Medication

Modern pharmaceuticals are used by people from all walks of life, but as the body matures people tend to rely more heavily on medication. Taking medication should not stop you from traveling and exploring even the far reaches of the world provided you plan well ahead. The work starts before you travel by researching the hand luggage allowance at the time of travel.

We recommend that you check with Direct Gov, as it offers useful information on current hand luggage allowance. Next you should ask your GP for a list of your current medication together with suitable alternatives in case a particular medication is not available at the destination country.

You will also benefit from retaining your new prescriptions with your travel documents. Finally, we recommend that you disperse any essential medication you might be taking between your possessions in case you misplace a bag or worse, one is stolen. 

Check the status at the country of destination

A few days prior to your departure you will do well to check the situation at the destination. We have all seen last year’s unrest in prominent North African countries that for years have been a travel destination for many holidaymakers. 

You should check with the Foreign Office website for any warnings due to political or otherwise types of unrest. Furthermore you should write down the address and contact details of the embassy and keep the information in a handy place. 

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is a must-have at any age and regardless of the duration of your vacation, however more important as the body matures. Without one you face the possibility of returning from a holiday with a hefty bill to pay. In case you have travel insurance in place, you should get in touch with the insurer in case your medical condition has changed and to ensure that the relevant medical checks have been done. For those lucky enough to embark on an exotic vacation we encourage you to research the precise list of vaccinations you will need so your insurance policy remains valid. 

The NHS site offers plenty of information on which vaccinations are required and you can of course consult with the travel agent.  In addition, before your departure take the time to write down important telephone number such as the number for the travel insurer in case of an emergency.

Protect your booking

 Unfortunately the economic climate in the last two years has caused a certain number of travel agents and travel services to close. Safeguarding your hard earned money starts at the booking stage. You should consider an ATOL or ABTA protected booking service so your monies are safe against any mishaps by the regulator. 

During the flight

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a life-threatening disorder that causes possible blood clots. People who are at risk are those on long flights as well as those over 40 years old. Certain precautions should be adhered to such as:

• Walking around the flight cabin every 30min to 60min
• Stretching while seated provided there is sufficient room
• Keep sleeping periods to below 30min to 45min
• Avoid alcohol during the flight and replace with plenty of water
• Engage in simple exercises such as shoulder rolls, foot lifts and forward bend

Valuables

 Losing important valuables, documents and money can spoil even the best well-planned vacation. Certain steps can help reduce the damage such a satiation causes:

• Inform your bank or credit company of your plans and destination to ensure that your account remains active.
• Spread your valuables and especially your money between you and other people in your party or at least in different locations on yourself.
• When arriving at your accommodation, place your valuable in steel safe (if one is available).
• Keep a copy of your passport and other important travel documents with a family member or friend at home.
• Be sensible when you are away from home.

  Enjoy your vacation! 

Article by Affair Travel. A London based villa holiday service company offering self-catering villas in France, Portugal and other destinations in Europe. For more travel information visit Affair Travel’s blog.

Sites that we recommend visiting for further information:

• Direct Gov
• Foreign Office 
• NHS site
• ATOL