Staying safe abroad

BEFORE YOU LEAVE
DESTINED FOR SUCCESS
One of the biggest causes of holiday disappointment is choosing the wrong destination. Before booking, make sure you've really thought about the kind of break you're looking for

Right now, two weeks on a deserted tropical beach might sound like heaven, but could quickly lose its appeal if you end up yearning for restaurants, shopping and swinging nightlife. A package, on the other hand, can offer all you require in terms of amenities and hassle-free travel, but is too restrictive for some and with no guarantee you'll experience anything of the local culture

Do your homework. There are plenty of excellent guides available in bookshops or local libraries, as well as endless information online

Think about the kind of facilities you'd like to find, and what, exactly, you can expect once you've arrived

Will local lifestyle add to, or detract from, the enjoyment of your holiday? If you choose to self-cater, who's going to prepare the meals?

For extra peace of mind, consider booking holidays that carry the backing of official organisations such as ABTA, AITO or ATOL

Remember, too, that travel brochures might not give a completely accurate picture regarding resorts and accommodation (if you're not sure, ask your agent to show you the 'Agent's Gazeteer'. This contains solid facts and figures which will help you decide). There's a lot to think about, certainly, but time spent looking into your holiday will ensure it's the best you've ever had

NET A BARGAIN
The Internet's a great way to find out more about possible destinations and also provides an easy means of securing any kind of travel reservation, from flight tickets to accommodation. By dealing direct with companies, you can save yourself time as well as substantial amounts of money on the eventual price of your holiday. Remember, though, not to part with credit card details unless you're sure the sites you're visiting are reputable. Useful information: http://travel.yahoo.com

GOING TO PLAN
Some time before your departure, make a list of things you'll need to take care of at home - there's nothing worse than fretting about forgotten tasks once you're away. Remember to cancel newspapers, turn off appliances and set security systems; consider leaving keys with a reliable friend or neighbour who can periodically check that everything is as it should be. Likewise, it's well worth writing up a checklist of everything you'll need for the trip itself. You'll find it far easier to pack to plan and run less risk of leaving behind essentials. To help you decide exactly what you'll need to wear while away, check out www

worldclimate.com for the latest worldwide weather reports. And don't forget that bags seem to get heavier by the second when you're hauling them between destinations. Be strict with yourself and pack as little as possible? do you really need all those extra items 'just in case'? Of course, some things are essential, and, especially if you're flying, worth keeping as hand luggage just in case your main luggage goes astray. Pack a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses (holidays aren't much fun if you can't see the sights) together with any essential medication and other items you simply can't do without

GET INSURED, REST ASSURED
Holiday insurance really is something you shouldn't leave home without. Shop around before purchasing and be aware that, as a general rule, the cheaper the insurance, the less well you're covered. Read the small print carefully; you'll want to be insured for as many eventualities as possible. If planning an adventure holiday, remember that most policies simply don't cover you for 'risky' activities such as bungee jumping or scuba diving. You may be able to add this to your insurance; if not, you'll need to arrange a specialist policy. At the very least, your insurance should cover the following: Cancellation, or cutting short of your holiday Illness or injury Loss or theft of your belongings Delayed or missed connection Liability for accidents to others

PASSPORT AT THE READY
Check that your passport is valid before starting your journey - it's amazing how many people don't! It's also important to ensure that it remains current for at least six months from your date of travel: many countries won't accept it as valid otherwise

If you're taking the kids, remember that if they're not already included on a parent's valid 10-year passport, they now need their own when travelling abroad. Visas, if required, are available from the Embassy of the country you plan to visit. Be sure to order essential documents well in advance, especially if you're planning to travel during peak holiday seasons. Remember, too, that if you're likely to drive while abroad, you may well need an International Driver's Licence: you can order this from either the RAC or the AA. Useful information:

The UK Passport Agency
www.open.gov.uk/ukpass/ukpass.htm

Local addresses and telephone numbers listed at the above site

The RAC www.rac.co.uk

Customer Services PO Box 700 Bristol BS99 1RB Tel: 0990 722 722 The AA www.theaa.co.uk

Automobile Association International Documents Fanum House Erskine Renfrewshire PA8 6BW Tel: 0800 435 980

Foreign Embassies Contact numbers and addresses are listed in the London telephone directory

DOUBLE CHECK
Make copies of all the important documents you'll be taking with you - travellers' cheques, passport, plane tickets, credit cards, driving licence. Leave a set with family or friends and carry the other, stored well away from the originals. If, by chance, any of your documents are lost or stolen, copies will make it much easier to get them replaced

HEALTHY BUSINESS
Depending on where you're planning to travel, you may need vaccinations. A leaflet entitled 'Health Advice for Travellers' is available free from your local Post Office and contains a country by country immunisation guide as well as health tips and advice

