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Travel hints covering areas such as baggage, documents, money,
equipment, medication, clothing, comfort in the air and useful contacts.

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BAGGAGE :-
. Keep it to a minimum. Many airlines now only allow one bag per passenger, which is more than enough.
. Take a strap to go round the case, just for emergencies. It is also a good idea to have a sticker or masking tape on your bag so it stands out when you need to claim it.
. Label your bag inside and out with your home address and holiday destination. You're only allowed to take one piece of luggage into the cabin which will fit under the seat or into the locker.
. We suggest that this should contain any emergency medications that you may need on the flight, toilet requisites, documents and anything that you may need in case of a delay (remember you don't have access to your suitcase till your destination).
DOCUMENTS :-
. These should be kept with you at all times, on your person or in your cabin bag never in your suitcase.
. A wallet type folder is ideal and should contain your passport, airline tickets, tour vouchers, travellers cheques, health book, spare passport,
photos and a pen (for all those forms on entering and leaving a country).
. Remember to check that all have been returned to you after use at airports and hostels.
MONEY :-
. Carry it in travellers cheques - all banks supply them. These are available in all major currencies, convertible everywhere and can be replaced if lost or stolen (usually within 24 hours for the major brands).
. It is always advisable to have a small amount of foreign cash on arrival or departure at an airport for taxis, porterage and departure taxes (the bank can arrange this before you depart).
. The best place to exchange cheques is at a bank or exchange bureau. Hotels, stores and restaurants always take a percentage as a fee and the rate won't be as favourable.
. When cashing you will need to produce your passport so cash enough for a few days if you intend locking your passport and documents in the hotel safe.
EQUIPMENT :-
. All wheelchairs should be thoroughly checked for wear and faulty parts before the trip. Because of a lack of standardization in wheelchair parts and sizes it may be extremely difficult to obtain new or suitable equipment elsewhere.
. All wheelchair passengers must have a seatbelt.
MEDICATIONS :-
. All your prescriptions should be filled before leaving. Don't rely on sources overseas, they may not be able to fill them.
. Put all liquids into plastic containers and seal the tops with tape (keep extra for return trip). Don't fill containers more than halfway so as to allow for expansion in the air (this also applies to aerosol cans, lighter fluids and other inflammable material. These should all be packed in your cabin bag).
CLOTHING :-
. Should be kept to a minimum. Everything should be for a specific purpose - warmth, coolness or dress affairs. Avoid duplications, it's only excess weight.
. As you are packing, make a list of everything that goes in. This gives you a checklist for when you are leaving the hotel and also should you become separated from your case it provides you with a list for your insurance claim.
COMFORT IN THE AIR :-
. Wear loose comfortable clothing. Shoes may be removed and clothing loosened (remember a shoehorn most people's feet swell in the air).
. Most experienced travellers keep their seat belt fastened loosely. This ensures that you're not caught unawares by any turbulence or other bumps that may be of discomfort.
. There is no need to eat and drink everything that is offered. You're sitting, and expending hardly any energy for a considerable time.
. Alcohol is diuretic and means more trips up the aisle, to the toilet which is not always convenient.
. Because of the low humidity in the plane the best liquids to drink are water, juices or soft drinks - but only in small quantities.
. You can also arrive in much better shape by doing some simple exercises on board.

SOME USEFUL CONTACTS ARE LISTED BELOW :