STORY BY VI HUGHES, 2018 -- IMAGE BY FREEPIX
Whenever you travel to work, schools, concerts, sports or even family gatherings you usually check the weather, traffic, floods, fires or anything else that could impact on your health, safety or a successful trip.
So when you're traveling greater distances, particularly overseas, it's even more important to check three specific situations:
1. Health: Understanding possible health risks and see a specialist travel doctor months in advance. Have any relevant immunisations and take all medicines you might need. Even drinking local tap water can cause serious health issues, beginning with an upset stomach!
2. Insurance: If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel! If you book your holiday with a credit card, check what insurance your card provider offers, and how it applies (some cards don't cover cancellations or losses due to Covid issues).
3. Threats to you: Follow Travel Warnings issued by governments. The Australian government has four warnings listed on www.smartraveller.gov.au, ranging from from a simple reminder to Exercise Normal Safety Precautions up to a very blunt Do Not Travel!
So when you're traveling greater distances, particularly overseas, it's even more important to check three specific situations:
1. Health: Understanding possible health risks and see a specialist travel doctor months in advance. Have any relevant immunisations and take all medicines you might need. Even drinking local tap water can cause serious health issues, beginning with an upset stomach!
2. Insurance: If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel! If you book your holiday with a credit card, check what insurance your card provider offers, and how it applies (some cards don't cover cancellations or losses due to Covid issues).
3. Threats to you: Follow Travel Warnings issued by governments. The Australian government has four warnings listed on www.smartraveller.gov.au, ranging from from a simple reminder to Exercise Normal Safety Precautions up to a very blunt Do Not Travel!
FOUR LEVELS OF TRAVEL WARNINGS - IMAGE FROM SMARTTRAVELLER
Travel Warnings are issued due to political unrest; critical weather events like storms, floods, wildfires, hurricanes and volcano activity; infectious diseases; an increased risk from crimes like pick-pockets, kidnapping, drugs and personal safety; and reasons such as biosecurity issues.
Everyone on holidays should keep updated on these online posts and fully understand what each level of warning means, as most insurance doesn't cover you if you enter a region after a warning has been issued.
Reciprical Health Agreements
Some countries have reciprical health agreements with other countries. Australia's Medicare has health care arrangements with Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom (JANUARY 2023).
Agreed medical, hospital and some pharmacutical support is available to Australians when in those countries and for citizens from those countries when in Australia. See the details at www.https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
Also check what overseas help your government offers. Almost every country has an official embassy, consulate or government representative in most other countries.
Before you leave home, make a list of their relevant locations and contact details in the regions you are visiting. It will save you time and worry if you suddenly need help. In Australia, those details are also at Smart Traveller, so check in your home country.
Everyone on holidays should keep updated on these online posts and fully understand what each level of warning means, as most insurance doesn't cover you if you enter a region after a warning has been issued.
Reciprical Health Agreements
Some countries have reciprical health agreements with other countries. Australia's Medicare has health care arrangements with Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom (JANUARY 2023).
Agreed medical, hospital and some pharmacutical support is available to Australians when in those countries and for citizens from those countries when in Australia. See the details at www.https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
Also check what overseas help your government offers. Almost every country has an official embassy, consulate or government representative in most other countries.
Before you leave home, make a list of their relevant locations and contact details in the regions you are visiting. It will save you time and worry if you suddenly need help. In Australia, those details are also at Smart Traveller, so check in your home country.
Travel Tips that Help Avoid Pitfalls
Traveling can be one of the most exciting times of your life, but it's this very excitement and awe of discovery that can also sometimes cause the greatest stress of your life.
There are four Golden Health Rules you should follow when traveling:
The following tips and information will help your holiday focus on fun and excitement rather than worry and stress.
There are four Golden Health Rules you should follow when traveling:
- Always register your travel plans with government and family.
- Always have good travel insurance that covers everything necessary.
- Always see your travel doctor well before departing and follow their advice.
- Always be on alert and aware of your surroundings, which may mean rethinking potentially risking situations.
The following tips and information will help your holiday focus on fun and excitement rather than worry and stress.
- Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol before departure and on your flight, as this will dehydrate you. Drink plenty of water.
