To help and assist you get the most out of your holiday we have provided the essential guide for you.

Your Destination – Check Official Advice for British travellers

• Check travel advice with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office www.fco.gov.uk
• It is in your interest to check all information and advice for British visitors, in particular drugs and alcohol, local customs and security procedures.
• For additional information consult the recent issues of Berlitz or Lonely Planet travel guides.
• For general information, consult this website under ‘Destinations’
• You can obtain the address of the nearest British Consulate to your destination which could prove useful if your passport is either lost or stolen.

Travel Insurance – It is essential!

• If you already have cover provided by an insurer check that it does cover comprehensive medical and repatriation costs – we cannot emphasise this enough!
• Also check that you are aware that you can pay a small additional sum for ‘no excess’ this means should you claim, no excess costs are deducted from your claim.
• If you are going to undertake adventure or sporting activities make sure your policy covers this.
• Declare any family medical issues that could affect your travel and also declare any pre-existing medical conditions.
• You can take out our recommended policy and obtain an instant quote www.globaltravellounge.journeysplaza.com scroll down the page and enter agent referral code K7954

Health Information – Ensure you have an EHIC (old E.111) within the European Economic Area!

• Check the latest advice with regards to vaccinations or medication you may need with your local GP’s surgery, the practice nurse has access to the latest information.
• Visit www.dh.gov.uk for travellers general medical advice.
• If you are taking any prescription medicine take this with you together with a letter of authorisation from your GP and check that the country you are visiting considers it a legal drug.
• If you do not already have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) and are travelling within the EEA area, you are entitled to certain free medical care and travel insurers require you to have one. You can apply for this free from the Dept of Health online, all you need is your National Insurance Number www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthadvicefortravellers/index.htm

Passports & Visas – Check well in time before you go!

• Make sure you have a British passport with 6 months validity left, if you are travelling on a non-British passport different rules apply and you will need to contact your consulate or Embassy.
• Check with the relevant Embassy Consular Section if you require a visa. Particularly check the USA Embassy website if you are travelling under the US/UK Visa Waiver Program  http://london.usembassy.gov/
• Take a photocopy of your passport and leave it at home for security purposes.
• Take another form of photographic ID, for example a new Driving Licence.
• Make sure your children all have their own passports.
• Check current information at www.ips.gov.uk/passport

Friends, Family & Other Relevant Parties

• Tell them where you are going and a contact telephone number and address.
• Leave copies of important documentation with them, for example Passport, Itinerary, Insurance Policy and anything that could help in an emergency. Ensure your travel agent has details of any insurance policy not supplied by them.
• Ensure we have your mobile number and passport details.

Money

• Make sure you take enough with you and back-up plans for emergencies.
• Check the validity of credit/debit cards and make sure you have a list of all those carried by you in case of loss or theft. Ensure you have the providers emergency details with you.
• Always carry a small amount of local currency in cash
• Spread your money across other travelling members in your party.

Baggage

• Keep your baggage to a minimum, ensure you follow the airline or transport operators’ official guidelines or rules and terms, we can provide these for you.
• Never ever leave unattended anywhere or allow a stranger to look after them.
• Ensure a personal marking is known to you to distinguish your luggage from others.
• Always think what you may need should your baggage get delayed or lost and ensure those items are in your hand luggage.