Hotel Heartbreak

Finding a good hotel can be tricky, not least because you're often doing it from the other side of the world.
Do your research. Travel guides may rate hotels and websites such as thehotelbooker.co.uk andtripadvisor.com give reviews, ratings, prices and availability. Ask friends too: first-hand knowledge is invaluable.

• Check hotel policies. Some places don't take kindly to children or pets, while others may not cater for disabilities. Be clear what you want.

• Location is important. Is it near your point of arrival and/or the sites you'll be visiting? Are there reliable transport connections?

• Benefits & partnerships. Some hotels have agreements with airlines, rental car or credit card companies. Others have "frequent guest" policies, with points you can accumulate.

• Forward planning. Booking early will usually get the best. (But if you really need a room at short notice, try www.laterooms.com)
  

Travel Preparation Checklist

What to do and when:

• Six weeks to go. Arrange to have any necessary vaccinations. Check if you need a visa and that your passport is valid. Order any medication you'll need. Organize pet, house or garden sitters.
• Tow weeks to go. Order your currency, Give a copy of your passport, travel insurance, tickets and contact details to a friend. Check your mobile phone's enabled for use abroad. Check the batteries in your smoke alarms and give a neighbor the code for your burglar alarm in case it goes off accidentally.
• Day Before. Ensure you pack your passport, money, tickets, driving license, insurance documents, emergency phone numbers, camera, film, batteries, power-socket adaptors, sunscreen, insect repellent, headache tablets and antiseptic spray. Switch off your gas and electrical appliances.
  

What To Do When Disaster Happen During Traveling?

There are some quick fixes to problems commonly encountered while traveling. You’ll know what to do when it all goes wrong:

• When your flight is delayed. If you’re using a regular ticket, ask your airline to endorse you to another airline. Inform your hotel and the people you’re meeting about any changes without delay.
  

• When you have to cancel or reschedule your trip. Call your travel agent or airline. There is usually a last-minute penalty for cancellation, but it can be waived for valid reasons, such as sickness or death in the family, with the presentation of pertinent documents.
  

• When you lose your baggage. If you lose your luggage while flying, seek help from airline personnel and present your luggage tags. If the airline locates your luggage, ask to have it sent to your hotel. If you lose your baggage outside the airport, inform local authorities.
  

• When you lose your travel documents. Present photocopies of your documents if you have them. Be prepared for delays. If you lose your plane ticket, inform your travel agent or airline so they can send you a substitute ticket. If you lose your passport or visa, you can go no further on your trip. Visit the nearest embassy for your country to arrange for temporary travel documents.
  

• When you have too much luggage. Weed out what you can leave behind and what you absolutely have to bring home. Be ready to part with some of your luggage to keep within your weight allowance or to pay for excess baggage.

• When you run into trouble with authorities abroad. Get in touch with your country’s embassy or consulate officers immediately.