Holidaysafe Travel Insurance Blog

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Volcanic cloud - Holidaysafe

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:13:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 07:53:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:59:00 +0000

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?

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:47:00 +0000

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 http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Source: gapadvice.org

A Simple Kiss?

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:24:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:13:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 10:37:00 +0000

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 http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/ for the best travel insurance.

April Fools Day

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:39:00 +0000

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

Half Term Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:46:00 +0000

If you are a parent, work hard and look forward to at least one holiday a year.
Why is it the cost of taking the family away over the half term is so much more?
Some companies have charged up to 85% more in the week of half term compared to prices the week after, while one company increased their prices up to a staggering 249%,

Many schools do not agree with you to taking the children out of school in term time, but surely something has to be done to reduce the cost for parents to go away during the half term.

Its not just the price of holidays, its also the costs of flights and it has been reported some foreign exchange companies have been adding extra charges on at airports, giving a very poor exchange rate.

If you are going away for half term whether it be UK or abroad, For savings during half term and all year round, buy travel insurance, for a quote or to buy cheap travel insurance go to http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Summer time

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:42:00 +0000

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward by one hour on Sunday 28th March 2010, officially the start of British Summer Time. We may be losing an hour but with extra daylight in the evenings and a long summer ahead, there’s plenty to look forward to after the clocks change.

This year we have been predicted another heat wave. Last year's incorrect prediction of a BBQ summer was a wash out but now another forecaster(not the met office) is sticking its neck out and predicting the same for 2010.
The Met Office's incorrect forecast for 2009 dissapointed families who had booked holidays in the UK and anyone looking forward to a bit of Sun.
It was followed by a predicted "mild winter" - but the UK was brought to a snowy standstill in the coldest temperatures for 30 years.
Positive Weather Solutions (PWS) - which employs just five staff at its office in Abergavenny, Mid-Wales , is claiming Britain can bank on a barbecue summer in 2010.
PWS accurately predicted the Big Freeze, said there was a chance of a White Christmas and made a host of other accurate long-term predictions in the last two years, so the odds are on it could be correct.
There's a good chance of record temperatures across the UK. The highest temperature record of 38.5C may well fall.
The firm reckons temperatures in June, July and August could be higher than the hottest summer on record in 1976.
For 15 days at the end of June into July that year the UK saw temperatures above 32C for 15 days straight.
PWS also predicts the UK's highest ever temperature of 38.5C recorded at Brogdale in Kent, on August 10, 2003, will be smashed in the first half of August.
"There's a good chance of record temperatures across the UK. The highest temperature record of 38.5C may well fall.
lets hope they are right!
Whether you decide to spend your summer holiday here or abroad buy travel insurance for a quote for single trip insurance, annual multi trip insurance, backpacking insurance, cruise insurance, go to http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

The Budget 2010

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:17:00 +0000

A few key points: Mr Darling’s Budget

The stamp duty limit for first time buyers doubled to £250.000 as from midnight tonight. Funded by an increase to stamp duty on properties worth over 1 million pounds.
Inheritance tax - threshold frozen at £325,000 for four years.
£100 million is to be used to repair local roads after winter damage and £285 million for motorways.
Fuel duty has a 3p increase, but this will be staggered, 1pc in April, 1pc in October and the rest in January 2011.
Duty on beer, wine and spirits to rise 2%. Tax on cider increased by a massive (2p to a price of beer) (and 10p to a bottle of wine)10% above inflation from midnight on Sunday. Tobacco duty increases today by 1%(approx 15p a packet) above inflation this year, then 2%.

