It's that time of year when the novelty of cold mornings and rainy afternoons in the UK has worn off and families turn their attention to which country would be the best place for them to soak up some winter sun. This year the number of those leaving the UK in search of winter sun between October and December is expected to rise, as many families delayed their summer holidays overseas due to Britain's fantastic summer weather.

New figures show fall in some serious types of consular case, but FCO still helped over 17,000 British people last year.

The British Behaviour Abroad report 2014, published today, highlights that while millions of British nationals still travel abroad every year, there has been a decrease in some of the serious types of consular case in the past year.

Make sure they have adequate travel insurance if you don’t want to risk hefty medical bills.

Travelling abroad uninsured can cost thousands if a trip goes wrong. Yet according to new research issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), more than one in three (38%) young Brits (aged 16-24) think it is unnecessary to take out insurance when they travel overseas, often leaving their families to pick up the pieces.

Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) is dealing with the highest demand for passports in 12 years and has issued over three million passports so far in 2014. However, demand continues to be high, and recognising people’s understandable concerns about possible delays, the Home Secretary announced on 12 June a series of additional measures to ensure people and families are able to travel and live overseas.

Easter is a popular time to reunite with friends and family, but with Portugal in the global top 10 for lost UK passports last year, the British Embassy is advising holidaymakers and residents to take good care of their passports.

For travellers looking for a cheap flight - this is vital information.

Exactly how do airlines work out the cost of your plane ticket?

From 14th March 2014 our new commercial partner Teleperformance Ltd will take over the running of our Visa Application Centre in Lisbon. From that date, the Visa Application Centre will move to:

Regus Avenida da Liberdade
Avenida da Liberdade, 110,
1269-046 Lisbon

In addition we are making some changes to the visa service that we offer.

Do you have experience of seeking help from a British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission when travelling overseas? Did you get the support you were looking for? The Foreign Affairs Select Committee of the House of Commons would like to hear from you in a two-week web forum on the UK Parliament website.