Author: Dawn Stewart

Two decades ago, purchasing travel insurance have sounded like a warning to most consumers. No travel or cruise agent would mention the need for such whenever offering their service. It used to be a forbidden word which if mentioned was sure to send customers running in the opposite direction. But in the modern world in which we live in, all the travel, cruise, and flight catastrophes that are getting media coverage as well as those horror stories about trip and flight cancellations, people are starting to think about getting travel insurance.

And if you come to think of it, getting your trip, health or possessions insured is a good idea. Packing these altogether would also require that you choose the best one depending on your needs, preferences, and budget. But how do you choose the right travel insurance? We’ll learn it all here while also learning the most popular ones that are available

Secure a Flight and Trip Cancellation Insurance If You Need One

In this type of coverage, you need to be able to weigh the value of your investment when compared to the price of the insurance itself. If you’re targeting budget flight tickets, the ones that are on super sale to destinations like Atlantic City, you won’t be needing this kind of coverage. However, if you paid $10,000 for the Mediterranean cruise, purchasing travel insurance is recommended.

Whether you like it or not, there will always be unexpected circumstances that can happen like getting sick, an accident, death in the family and many others which you would need insurance for. What if the cruise suddenly changes its course or excursions change? And what if you get sick during the journey? If this happens, be sure that you purchase coverage from outside insurance instead of getting it from the cruise’s brand as their insurance vanishes once their cruise brand goes out of business.

Travel Health Insurance is Crucial

Don’t ever think that just because you have health insurance in the U.S., you are automatically covered wherever you go. This is not the case especially if you travel out of the U.S. on a cruise. Most cruise ships that leave from the U.S. ports are based in other countries which means that the health insurance that you have will not be honored if you get sick while on the cruise itself. Now, this is a red flag that you need to be mindful of.

On other possible circumstances especially some emergencies that require you to be flown back to the U.S. for treatment, you will not be covered by your health insurance as well. And if you get admitted to the hospital while in an underdeveloped country, you will be accepted by healthcare providers without being concerned about coverage. They’ll just keep you until you pay the bills. That’s why it’s important that you get travel insurance policy which covers health.

When you shop for travel health insurance, look for the one that offers initial treatment and is capable of sending trained and medically-equipped staff no matter where the emergency happens. And more importantly, it must also allow you to choose the medical facility and even the doctor of your choice. These are the critical details that you need to watch out for when shopping for travel health insurance coverage.

Baggage Insurance Also Helps

You’ll be glad to know that most travel or cruise cancellation and interruption insurance policies already cover damaged, stolen or lost bags. This is one of the essential things that you need when you’re on travel. Warsaw Convention covers on a per pound basis for checked bags at $9.07. For passengers and unchecked bags, they cover only $400. The U.S. Airlines as of February 28, 2007, only accepts liability for damaged or lost bags up to $3,000, an increase on a per passenger basis from the $2,800 current limit.

That might sound good at first until you know that furs, jewelry, and other negotiable financial documents are excluded. Anything that’s worth something is excluded. And there’s this ‘depreciation’ which they really love. One more thing, the $3,000 limit isn’t per bag; it’s on a per incident basis.

So what you can do is to ask for what is called ‘excess valuation’. You can do this at the ticket counter. Doing this will add up to $5,000 coverage with a rate of around $1 for every $100 value. Choosing to purchase this would mean that you need to describe everything that’s in your bag. It will require more time but still worth it!

Should You Buy It or Not?

First to think about is the value of your investment and compare it to the amount you will be paying for the insurance. Also, think of the place you’re going to visit and do research on what kind of country it is. Is it underdeveloped? See what mode of payment you’re going to use to pay for your airline ticket. If you used a credit card and the flight gets canceled, your insurance will cover it since you paid for a service that you did not get.

If possible, look for third-party insurance like a cruise travel insurance that is not in any way affiliated with the travel company you’ve arranged your travel with. Be sure that it is licensed in your country or state. Delays in cruise or flight schedules may also happen, and if you want to cancel because of a single event of a delay, you can’t do so because most policies only cover cancellations if more than half of your vacation has been delayed.

If you’re looking for the best quotes on travel insurance, you can find one by using Health Insurance Finder where you can filter by preference and see the best comparisons on different insurance products available for you.

