Preparing For Your Holiday

No one wants to be thinking of accidents or incidents while they’re on holiday, but life can be unpredictable and if the worst does happen, it is essential that you have adequate travel insurance to cover you against travel risks such as lost or stolen luggage, cancellation cover and most importantly, unexpected medical bills. So please take out appropriate travel insurance before travelling and make sure it covers you for all the activities you want to do and remember to take a copy of your insurance policy with you.

If you are travelling within Europe, ensure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that hasn’t expired and understand what it covers - This only entitles you to basic state medical care in participating countries, it does not cover repatriation- you still need full travel insurance. For your free EHIC card visit https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-ehic-european-health-insurance-card/.

When you are venturing somewhere completely new and you really don’t know the destination that you are travelling to, it can be quite intimidating. It is therefore always important to research your destination and learn about the laws, customs and entry requirements of the country you’re visiting and understand how they differ from home, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Check your passport is valid, fill out the emergency details, look after it while travelling and keep it in a safe place. Make sure you have all necessary visas. Make copies of important travel documents, take a picture or make copies and store them securely using a secure data storage site. Research vaccinations or any other medical requirements for your destination, and if necessary visit a travel health clinic before you travel. For medical advice visit travelhealthpro.org.uk.

Tell your friends or family about your travel plans and where you’re going and leave emergency contact details.

Take enough money with you and have access to emergency funds.

Please note that telephones are not provided in our properties with the exception of Leisure Resorts whereby phones might be provided for internal resort calls. Therefore we recommend that you take a mobile phone on your villa holiday for emergencies.

Ensure you take the contact details of the local British Consulate in case of emergencies - www.gov.uk/government/world/embassies.

Understand what consular staff can and can’t do to help British nationals travelling overseas, check www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-british-nationals-abroad-a-guide.

Please ensure that you leave in plenty of time for the airport and drive safely.