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Family travel
Author TravelClinicWebsiteAdmin Categories Family Travel, Family travel advice Leave a comment

Family Travel – planning a family holiday

Planning your family holiday is important

Planning a trip is difficult enough, but planning a trip for you and your family can be a nightmare. Budgeting, travel costs, time off and school terms are just some of the things you’ll need to think about before you can take that much-needed break. Preparation, scheduling, and backup planning are all things that need to be thought out and put in place to ensure you jet off with peace of mind and shared excitement that your holiday will be a success, especially with the advent of Coronavirus.

While COVID-19 has all but halted travel across the world, we will be back travelling in the near future, when that time comes, it is best that you prepare and get a heads up on some important tips and considerations. This blog will help you to make the right decisions when planning the perfect family holiday.

Destination matters - but so does the cost.

Planning starts with two considerations – choosing a destination and getting the best value for your money. Family trips are some of the most expensive times you’ll spend together, most of the cost comes down to the location that you pick and travel agency or holiday website you book with. 

Take the time to look around and find a location that suits you, for instance, a villa or cottage can give you seclusion and privacy, while a hotel can be a great way to meet local people and other vacationing families. 

You should base the holiday destination on what you want to get out of the trip -you shouldn’t choose the destination based on the weather, all-inclusive options etc.

Different parts of the world and most exotic countries harbour dangerous diseases and infections that require vaccinations. When you are abroad, taking extra precautions to avoid certain types of food, areas and water sources can be the difference between coming home feeling healthy and experiencing sickness, that could easily develop into something more serious in the future. Our handy guide on do’s and don’ts when travelling can be found here.

Travel during the off-season isn’t always a good idea

Travelling during a school holiday can be very expensive, so it may be tempting to take a trip during the term-time to get a quick and cheap holiday. Term-time holidays are rarely authorised by schools and can result in fines if you choose to go ahead with the trip. 

Planning a holiday with younger children will limit the availability of dates for you to take a break, but that shouldn’t discourage you from planning and finding a destination during a school holiday – keeping both your kids and the teachers happy.

Schedule a clinic visit and get the required vaccinations

Travel clinics offer an invaluable service to those going to a new country or abroad for the first time. If you choose to go on holiday without the proper advice and immunisation to common diseases and infections, then you may not only ruin your family holiday, but you may contract a disease that will affect your long-term health. 

 

Exposure to diseases can occur at any point and anywhere in the world. The reason such diseases are dangerous is that they are uncommon in the UK, so you will have no natural immunity built up against them when you travel abroad. In your planning, be sure to book an appointment with your local travel clinic, we recommend that this is done a few months before you are set to travel. 

Booking well in advance allows you to receive vaccinations in multiple doses, to give you the best protection possible before, during and after your trip. You can find your local travel clinic via our locations page.

Prepare written copies of your medical history

Bring your medical history with you is as important as packing your suitcase, it will allow you to display what vaccinations you’ve received and previous vaccinations, as well as your medical conditions and issues in writing. Some countries require written confirmation of certain vaccinations for the safety of you and their citizens, especially if it common in that part of the world.

Travel insurance is also important, be sure to bring along your EHIC card (European medical insurance card) if you are travelling to a European nation, you can add your family members onto your card if they are under 16 years of age. 

Alternatively, you can purchase travel insurance if you will be travelling to a destination that is covered by such options. 

Travelling as a family requires a lot more time, patience and thought – If you get everything just right in the planning stage, you’ll no doubt be in for a great time. If you are looking for professional consultation with quality advice – Travel Clinic Near Me is the team for you. 

Where do you want to travel with your family? Do you take planning seriously? Let us know in the comments or give us a follow on Instagram and Facebook. We would love to hear from you.

Travel Guidance - July 2020
Author TravelClinicWebsiteAdmin Categories Coronavirus, cORONAVIURS, COVID-19, Travel Guidance, Travel Tips Leave a comment

Travel Guidance – July 2020

Coronavirus regulations and Governmental travel guidance mean that you must self-isolate for 14 days if you return to the UK from a country outside the common travel area.

