Getting vaccinations and preventative medicines should be an important part of any traveler’s pre-trip planning, they could be vital to protect your health and make sure you are fully protected against diseases and viruses abroad.
To make sure you are properly protected, you should contact your doctor and do some research into your chosen destinations. Below is a list of some things to take into consideration;
- Don’t worry, you don’t need vaccinations to visit every country, if you’re planning to holiday in Australia or Europe you will most likely not need any injections. On the other hand, if you’re planning to travel further afield you will probably need some form of jab, even if it is simply a booster.
- Arrange to see your GP a minimum of eight weeks before you depart, because some immunizations and tablets take this long to take effect.
- Unfortunately not all injections are available for free on the NHS, so you may need to find a private clinic. The cost of private inoculations can vary depending on the dose you need, but one does will usually cost around £50.
- There are several factors which could affect your immunity, for example the time of year and the region of the country, so make sure you inform your GP. Other factors include;
- You will be more at risk if you're planning to spend lots of time in rural areas, for example trekking or working outside.
- If you plan to spend time working or visiting poorer communities you will also be more at risk, simply because they have very little medical care.
- Additional precautionary measures might need to be taken if you’re planning to work in a hospital or clinic.
- If your trip will involve contact with wild animals, you could be at risk from diseases such as rabies, which can be spread from animal to human.
- If you'll be staying in hostels or with groups of people, you will always be more at risk of catching germs.
- The longer you stay, the greater the risk of being exposed to disease and bacteria.
- Your age and health can also make you more vulnerable to infection, discuss any pre-existing conditions with your doctor, as this could affect what medicine you can and can’t have.
- On a final note, always make sure you invest in quality travel insurance with medical cover - just in case.
Many budding backpackers and travellers wonder whether they
should stay in hostels during their travels. Although there is no denying that
hostels are usually cheaper than hotels, plus you will meet fellow travellers, there
are also the horror stories about unhygienic, expensive and unsafe hostels, not
to mention the reports of weird people and thefts.
Contrary to popular belief, most hostels are extremely
welcoming, comfortable and clean places to stay; unfortunately it is the minority
which have tainted the name of the majority.
Nevertheless, staying in a hostel, just like moving into
university halls, does come with a period of adjustment. To help anyone
thinking about staying in a hostel, we have created the following helpful
guide;
Prepare
your expectations…
· To make sure you aren’t over or under whelmed
by your accommodation, make sure you have your expectations in check. Hostels
will usually have a reception, shower and bathroom, a communal kitchen and sitting
area, plus bedrooms with multiple beds. The rooms will vary in size depending
on the specific place, and many will offer same or mixed gender bedrooms.
Do
your research…
· Make sure you book your accommodation in
advance as often as possible; otherwise you may find yourself without a bed for
the night, or somewhere a bit grim.
· Ideally you should choose accommodation near
the centre of the place you’re visiting; otherwise you will end up spending
more money and time on transport.
Invest
in the essentials…
· Ear plugs and natural sleeping aids are a priceless
investment when staying in shared accommodation. If your neighbour is a snorer,
these should make sure you still get some sleep.
· An inflatable pillow is always a great
investment, good for travelling and if the pillows provided are uncomfortable.
· Your mum won’t be there to wake you up, so
get a travel clock with alarm, to make sure you don’t sleep your trip away.
· Invest in quality travel insurance, making sure
the policy meets your requirements.
Do
live out of your bag…
· There is always one messy person, but don’t let
that be you! Remember that you are sharing a relatively compact space with other
people, so don’t be messy and selfish with the space. This should also stop you
from mislaying or forgetting any of your possessions.
Listen
and learn…
· You will meet some amazing and interesting
people on your travels, so make sure you get involved and get chatting to
everyone – soak up their tips and advice.
Be
safe…
· If you can rent a locker/space to secure your
possessions, do it! Otherwise investing in some small luggage locks is
advisable.
Accidents
happen…
· Make sure you’ve packed any important
possessions or documents safely, either wrap them up or put them in a water
proof bag, to avoid damage.