Savings
Mr Darling had previously announced that the annual limit on Individual Savings Accounts (Isas) was to be increased to £10,200, from £7,200, in April – the limit was raised the over-50s in October last year. In the 2010 Budget, he added that Isa limit would rise in line with inflation each tax year from now on.
Struggling home owners
The interest rate on a state benefit paid to struggling home owners called Support for Mortgage Interest will remain at 6.08pc for a further six months. The period for which this interest rate would apply had already been extended until June 2010 in the pre-Budget report in December 2009.
The benefit is designed to cover mortgage interest payments for people who have lost their jobs and are on means-tested benefits, such as income support, job seekers allowance and employment and support allowance.
Investors
Capital Gains Tax will remain at a flat rate of 18pc despite rumours that it would increase, although the annual exemption allowance remains at £10,100.

One price guaranteed not to change is annual holiday insurance, If you are lucky enough to travel more than once a year buy annual multi trip travel insurance for as little as £17.95, for a quote or to buy annual insurance go to http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

source: The Telegraph.co.uk

BA strikes

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:25:00 +0000

Travellers with British Airways flights are being told to check the status of their flights as the strike by cabin crew continues.

BA is facing its third day of disruption, and its busiest following the weekend walkout.
Heathrow Airport
BA has had to cancel a number of incoming flights to Heathrow, the worst-hit airport, including services from Toronto, Philadelphia, Houston, Cairo and Dubai.
Short-haul incoming flights to the west London airport that were cancelled included Amsterdam, Zurich and Paris.
BA flights leaving Heathrow that were cancelled included services to Lisbon, Nice and Malaga.
Gatwick Airport
All longhaul flights to and from London Gatwick are set to operate normally.
Some 16 flights to European destinations have been cancelled.
A further 16 incoming flights will not operate.
London City Airport
All flights in and out of the airport are running as normal.
Newcastle Airport
Three departures and three arrivals have been cancelled.
Manchester Airport
Six flights to Heathrow and one to Gatwick have been cancelled.
Five incoming flights from Heathrow have been cancelled.
Edinburgh Airport
Six departures and six arrivals have been cancelled.
Glasgow Airport
Seven departures and six arrivals have been cancelled.
Aberdeen Airport
Five departures and five arrivals have been cancelled.
Jersey Airport
One departure and one arrival has been cancelled.
Advice for passengers
Passengers whose flights have been cancelled over the three days can either apply for a refund or rebook their ticket within 355 days, subject to availability.
For customers who are booked on a package holiday, with BA as the carrier, the Civil Aviation Authority says they too should be covered.
BA has urged people to check its website or call its helpline on 08444 930 787 for more details on which services will be operating and what happens to affected customers.
However, refunds will not be allowed unless the fare rules for that particular ticket allow.
The Association of British Insurers has given the following advice:
BA is responsible for flight arrangements, so discuss the options with the airline
Your travel insurance policy will set out what you are covered for
Cover under travel insurance for cancellation will vary. Some policies may or may not cover industrial action
Further strike action
Another four-day stoppage is planned from March 27 and further action is expected from mid-April unless the deadlock is broken.
BA said as far as the second planned strike was concerned, it would finalise its flight arrangements early next week.

Wherever you are travelling do not forget your travel insurance for a quote or to buy travel insurance go to www.holidaysafe.co.uk
Source: skynews.com

St Patrick’s Day

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:17:00 +0000

St Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in America in 1737 by those of Irish descent and since then has become a holiday celebrated by all. In Ireland St. Patrick's Day is a religious holiday. Patrick was a young boy who had been taken from his home in the British Isles and forced into slavery in what is now Ireland. He eventually escaped but went back to Ireland in the hopes of converting the people there to Christianity. It is believed that he passed away on March 17 461 AD.
While March 17th is not a national holiday in America, there are plenty of parades and from early childhood many wear green on this day. It is also a wildly popular day to head to your local Irish pub and order a green beer, sing some Irish tunes, and try traditional Irish fare.
One icon that is known by all on this day is the shamrock used by St. Patrick to explain the Trinity, it is now worn by many people as a way of being festive on this holiday.
Seattle and other cities paint the traffic stripe of their parade routes green. Chicago dyes its river green and has done so since 1962 when sewer workers used green dye to check for sewer discharges and had the idea to turn the river green for Saint Patrick's Day. Originally 100 pounds of vegetable dye was used to turn the river green for a whole week but now only forty pounds of dye is used and the colour only lasts for several hours.
Indianapolis also dyes its main canal green. Savannah dyes its downtown city fountains green. Missouri University of Science and Technology - St Pat's Board Alumni paint 12 city blocks kelly green with mops before the annual parade.
Whether you are Irish or not, St. Patrick's Day is a great reason to meet up with some friends at your local pub to celebrate and drink green beer

