Travel Tips
To help you have the best holiday we have collected some tips and advice.
Booking travel and holidays
1. research the country and resort. Read the brochure and/or on-line site carefully and also see what independent reviews say. Friends and family who have been to that area or resort are another useful source of information.
2. make sure that your destination has the facilities and activities that you want and is suitable for your party. For example, hilly areas are difficult for pushchairs, buggies and wheelchairs. Strong currents are unsuitable for novice swimmers. Not all theme parks are
in coastal resorts. And so on.
3. check the cancellation terms and conditions. Cheap deals and late bookings in particular can have restrictive or expensive cancellation policies
4. buy your travel insurance at the time of booking your travel.
5. check whether any special medical issues apply for your destination(s) such as immunizations. If so, how long before travel should these be done
6. check the immigration rules in case visas need to be applied for and if so apply for them in plenty of time
7. check that passports for all members of the party are valid for your dates of travel and destination(s). If new passports are needed make sure that there is time to do this before you travel
Before travel
1. arrange immunsations if required
2. arrange visas if required
3. arrange for dog, cat and/or other pets to be looked after. If using using kennels, cattery or similar check their immunization policy and ensure that your animals are up to date in this respect. If new injections are necessary get them done in plenty of time as some take a period to become effective and your animal may not be accepted until such time as this is the case.
4. get the luggage from the loft or garage and make sure it is in good condition. Buy new if necessary.
5. ensure that your clothes are suitable for your destination and the time of year that you are travelling. For instance European resorts may be chilly in the winter as they are in the northern hemisphere so some warm clothing is necessary, take proper footwear if you are going walking or hiking, be aware of local laws and sensitivities regarding clothing, etc.
6. if you are flying, make sure that you stay within the weight limits allowed by your airline. Also size restrictions for your hand luggage
7. plan how you will be getting to and from your point of departure. If you are driving yourself then pre-book your parking. If you need a taxi or transfer book it in plenty of time, especially if you want a people-carrier or minivan. The same applies at your destination if a transfer is not part of a package. If you need a hire car at your destination again this should be booked in plenty of time.
8. remember that only a very limited amount of liquids is allowed if you are travelling from a UK airport.
Health
1. as obvious as it may sound, take ‘safety first’ approach. If in doubt don’t eat it, drink it or do it!.
2. in developing and third world countries it is often best to avoid raw vegetables, salads, shellfish, unpeeled fruit, ice-cream and ice-cubes. Fresh cooked foods are often safer.
3. check with your doctor, a travel health advisory authority such as the World Health Organisation or possibly the Tourism Authority of the country that you are visiting regarding vaccinations and when these should be done.
4. be careful before swimming or wading in freshwater streams, rivers, marshes, etc.
5. always wear something on your feet
6. in hot climates wear a hat or other head covering
7. acclimatise yourself to heat, altitude, etc.
8. wash your hands frequently
9. use sunscreen and insect repellent as necessary
10. should you get diarrhoea for more than 1 day consult a doctor. Ignoring diarrhoea can become serious.
Safety
1. do not obviously look like a tourist, especially away from busy tourist areas
2. do not take or carry large amounts of cash. Use travellers cheques or the recently introduced pre-paid credit card. Large amounts of cash are also not covered by travel insurance
3. place valuables in the your hotel room safe, if there is one, or ask the hotel to put them in their safe. Better still don’t take valuables with you. They may not even be covered on your travel insurance.
4. thieves and pick-pockets often work in pairs so don’t let yourself be distracted by one as the other steals your wallet, purse, bag, etc.
5. check with your hotel about ‘safe areas’ and areas that tourists should avoid.
6. car rental companies sometimes have decals on their cars. Ask if they have a car without these.
7. check your hotel room on arrival for secure windows and doors, etc. If you are not happy ask for another room
8. hotels where rooms lead from internal corridors are generally safer than motels where the rooms lead direct from the outside.
9. be careful who you open your door to. If they say they are hotel security/maintenance, etc. then check with their ID with the front desk, especially if you haven’t previously been advised that they would be calling
10. carry money and passports in a money belt, shoulder belt or similar
11. if travelling by train or bus sit do not sit in an empty area or carriage, sit where there are other people
12. do not tell strangers where you are staying
Additional tips for the ladies
1. try to become aware of the sexual sensitivities of the country to avoid misunderstandings and unwanted advances
2. wear a wedding ring, even if you are not married
3. conform to the local dress code, especially in Islamic countries
4. if you are harassed refer to ’my husband/boyfriend will be right back’ or similar
5. do not travel alone if possible
6. at night use a taxi instead of walking
7. have your key ready as you approach your hotel
Restaurant Tips
1. ask locals, or your hotel, for the great places to eat
2. check if a tip or service charge is included in the menu prices. Nothing spoils a great meal more than a hefty and unexpected additional charge.
3. if you plan to use a coupon or voucher, advise the waiter before you order
4. check if there is a dress code
5. if you have an allergy, ask which dished may include the food item that causes your allergy
Travel Insurance
1. at Endless leisure Ltd. we consider travel insurance to be essential and recommend that it is purchased at the time that the holiday or travel is booked, not at a later date
2. if you are an EU citizen and are travelling within the EU, you should also apply for a European Healthcard if you don’t already have one. These are issued per person, not per family or per group.
3.when buying travel insurance it is imperative that health questions are answered fully and honestly. It is the insurance companies decision about health matters that counts, not yours. If you do not give full and accurate answers you may find that you are not covered.
4. for some pre-existing health issues, the insurance company may load the premium but still provide cover. For other pre-existing problems they may decline to cover the illness or any issue related to it. Make sure you know exactly what you are covered for.
5. travel insurance often has quite low levels of cover for cash and valuables. Do not take large amounts of cash and leave the valuables at home.
6. take the policy with you and leave a copy at home, preferably with someone who can easily be contacted and tell other members of your party who that person is.
7. before getting medical attention it is normal to have to get the insurance companies consent first. Read your policy carefully before you travel and be aware of the rules on this point.
8. if you travel frequently then an annual multi-trip policy may be better value, and less work, than a series of single-trip plans.
9. ensure that you get a travel insurance policy that is suitable for your purposes. Standard policies are unlikely to cover winter sports such as ski-ing. Specialist plans may be needed where other ‘risky’ activities are involved such as diving, parachuting, white-water rafting and so on.
General
1. on your day of travel, always check after closing your front door but before driving away that you have your tickets, passport and any other necessary documents with you.
2. if you are taking expensive valuables, camcorders, etc take the receipts with you to prove that these were bought in your home country
3. some countries require airport taxes to be paid on entering or leaving the country. You must have the correct amount ready.
4. if collecting a hire car make sure that all drivers take their driving licences. If they have a UK photo-licence then they must take the paper part of the licence as well
5. arrive at your departure airport in plenty of time, even if you have checked-in on-line.
6. pre-book aircraft seats and special meal requirements ASAP but at least several days before travel
7. ensure all luggage is locked to prevent theft and people trying to sneak contraband into your luggage. Never lose sight of your luggage
8. tag your luggage with something distinctive. This makes it easier to identify on the carousel at baggage reclaim
9. drink plenty of fluids when flying. However alcohol effects you more quickly at altitude so may be best avoided
We have tried to give some general advice and tips to help you have a great holiday. These are given in good faith and we advise that you always check with regard to your own personal circumstances. If you feel that there is a good tip that we have missed please let us know. E-mail info@Endless-Leisure.com
Thank you and have agreat travel experience
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