It doesn't matter where you are going, whether its just to Benidorm for the weekend or Bangkok for a month, there are some simple things to remember before you go and while you are there to help you have a trouble-free holiday.

Planning your Trip

Passport

• Remember to take your passport with you, even if you are only travelling locally. Spanish law requires you to provide photographic ID for every person staying in your hotel room and in most cases they will not accept a driving licence, only a passport or national identity card.
• Check the visa requirements of all the countries you intend to visit, some countries require you to complete your application weeks or even months in advance.
• Ensure you have blank pages in your passport to allow space for visa stamps.
• For travel outside the EU your passport should be valid for at least 30 days after your intended return date.
• Make sure you fill in the emergency contact details page in your passport. This will make it much easier to contact someone if necessary

Accommodation and Transport

• Book your accommodation and transportation before you arrive to avoid disappointment.
• If you intend to hire a car, make sure you know the rules of the road, for example on a roundabout in France those at the junctions have the right of way not those cars already on the roundabout, or in South Africa, at a four way junction the car that arrives first has the right of way.

What to Wear

• Check the weather, remember it may be hot and sunny down on the coast in Spain but in many other countries, or simply at different altitudes, it could be very wintry. We were surprised to encounter snow one August in the Pyrennees and torrential rain in Cuenca in June.
• Similarly, make sure to take your sunscreen even in the winter. The winter sunshine can burn quite quickly, partly because you simply aren't expecting it to so you tend to stay in direct sunlight longer than you would if it were hot.

Documents & Telephones

• Make sure that your credit card issuer knows where you are going otherwise you may find that when you go to use your card in a restaurant or cash machine it has been blocked for anti-fraud reasons.
• Check with your mobile phone provider whether you will be able to use your phone abroad. You may need to arrange for the "roaming" service to be unblocked.

Holiday Health

• Holiday insurance can be invaluable, particularly outside the EU.  Hopefully you will never need it but having an air evacuation back to the UK can cost over £25,000.
• Check with your doctor to see if you need any vaccinations before travelling to the country of your choice. Some drugs need to be in your system months before you travel in order to effectively protect you against infection.

Once you Arrive

• Think about what you are doing at all times and trust your instincts - don't take risks that you wouldn't at home
• Don't openly display valuables such as mobile phones or cameras and consider using a padlock on suitcases or backpacks
• Do not change large sums of money in busy public areas similarly don't use a cash machine in an isolated area
• Be extra vigilant at airports and transport hubs. Remember - you'll be most vulnerable when you first arrive
• Always look behind you before opening your hotel room
• Do not hitch hike or accept lifts from strangers - also don't pick up strangers.
• If you plan to use public transport then make sure you only use licensed taxis or official public transport. For more information on public transport check with the receptionist at your hotel. 
• Don't tell strangers where you are staying or give out too many details about your travel plans
• You should be extra cautious when out after dark. Streets, even in urban areas, are not always brightly lit at night
• Avoid isolated beaches and picnic spots
• Travel in groups - walking alone anywhere, especially in remote areas is not advised, if something does happen, do not offer any resistance.
• In some countries bag snatchers ride motorcycles, having your bag securely fastened around your wrist would result in you being dragged along the road until the strap broke or the thief released it either way this can cause some quite nasty cuts and bruises if not broken bones. Hold your bag close to your body away from the road but be prepared to let it go if you need to.
• Alcohol can leave you vulnerable so make sure you plan where you're going and how you're going to get back. Stick with your friends and keep enough money spare to return to your accommodation safely.
• Store useful numbers in your telephone in case of emergency, i.e. your hotel, the local police, a local taxi service, etc.

These tips are not intended to alarm you and for the most part travellers experience little or no trouble however if you are vigilant without being paranoid you can make sure that you have a great holiday and return safely.

Related articles:

• Help your elderly visitors enjoy their holidays
• Travelling with toddlers