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Setting off on a long-haul, long-term trip of a lifetime? Forward planning is the key to a hassle-free trip so put these 10 essentials on your must-do-before-leaving list
Don't skimp on insurance
Buy adequate travel insurance, including comprehensive medical and repatriation cover for the whole of your trip, plus all activities including hazardous sports. Take the policy number and 24-hour emergency number with you.
Check passports and documents
Passports must be valid for a minimum of six months after the date of return. Complete the details of next of kin inside and take a photocopy with you. Take another form of ID, ideally one with a photograph. Check that you have the correct and valid visas.
Plan for a stress-free journey
Work out a relaxing itinerary. A stopover en route to your final destination makes a long journey less gruelling, starts the unwind process and breaks you into foreign surroundings gently.
Make certain your travel organiser is secure
Ensure that, should your travel organiser go bust, they have sufficient security for refunding and repatriating travellers. This must be put in place by a designated financial protection organisation.
Find out more about unfamiliar airlines
Research the reliability and safety record of any obscure airlines you plan to use with a travel agent.
Organise everything you need to stay healthy
Staying well is vital for a successful trip. Get vaccinations organised well in advance, and pack a suitable medical kit. Check out our find out more, for detailed information on holiday health hazards, vaccinations, medicines, food hygiene etc.
Sort out your holiday money
Make sure your credit/debit cards won't expire during the trip. Find out whether you'll be able to use cash points, and what symbol to look for. Take a back-up stash in US dollars, sterling or travellers' cheques, as well as adequate money for the trip.
Create a fail-safe system
Leave copies of passports, ticket details, insurance policy and itinerary with family or friends. Set up an e-mail address where you can be contacted.
Wise up on your destination
Read guide books before you go and find out about local laws and customs, especially those relating to alcohol, drugs and dress code. The Foreign Office Travel Advice service is a fund of useful facts on many destinations and carries up-to-date information on possible trouble spots.
Leave work running smoothly
Before you leave, list everything that will need doing while you're away and discuss with colleagues. Write handover notes. Put an up-to-date message on your voicemail and set up an out-of-office reply or forwarding address for e-mails. Make sure colleagues can get at important documents. Leave a note of your computer password. Delete personal e-mails and deactivate your Hotmail account.
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