Remember to make an appointment with your GP at least six weeks prior to departure to ensure you receive any jabs in time. If you're travelling within the EEC, fill out an E111 form - also available from the Post Office - to ensure you're entitled to proper health care while away. And if you're visiting a country with few medical resources, it's a good idea to carry an emergency medical kit (usually obtainable from pharmacies) containing sterilised, sealed items such as syringes and suture needles. Should an emergency arise, these can then be handed to medical staff

CHILD'S PLAY
Family holidays are a great way of spending quality time with the kids, but do require extra thought to ensure that everyone has the best possible time. If you're planning to visit a family resort, look into children's facilities carefully before choosing your destination. If kiddies' pools are available, are they properly supervised? Do babysitters pop in occasionally, or offer a complete sitting service? And if so, are they qualified? Older kids have different needs: teenagers might not enjoy sharing rooms with parents or younger siblings, and will probably have very definite ideas concerning what they want to do or see. If you're planning an itinerary, try to combine activities and destinations with family-wide appeal. Mum and Dad might love the thought of three days in Paris; kids will better tolerate the sightseeing if they're rewarded with a trip to nearby EuroDisney

Whatever your plans, make sure your children feel involved - encourage them to keep a holiday scrapbook, or provide them with an inexpensive camera so that they can the record the trip from their own perspective

Long journeys - especially by car - can easily turn taxing if kids start to become restless. With younger children, consider travelling overnight so that they simply sleep through it. Otherwise, be honest about the length of your journey: if faced with an eight-hour drive, don't try to fob children off with "nearly there" tactics or you'll end up with a mutiny on your hands. Break the journey as often as possible and if your kids have got definite musical tastes (most seem to have favourite bands from the age of five!) take a stack of CDs or cassettes they'll be happy to listen to. Road trip games can also come in useful, though you'll need to use your ingenuity: 'I Spy' alone isn't likely to keep the kids amused for any real length of time

WHILE YOU'RE AWAY
If you've followed the guidelines suggested above, you're well on the way to the perfect holiday. Once you've arrived at your destination, however, it's worth taking a few extra precautions to ensure that everything continues to go as smoothly as possible

MONEY MATTERS
It goes without saying that highly visible valuables create a temptation some might find difficult to resist

Obviously, you'll want to carry cameras, video equipment and such like, but try to be as discreet as possible while using them. If you haven't left expensive jewellery or watches at home, store them along with any other valuable items in your hotel's safe deposit box. While out exploring, take care not to wander too far from the beaten track unless sure where you're heading; potential trouble spots are often situated surprisingly close to more respectable areas. As far as holiday funds are concerned, travellers' cheques and/or credit cards are the safest way to carry money. To help you plan the amount you'll need, up-to-the-minute exchange rates are available at the Universal Currency Converter http://www.xe.net/ucc/

While out, take just enough hard cash to last a day; if you're worried about security, consider using a money belt or concealed pocket

Finally, remember that many airports charge a departure tax when you leave. Keep the necessary cash aside to avoid last minute hassles

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
While sampling local cuisine is all part of the pleasure of travelling, in some parts of the world you run serious health risks if you don't take suitable precautions. If you're travelling to areas where food could prove a problem, it's a good idea to eat plenty of yoghurt a couple of weeks before you leave. This builds up a 'friendly' bacteria in your system which will help you tolerate unfamiliar or unhealthy ingredients. While you're away, always drink bottled water, and don't be tempted to take ice with your drinks: contaminated water supplies are a common source of illness. Avoid anything that hasn't been freshly cooked, and only eat fruit you can peel - the skins may not be as clean as you'd like them to be. Remember, too, that in less developed countries locally made ice cream can sometimes cause tummy upsets - well worth knowing if you're a parent.

COURSE FOR COMPLAINT
If you've booked a holiday through a company only to find that it's really not up to standard, speak to your tour operator immediately. It's important to give the company a chance to put things right, because if not, your claim for compensation could be reduced. If you're still unsatisfied with the response, ask your holiday representative for a claims form. Make a copy for your own records, then try to compile as much evidence as possible to support your case. If you end up paying for anything which should have been included in the cost of the holiday, keep receipts. Take photos or video footage of unsatisfactory amenities and ask for the names and addresses of fellow holidaymakers who feel similarly let down. Once home, write a formal complaint to the tour operator within four weeks. Be persistent, and if the case is still not settled to your satisfaction, consider taking action through ABTA, AITO or through the Small Claims court

Useful information: Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) Tel: 0171 637 2444 Web: http://www.abtanet.com Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) Tel: 0181 744 9280