Tag: Travel Planning

Foods That Can Make You Sick When You Travel Abroad

We are well aware that we should not drink tap water, eat under-cooked meat or consume unpasteurized dairy to avoid an unpleasant time at the bathroom. It is also safer to be vegetarian when traveling because bacteria thrive well in meat. Unfortunately, there are some foods that might seem safe but can actually ruin your vacation if you’re not careful enough. Here are some foods you should avoid while you are abroad.

  1. Strawberries and lettuce

Experts suggest that travelers should stay away from fruits and vegetables that are grown on the ground and are hard to clean. There may be bad bacteria and other microorganisms in the soil that won’t easily come off with water. If you’re going to a place where there is quite a lot of pollution, stick to fruits that have an outer skin such as mangoes, bananas, rambutan and other tropical fruits.

  1. Fried rice

Fried rice is cooked with bits of meat. The meat may be left hanging around before it is flash-fried with the rice. There is a risk that the meat is not cooked thoroughly even if it looks fine. Hot broth is more preferred as a staple food. It’s safer, and it will refresh you by giving you energy and hydrating you at the same time.

  1. Ice cream

Ice cream may bring you happiness during your darkest days, but it actually poses a lot of risk. It is frozen, melts a little, then refrozen again. This process encourages the reproduction of bacteria. Fruit sorbet is a safer choice. It is acidic so bacteria can’t survive in it.

  1. Sauce

The problem is that you are not sure what’s in the sauce. It could have been prepared with dirty water or uncooked foods such as raw eggs or fresh herbs. This type of ingredient always spells trouble. If you need to eat sauce, check that it was cooked thoroughly and is still hot.

  1. Liquors and craft brews

You might want to taste homemade alcoholic beverages to capture the essence of foreign lands. However, these drinks may have been prepared and stored in unsanitary conditions. Make sure that you know how much alcohol is in the drink. Consuming higher levels than what you are used to can make you seriously ill.

  1. Restaurant food

Avoid empty restaurants if you’re in a country that offers a lot of street food like Thailand. It is best to stick to street meat from food stalls. In this way you are sure how and where your food was prepared. Pick the stalls where a lot of people are lining up.

  1. Soda

You can actually drink soda, but only if it is in a bottle or sealed can. Fountain soda is a big no-no. This usually uses tap water or something that has not been filtered properly. Brushing your teeth with non-bottled water can cause intense pain, so drinking it will be more dangerous.

You can’t really be sure with the food you eat while you’re abroad, so it is best to plan ahead. Exercise, eat a lot of nutritious food and sleep well to boost your immune system. Take a probiotic to line your stomach with friendly bacteria. Safe travels, explorer!

 

Author Bio Section:

Claire works in marketing team at Brillopak, a premium quality, small footprint robotic packing and palletising machine manufactures in United Kingdom. In a former life, Claire worked as a content specialist and she loves writing, reading & cooking.

You Should Know These Things Before Traveling

Are you prepared for a holiday?

There comes a time where everyone wants to get away from their current life, even if just for a short time, so it’s best to get the most out of it while you can. When planning a holiday, there’s a lot to consider, and when you likely only have limited time and money, you want to make sure it was worth paying for! Not everyone follows the same lifestyle, so planning holidays can come out in a variety of prices and destinations, and finding the right one for you can take time; it should!

 

Going with family?

When you travel with family, you can naturally expect it to turn out more difficult than advertised. In a lot of cases, the idea of a family holiday can look like a nightmare, especially for the parents. So how can you make sure your holiday is an escape, rather than it ending up stressful? First of all, as the holiday planner, you need to make sure you consider everyone who’s going. You don’t want to spend extra on people coming on holiday, for them to not want to be there; so make sure you’re covering everyone’s interests. Family holidays can be a generally great way to get closer as a family, as it’s the prime time for bonding; so make sure it doesn’t turn into the nightmare that many families fear!

 

Traveling alone

Many people might find the idea of traveling alone frightening. It is! But there are ways to dodge a lot of the fears you might face. Firstly, you have no one to rely on, and no one to do activities. This is when keeping yourself booked up becomes much more important, as relaxing alone can become easily boring. Are you going somewhere that speak another language? If so, it could be worth learning a few phrases in case of emergency, or maybe for just simple conveniences. Knowing how to ask for directions can save you a lot of trouble if you end up getting lost.

