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Volcanic cloud - Holidaysafe

For safety reasons the no fly restriction on UK airspace continues.

We have put together the following information to help clarify your options if you are unable to commence your trip or are stranded abroad and not able to board your flight back to the UK.

If you are stranded abroad:

Holidaysafe is designed to complement the mandatory responsibilities of your carrier or Tour Operator.
Under EU legislation anyone who organises a package holiday is responsible to get their passengers home and to care for them meantime. If you make your own alternative travel plans you may invalidate your legal rights.
If your flight is booked with an EU airline or you are travelling from an EU airport, there is legislation in place which mean passengers are entitled to assistance. This includes meals and accommodation if required, and where they are available could cover travel by other means. Passengers’ should confirm such alternative arrangements with their EU carrier and not assume automatic cover. You may also be entitled to compensation if your flight is rerouted but if you accept a refund from your EU carrier then this obligation ceases immediately.
Holidaysafe are automatically extending your travel insurance cover under the Emergency Medical Expenses section of the insurance policy free of charge, up to the date you are able to return to the UK. This applies to all of our clients that had a valid insurance policy covering them for the full duration of the originally planned trip.
If your supply of regular prescribed medication is running low you should contact the medical assistance number who will help you to obtain substitutes locally.
Unfortunately, there is no cover under your travel insurance policy for the cancellation of any subsequent pre-booked holidays. However, Holidaysafe will amend the dates of your insurance policy to coincide with your new trip dates without applying any administration charges.
To qualify for Travel Delay Benefit, you must have your luggage checked in at the Airport. Online check in is not acceptable. No claim can be considered unless the Airline have checked in your luggage.
There is no cover under the travel insurance policy for any additional expenses such as additional accommodation, phone calls, meals or beverages as these should be offered by the airline.
If your visa has expired you should contact the relevant embassy who should be able to help you extend it. This website may be helpful in locating them:- http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/find-an-embassy/

An advice line has been set up for concerned relatives of those stranded abroad:-
020 7008 0000

If your flight has been cancelled and you are unable to start your trip:
Keep in touch with your airline for flight information before travelling to the airport.
Most airlines have confirmed that they will offer alternate flights at a later date or refund the cost of the air fare.
Travel Insurance Facilities will change the dates of your Insurance Policy to coincide with new travel dates at no extra charge. You will need to call your Travel Insurance provider to advise them of the new dates and obtain confirmation in writing.
If you booked your accommodation independently and cannot obtain a refund from the provider you may have cover with your credit card company, if you used this method to pay for the costs.
If you booked a package holiday you should contact your tour operator or travel agent as soon as possible to find or what alternative arrangements have been made or are available. Many are likely to be helpful in rearranging your trip for a later date.
There is limited cover under your insurance policy due to these exceptional circumstances.
To qualify for Travel Delay Benefit: You must be travelling outside the UK and have your luggage checked in at the Airport. Online check in is not acceptable. No claim can be considered unless the Airline have checked in your luggage.
If your flight is cancelled rather than delayed the airline has an obligation to offer an alternative flight or a full refund. You cannot claim for Travel Delay if your flight has actually been cancelled rather than delayed. Neither is there is any cover under your Insurance Policy for unused excursions, or compensation for any of the following pre-booked facilities:- car hire, long-term parking, kennelling, connecting flights or other financial penalties incurred as a consequence of cancellation. Many of such facilities are looking sympathetically at circumstances and offering to rebook free of charge at a later date. There is no cover for additional travel costs i.e. train or taxi fares.

The cancellation section of the policy only applies to the specific reasons set out in your policy wording. These may differ one from another so you should consult your policy documentation.

Volcanic Ash cloud hits UK

Volcanic cloud hits UK – Holidaysafe clients

The volcanic eruption in Iceland has stopped air traffic across the UK and
Europe. The 3.7-mile flume of ash as made air travel impossible.
Scandinavia, UK and Ireland were the first airports to stop all flights. Closely
followed by Belgium, the Netherlands and France. Further disruption was
caused with planes at a stand still from as far as Hong Kong, Dubai and the
United States destined for Europe.
Many passengers have been stranded around the world with little or no
information about when they will be flying.
It seems that Airlines are having difficulty advising when flights will
recommence, as this will be entirely due to the prevailing wind at high altitude
that is bringing the volcanic ash over the UK. Currently the wind is blowing to
the southeast but, if it changes direction, there could be a resumption of flights
after a period of time. As this will be an ongoing situation until the volcano
stops erupting the situation could change at fairly short notice either way.

General advice:

Please check with the airline for flight information before travelling to
the airport.

We are extending the medical section of the policy free of charge for
those people that are stuck abroad as a result of the situation, up until
their first opportunity to return. This only applies to our clients that had
a valid insurance policy covering them for the full duration of the
originally planned trip.