The government is satisfied that it is now safe to ease these measures in England and has introduced travel corridor exemptions for some countries and territories.

Exemption rules for travel guidance

From July 10th 2020 you may not have to self-isolate when you arrive in England if you are returning from one of the countries listed below.

  • Akrotiri and Dhekelia
  • Andorra
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Aruba
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • The Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Bermuda
  • Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba
  • British Antarctic Territory
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • The British Virgin Islands
  • Cayman Islands
  • the Channel Islands
  • Croatia
  • Curaçao
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Falkland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Polynesia
  • Gibraltar
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Grenada
  • Guadeloupe
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • the Isle of Man
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macao (Macau)
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Monaco
  • Montserrat
  • the Netherlands
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands
  • Poland
  • Reunion
  • San Marino
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • South Korea
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • Spain
  • St Barthélemy
  • St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Pierre and Miquelon
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkey
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Vatican City State
  • Vietnam

That is because these countries or territories are:

  • covered by the travel corridor exemption
  • within the common travel area (Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man)
  • British overseas territories

You will need to self-isolate if you were in a country that is not on the list in the 14 days before your return to England. This applies to all travel to England, by train, ferry, coach, air or any other route. This travel guide is set to be in effect or the foreseeable future. 

Example of when you would need to self-isolate

You are in a country that is not on the list below. You travel to a country that is on the list and you stay there for 4 days from the day after you arrive. You then travel to England.

When you get back to England, you will need to self-isolate for 10 days, not the usual 14 days. That is because you have spent 4 of the 14 days in a country that is on the list.

By following the travel guidance in this blog, you should have a better understanding of Coronavirus regulations. If you would like some more information or have a question for us, please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment or visit our Coronavirus page

Author TravelClinicWebsiteAdmin Categories Travel Tips, Travelling Abroad Leave a comment

Travel vaccinations for popular destinations

Why being vaccinated is more important than you think

Are you planning to travel outside the UK? Whether you’re travelling for business, a family holiday or urgent relief work, getting yourself vaccinated against deadly infections is vital to keep yourself safe while outside the UK.

Even the most common holiday destinations for example those in Europe and North America harbour hidden dangers through disease and infection that are not usually found in the UK.

Travelling to tropical countries in parts of Asia, Africa and South America are increasingly growing in popularity with those in the UK who desire to explore new sights and experience new cultures. However, many of these countries require comprehensive vaccination coverage to ensure protection from uncommon diseases. You may be in need of some important vaccinations, boosters or medication to keep you safe when visiting such hidden gems around the world.

Being vaccinated has been an integral part of the UK healthcare system for decades. For example, the childhood vaccination programme protects children from developing illness and diseases that could have a detrimental effect on their later life. Being vaccinated before your travel is no different. While the course of immunisation may not protect you 100% from acquiring disease or infection, the cover it provides is unmatched when compared to unvaccinated individuals; offering upwards of 90 to 95% effectiveness per vaccination. Ideally, vaccinations are more effective if they are administered or taken 2-3 weeks prior to your departure.

Popular destinations for 2020 - the common diseases and infections to keep in mind

Asia is the world’s largest and most populated continent. China and Vietnam have already established themselves as popular tourist spots in East Asia; from the Great Wall of China to the beautiful landscapes of Hanoi. The next decade will be even more tourist-heavy for these two countries and many more in Asia.

Those travelling to the Asian continent unvaccinated will commonly experience contact with diphtheria, tetanus, polio and Japanese encephalitis. These severe infections are commonly associated with areas of lower sanitation and over-crowding. A 3-in-1 course against diphtheria, tetanus, polio – the 5-course Td/IPV vaccine are all available for those travelling to these high-risk areas. The Japanese encephalitis vaccination is recommended for Asian travel as mosquitoes are common in most countries across the continent. Extra precautions should however be taken, including anti-malarial tablets, barrier methods and mosquito nets.

Central America is another popular tourist destination. Within Central America, the two countries leading this newfound attraction are Mexico and Costa Rica. Mexico’s festivals, museums and art galleries make it a popular spot for European travellers to explore, while Cosa Rica is a biodiverse and picture-postcard paradise, perfect for those who want to wind down and relax.

