The last thing you want to be doing while you are on holiday is sorting out a load of bureaucratic hassles, so it is a good idea to get these out of the way before you go. Here are just a few of the things that you might want to get sorted out before you leave:

Check the Foreign and Commonwealth website for travel advice for the country that you are visiting, and sign up for email alerts to keep you up to date with the latest info.

Once you know where you will be staying, you should find out the address of the nearest British Embassy. A quick glance at their website should make you aware of their opening hours and the services that they can provide.

Although it is not required by law, it is highly advisable to take out a travel insurance policy, because if you get into any medical trouble abroad, have an accident, or miss your flights for whatever reason, it could end up costing you a packet if you are not insured. If you plan to do any comparatively risky activities while abroad, such as bungee jumping or windsurfing, then you should make sure that these activities are covered by the terms of your policy, and take out additional cover if they are not. If you are a frequent traveller, you could save a lot of time and money by investing in an annual, or multi-trip, travel insurance policy.

Tourists who are travelling within the European Union should get themselves a free EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), which can be obtained from any branch of the post office or directly from the EHIC website. This card entitles the bearer to free emergency medical treatment in any EU country, and can greatly expedite the admissions process in European hospitals. Remember that the emergency service number in most EU countries is 112, rather than 999, the number that is more familiar to UK residents.

Once you know where you are going, check with your doctor to find out if you will need any vaccinations for the country you are visiting. Many countries in Africa, South America, and Asia refuse entry to tourists without the proper vaccinations.

Check that your passport is valid and up to date, and make sure you have any of the necessary documentation, such as a tourist visa, in place. Also, do not forget to check the passport regulations of the country you are visiting, as some require a passport that is valid for at least six months after your arrival date.

First time passport applicants will need to attend an interview to verify their identity, and will have to wait up to six weeks for their application to be processed, so it is important not to leave this until the last minute.

Make copies of your passport, visa, and insurance documents and leave them in a safe place, or with a trusted friend or relative. Alternatively, you can scan and upload them to a secure data storage site, which means that they can be accessed remotely anywhere in the world should you lose the originals.

People who are planning to drive either their own car or a hire car while abroad should make sure that their license is valid for the country you are visiting and fully up to date. You might also want to brush up on the road rules of the countries that you intend to drive in.