Moving Abroad

Moving is a scary enough experience as it is, except with this step you’re not only saying goodbye to your home but your country too. Exciting! It’s important that you consider almost everything when you want to move away, as there’s so much preparation to be done and costs to be covered. With that in mind, moving abroad can actually work out cheaper in the long run, depending on the economy of the country you’re going to. It could be that you’re looking for the luxury life in the sun, most people do this after they’ve retired; there’s no need to look for work this way, and you have plenty of time to pick on and adapt to the language. Take a look at some Malaysia property for some idea of what you could be missing out on. A lot of the time when people move abroad, it’s to get away from the weather and surroundings that they’re so bored of, so make sure you don’t head into more of the same is a must!

 

Expect to spend!

There’s a lot more to consider than just the fixed costs of going on a trip, so just preparing for your travel, food and a place to stay isn’t going to cut it. You’re going away to enjoy it, so make sure that money won’t be your downfall when you get there! A lot of the time when traveling, there can be unexpected costs, and if you’re not prepared to pay with them, it may well ruin your plans, so make sure you plan right and avoid any kind of surprises that you’ll be out of pocket for. You never know how you’ll feel or what you’ll see when you’re abroad, maybe you’ll learn of new activities that you want to take part in or find something that you’d like to buy as a souvenir.

 

Don’t plan too much!

It’s easy to turn your holiday into a stressful nightmare, you need to make sure you have time to relax in between activities. When looking online at all the things you can be a part of, it’s easy to be tempted into all of them, along with the pressure of getting the most out of your holiday. Just remember the holiday will be a lot less enjoyable if you change your mind at some point, and just need some time to chill out and take in the environment. It’s best to make sure there are things you can do without booking them, should you change your mind once you get over there.

(Source: Pexels)

 

Keeping holiday security

It’s quite scary to consider that when you’re on holiday, you can’t rely on the protection of police too much. Depending on where you go, you may end up having to deal with stolen or lost possessions, and the less aware of these crimes, the easier the target you are. That’s not to say that all locations are thriving with pick-pockets and criminals, but it’s best to take the extra measures to ensure that your belongings remain with you. Maybe you’ll only lose a small amount of money, maybe your phone! So it’s important to make sure you can protect yourself without expecting the help of others, due to the communication barriers, and the lack of evidence and witnesses there would be within a crowd.

 

Bring your own supplies

A lot of people find it hard to trust strangers, which isn’t a bad thing! Anywhere you are in the world, it’s best to rely on yourself than others, especially when buying drinks. Bringing your own alcohol and food can help you prevent yourself from getting sick while you’re away, as you know what you’re eating and drinking, and can ensure you don’t regret receiving from strangers. Again, I’m not saying everyone is out to get you, but when you’re on holiday it can become even more difficult to trust strangers, because you likely don’t speak their language, or know anything about them.

 

Palm Springs, California- Perfect hideout to unwind!

California is a place that turns your dreamland into a reality, so much so that in front of the natural beauty of redwood Californian forests and classy beaches, this enchanted city puts even Disneyland to shame.

Whether places of amusement or food & drinks, California gives you a perfect mix of everything. Just for start, do you know California produces over 90% of the country’s wine- making grapes and has twice as many breweries as any other state in the US. This golden state also produces most of the country’s fresh produce and sets the trends for the entire nation to follow.

And within this enchanted state if you looking for a laid back kind of vacation, head straight to Palm Springs. The place has a historical evidence of being a favorite, even with the biggest of Hollywood Celebrities. The entire city has a very retro kind of charm to it even to this date and it doesn’t seem to fade away. Though it’s a small place, but it still has so much to offer.

Palm Springs has a hot desert climate, with over 300 days of sunshine and around 4.83 inches (122.7 mm) of rain annually.The winter months are warm, with a majority of days reaching 70 °F (21 °C) and in January and February days often see temperatures of 80 °F (27 °C) and on occasion reach over 90 °F (32 °C), while, on average, there are 17 nights annually dipping to or below 40 °F (4 °C); freezing temperatures occur in less than half of years.

The most traffic comes in to Palm Springs from LA and there are a lot of ways that one can travel from LA to Palm Springs.

By Air- Palm Springs does have an airport but its necessarily not the most convenient way to travel as the flights are less and often expensive. The lay over at San Francisco makes the flight durations longer than usual. Depending on where the person is flying from, the Ontario airport, which is 70 miles from Palm Springs serves as a better options, as it has more number of flight options and better connectivity to Palm Springs.

