Firstly you need to arrange adequate insurance for your trip as soon as you book your holiday.
Make sure your insurance policy covers for cancellation and curtailment. With medical expenses, personal belongings all included.
Check the cancellation cover is enough to cover the cost of your trip
Always, always declare pre-existing medical conditions and hazardous sports/activities to be undertaken
We can help you choose the best policy for you either the Post Office, the tour operators own or through our specialist travel insurer Journeys Insurance. Just click on the link to get a quote!
Make copies of your passport, insurance policy, 24-hour emergency number and ticket details
While on holiday
Obtain a police statement within 24 hours of a loss: you will need one to claim against insurance
Leave valuables, spare cash and passport in the hotel safe, not your room
Keep all money exchange receipts to prove you obtained your currency legally
Make copies of your passport, insurance policy, 24-hour emergency number and ticket details
Passport
If you need a new passport or have to renew your passport we have all the necessary forms at Rhoose Post Office, we can also Check and Send your application, this gives you a two week turnaround. Full details are available at the Passport Agency website.
Visa
Do you need a visa to travel? If you have booked through You Choose Holidays you will know the answer to this question. If you are not sure check at www.visaswift.co.uk
Health
Check to see if you need extra health precautions and vaccinations at www.dh.gov.uk
Do you have an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)? You can pick up an application form at Rhoose Post Office or apply on line atwww.dh.gov.uk They are free and are used in all EU countries plus some other European countries.
Euros and US$ can be obtained over the counter at Rhoose Post Office, as can American Express® Travellers Cheques
We recommend a 40/60 split of cash to American Express® Travellers Cheques
If you don't like travelers cheques, try a Post Office Travel Money Card, you can use it at most ATMs in most countries. It a fantastic way of accessing your money safely abroad.
Remember the cost of obtaining currency abroad from your debit or credit card and the cost of purchases can be very high, check on the charges with your bank and if these are too high why not take out a Post Office credit card, it has lower charges than most other credit cards.
BIG TIP
Tipping is the norm in many parts of the world, and us Brits aren't naturals.
Take a few $1 bills, no matter where you are travelling they will be accepted and appreciated; they are worth roughly 50p, so you can hand them out without worrying too much about the value.
Obviously where you have received good service you may want to leave a larger tip, but on these occasions you usually have a bit more time to work out the amount you want to give and can give the tipin the local currency.
ps
We always keep a good stock of $1 bills at Rhoose Post Office just for this reason
Your passport needs at least SIX months validity remaining if in any doubt check with us at You Choose Holidays
Travel Links
UK Passport Agency - The executive agency of the Home Office which is chiefly concerned with issuing and servicing UK passports to British nationals who are resident in the UK.
Department of Health - The government department responsible for public health issues.
IATA - A trade association representing and serving the airline industry world-wide.
Foreign Commonwealth Office - The purpose of the FCO is to work for the United Kingdom's interests in a safe, just and prosperous world.
ATOL - ATOL is a consumer protection scheme, set up to protect consumers in the event of their tour operator ceasing to trade.
ACE - The Association of Cruise Experts (ACE) - the new name for PSARA, is the travel agent training and development body for the cruise industry in the UK and Ireland.
Triton Holidays The powerful buying group incorporating Global Travel members, Advantage and Worldchoice travel agents.
Holiday Extras Travel Insurance, Airport Car Parking, Airport Hotels pre or post flight, Airport Lounges and Port Parking. Follow the link to get an on line quote, or contact us now.
Car Hire Holiday Autos is the worlds largest and leading leisure car hire broker with operators in 5000 locations. Follow the link to get an on line quote, or contact us now.