Those travelling to Central America unvaccinated are at high risk of contracting a number of infections and diseases including hepatitis A, diphtheria and tetanus; commonly found in such tropically-diverse areas. Since there is no known cure for hepatitis A, the hepatitis A vaccination is highly recommended to avoid contracting the disease as the recovery process is slow and can lead to complications. A 5-course Td/IPV vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and polio is available for those travelling to areas of poorer sanitation and overcrowding. This is a similar situation to that of Asia given the hot climate and densely populated cities.

Mosquitoes can be found in Mexico during the months of April to November, commonly known as the mosquito season. There is no known vaccination form malaria spread from mosquito bites. For those travelling during mosquito season, precautions should be taken.

Rabies is a common disease and is almost always fatal unless a person is immunised against it. Native animals and domesticated pets are different in every continent, but rabies is a global issue and it shouldn’t be underestimated. The rabies vaccination is offered in 3 doses over 6 months therefore planning is vital to ensure you are properly inoculated, ready for your trip.

Are you planning to travel outside the UK? Whether you’re travelling for your business, for a family holiday or urgent relief work – being vaccinated against deadly infections is vital to keep yourself safe while outside the UK.

Author TravelClinicWebsiteAdmin Categories Travel Vaccinations, Travelling Abroad Leave a comment

Travelling abroad without a vaccination – is it safe?

Precautions for travel

Travelling without vaccination isn’t uncommon when travelling between certain countries in the world. European travellers moving across Europe are highly unlikely to experience illness as they are usually well acclimatised and share many similar characteristics. The same can be said for North American and Australian travellers visiting Europe and vice versa. Vaccination matters more when travelling to remote countries within Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. These areas are becoming more popular for travel, making infection far more common and therefore increasing the need for extensive courses of vaccinations.

If you are still planning to travel unvaccinated within a continent that includes densely populated cities or even rural areas where there is poor water & sanitary systems, the likelihood of contracting a disease or illnesses is very high.

A professional travel clinician will discuss the risks with you on a country-to-country basis. Their advice and support even without a vaccination course can be valuable for future travel.

When travelling, a travel expert will talk you through important factors to consider during your trip to ensure you avoid illness and disease. Travellers are advised to take these precautions very seriously if they wish to travel to a high-risk part of the world. Before you travel, plan your routes and day-to-day activities thoroughly to avoid areas which may be at high risk of infection.

Avoid contact with animals

Visiting native animals whilst abroad is a major tourist attraction, especially in parts of Africa and Asia. If this sounds like you, it’ best to avoid all up-close interaction with native animals. This also includes local cats and dogs. Such action decreases the likelihood of scratches and bites. If you haven’t been vaccinated against common diseases like rabies that are carried by certain animals, then avoiding contact can help lower your chances of catching the disease dramatically

Food & Drink - Do’s and Don’ts

Food and drink is yet another cultural draw of travel but not everything you can eat and drink abroad is safe. Food not heated adequately or washed with unclean water can spread disease and lead to illness. Remember these do’s and don’ts to avoid a nasty stomach bug or something more dangerous.

Try and avoid food from unreliable sources, street food or food that isn’t freshly cooked. Avoid local water or water that hasn’t been treated.

So what should you do?

We suggest that you: treat all water you get from the tap with water purification tablets or drink bottled water only. Eat only hot and fresh food or eat food prepared by you.

Don’t forget basic hygiene while abroad

Keeping yourself clean is a daily occurrence when at home. Good hygiene practices are especially important while away as it reduces the spread of germs that could make you ill. When travelling abroad, you should be washing your hands with soap before and after every meal, after every toilet breaks and when you return from a walk. Like with food and drink, you should only be using bottled or treated water when cleaning your teeth. Using local water for cleaning and washing is one of the easiest ways to spread and contract a disease.

The risks of infection in unvaccinated travellers is 90% more than that of a vaccinated traveller. To avoid your return being met with a dangerous illness or disease, immunisation should be the one and only course of action.

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