1  Never travel without adequate travel insurance. The free cover that you may receive from paying by credit card is generally quite limited and the excesses to be paid are high. Talk to your Sure Travel agent about our innovative and competitive travel insurance products - rather be safe than sorry!
Click here for insurance options

2  Make sure that you have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months before you travel - many countries will not issue you with a visa or allow you to enter should your passport be on the verge of expiry.
Click here for visa information

3  Remember if you don't have a passport, that it takes approximately 4 - 6 weeks to be issued a new South African passport by the Department of Home Affairs. Of course, temporary passports are available at shorter notice, but are an additional interim expense before you get your proper passport.

4  Make 3 photocopies of all your vital travel documentation such as passport, air-tickets etc to avoid getting stranded through having your things go missing while overseas: one set to keep on you, one to leave in your luggage and the last to leave with a friend at home who can fax them to you if you run into trouble while travelling.

5  Remember that it is often best to travel just before or after the peak summer holiday season - it is easier to find seats on flights, prices generally are lower, the destination is not unpleasantly crowded and the weather is often more pleasant than in the height of summer.

6  When packing for your trip, do not make the mistake of taking too much clothing - there is little worse than lugging a hefty bag for 3 weeks around Europe, only to find out when you unpack that you did not wear half your things. This way you will also leave some space for those "must-have" purchases that will tempt you at every turn.

7  Roll your clothing when packing, rather than folding it. You will be surprised by how much more you can fit in and also avoid excessive creasing....

8  Before you go on holiday. do some research on your destination - the Internet is perfect for this. You will be armed with far more information about the attractions on offer and will not waste your precious holiday time scouting around once you get there.

9  Buy all the film you need for your camera before you go on holiday - virtually without exception, film costs more overseas.

10  Some safety tips - avoid walking around with a camera around your neck or standing on street corners looking at maps. This screams "tourist" to any unsavoury elements who may wish to take advantage of you. When you are in your hotel, avoid using the "make up the room" signs - it tells everyone that you're not around and the coast is clear.

11  Don't attempt to cram too much into your holiday - too many sights, too many destinations will leave you exhausted and in need of another holiday to recover from the one you're currently "enjoying!"
Relax and soak up the atmosphere and ambience of the destination.

12  Make the effort to learn the basic greetings etc of the local language and use them when interacting with the local people. They genuinely appreciate the effort and courtesy and you will generally be treated with even greater friendliness.

13  Never make the mistake of constantly converting expenses back into Rands - it will make your holiday a miserable marathon, rather than the holiday of your dreams. Positive attitude is everything!

14  When travelling to more exotic destinations, enquire whether any specific vaccinations etc. are required and have these done in good time.

15  See the destination section for specific information on the destination of your choice. Click here