You've collected lots of information and you're ready to make your reservations. There are however some things that you still
need to check before making a commitment. Obviously, the importance might vary, depending on the country you're planning to visit. Undoubtedly, you'll be slightly less concerned about a trip to Canada or the
Bahamas, than say Afghanistan or Zimbabwe! But don't let the good times you've promised yourself make you forget some elementary rules of safety, your life is one of your most commodities.
YOUR HEALTH
Diseases: is there any risk of infection? Is there a risk of an epidemic? The World Health Organization
(WHO) publishes regular bulletins dealing with diseases around the world, and distributes them to private clinics and doctors. Become informed, and at the very least consult your doctor to get some
advice.
Vaccines: which ones are required? Which are recommended? Generally speaking, you should contact your
doctor at least six to eight weeks before leaving, so you'll be sure of having lots of time to get the necessary vaccines. This is especially true if you're planning to travel to tropical areas or to
developing countries.
Sanitary conditions: is the tap water drinkable or should you drink bottled water? Are toilets easy to find?
Can you eat all the fruit and vegetables?
Medical care: what would you go if you got sick? Are there doctors available? Are hospitals or private
clinics accessible?
For answers to these questions, see specialized Web sites. One of them is: www.drwisetravel.com that provides lots of interesting information.
Some countries may be politically unstable or in a state of war. It is advisable to get information about these countries just
before leaving. For most countries, this information is available at their Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and in Canada, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Trade (EAITC), publishes a bulletin on
travelling (in English and French), providing useful instructions.
You don't have to be paranoid, just being prepared for any unexpected mishap. Following are some precautions you could take:
Be in good physically shape: obviously you don't need to train much just to go walking on the beaches of Martinique, but
if you're planning a pilgrimage to Compostello, you should probably get back in shape. As André Doucet said, anyone deciding on a pilgrimage for their retirement, should spend a year getting ready,
and get to know their normal walking rhythm.
Check your equipment or have it checked. If you'll be doing any climbing or cycling, your security will depend
mostly on your equipment, so it would be wise to check it before leaving.
Do business with serious agents. If you're planning, for example, to go trekking in Thailand, choose your
representatives and your guides carefully. One of the most frequent mishaps occurs when travelers deal with a street-corner agency (who required payment before departure) and then find themselves alone
one morning in the middle of the mountains, after their guide had disappeared during the night!
Be prepared for any possible mishap. For example, what if you lost money and credit cards? Take telephone
numbers with you. Take photos to that replacing your passport would be easier should you lost it.
Take along contact information for local people. For example: address, phone and fax numbers of your embassy or
consulate.
Maintain contact with your parents or friends. Leave them addresses, phone and fax numbers of where they might get
in touch with you.
Take essential items with you. If you need medication, take an adequate supply, since you might not be able to
find it where you're visiting. Take a small emergency case (bandages, syringes – if you need an injection and be sure it's clean, aspirin, mosquito protection, drugs to prevent diarrhea, influenza,
etc).
Now that you've planned, organized, and foreseen everything, it's just a matter of making your reservations, booking your lodging and
transport, and you can start dreaming about your upcoming trip.
