Predictions are for Gustav to potentially reach hurricane level when it hits the U.S. Gulf Coast. The Governor of Louisiana is not taking any chances and has already declared a state of emergency after the horrors of Katrina - which hit New Orleans almost exactly three years ago. Forecasters say it is too early to predict the exact path of Gustav and where it may make landfall.

Gustav has already caused floods and mudslides and left 23 people dead in its wake in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Oil prices are also rising again due to the emergency evacuation of workers from several oil platforms in the Gulf in anticipation of the storm.

Those with plans to travel to the threatened areas of the Caribbean or southern United States should check weather advisories and contact their airlines if they may be affected.  The Foreign Office website also offers updates and advice by country.

Customers with pre-paid flights and holidays are advised to contact their credit card company for refunds - and to seek alternative flights.  For full information about the situation, possible remedies, and a list of alternative flight routes and carriers visit the Zoom website.  Apparently, Virgin Atlantic and B.A. are offering special fares to assist passengers who will be inconvenienced by this tragic turn of events.

What a sad day for all the passengers left stranded, the co-owners of the company (two Scottish brothers) and their 600 staff in the UK and Canada.  Zoom was based at Gatwick and flew from several UK airports to destinations in the United States, Canada and Bermuda.

Panama is one of the world’s popular destinations for bird enthusiasts pursuing their quest to check off yet-another species.  Eco-resorts like Canopy Tower are geared-up for birders with tours, bilingual guides, and a convenient base for exploring the area - as well as views of the Canal.  Situated deep in the Soberanía National Park, imagine yourself sleeping at treetop level in the rainforest at Canopy Tower while enjoying close encounters with many exotic creatures and tropical birds such as scarlet tanagers, spectacled owls, motmots, toucans and hummingbirds.   

Before setting off on any trip, we recommend checking the Foreign Office (FCO) website for travel information and advisories.  Those travelling to Panama via the U.S. must have a machine-readable passport or valid U.S. Visa (non-immigrant).  Note that the FCO currently has a warning in effect regarding travel to Darien province in the south of the country. 

British nationals do not need a visa to visit Panama, but it is necessary to have a return ticket and a credit card or approximately US$500.  A stay of up to 30 days is normally granted and applications for extensions can be made to the authorities.  Passports must have at least six months validity (beyond the date of departure) and also a decent supply of blank pages. 

As with travel to any part of the world, it is vital to take out a good Travel Insurance policy. Cover for photographic equipment is available for payment of a small additional premium.  Visit our Travel Guide for Panama for more information and a link to the FCO website.

As well as the golf course, gardens, streams and waterfalls, the resort will include a luxury Arabian-style hotel and spa, golf academy staffed by PGA professionals, clubhouse, restaurants and shopping areas.  Villas, mansions and palaces for private ownership are also in the plans.

Enthusiasts will know that Tiger Woods is still out of action following knee surgery but let’s hope he will be able to return to the game next year, as anticipated.  For more information explore The Tiger Woods Dubai website for a warming escape into his golfing wonderland to be.

For practical information visit our Travel Guide for the United Arab Emirates which contains a link to the Foreign Office for important travel advice and updates.  Don’t forget to take out Travel Insurance to cover all your trips.  Golf insurance is available on our Travelbond and Multi-Trip policies to provide cover (if problems arise) and includes items such as pre-paid green fees and golf hire. Details of golf insurance are available by downloading the policy document on our website - or please feel free to call us if we can answer any specific questions.

It seems incredible that ranchers and farmers have not noticed this new-found phenomenon before.  Those familiar with the habits of cows will be aware that they tend to stand with their body side-on to the sun to warm up on cold days and parallel to the wind for least resistance on windy days.  I grew up being told that when cows lie down it means rain is on the way, so they can serve as a makeshift barometer. 

Scientists have studied more than 8,500 cattle and close to 3,000 deer in various locations around the world.  They found that on days when the weather was fine and calm the animals would align their bodies on the north-south axis of Earth’s magnetic field.  Certain deer were also noted to turn their heads to face magnetic north (not geographic north) during resting and grazing. This observation was made using satellite images via Google Earth and other non-obtrusive methods for tracking the animals.

It’s well known that many creatures, such as fish, birds, butterflies and other insects have built-in compasses for navigation on their migration routes.  Cows don’t migrate, we hear you say, so why would they need a compass?  While we can’t vouch for the accuracy of this report, or the waywardness of cows, it doesn’t appear to be a load of old bull either.  We thought it worth passing along for the next time you and your travel companions are lost and can’t find your way home.  Instead of chewing the cud and butting heads about directions it might be an idea to stop arguing and go look for a cow.  (If you’re really lucky it’ll be a Limousin).
 
