• 27
  Mar
  2011

• Be Safe on Public Transport

  
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Chances are, if you’re traveling to a city or large town, you’ll be taking a ride on some form of public transport. Buses, taxis and trains make getting around on your vacation cheap and easy. But public transport is not without its hazards – how can you keep safe and prevent a claim on your travel insurance?

Keep safe on trains by moving away from a person if they are too close to you, in the train corridor or on the platform. If you’re traveling by night train, lock your compartment. If this isn’t possible, secure your locked luggage to the racks with a padlock and keep your valuables close to you.

Only take subway cars if there are plenty of other people in them and try to sit by the driver on buses. Some cities have “women-only” cars on trains and subways so use these if you are concerned about your safety. Try not to travel late at night. If you need to, wait for public transport in a well-lit area, preferably near a ticket booth or security guard.

Alert police if you feel threatened or if you have something stolen on public transport. Make sure your travel insurance is up-to-date and don’t take unnecessary risks – like taking an unlicensed cab or driving without a seat belt – that could invalidate your policy.

• 13
  May
  2012

• Older Travelers: Make the Most of Travel

  
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Did you know that May is Older Americans Month? And the theme of this year’s celebration of older Americans is “Never Too Old To Play!” Playing increasingly means traveling for older Americans, who find themselves with a little spare money and a lot of spare time. Increasing numbers of older Americans travel abroad, and many don’t stick to the “safe” places like Italy, London, or France. Many more older Americans are taking trips to the Andes, to Africa, and to Asia – you are never too old to discover a new place in the world and bring your experiences back home to enrich the lives of your family.

Older Americans who travel abroad, as well as travelers of any age, should make sure they are adequately prepared to travel. This includes learning about your destination, making sure you are physically fit and healthy, and taking out good quality travel insurance. Travel insurance is essential for any age range, but it may be even more of an essential for older Americans who are more at risk of injury and illness than twenty-year-olds.

Older travelers should never put off travel for fear that it will be out of their physical means. But make sure you are choosing a trip you will enjoy and are prepared for. A hiking trip in the Himalayas when you are unhappy taking a walk to the bus stop will not be a successful trip. Similarly, if you are a highly active older American you may be bored with a sedate coach tour of Austrian tourist towns. Choose your trip to suit your needs and your interests, as you would at any age.

Don’t be put off by the unknown. If you are unsure about a destination, book yourself on a tour with a reputable agency. They will deal with the logistics of visiting the country and you can enjoy the trip. If you are heading out on your own, make sure you know where you are going to be staying, and how to travel between locations. A bit of forward planning can make all the difference to a happy vacation.

• 06
  May
  2012

• What to Pack in Your Carry-On Bag

  
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Deciding what to pack for your vacation or business trip can be a tough process. Should you bring three pairs of jeans, should you include your heels, do you need your hair dryer or your straighteners, and do you pack your tennis shoes or your sandals? Deciding what to put in your carry-on luggage is also difficult. Your carry-on luggage is important because it will be the only thing you can access on what may be a long flight. What should you pack in your carry-on bag? What essentials should be on your hand luggage list?

One thing you should include in your carry-on bag is a change of clothing. Pack something light which doesn’t crease easily, for example a pair of lightweight pants and a t-shirt, plus a change of underwear. This way, if your main bag is lost or delayed, you have a spare set of clothes to change into when you reach your hotel.

Pack your prescription medication in your carry-on, along with a letter from your doctor if you are traveling somewhere your medication may be deemed illegal. Keep a back-up supply in your main luggage. Include a simple first aid kit in your carry-on luggage with pain killers, band aids, antiseptic spray and other essentials. Look at the restrictions on liquids before you decide which cosmetics you pack in your carry-on.

Take some water with you to drink before you go through security and healthy snack foods so you can prevent hunger while getting some vitamins. And don’t forget the all-important entertainment and reading matter – make sure your MP5 is fully charged and you have a new book to read. Make sure you have your travel insurance details in your carry-on bag. You never know when you may need to contact your international travel insurance company so have your policy details and the hotline number on hand at all times just in case there are problems.

• 30
  Apr
  2012

• Travel: What to Pack

  
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When you’re heading off on vacation you can’t go without a packed suitcase, backpack or bag. Packing for a trip can be one of the most stressful or the most fun parts of trip preparation, depending on your attitude and how well you pack. What do you need to bring? Should you take your smart shoes or leave them at home? Will you need glasses or contact lenses? Whatever your packing list includes, make sure you add travel insurance. Traveling with insurance is the best way to protect yourself from unexpected incidents, illness and injury.

Before you get carried away thinking about all the great things you’re going to do on vacation, get your bags out and start planning your packing list. Firstly, decide on the things you should leave behind. Don’t take anything with high sentimental or financial value that you would be heartbroken if you lost. For example, the watch your father gave you on your 21st birthday, or your favorite designer sweater.

Leave behind heavy and inessential bottles of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, moisturizer, body scrub…  you can pick up cosmetics in Duty Free at the airport, or at your destination. If you are traveling for a short time the hotel will provide your bathroom amenities. If you are traveling for a long time, you won’t want to carry around heavy bottles that are at risk of breaking and spilling over your clothes. Speaking of clothes, pack for your destination not for your home country!

Bring a converter or transformer for the electrical system in the country you are visiting, otherwise you won’t be able to operate your gadgets. Carry a copy of your medical prescription if you need it, and keep essential medications in your hand luggage. Have some essentials in your hand luggage like pain killers, sunscreen, and a small first aid kit.