If you have booked a package holiday you should contact your tour
operator or travel agent as soon as possible to find out what alternative
arrangements have been made or are available. Many are likely to be
helpful in rearranging your trip for a later date.

Holidaysafe will change the insurance dates free of
charge for anyone who moves the dates of his or her trip due to this
situation.

If the policyholder accepts an alternative flight at a later date,
Holidaysafe will amend their existing policy so it is transferred
to cover the new dates free of charge.

To qualify for a travel delay claim under your travel insurance you must:

Be travelling outside the United Kingdom

Have your luggage checked in at the airport. Online check in will not be
acceptable unless the airline has accepted your luggage at the airport.
Regrettably, if your luggage cannot be checked in and your flight is not
delayed but has been cancelled - you should obtain a full refund from the
airline and rebook your trip at a later date.

The cancellation cover under travel insurance policies only provides cover if
you are unable to travel due to your death, injury or illness. It does not provide
any cover for natural disasters.
However, you have a number of basic rights which may mean that the tour
operator, travel agent or airline might be responsible for some or all of your
costs. This is explained further here

If travelling to Cuba you must have purchased medical insurance

If you are travelling to Cuba, you will require to buy health insurance if you want to enter the country, according to a new government measure,which takes effect in May, the insurance will be sold by foreign companies approved by the Cuban government or by Cuban firms at ports of entry to the communist-led island. The government said in the online edition of Cuba's Official Gazette.
The measure decrees that tourists, foreigners with temporary residence in Cuba and Cubans living abroad who return to visit will have to be insured.
It exempts diplomats and representatives of accredited international organizations. The cost of the insurance was not disclosed.

Cuba prides itself on having a strong healthcare system, which is provided free to its citizens and at low costs to foreigners.
But the island has been hit hard by the global recession and is looking for new sources of revenue to boost its depleted financial reserves.
Tourism is one of Cuba's main sources of income. In 2009, 2.42 million people visited the island.

Since 2001, entry visas to Schengen countries are governed by the rules of the Schengen Agreement. (The Schengen countries include most of Western Europe e.g., Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and some non-EU members such as Norway and Iceland). To enter these countries, one needs a valid "Schengen visas". There are exceptions but that is the rule.

The European Council later decided that proof of medical insurance must be provided before issuing a Schengen visa. That rule went into effect on 1 June 2004.

Since that date, all visa applicants must show that they are in possession of individual or group travel insurance to cover medical expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment during their stay in the Schengen countries.

For a quote or to buy travel insurance visit www.holidaysafe.co.uk

Why take a gap year?

When deciding to take a gap year, friends and family will always share their opinions and advice, but everyones circumstances are different, and only you can make this decision.

Advantages in favour of a gap year before Higher Education include:
· To take a well deserved break after 14 years at school.
· To make your UCAS application look good
· You will be a much better student at University
· You may change your course/modules to a better one
· To earn money for University costs
· It has been said if you take a gap year, you are less likely to “drop out”.
· Employers are fond of applicants who have taken a gap year , as they will then be less likely to decide to go travelling after being employed.
· Gives you time to find out if a particular career path is the correct choice.

Disadvantages include:
· Your friends will have moved on and you will be a year behind them
· You might not go to university
· Your study skills will have diminished
· You could be at risk of being injured - but so could you at home!
· It could be a let down

The experiences gained on a gap year could have a profound effect on you and affect the rest of your life. Many gap year students change their degree course and/or future profession as a result of their experiences. This has to be a good thing as this would be far better than embarking on the wrong course and going into a job you hate. Even the decision not to go to university after a gap year might be the right one given your circumstances, Even thou this may not be what friends and family want to here.

If you are taking a gap year don’t forget to buy gap year travel insurance, For a quote or to purchase gap year travel insurance go to /

Source: gapadvice.org

A Simple Kiss?

Ayman Najafi, 24, and Charlotte Adams, 25, were given a one month prison sentence for breaking decency laws in Dubai.

They claim it was a simple kiss on the cheek, they were fined 1,000 dirham’s £179.00 and ordered to be deported as soon as they had served their prison sentence. They did plead guilty to the charge of consuming alcohol.

The arrest came last November, after a 38year old mother became disturbed by the pairs kissing whilst dining out with her daughter in the Jumeirah Beach Residence
Mr Najafi had been working in Dubai for 18 months, Miss Adams was simply a tourist. Dubai is the most relaxed of the Arab Gulf states but authorities still crack down on people accused of pushing the limits.
In a similar case, an Indian couple were sentenced to three months in jail for exchanging steamy text messages, and in 2008, two Britons accused of having sex on the beach got three months in jail, though their sentences were later suspended.
Wherever you wish to travel to in the world, always try and respect, and research the area you are travelling to, preferably before you go and not when its too late.

