Arriving Without Any Clothes
OK, sure, you won’t even get past check in if you are not wearing anything, but imagine if the clothes that you are wearing have to last you your whole holiday? That’s the situation many people have found themselves in, when they have arrived at their destination, and their luggage has decided its going to a different holiday destination! Short of taking all your clothing on as hand luggage, travel insurance can sort you out for an impromptu wardrobe while you wait for your bags to join you on your vacation.

Not Managing to Get on The Plane
For the vast majority of people, checking in, getting through customs and onto one’s designated flight should not pose too much of a problem. Spare a thought for those who through little fault of their own, didn’t manage to get that far. An unforseen traffic jam or accident involving the vehicle you are travelling to the airport in could mean you arrive too late to check in on time and then miss your flight. Flexible tickets, and / or travel insurance can help in resolving such issues quickly.

Meeting the Local Wildlife
Soaking up the great outdoors whilst viewing beautiful animals in their natural habitat is a popular break one would think most people would enjoy. As long as the animals don’t come too close that is. Camping out in the African Savannah sounds like a great way to get back to nature, but just make sure you don’t encroach on an animal’s habitat. Your tour guide will be able to assist with sensible do’s and don’ts. The very occasional tourist has come unstuck whilst trying to foolishly pose for happy snaps with wild animals. Snakes, scorpions and the like might be a greater risk. While care, and listening to local advice should see you through, travel insurance for any urgent medical emergency provides an extra level of comfort.

Holidays Without Any Cash
Major world tourist attractions excite would be travellers with their beauty and grandeur, spurring many of us on to visit these famed landmarks. Unfortunately in some spots, would be pickpockets are also well aware, eagerly awaiting the next plane load of unsuspecting tourists to descend on their turf. Losing some cash could be a hassle, but what if your wallet is taken, along with the credit card you were relying on to foot the expenses of your dream holiday? You could be in a bit of a pickle. Some travel insurance policies provide cover for stolen money to make sure your holiday can continue as planned. It’s also a good idea to not carry too much cash around, and split it up over a few different places in your luggage.

The majority of travellers enjoy wonderful holidays incident free. Taking out some Cheap Travel Insurance though, will give you peace of mind at an affordable cost.

4 Ways Dream Holidays Can Go Wrong is a post from: Travel Insurance Tips & Articles

Trip Changes or Cancellation
Being stuck without accommodation when a last minute flight cancellation occurs is no fun experience. Travel insurance may be able to cover you for the cost of a hotel, in such a circumstance. You may also be able to obtain coverage in case of an illness, where you need to make changes to your booking prior to departure. The higher the value of your planned travel, the more important travel insurance is. In other words, you stand to lose much more on a round the world airline ticket, or multi stop global travel package than on a low cost domestic flight.

Health Issues
It’s very easy to fall sick, even at the best of times. Add in to this different climates, environments and foods, and the body can take a little getting used to the adjustment. Prior inoculations for known diseases in specific areas are a wise idea, but are only part of the solution. While you may be well covered medically at home, your home cover is unlikely to extend overseas. Having a comprehensive Travel Health Insurance plan will ensure that you are covered if you require medical assistance whilst overseas.

Medical Evacuations
Travel Health insurance is a saviour when needing to see local medical staff, while travelling overseas. This may be sufficient if the medical issues of the traveller are not too serious, and that local medics are equipped to handle the health issue in question. Some regions however, may have a decided lack of medical facilities or staff who are poorly equipped to handle the more serious or possibly life threatening medical problems. This is where medical evacuation cover is essential. Medical evacuations can be extremely expensive, and could potentially bankrupt an individual who suffers a medical emergency in a poorly equipped region.

Loss, Theft or Damage of Baggage
Arriving at your destination without your baggage is not how you want to start your holiday. If these have been lost after being checked in by your airline, then some compensation is likely to be payable. There are often limits on this amount, however, and travel insurance will often more comprehensively cover you for any potential loss. Flow on issues, like the need to immediately replace the necessities in your baggage (such as with medication) can also be handled by having a travel insurance policy.

