Planning that dream holiday you’ve been wanting to take for years? Here are a few travel tips to bear in mind before you set off.

1. Consider a tour

If you’re in the early stages of your holiday planning, why not consider signing up for a group tour? It’s a safe and low-stress way to see the world, your travel arrangements will be taken care of, and you’ll meet lots of new people and likely make some new friends.

2. Share your itinerary

If you prefer to plan your own holiday and you’ll be travelling solo or with a partner or friend, write up your itinerary and share it with a family member. It’s a good idea to let them know where you’ll be staying and when, so remember to include accommodation details like website addresses and/or telephone numbers.

3. Organise important medications
If you’ll be taking chronic or other medication while you’re away, be sure to have your prescriptions filled well in advance so you have enough to see you through the duration of your holiday. Here are a few other points to bear in mind:

• Check whether you’re allowed to take your medications into the country you’ll be visiting.
• Take copies of your prescriptions as well as a letter from your doctor explaining that you need these medications.
• Keep your medications in their original packaging.

Finally, remember to pack a few over-the-counter medications for minor ailments like headaches, nausea and digestive complaints.

4. Pack important items in hand luggage
It’s always a good idea to pack light when travelling, and this applies to your hand luggage too. Remember that if you have long layovers or a number of stops on the way to your destination, you’ll be carrying it with you for a while. So stick to packing important items in your hand luggage so you’ll have easy access to them, including your travel documents and medication. You may also want to keep some travel-sized toiletries with you, like a toothbrush, toothpaste and hand sanitizer.

Good to remember: Liquids, aerosols or gels in hand luggage need to be 100ml or less.

5. On the plane

You’re going to be on the plane for many hours, so remember to wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing. Be sure to get up at regular intervals to visit the bathroom and walk around for a few minutes. And stay hydrated by opting for water or juice rather than alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.

One last thing: Remember to get your travel insurance sorted out well in advance of your trip and print out a copy that has the details of your cover and important contact information and take it with you.