Czech Republic     Medical insurance: make sure you are fully covered for medical treatment, hospitalisation and medical evacuation to the UK. Seek medical advice about tick-borne encephalitis if you intend to visit forested areas.       Travel advice: check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice before travelling.       Travel insurance: make sure you are fully covered for unexpected losses or expenses (eg cancelled flights, lost luggage, lost passport, stolen cash or credit cards). Keep passport, money, tickets and valuables in a safe place at all times. Organised gangs of pickpockets work the metro and trams, particularly tram numbers 22 and 9 which serve the main tourist areas.       Replacing a passport will cost time and money. Ensure that if necessary you can arrange for extra funds to be sent to you. Don't expect the police or authorities to speak English. If you need to report a theft or incident to the police, expect a delay of up to five hours while a translator is summoned.       Carry ID with you at all times, ideally with a photograph. A copy of your passport would be useful.       Purchase travel tickets before you bard public transport. Validate your ticket as you board the tram or enter the metro system. Expect a spot fine if your ticket has not been validated correctly.       Enter next of kin details into the back of your passport.       If you become severely inebriated you may be detained and restrained by the police until you sober up. Don't become involved in pub brawls or street fighting. You will be arrested.       Visas. British nationals without the nationality status of 'British Citizen' may require a visa for entry into the Czech Republic. Contact your nearest Czech Embassy before travel. If you arrive without the required visa you will be sent back.       Use reputable radio taxi companies, such as AAA and Profi Taxi. If you hail a taxi in the street, don't be surprised to pay well over the official fare.       Beware of bogus plain-clothes policemen who may ask to see your foreign currency and passport. Don't show your money and instead, offer to go with them to the nearest police station.       Don’t get involved with drugs. The penalties for drug trafficking, smuggling and possession are severe.