While you take a trip overseas, there are a few simple steps of preparation that you must take to ensure a trouble-free trip. These steps include:

• Do a thorough research of the destination you intend to visit prior to departure. Know the local laws and customs that are crucial for the country. You can face serious penalties in case you break a law which may seem to be a trivial situation in your home country. To know more, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
• According to your age and fitness quotient, take proper travel insurance as well as make sure that your insurance also covers you for all the activities that you might do (like skiing or water activities). Keep a check that your insurance policy does not exclude these. Also, please note that in case of excessive alcohol consumption, these policies are not applicable.
• In case you are travelling within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can get a free EHIC which provides you with a free or subsidized emergency care. However, this does not include full travel insurance or other costs like returning to the UK. For any emergencies, you may call 112 from any EU country.
• Please note: The FCO travel advice stated in this travel report is up-to-date at the time of writing and may be subject to change.
• Read completely regarding any probable health risks of your country of visit before travelling there. You must ensure you get the correct vaccinations and undertake other preventive measures that may be required. Research the health risks of the country you are visiting as soon as (e.g. malaria tablets). In case you have any particular medications on you, keep a check whether or not the same is allowed in the country. For further details regarding this, you must reach ours to the embassy or the consular office or the particular country.
• You must ensure that your passport stands valid for the entire duration of your trip. For certain countries, the validity of passport stands at 6 months from the end date of your visit. In addition to this, please ensure that you have all the necessary visas including the transit visas.
• We advise you to not risk at all with the law abroad or you could be spending years in prison in the foreign land. Several countries have a zero tolerance policy for offences that include drugs or its use in any form.
• Make sure that you have enough money and funds for emergencies. Also, ensure that all your money is not stored in one place.
• Your passport is of paramount importance when travelling abroad. Ensure you have photocopies of the same and leave a copy at your home as well or store it online using a secure data storage site.
• Inform your family and friends in the UK regarding your whereabouts, and leave emergency contact details as well.
• In case you are planning to drive abroad, please make sure that you are well-versed with all the driving laws and have a valid licence of the place you are visiting.
• Know the exact location of the nearest British Embassy or Consulate. Also, ensure that you have their contact details. For further information, visit www.gov.uk/government/world/embassies.