The FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) has just launched plan.pack.explore which is billed as the ultimate travel guide aimed at worldwide travellers. The guide features advice and tips on travel health, visa requirements and general safety and information tips. The guide is aimed at those traveling abroad for the first time, such as gap year students.
Worryingly recent statistics from the FCO show that a quarter of 16-24 years olds travelled without any travel insurance in the last six months. And 75% of young travellers failed to make adequate health plans before setting off, such as checking and getting vaccinations and anti-malarial medications.
Spokesperson Khalida Cox from the FCO’s Know Before You Go team said: “Now that exam results are out and people start considering a gap year, preparation can be daunting for young people and their parents – particularly if it is a trip away without family for the first time. Plan.Pack.Explore helps travellers understand exactly what they need to do before they go away and provides essential information for parents in the run up to the big trip. The guide will also be invaluable for those who book last minute travel and need essential travel preparation advice quickly.”
To make gap year travel fun and hassle free travellers are urged to either order or download a copy of plan.pack.explore or download the accompanying app which is available for the iPad, iPhone and Android.
The PPE app has additional features including a personal customisable checklist, notes section to diarise information, useful contacts section with details about embassies and consulates abroad. There is also a map which shows statistics of accidents and arrests in the most popular destinations.
Stay safe on your travel adventure with help and advice from both the FCO and the PureTravel tips and advice posts.
