| Planning for and travelling to a trip abroad | | | | |
| can be tiring and stressful. To help relieve | | | | 5. Leave contact details with friends and |
| those holiday worries we've put together our | | | | family so that you can be contacted in case |
| top 10 travel tips, so you can make the most | | | | of emergency. |
| of your time away. | | | | |
| | | | Life at home doesn't stop while you're away, |
| 1. Make sure you have a signed, valid | | | | and you may need to be quickly contacted by |
| passport and visas, if required. | | | | friends or family should there be an |
| | | | emergency. Make sure they can do this by |
| Imagine, you're at the airport, you're about | | | | leaving your travel details (address & |
| to check in, and you notice your passport has | | | | telephone number of your accommodation, email |
| expired! Your holiday is over before it's | | | | address & travel itinerary) with selected |
| even begun. Avoid this disappointment by | | | | friends and family. |
| ensuring your passport is up to date. In most | | | | |
| cases you'll find that your passport must be | | | | 6. Do not leave your luggage unattended in |
| valid for at least 6 months beyond your | | | | public areas. Do not accept packages from |
| intended stay. If you don't have a passport, | | | | strangers. |
| your current passport has expired or is close | | | | |
| to expiration, we recommend applying for one | | | | With all the security measures currently in |
| now. In the UK it is recommended that you | | | | place in public areas such as airports and |
| leave at least a month between applying for | | | | train stations it is essential to ensure that |
| your passport and arranging travel – | | | | you keep hold of your luggage at all times. |
| this time period may be longer in other | | | | If you're asked to hold an item for a |
| countries. Also bear in mind that during | | | | stranger, politely decline. |
| summer months your passport office will be | | | | |
| inundated with applications, and this may | | | | 7. Avoid being a target of crime. Avoid |
| cause a backlog. Be sure to apply for your | | | | wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive |
| new passport in plenty of time if you wish to | | | | jewellery, and carrying excessive amounts of |
| travel during this period. | | | | money, credit cards or gadgets. |
| | | | |
| Also consider the length and type of your | | | | Travellers and tourists are obvious targets |
| trip. Many countries require that you hold a | | | | for foreign criminals – they usually |
| valid visa to work or take an extended stay, | | | | stick out like a sore thumb and carry plenty |
| and you may find that you are breaking your | | | | of cash and gadgets such as digital cameras, |
| host county's laws without one. | | | | camcorders & iPods. Reduce your chances |
| | | | of being a victim by dressing appropriately |
| 2. Read the Consular Information Sheets, | | | | and only taking what you need – |
| public announcements or travel warnings for | | | | travellers cheques are much safer than cash, |
| the areas you plan to visit. | | | | and if you wish to take any pictures or |
| | | | listen to music while you're out, keep your |
| Be sure to read up on the areas you plan to | | | | devices out of reach and out of site! |
| visit with these resources to help ensure | | | | |
| your personal safety and make the most of | | | | 8. To avoid violating local laws, deal only |
| your trip. | | | | with authorized agents when exchanging money |
| | | | or making sizable purchases. |
| 3. Familiarize yourself with local laws and | | | | |
| customs of the countries to which you are | | | | The old adage is right – it something's |
| travelling. | | | | too good to be true, it usually is. If you're |
| | | | offered an amazing exchange rate or |
| The last thing any of us want while enjoying | | | | investment opportunity from a stranger with |
| our travels is to be seen as an obnoxious | | | | no credentials, walk away. Even if they seem |
| tourist. We all know the type, and it's not a | | | | able to prove their identity or position, |
| good look. This can be easily avoided by | | | | remain cautious, and trust your instincts |
| finding out about the customs of the country | | | | – get out if you feel at all uneasy. |
| you intend to visit – perhaps even | | | | |
| learn a bit of the lingo. Some knowledge | | | | 9. If you get into trouble, contact the |
| along these lines will surely be welcomed by | | | | nearest embassy for your country. |
| the locals and will help you to enjoy your | | | | |
| surroundings that little bit more. Also | | | | Your county's embassy is the place to turn if |
| ensure you're aware of any differences in | | | | you find yourself a victim of crime or in |
| local law to your home country, as when you | | | | trouble with the law. If you are a citizen of |
| are abroad you are subject to the rules of | | | | the EU and your country does not have an |
| your host country, and ignorance is rarely | | | | embassy, contact the nearest EU member |
| accepted as an excuse. | | | | embassy and request guidance from them. Many |
| | | | of them will provide some level of assistance |
| 4. Make 2 copies of your passport | | | | in an emergency. |
| identification page. | | | | |
| | | | 10. Above all, have fun! |
| This will help if your passport is lost or | | | | |
| stolen while you are away – usually a | | | | With all the planning that is required for a |
| complete nightmare, but made so much easier | | | | successful holiday, it can be easy to get |
| just by following this little tip. Leave one | | | | bogged down and forget to have fun and relax! |
| copy at home with friends or family, and | | | | With some simple preparation before you go, |
| carry the other with you in a separate place | | | | you can enjoy your holiday with minimum fuss |
| to your passport. Do NOT carry it with your | | | | while there. You deserve a break – make |
| passport. | | | | sure you get it! |