By Train- You can take Amtrak’s Sunset Limited train directly from LA’s Union Station to Palm Springs, but do remember to check as it doesn’t run on all days, and has a selected few days operation. The Texas Eagle also makes the trip a few days a week. Both of those trains run late at night, arriving in Palm Springs after midnight. Using any of those trains will take about 2.5 hours.

By Bus- There are no regular buses making the trip from LA to Palm Springs, but you will have a couple of options for commercial bus services. The bus trip from LA to Palm Springs takes about 3.5 hours. They Greyhound buses travel to Thousand Palms which is 12 miles from Palm Springs and from where one can get some local buses to get to Palm Springs.

By Car- Traveling to Palm Springs is not just the most common but also the most convenient and inexpensive way to travel. Even by road, there are two options, one is through various freeways and other is the road, which is more scenic and beautiful and often called as Palms to Pines highway.

Once you reach Palm Springs, the first thing you think of is a place to stay, now given the fact that we all make our bookings in advance, you can pre-book your stay, so that all you need to do after reaching the city is checking in and retiring to the comfort of your room.

In terms of stay options, from luxe hotels to budget options and villas, the place has plenty to offer for all kind of travelers. Tourism is a major factor in the city’s economy with 1.6 million visitors on an average. The city has over 130 hotels and resorts, numerous bed and breakfasts and over 100 restaurants and dining spots. Palm Spring Homes for Rent can really come in handy for you to explore all possible options.

Things to do in Palm Springs

Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum– The Palm Springs Art Museum, which was founded in the year 1938, is an epitome of art and culture. Regular exhibitions keep taking place in the museum and also the permanent collection of the museum is worth taking a look at.

Image Source- Google

Joshua Tree National Park– This place is the perfect example of being an oasis in the dessert. Whether you wanna hike, walk on the foot or drive through, its one experience you should not miss.

Image Source-Pixabay

Springs Aerial Tramway– The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway operates every day between 8 or 10 a.m. and 9:45 p.m., though exact hours may vary by season. Facilities found at the top of Mount San Jacinto include two restaurants, multiple observation decks, a natural history museum and a gift shop. The view of the mountains from the tramway is spectacular and breathtakingly beautiful.

Image Source- Google

The Living Dessert– From October 1 to May 31, The Living Desert is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the summer (from June 1 to September 30) the place is open every day between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. It’s a part zoo and part botanical garden where the flora and fauna co-exist. The gardens in the living dessert boast of more than 1400 species of plants and animals like mountain lions, bighorn sheep and meerkats are easily seen.

Image Source- Google

Indian Canyons– Travelers often describe these canyons as breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful, in fact no words are appropriate to describe these beauties. Some places are better seen and experiences rather than to be spoken off and these canyons belong to that category. The Indian Canyons are open every day from October 1 through July 4, but visitors are only permitted on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday from July 5 to September 30. On all opening days, visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m

Image Source-Google

 

 

How to Travel the World’s Best Places on a Low Budget and Make Money While Traveling – It Is Possible!

Source

Most of us want to travel the world, meet new people, see sights, experience new things and see different cultures. But we are not able to make this dream happen mainly because of money! So here are some trips to travel places without having to spend an entire fortune on them!

  • The initial step is to have a plan and do a wide research about the places you are going to visit like their main attractions, basic expenses, currency rates, food options, housing, local travel means, Some places are cheaper while others have a very high cost of living. So think, research and then finally, decide where you wanna go.
  • Keep your eyes open for deals. Many travel agencies and online websites offer special deals and discounts for tickets and accommodations. These offers might be offered only at specific times of the year, so be on the lookout or subscribe to their websites so that you are kept
  • Stay in economic homestays and small hostels or opt for night swapping, couch surfing, to reduce the housing costs extensively. Or if you have plans to stay for a longer time, you can rent a cheap apartment and cook your meals.
  • Every place has some attractions that you can see without paying any money. The places you visit might have some quirks about it. So make inquiries on the net or from people who have traveled to these places before. You don’t want to miss the free and best things about a place.
  • Look for a low priced location and shop from there. Many tourist places have shops selling things for a much higher rate than usual, targeting travelers from outside. Don’t fall into their traps. For gifts and souvenirs, look out for local markets and departmental stores rather than falling prey to the overpriced bazaars and showrooms.
  • Try to travel during off seasons. At this time, everything will be at affordable rates, and there won’t be much rush. Whether it’s the ticket rates, room rent, the local transport, or the expenses after reaching your destination, you will need to spend a lot less during the slack time.
  • Most of the times, a significant amount of money is spent on food. Go to nice and clean local restaurants rather than fancy, expensive hotels. The local joints often offer the best foods at low Try out the local street food and do some cooking when possible.
  • Another critical point is the use of local transport available at the places you visit. Cabs and cars can be comfy but expensive. Compromise a little and do a bit of walking for short

