Every year, people living in the UK go on more than 60 million visits abroad. Most of them have safe experiences, but some get ill or have an accident and need medical treatment while they're away. It's not always easy to get treatment abroad, so you should always make you have adequate private health insurance. (Please note Regent Travel do not sell travel insurance - your own insurance information must be given at time of booking which will be forwarded to your tour operator)

The European Health Insurance Card (replaces E111)

If you are going to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you should also make sure you have got a European Heath INsurace Card (EHIC) as well as private health insurance. Most private health insurances are now invalid without this. The card entitles you to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment in most European Countries.

For full information pick up a form from the post office or apply online - www.dh.gov.uk/travellers

Planning for your trip

Talk to your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic about immunisations at least two months before travelling. You can also find out more information by visiting the immunisation website http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/ and the National Travel Health Network and Centre website http://www.nathnac.org/.

Also all Foreign & Commonwealth Office advise can be found at: www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo and general visa, passport and health information please refer to: http://www.ukpa.gov.uk/

Information for customers with disabilities

A very useful checklist - "Checklist for Disabled and Less Mobile Passengers" can be found at: http://www.abta.com/