Leisure travel is undoubtedly one of the most life-enriching things we can do, but while exploring new places at home and abroad can be as magical as it is memorable, things can and do go wrong. And when that happens the magical and memorable moments turn into mini nightmares – and sometimes not so mini ones. Holiday disasters can be enormously stressful and hideously expensive as we see first-hand on this page almost every single day. Travel-related stories make up a significant percentage of the emails we get from readers who contact us after they have been let down by airlines, accommodation providers, car hire companies, banks and insurance companies. And of course we know that the stories we hear only scratch the surface of the potential mishaps that can happen when people are travelling overseas. It is impossible to ensure that everything will go to plan every single time and bad things might well happen. People get sick, break limbs or worse, bags and passports get lost or stolen, muggings and break-ins happen, wildfires break out, flights are cancelled or delayed and all the rest. But what do you do when things go wrong? Don’t worry. We have got you covered. Or at least we have some tips for what to do to keep the crises to a minimum.1. First things first. Relax. Yes, we know the very worst thing you can say to anyone in the middle of a stressful situation is relax but it is the first and most important thing to do when things are starting to go pear-shaped while you’re travelling. Many, many years ago, Pricewatch travelled to Atlanta for work while our only bag travelled to Seattle for the craic. We were predictably furious at the airport when we realised and started to express our upset to the man at the airport desk. “Sir, I will be more helpful and more likely to find your bag if you are nice to me,” he said. Wise words that have stayed with us ever since. Keep your cool and breathe if your flight is cancelled or delayed. Photograph: iStock Losing your temper at a check-in desk or on a plane or screaming down the phone at some low-paid call centre operative, travel rep or hotel receptionist is very, very unlikely to make any situation better so – if at all possible – keep your cool and breathe. It will be better for you in the long run. 2. Plan, plan, plan. While you can’t protect yourself completely by planning, it is amazing how much heartache can be avoided with just a little bit of research. Before you book a flight or hire a car or arrange for accommodation, make sure you have even a passing acquaintance with the terms and conditions you are agreeing to. If an airline has rules around baggage or boarding cards or seating arrangements and you don’t stick to them, then you can expect to be penalised and there is little point in giving out about it. If you book a non-refundable hotel room you cannot expect a refund if something happens and you can’t use it. [ Where are the current wildfires in Spain and France and what do Irish tourists need to know?Opens in new window ]And if you agree to an excess when hiring a car and are involved in a tip you will pay the price.And before spending any money spend a few minutes googling the providers and looking at the reviews on Tripadvisor and Trustpilot. If things seem sketchy, then consider spending your money elsewhere.3. Keep the best of records. If things go awry when you go away, you will have to access documentation – boarding passes, travel insurance documents, passport information and all the rest. So, as soon as you have finished reading this article, create a dedicated travel folder in your gmail account – or whatever email provider you have that you can access anywhere in the world. Move all booking details and email correspondence and important documentation – including pictures of your passport and copies of your travel insurance policy – to that folder. If you are travelling as part of a couple make sure both parties have access to the folder. Then if things go wrong with any aspect of your travel itinerary you will know where to look to find what you might need to make things right.Passports are the most essential document you can travel with. Photograph: Alan Betson