Foreign Office Travel Advice
This is a one stop shop for information you'll need on the countries you are going to be visiting on your gap travel. Remember to check out the FCO travel website or call 0845 850 2829 before you leave and before you head onto your next destination.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) website, www.fco.gov.uk/travel is a good first stop for British travellers. The FCO Travel website includes information on destinations, including helpful hints and advice. Most countries in the world are listed on the website, detailing such things as entry requirements, local laws and levels of crime.
The website also lists countries that you are advised NOT to visit, as well as others where only essential travel is recommended. While the FCO cannot prevent you visiting such places, its knowledge backed up by a global diplomatic network, is worth listening to - and, in extreme cases, going against its advice might invalidate your travel insurance.
You can also visit the websites of overseas Posts (Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates). To find out more on overseas Posts click here.
Before travelling to a potential trouble spot, always check the current situation on the FCO website. There is also a dedicated page on the ‘Risk of Terrorism’. To find out more on trouble spots click here.
Frances Linzee Gordon - Lonely Planet author
Once, newly disembarked in Djibouti in East Africa, there was a considerable clamour outside my hotel. Catching up my camera, I jumped onto the hotel balcony to check out more closely the commotion.
Outside, demonstrating students were out in full force. Though I laid low and resisted the tempation to shoot film, it was soon obvious that I‘d been spotted. Within five minutes the police were around to confiscate both camera and film. After extended exchanges, the police agreed to return both if I could prove that I hadn’t shot any student scenes. “But they are naked, half naked!” exclaimed Lieutenant Abdul at the photo shop. I had forgotten that some of film was filled with shots of the fascinating ethnic groups of southeastern Ethiopia - peoples who cared little for clothing...
Had I been a man rather than a woman, I might still be languishing in the censorious city of Djibouti. But I had learnt a valuable lesson. Always avoid photographing the police, soldiers, military installations, and anything that is security-sensitive (including bridges), and any state palaces or residences. Above all, don't dawdle at demos.
In addition to this, there are a few basic, common-sense precautions that you can take:
- Be alert to unattended baggage in public places
- Listen to the local and regional news in the media
- Avoid political and other demonstrations or gatherings
- Have an emergency plan: make sure you know how to use the local phones, and arrange a time and place for friends or family to meet if you get separated in a crisis
In areas where you know the risk of terrorism is higher:
- Look out for people acting suspiciously near institutions or gatherings
- Check your vehicle for explosive devices before use, especially if it has been left unguarded for any time
- Vary your route if making regular journeys
Top tips
Set up an email account before you leave the UK and subscribe to the FCO's free Travel Advice notification facility to receive regular updates on your destinations.
To receive e-mail notifications while you are away subscribe to the FCO website.
Bringing foods back into the UK from outside the EU
It is illegal to bring certain foods into the UK from countries outside the EU. These include meat or meat products (such as dried meat and sausages), milk or dairy products (such as cheese and yoghurt) and potatoes. Concessions apply to certain other products - you can bring in limited quantities of fish, bivalves (such as mussels and oysters), eggs/egg products and honey and certain fruits and vegetables, although these concessions vary by country.
Clare's Story
Claire was stopped at UK Customs with halloumi cheese from Turkey in her luggage. Claire‘s cheese was illegal, even though it was only a small quantity and was vacuum-packed. It was seized and destroyed, Claire’s journey was delayed and her name will remain on record. Future offences may be more severely punished.
Before you return to the UK after a trip outside the EU, find out exactly what the rules are for any particular food by contacting the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). If you‘re not able to check or you’re still not sure, there is only one way to be safe: don't pack it!