As the summer draws upon us, several pieces of advice are being given to holidaymakers in order to help them have a rewarding and stress free holiday.

Often insurers remind travellers, especially those heading abroad, to make sure they are well prepared and armed with sufficient travel insurance.

Experiences in the past, however, show that despite this many travellers end up with very sad tales to tell.

At the beginning of the year polls suggested that fewer people are travelling abroad on holidays, partly because many have been heavily hit by the credit crunch, along with those who could have been or are facing job losses. Overstretched budgets and debts are also a factor that has seen several holiday goers needing to re-think their getaway plans and destinations.

But there are also those choosing to have a quiet summer, at home, simply because they want to be careful with their spending and sail through the financial crisis with little or no trouble.

Desired holiday

Yet hundreds of holidaymakers would be heading off abroad no matter what the economy situation or prospect is. There is nothing wrong with having a dream holiday, especially after working for several under a turbulent climate like the recession. But the important thing is to be sure one is not complicating one's financial state at the end of the day.

This summer, even as there is a significant fall in the number of those going abroad on holiday, many of those opting to visit exotic scenes within the country should be aiming to ensure they have the very best of it. Having a good break is, therefore, not just about travelling abroad, but also making the very best of your time while minimizing risks and expenses.

Driving to holiday

Against the backdrop of increasing green house emission campaigners have been advocating less air travels. And some travellers are responding by either choosing not travel abroad, cut down their mileage or seek alternative means of travelling that pose less threat to the environment.

Cars are readily an option not because they do not emit gas and pollute the environment but because they could be used in such a way that they become less of a pollutant. Car insurers have of recent tried to encourage green driving by listing ways to achieve it and the numerous benefits in it, including saving on fuel cost. Also, there are green fuels that could effectively take the place of normal fuels.

The choice of cars as a means of travelling to holiday destinations is rewarding both economically and environmentally, as it saves cost and reduces the risk of pollution. And at least 3.4 million people Britain are looking to take their cars on holiday this summer.

While this preparation is at top levels we need pose and consider a number of questions. How many people are aware of the rules governing driving in the countries they are planning to visit? How many are equally aware that they need to check their car insurance? Driving in the UK is not exactly as it is in France or the US etc. Holidaying or tourist drivers need to be aware of all the differences and seek to keep the rules of their host country as best as they can.

Although one may have a comprehensive car cover as soon as one takes one’s vehicle to a foreign land the policy is automatically downgraded. Normally, before setting off one is expected to check with one's insurer to know the level of coverage they would have and what to do in case something goes wrong.

It is a lot better to spend a lot of money by preparing adequately before leaving home than running into a serious problem while abroad and ill-prepared to face it.