- If you have a sinus problem or a head cold, ask the cabin crew for an inhalant sachet before landing. Inhaling this it will help avoid massive pains in your head.
- Weigh your suitcases on your bathroom scales BEFORE you leave home.
- Have clearly marked luggage tags or ties to easily identify your bags on the carousel. There are many bags that look the same and can easily be confused.
- Make sure you have locks or zip ties on your bags. Don’t run the risk of anyone putting something into your bags. Carry on a small pair of nail clippers to cut zip ties.
- Check if visas are required for your trip and make sure your passport has at least six months validity when you arrive at your destination (particularly your final destination if going to multiple countries). Some countries require two clear pages on your passport.
- Keep your valuables safe. Either a money belt or secure bag is necessary. There are many places where pickpockets are everywhere, just looking for vulnerable tourists. In some countries it's so prevalent they have warning signs on the highway!
Read the article on pickpockets.
PICKPOCKET WARNING. - IMAGE BY HENRY BECKER @hlbski
- Follow warning signs and check travel websites for other travel tips that may be relevant to your destination.
- Allow plenty of time between connecting flights. While it's not fun hanging around airports, that's better than missing a flight due to late arrivals or unforeseen circumstances.
- Check the exact location of your departure airport - many cities have more than one airport and most airports in larger centres have multiple terminals.
- Familiarise yourself with each country's protocols and culture and respect them:
- Some countries do not allow you to take photographs in certain places (check this story from Insider).
- In some countries you can't show any affection in public places, or dress in certain ways.
- Many national parks such as Yellowstone in USA have banned all photography for commercial use.
- It's your responsibility to check these matters out. There are some great smartphone apps that give you details on cultures in different countries - a must read!
IN SOME COUNTRIES ANY DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION IN PUBLIC IS ILLEGAL - IMAGE BY KHASMKEO VILAYSIN
- Check with your mobile phone provider to determine your best overseas options or you may have massive phone bills when you return, as you are charged for incoming calls and app updates.
- Ask your Telco about buying pre-paid SIM cards before you leave and when you arrive (local cards might give you much more data).
- You can get one SIM card with lots of data and set up a secure wifi for all the family to use.
- Use local wifi - it is often free on public places, airports, shopping centres, restaurants, etc but this can sometimes make it easier for hackers to access your phone.
- Whatever option you take, understand the conditions of use - you don't want you phone bill to cost more than the whole holiday!
- Avoid taking a taxi/ride share that is just hanging around waiting to pick up people at the airport. They may be illegal, uninsured, or just taking you somewhere to rob you! You are better to take a hotel shuttle bus or a taxi from the official taxi queue.
- Have a small amount of money in the currency of the country you are visiting when you land. Usually the most expensive exchange rate is at the airport ATM!
- Always carry a photocopy of your passport identification with you. However, when going out for the day only take what you need and leave passports and valuables in the safe in your room. Don't forget to take them when you leave!
- Finally, buy a good book about Travel Tips to read on the plane!
Register your Travel Plans
Register travel plans with your Government's website, and also register for email updates on your destinations, such as extreme weather forecasts, terrorist risks, political problems, etc.
If you are traveling to an earthquake-prone region, or somewhere that has volcano warnings, know what to do in the case of an emergency.
Be diligent, leave your itinerary with friends or family and don't take risks that could spoil your perfect holiday.
If you are traveling to an earthquake-prone region, or somewhere that has volcano warnings, know what to do in the case of an emergency.
Be diligent, leave your itinerary with friends or family and don't take risks that could spoil your perfect holiday.
More Great Travel Advice
- Avoid health problems when Traveling for Long Hours.
- How to get the Cheapest Flights.
- How to Blend in with Locals when you are traveling.
- How to Make your Traveling Easier
- 10 Tips on getting an Airline Upgrade
- Safe Travel Guide for Seniors
- Getting Around - different ways to get from place to place
- Packing Your Bags
- Phone Home - What you need to know about contacting home
- Traps Using your Mobile Phone overseas
- Travel Tips for New Zealand
- How to Beat Jet Lag
- Travel Checklist
- Seven Airport Hacks everyone should know about.
- Extra Information to Help when Traveling Overseas.
- How to score the Best Airline Seats
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