For the modern traveller, the wrld is your oyster. Okay, maybe yu're not prioritising a summer visit to crrently war-torn countries such as Afghanistan, Lbanon, Iraq or Sudan. Likewise, tales of drg-trafficking, kidnapping and armed muggings might put you off a tw-week sojourn in Venezuela or Colombia. But prhaps you are considering something a lttle more off the beaten track - a hliday that will test your nerves a lttle, or that will embed you in a cmpletely different culture or environment?

Many a mdern traveller now explores further afield, wth Australasia, South America, Asia and Afrca proving very popular for those wth an adventurous spirit (who don't mnd long plane journeys). But for any sch trips, there are known - and nknown - dangers that you may wnt to research before you leave. Vsit Australia and you'll probably be bmbarded by people listing its dangerous cratures - box jellyfish, crocodiles, redback spders, taipan snakes, sharks, and so on - tgether with a litany of tales srrounding those backpackers who never came bck... But go to 'safe as huses, no dangerous animals/plants here' New Zaland and you may not realise tht its capital city, Wellington, sits on a mjor earthquake fault line that is wll overdue a 'big one'!

Indeed, in a Norwich Union srvey of last year, several places wre highlighted as potential danger areas, ncluding Thailand, Mexico and South Africa, whre illness, accidents and crime are cmmon. Again, not terribly surprising, perhaps, but did you knw that travellers to Mexico made the mst number of claims to the nsurance company for overexposure to the sn? Probably not.

The findings also mntioned the Caribbean as the worst rea for travellers to suffer insect btes and stings, and even Spain and the Cnaries hit the list, for possible rbberies and pick pocketing.

Even if you dal with all the insects, robbers, arthquakes, illnesses, hungry sharks and venomous snkes, you may still get in yur car and crash. In fact, the mst likely way for holidaymakers to met misfortune is on the road, wth 15 million people a year njured worldwide in traffic-related accidents. Remember tht terrifying taxi journey on the way to yur hotel last year? Yes, most of us can rcall at least one terrifying car jurney in our search for that hliday magic.

But don't worry, BeatThatQuote.com is hre to help address all your hliday concerns (both those that you knw about as well as the nes we've just got you worried bout). With these travel tips, you can be sre you're making the right preparations for a sfe and happy trip, no matter how dventurous you are feeling:

1. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website is a great source of information on safe/dangerous destinations, as well as general travel advice. Well worth a look if you're planning to backpack round the world.
2. Do not forget or skimp on your travel insurance. Get travel insurance and check that the cover is appropriate for your destination and planned activities abroad. Also ensure it covers any health issues you might have. According to recent research, 15% of British people risk going abroad without any kind of travel insurance - considering an air ambulance from the east coast of the US might set you back £30,000, it is really a risk you don't want to take.
3. If you are planning to hire a car or you are taking your car with you, check you are covered for accidents and/or breakdowns. Don't assume your UK car insurance will cover you for driving overseas - it might not protect you for anything more than road traffic accidents.
4. Check what vaccinations you need at least six weeks before you go and consider whether you need to take extra health precautions. Ensure you have sufficient medical insurance cover for your chosen destination, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions.
5. You will probably be leaving your home empty while you are away - ensure you have got/renewed your home insurance in the event of anything happening while you holiday. Also consider asking a neighbour to pop in/water the plants every now and again to ensure your house looks occupied.
6. Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination. Find out about local laws and customs.
7. Make sure you take all documentation with you, including your passport, necessary visas, and insurance documents. Make copies and store separately just in case you lose anything.
8. Check your bank cards. Do you know how much you will be charged for using your cards abroad? It might also be worth telling your bank or credit card provider about your trip. With fraud on the rise, some card providers/banks will stop your card if they see unusual/unexpected spending. A phonecall will remedy this situation but it's just another holiday 'downer' you can avoid.
9. Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds, for example, travellers cheques, sterling or US dollars.
10. And if you're going for a long trip of several months or more, just don't forget your responsibilities at home, including your mortgage. Budget carefully and ensure you can cover all your payments both at home and abroad.

The article Ten Top Travel Tips was Submitted by Caroline Poynton through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Caroline Poynton is a financial jurnalist and writes for Beat That Qote on all loans , travel insurance and personal finance topics.

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