Travel Health Tips

Travelling to different climates and environments abroad can expose you to disease and health risks. You should be aware of the dangers and how to stay healthy.

Diseases which aren’t present in the UK such as yellow fever, malaria, rabies and dengue fever are common in some areas of the world.

Vaccinations and immunisations

Visit your GP as soon as possible to check if you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures (such as malaria tablets).

Remember, these treatments aren’t usually available as NHS prescriptions.

General travel health tips

You should also make extra preparations if you have an existing medical condition.

• take out adequate Travel Insurance or you could face a huge medical bill if you fall ill and need treatment
• get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to entitle you to free or discounted healthcare in European countries
• check the health section of our country travel advice before you travel
• drink plenty of water in hot climates to avoid dehydration
• be safe in the sun - use a high-factor sunscreen and avoid excessive sunbathing between 11am - 3pm
• find out the local emergency services numbers and the number of the local hospital
• practice safe sex - take condoms with you as quality varies in different countries. HIV and Aids, and other sexually transmitted diseases can be caught worldwide.

Long-distance journeys

• don’t wear tight clothing on long-distance journeys
• do regular stretching exercises such as flexing and extending your ankles to avoid circulation problems
• walk round at regular intervals on long flights
• drink plenty of water on flights and avoid drinking too much alcohol.

Consult your doctor before long-distance travel if you:

• are pregnant or have given birth in the last 6 months
• have a history of blood disorders, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
• are taking hormonal medication (including the contraceptive pill)
• have cancer, heart problems or have recently had surgery.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition

• tell your travel insurer about your condition
• ask your doctor how the trip might affect you
• check local conditions such as climate and pollution levels and consider how you might be affected
• carry a doctor’s letter and a copy of any prescriptions
• ensure your medication is legal in the country you are visiting – the British Embassy can advise you
• learn key words and phrases in the local language for your condition, medication and emergency help
• take the same precautions you normally would in the UK if you weren’t going to be at home for a while
• if you suffer from a mental illness you should be aware that facilities and local attitudes to mental health problems may differ from those in the UK. Do some research before you go.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is insurance that is intended to cover medical expenses and financial (such as money invested in nonrefundable pre-payments) and other losses incurred while traveling either within one's own country, or internationally.

Temporary travel insurance can usually be arranged at the time of the booking of a trip to cover exactly the duration of that trip, or a more extensive, continuous insurance can be purchased from travel insurance companies, travel agents or directly from travel suppliers such as cruiselines or tour operators. However, travel insurance purchased from travel suppliers tends to be less inclusive than insurance offered by insurance companies.

Travel insurance often offers coverage for a variety of travelers. Student travel, business travel, leisure travel, adventure travel, cruise travel, and international travel are all various options that can be insured.

The most common risks that are covered by travel insurance are:

• Medical expenses
• Emergency evacuation/repatriation
• Trip cancellation/interruption
• Accidental death, injury or disablement benefit
• Overseas funeral expenses
• Curtailment
• Delayed departure
• Loss, theft or damage to personal possessions and money (including travel documents)
• Delayed baggage (and emergency replacement of essential items)
• Legal assistance
• Personal liability and rental car damage excess

Common Exclusions:

• pre-existing medical conditions
• war or terrorism - but some plans may cover this risk
• injury or illness caused by alcohol or drug use

Usually, the insurers cover pregnancy related expenses, if the travel occurs within the first trimester. After that, insurance coverage varies from insurer to insurer.

Travel insurance can also provide helpful services, often 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that can include concierge and emergency travel assistance.

Typically travel insurance for the duration of a journey costs approximately 5-7% of the cost of the trip

Dubai City at Night

Glitzy, glam, over-the-top and a little overexposed, Dubai lives for attention. On the surface it’s materialistic beyond anyone’s wildest dreams and by treating every visitor like a VIP, visitors respond by spending like VIPs, only to need resuscitating when the next month’s credit-card bill arrives. But this is the whole idea. We’re talking about a city that virtually invented the ‘shopping festival’ (Dubai Shopping Festival, or DSF), the simple premise of which was to get people to travel to Dubai and spend money. With myriad shopping malls, flamboyant hotels, a dizzying array of dining options and hip clubs and bars, it’s all just too easy. Driven by Sheikh Mohammed, a leader who doesn’t understand the word ‘no’, visitors and potential residents are flocking to this Middle East metropolis in increasing numbers with the promise that Dubai is like no other city on earth. And Sheikh Mohammed is delivering. However, whether you end up loving or loathing its ostentatious nature, under the surface another Dubai exists. Head to the Heritage Village during Ramadan or the DSF and you’ll witness a different Dubai, where local Emiratis take joy in their songs, dance and traditions. Spend a few fascinating hours by the creek, watching the dhow (traditional wooden boat) traffic and the abras weave along the waterway while smoking some sheesha. Walk the streets of the tranquil, restored Bastakia area or take a stroll through multicultural Karama or Satwa. You’ll find this Dubai a million miles removed from the credit-card frenzy of the five-star hotels. Whatever you end up preferring, Dubai is a fascinating experiment and a city-state that’s like no other.

London Tour

London stands on both banks of the River Thames, in the south-east of England. Founded in the time of the Celts and the Romans, the city which was once known as Londinium has grown to become a vast and commerical trade centre. With an area of approximately 720 square miles, it is together with New York and Tokyo, one of the three largest cities in the world.

The city is blessed with its geographical position on the River Thames and is a chief entry point to England from mainland Europe. The London docks are visited by ships from every part of the globe, making London a great distribution centre. Today great lines and modern roads branch out in every direction from London, serving all parts of the United Kingdom. London is also a great financial centre and is home to many of the world's leading banks and insurance institutions.


As well as being the capital of England, London is the seat of government of the United Kingdom- The Palace of Westminister situated on the north bank of the Thames River is home to both the houses of the British Parliament.

Buckingham Palace, the Queen's official residence, is one of many important landmarks found in the capital. London is also a great centre of culture and education. The University of London and its many colleges attract students from all over the Commonwealth and the world. The vast history and culture of the city is visible by its many museums and galleries, containing collections of neverending interest.

London also contains many churches, the majority of which were designed by the architect Sir Christopher Wren following the destruction of the city after the Fire of London in 1666. Two of the country's most famous churches, St Pauls' Cathedral and Westminister Abbey are found in the London region

British Museum, London

The British Museum was founded in 1753, the first national public museum in the world. From the beginning it granted free admission to all 'studious and curious persons'. Visitor numbers have grown from around 5,000 a year in the eighteenth century to nearly 6 million today.

The origins of the British Museum lie in the will of the physician, naturalist and collector,Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753).

Over his lifetime, Sloane collected more that 71,000 objects which he wanted to be preserved intact after his death. So he bequeathed the whole collection to King George II for the nation in return for a payment of £20,000 to his heirs.

The gift was accepted and on 7 June 1753, an Act of Parliament established the British Museum.

The founding collections largely consisted of books, manuscripts and natural specimens with some antiquities (including coins and medals, prints and drawings) and ethnographic material. In 1757 King George II donated the 'Old Royal Library' of the sovereigns of England and with it the privilege of copyright receipt.

The British Museum opened to the public on 15 January 1759 . It was first housed in a seventeenth-century mansion, Montagu House, in Bloomsbury on the site of today's building. Entry was free and given to ‘all studious and curious Persons’.

With the exception of two World Wars, the Museum has remained open ever since, gradually increasing its opening hours and moving from an attendance of 5,000 per year to today's 6 million.