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Stress-free travel: Before you go

• Check the FCO travel advice for the country you’re visiting on the government website

• Find out what vaccinations you need on the Fit for Travel website. Take a copy of your vaccination record with you – in some cases you might need it to cross borders

• Medication – get anti-malarial or other necessary drugs – you may need to start taking them a few weeks before you travel, so check with your doctor

• Remember your passport and check the dates before you leave as some countries won’t allow entry on passports that will expire within the next six months. If you’re buying a passport for the first time, allow at least six weeks for it to be processed. For more information visit the IPS website

• Check whether you need a visa for the country you’re visiting and apply for it with lots of time to spare

• Make photocopies of your passport and other important documents and keep these separate from the originals when you travel, and/or save scanned copies on your email account

• Tell a friend or relative where you’re going and how long for – give them some idea of your itinerary if possible, and an emergency contact number

• Buy a guide book so you can plan what you want to do and get excited about your trip

• Find out about local customs and dress and behave accordingly. Obey local laws – there may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home. Behave yourself if you go to Dubai…

• Check the baggage restrictions on your flight. Check how many pieces of luggage you can take and how much each of them can weigh – at least then you know when to stop packing! Make sure any extra luggage, such as sports equipment or a pram, is pre-booked.

• Make sure your phone has roaming - see the Orange guide to using your phone abroad here.

Next: Essential packing checklist >>