Don't forget travel insurance!

Smartphones and social media have made it easy to share your travel adventures with your friends and family, allowing you to preserve all your favorite vacation memories. But with so much to see, it can be difficult to set aside enough time to snap those truly unique photos. Whether you're a fan of landscape photography or just looking to capture intimate moments with your loved ones, there are plenty of simple tricks that can help you create one-of-a-kind snapshots. So, before you head out on your next adventure, be sure to keep these five simple vacation photo tips in mind:

List out your must-see manmade and natural landmarks

Traveling the world gives you plenty of opportunities to explore new places and cultures, but there’s always more to see than you can fit into a single trip. Creating a detailed itinerary of your must-see locales can help you maximize your time and ensure you’re not missing out on the best your destination has to offer. That said, there are plenty of amazing photo opportunities waiting right off the beaten path, so don’t feel like you have to stick to the well-known landmarks.

Request a hotel room on the highest floor possible

When most people think of vacation photos, they often picture the type of boots-on-the-ground snapshots commonly found in family albums. While these can be great for remembering specific places you’ve visited, it can be hard to capture the full scale of your destination. Requesting a room on the upper floors of your hotel can give you a front-row seat to some truly breathtaking cityscapes and usually doesn’t cost too much extra.

Plan your sightseeing adventures around sunrise or sunset

Although most vacation photos are taken during peak daytime or nighttime hours, setting time aside for an early morning or late evening photoshoot can add a lot of personality to your travel album. The “golden hour” for photography typically falls around 6pm local time or when the sun is just about to set. This short window of time is perfect for snapping beautiful nature photos because the daylight is softer, casting a moody reddish glow across the landscape.

Keep an eye out for those special candid moments

Gathering your friends and family together for a group photo can lead to some truly memorable snapshots, but the pictures we remember most are often candid. As you go about your travels, try to look for opportunities to take more natural-looking photos. After all, catching a loved one mid-laugh can say more about your family vacation than a whole stack of staged pictures.

Try to tell a story with your photos

Every vacation has a beginning, middle and end (unfortunately), but the story of your travels can often get lost in translation. Taking plenty of pictures of your departure and return can help create a stronger sense of continuity in your photo album, keeping it from becoming a slideshow of famous landmarks. Remember, the places you visit are only one part of the adventure - what truly matters are the personal experiences and memories you take home with you.

Bonus Tip: Pack Travel Insurance

Whether you’re traveling with expensive photo equipment or capturing moments on your phone’s camera – a travel insurance plan from Travel Guard can cover you in the event that your camera gets lost, stolen, or damaged. Don’t forget, a Travel Guard travel insurance plan can also provide coverage for medical expenses and emergency medical attention. Travel Guard’s assistance services can also go to work on your behalf re-booking flights and hotels, finding lost luggage and more. To find out more call 877.414.8506, visit www.travelguard.com, or ask your travel advisor.

As the tourist capital of Central Vietnam, Da Nang boasts a variety of must-see landmarks and natural wonders. Known for its sandy beaches and regional cuisine, this former French port is situated close to several UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Imperial City of Huế and the My Son ruins. Nature lovers can explore the caves and pagodas scattered amongst the Marble Mountains or take a leisurely cable car ride to the peak of the Ba Na Hills. The white sands of Non Nuoc Beach are lined with first-rate resorts and entertainment centers, providing vacationers with plenty of daytime and nighttime attractions to enjoy.

^{Expenses incurred from third-party vendors for services not part of a filed insurance plan are the responsibility of the traveler.}

“My wife and I were enjoying a vacation to Barbados when she became ill. After a couple of trips to the clinic in Barbados we decided to cut our trip short. Travel Guard took care of everything they said they would in a very timely manner. I have used Travel Guard many times and I would highly recommend them to everyone!”

-  Gary Y