How to pour the perfect Guinness

A perfect pint of Guinness should always be a process of two halves and should take 119.53 seconds to create.

Pour the Guinness a fraction over half way of the pint glass and allow to rest until it has settled, then and only then should you top up the remainder of the glass, if your clever enough as you reach the top draw a “shamrock”

Wherever you are in the world celebrating St Patrick’s Day or if you are travelling to Ireland this year don’t forget to buy travel insurance, for a quote or to buy travel insurance for as little as £4.00 go to www.holidaysafe.co.uk

A beautiful game but are you covered?

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:17:00 +0000

The world cup kicks off on 11 June in South Africa,
It is estimated between 430,000 – 460,00 foreign visitors will visit South Africa this summer.
Unlike the last world cup in Germany, a lot of us are not aware that there are not the free medical provisions for EU citizens.
It is so important that we make sure we have the correct level of cover for the countries we are travelling to, for example making sure we cover lost or stolen possessions, insolvent accommodation providers and airlines.
For example if you were to break your leg in Africa, you could be facing costs of up to £15,000 in medical expenses and repatriation.
It is thought after paying for flights and accommodation; many fans will try and save money on their travel insurance.

Many hotels are believed to have taken over bookings, to prepare for “no show’s” so many fans may find themselves trying to book into a room that is already occupied.

Wherever you are travelling, research where you are going, and make sure you are covered for all impromptu events.

To buy travel insurance or to obtain a quote for this years world cup, visit www.holidaysafe.co.uk prices are from as little as £10.90 for a 5 day duration to South Africa.

WWW.

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:42:00 +0000

We appear to have so much convenience in our lives, fast food, ready made dinners, and above all purchasing every thing via the Internet. How many times a week do we say "I'll have a look on the Internet"?
Have we become a lazy nation?, and are we ourselves to blame for the dying “High Street”?

We can
· Buy our groceries and have them delivered
· Buy clothes
· Book an Appointment
· Buy Insurance
· Book a holiday

This year many of us will be booking holidays and flights online, as it is much easier to sit in the comfort of your own home, being able to compare prices, read non bias reviews, and research where we want to go as well as where we want to fly from,usually being cheaper in price to.
We use comparison sites, which seems to be popular in this day and age,
so what will become of the high street travel agents , supermarkets etc, is everyone under threat?

A few years ago it was the small “village” shop that were threatened by the supermarket's now it seems everything is.

The Internet is a wonderful invention, but will high street shopping still be here in a few years time? It’s a wonder how we ever coped without it.

you can purchase travel insurance for as little as £9.04 for a week, to buy travel insurance or for a quote please visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Mothering Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:58:00 +0000

If you are taking your mum out for a meal or buying flowers this
Sunday 14 March , are you aware of some of the reasons why?

Here are some very interesting “Mother's Day” facts

Mothers day is also known as Mothering Sunday, or Refreshment Sunday or Mid-Lent Sunday,
Mothers day in the UK is held on the 4Th Sunday (which is the middle Sunday) of Lent. (The period of fasting before Easter

Members of the working classes were often given the weekend off in the middle part of lent to visit their families, which eventually became associated with the bringing of gifts home to their mothers, especially flowers or a fruitcake called a Simnel cake. A simnel cake is a fruit cake with Marzipan on top , usually with 12 balls on top to represent the 12 apostles who betrayed Christ.

