• Check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice or call 0870 606 0290.
• Get travel insurance and check that the cover is appropriate.
• Check what vaccinations you need at least 6 weeks before you go and consider whether you need to take extra health precautions - www.dh.gov.uk
• Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination. Find out about local laws and customs.
• Ensure you have a valid passport and the necessary visas.
• Make copies of your passport, insurance policy plus 24-hour emergency number, and ticket details. Leave these copies, your itinerary and contact details with family and friends.
• Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds in the form of travellers cheques, sterling or US dollars.
• If your travel involves passage on airlines with which you are unfamiliar, you may wish to check their safety and reliability with a reputable travel agent.

It is your responsibility to have all the right travel documents with you whilst travelling - like passport, visa or any medical certificates. Check you have all these well in advance of travel.