From time to time I receive emails from travellers asking for advice, and more recently I received an email from someone whose friend was arrested abroad, and he wanted some advice – I’m not a solicitor or legal advisor, so I am not going to provide legal advice, but my first port of call for any issue is the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.

The FCO has travel advice notices for over 200 countries based on the most accurate and up-to-date information available. This information is designed to help British travellers to make informed decisions about travelling abroad.

It’s important that you research your destination before you travel – and the FCO website enables you to read up on issues like;

- Avian & Pandemic Flu
- Hurricanes
- Passports & Visas
- Drugs
- Security

I am a member of the “Know Before You Go” campaign that the FCO has run for a number of years – my role is to help promote safe travel and raise the importance of planning and researching your destinations before you leave home.

I’m just a travel blogger so you can decide if you want to take my advice, but I do strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive insurance. Don’t take out basic travel insurance if your going to be snowboarding down Mount Everest, because saving £5 or £10 will be nothing when you have a health bill for thousands of pounds.

If your travelling within the EEC then make sure that you get your European Health Insurance Card, which is free and you can apply for it online. Anyway, enough of my preaching and rambling – don’t gamble with your life - be safe.

• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) Advice
• Be Safe - Get Travel Insurance!
• Travellers risking health
• Apply for your European Health Insurance card

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