It is impossible to go on vacation with the family without considering to get the service of a good car rental firm. It is easy to go without it when you’re traveling alone, having the whole family to tow is a different story. If you want a successful trip and a journey that’s full of wonderful memories to cherish, doing things right in terms of renting a car is a must. Here are four useful tips that I’d like to share to make your car rental and overall travel experience as excellent and hassle-free as possible.

1. Do Research Ahead of Time

Waiting to reach your destination before doing research on the nearest or the best car rental company won’t work no matter how excellent your research skills are. Chances are you’ll be so distracted and in a rush all the time. You will not have the luxury of time which you enjoy when you’re at home. So be sure to do research in advance and check on as much car rental providers as you can so you can get the best service and as well as excellent deals.

If you don’t need to get the service of a car rental right after arriving at your destination since most hotels offer transportation for guests arriving at the airport, it will be a good idea to research at your hotel room instead. This is an excellent way to save on costs while on the trip.

2. Book It in Advance

After finding the best car rental company, the next step that you need to go through is booking the service in advance. Doing this will take one thing off from the list of stuff that you need to worry about during the travel. Avoid the mistake of booking a car rental upon arriving at your destination. This will save you from a host of bad experiences like ending up with a long list of hidden fees that you need to pay.

3. Be Sure to Have Car Rental Insurance

This aspect of renting a car is mostly ignored, but it’s one of the most important things that can save you from a lot of mess. Don’t assume that nothing can go wrong because whether you like it or not, you can’t be sure about it. So being ready to face anything wrong that can happen is the best that you can do.

But before signing the car rental insurance, be sure to check your on your credit card and personal vehicle insurance policy as most of the time, it covers car rental as well though, in the case of credit cards, the coverage being offered is mostly secondary.

4. Get Familiar of the Car Rental Rules at Your Destination

Different countries have varying rules and regulations when it comes to car rental services. Though most of these regulations sound the same and others seem close to each other, you still need to know the details to avoid major problems once you get in the car and start your journey at the place you’re planning to visit. There are countries that require International Driving Permit which you need to secure before leaving your country of origin. That’s the reason why researching and knowing the rules and regulations very well is essential. The last thing you want to do is arrive at the country but end up not being able to drive because you don’t have enough documentation to do so.

It’s Going to be Easy if You Come Prepared

Renting a car doesn’t have to be a hassle especially when you’re supposed to enjoy on the trip with the whole family. Making sure that things will go smoothly requires due diligence on your part days before leaving for the trip. Yes! It will require time on your part but every second you spend planning on this aspect of the journey will all pay off in the end!

‘If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.’ It might be right for most of the things that we do under the sun. Whether it’s the long-term plans or the short-term ones that we set in our life, having a well laid-out plan is always a good idea. It allows you to move through each step smoothly and accomplish things on-time. But did you know that planning can sometimes be taken out of the frontlines and doing so would lead to even better results?

That is if you’re a traveler who’s seeking for a thrilling and unique adventure. Something that no one else has already experienced. Traveling without a plan can sound scary for some. Just imagine leaving home and going to an alien place without knowing where to go or how much to spend. Now that’s just some wild imagination most would have when hearing about the idea. Traveling without a plan can turn into a fun and unforgettable experience. It can even lead to significant changes in your life. But how? The answers are what we’re going to learn in this article.

A Real Life Experience from a Friend

A good friend of mine who’ is also one of my biggest influences and inspiration why I do travel a lot has had several unique experiences in most of his travels. And that is because he does go on most of his travels without a plan. In one of our conversations, I asked him why he prefers to do this quite ‘scary’ thing, and these are the reasons he told me in reply.

1. Traveling with a Plan Can be Boring

If you’ve been traveling a lot and have been to many different places, you might have gone through most of it sticking on a strict itinerary. Having everything planned out is a good thing. That is what travel agencies would often say, but if you come to think of it, this idea can be boring. Most of us travel or go on vacation so we can break from the shackles of work and all the daily routines that we willingly tethered ourselves into as we grow into adulthood.

We travel to relax and be free! If we do it while following a strict plan, then the idea of freedom and relaxation are automatically taken out of the picture.

2. Traveling Without a Plan Gives You Flexibility

A journey that is not tied to a plan gives one the flexibility to do more and experience more. Since there are no advanced bookings to catch and you’re not racing against time, you can quickly switch to other places or do other activities and you will even be open to even better things that can come along. Let each day unfold while you’re going with the flow. It’s the best recipe for a memorable adventure, something that’s filled with tons of excitement in unplanned trips and activities.

