You've picked your dream trip, you've planned your perfect airport outfit, your hands are poised over the fake tan...but there's still a few things to think about...
Do you need a visa? How will you carry money? Have you sorted your travel insurance? Who will you call if there's an emergency?
Well don't fret. We like to take the stress out of planning the trip of a lifetime, so we've put together a quick guide to the essential admin and paperwork you might need to look at before you travel. Here's a few things to think about in advance of your holiday...
If you’re looking for advice about your trip – and on travelling in general - the best place to start is with the Real Travelling team!
Not only do we know each of our programmes inside out (temperatures, transfers, timings, etc), but we’re also experienced travellers so we can give you seasoned advice on what sort of trip might suit you, how to make your money stretch, and whether or not you’ll really need those hair straighteners ;)
We’ve all had our fair share of scrapes, worries and last-minute packing panics over the years, so feel free to pick our brains on our Live Chat (click on the cheeky face bottom right of your screen!)
We always recommend that you check The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website well in advance of departure in case you need to apply for a visa. The website has essential information for UK citizens about visiting and travelling in different countries, so make sure you check this as early as possible Click here to go to the FCO page.
Many countries require that you get a visa in advance of travel, whereas other destinations will issue you with a visa on arrival at the airport or land border. If you intend to do paid work aboard abroad, then you will usually be required to get a work visa in place before you leave the UK. Working visa regulations vary, so please check individual country visa information or our individual work abroad programmes for details.
In order to get a visa, please make sure that your passport has plenty of blank pages and that it is valid for at least six months after your intended date of return.
Should something go wrong on your trip – lost money, cancelled flights, medical emergency – your travel insurance could literally be a lifesaver. It’s so important to find the right cover for your trip, so you can travel worry-free. In fact, we don't send anyone on our trips without travel insurance, so get it sorted in good time. Check out our worldwide travel insurance page designed specifically for adventure travellers on short or long breaks. Take a look, and ask our advisors for more information when booking your trip.
The personal and financial security of our customers is of the highest priority to us, which is why we run our own risk assessments on all of our programmes and have a 24/7 emergency helpline in place just in case any accidents do occur on your trip. Our operations team will ensure you have all the essential contact details and information you need before you travel.
Once you have decided where you want to go, what activities you want to do and how long you want to go for, you'll now want to secure the best deals on flights to keep your trip on budget! And we can help you with that.
To find a great deal on plane tickets, give Real Flights a call and get the best bargains. As experts on all of Real Travelling's programmes, the Real Flights team will support you to make sure you are landing into the right place at the right time. Call Real Flights on 01892 277037 or email [email protected]
The golden rule? A little forward planning goes a long way when it comes to making your cash last on your trip. Here are our top tips:
Happy travels! If you have more questions, visit our FAQs page or talk to one of our advisors at any time