Plane Talking: December honeymoons, safety abroad and US travel

Summer is here and most of you have already planned your holidays or are thinking about future holidays. We’ve received some interesting questions this week: have rules changed about travel to the US, which countries pose a threat to travellers and where to go for a sunny December honeymoon? If you’d like your travel question answered by us, just post your comment at the bottom of this piece.

Q: I read about some changes to travel to the US that will happen shortly. Usually I fill in the green form during the flight. Will I not need to do that in the future?

Oonagh: The new rules apply to travellers from visa-waiver countries such as the UK and Ireland. The little form you used to fill in on your flight to the States - with information such as the name and address of your hotel - will, from January 2009, be no more. Instead, you will have to register your personal details online at least two days before you fly.

It may make life easier for flyers. Rummaging around hand luggage for your address book will no longer be necessary. It should also make life easier for frequent flyers to the US. This online questionnaire will need to be completed once every two years rather than on each flight. And those travelling at the last-minute - with 72 hours' notice - will be able to register without including flight details.

Voluntary applications for the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) will be accepted from August 1. For the rest of us, the Department of Homeland Security says online registration will be mandatory from January 12, 2009.

There's a full guide to travelling to the States on Cheapflights.co.uk.

Q: After reading stories in the papers about crime against tourists in certain countries, are there any destinations or cities that tourists should be extra careful while visiting, or any that should be avoided all together?

Sabrina: Wherever you’re visiting in the world, it pays to take precautions against crime, whatever the reputation of the destination you’re visiting. A little common sense can go a long way: always carry a (working) mobile with you for emergencies and make sure someone knows where you should be at all times. However, it is certainly true that some destinations are more dangerous than others. How do you decide where to go?

The first port of call is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice and warnings website which gives advice by country on potential dangers: from terrorism, crime, political situations, health and natural disasters. This is really the best place to check before you travel anywhere. The FCO flags up countries that should not be visited at all, and also certain areas within countries. Though some destinations are obvious to avoid if you’re concerned about safety – wars and political trouble are always best avoided – it would be an unrepresentative list that gave the most dangerous countries or cities. New York, for example, has one of the highest crime rates, but is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. And what would be too dangerous for one traveller, might be the perfect opportunity for a cheap holiday for another.

Q: I’m planning my honeymoon in December and really want to go somewhere sunny but don’t want to travel too far away. Can you recommend somewhere closer to home?

Seema: When planning a December honeymoon most people immediately think of heading to the Caribbean or South America. While these both sound very appealing, they are quite far away and it may take you a whole day to reach your destination. But there are lots of other destinations, equally as fascinating, that are closer to the UK.

Countries in the Northern Hemisphere enjoy their summer in December. Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia are great choices since they have lots to offer and you’ll be guaranteed sunny, hot days. In recent years Morocco has become a popular destination for UK travellers and provides both a city and beach holiday. A good idea might be to visit two regions during your trip. So if you’re visiting Marrakesh, which is right in the centre of Morocco, you could spend a few days there to get your dose of culture and shopping then head to Essouira on the coast.

The Maldives is a great choice for honeymooners. The islands’ swanky beach properties are of the highest standard and provide visitors with everything they need for a relaxing trip. Although December is peak season, great weather is a guarantee. Another hot destination is the tiny Arabian country of Oman. Its magnificent scenery, pristine beaches and year-round good weather make it ideal for a December honeymoon.

Have a pressing question you'd like us to answer? Post a comment below to submit your question for the next column. We look forward to hearing from you...

Sabrina Wolfe, Seema Salaam and Oonagh Shiel, editors Cheap Flight News