Ingredients for Simnel cake

Ingredients
300g/10oz self raising flour
1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
110g/4oz butter or margarine
110g/4oz brown sugar
2 tablespoons of golden syrup
350g/12oz mixed dry fruit
2 eggs
approx. 100 ml milk to mix
700g Marzipan
2 tablespoons of icing sugar for decoration

Method:
Rub the margarine into the flour, Add all the dry ingredients i.e. sugar, spice and dried fruit. Stir well.
Add eggs and golden syrup
Add milk to form a soft mixture
Stir well and combine the rest of the ingredients
Grease a round 8 inch tin
Place half the mixture in the tin. Roll out one third of the marzipan.
Lay the marzipan on top of the mixture. Add the remaining mixture on top
Cook on gas Mark 3 `150 C 325 F for just over an hour
When Cooled for a short time turn the cake out onto a wire rack
Allow to cool thoroughly mix icing sugar and spread on the top of the fruit cake for the marzipan to stick.
Then with the remaining marzipan make up 12 balls and stick with icing sugar.

As well as a cake and flowers if you decide to take your mum away as a mother's day gift, You can buy travel insurance for as little as £9.28 for a week away to Europe including Spain for a quote or to buy travel insurance please visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Get Away from the Daily Grind

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Irritability within the office can cause a simple day’s work to become a chore and an effort.
According to a recent poll of office workers, many felt frustration at IT, irritating staff, useless printers, unproductive meetings, smelly co workers and office gossips one of the most annoying is an intolerable increase in the use of “office Jargon.”
Which may include any one of the following:

Thinking outside the box
Lets touch Base
Blue-sky thinking
Blame storming (sitting down and working out whose fault something is)
Drill down to a more granular level (Look into something in more detail)
Lets not throw pies in the dark (we need a plan rather than a haphazard approach)
I’ve got that on my radar
Push the envelopes
Bring your A-game (Be ready to do something to best of ability)
Get all your ducks in a row
Go the extra yard!
Proactive

And probably one of the worst (but the best) Low-hanging fruit – (Targets or goals which are easily achievable but do not require a lot of effort.

Then we have the usual annoyances:

Crisp munchers
Loud coffee slurper’s
Annoying mobile ring tones
The bosses voice
Personal Phone calls
Keyboard tapping
Hold music on a telephone
Other frustrations are those who choose to chat on “Facebook” whilst pretending to be incredibly busy.
Some go to use the bathroom at a specific time of day, every day.

Are we right to feel so annoyed or have we all just lost patience?

Be “Proactive” and "think outside the box", when buying travel insurance visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/ for the best travel Insurance

“And the nominations are.....”

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:51:00 +0000

This week the Bafta( British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards took place at London's Royal Opera House.
British actor Colin Firth winning best actor for " A Single Man" and British actress Carey Mulligan, best Actress for "An Education".

The Oscar's is only twelve days away, and for many people, a social event of the Year.
You may like to watch it because you like to see your favourite actor win an award, or to watch the celebrities walk down the red carpet, either loving their designer dress or asking yourself what were they thinking?
Among the many nominations here is a short list of Feature films with two or more nominations:

Film/Nominations

"Avatar"9
"The Hurt Locker"9
"Inglourious Basterds"8
"Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"6
"Up in the Air"6
"Up"5
"District 9"4
"Nine"4
"Star Trek"4
"Crazy Heart"3
"An Education"3
"The Princess and the Frog"3
"The Young Victoria"3
"The Blind Side"2
"Fantastic Mr. Fox"2
"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"2
"Invictus"2
"The Last Station"2
"The Messenger"2
"A Serious Man"2
"Sherlock Holmes"2
"The White Ribbon"2

And for best travel insurance go to http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/
Source: www.oscar.go.com

Pancake Day

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:05:00 +0000

Tuesday 17 was Pancake day, here are a few interesting facts:

The Worlds largest pancake was cooked in Rochdale in 1994, it was 15 metres in diameter,and weighed three tonnes and was estimated to contain 2 million calories.!

