Unfortunately, there are numerous things that can turn a fantastic holiday into a total disaster.
With a bit of preparation though, most things can be avoided and if disaster does strike, you will know how to deal with it.
1.
Your bank cards don't work abroad.
This is everyone's worst nightmare.
You've booked your flights and accommodation separately and you haven't arranged airport transfers in advance.
You haven't changed any currency because you'll just pay for things on your card when you arrive and get some cash out from the airport cash point to pay the taxi driver.
Then you arrive and, to your horror, your cards don't work.
You've forgotten to tell your bank you'll be abroad and they block your cards the first time you try to use them.
There are a few really easy steps to avoid this potential disaster.
Firstly, make sure you tell your bank you're going abroad.
Secondly, take enough local currency with you to cover the absolute basics such as a few meals and your transfer to your accommodation.
From there, you are likely to be able to make some arrangements if you have any problems.
Thirdly, consider booking airport transfers in advance.
That way, if something does go wrong, at least you have somewhere comfortable to go while you sort things out.
2.
Your mobile phone doesn't work abroad This happened to me on a recent trip to Paris.
I was travelling for the first time with my 9 month old daughter and I had intended to rely on the Google maps function on my phone to direct me to my accommodation after arriving at the nearby Metro station.
Luckily, after a few rather stressful minutes, I managed to find a tourist map and orientate myself enough to get to where I needed to go.
We were only staying for one night and I had an internet connection so I could let my family know that we were OK.
It was still a bit of a nightmare though, and it could so easily have been avoided.
The mistake I had made was that I'd forgotten I'd recently got a new mobile phone and a new contract.
I hadn't registered the phone for use abroad and had just assumed that it would automatically work.
I was wrong.
Before going abroad, you should always register your phone so that you can use it.
It is also worth checking that your particular model of mobile phone will work where you are going.
Most modern phones will work as long as there is a network.
I had a few days completely incommunicado in one of the most remote areas of Venezuela, but in recent years that is the only place I've found that had no mobile signal at all.
3.
A medical emergency This is not a nice thing to have to think about when you are on holiday, but sadly it becomes a reality for thousands of people every year.
Other than taking care and not doing anything your mother wouldn't approve of, there is very little you can do to prevent a medical emergency from occurring.
That's why you need to be fully prepared in case one does happen.
It goes without saying that you need to make sure that you have travel insurance in place.
It is also really important that you read the small-print of that travel insurance.
If you intend to partake in skiing, snowboarding, unusual activities or extreme sports then you will need to make absolutely sure that whatever activity you intend to participate in is covered by your travel insurance.
As with any other kind of insurance, if they insurance company doesn't have to pay out, they won't.
The harsh reality is that this could mean that you, or a loved one, are stranded a long way from home, terribly unwell and unable to receive treatment or get home.
4.
Lost luggage This is a relatively common occurrence that is, in the grand scheme of things, not the end of the world, and yet it could totally ruin your holiday.
The only way to avoid lost baggage is to avoid taking baggage.
I.
e.
travel with hand-luggage only.
Invest in a good, hold-sized mini-suitcase and learn to travel light! I managed to travel around New Zealand for a month carrying only what I could fit into a motorbike pannier.
If you are going on an all-inclusive beach holiday for a fortnight, you definitely don't need a huge suitcase! You will be able to do washing wherever you go, even if it's just a hand wash.
Roll clothes instead of folding.
They take up much less space and they don't crease.
Find out if towels and hairdryers will be provided in your accommodation.
If you don't need them, don't take them! Remember that children have a hand-luggage allowance as well, so use it.
If you absolutely need to take baggage, then make sure that you pack the essentials into your hand luggage.
A change of underwear, a change of clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, wallet and camera.
Either don't take expensive things such as laptops, or take them in your hand-luggage.
5.
Lost or stolen money and documents This is another, potentially avoidable, mishap that could totally ruin your holiday.
If you have a safe at your accommodation then use it.
Put all documents and most of your money in there.
Only take with you what you need.
Never store wallets or passports in your back pocket whilst out and about.
Pick-pockets will target tourists so don't make it obvious where your valuables are.
You will be more of a target if you are wearing jewellery so don't take it on holiday with you.
You don't need it.
Invest in a money belt to wear under your clothing to keep your valuables in.
Don't let people see you getting money out of it.
If, despite your best efforts, you do lose your passport, being prepared for this eventuality can make it a lot easier to resolve.
Scan the whole family's passports before you travel and email them to yourself or place them in a Dropbox file so that you can access them from any computer.
Know where the embassy is at your location.
Find out what the procedure is if you have any problems.
Keep the phone number for the embassy along with some other emergency phone numbers somewhere safe, separate from your documents.
Keep a separate stash of money as well so that you can get to the embassy if you need to.
Putting a small amount of time and effort into planning for eventualities such as these will mean that you enjoy your holiday more, safe in the knowledge that you are fully prepared.