Every big city in the States has a "not-so-safe" area where travelers such as yourselves should not go - at least not with a rucksack on your back, bumbag around your waist and camera dangling from your neck.

Our advice to you is, once you reach a place you think is worth a bit of a look, head for Tourist Information and ask for help on where not to go. By following this basic traveling rule, and using your common sense, you should have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Never carry all your money in one place. If you know where you are going and what you are going to do there, take a certain amount to last you and leave the rest of your money in a safe place where you are staying.