Adventure/ Extreme Sports Travel
If you are going to partake in such activities, just make sure you are covered. Adventure activities can be a great part of holidays, but it is better to have insurance cover in the unlikely event of a mishap.

Cheap Travel Insurance is an easy way to make sure you are covered for any unforeseen problems on your trip.

Top 5 Reasons for Travel Insurance is a post from: Travel Insurance Tips & Articles

• Don’t Drink the Water. As with many countries in Southeast Asia, hygiene standards are sometimes not as high as they are in the West. Most times it is just a matter of common sense in making a decision whether to eat or drink at a particular street stall or restaurant. The important thing to remember is that most food in Malaysia is prepared fresh but that the water may be slightly contaminated. For this reason it is better to drink only bottled water.
• Getting around. One of the most peculiar things that may happen when you visit Kuala Lumpur is to receive a phone call offering you a free tour of the city. This is more than likely a scam operated by a group of store sellers who will take you to their shops in a bid to have your buyers much from them as possible. Avoid these offers at all costs and only deal with reputable tour companies which are recommended by friends or the hotel where you are staying.
• Terrorist activity. Make sure you stay up-to-date with the latest government warnings about possible terrorist threats. Although the likelihood of this occurring is quite low, there have been incidents of concern in some areas of Eastern Sabah, particularly at diving resorts and some coastal areas of this particular region. If you want to play completely safe just eliminate this area of Malaysia from your itinerary. Street crime. As is the case in many capital cities around the world there is an increasing incidence of pick pocketing and bag snatching. To prevent the likelihood of an attack make sure you do not wear jewellery or any sign of wealth when you are walking in the streets. All cash should be carefully concealed in a money belt and kept underneath your clothing at all times. Leave all valuable documents especially passports and other identification in a safe deposit box or the safe at your hotel.
• Travel Insurance. It is always a wise move to take out proper holiday insurance before you start any overseas holiday. In fact, the Australian government website also particularly recommends that you take out comprehensive travel insurance before you start your trip. This is certainly one tip you should not ignore.

Whilst Malaysia is one of the friendliest and safest countries to visit in Southeast Asia, following these few free tips will go a long way to ensuring that your holiday is a safe and memorable one.

5 Safe Travel Tips For Malaysia is a post from: Travel Insurance Tips & Articles

When planning your trip to Indonesia give yourself plenty of time to consider your options, take out the best travel insurance package you can afford, and make your bookings well in advance.

Whilst it is well-nigh impossible to narrow down the choice of beaches to a list of five that will suit everybody, let’s take a look at a broad range in our shortlist.

• Thousand Islands. By taking a ferry from Ancol in North Jakarta you’ll find yourself in the pristine blue waters of these islands which offer a range of accommodation and resorts as well some of the most beautiful deserted beaches on earth. The islands closer to Jakarta are more popular, especially with day-trippers, so if you really want to get away from it all you’ll need to travel a bit further out to find yourself on powdery white sand with vast expanses of blue water fringed with coconut palms and no one to share it with you.
• Banda Islands, Maluku. These islands were once exotically termed the spice Islands, shrouded in mystery and wonder, highly valued by pirates and international traders alike. Today, it has assumed the more sedate name of Banda and whilst spices still grow abundantly the islands are now favoured by holidaymakers seeking quiet rest in a noisy world.
• Nusa Dua. Surfers the world over know that Indonesia has some of the world’s best surfing beaches and is home to some of the most amazing ocean waves in the southern hemisphere. Even following the terrorist attacks in Bali a few years ago, surfers continued to visit Indonesia in undiminished numbers, and this was amongst their favourite destinations.
• Aloita Resort and Spa. This is a surfers only destination located in Padang which was specially built to pander to your every need as a surfer. It is only five minutes from Telescopes, probably the most famous deserving destination in Indonesia if not the world. The resort’s owners promise to share all the local secrets with their guests but are very tight-lipped about giving out any information prior to your arrival. But, if you read the reviews of surfers who have visited this area, it promises to be something very special indeed.
• The Mentawai Islands. This collection of about 70 islands is located off the western side of Sumatra are considered by surfers in the know to have the most consistent surf in the world. From June to September the conditions are nearly perfect for big waves and, as you can imagine is extremely popular.