You can travel and make money more easily than most people think. You might be a qualified individual, with some degrees and a permanent job, etc. But why not take up a job while you are on a trip and meet the expenses? Here are some of the jobs you can take up while you are on a trip!

  • Tourist guide: You can either be a local tour guide or try to be a tour assistant for an international company. It is the best way to travel places and earn money at the same time.
  • Freelance translator: Of course, you will need to know more than one language for this job. The opportunities are extensive – charge restaurant to translate their menu, work for a travel agency or offer freelance services online.
  • English teaching: There are many job opportunities in countries like Thailand, South Korea, and you don’t need to be certified. Being a native speaker is enough!
  • Bartender/Server: Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are located in almost every places, and the job description is same at all the places. You can find work easily at tourist places, and there won’t be any minimum or maximum job requirement. It is also an opportunity to become familiar with the people and place, which can help you find a job with higher income.
  • Backpacker Hostels: Backpacker hostels usually hire travelers for short terms to fill their gaps offering free room and board. The jobs offered to you might be working at the front desk, bartending or even housekeeping. If you wish to stay for longer durations, some hostels offer extra payment too.

Author’s Bio

Lysha works at Lalco Residency – Hotel Mumbai and she loves her job. Helping clients and monitoring the progress of business strategies along with her leadership skills makes her perfect suit for Hospitality services. You can catch her up at Service Apartments in Mumbai for Rent

Dragons, Volcanoes, and More: 7 Reasons Indonesia Should Be Your Next Holiday Destination

Indonesia is home to over 18,000 islands, 6,000 of them inhabited, making it the largest archipelago (group of islands) in the entire world. Indonesia also inhabits around 240 million people, making it the fourth most populated country, and the largest country in Southeast Asia by a mile. While Bali is usually what comes to mind when people think of travelling to Indonesia (and why wouldn’t it? Bali is amazing), there is so much more to see and do. Indonesia has so much to offer, as well as it’s amazing beaches, so here are seven reasons why you should consider Indonesia for your next trip.

Source

Beautiful Bali

It’s already been mentioned, so why not start with Bali? With its beautiful beaches and stunning mountain scenery, it’s absolutely no surprise that Bali is so popular with tourists and travellers. However, like with the rest of Indonesia, there is so much more to Bali than a stretch of beach. There are also some amazing temples to explore, practically one on every corner to be exact, all of which are great photo opportunities. There is also a range of waterfalls for you to explore. While some may require a hike or even swim to reach them, some are fairly close to footpaths and car parks, but most are visited by only a few people each day, so the further you go out, the high the chance you have of getting a waterfall all to yourself.

Source

Active Volcanoes

If you consider yourself somewhat of an explorer, then Indonesia, being home to some of the most active volcanoes in the world, maybe the perfect place for you. While Kelud and Mount Sinabung were the most recent volcanoes to erupt in Indonesia, Mount Merapi is usually the volcano that comes to mind when you think of Indonesia. However, consider how naturally beautiful the volcano is, it’s no surprise at all. Luckily, as long as you’re with a qualified guide, it is possible to scale the 5,600 ft mountain, which might just be the perfect adventure for your trip. Visit http://atravellersjourney.com/mount-merapi-volcano/ if you’re considering the climb.

Source

Wild Wildlife

You will be surprised at just how diverse the wildlife in Indonesia really is. You can find anything there from elephants, to orangutans, to tigers. However, one of the most famous creatures to inhabit the islands is the family of Komodo dragons. If you’ve ever seen one, you’ll know that Komodo dragons are no typical species of lizard. They can easily grow to around three metres in length and weigh more than one hundred kilograms each, so it’s no surprise that Komodo dragons are pretty dangerous creatures, even to humans. However, despite their ferocious and dinosaur-like appearance, attacks on humans are rare, and the won’t try to eat you like your typical T-Rex, so there’s no reason not to visit Komodo National Park, and see the magnificent creatures with your own eyes.

