The financial climate is as topsy-turvy as the weather in the UK.  Instead of feeling lost and powerless over things you cannot change, why not take advantage.  Our holiday budgets have been pinched almost into oblivion, but the good news for Brits is that our hard-earned pound may stretch a bit further at the moment.  This might be a good time to secure holiday plans for that needed holiday outside the UK – in a country with a more predictable chance of sunshine!  A favourable exchange rate means more-getting-around-for-your-pound.

Packing wellies and multiple layers of clothing can be fun and is okay for weekends and day-trips in the UK, but when it comes to our precious annual holidays most of us prefer a guarantee of decent weather.  Despite much of the UK still officially in drought the rain has hardly stopped for weeks and who knows what sort of summer awaits.  Who wants to spend their precious paid holiday shivering and looking out through rain-streaked windows… The budget airlines’ luggage allowances are not very generous either, so warm weather destinations mean it is much easier to pack light.

If you dream of packing swimsuits and shorts and heading off for a beach holiday in  a warm Eurozone country, why not take advantage of the higher euro exchange rate.  The pound is stronger than it has been in several years – which translates into more lolly for your holiday.

If you’ve done your bucket list of countries in Europe and yearn for something different, why not take this opportunity to visit America.  The pound is also strong against the American dollar at the moment.  The U.S. has a lot to offer, whichever state you choose to visit - as well as almost guaranteed sun in many.   If you dream of visiting the popular Sunshine State (Florida), the Golden State (California) or the Grand Canyon State (Arizona) this might just be the time to do it.

Who knows whether the exchange rates will remain stable, rise or dip.  Financial gurus advise exchanging your holiday money now, while rates for the euro and dollar are fairly good, but it is always a gamble.   If you decide on a country in the Eurozone don’t forget to apply for your European Health Insurance Card, but never use the EHIC as a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.  Sweet dreams…

Flickr/Daquella manera

Well, 2012 is here and we will just have to wait until the winter solstice on 21 December to see if the world will end.  Since the dawn of civilisation humans have worried about Armageddon and various scenarios of how the apocalypse might unfold.  Why not plan your end-of-the-world trip now!

The Mayan Long Count Calendar happens to end on 21 December this year, but apparently there is nothing to indicate that this marks the end of the world.  Who knows, perhaps they simply got bored with all the carving and decided they had gone far enough into the future - or maybe they ran out of stone tablets.  NASA has firmly denied that there is any truth in the prophecies.  Many new-agers believe that 21 December will start a new era of enlightenment and, let’s face it, that can only be a good thing!

Some people believe the Earth will be hit by an asteroid, resulting in reversal of the poles.  Other theories involve alien invasions, fires, floods, solar flares, killer viruses and nuclear war, to name just a few.  End-of-the-world dates proclaimed by false prophets over centuries have come to nothing; despite this they persist, only to be sent scurrying into hiding once again with their trusty sandwich boards.  Hollywood has churned out plenty of made-to-frighten-us films to keep us all guessing.  We do love a good scare, don’t we!

Which camp are you in?  Planning a 2012 party and inviting everyone you know, or  busy kitting out a bunker?  A more productive plan might be to get out your bucket list and go on the dream trip of a lifetime!  In fact, why not take the opportunity to go backpacking to the source in Guatemala or to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and visit the temples, ruins and sites of the ancient Maya?  With the focus of 2012 on this area of the world it is certainly great for Mexico’s tourism industry, as well as Guatemala, Belize and many other beautiful countries and destinations in Central America.

It’s no secret that certain travel dates tend to be cheaper and easier to book, such as 9/11, Christmas Day and other major holidays.  Our guess is that December 21 will be one of those dates, so why not go for it.  Get packing and travel while you still can…   Oh, dare we say it: just in case the world does not end, remember to take out travel insurance.  Why not think positively and choose the annual multi-trip policy so that you can go travelling time and time again!

Flickr Image/Alaskan Dude

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of the sun on your skin; that’s the reason so many of us sun-starved Brits migrate south for our holidays.  Humans are not the only ones to enjoy wallowing in the sun, as you will be reminded from the picture above.  Despite all the warnings many of us still love to have a bit of a tan.  We should be aware by now that too much sun exposure is risky, leading to serious problems like skin cancer, wrinkles and premature ageing.  With summer holidays around the corner we thought this would be a good time for a few tips and reminders about sun safety.   It’s strange really that we need to be reminded and yet, by instinct, many animals know what to do…

Humans are not the only creatures to suffer from sunburn. Just as pale-skinned humans are more likely to burn in the sun, many hairless and pale-skinned critters have the same problem.  Whales off the coast of Mexico have been showing signs of blistering on their skin and scientists speculate that it may be sunburn – possibly due to holes in the ozone layer and an increase in UV levels.  We have all seen hippos, elephants and rhinos using natural ways to cool down and protect themselves from the sun as they wallow in water and cover their backs with dust and mud.  That is always an option for us, of course, but luckily we have more fragrant and attractive ways to prevent sunburn.