Of course, surfing can come with some extra dangers so you should always make sure that your holiday insurance policy covers the possibility of an untimely accident. The above five selections are simply a start and you can find extra information from a good travel agent.

5 Best Beaches in Indonesia is a post from: Travel Insurance Tips & Articles

• Satay. The Satay is probably the best-known Indonesian dish in the world, but one variation that may have escaped your attention is Satay Ponorgo. This is an East Java dish originating in the town of Ponorgo and is made from marinated chicken meat served with a sauce made from peanuts and chilli. This dish is unique however in that each skewer contains a whole chicken’s meat, not just a few slices, so it is a rather filling dish! This is a traditional recipe calls for it to be marinated in its special sauce for long periods of time before cooking. It is traditionally cooked in a specially designed earthenware pot roasted over hot coals.
• Gado Gado. This is a basic vegetable dish made from cooked and raw vegetables in a coconut milk and peanut sauce. You will find this dish in almost every restaurant as well as many street vendors, where the peanut sauce is made fresh for each dish. This makes Gado-Gado more special word is served in Indonesia as opposed to the restaurants back home, where the sauces are prepared in advance.
• Rujak. This dish is widely regarded as Indonesia’s national salad dish. Consisting of pineapples, bananas, green apples and cucumber, it is then dressed with chilli powder and dark soy sauce with a little brown sugar and a splash of lime juice and is absolutely delicious and refreshing. It’s something you don’t see very often outside of Indonesia so make sure you give it a try.
• Nasi goreng. This is the famous fried rice dish that is served around the world, and is a simple combination of rice, dark soy sauce, chilli powder, onions, garlic, and brown sugar with seasoning. Serve it as an accompaniment to many dishes this makes a complete Indonesian experience out of any meal.
• Sarikayo Telor. For a desert with a difference this Indonesian specialty is a steamed egg and coconut milk concoction flavoured with vanilla for the perfect end to any Indonesian meal.

The huge variety of Indonesian food makes the challenge of finding the best European dish an impossible one.

The best advice you could receive would be to simply let yourself go and experience the full local cuisine of Indonesia and to never turned down the chance to eat with a local family where you are assured of being treated to something really special. Whilst hygiene levels can vary from place to place just use your common sense with the proviso that a good holiday insurance package should always be part of your plan.

5 Best Food Experiences in Indonesia is a post from: Travel Insurance Tips & Articles

There is still plenty to attract tourists to Indonesia and there is probably no better time to get a bargain price. You can also secure your travel insurance direct from the Internet, and this is strongly recommended so you can travel with greater certainty and peace of mind.

Here are some tips to follow to maximise your safety when travelling in Indonesia.

• Government warnings will places like nightclubs, hotels and bars where Westerners are likely to gather as the most dangerous places in Indonesia. Although many tourists find these places attractive and in some cases are the real reason for visiting Indonesia in the first place, it is wise to eliminate them from your itinerary and stay in alternative accommodation. You will also be better served by visiting restaurants but the locals use. The side benefits from this will mean that you will be getting closer to the local population which will enhance your tourist experience anyway.
• Stay off the streets whenever demonstrations or political gatherings occur. This is just a simple commonsense but you should be alert to any local media warnings about these events so you can steer clear.
• When you are out and about, make sure you only take the bare minimum with you. Banks matching and petty crime on the streets can be quite common in many major cities in Indonesia and it is just not worth the risk. Avoid wearing expensive jewellery or clothing so as not to draw attention to yourself. Take the minimum amount of cash you need and store it in a money belt under your clothing making sure that it is not discernible through your clothes.
• If you decide to drive, be aware that local traffic rules will bear no resemblance to those at home. It is quite common to see dangerous driving manoeuvres even in the heaviest traffic. Many drivers do not use headlights until it is completely dark for example and many cyclists do not wear helmets. There have been several reports where foreigners are blamed for accidents despite their innocence and subsequently find themselves in precarious legal positions.

Once again, it is timely to remind yourself that holiday insurance is absolutely imperative when you are travelling in Indonesia.