Pancake day is on a different date every Year depending on when Easter Sunday falls, it can be as early as 4 February and as late as 10 March
Pancake day is always the day before Ash Wednesday, Ash Wednesday is also the start of "Lent", Lent means to give up something and lasts 46 days (40 excluding Sundays)
Ash Wednesday gets its name from the placing of ashes on your forehead ,as a sign of repentance.
One Indulgence Christians wanted to give up for lent was rich foods, eggs, sugar and butter, so they would use all the ingredients up, hense where pancakes come from.
Shrove Tueasday, the word shrove (Shrive) means to confess it was believed they would be forgiven.
The last day of lent is Eater Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.

Here are a few ideas for could give up for lent:

1 Alcohol
2 Swearing
3 Meat
4 Impulse shopping
5 Junk Food
6 Facebook
7 Smoking
8 Gambling
9 Television
10 Over use of the Credit card

If you succeed and wish to treat your self to a holiday, never give up
buying travel insurance, for the best travel insurance or to buy travel insurance go to www.holidaysafe.co.uk

Hazardous Activity Travel Insurance

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:11:00 +0000

When applying for an insurance quote the type of holiday and the destination are usually how a quote is calculated.
For some sporting activities standard cover is not enough.
You may not think hot-air ballooning would require extra cover, but your travel insurance company could well disagree.
If you are participating in any of the Hazardous activities that are shown directly below these may require an extra premium to be paid.

American Football
Football - Amateur
Micro Lighting
Skiing/snowboarding
Ballooning - Hot Air
Gliding
Mountaineering up to 3,000m
Sky Diving
Biathlon
Hand Gliding
Parachuting
Trekking up to 3000m
Boxing Training
Hockey
Paragliding
Bungee Jumping
Jet Skiing
Rugby (amateur game)
Flying crew/pilot
Martial Arts (Training Only)
Scuba Diving to 30m

For the best travel insurance quote and to buy travel insurance
go to www.holidaysafe.co.uk

Rugby Facts

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:28:00 +0000

With the 6 Nations rugby kicking off this weekend just gone,
Here are a few interesting facts:

Rugby union has been governed by the International Rugby Board since its formation in 1886 and currently has a membership of 115 national unions. In 1995, the IRB removed restrictions on payments to players, making the game openly professional at the highest level for the first time.

The Rugby World Cup, first held in 1987, takes place every four years, with the winner of the tournament receiving the Webb Ellis Cup.

The Six Nations in Europe and the Tri Nations in the southern hemisphere are major international competitions held annually. Major domestic competitions include the Top 14 in France, the Guinness Premiership in England, the Currie Cup in South Africa, and the Air New Zealand Cup in New Zealand.

Other transnational competitions include the Magners League (which is essentially a domestic competition throughout the Celtic Nations), involving Irish, Scottish and Welsh teams; the Super 14, involving South African, Australian and New Zealand teams; and the Heineken Cup, involving the top European based teams of their respective domestic competitions.

RBS 6 Nations Fixtures & Results

Date Time Country Score Stadium
Sat 6th Feb 2010 10:30 Ireland 29 - 11 Italy Croke Park
Sat 6th Feb 2010 17:00 England 30 - 17 Wales Twickenham
Sun 7th Feb 2010 15:00 Scotland 9 - 18 France Murrayfield
Sat 13th Feb 2010 14:00 Wales v Scotland Millennium Stadium
Sat 13th Feb 2010 16:30 France v Ireland Stade de France
Sun 14th Feb 2010 14:30 Italy v England Stadio Flaminio
Fri 26th Feb 2010 20:00 Wales v France Millennium Stadium
Sat 27th Feb 2010 13:30 Italy v Scotland Stadio Flaminio
Sat 27th Feb 2010 16:00 England v Ireland Twickenham
Sat 13th Mar 2010 14:30 Ireland v Wales Croke Park
Sat 13th Mar 2010 17:00 Scotland v England Murrayfield
Sun 14th Mar 2010 14:30 France v Italy Stade de France
Sat 20th Mar 2010 14:30 Wales v Italy Millennium Stadium
Sat 20th Mar 2010 17:00 Ireland v Scotland Croke Park

