There are a few essential things any traveller must do before they head away for their summer holiday. 

Sarah Slattery, owner of The Travel Expert, has these recommendations no matter where abroad you are heading. 

“I suppose the first one is really the Department of Foreign Affairs website,” she told The Pat Kenny Show. 

“Which was the go-to place during COVID but a lot of people have forgotten about since.” 

Different countries still have various requirements and it is always important to do your research beforehand. 

“Turkey, you have to have six months on your passport after your departure date,” she said. 

“You still need your ESTA visa for going to the States; a small few countries still have vaccination requirements. 

“So, just make sure the place you’re going to, that you check if there are any requirements before you travel and you’re absolutely ready for any forms that you may need to get before you go.” 

An Irish passport with plane tickets. Image: Radharc Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Baggage

Ms Slattery also said baggage rules have “changed in the last couple of years”. 

“Aer Lingus now won’t charge you if you’re checking in a 10kg bag - so that can be really, really handy,” she said. 

“There’s a lot of really great lightweight suitcases out there and if you’re going on a summer holiday, you won’t need jackets and things like that.

“Try and not pay for checked baggage, try and get away with 10kg.” 

Insurance

The one thing every traveller should have - but so many do not bother with - is insurance. 

“A lot of people are focused on this EHIC card which is the European Health Insurance Card - and it’s great, it covers you in a public hospital,” Ms Slattery said. 

“But it doesn’t cover you for anything else; it doesn’t cover you if something happens and you need to stay longer, if you to come home, if you need to cancel your holiday in advance.

“So, you really need comprehensive travel insurance.” 

Phone 

Roaming charges were abolished in the European Union several years ago but you will still need an adaptor to charge it in most other countries. 

“Maybe you free up your storage on your phone, you [link it] it up the Cloud before you go,” Ms Slattery suggested. 

“So, you have room for new photos on your phone. 

“Invest in a good power bank if you like to take lots of photos.”

Main image: A beach in Spain.