Your room key is buried under a mountain of luggage, cameras and toys. Suddenly, you realize you left the pretzels in the car. So you prop open the door, dash down the stairs, grope under the seats and race back to your room -- to find that someone has relieved you of the burden of hauling your belongings on the rest of your trip.

Wherever you go, if you're a tourist, you're vulnerable. After all, crooks expect travelers to carry lots of money and expensive stuff like video cameras. Tourists may also get lost and confused and have to depend on the guidance of strangers. And because they're on vacation to relax, vacationers tend to let down their guard, taking more chances than they would at home.

Though crimes do happen, they're not as common as you might think. In fact, very few travelers run into trouble. And there are several things you can do to ensure a happy, safe vacation -- all related to three basics:

• Stay alert and tune into your surroundings.
• Stand tall, walk confidently and don't make it obvious you're a tourist.
• Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, leave quickly.

Next: Tips for safety on the road >>