If you are fortunate enough to be going to watch any of the above games do not forget to
Buy Travel Insurance, please visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Source:http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/matchcentre/match-centre_fixtures-results.php and wikipedia.com

Top 10 Romantic Cities

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:59:00 +0000

If you can not decide where to take your loved one for valentines day , here are the top ten most romantic cities

Paris
The capital of France, Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world. The 'City of Light', as Parisians call it, is also known for its literature and fine cuisine. If you are a lover of good wine and fond of desserts, there can not be a better place than Paris. There are numerous tourist attractions in Paris, not to forget Eiffel tower, where you can declare your love to your beloved!!

Venice
Venice proves to be an utmost delight for lovers. Also called the 'Floating City', it promises to offer you unique water landscapes, along with the mystic greenery. An irresistible charm that the city exudes along with its perfect ambience is a major turn-on for any couple.

San Francisco
Are you ready to explore the best of nature? San Francisco is sure to provide something to match to the liking of all. The glorious greens of the Golden Green Park, the breezy stroll at the waterfront or the exciting ride at the colorful wooden cable car, the options are too many for the love birds to explore. It is the ultimate destination for a couple to revel in the natural beauty and have a great time!

Boston
Boston is the seat or the cultural center of the entire New England region. While the city has a rich and affluent historic significance, it also exudes the ambience of the present generation. Boston looks extremely beautiful in the snow and winter is the right time for a couple to go there, when the cold is enough to make you want to snuggle and remain close to each other.

New York
Whether it’s proclaiming your love at the top of the Empire State Building or exploring the city in a luxurious carriage ride or even touring the Statue of Liberty, New York rightly poses to be one of the most romantic cities in the world. From historic landmarks to Broadway theaters to hundreds of museums, the city has it all for lovers to take pleasure in.

Vienna, Austria
Enthralling and ever-lasting, Vienna is sure to be a delightful destination for a couple. From the serene sunset spots to trendy love nests, you have a range of romantic options to impress your other half with. Get carried away with the romance of the place and make the holiday special for your partner.

New Orleans
There is something in the air of New Orleans that makes the place so romantic for a couple. While cruising in the ship or watching the city drift by from the deck of a riverboat are pure embodiments of romance, riding through a carriage in the arms of your lover, crossing the French effigy, is not far behind. The place is a beauty for lovers to spend their vacation in.

Monte-Carlo
Attractive and appealing, Monte-Carlo strikes just the right chord of romantic essence that lovers dwell in. The city is beautiful with its breathtaking landscapes and idyllic beaches. The extension of Monte-Carlo into rock and sea will gives you the perfect opportunity to spend some tranquil moments with your better half.

London
Rated as one of the most happening place in the world, London is a great city to let romance take over. From the castles to the churches, palaces to the cathedrals, ancient museums to lovely beaches, London has everything to bring you into the most romantic mood.

Melbourne
Melbourne is the perfect place to bask in the glory of love. A mystical quality that is attached to the city lends it the tag of being one of the top romantic cities in the world. The ambience of the city is great and is sure to extend a flame of emotions and passions in your love life.

Whether it be Paris, London or Melbourne you can buy travel insurance at http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Source:http://www.everythingvalentinesday.com

A Few Days Away

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:34:00 +0000

Each Year in Britain we spend around £503m on cards,flowers chocolates and other gifts for Valentines Day.
Many of us drawn into the facade and may wish to take our partners on a romantic mini break, either to re-assure our love , or even to propose marriage. This Year probably without exception as it falls within a Weekend.

