Five things Downton Abbey taught me about travel

September is a month of new beginnings. Children go back to school, parents go back to work, and to make up for all that extra hard work, the new seasons of our old favourites are back on the air. We've spent all the long summer months in agony over the fate of poor Mr. Bates, wondering whether or not Mary and Mathew will really tie the knot, and curious about what O'Brien and Thomas will be up to this time (our guess: no good). Despite cries to the contrary, there's much television can teach us that we can apply to our daily lives. Here's what Downton Abbey taught me about travel

When you're travelling, particularly when you're travelling abroad, you should always remember that you're a guest in someone else's country, so you should bring your A game when it comes to being polite. This can be tricky because manners are anything but universal. With this in mind, learn a bit about your destination as well as what's appropriate behaviour before you go. Some things will be common sense, other may be a bit more obscure - for instance, in India you should always use your right hand to give someone something, or to touch someone else, as the left hand is considered unclean.

2. 'Hello, Mama. Can I tempt you with one of these new cocktails?' 'I don't think so, they look too exciting for so early in the evening...'

We all enjoy the occasional drink when we're on holidays. However, you should be aware that drinks served overseas are often stronger than the ones served in the UK. This is particularly important if you're driving, since you can more easily get over the legal blood alcohol level. Another thing to keep in mind is that the legal blood alcohol level varies by country, and that many countries in Europe have lower limits than the UK. For instance, while in the UK the legal limit is 0.8 mg per ml, if you drive a car hire in Spain or Portugal you should know that the limit is 0.5 mg per ml, and in Cyprus and Malta the limit is 0.2 mg per ml

3. 'Are you quite finished? Now take off your coat.'

When we travel, we should also keep the appropriateness of our attire in mind. Be aware of the social sensibilities of the countries and places you are visiting and dress accordingly. For instance, if you're visiting a temple, mosque or church, make sure your legs and shoulders are covered. In some houses of worship, it may also be appropriate to cover your head. Once again, it's important to learn about the habits of the country you're travelling to beforehand, so as not to be caught unawares.

4. 'Daisy, what's happened to you? I said you could go for a drink of water, not a trip up the Nile.'

It's always a good idea to keep someone informed of your whereabouts when travelling. You could, for instance, make up a travel plan beforehand, with flight details, hotel contacts, and the dates you expect to be in any given destination, and give that plan to a friend or family member, so that they can keep tabs on when they can expect to hear from you.

5. 'Sometimes I feel as if I were living in an H.G. Wells novel.'

The digital age has come to stay, we might as well make the most of it. The camera of your smartphones will allow you to quickly take snapshots of your parking spot, of a street name, or of any other thing you may need to remember. Most modern smartphones also have GPS and map applications, so you need never fear getting lost (though you may still fear getting hit by the data roaming charges - pro-tip: get a local SIM card). A smartphone will also allow you to update your Facebook or Twitter, letting everyone know your whereabouts and that you're ok (also making them insanely jealous of your fabulous holiday.