If you are planning on traveling overseas, ensure that you are aware of local laws, and what you are and are not allowed to photograph. Many people have spent days, sometimes months (and even years in some cases) in prison for taking photos of buildings, aircraft or other subjects which aroused the suspicions of security.

Buy and use more than one memory card. Countless photographers have lost entire holidays worth of work due to the fact that they kept all of their photos on the only memory card they were carrying. No one likes chores after a long day, but it is worth the few minutes of your time that it takes to dump the files you have created during the day on to a portable media device every evening.

Take out travel insurance, and ensure the cover you buy is sufficient. The silver, gold and platinum insurance packages offered by travel agents often have an upper limit of a mere £300/$500(!) which doesnnt even begin to cover the cost of most professional cameras, let alone lenses. The local photography club may be able to help you find a specialist insurance broker, and most household policies have an option to cover theft and accidental damage whilst traveling too. Ensure your package covers the duration of your holiday as well as the destination.

Always seperate the lens from the body whilst your camera is in transit and buy a hard case if you intend to stow your kit in a luggage compartment. Ensure your suitcase has a good lock, or protect it by putting it into a lockable wire mesh bag. I lost count of the number of times my valuables have been removed from my case by thieving baggage handlers at some of the worlds poorer countries.

Do not automatically trust hotel staff, and lock your case when you are not in your room. You would be surprised to find out how many hotel employees are actualy thieves. Sign over your valuables at the check in desk, in preference of the night safe in your hotel room. You are NOT always the only person who has a key to your safe!

Use discression, and be aware of the "give me your camera, I'll take your photo" scam. Dress down to avoid looking like a tourist. Keep beach towls in bags, dont walk around with a map in your hand, put baggage labels and tags on the inside of your bag and wear neutral clothing which does not promote the fact that you are a foreigner. Depending on the location you are traveling to, you can increase the chance that you will be mugged tenfold if you stand out as a tourist.

When your camera is not in your bag, keep it on a strap, either around your neck or wrapped securely around your wrist. Never carry a camera bag which bears the logo of your camera manufacturer. Carefully remove this logo (if possible) before you travel. Carry a small light weight tripod, hidden inside your backpack. A tripod confirms to a thief that you ARE carrying an expensive camera.

Be aware of your surroundings, before plunging into your own little world whilst looking down the lens. Take a travel partner with you to watch your back, preferably someone who enjoys photography and doesnt mind standing around.

If you carry cash, keep it in two locations so that you only loose half your money if robbed. Extra cash kept in your shoes could change the course of your holiday if your wallet, money and cards were stolen. Take the name and address of your hotel with you, plus GPS coordinates if you have a GPS or GPS enabled phone.

Although many hotels do provide power converters and adapters, do not rely on them to do so. Take your own power adapters (and spare batteries) so that you can recharge daily.

People usually do more walking whilst on holiday. Take comfortable shoes, insoles with support and painkillers. Drink bottled water only, unless you are quite sure the supply you are drinking from is clean. Everyone knows several people who have become ill from food or beverage consumption whilst on holiday, it always seems to happen whilst on holiday! Take plasters too, and basic flu medication.