However when we decide to surprise our loved ones with a few days away, whether it be Valentines Day or at any time of Year, do we think about insuring our-selves?
Most of us would only consider insurance if we were away for more than a weeks duration. Imagine planning to travel to beautiful Paris for a long weekend, and finding yourself delayed or not being able to propose because the ring was in the suitcase that got lost at the airport. This would not be the relaxed, romantic few days you had hoped for.

You can purchase single-trip travel insurance from as little as £4.92, for a quote or to buy travel insurance visit www.holidaysafe.co.uk

Posted by Holidaysafe.co.uk

Travel Insurance for Motorcycle riders

noreply@blogger.com (holidaysafe.co.uk) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:58:00 +0000

For road and track loving motorcycle riders, the winter represents a frustrating time of poor weather (although the summer is often not much better in the UK) and a distinct lack bike racing. All is not lost, the gloom of winter will begin to lift soon (some of the holidaysafe team managed a few hours out on bikes on Sunday) and with only one month left until the opening round of the World superbikes calendar, there are reasons to be cheerful! Clearly there will not be many Brits lucky enough to make the trip to the Australian opening round, but with no fewer than 18 rounds across the World Superbike and Moto GP championships that we think are definitely rider-able, here is something to look forward to:

World Superbike and Moto GP rounds, by date:

26 Feb to 28 Feb - World Superbikes - Phillip Island, Australia
26 Mar to 28 Mar – World Superbikes - Portamao, Portugal
9 April to 11 April – World Superbikes - Valencia, Spain
9 April to 11 April – Moto GP – Losail Circuit, Qatar
23 April to 25 April – World Superbikes – Assen, Netherlands
23 April to 25 April – Moto GP – Motegi, Japan
7 May to 9 May – World Superbikes – Monza, Italy
14 May to 16 May – World Superbikes – Kyalami, South Africa
21 May to 23 May – Moto GP – Le Mans, France
29 May to 31 May – World Superbikes - Miller Motorsport, USA
4 June to 6 June – Moto GP – Mugello, Italy
18 June to 20 June – Moto GP – Silverstone, Great Britain
24 June to 26 June – Moto GP – Assen, Netherlands
25 June to 27 June – World Superbikes - Misano Adriatico, San Marino
2 July to 4 July - Moto GP – Circuit de Catalunya, Catalunya
9 July to 11 July – World Superbikes - Brno, Czech Republic
16 July to 18 July – Moto GP – Sachsenring, Germany
23 July to 25 July – Moto GP – Laguna Seca, USA
30 July to 1 Aug – World Superbikes - Donnington Park, Great Britain
13 Aug to 15 Aug – Moto GP – Automotodrom, Czech Republic
27 Aug to 29 Aug – Moto GP – Indianapolis, USA
3 Sept to 5 Sept – World Superbikes – Nurburgring, Germany
3 Sept to 5 Sept – Moto GP – Misano, San Marino
17 Sept to 19 Sept - Moto GP – Balatonring, Hungary
24 Sept to 26 Sept – World Superbikes – Imola, Italy
1 Oct to 3 Oct – World Superbikes - Magny Cours, France
8 Oct to 10 Oct - Moto GP – Sepang Circuit, Malaysia
15 Oct to 17 Oct – Moto GP – Phillip Island, Australia
29 Oct to 31 Oct – Moto GP – Estoril, Portugal
5 Nov to 7 Nov – Moto GP – Comunitat Valenciana, Valencia

For those planning to attend a foreign trip on your bike, regardless if it is for a motorcycle championship, just a dash for some winter sun or a vacation - don’t forget to buy travel insurance which will cover you whilst riding your bike. Many travel insurance policies have exclusions for riding motorcycles with a capacity of more than 125cc. Those that will cover motorcycle riders, many charge an additional premium. Holidaysafe.co.uk however, offer travel insurance for motorcycle riders at standard premiums, regardless of the size of bike, as long as you are licensed to ride the bike in the UK.
With one weeks motorcycle riders travel insurance starting from a reasonable £7.50, can you afford to be without it!
For a quote, or to buy travel insurance click here.