• Follow FCO Advice

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides travel advice on some 225 countries or territories and gives best advice on where/where not to travel.  Remember you will not be covered on your travel insurance if you travel to a country or area where the FCO advises the public not to travel.

• Currency

Carrying large amounts of cash about your person is generally not recommended. Ideally only carry the minimum cash you are likely to need and ensure you have other methods of payment such as credit cards. If you do have to carry cash, check out your insurance policy to see if you’re covered. Some insurers have now extended their cash cover to take into account recent events in Greece.

• Passport

Keep your passport safe and about your person if you can’t lock it away, especially at a campsite. Don’t leave it in a bag or holdall and then leave that bag unattended. And keep a separate note of your passport number, just in case.

• Valuables

Never openly display any valuables or wealth, especially mobile phones. You wouldn’t wave £500 in cash in the air, so don’t do it with your phone!

• Hostels & Hotels

Check out where you are staying and any reviews posted online. Single rooms within a hostel are typically more secure; taking advantage of safes or storage lockers for your valuables is always advised.

• Local Environment

Be aware of your local environment, and where possible, try not to look like an obvious tourist. Appearing lost or consulting a map in public may draw unwelcome attention.

• Safety in Numbers

Avoid travelling on your own if at all possible. Groups are invariably safer than single travellers; there are more people watching out for you.

• Travel Insurance

Ensure you have appropriate travel insurance that takes into account your destination and whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions.

• Common Sense

Stay away from obviously dangerous locations, especially at night. Don’t walk down unlit streets and keep your wits about you. Trust your instinct: if it feels wrong, chances are you may be at risk.