Travel Insurance and Advice for Paralympic Games - Beijing 2008

Those who weren’t able to visit Beijing in person for the Olympic Games may be lucky enough to attend the Paralympic Games.  After yet another spectacular and moving Opening Ceremony the Games are off to a great start.  Congratulations to our athletes who are already enjoying fantastic success - we wish them continued good luck! 

Visit our Travel Guide for China which contains a link to the Foreign Office website for important and updated travel information and advisories.  Don’t forget to take out Travel Insurance before leaving home – and check to make sure that all your intended activities will be covered.

Cheap Flights to Oktoberfest in Munich

It’s a sure sign that summer is over when Oktoberfest begins.  Celebrations go on all over the world - often in places far removed from Bavaria or Munich - and well before October.  You don’t have to play in an oompah band, squeeze into lederhosen or BYOC (bring your own cowbells) to join in the fun.  Many people deny having any talent for yodelling or doing the Chicken Dance so it can come as an unpleasant shock to discover after the fact (often via recorded evidence) that they excel in both!  

Easyjet is advertising a special £29.99 each way fare (including taxes) from Stansted or Edinburgh to Munich to visit the beer halls and tents and soak up the authentic atmosphere. If drinking is not your thing Munich has lots to offer teetotallers too - with great shopping and sightseeing. If you don’t know any beer drinking songs here’s one to get you started.  It’s short, easy to remember, and sure to get you in the mood:

Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, Der Gemütlichkeit  (repeat)   
(Translation:  A toast, a toast – to happiness)  

Don’t forget  to chant the toast Oans, Zwoa, Drei, Gsuffa! (one, two, three, drink) for the oompteenth time before falling under the table.

Seriously, we don’t advocate excessive drinking and it is important to take out Travel Insurance before leaving on a trip.  Be aware, however, that insurers may deny claims if intoxication is found to be a factor – especially for medical bills related to physical injuries!  Prost! (Cheers! To Your Health!).

LHC ‘Big Bang Machine’ Switch-on Next Week at CERN in Switzerland

Let’s hope the world won’t end and there will still be a need for Travel Insurance after the so-called Big Bang Machine is turned on! Those who enjoyed The Da Vinci Code might also have enjoyed Dan Brown’s prequel Angels and Demons and been introduced to CERN’s fascinating experiment to re-create the moment after the big bang. The book was a good read, so let’s hope the film Angels and Demons doesn’t disappoint. We will once again see Tom Hanks as Dr. Langdon and the film also stars Ewan McGregor. The U.S. release date is May 2009 so let’s hope we are all still here to watch it when it reaches the UK.  

Although this amazing and gigantic machine will be switched on next Wednesday it seems nothing significant is expected to happen for about a month - when scientists will take photos of the particles colliding and hope to get some answers.  Critics fear that the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) could produce unforeseen results, such as creating a black hole which will gobble up the Earth or turn us all into strangelets and goop.  It’s all a bit sci-fi. 

CERN which is actually the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, has spent more than 14 years on the project and involved something like10,000 scientists from dozens of countries. The final bill will be several times above budget at about 6.2bn euros.  The accelerator lies buried in a 27 km long tunnel, at depths of up to 175 m below ground beneath the Alps on the French-Swiss border. The magnets used are said to be capable of creating a magnetic field 100,000 times more powerful than that of the Earth. 

The engineering, physics and science involved is mind-boggling to the average person. Similar experiments have been going on for years close to Chicago and nothing bad has happened (that we are aware of) but the LHC at CERN is about seven times more powerful. What would Einstein say?  Would he be excited or maybe turn in his grave and do some thought-colliding with the scientists?  So… Should we be scared?  Claims that a black hole could be created are debunked by many boffins, including British physicist Stephen Hawking.

It’s doubtful that any Travel Insurance policy will cover negative effects produced by the machine if we end up floating about in the galaxy!

Cheap Ski Flights for 2008-2009 - Act Fast to Grab Your Seat!

At the time of writing, Ryanair is advertising on its website a sale on six million seats at £10 each way, inclusive of all charges!  Bookings must be made before next Tuesday, September 9, for travel during October and November - with some exclusions. The airline has expanded its ski schedule by 40 percent for the upcoming 2008-2009 season, which continues through April 18 2009 to cover the later Easter period.  Ryanair flies from eight airports in the UK: Stansted, Bournemouth, Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Glasgow and East Midlands.  

Easyjet will be flying its winter schedule from Edinburgh, Belfast, Glasgow, Stansted and Liverpool. 

Jet2 has a winter schedule which includes flights from Edinburgh, Belfast, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle and is running a competition on its website to win free ski flights. 

After last winter’s great snowfall in the Alps enthusiasm for skiing in Europe is definitely waxing, not waning.  Book early to get the cheapest flights to your favourite ski or boarding destination.  Obtain a quote for Ski Insurance.  Good luck and safe skiing - or should we say, don’t break a leg!

La Braderie de Lille Flea Market - This Weekend September 6-7

If you’re stuck for something to do this weekend how about a diversion from the rainy weather with a weekend break to La Braderie in the lovely old town of Lille, France.  The market is open continously from 2:00 pm on Saturday to 11:00 pm on Sunday. More than one million visitors attend each year.

Those already in the Lille area and not attending the market are advised to allow extra time for travel as traffic in the area may be heavy.  For market-goers parking will be available on the city outskirts with metro trains for transfer to the city centre.  For a more relaxing method of travel try the Eurostar,

The annual event dates back to medieval times and is one of Europe’s largest flea markets.  Go and vent your frustration at the miserable weather by having a good old haggle and a plate of moules frites with a nice glass of wine or a cold beer.  If taking the car across check that Vehicle Breakdown cover is current and you have the required safety equipment for driving in France.  For more information about La Braderie and Lille click here.

