| Taking a holiday each year should be something | | | | luggage is packed and ready - what could possibly |
| to anticipate with much excitement - long, lazy | | | | go wrong? Try to ensure that your travel agent |
| days on the beach, maybe partying all night in a | | | | has a fair policy in place concerning refunds, and |
| local nightclub, taking in the interesting sights and | | | | for getting stranded travellers back home in the |
| sounds of exotic cultures and lands - bliss. | | | | event of bankruptcy (this should be backed up by |
| A holiday or far-flung journey should be an | | | | an organisation offering financial protection). |
| experience from which you return home loaded | | | | - Investigate Your Carrier. Flying with 'Rapid |
| with souvenirs, hundreds of snaps and hours of | | | | Descent Airways'? If your itinerary involves using |
| video to bore - I mean entertain! - friends and | | | | an airline you're not familiar with, it may be a |
| family. Unfortunately, things don't always go to | | | | good idea to check their safety and reliability |
| plan and any number of situations can result in | | | | record with a reputable, independent source - if |
| anything from a minor inconvenience to a major | | | | only to put your mind at ease. |
| catastrophe. | | | | - Where Will You Be? Like any good adventure |
| We would all like to think that it only happens to | | | | movie¦I mean holiday plan...leave details of where |
| someone else, but with a little forward thinking | | | | you will be and when, including contact numbers, |
| and planning, many of the 'could happen' situations | | | | with a trusted friend or family member. Also, |
| can be avoided. If you are unfortunate enough to | | | | make copies of your passport, insurance policy, |
| be caught up in something that is beyond your | | | | ticket details and, if possible, a 24-hour |
| control, these helpful tips could go a long way to | | | | emergency number, and leave this information |
| minimizing the impact on your holiday and your | | | | with your family and friends. It's also a good idea |
| safe return home. | | | | to check-in with the folks back home on a regular |
| - Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's | | | | basis.. |
| (FCO) travel advice Prior to departing for your | | | | - Keep Some Back-up Cash On Hand. That |
| trip, visit the FCO's Travel Advice website ( or call | | | | expensive solid bronze sombrero might seem like |
| 0845 850 2829. | | | | the perfect gift for Uncle Trevor, but make sure |
| - Travel Insurance Love it or hate it, you'll thank | | | | you keep some back-up cash set to one side just |
| your lucky stars you have it if things go wrong. | | | | in case you experience an unexpected |
| - Get a Decent Travel Guide When there's no | | | | emergency. Unfortunately, money talks, and if |
| access to the internet, one of these could save | | | | you don't have any ready cash to hand, help may |
| you a lot of aggravation and embarrassment | | | | not be as quick as you may want or need. |
| over local laws and customs. | | | | - Have Fun. This is probably the most important |
| - Is Your Passport Valid? Now this might sound a | | | | thing. If all the planning has been done correctly, |
| little crazy, but every year thousands of | | | | you can forget about the 'what if's'. Relax and let |
| holidaymakers forget to pack their passport or | | | | your hair down unless, like me, your head |
| even check to see if it's valid. Imagine having to | | | | resembles a solar panel more than the cranium of |
| wave farewell to your family or friends at the | | | | a carefree hippie. |
| airport when you should be getting on the plane | | | | If, like me, your head does resemble a shining orb |
| with them. | | | | in the sun, here's a bonus tip: |
| - Have a Pre-Travel Health Check. How does | | | | - Wear a Hat, or splash out on some high factor |
| spending your entire holiday laid up in a foreign | | | | sun cream. Speaking from experience, bad |
| hospital or sick in your hotel room sound? | | | | sunstroke is one of the worst feelings you can |
| Thought not. Make an appointment to see your | | | | experience and will surely ruin anyone's holiday. |
| doctor at least six weeks before you depart. He | | | | ************************** |
| or she can let you know if there are any specific | | | | Looking for the best deal on parking at |
| vaccinations you'll need, or any other special | | | | Manchester Airport? Visit gosimply.com, where |
| precautions you may need to take, based on | | | | you can compare Manchester Airport parking |
| your destination. | | | | services, read real customer reviews, and get the |
| - Know the Terms and Conditions. So all of your | | | | best price available! |
| plans are finalised, everything is paid for, and your | | | | |