Source

Jakarta Capital

When visiting the archipelago of Indonesia, most people choose to give Jakarta, the capital city, a miss. It does make some sense, as, being one of the greatest megalopolises in the world, Jakarta does appear to be a confusing and incredibly crowded city. However, Jakarta has just as much to offer as the rest of the country, so if you’re visiting Indonesia, it would be a mistake not to at least consider visiting the capital. Shopping centres in Jakarta aren’t the same as the rest of the world, in fact, Jakarta offers some of the best options for shopping in all of Southeast Asia. The malls are large and extravagant, with a range of different stores for you to peruse. There is also plenty of restaurants and cafes for you to enjoy, all of which are sure to serve delicious foods (more on that later). There are plenty of hotels for you to stay at, but if you wanted to save a little money, then you can find apartments, like the ones here https://rumahdijual.com/jakarta-selatan/apartemen-bintaro-parkview, on websites like Airbnb.

Source

Fantastic Foods

One of the best ways to experience local culture (and treat yourself) on holiday, is to enjoy the local foods on offer. Luckily, in Indonesia, there is so much variety and diversity that you shouldn’t have to eat the same dish twice during your entire stay. If you’re visiting more than one region, you’ll be even more surprised at just how much the cuisine can differ, so be sure to enjoy as much local food as you can during your trip. One of the most famous dishes reining in Indonesia is a meatball noodle soup named Bakso. The dish is popular among students, but also presidents, as Barack Obama once mentioned how delicious the soup is after a visit to Indonesia.

Source

Lovely Locals

If you’ve visited France or Russia, then it’s likely that you’ve come across at least one rude local. After all, these countries have been named by Forbes as being the rudest nations for travellers. Indonesia on the other hand is home to some of the most friendly and welcoming locals on the entire planet. They are always there to offer a smile or a helping hand if you need one. They are also incredibly proud of their culture, history, cuisine, wildlife, and everything else, and are happy to share it with others, unlike many others.

Source

Sensational Spas

Holidays are all about getting away from the stresses of everyday life and relaxing, so Indonesia is the perfect place for this. Any spa treatment that you could possibly imagine can be found in the spas of Indonesia, from seaweed wraps to glorious massages. If you choose to stay at a hotel, then you are likely to find most of these treatments are offered there, but if not, then you are sure to find plenty of spas while exploring the islands, and will usually be offered treatments on the beach too.

Indonesia is a beautiful country, filled with delicious foods, amazing beaches, and lovely people. For all of these reasons and so many more, Indonesia would be a perfect place to visit on your next holiday.

 

 

Ultimate Guide to The Best Travel Backpack of 2017 by Travel Meets Happy

I recently stumbled upon this interesting blog post Ultimate Guide to The Best Travel Backpack of 2017 and thought of sharing it with you all lovely readers of mine

How to Buy Your First Travel Backpack:

To make it easier for you, whether you’re buying your first backpack, or you are an experienced traveler, we’ve made a list of our top recommendations for backpacks that are available on the world wide web! We’ve also made our own pros and cons list so that you can decide for yourself what is important to you, based on comfort, cost, color, extra features, and everything else that you can think of!

We’d hate to see you end up buying your plane ticket for your first, second, or even tenth adventure and find yourself both looking and feeling like an inexperienced traveler. Travelers, for either pleasure and business, who are obviously inexperienced with international and other long-distance travel can become targets for pick-pocketers and other petty theft. We hope that we can help you to avoid that situation, and save you some trouble when it comes to locating your luggage on the conveyer belt at the baggage claim! Skip the baggage claim altogether with a backpack that meets carry-on requirements, and makes traveling easier and more fun!

Read the full post here

As I surfed more on the blog, I just fell in love with the content and this surely is one blog one shouldn’t miss. Really commendable work by Colleen. Do subscribe and follow her blog and I am sure you will enjoy the read

Travel Meets Happy

A blog on location independence, backpack, and travel reviews. Because the experience is worth the adventure.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Walking Holiday

Photo Credit

Getting out into nature using only your own two legs as transportation is a romantic idea for many people. And there is no doubt that a walking holiday provides a sense of adventure that you simply don’t get from other trips. But you also need to make sure that you have done the proper planning and preparation. If not, what seemed like a dream to start off with could quickly turn into a nightmare! So, here are a few top tips when it comes to planning your walking adventure holiday.