Tickets and Info for England vs Andorra Match in Barcelona - September 6

Those visiting Barcelona this weekend should be aware that a football match between England and Andorra will be taking place on Saturday, September 6. 

Fans attending the match can find advice and information on the Foreign Office (FCO) website regarding entry to the stadium, tickets, maps of the area, transportation - and tips to avoid trouble.  Visit our Travel Guide for Spain which contains a link to the FCO website.  If you haven’t done so yet, stay on the ball and take out Travel Insurance before leaving home!

Travel Advice for Thailand - Rail Services and Flights May be Disrupted

Those currently travelling in Thailand or with plans to travel soon should keep up with news regarding the political situation.  In Bangkok a state of emergency was declared on September 2nd due to civil unrest.  There have been large scale demonstrations in the centre of Bangkok and other parts of Thailand with some violent outbreaks resulting in death and injuries.  Travellers should avoid getting involved, stay away from trouble spots, and be aware of Foreign Office (FCO) advisories against travel to certain areas of the country. 

Rail services and air travel have been disrupted recently.  The airports at Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai are reported to have been reopened but travellers are advised to check with their airline before setting off.  Also, flood warnings are in effect along the Mekong River in certain areas.

It is necessary to have at least six months’ validity remaining on your passport to enter Thailand and it should be in good condition with no damaged or missing pages. Ensure that the next-of-kin section is fully completed.  Medical care in Thailand can be expensive and not always up to UK standards and they often require payment upfront before giving treatment.  Tap water and ice in drinks should be avoided due to an outbreak of leptospirosis, and medical treatment sought in the event of diarrhoea.

Visit our Travel Guide for Thailand which contains a link to the FCO website for up-to-date travel advice and information about travel to Thailand.  Never take a chance and leave on a trip without taking out Travel Insurance.  Make sure, before you leave the UK, that the policy will cover all activities you plan to engage in while travelling.

Tropical Storm Trio Hanna, Ike and Josephine Keep Nerves Jangling

They may sound like members of a popular band, but these three characters are not making soothing or happy music.  It’s been a heck of a year for tropical storms and hurricanes. Thankfully, Gustav spared New Orleans but Hanna is fast approaching the U.S. coast with fellow troublemakers Ike and Josephine tagging along behind.

Tropical Storm Hanna has been working her way through the Caribbean as she heads for the Bahamas and U.S. coast.  Haiti has been hit hard yet again, with a further 23 fatalities.  The storm is being watched closely by frustrated forecasters who predict Hanna has the potential to reach hurricane force but due to its erratic path they cannot tell where it may make landfall in the U.S. - although somewhere between the Carolinas and Georgia is likely.  Tropical storms Ike and Josephine are busy brewing up trouble but it’s too early to know how much of a threat they pose.

Those with plans to travel to the Caribbean or southern states of the U.S. should keep an eye on weather reports and contact their airlines for updates if in any doubt.   Don’t leave for your trip without Travel Insurance!

Afraid of Camping in the Rainy UK? - Try Worldwide Glamping Instead!

The term ‘glamping’ has been around for a few years and by all accounts the activity is gaining in popularity – mainly due to the economy.  Glamping or ‘glamour camping’ is a whole new way of experiencing the outdoors.  It’s time to throw away all that musty old camping gear in the garage.  Those wanting a stylish camping holiday with added comforts can turn to the big outdoors retailers and shops like Marks and Spencer who are cashing in on the glamping trend with their own collection of products.  Finding your tent amid all the others in a muddy UK field can be a cinch nowadays if you have a pretty retro-print tent - with matching sleeping bag, of course. 

The well-heeled are taking to glamping like caviar on toast and the sky’s the limit when it comes to being spoilt.  Luxury glampsites are popping up in the United States, Canada, and all round the world - many only accessible by boat-plane into wilderness areas.  What a way to impress your friends or the object of your desire!  Leaky tents are unheard of.  We’re talking huge walk-in tents with four-poster beds, mood lighting, champagne, gourmet cooks, private toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, spa facilities, and even butlers!  However, to get a taste of the great outdoors and burn off some stored fat we’d suggest bypassing the motorized kayaks…  Maybe that’s going a bit too far?

So does glamping take all the fun out of it?  Isn’t part of the challenge of camping dealing with the discomfort and rediscovering natural instincts like peeing in the bushes, washing in cold streams and squashing bugs in your sleeping bag?  Hardened campers may well sneer at all the frippery of glamping and stick with their trusted leaky tents, soggy sleeping bags, moldy ground sheets and cooking pot hand-me-downs from grandpa.  Meanwhile, glampers are buying floral-patterned tents, heated sleeping pads and taking down duvets and other comforts of home with them.  Even celebrities are taking to the roads in their glamper vans and getting back to nature in style.

Travel trends come and go but it seems that glamping is hammering its flower-shaped tent pegs firmly in and hunkering down to wait out the impending recession.  Maybe affordable foreign travel will eventually make a comeback.  In the meantime, if you plan on glamping in the UK or Europe don’t forget to pack the really essential accoutrements like Travel Insurance and Vehicle Breakdown Cover along with the crystal candelabra!

Tropical Storm Gustav Causing Havoc - Check Travel Advisories

Tropical storms have plagued the Caribbean and U.S. Gulf states this season and Gustav is expected to hit Jamaica and Grand Cayman. Some flights into Jamaica have been cancelled and passengers with flights booked on Air Jamaica should contact the airline for instructions.

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

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

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