Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
or illness contact your nearest consulate, which will have a list of English-speaking
doc-
tors
, as will the local tourist office.
Contraceptives
Condoms are available everywhere, and are normally reliable international brands such as
Durex, at least in northwestern Europe; the condoms in eastern European countries, Mo-
rocco and Turkey are of uncertain quality, however, so it's best to bring your own.
AIDS
is of course as much of a problem in Europe as in the rest of the world, and it hardly needs
saying that unprotected casual sex is extremely dangerous; members of both sexes should
carry condoms. The
pill
is available everywhere, too, though often only on prescription;
again, bring a sufficient supply with you. In case of emergency, the morning-after pill is
available from pharmacies without a prescription in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK.
Drinking water
Tap water in most countries is
drinkable
, and only needs to be avoided in Morocco and
partsofTurkey.Unfamiliar foodmaywell giveyouasmall case oftheruns,normally over
in a day or two.
Insurance
Wherever you're travelling from, it's a very good idea to have some kind of travel insur-
ance.Beforepayingforanewpolicy,however,checkwhetheryou'realreadycovered:stu-
dents will often find that their student health coverage extends into the vacations and for
oneterm beyondthe date oflast enrolment; andsome credit cards include travel insurance.
Otherwiseyoushouldcontactaspecialisttravelinsurancecompany.Atypicalpolicyusu-
ally provides cover for the loss of baggage, tickets and - up to a certain limit - cash, as
wellascancellationorcurtailmentofyourjourney.Mostofthemexcludeso-calleddanger-
ous sports unless an extra premium is paid: in Europe this can mean anything from scuba-
diving to mountaineering, skiing and even bungee-jumping. With medical coverage, you
should ascertain whether benefits will be paid as treatment proceeds or only after you re-
turnhome,andwhetherthereisa24-hourmedicalemergencynumber.Whensecuringbag-
gage cover, make sure that the per-article limit will cover your most valuable possession.