3. When Travelling, Less is More

In most of my travels, I had many unique experiences some memorable enough to last a lifetime. There was a time when I had to change my plan, met a friend and ended up spending a month on an island in Thailand doing things I enjoyed. On a separate travel, I had the chance to meet a girl in Cambodia, spent a few more days, and we eventually ended up dating and traveling together for five months.

I would’ve not experienced such if my travels depended on a stringent plan with itineraries set in advance. When you’re into traveling, remember that less is more. Spending more time in a particular place would mean that you’ll visit fewer sites but it will help you get a better feel and appreciate life even more. It opens the door for more relaxing travel experiences seeing more than just attractions. Traveling without a plan allows you to prepare for the accidents that can happen along the way with more fun and appreciation and less stress.

4. Traveling Without a Plan Allows You to Go With the Flow

Whenever I go on travel, I have one thing in mind. Yes! That’s how simple my travel plan is. I keep in mind the city or country that I want to visit then I move forward smoothly in a continuous route. It is crucial to avoid visiting the same place twice. I go with the flow, and it keeps me save on transportation cost while enjoying the whole experience.

Just remember that there are unexpected things that can happen. You can lose your camera or get minor injuries along the way. In other instances, you’ll find yourself traveling with people you just met to a new place. Flexibility is needed in these situations and obviously, visiting on a strict plan wouldn’t give you the flexibility that’s necessary to overcome such.

So How Exactly Should You Plan Your Travel?

With all those reasons mentioned, here is my take when it comes to creating a plan for your next travel. Again, the key is to make it realistic and straightforward. And here are some points that I hope would help you create a simple travel plan, it would feel like you don’t have any plan at all:

Step 1: Put in as much detail as you want on your next dream trip. Over-Planning helps a lot at this early stage.

Step 2: After listing down all the details, cut half of it down and stick with this new list.

Step 3: Do even more elimination of the details until you have at least three to five things that you want to do in every destination that’s left on your list.

Step 4: Take the list with you and forget all the other things you’ve listed down. Focus on making memories and do the things that you really want on every location you visit. Go with the flow and let serendipity do the rest of the job for you.

Keep it Simple and Flexible!

Again, planning doesn’t always lead to good things. When it comes to traveling, you just need to know where you are going and cut all the other details down to the simplest most practical activities that you can do. This would give you the flexibility to deal with changes on the way and that for me is the best travel plan!

Traveling with kids can be challenging. It’s an entirely different experience than when you’re going alone, or it’s just you and your partner together on a romantic trip. When you have kids on a journey, you’ll have your fair share of meltdowns which adds to the stress that you need to deal with in the entire duration of the trip. But did you know that traveling with your little ones can also be enjoyable? With proper planning and guidance, the whole idea of traveling as a pack can be a beautiful and memorable experience for everyone!

But it doesn’t work like magic. You need to exert some effort in achieving it, and as a parent, you need to always be in control. You’re the captain of the whole journey, and the result of the trip and even the tiny details within will depend on how good you handle every situation. To make your next family travel memorable one, here are some tips that you can follow:

1. Lower Your Expectations

If you’re traveling alone or as a couple, the sky is going to be the limit when it comes to the places that you want to visit and the hours or days you’re going to spend in a particular site. But if you are with kids, you need to plan these things out carefully. Pick at least 2 or 3 locations to visit and be sure to explain to them what every place is all about. Children are curious creatures, and one way to make the journey become a memorable one for them is by feeding their curiosity with facts or bits of trivia you found on Google.

Whether you like it or not, the journey is no longer just about you. It is about the kids as well so lower your expectations and make some ways and means to turn the journey into a ‘kid-centric’ one.

2. Take Your Time

There’s nothing that beat someone who has done all the needed preparations. Someone who’s ready for any challenge that comes along the way. So take the time to plan out what to do when tantrum strikes or for that sudden toilet stop. Be prepared with quick solutions or alternative activities whenever your little ones get bored in the airport while waiting for a delayed flight or somewhere between points A and B during a long trip.

Set aside ample time to plan things out or if you already find yourself dealing with the situation, take a deep breath, compose yourself and think of the best thing to do to calm down the kiddos that are starting on a major meltdown.

