funtotravel.info TIPS: What inoculations do I need? I hate needles - they hurt!

This really is a complete no-brainer. The answer is that of course you should get every inoculation that your doctor suggests. Check the requirements for each country as to what inoculations/vaccinations are needed using a service like net doctor, then speak to your local doctor or travel clinic to organise them. Be sure to leave enough time before you travel for the necessary vaccinations to become effective.

Note that certain countries have very strict rules about letting you enter their territory unless you have had certain vaccinations. An example of this is Brazil: if you have been to Bolivia (or any other country that carries a risk of exposure to Yellow Fever) within the last 6 months they will insist that show them a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. Without it they will not let you enter (though you can pay for the injection at the border in some circumstances).

The vaccinations/inoculations that you should ensure are up to date as a bare minimum are:

• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Tetanus
• Polio

You should consult your doctor over this, but we would also recommend that the following inoculations are up to date when you travel to areas in Asia, Central and South America and Africa:

• Hepatitis B
• Diptheria
• Tuberculosis

A couple of other inoculations that you will find are recommended if you are planning to be away for a long time and travel to ‘risk’ areas (see net doctor for further details and consult with you doctor) are:

• Japanese B encephalitis
• Rabies
• Yellow Fever

Consult with your doctor or with a specialist travel clinic as to whether these will be necessary. Though they can be expensive we would thoroughly recommend getting them done as the consequences of becoming ill with any of these diseases are grave and potentially fatal. We think that the injections are worth the money if only to give you complete peace of mind. We still wouldn’t recommend that you go wrestling any wild, rabid dogs even if you have had the injection!

Tropical islands: lots of fun but don't neglect to get your jabs - you could be miles from a proper hospital if you get sick

Malaria is another concern for travellers visiting infected areas. If you are planning on visiting an area that is a malarial hotspot then please consult your doctor at home at least two months before you plan to travel, as some malarial medicines should be taken a good time prior to arrival in the country with the malarial threat. The Malaria Hotspots website is a very useful guide.

Be sure to carry a written record of your vaccinations and inoculations with you on your trip as you may need it as evidence of your treatment. It is especially important that you bring your Yellow Fever certificate with you if you have had the inoculation in order to visit a particular country.

funtotravel.info offers help to anyone looking to travel the world. Going on a Gap Year and not sure where to go or how to start planning? Want to go travelling but in need of some inspiration and tips? Use our advise me page for FREE, ON-DEMAND, UNBIASED travel advice written JUST FOR YOU!  

funtotravel.info also offers informative and practical country profiles, real-time traveller reviews for destinations around the world, as well as social networking for backpackers, connecting you on the road like never before. What are you waiting for? Sign up today! For more information on what we offer and who we are, please check out our FAQ section. 

Click HERE for free, personalised advice on your trip or holiday.

funtotravel.info TIPS: Should My Career Stop Me From Travelling?

The Pros and Cons of a Career Break

We at funtotravel.info think that taking a career-break to hit the road for a period is a great idea, not that that will surprise you much! It is very easy in this day and age to feel like you are going stale in a job or that you are unappreciated in the workplace. Taking a break to visit a new country or countries can be just the tonic that you need to reassess your career and think about what you want to do for the rest of your life. You should not assume, as many do, that a period travelling will be a stain on your CV or that prospective employers will look on it badly – in the majority of cases this is simply not true.

In terms of making the big decision, only you know whether it would be the right or wrong time to head off, and whether in fact you really want to take a break at all. Your decision depends entirely on what your career is, how long you want to take off and how long you've been in your current role: every person's circumstances are different. Our best advice would be to discuss the possibility with your boss, or ask your human resources department if the company has a policy for sabbaticals or extended unpaid leave.

Better than a sandwich at your desk?! Ko Lipe, Thailand

We are writing this during a period of economic difficulty for the western world, and it seems like crazy advice telling people to pack in their jobs when millions are losing theirs or being made redundant. Assess your options carefully! If you have been unfortunate enough to have been made redundant, then it could be the perfect time to have a break and decide what you want to do next. Travelling can give you the time and space to assess this properly: how happy were you in your job and is it really what you see yourself doing in the long term?

Bear in mind also that a career break doesn't just have to be a long holiday. It's a great chance to add something extra to your CV by learning a new skill, helping with volunteer work or learning a new language.

Many of our friends have chosen to take career breaks and have either gone back to the same job as they had before, or had a moment of inspiration and decided on a change of career. It can give you the fresh impetus, distance and clear head to think about what you really want to do with your life.

As stated above, employers are unlikely to look at travelling as a negative thing. Indeed often they will see it as a benefit in terms of what it brings the person with regard to life experience and maturity. In reality, a period of travelling will do no harm to your CV/résumé as long as you can explain what your reasons were for going.

Our advice: think long and hard, assess your situation and speak to your boss or your human resources department. A career break can be a wonderful opportunity to improve your quality of life, so don't rule it out just because you are either starting or in the middle of your career.

funtotravel.info offers help to anyone looking to travel the world. Going on a Gap Year and not sure where to go or how to start planning? Want to go travelling but in need of some inspiration and tips? Use our advise me page for FREE, ON-DEMAND, UNBIASED travel advice written JUST FOR YOU!  

funtotravel.info also offers informative and practical country profiles, real-time traveller reviews for destinations around the world, as well as social networking for backpackers, connecting you on the road like never before. What are you waiting for? Sign up today! For more information on what we offer and who we are, please check out our FAQ section. 

Click HERE for free, personalised advice on your trip or holiday.