To make sure you are well prepared and have a safe holiday, the Top 10 Summary of things to do before you go are...

• Check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice or call 020 7008 0232/0233. Know Before You Go
• Get travel insurance and check that the cover is appropriate.
• Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination. Find out about local laws and customs.
• Ensure you have a valid passport and necessary visas.
• Check what vaccinations you need at least 6 weeks before you go and consider whether you need to take extra health precautions -
• Make sure your travel agent is an ABTA member and, if flying, make sure your holiday package is ATOL protected.
• Make copies of your passport, insurance policy plus 24-hour emergency number, and ticket details ? leave copies with family and friends.
• Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds eg travellers cheques, sterling or US dollars.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary and a way of contacting you such as e-mail, with family and friends.

Checklist

Travel Advice

Check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice , or contact the FCO on 020 7008 0232/0233.

Get adequate travel insurance.

• Make sure it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover.
• Make sure it provides cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year).
• Make sure it covers you for all activities, including hazardous sports.
• Disclose pre-existing medical conditions.
• Take your policy number and the 24-hour emergency number with you.
• If you have any doubts about your cover, check with your insurer.

Ensure you have a valid passport and the necessary visas.

• Make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months at return date.
• Take a photocopy with you and leave a copy at home.
• Write the full details of your next of kin in your passport.
• Make sure you have valid visas.
• Take another form of ID with you (preferably with a photograph).

Plan to stay healthy.

• Check what vaccinations you need with your GP at least six weeks before you travel.
• Check the advice at http://www.doh.gov.uk/traveladvice or http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/ .
• Check if your medication is legal in the country you are visiting.
• Pack your medication in your hand luggage.
• If taking medication with you, also take the prescription and a GP's letter.
• If travelling within the EEA (European Economic Area) get an EHIC - European Health Insurance Card.  (Countries in the EEA (European Economic Area) are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.)
• Check to see if extra health precautions are needed for the country you are visiting (e.g. malaria zones).

Know about where you are going.

• Get a good guide book and look at the FCO country fact sheets.
• Make sure you know about local laws especially relating to alcohol and drugs.
• Make sure you know about local culture especially relating to dress codes.
• Take a phrase book that you can use in emergencies.

Make sure your travel agent is an ABTA member and, if flying, make sure your holiday package is ATOL protected.

Plan ahead to avoid trouble.

• Check the FCO up-to-date travel advice and travellers' tips.
• Tell friends and family where you are going.
• Contact family and friends if trouble flares up.

Take enough money for your trip.

• Check the validity, expiry dates and cash available on your credit or debit card(s).
• Make sure you have back-up funds such as travellers cheques, sterling or US dollars.
• Have a return ticket, or enough money to buy one.

Leave copies of important information with family and friends.

• A copy of your passport and details of your next of kin.
• A copy of your insurance document plus the 24-hour emergency number.
• A copy of your ticket details.
• A copy of your itinerary and a way of contacting you such as e-mail.