Article Treasures | Travel accessories for keeping safe and healthy on your gap year

A gap year or year out is the trip of a lifetime and gap year travelling continues to rise. Despite the fact that trips abroad by United kingdom residents dropped by 2% in 2010, there were still 55.4 million international trips recorded. In 2010 33,426 students deferred their university course, suggesting many planned a gap year before starting their studies.

So you have booked your tickets and prepared your route, you ought to prepare yourself with the necessary precautions and travel accessories to make sure you have a harmless and healthy experience whilst travelling on your excursion abroad.

Health and Comfort
Travelling to new locations can pose several health risks: upset tummies, sun burn and std's among other things. It is important to carry out plenty of research and ensure that you are prepared for your trip.

For instance, upset tummies can be avoided with travel accessories including prebiotic powder and travel aid pastilles (both are guards against diarrhoea). For in flight relaxation make use of travel accessories such as travel pillows, flight socks as well as ear plugs.
Paperwork

Make certain your passport is in date and if not apply early enough. Some countries require your passport to be legitimate for a minimum time period (typically half a year) A few countries need a visa for entrance, therefore you should check out visa requirements with your travel agent or Consulate or Embassy from the countries you plan to go to. It is advisable to make copies of any important documents such as passports, vaccination certificates and insurance documents and store a copy electronically or in a separate place.In case your passport is lost or stolen you ought to report it immediately to the closest British Consulate Office. Keep a list of handy numbers as well as emergency contacts. To add a little colour to your passport, travel accessories such as passport covers are available in colours like pink, red, blue and lilac.

Customs and Culture
Any country has local laws and customs and it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with these ahead of travelling. You can do some research on different countries from specific guide books or from information on the web.Also you can carry different travel accessories on you that may help you get on in various parts of accommodation in the world. Travel accessories such as universal sink plugs come in useful for backpackers, and global travel adaptors provide you with electricity wherever you are in the world.

Funds
It is a wise decision to use a mixture of cash resources like local currency, traveller's cheques as well as a debit card. Make a note of credit card numbers and emergency contact details in case your card is stolen. Travel accessories such as money wallets as well as money belts keep your money secure on your trips and protect against thieves. Report any theft to the regional authorities and also your insurance provider who will be able to offer support. Check with your bank about card fees before you go, quite a few banks have high costs for withdrawing cash overseas.

Keeping connected
It's a good idea to stay in contact with loved ones from home. Use travel accessories such as journals or notebooks to make note of important information. Make duplicates of your journey plans and itinerary so that if there is an issue or unexpected emergency they should know where to start looking for you. Take a mobile, set up an email account and perhaps a blog, so people have the opportunity to follow your travels.

Kit Listings
Exactly what travel accessories should I carry along with me?

Vital travel records and travel accessories

Air/ Journey tickets
Passport
Visa's
Travel Cover
Driving Permit
Funds: Cash/ Travellers cheques/ debit card
Emergency numbers
Vaccination certificates/ documents
Photocopies of above records
Health travel accessories
Prescription medication- be sure to keep in hand baggage and bring in original box or with prescription for customs clearance)
Pain relievers
Antihistamine
Condoms
Malaria pills if needed
Plasters
After bite
Sun Ointment
Rehydration powders
Mosquito net
Insect repellent
Sterile needle equipment
Basic first aid kit
Alcohol hand gel
Water purification
Travellers diarrhoea medication

Travel accessories for luggage/security
Backpack
Day Bag
Sleeping bag
Body wallet
Money belt
Hammock
Dristore bags
Cotton sleeping bag liner

Other useful travel accessories
Binoculars
Camera
Clothing
Chargers for phones etc
Games
Guide books
IPOD/MP3
Mobile phone
Reading books
Swimming suits & goggles
Sunglasses
Toiletries
Worldwide travel adaptor
Universal sink plug
Passport cover
Ear plugs
Alarm clock
Travel Journal
Padlock