What to do when things go wrong abroad

The Foreign Office have loads of really useful advice that you should take note of when planning a trip overseas, including advice on getting help and dealing with situations if the worst should happen.

The Foreign Office's Consular Assistance team in London can be reached 24 hours a day on:

020 7008 1500 (+44 20 7008 1500 from abroad)

Make sure you save that number in your phone before you go away, because you never know if you will need it and will be grateful to have it to hand if you do.

Take a look at their site: FCO

If you're a British National you should consider registering with LOCATE before you travel

In light of the catastrophic events that have been unfolding since Friday in Japan, it is perhaps useful to consider how prepared you are if you encounter a crisis whilst travelling. One important thing you can do before you travel is register your travel plans with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

The FCO encourage all British Nationals travelling or living overseas to register with their service, LOCATE, so that they can help you if you find yourself in the middle of a major catastrophe and they can also assist your loved ones in contacting you.

You might not want to think about the prospect of finding yourself in the middle of a disaster when planning your next trip, but you should always be proactive and where possible, have contingencies in place if something goes wrong whilst you are away.

Visit the FCO website to find out more and register with LOCATE

You can also follow the FCO on Facebook and Twitter: @britishabroad

All-American Spring Break experience, the Trek America way!

Trek America not only offer guided tours but also offer Spring Break packages in conjunction with StudentCity for 2 to 6 people. Spring Break Trek style is offered in two destinations: Panama City Beach, Florida and Cancun, Mexico. To find out more, visit the Spring Break packages page

Have you got a Trek of a lifetime on your Christmas Wish List?!

I was so excited to receive e-mails from Trek America and Grand America Adventures announcing their new gift vouchers - perfect idea to help people raise funds for their trek of a lifetime! I'd be more than happy to receive Trek vouchers for Christmas instead of some of the usual random presents I get from family members who don't really know what to buy me  - come on, you know what I'm talking about! Not quite the Christmas knitted jumpers that poor Mark Darcy suffers from in Bridget Jones' Diary, although last year my parents bought one of my brothers a 'strange' (that's all I'm saying) winter coat that would be appropriate wear when in Iceland or further north (when you don't care how you look, you just want to keep warm!) - to add further embarrassment, my mum also bought one of those coats for herself - I lucked out and managed to just get a pair of gloves that prevent you from using your hands - great for driving then :D Needless to say, my brother's coat was returned to the shop. On the plus side, last Christmas was filled with A LOT of tears - of laugher :D

So if your loved ones are struggling for Christmas persent ideas and you're currently trying to save for a Trek, why not e-mail them a little hint: Trek vouchers and don't forget, to help you save even more money, I can give you a discount code to use when you book your adventure - e-mail me for details.

Or alternatively, see what you could be getting this Christmas

Trek America and Grand American Adventures win Gold!

A little late in coming, but a huge congratulations to both Trek America and their sister company, Grand American adventures who both won Gold this year - read more on Trek's website

British Travel Awards 2010
Trek America won Gold for: Best Tour Operator to the USA
Trek America won Silver for: Best Special Interest/Adventure Tour Operator
Find out more about other winners for all categories

17th World Travel Awards
Grand American Adventures won Gold: Mexico and Central America's Leading Tour Operator
Find out more about other winners for all categories

It's great to see that a lot of companies I personally use for travel on a regular basis have achieved Gold awards in the British Travel Awards 2010, including Trek America, Virgin Atlantic, Premier Inn, Holiday Extras, Post Office (for travel money), TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet (have to mention Rough Guides who won Silver for Best Travel Info Publication as I never travel without a Rough Guide!) - congratulations to all, from one very satisfied customer :o)

Your Big Year travel competition welcomes Trek Lovers :)

If you're mad about travel and haven't seen this totally awesome competition yet - then get y'self signed up - it sounds amazing! A trip of a lifetime is on offer - check it out and register with the following ID code 20737 and then get your mates to sign up to help improve your chances of winning. So what you waiting for?! Register for Your Big Year

Have fun and good luck!!

Going for Gold!

The British Travel Awards 2010 website is now open for voting and this year Trek America have been nominated for two awards:

• Best special interest/adventure tour operator
• Best tour operator to the USA

Trek America won the Silver Award for Best special interest/adventure tour operator last year and with your help they can win Gold this year - they already have my vote.

Find out more on the Trek website