5 Essential tips for a stress-free holiday abroad in 2023

16th Mar 2023 Travel Guides

Holidays abroad are officially back, with millions set to book a trip away this summer. To guarantee a stress-free break, use these practical tips

Millions of Brits are expected to go on holiday abroad this year as people get fully back into the swing of international travel post COVID-19.

Traditionally, January is the busiest month of the year to book a holiday. With dark nights and the weather turning colder, people want to have something to look forward to.

"Travel agents already reporting a demand soar of 500 per cent"

2023 is no exception, with travel agents already reporting a demand soar of 500 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Joe Miller of real-time language translation technology company Pocketalk offers five top tips to help British travellers avoid foreign holiday headaches in 2023.

1. Take out travel insurance as soon as you book

According to a YouGov poll, one in five British holidaymakers don’t take out travel insurance for their foreign trips.

By not having insurance, travellers risk having to pay substantial medical or repatriation costs if they fall ill or hurt themselves abroad, and may also risk a delay in treatment.

"One in five British holidaymakers don’t take out travel insurance for their foreign trips"

Make sure you take out comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you book so if something goes wrong and you can’t travel you could claim for the cost of your holiday.

Also, make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that is still in date (cards are valid for five years when issued) for holidays in Europe, or apply for the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

2. Book activities and attractions in advance

We can expect to see heavy queues this holiday season, so book your activities in advance

With tourist areas expected to be bustling in a post-Covid world this year, many visitors will face disappointment if they don't book attractions or restaurants in advance. Avoid long queues at busy places by booking your activities and attractions in advance.

3. Invest in a translation device or app

When travelling abroad, being able to speak and clearly understand the local language will make your whole holiday experience stress free and much more enjoyable.

Whether you want to order food, hail taxis, communicate with the locals or you find yourself lost and need to ask for directions or have a medical emergency, a language translation device or app such as Pocketalk will help ensure your trip runs smoothly.

Forget awkward hand gestures and pointing and concentrate on making memories.

4. Be aware of potential fraud and financial scams abroad

Try to pay with cash where possible to avoid potential money scams

Unfortunately, as a traveller, you can attract the attention of criminals who see you as an easy target, so it’s important to stay alert to the possible risk of theft, fraud and other financial scams.

Some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim include:

Avoid using the public wi-fi or make sure you use a VPN such as F-Secure VPN. Without a VPN you’re vulnerable to having your personal information compromised.
Use cash wherever possible and use ATMs attached to banks or major hotels.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash when exploring and use a provided safe/lock box.
Do not let your credit card leave your sight when paying for things and do not give personal or financial information to unknown third parties.
Don’t forget to notify your bank before using a credit or debit card when travelling. Banks do what they can to protect you from identity theft and if you don’t let them know you’re away, it’s possible transactions could be blocked.

5. Prepare for delays

With large numbers of travellers expected this year and the threat of strike action in several travel sectors, be prepared for airports, ports and stations to be extremely busy with a high chance of delays.

"Have a less stressful journey by allowing yourself plenty of time to check in"

Plan ahead and have a less stressful journey by allowing yourself plenty of time to check in and get through security, book a place to eat or a lounge where possible, and make sure you have books, magazines, tablets, games etc, to keep you and the kids entertained.

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