All the tips and advice out there can be confusing.  It does appear, however, that too much protection or avoidance of the sun can lead to health problems associated with Vitamin D deficiency, so the answer is probably to aim for a healthy balance.

It makes sense to avoid the hottest times of the day and to cover up as much as possible.  Use sunscreen (don’t forget lips and ears), good quality sunglasses, and a hat.  Special UV-protection clothing is available and especially useful for those who are very prone to burning, or travelling to tropical areas.  Women in some countries use an umbrella for protection when out walking in the heat of the day but this alone will not provide protection – and neither will that beach parasol.

Tolerance of the sun’s rays depends on many factors such as your skin type, the altitude, and whether you are close to reflected light sources - such as water or snow.  Some medicines may increase sensitivity to the sun so always check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any medicines.  Drinking plenty of fluids and staying hydrated is also important.

One tip that tends to be missed is to check the expiration date of your sunscreen – if it has one.  From experience, many products do not carry an expiration date so be smart and play it safe.  Don’t use the same bottle of sunscreen that’s been under your bathroom sink for years!  Dispose of it and invest in a new product – and preferably one with a higher SPF.

It’s a good idea to keep a packing checklist in your suitcase (and filed on your computer) to use each time you go travelling.  Don’t forget to add travel insurance to your checklist!

Flickr/ewen and donabel

Holiday season will be here before you know it. There are many temptations on line and in the glossy travel brochures.  Before you get too carried away don’t forget to check the expiration dates of your travel documents such as an EHIC Card, passport and travel insurance. While you have the documents to hand it’s a good idea to also check that your passport is undamaged and has some free pages.  (A damaged passport could be a problem with today’s heightened airport security, and blank passport pages are needed to enter some countries).

Millions of European Health Insurance Cards are due to expire, so don’t let yours be one of them. The EHIC is valid for up to five years, is free to obtain and renew, and can be renewed up to six months prior to expiration.  Beware of websites that charge for this service as there is no need to pay!

The EHIC entitles the holder to free or reduced price healthcare services in participating EEA countries.  However, we suggest that you carefully review the information and FAQ section on the NHS Direct website.  Click here and follow the link at the bottom of the page where it says ‘apply on line here’.

Whether your next trip or holiday involves a quick hop across the Channel to Europe for a sunshine break or a long-haul flight to exotic lands we always recommend a visit to the website of the FCO.  They provided updated and detailed travel information and advice, as well as passport and visa requirements and other important information.

It is important to understand that the EHIC should not be used as a substitute for travel insurance (okay, we may be slightly biased but it is true!)  The EHIC alone does not cover many potentially expensive travel mishaps that are covered under most travel insurance policies, such as medical repatriation (being flown back to the UK by air ambulance), scheduled airline failure, mountain rescue, lost and stolen property, cancellation and curtailment, legal expenses and much more.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the consulate or embassy will pick up the bills for you because they will not.  Without the EHIC and/or travel insurance any bills will be your responsibility – or they could become the burden of unsuspecting family members.  Would you really want that to happen?

Choose to be a smart traveller and travel with peace of mind!

Flickr/MadeByMark

Today marks 100 days until the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London.  Much guesswork and speculation persists in the media, especially among travel providers, over the mood of the British people and whether they will choose to stay at home during the 2012 Olympics or leave it to the visitors and head overseas.  Are you staying or going?

It is understandable that those living and/or working in the London area might dread the thought of dealing with the influx of visitors, not to mention crowded public transport.

If you are in the camp of those planning to escape, this is a good time to start searching for holiday deals.  You don’t have to take a long-haul flight and incur the high APD taxes.  There are plenty of great places not too far away on the continent.  The euro exchange rate is not bad at the moment, with the pound at the strongest it has been for well over a year.  Popular non-euro sunshine destinations, such as Turkey and Egypt, are always in demand.

Here are the relevant dates:

• Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations – long holiday weeknd from 2-5 June
• The Olympic Games begin on 27 July and end on 12 August
• The Paralympic Games run from 29 August to 9 September
• UK school summer holiday dates may vary from district to district, but run somewhere around 25 July to 5 September

A holiday within the UK is no longer a very cheap option, what with the cost of petrol and everything else – and there is no guarantee of good weather! If you are heading to the continent then at least, if the exchange rate holds, your pound will stretch further than it has done in well over a year and you are more likely to return home with a bit of a tan.