3. Book Ahead

When going from place to place which will require the family to spend the night or two at the next location, it is always a good idea to book hotel rooms or any other type of accommodation ahead of time. The last thing you want to do is arrive at the destination only to find out that there are no rooms available and you need to hit the road once again with exhausted toddlers starting to scream in the backseat.

Doing this will not only save you from stress, but you’ll also save time and money which you can then spend on more productive and memorable activities.

4. Install Some Kid-Friendly Apps

Kids want to be busy all the time and if you’re on a long trip, you’ll know that this isn’t a good behavior to bring along with you. You won’t enjoy a journey that’s filled with memories of your kids getting lost or injured. So be sure to arm yourself with some child-friendly apps that are widely available on both Android or iOS platform. This would help keep your kids busy at the backseat while you’re focusing on the road with hubby. Just be sure to set limits on their screen time and think of some physically engaging activities which the family can enjoy together.

5. Don’t Forget the First Aid Kit

It doesn’t have to be a bulky box or something; you can have a particular compartment in your bag that’s dedicated entirely for first aid items. And of course, be sure to bring with you some medicine. The conventional fever medicine like Calpol is essential. Kids tend to get sick more often when traveling so carrying necessary medication would help. Other items that you need to bring are plasters, wipes, antiseptic, thermometer and even sting treatments if you’re going to be at the beach.

The Success of the Trip Depends on You

It is true that traveling with your kids isn’t easy but with the right preparations and some smart solutions and decisions along the way, you’ll be able to ensure that the whole journey is worth it for every member of the pack. It takes a lot of effort but if you do it consistently, it’ll easily become part of your routine whenever the whole family goes on a trip.

Traveling for the first time can be intimidating. You’ll be getting a wave of mixed and often conflicting emotions and ‘what ifs’ that can only be calmed down and answered once you’re already on the trip. It is wise not to set too many expectations at the start so you can avoid plenty of disappointments later. Traveling is a hobby that’s hard to master. It’s not like the other hobbies out there where you do the same thing over and over again. When you travel, you do different things every time as you visit new places!

Nothing could have prepared me the first time I traveled and now with over seven (7) years under my belt going through long flights, tedious hikes and countless unexpected things happening within each trip I had, here are twelve (12) useful tips I would like to share with all the new travelers out there who are seeking to conquer the world!

1. Leave No Place for Fear

Fear is powerful! It can prevent you from growing and enjoying new things. Dare yourself every time a unique experience is on the way and try it! The places you’re planning to conquer are not uncharted territories so spread those wings and glide through every experience like an eagle! There will always be people who would help and guide you along the way, and there are trails that other people have already trod before you do. If they were able to do it the first time, you can also do the same or achieve even more. You just need to put the fear away and be brave enough to take the first step.

2. Don’t Stick with Your Guidebook

Guidebooks should only serve one purpose; it should just provide general information about the place that you’re going to visit. Don’t travel through a new site using it as your travel Bible because if you do so, you’re up to a dull and tasteless adventure. Take time to get out of your comfort zone and start connecting with locals. Guidebooks will never provide information on new attractions, restaurants or bars which locals can inform you about. Asking for recommendations from other travelers or the hotel staff works and that’s what you need to do.

Remember that people are the best resource if you want a memorable travel experience so don’t stick all the time with that guidebook that you have unless it updates in real-time with all the new stuff available in the place just like what digital devices do.

3. Don’t be in a Hurry, Travel Slow

Now, this does not mean that you travel on foot most of the time, it just means that you don’t need to squeeze-in 10 places to visit in 10 days because you only have that amount of time for your trip. You may have beautiful photos when you get home but what you’ll remember most are the stresses and a whirlwind of uncomfortable situations you’ve experienced along the way! In the end, you will realize that you did not enjoy because you were always in a hurry!

Don’t be in a rush all the time. Take time to spend a day to relax and enjoy a single view or be in a place that you love most. Slow everything down and experience the culture and the people. It helps you find a feeling of fulfillment and sincere appreciation of the time you spent on the trip!

4. Don’t Forget to Get People’s Contact Information

Traveling opens a door for you to meet new friends and a lot of them along the way. Some of them you will get very close to during the trip or on your stay in a particular place which will eventually develop into a lifelong friendship. Well, it will grow into that if you did not forget to get their contact information. Sadly, most of us don’t remember to do this essential thing that helps us connect with the friends we’ve met during the trip, and we end up regretting it for the rest of our lives.

