Travel Advice & Resources
IMPORTANT
ALWAYS make copies of ALL your Travel Documents and keep them separate to the originals when you travel …
As an added precaution I also make DIGITAL Copies of my Passport, Credit Cards, Tickets, Bookings as well as Important Addresses and Phone Numbers etc and keep them on an online cloud service – so even if my bag or phone or iPad breaks or gets stolen or lost .. I can always access any of this vital information via a public computer.
ON TOP OF THAT … its also a good idea to leave a certified copy of your PASSPORT and a photocopy of your ITINERARY with someone at home in case you lose yours or it gets stolen, OR in the case of a medical emergency or an accident or you get caught up in some unexpected event – natural, political whatever (sadly these are trying times) … then there is someone else who can contact the necessary authorities wherever you are and at home for govt assistance if need be etc.
Global Situations – THEN & NOW
( COVID – 19 Corona Virus )Pandemic
Although things are somewhat back to normal re the COVID Pandemic and people are traveling again with Governments not really closing borders anymore – you still need to be aware that most countries maintain restrictions re Covid Vaccinations, and in some situations “masking” is still required — In a nutshell Traveling is still more complicated than it was a few years ago.
Government Travel Advisories
Its no secret that we are living in tumultuous times ..the World is in a fragile place right now for many reasons – Wars, Floods, Fires, Energy & Water Shortages etc ….so check specific Government Websites for the most up to date info to see if you can travel there and if there are any issues you need to be aware of before you make any travel plans.
To add to that Airlines and Airports are still scrambling to hire staff and trying to get up to speed again, so be prepared for longer wait times at Airports etc.
the UK Govt Travel Advisory is an EXCELLENT site that is up to date re all Travel Advisory matters from Passports to Issues such as recent earthquakes, crime, health/vaccinations, local customs etc – whats great is that you can select a Country and get just about all the info you need for your trip – keep in mind however that info re required Visas etc etc are for British Nationals – so check the requirements for the Country you are going to based on your Nationality
Passports, Visas & Other Travel Documents
This may seem silly but always double check your documents closer to when you leave for your trip… and I dont mean the day before… I’ve heard many horror stories of how people have booked a trip months in advance only to get turned away at the Airport FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS some unforeseen … like
1) PASSPORT exp date – Double check the exp date when you book your flight… make sure your passport is not due to expire in under 6 to 8 months from your TRAVEL RETURN date – you’d be surprised at how many people have not done this and were not allowed to board their flights.
2) TRAVEL VISAS, WORK PERMITS, VACCINATIONS (various not just covid) – laws are constantly changing due to political situations, so even if you’ve checked and booked a ticket and all seemed in order, check again a few weeks before you are gue to leave and then a week before the flight again – friends of mine booked tickets to Canada 3 months before their trip, and a month after booking their flight the Govt regulations changed…suddenly they needed additional travel documents which they were not aware of ..until they went to check in at their Airport…..they were turned away and had to apply for the additional documents and rebook all their departure flights… apart from days lost it was all a huge additional expense …had they booked via a good Travel Agent they probably would have have been notified of any Govt regulation changes but when you book the flights yourself you do not always think of these things.
3) ADDITIONAL TRAVEL DOCUMENTS – If you are traveling with a Minor (under 18 in most cases) you will need additional documents from family stating you have permission to take that child out of the country, also Pets need their own travel documents including certain forms showing Vaccination records etc ..so check with travel agents and airlines before you book your ticket.