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Travel Tips & Advice
 
 
Documents & Tickets
 
·   Make sure your passport has at least six months validity and carry additional copies of your passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
 
·   All children, including newborn babies, now require their own passport. The only exceptions are those children already on a parent’s passport before October 1998, who are still under 16, although for the USA even these will need a full passport. It is a criminal offence to take a child under 16 out of the UK without consent from a parent or guardian, someone with a residence order or parental responsibility, or the leave of the court.
 
·   Always obtain a reciprocal health agreement card/form (such as EHIC replacement of E111) well in advance of your travel.
 
·   Make copies of your passport, insurance policy plus 24-hour emergency number, and ticket details. Leave these copies, your itinerary and contact details with family and friends. Take another form of ID with you (preferably with a photograph). Lock your passport in the hotel safe and carry a photocopy with you.
 
·   When driving abroad, you’ll need your full UK driving licence – with new photo cards, this includes the paper part. You’ll need it to rent a car and may be asked to show it if stopped by a police checkpoint.
 
·   Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination. Find out about local laws and customs.
 
 
Security
 
·   Make sure all valuables including watches, furs, jewellery, photographic equipment, binoculars, telescopes, spectacles, sunglasses, video equipment, camcorders and audio equipment including personal stereos, DVD and mini-disc players are contained within your Hand luggage and remain on your person.
 
·   Make sure all money including cash, travel tickets, holiday vouchers, hotel vouchers, admission tickets and passes are contained within your hand luggage and remain on your person.
 
·   If you do sustain a loss in respect of any belongings please ensure you report this to the local police within 24 hours of discovery and a police report is obtained
 
·   Keep a spare credit card in the hotel safe or somewhere secure. Know the 24-hour emergency number to report stolen cards.
 
·   If your property is damaged by your airline or carrier report this immediately on discovery to them. This usually requires a property irregularity report to be obtained which will be available from your carrier or airline at your collection point.
 
 
Health
 
·   Find out the local emergency number and the address of the nearest hospital when you arrive overseas. Your rep, local guide or accommodation manager should know. However we would recommend that you make contact with the Assistance company before seeking local medical assistance as you may become liable for any payments if you have not obtained their approval.
 
·   Plan to stay healthy. If you are taking prescribed medication, check it is legal in the country you are visiting. Pack it in your hand luggage and take the prescription with you. If taking medication with you, also take a prescription and a GP’s letter in case you are stopped by Customs or lose your medicine and need to replace it.
 
·   Take a written record of any medical conditions you have with details, and the proper names – not just the trade names – of any medication you are taking. Keep the record with you.  Consider taking details of the blood type of each individual travelling.
 
·   Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot in one of the body’s deep veins (usually in the leg). DVT is rare, but sitting still for long periods of time in a plane, train or car can increase the risk. Do some simple exercises – rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes – and get up and walk around if you can. Stay hydrated with regular non-alcoholic drinks.
 
·   A basic first-aid kit, with some plasters, insect repellent, antiseptic cream and water sterilisation tablets, won’t take up much space and could be extremely useful. Depending on where you’re going, you might also want to take an emergency medical travel kit with you.
 
·   Use a waterproof sunscreen. Even if you’re not going swimming, it won’t be washed off so easily by your own sweat. Buy lots. You need a generous amount of lotion if it is going to be effective, and you need to re-apply it every few hours. Check out the once-a-day products. Applied an hour before exposure to the sun, they bind to the skin and last all day. Although expensive, they might work out cheaper in the long run. One downside is that they can stain clothing. Check that your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays: sunscreens of this type may be labeled “broad spectrum”.
 
·   Note that no insurance policies cover drink or drug related incidents.
 
 
Driving
 
·   If you plan to drive abroad, check with the AA or RAC or the relevant country’s Embassy about the laws and driving licence requirements of the country to be visited, as these can vary greatly from what you are used to. For example, in the USA and Canada you must stop if you see a school bus offloading, no matter what side of the road it is on. Not stopping is a very serious offence that may well result in your licence being suspended.
 
·   When hiring any vehicle ask if liability cover is included as your travel insurance does not cover liability claims whilst driving.
 
·   If you intend to hire a motorcycle or scooter overseas no cover will be provided by your Travel insurance policy for any vehicle unless you hold a valid UK licence for the vehicle. You may be required to pay an additional premium if you plan to use a motorcycle or scooter over 125cc. Check your insurance policy for details   
 
 
Sports & Activities
 
·   If you are intending to undertake any activities or excursions please check that you are covered for these under your insurance policy.