So you’ve booked your holiday and got the time off authorised by your boss. That is great news because taking a break is really good for your health, but what’s next?
Whilst you may be busy planning excursions to local attractions or shopping for new swimwear, there are some items you need to get in order before you leave.
At the top of that list should be travel insurance.
Buy Travel Insurance
Wheather you are off on a citybreak, backpacking, jumping on a cruise ship or planning a trip with friends, nearly 40% of British holidaymakers leaving for their trip without sufficient cover. The risk to double, triple or quadruple the cost of your holiday is not one you should willingly take.
This is especially true since the cost of travel insurance is relatively inexpensive, compared with the astronomical medical bills you could be asked to pay without insurance, if your health suffers whilst you are away.
A top tip is to buy an annual travel insurance policy that automatically renews, so you are always covered, no matter when or where you are going.
If you take more than 2 holidays abroad a year, you should save a significant amount of money by paying for the year upfront.
Organise Foreign Currency
Unless you are on an all-inclusive holiday, you won’t get very far without some money in the currency denomination used at your holiday destination.
Whilst it’s wise to load up some cash onto a pre-paid foreign currency card, it’s important to remember that in some situations, only cash will suffice (such as tipping).
Make sure you have a mix of both so you have multiple ways to access your money abroad, protecting yourself in case your card fails.
Research Your Destination and Plan an Itinerary
You don’t want to waste time on holiday researching places to visit and local activities to take part in.
Take time before you leave to undertake this research and draw up a corresponding itinerary and budget. By planning ahead, you can relax safe in the knowledge that you’re maximising your time spent away from work.
What Else Do You Need?
Of course you’ll need a lot more than travel insurance and currency taken care of before you set off.
That’s why we’ve created an additional quick-fire checklist to make your holiday as hassle-free as possible.
DocHQ Travel Essentials Checklist:
- Passports – Locate your passports (including your children’s) before the day of departure. Do not leave this task until the last minute
- Transport – If you are travelling internationally by plane, train or ferry, think about how you are going to get to the airport, station or port. Book taxis or any other necessary transport well in advance
- Luggage – If you are flying, make sure to check and re-check the luggage allowances to avoid any stress management issues upon arrival at the airport
- Language – It’s a good idea to learn a few key phrases in the local language in case you get completely stuck somewhere whilst away
- Vaccination – If you are travelling to an exotic location, you will likely need to have vaccines, or booster jabs to make sure you are protected. Check what travel vaccine you require before your trip.
- Pack smart – Avoid packing heavy items unless absolutely necessary. For parents, aim to pack your children’s items first, making sure their favourite toys and blankets don’t get left behind!
- Toiletries – Don’t forget items such as toothpaste, and more importantly, high factor sunscreen. Remember these must go in hold luggage unless under 100ml
- Medication – Remember to bring any medication you are currently taking. It’s also useful to have bring remedies for sickness symptoms you are expecting to encounter whilst abroad (e.g. sea sickness tablets)
Enjoy Your Holiday!
Once you’ve packed and ticked off all of the essentials above, it’s time to relax and enjoy your well-earned break. By completely switching off you’ll be ready to head back into your workplace fully rested and recharged.
If you’re heading to a country you’ve not visited before, why not double check if you need any vaccinations such as yellow fever or perhaps anti-malarial medication for your trip.
Enter your destination country and review what you may or may not need before departing. You can even book a nearby travel clinic appointment online. It’s as simple as that!
You may be interested in these blogs: 5 tips for travelling on the cheap, Travel survival tips for airports and flights.
DocHQ Ltd is a Health Tech company improving choices. We help you connect efficiently to health support and advice whether you are at home, work or travelling. See our website for our services or call us on 0330 088 0645.
