Personally, I wouldn't totally rely on taking your card, just as a backup. I've used my debit card (Natwest - Maestro/Cirrus) for card payments etc no problem but have had problems when using ATM machines for cash withdrawels. I used it in Turkey and it didn't work. On retuirning home, the bank had cancelled it for security reasons. It'll be worth talking to someone at Halifax for clarification.
My dad went to Tenerife expecting his debit card to work about 2 years ago. Luckily, he was meeting a friend a few days after he arived. His card didn't work for cah withdrawels and he only had enough with him for a few days, I ended up sending money out with his friend.
Darren