You may also recall the natural devastation which occurred in Sulawesi following an earthquake in September 2009. If you are travelling anywhere near this area, check with local authorities or tourist operators to make sure that roads are open and that there are sufficient facilities to cater for your needs.

Finally, here is a general health tip. The recent flu pandemic has spread throughout the world and Indonesia is no exception. Check with your doctor before you leave home and where possible make sure you are vaccinated before you leave.

4 Safe Travel Tips in Indonesia is a post from: Travel Insurance Tips & Articles

That is not to say that Cambodia is a dangerous destination, it is just common sense to make sure that when travelling on all land of limited health resources that you have the peace of mind you need to undertake a journey into some remote locations.

So, with the formalities out of the way let’s take a look at some of the things you should know about water travel in Cambodia.

• Ferries. Government run ferries operate between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, a journey which takes around five hours. This is a popular trip was tourists as Siem Reap is close to Angkor Wat, probably the most popular tourist destination in all Cambodia. At various times of the year some parts of the river may be too shallow for the ferry to traverse and so travelling is very limited. Check with your travel agent about when the dry season is likely to affect ferry services say to make alternative plans before you depart.
• Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and is home to the famous floating villages of the area. Here you will see floating classrooms with children receiving instructions as they float around the lake, as well as a police station and many other food sellers. The occupants of this flotilla always travel together and will relocate according to tide and water levels. It is an extraordinary sight that is bound to live long in your memory.
• The Mekong River Cruise. There are several cruises you can take along the Mekong River. You can travel around Phnom Penh or you can go further and visit the islands further upstream. The flooded forests are considered a natural wonder of Cambodia and have to be seen to be believed. You can actually sail over the top of the remains of a forest whilst all around you on the shores the same forest still flourishes. You can stop along the way and visit villages that are far from the beaten track. There you will find ancient temples that many tourists have never seen.

Travelling by water in Cambodia is an unrivalled tourist experience that many fail to plan for. As long as you have adequate holiday insurance there is no need to worry about getting off the beaten track in Cambodia.

As far as water travel goes, you are better to stay with a guided tour as independent travel can be unreliable and sometimes totally unpredictable and let’s face it, you don’t want to be explaining why you overextended your Visa because you are lost at the Mekong Delta!

3 Things You Should Know About Water Travel In Cambodia is a post from: Travel Insurance Tips & Articles

• Phnom Penh. The capital of Cambodia has many interesting temples and markets that you can visit day and night. But perhaps one of the more famous destinations with tourists is the Russian Market. Also known as Psar Tuol Tompoung, this is a bargain hunters dream come true. You can find just about anything from food to souvenirs and clothing, and the prices are almost unbelievable. As long as you maintain a positive outlook and are friendly and smiling in your bargaining, you can expect to pay no more than half price and usually substantially less than that.
• Siem Reap. One of the most spectacular ways to see this famous city is by hot air balloon. From this vantage point you can really appreciate the expanse of Angkor Wat. It is difficult to obtain a proper perspective when you are walking through this ancient temple, so you will really come to appreciate the magnificence of this structure from high in the air.
• Choeung Ek. Although you may consider this a grisly recommendation, the atrocities of the recent wars in Cambodia provide a timely reminder of the value of peace. This area is better known as the Killing Fields made famous in film and print after the Khmer Rouge regime was toppled. Of the 17,000 people who were killed here, 8000 skulls remain as a haunting tribute.
• Kangpong Som. Located close to the Ream National Park, this delightful beach is the access point to some amazing scuba-diving. Divers from around the world marvel at the beauty of the coral and variety of fish all easily accessible by just walking off the beach. There is plenty of nightlife nearby as well so an overnight stay is in order.
• Angkor Wat. No visit to Cambodia would be complete without visiting Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world. It was constructed in the 12th century and it is an elaborate collection of buildings and monuments that seem to stretch out forever.

Cambodia is still developing as a tourist destination with its facilities improving every year. But you will still need to take out adequate holiday insurance so you can have a hassle free trip without the burden of worrying about adequate health cover for example.

Cambodia is ideally suited to the independent traveller as well as those who like the ease of travel that a group tour offers.