Choose a Location and Type of Walk

The location you go for is really based on your personal desires and also your walking experience. You may be looking to get out into the wilderness without many people being around or you may want some clearly marked footpaths with plenty of other people for company. You should also think about how challenging you want the walks to be. Are you looking for something flat or would you prefer mountainous terrain?

Map a Route

Photo Credit

Once you have zeroed in on an area, you then need to start mapping a route. Think about a start point and a destination based on how much walking you want to do each day and plan your stopping points along the way. Use maps and guides to give you a helping hand. To make things easier, there are plenty of walks that have been already completed by other people and the information will already be clearly listed. If you are more adventurous and experienced, you may want to plan your own route entirely.

Arrange Accommodation

B&Bs, hostels, guesthouses, hotels and camping are all viable options when you are walking, so you just need to think about your budget and the level of comfort you are looking for. The internet has made information so much more readily accessible, so check out reviews online so you get a fuller picture of where you will be staying. Arrange your accommodation methodically so you book places as you go along.

Prepare Your Resources

There are a few things that you will need to make your walking holiday a success. First of all, a map and compass are important, and you should also look at downloading a maps app on your phone. Next up, you need clothing including waterproof walking shoes, jacket, thick socks, fleece, and anything else you can think of. And then you need your gear including a backpack, walking poles, water bottle, electronic devices and chargers.

Training

Photo Credit

It is a good idea to get some walking done before your trip so you don’t find yourself completely exhausted before you have even really gotten going. If you can do a walk covering the longest distance you will be covering in a day, you will feel much more like you are fully prepared for what is in store.

A walking holiday is one of the most wonderful experiences you can have, and hopefully these suggestions have provided you with a helping hand to get started!

Which Optional Insurance Types Are Actually Worth Having?

Image Source

Insurance can help to pay for those unexpected out-of-pocket life costs. Some insurance schemes are compulsory such as motor insurance if you’re a driver. Others are optional. It’s possible to take a gamble and forgo insurance altogether in the hope that you never run into a disaster. It’s also possible to spend a fortune insuring everything from your phone to your new pet hamster. When it comes to getting your money’s worth, here are some of the optional insurance schemes that you should be considering.

Medical insurance

Getting medical treatment is expensive. If you do fall ill or have an injury, you don’t want to be in a position where you cannot pay for surgery or medication. Medical insurance can help to pay for such a situation. If you’re not in and out of the hospital on a regular basis, it’s likely you’ll pay lower rates. You can also save money on family bundle rates and by upping your deductible (many people are able to use a savings account called an FSA to pay for this deductible). Sites like CompareMedicalPlans.net can help you shop for the best rate.

Property insurance

Property insurance can help to cover the costs of theft or damage to your home. This is worth having as such costs can be huge and unpredictable. Property insurance is more expensive in risk-prone zones (such as a flood zone or an area with a high burglary rate). In such cases, you may need to take a specialist scheme out from a specialist insurer as some may outright refuse to insure you. In many areas where it isn’t a risk it can be very cheap. Just make sure you always read the small-print and keep on top of policy changes (some property insurance companies have recently started rejecting claims from property owners without a burglar alarm).

Life insurance

Taking out life insurance can be a great way of ensuring that those left behind don’t have to financially suffer. It can help to pay for funeral costs as well as giving your loved ones something to keep them going if you were the main breadwinner. There are two types of life insurance – term insurance and whole life insurance – which a site such as TermLifeInsurance.co can offer more information on. Those that are in a dangerous career should be wary as life insurance rates could be much higher to cover the risk.

Travel insurance

When going on holiday abroad, it can often be worth getting insured, mainly in case you get ill and need medical attention. Travel insurance schemes can also cover loss of baggage as well as flight cancellations. You can take them out on an individual basis as and when you travel and they are generally very cheap, unless you’re going to an extreme location and taking part in an extreme activity. Sometimes you can buy these schemes with a holiday package, although it could be cheaper to buy them separately.

Hot Topic: Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Source

To an average person, this isn’t a topic which keeps them up at night. To a traveler, it’s enough to make or break the trip. You see, conventional wisdom says every person who goes abroad needs coverage. However, travel insurance policies are pricey, and travelers only have a small budget. Plus, the majority of individuals who travel never visit a hospital. It seems like a lot of money to waste, but is it worth the risk? After all, should the worst happen, a policy becomes a lifesaver.

