Holiday checklist and advice

Travel Insurance

1. Buy good quality insurance. Compare the prices and cover on the policies before you buy.
2. Take out insurance as soon as you book your holiday to ensure you are covered for cancellations. Check what your insurance does and does not cover. Make sure your insurance covers you for: 
   i. all medical bills
   ii. flying you and your family home in the event of illness or injury
   iii. any potentially dangerous activities you may be planning
3. Consider leaving valuables and jewellery at home. If you do take valuables with make sure your insurance cover is sufficient and that you abide by the policy terms (such as storing them in a safe).

Health and safety

1. If your holiday resort is within the EU, get a Form E111 from the Post Office, complete it and have it stamped, for free or reduced cost emergency medical care. (note: if you already have an E11 but it was issued prior to August 2004, then you will need to get a new one)
2. Pack any medication you need in your hand luggage.
3. If you or any of your party requires emergency treatment, make sure you call your insurer's helpline as soon as you can, and ask for their advice. If you don't, they may refuse to pay for any treatment required.

Holiday money and  Travellers’ Cheques

1. Make sure you have enough to cover for emergencies.
2. Take a mixture of cash, travellers cheques and credit or debit cards.
3. Keep a record of your travellers' cheque numbers in a different place to your travellers cheques.
4. Travel insurance policies only pay out for stolen cash if is taken from a safe. We suggest that you rent the safe in your room or use the hotel safe.
5. Take sensible precautions - don't carry all of your cards, travellers cheques and cash with you. Carry only as much money as you need for the day, plus a little extra for emergencies.

Passports and other travel documents

1. Check your passport will be valid for the whole trip. Remember that some countries also require that your passport is valid for at least another 6 months after you return.
2. Take a photocopy of your passport, visas and any other important documents. Make a note of passport numbers, dates and where they were issued. Also take a note of your travel insurance policy number.
3. Check if you need any visas.
4. When you reach your resort, keep your travel documents in a safe place (hiring a safe is a good idea). Don't carry them around with you

Packing tips and advice

1. Start packing well before your departure date. This allows you time to put things in your cases as you think of them.
2. Make a list of everything you need to take with you (some items are suggested below), and then cross them off as you put them in your bags. Double check the list before you close your cases.
3. Take clothes that won't crease easily. Don't put easily crushed clothes at the bottom of your bags.
4. Put items you don't mind creasing into bags and pack them into shoes.
5. Wrap shoes in plastic bags to stop them from marking your clothes.
6. Ensure all toiletries and sun creams are sealed securely. Pack them in sealable plastic bags.
7. Put valuables in your hand luggage.
8. Remember that many goods can often be bought more cheaply abroad.
9. Hand luggage should weigh no more than 4.5kgs.
10. Suitcases should not weigh more than 20kgs.

Things to do before you leave

1. Think about your home - let neighbours know that you are away and ask a friend, relative or neighbour to make a regular check on it.
2. Set lights on timers. Unplug televisions, videos and any electronic equipment that does not need to be left on.
3. Use up perishables in the fridge.
4. Lock everything.
5. On your outward journey write your destination on your luggage tags, not your home address. And put your destination address inside your suitcase as well just in case.
6. Know what airline check-in requirements are. These have changed since September 11th 2001.
7. To get the best deal in airport parking book it in advance.

While Travelling

1. Do not pack valuables, money, or fragile items into your suitcase. Keep them with you at all times.
2. Never leave belongings unattended or with strangers.
3. Check your baggage for any damage each time you reclaim it.

Tips for phoning home

1. It can be very expensive to use your mobile phone abroad. Also you will usually pay to receive calls as well as to make them, and to receive and send text messages.
2. If you plan to take your mobile phone abroad, make sure you can use it in your destination country. 
3. If you plan to call home regularly, it may be cheaper to buy a phone card (prepaid or purchased locally) and use local phone boxes rather than your mobile phone.

Your safety whilst on holiday

1. Do not wear expensive jewellery.
2. When walking keep to well lit public places. Areas that may be safe during the day may not be at night and if you find yourself in an undesirable area, or one you are not sure about, head back the way you came.
3. Take your room key with you; do not leave it at reception.
4. Always use bolts or locks on doors or patios.
5. Carry some change for drinks and busses. Keep small notes or coins in a separate pocket so that you don't have to get your purse or wallet out in a public place.

Things to take with you

It’s a good idea to have a look through your wardrobe and make a list of the clothing you intend to take and then tick it off the list as you pack it. As you will have a weight restriction, try to take light items of clothing where possible (and clothing made on natural fibres are better). Also remember that although it is usually hot during the day, depending on when you travel it could be quite cool at night. Remember that you can always wash clothing whilst on holiday, so there is no need to take your entire wardrobe!

Another good tip is to try clothing on before you pack it. If you are unsure about an item of clothing, don’t take it – if you won’t wear it here, you probably won’t wear it on holiday!

Weight restrictions are closely monitored these days, so don’t take the risk. Unless you are positive that you will wear it, leave it at home.

Suitcase:

1. Shoes (walking, evening, beach)
2. Swimwear/shorts
3. Jumper or warm top in case it is chilly in the evening
4. comb or brush
5. shampoo, conditioner, mouse, gel, hairspray etc
6. travel hair dryer, kettle, iron
7. hair bobbles or clips
8. deodorant, aftershave/perfume
9. contraceptives
10. sun tan lotion, after sun and any creams
11. cosmetics/make-up
12. shaving cream and shaving gel/foam
13. nail clippers and emery board
14. scissors
15. tweezers
16. toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
17. insect repellent
18. first aid kit
19. mini sewing kit
20. travel plugs/adapters
21. travel alarm clock
22. travel wash or powder (and possibly clothes pegs)
23. and finally, leave extra space for any holiday purchases!

Hand luggage:

1. Any prescription medication
2. vitamins and over the counter medications, such as, travel sickness, headache, indigestion, diarrhoea medication
3. sunglasses, prescription glasses, contact lenses
4. mobile phone and charger
5. camera, video camera, film, batteries
6. magazines, books, portable music or DVD player, set of playing cards
7. travel maps, guidebook, phrase book
8. travel neck pillow
9. snacks and bottled water
10. lip balm
11. pens
12. face wipes
13. baby wipes
14. ear plugs
15. credit/debit cards
16. drivers license
17. passport and visa
18. local currency
19. travellers’ cheques
20. airplane tickets

Useful links:

UK passport agency: http://www.ukpa.gov.uk/

currency converter and exchange rates: The XE.com Universal Currency Converter

This checklist is simply designed as a guide to some of the things you should think about when going on holiday and in no way should be taken to constitute expert advice.

    

Open a printable version of our holiday checklist (Word file)

Open a printable duty free allowances sheet (Word file)