travel advice

You have your bags packed, your airline tickets are waiting by the door, and you're ready to go.
This is going to be the best holiday of your life - especially since you have taken the time to prepare
for safe travel.

Respecting Cultures and Laws

"Getting away from it all" on a holiday can also mean leaving behind all that is comfortable and familiar. Visiting a new country can be intimidating, especially when their cultures, customs, and laws are unlike those we are used to in the UK. Smart travellers prepare themselves by learning about these laws and customs before departing. This allows them to enjoy their holiday with confidence and security, knowing that they are not unwittingly making a mistake or causing an offence.

Here are some tips on how you too can be a culture smart traveller:

Purchase a comprehensive and up-to-date guidebook that explains the local laws, customs, and culture.
Purchase a phrase book for travellers and practice some of the most commonly used phrases before you go. Having just a few sentences in your vocabulary will not only help you get around easier, it will also endear you to the locals who often appreciate the effort.
Respect the dress code. Whether it is law or custom that requires a specific style of dress, you will be happier and more comfortable by adhering to local standards of modesty.
Don’t take chances with drugs and alcohol. There are two places that you don’t want to end up on your holiday – jail or the hospital. Understand the alcohol and drug laws of the country, and follow them very closely. It is also important that you carefully consider the health risks of becoming intoxicated in unfamiliar surroundings and with unregulated substances.
Ask before taking pictures. Respect people’s privacy and remember that this is their home; they are not cute or peculiar accents for the scenery.
Haggle with restraint. Coming from places where prices are firmly set, it can be fun to haggle while on holiday. Enjoy yourself more by haggling humour and not taking the final price to seriously. Always keep the actual cost in perspective by remembering the conversion – you wouldn’t want to bully a vender over a few pence.

10 Quick Tips To Make Your Cheap Holiday Safer

Cheap Holidays Made Safe with these 10 Safety Tips:

1. Pack Light. Lost luggage can be a big problem for holiday goers. Not only do you risk losing valuable possessions, you also risk identity theft if important documents are lost as well. Reduce the risk of luggage loss and theft by travelling light and taking only hand luggage with you.

2. Mobile Number, Not Address. When marking your luggage, don't provide your home address. Instead, write your mobile number so that if the luggage is lost you can be contacted without the risk of personal information falling into the wrong hands.

3. Fly Comfortably. Many travellers report minor dehydration, fatigue, and an increased incidence of cold-like symptoms after flying. You can help yourself stay healthy by packing comfort items like ear plugs, eye masks, travel pillows, and an extra jumper.

4. Keep Safety On Hand. It is a good idea to be prepared for minor injuries by carrying a simple first aid kit with you at all times. Look for travel sized or individual use sized items wherever possible to keep the kit light.

5. Adapt. Be sure that you carry the right power adapters with you as you travel internationally. Using the wrong adapter (or no adapter at all) creates a risk of damaging your electronics, experiencing electrical shocks, or even starting a fire.

6. Carry Extra Eyeglasses. Your vision is one of the most important things you bring with you on holiday. Protect your clear sight by bringing an extra pair of glasses. This is especially essential if you plan to do any driving.

7. Avoid the Burn. Not all suncreams are created equally, with a wide variety available for different skin types. Take the time to speak with a professional and learn which suncream is best for you - then stock up on the recommended SPF and always apply it before heading out into the sun.

8. Keep track of Children. Everyone gets a little excited and distracted on holiday, especially children. Be sure to review important safety rules before going on holiday and make plans to ensure that your children know what to do should you ever get separated.

9. Know how to make emergency calls. A quick online search will provide you with the information you need so that you will be able to make emergency calls when you are away. Do you need a phone card or a different package for your mobile? Should you carry a certain kind of change? Is the emergency response number different?

10. Purchase enough travel insurance. Travel insurance is an essential expense that cannot be avoided. Luckily it is very affordable, often well under £10 for an entire trip.

More Great Resources

Dr. Sleep Talks about Jet Lag: Before taking your next holiday listen to this free British Airways podcast series. These six podcasts feature Dr. Sleep (actually, Dr. Chris Idzikowsky) discussing how travel impacts sleeping patterns and providing tips on how to overcome jet lag. Listen Now.
Current Threats: Even the most beautiful travel destinations can experience periodic bouts of political unrest, dangerous weather, epidemics, or other tourist risks. Travel with confidence by checking with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website or calling 0845 850 2829.
Know Before You Go: The Foreign & Commonwealth Office's Know Before You Go programme offers free tips and information for making all of your travels safe and memorable.