Here’s how to find out whether you need insurance or not.

What Are The Laws Of The Country?

People from countries such as America are surprised when they go to Britain and the healthcare is free. But, to Brits, a NHS-style system is the norm. The moral of the story is that every country is unique and has different rules. Cnn.com says there are places with universal health care, such as Germany and France, where treatment is free. In this case, there is no reason to splash out on a policy. However, a place such as the US requires you to have an insurance plan by law if you want treatment. Before you set off, make sure you understand the fine print.

Is There A Special Arrangement?

Politics is a funny game. At the moment, with Trump and Brexit, it seems as if the politicians have lost their minds. The truth is they try to do the best for their constituents wherever possible. As such, there are arrangements with foreign countries which cover health care and other vital areas for non-nationals. Take Europe as an example. Any European citizen whose country is part of the EU is liable for treatment within the block. Again, if this is the case for you, a private plan is not a sound investment.

Source

Will It Cost More Or Less?

Travelers think that an insurance policy is bound to cost the more, but it isn’t always the case. Let’s say you need protection. A single policy, such as a travel plan, is cheaper than three or four different plans. By searching healthinsurancequotes.co you can see how the cost of healthcare alone fluctuates. With extras such as contents insurance and airline coverage, the price will skyrocket. At least all of the major features are included in travel insurance, and that keeps the cost low. When a policy is cheaper, it is well worth the investment.

What Are The Odds?

People will say travel insurance is essential regardless. Why? It’s because the odds of something going wrong are high. Are you flying with an airline which has punctuality problems? Or, are you going to a country where there is a high risk of injury? If the answer to these questions is yes, then travel insurance is a savvy investment. So, before you jet set to Florida or hit up Asia, think about your itinerary. If there is a high percentage of danger in any sense, you need a contingency plan.

Do you need travel insurance? Only you can answer that question.

Into The Wild In The Modern Age: The Importance Of Keeping Lines Of Communication Open

Flickr Image

 

Ever since the release of Cheryl Strayed’s ‘Wild,’ many of us have fancied an isolated camping trip. Strayed’s fallout in the face of mourning for her mother was heartbreaking, and her subsequent time on the Pacific Crest Trail turned her life around.

It’s no wonder, then, that many of us decide to follow a similar path whenever life gets us down. And, Cheryl wasn’t the first person to start this trend. There’s something cleansing about the idea of spending time alone in the wild. Sometimes, it seems like the best and only way to hit the reset button.

But, far from the romantic depictions in literature, it’s important to consider the practicalities of such an experience. While a completely isolated camping trip will work wonders for your soul, there are clear downfalls. For one, it’s not always safe. There are so many risks in the world today that our loved ones are sure to want to stay in touch. Plus, complete isolation is such a rarity in the modern age that you may find it harder that you’re anticipating. So, small levels of communication could actually help, rather than hinder, your experience.

But, how do can you insert communication into your trip without ruining the process?

Write letters

Your first port of call should be letter writing. Sending letters as you go is sure to ease the loneliness. It’ll also put your loved one’s minds at rest. Plus, letter writing can be incredibly therapeutic. During face to face/phone conversations, we rarely stop and think about what we’re saying. But, when writing a letter, you have to think about every word. You have time to consider each before committing them to paper. Hence, you may find communication like this helps you come to terms with more demons.

Pixabay Image

Why not use wifi?

Wifi may not be what you had in mind, but inviting it into your trip could make all the difference. As long as you set boundaries, there’s no reason this needs to have any impact on your journey. Of course, wifi in the middle of nowhere isn’t easy to come by. But, you’re sure to pass through towns on your route with free wifi hotspots. Make the most of these by posting pictures of your trip on Instagram. You could even send postcards via app services like those offered by My Postcard. This is a fast way to update loved ones with a quick message. If you’re taking your phone with you, download the app before you head off and make use of it whenever you get the chance.

Pexels Image

Find a spot for a daily phone call

You may be doing this to get away, but a five-minute phone call each day will make the experience much easier for you. Plus, this can work as a fantastic security backup. Aim to reach a pay phone at some point during the same hour each day. Then, if you don’t ring, your loved ones will know straight away that there’s a problem.