Travel Tips

Whenever you arrive in any country, whether it be by boat, plane or whatever you are vulnerable. You have all your cash, cards, documents and anything else valuable on you right at that moment. It is even worse if you have never been there before and look like you haven't, there are always people who are willing to "help". Every precaution you take will help to avoid any potential problems. After all you do not want someone to "help" themselves to your belongings, when you have just arrived. Here are a few tips that should help.

Before leaving for your trip, try to get some prior information as to the rough layout of the airport where you will be arriving. This will help, to have a vague sense of where you should be going and where the taxis are located etc.

Whenever possible, especially in certain countries we recommend taking either the airport limousine, or a hotel pick up.

Never take a taxi that seems just to be hanging around, offering its services when there is a taxi queue available.

Try to keep your wallet and valuables safely secured in a handbag or in one of your hand luggage.

Change some money into the local currency before you depart. This gives you one less thing to worry about, and will stop you from pulling a large amount of money out at the airport arrivals.

Keep a small amount of this local currency, easily accessible in a pocket or something, and away from the majority of your well earned money. You will need sufficient for the ride into town, a tip (perhaps) and a little for unforeseen needs like toll ways or a bottle of water.

If you have not been able to find anything out about the airport that you are visiting then ask one of the airline staff, or the government tourism booth (if they have one at the airport) for some assistance, or tips on the best way of travelling.

Most countries really are very safe, but in others it is really very advisable to take to take as many precautions as possible. No matter what, the most important is that you have a great holiday.

Hotel Tips

Hotel especially of the four and five star category are normally extremely safe; providing you with a safe in the room and at the reception area, security guards hiding around the place, and cameras that can be as much your friend as your enemy . However still things do occasionally disappear, sometimes without the owner ever knowing that they have gone.
So here are a few tips to avoid your valued possessions from taking a walk:

If the Hotel has an in room safe use it and keep all your valuables in there.
However, if the safe is electronic, wipe the touch keys down before operating it with a damp cloth, and then dry it before entering your secret code. Try to do this every time you use the safe.

Also after you have keyed in your code and closed the door firmly locked on the safe. Press all the other keys /numbers that do not make up your code, and press them firmly. Doing this may set off a small alarm from the safe but it stops quickly and no one will pay any attention (!!).
The reason to do this is because certain hotels have caught their own hotel staff placing, a light oil residue or powder on to the touch keys that shows them when using a certain light what numbers were pressed. They were managing to open the safe, and one very clever thief was taking only 1 or 2 US$ from each room. Would you have noticed ? It is not a lot but in a 400 or 500 room hotel the guy was doing quite well for himself.

Never leave valuables in soft/material bags with pockets even if they are padlocked like Alcatrass
This avoids any potential of somebody simply splitting a seam to a pocket with a knife and removing select contents. This has happened to one of our friends and he never even noticed until he went into the and bag and pocket a while later.
This should also apply to luggage that you check into the airplane.

Never get drunk and invite a stranger to your room. This seems funny, indeed, but better safe than sorry.

Passport & Visas

1. Check the passport and visa requirements for the countries you are visiting / transiting in on your planned journey - make sure you apply for them well in advance of your date of travel.
2. Check the validity of your Passport and Visas.
3. Don't forget your passport and visa on the day of travel.
4. If you lose your passport or visa please contact the embassy or consulate immediately in the country you are traveling in.

Security

1. Put a luggage strap around your case for easy identification and extra security
2. If you lose your passport or visa please contact the embassy or consulate immediately in the country you are traveling in.
3. Never carry packages on behalf of anyone else, however genuine they seem to be.
4. Never leave luggage unattended at airports, this creates a high security risk
   

Health

1. Check the inoculation and health requirements for all of the countries you are visiting on your journey. Please be aware some vaccinations need to be administered 4-6 weeks before travel.
2. If you are carrying medicines or medications with you please keep a note of your condition and the medication you require somewhere handy e.g. a piece of paper in side the cover of your passport, where it can be easily found in an emergency.
3. Ensure you take extra supplies of medication in case you get delayed abroad.

Tickets

1. Check the ticket for Flight(s) details & accuracy as soon as you recieve it.
2. Keep your tickets with your passport and visas and do not forget them on the day you travel
   

Packing

1. Pack the night before you travel, to save rushing and being late for your flight.
2. Check the weather forecast at your destination before travel to avoid taking unnecessary luggage.
3. Roll clothes instead of folding them, it creates less creases. Honest!
4. Pack travel sizes of all of the lotions and potions you require to save space.

Baggage

1. Check with the airline you are traveling with on the stipulated baggage allowances
2. Ensure that your hand baggage allowance does not exceed the level enforced by the airline you are traveling with. This ensures unnecessary embarrassment at the check-in desk, having to move luggage from your hand baggage to your suitcase.

Getting To & From The Airport

1. Check timetables for public transport in advance to ensure you arrive at the airport in plenty of time
2. If taking your car pre-book parking wherever possible or get someone to give you a lift in order to save time
3. Wherever possible use only metered taxis around the airport
   

Money

1. Make sure you have enough foreign currency for your immediate arrival into a foreign country, particularly if your flight arrives at an odd hour.
2. Always make a list of the Credit / Debit Card numbers and travelers cheques you are carrying along with the suppliers contact numbers in case they get lost.

Special Requests

1. Give airlines plenty of notice for special meal requirements or seating requests.

General

1. Try to leave plenty of time for checking in at the airport.
2. Always reconfirm your flights before setting out for the airport (do this about 24 hours before time of travel)
3. Check Duty Free allowances carefully particularly on EU destinations.
4. Try to book your flights outside of peak hours, in order to avoid busy commuter routes and congestion at the airport.
5. Do not drink too much before boarding the aircraft, as alcohol and cabin pressure cause enhanced dehydration. You are also unable to use the toilets until the aircraft is airborne and at a safe altitude for the seat belt sign to be taken off.
6. Check with the airline you are traveling with, as to the availability of telephone and laptop power points on board.
7. Leave contact details for yourself either with someone at home or somebody in the office in case they need to reach you in an emergency.
8. A phrase book is always handy - remember, not everyone speaks English.
   

Jetlag

1. Try to drink plenty of water whilst on the aircraft as this helps to counter dehydration.
2. Check in flight magazines, for gentle exercises to do whilst on board to stop stiffness and tiredness of joints.
3. Cleanse and moisturize skin regularly whilst on board again to counter dehydration.
4. Eat a light meal onboard as easier to digest, avoid excessive carbohydrates and fats