Top Travel Tips

Take time to have a read through our top travel tips.

Always do your research before you go. Find out about the different cultures and laws where you plan to visit. Even America, Australia and other English speaking countries have different ways to the UK. The more prepared you are the better; it could save you being fined or arrested.

Don't save money by purchasing the cheapest insurance or choosing no insurance at all. To be safe you should be covered for full medical attention. Even a simple visit to a doctor can cost what seems to be a fortune at the time. Check out the small print especially if you plan to do any unusual sports like scuba diving, skydiving or bungee jumping - often people don’t realise they‘re not insured until it’s too late

Do try out your rucksack before you set off on your travels. While it might seem a good idea to have the biggest one in the shop bigger is not always better. If you can not lift it or are in danger of falling over when walking because of its size its not a good look. Make sure you can lock your bags and take extra luggage straps and locks with you.

Girls Travel Club

Girls Travel Club

Girls' Travel Club was started by Becci Coombes, following two long trips backpacking around the world. She wrote a journal full of tips, recipes, anecdotes and bad jokes while she was travelling and kept notes of all the remedies she found useful..

She was also frustated by the lack of beautiful and useful things for female travellers and holidaymakers, and was very aware how people who have not travelled before get sucked into buying a 100 litre rucksack full of things they'll never use, or that are full of nasty chemicals and additives! She hopes GTC we can change all that, and keep you safe and healthy at the same time! Here are some of her top tips:

Female Travel Tips

Although some of us live in an equal society, many people in the world do not and in some places women are treated quite differently to men. It is important for all travellers to be aware of these cultural differences when visiting such countries and to take steps to reduce the risk of any dangers.   

Don't announce that you are travelling alone. If you think you are being followed walk confidently and calmly into a shop, hotel or any other busy place. Wait to see if the person who was following has moved on. You can always ask someone else to look for you and check the person has gone. Often the best people to ask are other women or family groups.    

Gap Year & Backpacker Insurance tips

Points to keep in mind when checking travel insurance in association with Mind the Gap Year.

Emergency Medical Expenses covers Emergency treatment and to get you home if necessary. Make sure you have this cover, if nothing else.

If you have a medical condition(s) do tell the Insurance Company, they may decline any claim if you don’t. Check the amount insured for cancellation is enough, some Gap Year trips can cost a lot more than the cover provides.

Namibia Self Drive Tips

Namibia Self Drive Tips

Namibia is a country ideal for self drive tours. I have had the privilege to travel around Namibia as an Overland Guide, as well as with my own 4x4 Toyota Hilux. The country is what I like to call “self drive friendly”, with very good gravel roads, little towns full of suppliers and friendly local inhabitants that seem to go out of their way to lend you a hand if you encounter any problems.

Namibia is not as wild as some other parts of Southern Africa. It allows those with less experience to travel with the added flexibility of driving yourself around this beautiful and diverse country.

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