Friday, December 16, 2011 8:55 AM

Travelling, whether for vacation or business, can be a minefield of stress. Any number of unexpected events can affect your trip, from flight delays or cancellations to lost luggage and overwhelming security check-in lines at airports. When things don't go quite according to plan, travel stress can build up quickly and potentially keep you from enjoying your trip. But you can avoid many potential pitfalls with forethought and commonsense. Try these ten helpful tips to help keep holiday stress to a minimum!

1. Make sure your passport and visa is up-to-date. Ensure your passport has at least six months validity from your planned date of return. Some countries will refuse entry on arrival and some airlines will not allow passengers to board flights if their passport does not meet this requirement.  Before travelling, you should contact the Embassy or High Commission of each country you intend to visit to confirm the entry requirements.

2. Protect Your Documentation! Scan copies of all your passports and travel documents. Make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, traveller’s cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Carry one copy in a separate place to the originals and leave a copy with someone at home.

3. Learn the cultural basics of the place you are going to visit. Make an effort to learn as much as you can about the country and the specific region or community you will be travelling to. The more you know about a place, the more realistic your expectations will be and the more prepared you will be to stave off the inevitable culture shock or attitudes you may encounter from some members of the local community.

4. Having company or staying in a group is safer. If at all possible, avoid travelling by yourself. Not only will you have a more enjoyable trip, but there is a smaller chance you will be victimised. Criminals are far more likely to target and attack a lone individual than they are to go after a pair or a group. The larger the group, the safer it is. And remember to take special care of any children travelling with you.

5. Take proper care of your baggage. Always use covered luggage tags and try to avoid putting your home address on an open luggage tag. ID your baggage, but don't lock it. Place identification tags on both the inside and outside of your baggage.

6. Research your accommodation. While reading and researching accommodation you can gather a lot of opinions and slowly form a good picture of the place you have decided upon. Make sure that your accommodation suits your needs and is not in a crime-prone zone. 

7. Try not to bring any valuables such as jewellery or electronic gadgets when you go travelling. Don’t forget to keep your valuables or money including traveller checks and credit-cards locked away in the safety deposit box provided by your accommodation.

8. Take out appropriate travel insurance to cover hospital treatment, medical evacuation and any activities, including adventure sports, in which you plan to participate. There are some quality policies you can purchase from independent providers who specialise in this type of protection.

9. Don’t be too adventurous while checking out the exotic local cuisine. If you are not careful, you can end up with allergies, dysentery and other types of infectious diseases. Request bottled beverages if you are not sure of the source of the water. And always be cautious when buying from street vendors.

10. Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone at home and keep in regular contact with friends and relatives while overseas.