Travelling to Greece

With Greece still feeling the effects of civil unrest due to the shattered economy, visitors must check they are covered if things escalate once more

MailOnline Travel discussed all holiday precautions advised before a trip to Greece with travel expert, Frank Brehany

Greece

'Before you travel, you need to talk to your travel insurer to make sure that you will continue to be covered in the event of a crisis escalating, ' the Consumer Director of HolidayTravelWatch explains.

'All sorts of issues can arise if the travel insurer says no because within the terms and conditions of the holiday contract, there is going to be a part that says you need to have insurance.

'If you're already there and something kicks off you need to make sure to speak with your travel insurer then as well - let them know where you are and what the situation is on the ground.'

It's also important to consider the advice given by the UK Foreign Office, though Frank recommends going even further and looking at other country's advisories to their holidaymakers.

There have been numerous escalations of desperation among locals and tourists over Greece's cash crisis

Unfolding Greek drama : No matter where you're headed, Frank recommends checking in with your travel insurer to make sure you're covered beforehand

And if there is a situation in which there is a lot of disorder, such as shortage of food or medicines, it's important to remember that all-inclusive hotels may struggle to continue to deliver their product.

'This is what we call a significant change before departure, ' Frank tells MailOnline Travel. 'Consumers need to acquaint themselves with the rights of the package travel regulations, which are the rights given to you before you depart.'

Still, that's not to say there's any reason to cancel your luxury getaway to the Greek Isles, just take proper precautions before you leave Britain.

'Prepare a first aid kit containing any over-the-counter medications, make sure you bring your European health insurance card and carry the contact details for the UK embassy in Athens, ' Frank advises.

And when it comes to money, bring enough cash with you but split the money amongst your party as a security measure.

'Make sure you bring enough credit cards that you can access cash with because while I'm hearing that a lot of places are still accepting card, some places are only taking cash, ' Frank adds.

'A solution may be to bring prepaid cards as a reserve fund.'

Indonesia

'In some respects, we have a similar experience with Icelandic volcano, ' Frank explains of the Mount Raung eruption in Indonesia.

'But the situation in Indonesia differs insofar as a number of airlines that people travel on will be Far East airlines and therefore, rights are really only contained within the terms and conditions of those airlines.

The 10, 800-foot Mount Raung volcano in Indonesia has emitted clouds of ash that have affected flights in and out of the country

In Indonesia, Frank advises contacting the British embassy to let them know your whereabouts in the event of the volcanic eruption

'If it's an EU airline, then the rights are the same as in the EU - even if the flight originates in Indonesia, if it's coming back to an EU country, travellers will have the same rights.'

And for those already on the ground, make sure to contact the British embassy to let them know of your whereabouts - particularly in the absence of a tour operator.

Egypt

The problem the way holidays are sold is that all destinations are treated the same – and they are simply not. Each geographical area brings different problems to a potential destination.

'Consumers, before they go, need to do some good research before they part with any money, ' Frank says.

'Travel companies tend to be very quiet about issues in places like Egypt or Tunisia, but potential travellers need to go beyond that – look at different countries' advice to holidaymakers, look at local online newspapers and look at travel review websites to see what other holidaymakers are saying.'

If you're travelling to Egypt this summer, it's important to be clued up as to what's going on around you

Before spending money on a trip to Egypt, holidaymakers should do the necessary research to ensure they actually do want to travel to such a destination

But for those who have already booked and then later became aware of the problems, it's still possible to use such research to argue that a significant change has arisen at the destination - and that compensation should be given.

'From a common sense point of view, a consumer has responsibility to let the tour operator know if you find evidence that there is a problem at your intended destination, ' Frank concludes.

British tourists are being warned that there is a ‘high threat’ from terrorism in Egypt after ISIS attacked a naval patrol ship off the coast of Sinai yesterday.

The attack yesterday was in a region popular with tourists, including the beach resort of Sharm el Sheikh.

But increased security around the holiday destination - which 900, 000 Britons travel to each year - has so far meant it is considered safe to travel to.