The animals can only do so much to help in an emergency, so don’t forget to take out Travel or Backpacker Insurance for your next adventure.  For more information about this study and others outlined in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, visit the PNAS website.

According to the FCO, there has been a recent change in the immigration rules regarding entry into Ecuador.  Prior to the changes, British nationals were not required to obtain a visa for tourism purposes.  However, on arrival at the present time, the immigration officials will allow a stay for up to ninety days and stamp passports accordingly.  The rule used to be that ninety-day extensions would be granted, but this may also have changed although the position is not clear at the present time.  Any visitors who may need a stay of more than ninety days should obtain updated advice from the diplomatic or consular offices in Ecuador.  Stays of more than ninety days should not be risked without prior permission. 

For gap-year travellers, volunteers, or those on adventure holidays, the group organising the trip should represented in Ecuador.  Passports must have a minimum of six months validity left on them for entry to the country.  Because of the potential problems associated with travelling in Ecuador a good travel insurance policy is essential.  Ensure that the policy will cover all planned activities before you leave home.  For other essential and important information regarding travel in Ecuador, as well as health guidance, click on our Travel Guide for Ecuador which contains a link to the FCO website.  Obtain a no-obligation quote for Backpacker or Travel Insurance.

One particular area of concern, according to the FCO, is the targeting of females - especially regarding harassment at beach resorts and on city streets.  It is recommended that incidents be reported to the police immediately as attempting to pursue a prosecution after leaving the country can be very difficult. A high number of cases of sexual offences were reported during 2007 involving British visitors - and six of them involved underage children.  The assaults occurred in locations which would normally be considered safe, such as hotels and spas. 

Visitors (especially women travelling alone) should be alert and not increase their vulnerability by consuming alcohol or drugs.  Accepting drinks or food from strangers is not recommended anywhere in the world due to an increase in the spiking of drinks and use of date-rape drugs.  Visit our Travel Guide for Egypt, which contains a link to the FCO for excellent travel advice and information as well as tips about the local laws, customs, dress code and etiquette.  To obtain a quote for Travel Insurance click here. 

The hurricane season in the U.S. lasts from June through November and can affect any of the southern states.  Visit our Travel guide for the United States which contains a link to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for comprehensive travel advice and information.  Don’t get swept away by the cheapest Travel Insurance policy you find on the net – if it seems too good to be true it probably is! Check the levels of cover before you buy (especially for the United States where medical costs are astronomical) and make sure that you are covered for essentials like lost luggage and emergency medical repatriation.  For Travel Insurance that isn’t all hot air obtain a quote here. 

Spectators lucky enough to be enjoying the Beijing Olympics in person will also be able to travel to the see The Great Wall much faster - thanks to the introduction of a new rail service called the Great Wall Express. The service is scheduled to open following the conclusion of the cycle races this week. It will mean that instead of sitting in traffic for the two hour road trip to Badaling (the closest access to an open section of the Wall from Beijing) visitors will be able to get there in half the time on the new train. It will also cut down on all those carbon emissions as an estimated ten million people visit each year. The new rail link to The Wall has been part of massive upgrading of Beijing’s infrastructure in preparation for the Summer Olympics, including the addition of several more subway routes to the existing system.  The price for the Great Wall Express is right too – at about £1.00 (14 yuan) for a ticket and £1.30 (17 yuan) to ride first class . 

The Great Wall is one of China’s many must-see World Heritage Sites. The Wall we see today was built during the Ming Dynasty and runs across the country approximately 4,000 miles (6400 km) from east to west. It is believed that up to three million Chinese lost their lives during its construction - which took several centuries to complete.

For more information about China, visit our Travel Guide which contains a link to the Foreign Office website for essential and updated travel information and advisories.  Why not take care of your next trip now and obtain a quote for quality Travel Insurance.

Many motorists (especially those who get caught) believe the cameras are a menace and merely a way to fill coffers for the government rather than a serious effort to make the roads safer.  Both are probably true, but keeping your speed down makes sense and will help save on fuel costs at the pumps, avoid accidents, and keep more of your hard earned cash in your pocket. With the current obesity epidemic and the cost of food it’s a good time to cut down and tighten our belts – but our wallets are one place where we don’t want to see any unnecessary weight loss.

Don’t leave on your road trip without the lifeline of UK and/or European Vehicle Breakdown Cover.  It’s a fact of life that cameras are watching us everywhere we go these days.  You definitely wouldn’t be in the mood to say ‘fromage’ or wear a tres jolie expression if you should be unlucky enough to have a motoring mishap without it.  Don’t forget Travel Insurance too.  It might be tempting to trust your luck to fate - but fate won’t pay the bills if luck runs out on you!