Travelling in Europe vs worldwide travel

Worldwide Travel

When it comes to travel, are you a world citizen? Or do you prefer to stay closer to home. Travel writers Chris Leadbeater and Nick Haslam – some of the UK's most experienced travellers – share their guidance on getting the best out of your holiday, whether you're heading to Europe or setting your sights on more exotic destinations.

There are important differences between travelling in Europe and travelling worldwide

If you are travelling in Europe as a UK citizen, you have a certain level of protection in any medical emergency that might occur – providing you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives you reduced-cost or even free access to necessary medical treatment in any EU country (as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). However, there is no such safety net outside Europe. And if you are travelling to, say, America, the obvious course of action is to have a worldwide travel insurance policy that covers all medical expenses, including repatriation. But read the small print and make sure the international travel insurance applies to the place you are visiting. Falling ill in America can be pricey. On a trip to Hawaii last year, my wife picked up a nasty insect sting on her hand, and needed advice. We had to pay for a consultation, and again for the medication – but were able to claim some of the costs on insurance.
Chris Leadbeater

Make sure you have the right paperwork for your chosen destination

I always check with my GP to make sure I have the right inoculations and health certificates – years ago the lack of a current yellow fever certificate meant I got in trouble with the frontier guards and found it very difficult to get across the border into Cote d’Ivoire, I was lucky and after a few hours they let me in - but it taught me a lasting lesson! My local pharmacist is also an invaluable source of tips for the latest anti malaria medication and other new drugs available. For visa requirements I always have a quick look at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website to make sure I have all I need – and that rapidly changing entry requirements don’t catch me out. A travel writer friend of mine arrived in Australia on his UK passport without an entry visa and only some rapid string pulling prevented him being shipped straight back!
Nick Haslam

Choose your destination to suit your inclination

I love travelling in Europe because there is so much variety to be found in such small distances, and best of all that I can travel all the way by train – my favourite form of transport. What I dislike most is that my once remote secret European destinations are now being discovered by fellow Brits – but then this does spur me on to keep searching out new more hidden locations – and so far I haven’t been disappointed. There is however absolutely nothing to beat getting on a flight in the depths of a murky British winter to emerge into high summer in another hemisphere. My biggest gripe about long haul travel is the interminable flight – both from a carbon footprint – and personal comfort point of view.
Nick Haslam

Useful websites:

www.dh.gov.uk/travellers
www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/staying-safe/checklist
wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/

While you're busy dreaming of distant lands don't forget to buy worldwide or European travel insurance! MORE TH>N offers a range of cheap global travel insurance options, from single trip holiday insurance to annual policies. Once you've bought your cheap travel insurance then you're free to enjoy your holiday.