The plane tickets are booked, bags packed and the call of your dream holiday loudly beckons on the horizon, much like the call of a seagull but – just as you tick off the last item on your long to-do list before you jet off – you’re hit by sudden thoughts of all that could go wrong.
What if your house is broken into while you are away? What if you’re arrested while you're on holiday? Or what if the kennels, where your beautiful fur babies are to be housed throughout the duration of your holiday, cancels at the last minute?
We try to answer some of these questions for you to, hopefully, halve your stress.
What if my house is broken into while I'm away on holiday?
A home security system which is regularly tested and monitored by a reputable armed response company could be the answer.
Fidelity ADT national marketing and communications manager, Charnel Hattingh, also recommended getting-to-know the neighbours to let them know your holiday plans, so that they can help keep an eye on your property.
According to Hattingh, this would help alert the local neighbourhood watch.
“Keeping the lights on so it seems as if someone is home and not closing the curtains, can help to prevent a break-in while you are away,” she said.
“I suggest people look at their property in a layered approach. Start with the outside perimeter – does your wall and fence provide enough protection and should you perhaps consider installing an electric fence?”
For those with a large property with huge gardens, installing a security beam which can detect movement can be useful.
“Moving to the house itself, do you have security gates and burglar bars on all doors and windows?
What if I discover my luggage is missing when I arrive at my holiday destination? XL Aloe Travel manager, Clare de Weijer, said lost baggage was usually handled by the airline. If your baggage does not follow you off the aircraft, report this to the airline immediately to get a reference number. De Weijer said this number was used to track the baggage.
“In some cases, the bags are just delayed because they were put on a different plane and they will follow in a few hours or after a day or two. If they are truly lost and the client has taken out baggage insurance then they can claim for it,” she explained.
“There are some people who waive the insurance, maybe its an affordability issue, but I personally would never travel without it.”
What if I get sick while I'm on holiday, particularly if overseas?
Taking out a health insurance with your travel agency may go a long way if you find yourself sick in a foreign country, but also enquire with your medical aid about what your options are.
Head of research and development at Discovery Health, Deon Kotze, said certain plans, such as the coastal plans, had unlimited hospital cover at all hospitals, not just those situated in the coastal provinces. He said members were covered in the case of any emergency medical condition which required immediate medical and surgical treatment.
“In such a situation, the member may be transferred to the nearest Coastal Plan hospital, but only once their condition has been stabilised,” he said.
When travelling overseas, Discovery Health members are covered for up to 90 days from their date of departure provided they receive care from a qualified medical professional.
The amount of cover varies on the medical plan in question, up to R10m per person per trip on the Executive plan and up to R5m million on the Classic, Essential, Coastal and Smart Plan.
What if I get arrested in a foreign country? According to the department of international relations and cooperation’s website, under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 – the accepted standard for all member countries – people arrested outside their own country must be given access to their consular representative.
South Africans must immediately request the authorities to allow them to contact the South African representative in that country or alternatively, somebody can contact the representative on their behalf.
Consular officials are supposed to seek to ensure that citizens arrested abroad are treated humanely and issues such as torture, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment will be reported and taken up with the local authorities. The officials can also assist with providing general information about the legal system of the country of arrest, undertake prison visits, contact family or friends of the detainee in writing and also help with funds transfer.
What if I want to stay connected while abroad using my current phone number? While it might work out cheaper to buy a SIM card and join a local service provider when you arrive at your new destination, South African networks do provide international roaming services – but at a heavy cost.Prices differ per mobile network used, with users charged up to R5 per minute when either making or receiving a call, R5 per megabyte in data costs plus R1 to send a message.
What if I want to go on holiday but I have pets? Owner of GoingAway, Leanne Burger, said leaving pets at the kennels is an option, but getting the services of a pet sitter is best.With branches in East London, Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth, Burger said she provides both pet and house-sitting services at a cost.
Bookings for GoingAway can be made via their website.
What if I don't like the food at my holiday destination? Harvey World Travel manager, Melanie Sizer, said one is allowed to fly with food within certain regulations.
According to Sizer, no one is allowed to fly with meat, biltong, whole nuts, spices or fruit. Sizer said the items had to be declared upon arrival in the new country.
“There generally is no issue with bringing food along but just ensure that you don't hide it.
“Just declare it and it should be okay. If you hide it then it could be an issue.
“Also ensure that the food is packaged correctly, preferably in air-tight containers for the journey,” she said.
“Baby formula can also be brought along, provided that it’s in powder format. Bring the empty bottles along and just ask the air hostess to bring you hot water so you can mix it. Remember that you have liquid restrictions in your luggage as well so don't travel with ready-made baby bottles.”
Sizer said if in doubt about the water quality at the holiday destination, rather don't drink it. “Buy water instead.
“Try to look for an international brand and not the local water if you don't trust the quality.”..