So you have more time to learn about the area you are travelling to, save time searching for the best travel insurance visit www.holidaysafe.co.uk for a travel insurance quote or to buy travel insurance.

“Saloufest”Locals not amused by drunken British students

Many residents of Salou have been outraged and appalled by young British university students drunken behaviour,when over 5,000 students between the ages of 18 and 23 paid just 220 Euros to attend this “sporting” event in Salou.

It should have been a five-day sporting event, but many students were not doing much in the way of sporting activity. Many were curled up on the floor nursing hangovers.
Only 24 hours after the event had started nine people had been treated by paramedics for drunkenness, while five were treated for alcoholic poisoning.

Local residents were begging for their local town hall to do something as they were concerned that such a wonderful place was turning into a cheap tourist resort, As many of the residents were waking up to be greeted by vomit and urine covered roads.

However the town hall hit back blaming the media , and that they had done more harm than good, and that journalism had damaged the image of Salou and it tourist industry.

The organisers Ilovetour said that this festival was in its tenth year ,and thousands of university students have enjoyed taking part in the13 different sporting activities including Rugby, netball, hockey, football, basketball, water polo, and lacrosse.

"Ilovetour has the full backing of, and works closely with, the local council, the regional tourist board, the local police, the hoteliers association and a large team of specially-trained resort staff to ensure the event runs smoothly.

If your travelling to any event abroad this year, remember to buy travel insurance,whether it be gap year travel insurance, annual travel insurance, or any online travel insurance, for a quote or to buy travel insurance go to www.holidaysafe.co.uk

Gordon Brown to call election

Gordon Brown will visit the queen today, April 6 requesting a dissolution of Parliament.

This will be the official start of an election campaign, which is set to be one of the most fought elections between the parties.

The prime Minister is due to visit the palace to speak privately with the queen today.
He is then expected to speak outside Downing Street.

Mr Brown will then be joining his wife for a GB tour, and is said to be using Barack Obama’s approach, chatting with people in their homes and in staff canteens.

Meanwhile Conservative leader, Mr Cameron is said to be focused on “ getting around the country, talking and listening to people.” he has also added “ A fresh start” is what he has to offer, and that his party are fighting on behalf of the great ignored.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg stated “This is a choice between the old politics of the other two parties and something new,"
"It's not a two horse race... It's wide open, all bets are off."

Whether your off campaigning around the UK or travelling anywhere in the world, don’t forget to buy travel insurance, for a quote or to buy travel insurance go to / for the best travel insurance.

April Fools Day

Here are Five most memorable April Fools Day Pranks

The Swiss spaghetti harvest
In 1957 panarama announced that due to a mild winter , announced Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop, many viewers called to find out how to grow a spaghetti tree.

Instant colour TV
In 1962 a Swedish TV broadcast you could turn your black and white TV set into colour, Viewers were told to put a nylon stocking over the TV, many did!

Planetary Alignment Decreases Gravity
In 1976, astronomer Patrick Moore announced on BBC Radio 2 that a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event was going to occur. The planet Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, lessening the Earth's own gravity.
Moore told his listeners that if they jumped in the air at the exact moment that this planetary alignment occurred, they would experience a strange floating sensation. By mid morning, BBC2 received hundreds of phone calls from listeners claiming to have felt it. One woman even reported that she and her eleven friends had risen from their chairs and floated around the room.

Aliens Land in London
On March 31 1989, thousands of motorists driving on the highway outside London looked up in the air to see a flying saucer descending on to a field. The police arrived at the scene and one brave officer approached the craft with his truncheon in hand. When a door in the craft popped open and a small, silver-suited figure emerged, the policeman ran in the opposite direction from Sir Richard Branson. The saucer was actually a hot-air balloon that had been specially built by the tycoon to look like a UFO. His plan was to land the craft in London's Hyde Park on April 1st, but the wind blew him off course and he was forced to land a day early in the wrong location

Flying Penguins
A few years ago in 2008, the BBC made an amazing wildlife discovery - penguins could FLY! It was announced that camera crews filming near the Antarctic for its natural history series Miracles of Evolution had captured footage of Adélie penguins. It even offered a video clip of these flying penguins, which became one of the most viewed videos on the internet. Presenter Terry Jones explained that, instead of huddling together to endure the Antarctic winter, these penguins took to the air and flew thousands of miles to the rainforests of South America where they "spend the winter basking in the tropical sun."

If you are planning on flying away to bask in the sun, Don't forget to buy travel insurance, for a quote or to buy travel insurance go to www.holidaysafe.co.uk