Welcome to our travel tips page! Here, you’ll discover plenty of valuable information to help you prepare before embarking on your trip.
Choosing Your Holiday
Start with your holiday package by choosing a guided tour package. It’s the best way to travel with family because all the details are pre-planned for you. This is especially important if you are not keen on researching destinations yourself.
For those who do pre-plan, take some time to create a complete itinerary following some research on the destination you are visiting. Pay special attention to special festivals, weather, and political climate when you are working on the itinerary. This provides space for back up plans in case of unforeseen travel problems.
The itinerary also ensures that everything is planned based on what you/ your family wants to see and experience. Just make sure all the activities are something worth trying and gives you and your fellow travellers a new dimension of the places visited.
If you are travelling on a budget then you should plan with flight, ground arrangements, passport, visa, meals, transport, shopping and contingency cash for emergency.
Preperation for work travel
Be sure to request vacation days that include an extra day after your return to rest and recover from any fatigue or jet lag, especially if you’re flying. Confirm all your travel documents 3–4 working days before your departure date to allow time for any last-minute changes.
When packing, be mindful of the items you’ll need and leave room for any shopping you plan to do at your destination. If you’re traveling with family, especially with kids, make sure to pack for the specific needs of both the elderly and children to avoid any discomfort or tantrums.
Additionally, it’s crucial to inform close relatives or friends about your travel plans. Arrange for house or pet sitting while you’re away. Finally, notify your bank about your travel dates to prevent any issues with larger-than-usual transactions on your debit or credit card.
Medical Requirements
It’s important to ensure that you’re up to date on routine vaccinations before traveling to any destination. Certain vaccines may be required, including the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your annual flu shot. Additionally, the Yellow Fever vaccine is particularly important for travel to certain regions. For the latest information on vaccinations, consult your local clinic or hospital.
Visa Requirements
Please be aware that visa requirements for certain countries can change periodically. It’s advisable to confirm the latest visa information with your travel agent or directly with the Embassy or High Commission of your destination country before booking your holiday.
Travel Insurance
What sort of protection/coverage does a travel insurance covers you? Some of the coverage that you should expect is as below:
- Personal Accident
- Medical Expenses
- Loss of Luggage & Personal Effect
- Loss of Travel Documents
- Baggage Delay
- Travel Delay
- Missed Departure
- Flight Overbooked
- Hijack Inconvenience
- Travel Cancellation
- Loss of Money/ Valuables
….and other types of coverage as well.
Here are other examples that might NOT be covered in travel insurance:
- Declared or undeclared war or any act of war, invasion, act of foreign enemy, and other war terms
- Loss or destruction of goods due to radiation
- Suicide/Self harm/ or any intentional acts by the insured person that provoked homicide or assault personnel or military personnel of any country or international authority, whether full-time service or as a volunteer
- The Insured Person engaging in, practising for or taking part in training in any speed contest, any professional competition or sports, and participating in Hazardous adventure
For more information on the inclusions & exclusions of travel insurance coverage, contact your travel agent.
On your travel day, make a checklist of essentials such as your luggage, passport, and tickets. Be sure to label all your bags, inside and out, with both your home address and your holiday address. To avoid surprises at the airport, weigh your bags to ensure they meet the airline’s baggage requirements.
Consider purchasing travel insurance, which can be invaluable in case of lost luggage, canceled flights, or stolen passports and wallets. It’s wise to have coverage for yourself and your family, as unexpected mishaps can occur while traveling.
Remember, it’s possible to travel with just hand luggage, but you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the airline’s rules on carrying liquids to avoid having to remove them at the security checkpoint. To help manage jet lag, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water during the flight, and avoid tea and coffee.
Before your flight, make sure to gather all the necessary documents, as you are responsible for presenting them to the relevant authorities at all entry and exit points. This includes health documents and any other paperwork required by the laws, regulations, or demands of the countries you are flying from, into, or over.
Self-check-in is free, quick, and simple, saving you time at the airport. Alternatively, counter check-in opens 3 hours before departure and closes 1 hour before the scheduled time of departure. Keep in mind that check-in deadlines can vary depending on the airport and specific flights. Airports often have long queues due to thorough security checks, so we recommend checking in early and heading straight to the departure gate to avoid missing your flight.
To save money and time, pre-book your checked baggage. Each checked bag must weigh less than 30kg. Guests traveling on the same booking can combine their baggage weight allowance.
The baggage drop counter opens 3 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before departure. You must have a boarding pass to use the baggage drop counters.
When bringing liquids on board in your cabin baggage, be aware of local laws and regulations. You may carry liquids in containers of up to 100ml, and these must be placed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag.
Finally, be sure to arrive at the boarding gate at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time, or you may be denied boarding.
When you’re at your holiday destination, remember to call your close relatives or friends to let them know you’ve arrived safely and to keep them updated on your whereabouts if you’re moving around. Always lock your luggage when leaving it in the hotel, and carry your passport with you. Avoid carrying excessive cash that might attract attention. If you’re on a self-drive holiday, pick up your rental car at the airport and ensure you have a GPS.
If you’re abroad and want to try something local, make sure it’s recommended by a trustworthy source. To make your trip easier, get a local map and locate the nearest tourist information centers. For safety, avoid walking alone at night or in poorly lit areas, and be aware of pickpockets who may try to distract you. If you’re driving, follow the local traffic rules and avoid driving at night.
Before your return flight, confirm your flight details in case of delays or cancellations. Make sure all your travel documents are prepared and easily accessible for check-in. Plan your packing in advance, and avoid last-minute shopping that might not fit in your luggage. Keep in mind the luggage requirements of the country you’re visiting.
Don’t forget to remind your close relatives or friends of your return and arrange for an airport pickup. Keep track of all your valuables, such as your wallet, passport, camera, watch, and jewelry, and ensure they are safely in your possession.
Finally, arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight (or 3-4 hours in some countries) to avoid missing it.