· Always carry of a photocopy of any
prescriptions you are on, your passport and your travel documents, in case of
emergency.
Sporting tourism is extremely popular around the world,
and every year thousands of sports men and woman leave home and head abroad to
play their favourite sports and activities.
What can go wrong? Well unfortunately many sports come
with a certain amount of risk, ranging from lost or damaged equipment to broken
bones. To help you avoid a disaster on your sporting holiday, here are out top
tips;
-
Before you leave, check that your equipment still fits and is in good condition, for example boots and mouth guards.
- If you’re travelling to a hot country, make sure you take breaks in the shade, wear sun protection and drink plenty of fluids.
- Invest in quality travel insurance, and make sure it actually covers you to participate in your chosen sport or activity, if it doesn’t you won’t be covered for any subsequent bills.
- Make a list of important phone numbers, for example other members of your team and a contact at your accommodation, just in case you get lost or need assistance.
- Make sure you pack a first aid kit, including an antibacterial cream and re-hydration sachets.
- Make sure your team or travelling companions all have valid passports, travel insurance and enough money to pay back the organiser for any pre-paid travel/accommodation costs etc.
- Photocopy your travel documents and any other important documents or prescriptions before travel.
- Pick a decent location and resort with quality pitches or equipment.
- Sports tours are known for celebrating wins or consoling losses with alcohol, but you should always be extremely careful when drinking or partying abroad. Remember that alcohol measures are usually bigger and stronger, and you don’t want to battle through your match nursing a hangover, dehydration or alcohol poisoning!
For many 18-21 year olds this summer will mark not only
the end of exams and graduation from university or college, but also their
first independent holiday with friends. These holidays can range from relaxing short
breaks, to clubbing holidays and longer adventurous trips.
To help anyone planning a post exams holiday, we have
shared our list of the top 10 student holidays for 2013;
· Australia – although it is further afield,
any backpacker or adventurous traveller will love Australia. The climate is
beautiful, they speak your language, plus there is so much to see and do –
explore the outback, then head to Sydney for some city life, learn to surf and
dive, watch the amazing wildlife…the possibilities are endless.
· France – France is a great location for anyone
on budget or shorter trip. France offers a mix of beaches and vineyards, city
and nightlife, not to mention all the history and landmarks to explore, so
there is definitely something for everyone.
· Germany – Once again, Germany is another
European country which offers a great mix of holiday possibilities. Enjoy some
traditional German beer in the evenings and explore its rich culture and
history by day, plus you can try out your rusty High School German!
· Holland – unfortunately Holland usually comes
with an unfair ‘seedy’ stigma attached, however Amsterdam and the rest of
Holland is an extremely vibrant and interesting place to visit. The best way to
experience Holland is to walk along the canals, lanes, and on bikes.
· Ibiza – Ibiza is the perfect destination for
anyone who just wants to relax and have fun after the stress of exams. Just
remember; make sure any activities you participate in are properly licensed,
that measures are a lot stronger than in the UK and to be careful! Apart from
that…enjoy!
· Portugal – A recent survey found that
Portugal has the cheapest everyday items in the world, making it perfect for
anyone on a budget. The nightlife, weather and beaches make Portugal a great
holiday choice.
· Spain – Spain is also an extremely cheap
destination, you can choose to stay by the coast for great beaches, head to the
mountains or into Madrid for a taste of the city.
· UK – It may sound silly, but the UK is a great
place for your first holiday, and this summer the UK is packed with festivals
up and down the country, so why not turn your trip into a holiday. You won’t
have to worry about flying, speaking the language or the food!
· USA – The USA is like marmite for many; you
either love it or hate it. However it cannot be denied that the US offers a
great mix of experiences, whether you head to Vegas or New York, you need time,
energy and enthusiasm to explore properly.
· Vietnam – A beautiful country with a
fascinating history, Vietnam is the perfect destination for anyone desperate to
experience a different culture. Furthermore, Vietnam borders some of the most
popular backpacker locations, so there is always the option to extend and
expand your trip.
