ABTA - the Association of British Travel Agents - represents British travel agents and tour operators. It’s advisable to choose operators that are members of ABTA as their booking conditions will meet ABTA’s strict code of conduct. In addition, if the travel company you book with runs into financial difficulties,  ABTA can help you to get the money back. They also run a scheme to deal with complaints about their members.

Visit www.abta.com for more information. ATOL– the Air Travel Organiser’s Licence – is a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) scheme designed to protect travellers. Companies such as tour operators need to hold an ATOL in order to sell air holidays. In most situations, if the company you booked with is a member and it goes out of business, the CAA will refund your holiday cost.

Visit www.caa.co.uk for more information. The International Air Transport Association is an international industry trade group of airlines that helps airline companies to compete lawfully and achieve uniformity in prices.

Visit www.iata.org for more information.

Websites such as those listed below will help you research your options.

www.travelsupermarket.com
www.ebookers.com
www.expedia.com
www.travelocity.co.uk
www.travelzoo.co.uk
www.alpharooms.com

www.crestaholidays.co.uk

www.lastminute.com

www.neilson.co.uk

www.hotels.com

www.superbreak.com

www.kuoni.co.uk

Make sure you check prices for any hidden costs such as fuel surcharges and airport taxes.

Travel brochures are available from high street travel agents, if you enjoy trawling them for info, but if you prefer a one-stop shop, try online companies such as:
www.brochurebank.com
www.travelbrochures.co.uk Many tour operators such as www.enableholidays.com and www.disabledliving.co.uk specialise in travel for people with disabilities.
The UK government website, www.direct.gov.uk, is another good source of information and advice.
Fortunately for us British, English is one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world, but you may still need to learn a few handy phrases, and your efforts will certainly be appreciated. You can start with our Top 10 Phrases which can be found on our Travel Tools section.

Travel guides will give you an in-depth look at your chosen destination, with advice on language, culture and climate, as well as specific information on local points of interest and tourist attractions. Well-respected books such as Rough Guides, Lonely Planet or the AA Travel Guides are all available from high street bookshops or online from companies like;

www.amazon.co.uk

www.lonelyplanet.com

www.talkingtrips.co.uk

Don’t leave home without it!  Buy your insurance as soon as your trip is booked.  Make sure the cover is appropriate for your trip, and that you have mentioned anything that may not automatically be covered, such as participating in adventure sports.

You’ll probably get a better deal if you shop around. Tesco www.tescofinance.com
and the Post Office www.PostOffice.co.uk/travelcover offer competitive rates. Websites like www.gocompare.com can also help you find the best available option for your needs.

If you have an existing medical condition that could prevent you from flying then it’s advisable to get your insurance before you book your holiday. To travel abroad you must hold a valid passport.

The official website for information on UK passport applications is www.ips.gov.uk or call (0870 521 0410). Lines are open 24 hours a day and calls are charged at the national rate.

The Post Office offer a ‘check and send’ service for passport applications to help speed up the process visit www.postoffice.co.uk
Make a note of your passport number - or better still take a photocopy of the personal details page - and keep it separate from your passport. It will be invaluable if your passport gets lost or stolen. Being pregnant certainly doesn’t preclude you from travelling, but many companies have limits on when you can travel. Make sure you ask! It’s also a good idea to get your doctor’s consent – it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

If your little bundles of joy are travelling with you, have a look at www.holidaywithbaby.com or www.travellingwithchildren.co.uk for handy travel hints. You may need to apply for a visa if you are visiting a country outside British territories.

To find out more about Visas and get contact details of foreign embassies in the UK visit www.myvisaadviser.co.uk
www.globalvisas.com also offers helpful links and useful information.

Saying your vows barefoot on a white sandy beach with the sun on your back needn’t be just a dream! In fact, more and more couples are finding that an exotic wedding can be the economical option. Some hotels even offer free weddings to their guests, including everything you need to make your special day perfect.

When you come to book your honeymoon, make sure you mention the purpose of your trip to the booking staff. You have a good chance of an extra bit of pampering – on the house!

Try one of these;

www.theholidayplace.co.uk

www.weddings-honeymoons.com

www.travelocity.co.uk

www.sandals.co.uk