It is certainly Britain’s year to shine.  So, which camp are you in?  Are you excited about the upcoming events, as London dusts itself off and prepares to welcome visitors from across the globe, or are you going elsewhere?

Flickr/DCO7703

Except for those trekking in remote jungles, surely everyone must by now be aware that 15 April 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  The ship left Southampton on 10 April 1912, making a few stops on the way before its maiden voyage to New York City.  The ship hit an iceberg at close to midnight on 14 April and sank in the frigid North Atlantic Ocean a couple of hours later on 15 April.  The Titanic was the largest ship in the world at the time and believed and even declared by some to be unsinkable.  Despite this, the impossible occurred.

Other than avid ‘Titanoraks’ many people appear to be Titanicked-out with all the media coverage of the anniversary.   It has been surprising that so many young people have admitted on social media sites that they had no idea this was a real ship or real event, having believed it was just a Hollywood movie starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio.

One interesting fact picked up amongst all the media reports was that insurance settlements were neither offered nor made to any of the survivors.  In fact, immediately after the ship hit the iceberg it is believed that orders were given for crew members to be fired.  It appears the management of the White Star Line must have had hearts colder than icebergs, as they later sent bills for the cost of uniforms and supplies to the families of deceased crew members!

More than 1500 lives were lost.  Perhaps the worst part is that the tragedy occurred at close to midnight and the ship took more than two long hours to sink in the darkness.   Stories of the Titanic and the horror endured by those onboard will no doubt continue to fascinate and send shivers down our spines for years to come. The terror experienced by those onboard can only be imagined.  Many of the passengers were emigrants hoping to start a new life in America and those who did not lose their lives certainly lost all their possessions.  Many had to rely on charity to rebuild their lives.  Stories of the cowardice of some of the First Class and privileged onboard resonate with us today…

The MS Balmoral traced the Titanic’s doomed route to hold a memorial service at the exact spot and exact time of the sinking.  This has been a time of remembrance, education, and perhaps healing for the relatives and descendants of those who were lost.  The Titanic’s 100th anniversary has certainly been a reality check for those who thought the Titanic was just a movie.  Our hearts will go on….

Flickr: natalielucier (Iceberg in Newfoundland)

A friend was recently caught out… so if you plan to go travelling with a smartphone or similar device we thought a few timely tips might just help prevent any nasty shocks.  A lack of preparation could mean a huge bill for international roaming on your return.  Frequent travellers will already know all this, but then sometimes we all need a reminder…  Roaming charges can be astronomical – especially for EU citizens travelling outside the European Union.

If you plan to go travelling with your smartphone we have put together a few tips:  well before your intended travel date remember to

• Call your service provider to check whether International Roaming is available in your destination country - and activated on your device
• Find out  the charges for data roaming
• Check the terms and allowances of your current mobile contract
• Check with your provider if they have any special offers or temporary deals
• Avoid downloading attachments or downloading anything while abroad
• Especially avoid watching videos, films or television – or pay the price!
• Consider asking your provider to block or forward unnecessary calls
• Remember to tell your regular contacts not to call, but text if necessary
• Use free Wi-Fi hotspots when possible, find an internet cafe, use Skype
• Consider purchasing a PAYG sim at your destination or rent a phone
• Enter emergency numbers into your phone and keep a hard copy (such as nearest consulate/embassy, travel insurance claims number)
• Make a written note of the number to call your phone service provider in case of loss/theft
• Lock your phone and change the password from the factory setting
• Make a written note of your phone’s serial number

If your phone should be lost or stolen while abroad, contact your service provider  immediately – otherwise you may be responsible for calls made.  Report the loss or theft to local police and obtain a written report (if needed - to claim on insurance).  Further information is available on the Directgov website – click here.

Oh, and don’t forget to pack a phone charger!

This is intended as a friendly reminder and a few tips if you plan to go travelling with your smartphone. We would love to hear your travel tips and feedback, so feel free to contact us via Twitter or Facebook.  Safe travels!

Flickr Image/Alex E. Proimos

Happy Easter and safe and slim travels!  What’s the ‘slim’ part?  Well, a warning to those who may be, um, less than slim:  before you chocoholics out there dig into yet another egg this Easter give some thought to your waistline and how much you like to travel – especially if you like to fly.  Airlines are making increasingly loud noises about the introduction of a so-called ’fat tax’.

Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, is taking steps to reduce weight on flights.  Many airlines already charge overweight passengers for an extra seat – or bump them to a later flight if extra seats are not available.  So, if you think you may have trouble buckling your airline seat, or lowering the arm-rests, definitely put down the chocolate eggs!

Ryanair recently requested its flight attendants to watch their diets to avoid putting on weight.  The airline is also making weight-reducing cuts such as changing the size of its in-flight magazine, cutting down on the amount of ice onboard, and reducing the weight of seats and trolleys.  What’s next?  Michael O’Leary is known to be in favour of introducing a ‘fat tax’ for overweight fliers.   Other airlines are busy implementing changes, such as substituting plastic cups for glass in first-class and removing magazine racks.

A recent UK appeals court ruling may mean that overweight passengers will no longer be able to attempt to sue an airline for causing them embarrassment over their weight.  Therefore, be warned, it may only be a matter of time…

We’ll leave out the ‘slim’ part for now (at least until after Easter) and just wish you all safe travels!

Image credit: Flickr/albemar78

A momentary lapse and, bingo, your passport is lost or stolen – along with your bag, money and personal items.  Losing anything while travelling is upsetting and usually means a lot of aggravation trying to replace the lost or stolen items.  A lost passport is a serious problem – and costly.

You may have seen the recent TV series ‘Our Man In…’ which showed the British Consulate staff hard at work in popular British tourist holiday hotspots in Spain and Tenerife. One of the most common problems they deal with on a daily basis is helping British holidaymakers with stolen and lost passports.  Many of the young Brits featured on the show expected someone else to pay for their misfortune and were upset when Consular staff charged them €113 each to provide Emergency Travel Documents so they could return home.

Many travellers seem to be under the impression that their consulate or embassy will pick up the bill for anything that goes wrong when they are overseas on holiday.  They are there to assist and advise, but are not responsible to pay for lost passports, missed flights, medical bills, repatriation, legal expenses, or anything else.  That is why it is so important to have comprehensive travel insurance!

A danger associated with losing a passport is the possibility of identity theft.  For this reason your old passport needs to be cancelled as quickly as possible.  If your old passport should reappear after it has been cancelled it cannot be used – and attempting to do so could land you in another world of trouble.  Using a passport that has been badly damaged could also cause problems, especially as some airlines may not allow you to travel with it.

For more information about passports visit the directgov website.  We recommend a visit to the website of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for updated country travel advice as part of their ’Know Before You Go’ campaign before you book any travel.

Flickr/Images_of_Money

Sun, sand and sea, an exotic cruise, adventure holiday or ski trip?  Holiday budgets may be shrinking but holidays are so important to our well-being that most people are willing to make sacrifices for the chance to get away.  With a bit of luck your plans will go smoothly, but a little forethought could make all the difference if unexpected problems arise – especially travel health emergencies.  Better to be prepared.  With so much at stake it is also wise to have travel insurance in place to protect your holiday investment.

In the excitement of preparing and packing it is easy to forget about basic preparation in case of emergencies.  If you have a medical problem such as diabetes, allergy or rare blood type it is important to carry identifying information.  Write it down and keep a copy in your wallet or purse, along with a list of prescribed medicines.  Ideally, also keep a copy with your travel insurance documents and leave a copy at home with family.

Having a permanent skin tattoo is an increasingly popular trend for identification amongst people with serious or life-threatening medical conditions. This appears to be a great idea, especially for problems such as serious allergies and insulin-dependent diabetics, although it is more common for diabetics to wear bracelets or jewellery.  Also, be aware that diabetics may be carrying an emergency supply of glucose tablets.

It might not be obvious that a person is wearing contact lenses unless they carry a case with them and/or a pair of glasses.  Defibrillators are available at many locations these days, so check the availability and make a note.  Quick access to one could be a a life-saver for travellers with heart conditions.

Enter emergency numbers into your mobile phone, such as for the consulate or embassy and your travel insurance claims contact number.  It may not be used in all countries, but ‘ICE’ (code for ‘in case of emergency) entered into a mobile phone is useful for identification and locating next-of-kin.  Make a note of the EU-wide emergency number – ’112′.

If possible, learn basic first aid and procedures (such as the ‘coma’ or ‘recovery’ position and Heimlich manoeuvre). Knowing how to perform these procedures could save a life.  Before your next holiday think about your health and make a note of any medical information that would assist emergency personnel if you were unconscious and admitted to a foreign hospital.

Reminder:  Declare all pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing travel insurance (many common medical conditions are automatically covered). 

Visit us on Facebook and let us know your thoughts and tips about this subject.  Safe travels!

Flickr cc Image: Alex E. Proimos