Enjoy what the world has to offer, with great quality
travel insurance from Holidaysafe.co.uk.
Delays are the bane of any traveller’s journey; they ruin
the holiday spirit, eat into your precious holiday time and even make you spend
money. However, since new regulations came into power empowering passengers to
seek compensation from airlines with long delays, it seems that many airlines
are checking their watches more often.
For any holidaymakers planning a trip, FlightStats Inc.
have revealed the world’s most prompt and punctual airlines based on their time
keeping efforts in march 2013. According to their statistics, the World’s most ‘on
time’ airline is South African Airlines, because over 92% of their flights
arrived on time in March.
Other punctual airlines featured near the top of their
list included Gulf Air (over 92% on time) SAA (over 90% on time), and Easy Jet (over
87% on time).
However, before delay phobic travellers rush to these
airlines, it may be important to note that the airline had to deliver their
flights within fifteen minutes of the scheduled time to count as ‘on time’ – so
you could still face a delay of up to a quarter of an hour at the airport.
Nevertheless, the airlines in the top 10 have obviously
worked very hard to push their statistics up, in fact on average
most international airlines were only delivering 78% of their flights on time,
up 1% from February’s survey.
If you do face a lengthy delay during your trip, there
are certain things you can do, remember that some travel insurance policies
offer a benefit for delays of 12 hours or more, and if the airline or transport
provider cancels your flight, it is their responsibility to compensate you or
get you on the next available flight.
‘The World’s Most Expensive Holiday’ was launched by
VerFirstTo.com in March 2013, costing a massive £1 million. The holiday is a
two year luxury trip visiting the 962 UNESCO world heritage sites in over 150 countries,
travelling by business class and staying in luxury hotels.
A customer from China has already snapped up the holiday,
and is preparing to begin his trip in 2014. This may sound crazy, as thousands
travel the world every year for so much less, but the site has had 15 enquiries
about the trip, and one other very interested customer.
However, despite the hefty price tag, travellers
will only be allowed to visit sites which are safe and practical. It is also important to note that this trip will be
extremely gruelling, visiting more than one site every day – perhaps not so ‘luxury’
after all.
On the other hand, it cannot be denied that this is a dream trip for many – if
only the schedule could be slowed down so that travellers could get a chance to
experience the mix of countries and cultures properly.
I think that, given the chance and if money was no
option, many backpackers and long term travellers would turn down this holiday,
in favour of a slower and more indulgent trip. Furthermore, by staying and
travelling in luxury, you actually miss out on many importnat experiences – most backpackers
would recommend staying in hostels and travelling by bus or train because you
meet so many interesting people, who offer tips and advice on what to see and
do.
If you’re trying to plan your summer holiday on a budget,
Spain and Portugal are offering great holiday bargains for 2013. According to
recent analysis by the Post Office, Albufeira in Portugal and Torremolinos in
Spain offer the best value for money holidays for anyone on a budget.
The list was compiled by comparing the average price of
everyday items in different locations, to find which offered the best value. This should help holidaymakers who find their budgets destroyed by the
expense of food, sun cream, ice creams and other holiday items.
Compared to last year, the cost of everyday items in
Spain has dropped by a massive 20% furthermore Portugal showed a decrease of
15%. Other budget friendly destinations include Javea on the Costa Blanca,
Bulgaria and Egypt.
On the other hand, analysis showed that Italy has become
an extremely expensive holiday destination, in fact Sorrento and Tuscany where
two of the most expensive European destinations.
Unfortunately this news must be taken with a pinch of
salt, as the ‘bargains’ are off set against the decline in value of sterling against other currencies, in fact the pound is worth 4.5% less now
than it was in 2013.
If you’re planning a budget holiday, just remember to
invest in travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, to make sure your
bank account doesn’t suffer if you face a holiday disaster. At Holidaysafe.co.uk
we believe that quality travel insurance shouldn’t cost the earth, so we offer
multiple levels of cover to suit any budget or holiday.
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