5 Places To Visit In Cambodia is a post from: Travel Insurance Tips & Articles

Travelling to any destination in Southeast Asia exposes you to some dangers, but no more than you would expect when travelling anywhere else. It is just as dangerous in some American and European cities at night as it is anywhere in Cambodia. The point is, with a little common sense a trip to Cambodia will be a rich and rewarding experience and will provide you with many a tale to tell your friends on your return.

But just to be safe, here are some timely safety tips for you to follow when you visit Cambodia.

• Regional violence. There are occasional incidences of border tension with surrounding countries, particularly Thailand. Although violence is rare most countries maintain a strong military presence so you should check local media outlets for reports of danger spots.
• Scams. Some tourists report being ripped off when taking long-distance car or coach travel from large cities to border crossings. Although you need to carefully negotiate the fare before you leave there is a lot of room for misunderstanding to arise especially if there are language difficulties. The best advice is to take a coolheaded view and look at the amount of money involved. Travelling is generally very cheap by Western standards and if you feel you have been overcharged by a few dollars it is probably better to ignore it and think of the big picture.
• Health concerns. There have been repeated outbreaks of avian influenza, or bird flu, so it is important to ensure that your holiday insurance policy give you adequate cover. As you would expect, consuming local water can be dangerous and it is wise to limit yourself to bottled supplies. Food on the other hand should not present you with any problems and you can feel free to enjoy the local cuisine to your heart’s content. Naturally you should always be on the lookout for normal hygiene standards that you would expect in your own country and stay clear of any food outlet that looks dangerous to you.
• Markets. When you purchase anything at a market you should be prepared to bargain strongly. You can easily counter offer with a bid of roughly half of what you are being asked to pay. This may appear rude in the West, but it is an expected procedure in many other cultures including Cambodia. There is no need to get ripped off in a market if you are prepared to bargain properly.

Your Cambodia holiday can be a safe and enjoyable one if you follow these few simple tips. Remember that the Cambodian people are warm and friendly. They will be only too willing to sit down and share a meal with you and help you wherever they can.

4 Tips To Travel Safely In Cambodia is a post from: Travel Insurance Tips & Articles

The costs involved of course can be prohibitive, that’s why it is wise to get several travel insurance quotes before you finalise your plans.

With that having been said, a trip to Bhutan will be the experience of a lifetime. Bhutan is a country that has been virtually untouched by the West and has only recently opened its doors. The government is still quite restrictive however and you will be forced to travel in a group if you want to visit anywhere of interest.

This will limit your choices to some extent but there are still other ways you can save money when travelling in Bhutan.

• Air travel. The only truly effective way to save money on their fares travelling to Bhutan is to book with a guide who will package your accommodation and air fares into one. There are strict government controls on tourism and travel in general throughout Bhutan so you are going to have to use a guide at some stage.
• Accommodation. If you are hell-bent on travelling independently, you will have great difficulty as there are several government restrictions on how and where you can travel in Bhutan. A group tour is still the cheapest way you can see the country, and this includes accommodation. There are very few reliable reports available on other accommodation options, such as staying with a local family, so unless you want to be the first to provide the review you’re better off booking a group tour.
• Food and drink. Food and drink are plentiful in Bhutan although the cuisine is very simple. Restaurants do not really exist; there are simply outlets where you can buy food. The cost is minimal and the food is tasty, but you will receive much better value in designated hotels which cater for visitors in a more expansive fashion. You should avoid drinking the local water however as you can easily pick up a bacterial infection, so make sure your holiday insurance policy covers you in this regard.
• Getting around. This is almost impossible without being a member of an authorised group so there is no point trying to save money by travelling on local transport. It is difficult to be sure of your destination and there may be problems with getting back in time.
• Silverware and other trinkets. Surprisingly, there is a fairly wide choice when it comes to gifts for the folks back home. You will find an array of unusual trinkets made by local craftspeople and the cost will be well within anyone’s budget. This is one area where you should avoid hotel for years where they will try to sell you the same items at considerably higher prices.

Bhutan is an unusual and beguiling destination where budgetary concerns are not as much of an issue because of government controls.

5 Ways To Save Money Travelling In Bhutan is a post from: Travel Insurance Tips & Articles