How to plan a stress-free trip abroad
You’ve decided to take a long deserved break – far, far away from home. Use these tips for easy planning of your next holiday overseas:
- Visa requirements – apply early, the process can be lengthy (and costly!)
- You will need travel insurance which would typically cover medical emergency and travel emergencies such as delays/lost baggage
- Language – a good idea to learn the basics, but your smart phones can also come in handy for basic translation
- Acquaint yourself with the general laws / regulations of the countries you’ll be visiting – you don’t want to end up in a foreign prison! Know how to contact the South African Embassy
- If you’re planning to hire a car, you will need an international drivers permit, available from the Automobile Association (AA)
- Foreign currency – can only be purchased from 2 months before scheduled date of departure. Most people use “plastic”, but it is handy to purchase a few notes for taxi’s, etc
- Medication – if on prescription, you will need a letter from your doctor.
- If you don’t have one already, get a Woolworths credit card (with free travel insurance): You must have a credit card to hire a car. Most hotels also require a credit card on check-in (usually to reserve funds). Credit cards are accepted everywhere. If you get a Woolies Black Credit Card, it provides inoculation and visa requirement information, legal referral and interpreter referral for cardholder and family.
- Remember to inform your financial institution before you leave if you plan to use your credit card overseas.
- Have emergency contact numbers and let a family friend have a copy of your itinerary.