Planning A Trip And Enjoying Your Holiday A Travel Check List

C ommon wisdom tells us that       turn into bigger problems while    a death of a loved one and      you’re away.                       moving house are the two                                           most stressful events a person        Simply work through my holiday     can go through in the modern          check list and travel with peace   world. Not being an estate agent      of mind:                           or a funeral director, I can’t                                           really comment on either of these     Before you go (planning your       – but I do feel qualified to          trip)                              discuss another stressful area –                                         planning a trip and preparing to      • Always make sure you have full   go on holiday.                        travel insurance, fit for the                                            purpose of your trip and if you    It’s ironic that a period of the      have an annual policy - check      year designed to promote rest and     that it is still valid. Sometimes  relaxation can actually be the        people who have purchased annual   cause of the most stress and          travel insurance forget to renew   strain present for the entire         it, and assume they are covered    year. Things are usually              whenever they wish to leave the    completed in a rush, there is a       country. Checking your travel      lot to organise and there’s           insurance is right for the task    packing time to consider – and        can save you a lot of stress and   that’s not even taking into           tears in the long run, should the  account the stress families will      worst happen. It is also           go through looking after the kids     essential that you make your       during all of this! For this          travel insurance company aware of  reason, I’ve written a useful         any pre existing medical           holiday check list to ensure you      condition you have before you      don’t miss any of the small           travel – although it may increase  things which have a tendency to       your costs in the short term, you  may find yourself without cover       next of kin, or the details of     if you later need to claim on         someone who can be contacted in    such an illness without having        case of an emergency.              warned them of it!                                                                                             • Make sure you are aware of the   • If you’re traveling within the      immigration and custom laws of     European economic region, or in       the country you are traveling to   Switzerland, you should get a         when planning a trip. A visa may   free European Health Insurance        take a little time to come         Card (EHIC). It’s a common            through, so be prepared and allow  misconception that this is as         enough time to complete this       good as travel insurance for          procedure. Also you should note    giving you free health care, but      that in many countries your        it can entitle you to reduced         passport needs to be valid for at  costs, meaning you are not left       least six months after the date    out of pocket while you wait to       you travel, so check this in       be reimbursed on your policy.         advance.                                                                                                    • When planning a trip, make sure     • Tell someone where you are       the vaccinations for both you and     going and when they should expect  your family are up to date –          you back. Try to leave an          especially if you’re travelling       itinerary and details of where     outside of Europe. Your health        you may be able to be contacted    care provider can advise you of       during your time abroad, in case   any additional vaccinations           of emergency.                      you’ll need depending on where                                           you’re going.                         • If you are planning on driving                                         in foreign climes, take your full  • Fill in the contact details at      driving license with you. Make     the back of your passport for the     sure you are aware of the driving  laws, license requirements and        Although unlikely to cause         driving conditions of your            disastrous problems, as a guest    destination before you set off.       in a foreign culture, it’s only                                          polite to try and fit in.          When you are there                                                                                             On return                          • Be aware of security and take                                          sensible precautions. If an area      • Inform family and friends of     is advised against travelling to,     your safe return, to end their     the chances are there’s a good        worries and ensure no bogus        reason for it!                        emergency calls are made.                                                                                   • Keep a note of the local            • If you need to make any claims   embassy, high commission or           against your travel insurance      consulate number. Although the        make sure this is done at the      chances are you will not need it,     earliest opportunity, for maximum  it’s always worth holding on to       chance of getting a positive       in the case of emergency.             result.                                                                                                     • Stay in regular contact with        I hope this travel check list has  your family and friends,              been helpful. Although planning a  especially if you are travelling      trip in this much detail may seem  alone. This will ensure they’re       like a lot of hassle, dotting all  always aware of where you are and     the ‘I’s and crossing all the      should be, and can ensure they        ‘T’s, it really is worth doing.    can contact you in the case of        In the end, following this         emergency.                            holiday check list to the letter                                         will ensure you are more relaxed   • Respect local customs and           and prepared to enjoy your         behave and dress appropriately.       holiday, and should the worst      happen you’ll be well equipped to     deal with it.                      About the Author: Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of Journey’s Travel. Their commercial travel insurance website, Insuremore, offers cheap travel insurance packages for families, singles, children and skiers with free cover against acts of terrorism and a quick and easy online claims feature. Published At: www.Isnare.com