egypt and Petra, Jordan – alone – the responses were universal: “Wow! That’s amazing!” Of course, those enthusiastic declarations were also followed by, “You’re crazy – that’s insane!” or some variants of the words “crazy” and “insane.” But really, it was neither of the above -- more like "bold" and "independent." Of course traveling solo has its obstacles (and always a real learning experience), but the lack of a travel partner is not a good reason to keep yourself from getting out there and seeing the world. Despite any challenges you might face...

Does your favorite celeb pack light, or is she/he the kind to have a couple baggage carts full of luggage? What do Hollywood types consider essential items -- or at least those important enough to carry on their flight? And do famous people (like Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson, The Jonas Brothers and 10 more) really have to follow all the rules and plod through airport security like the rest of us? Find out here! Hayden Panettiere "Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere smiled as she made her way through security at Los Angeles international airport in December 2007. She had her beige boots with 4" heels already off and in the tub to be checked through. Hayden Panettiere at the airport