Collect their email, Facebook information or even add them as a contact on Skype and stay in touch with them even after your trip. Don’t forget your new friends and let them fade into forgetfulness. Remember to get their contact information every time!

5. Don’t Bring Too Much Gear

There’s always much to learn from your first travel. Or if you don’t have the experience yet, you can learn a lot from other people’s first travel experience. Most people fill their bags with tons and tons of stuff. Multiple sets of clothes, hiking boots, fleece jacket and plenty of toiletries. And the result? Most of them just sat in your bag adding too much weight and taking precious space as you carried everything in the entirety of your travel.

So my advice is for you to pack and travel with as little stuff as possible. Acquire a small backpack so you won’t be tempted to bring too many things which you don’t need. And in case you realize that you need something, you can pick it up and put it in your bag as you go. Experience has taught me that when it comes to packing stuff, less is always good.

6. Always Bring a Phone

It doesn’t need to be your pricey thief-magnet iPhone. There are plenty of cheap phones that you’ll find along the way, and for it to work, you can buy a SIM card that works in the country. You will be meeting a lot of new friends and other people whom you need to get in touch with during most of your stay. Facebook may sound like an excellent way to communicate, but you need to remember that not all countries have access to the internet.

And if you’re going to some remote area where GSM is the only available mobile signal, Facebook is never going to work! Invest in a cheap phone which will work anywhere and everywhere in the world so you can use it in every travel that you would have in the future! Trust me; you’ll never regret doing so.

7. Don’t be Afraid to Go With the Flow

Going with the flow means worrying less about every detail of the travel and enjoying everything as they unfold every single day. Sticking with a strict travel plan is like being hard on yourself. And it will just result in being stressed and even exhausted at the end of each day. Don’t rush and taste the bittersweet accidents that can happen in every travel.

So be sure to give place to flexibility when planning your schedule for the day. Put at least two (2) activities to accomplish during the day and let serendipity handle the rest. You’ll notice that it’s going to be less stressful and even more enjoyable!

8. Always Bring Extra Money

It isn’t costly to travel. If you are in Asia, you will quickly find out that you can spend as low as $15 a day. In Europe, it’ll be a bit higher at $40 a day. But no matter where you go, you will also learn that unexpected expenses can pop-out of nowhere. Always take extra money with you no matter how confident you are with your budgeting skills. Don’t wait for unexpected travel accidents to happen to you and get you off-guard. ‘To be forewarned is to be forearmed’ as they say so now that I’ve warned you about it, take all the necessary steps to be forearmed the next time you go on travel.

9. Leave All the Shyness at Home

There should be no place for shyness when you are traveling. The adage ‘No Man is an Island’ is there because it’s a big fact that all of us need to face. We need other people’s help and companionship to survive, and when it comes to travel, you need to be less concerned about what other people are thinking. Most of them are in the same boat as you are but some have already overcome shyness and are now soaring high making friends with people around them.

You can do the same as well. Practice saying ‘hello’ to people you meet. It’s the first step toward conquering shyness. Put down those headphones, pay attention to the people around you and if you’re sitting beside someone, take time to say ‘hello.’ You will have nothing to lose and a lot to gain! You can make new friends, attend social gatherings or even find your self in a few weddings and the result? You’ll be a better version of your self in terms of picking up a conversation.

10. Take on Even More Adventures

Challenge yourself! Traveling is a chance for you to break all the barriers and finally step out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to do bungee jumping, climb a cliff or jump off a boat somewhere in the Galápagos. You may scream your heart out because you were not comfortable doing it, but in the end, you’ll find out that scorpions taste good! Take risks and have the courage to try new things. That’s part of growing up and becoming a seasoned traveler.

11. Don’t Think That You’re Stuck

There would be times when you won’t be in the mood for a trip going to someplace during your travel. When you get to this point, don’t force your self to go. Stop and take some rest. Spend a few days in the place where you currently are and take time to recompose your self. If you still feel that you’re not in the mood to travel after doing so then don’t be afraid to pack your things up and take the road going home! There’s no reason at all to feel ashamed with that. At least you tried it and always remember that it’s okay to go home when you’re not having fun at all. Don’t keep yourself stuck in your decision to travel.

12. You’re Not the Only One Traveling

You may have left your origin country alone, but in the place where you’re going to, there is a big network of travelers who are like you and others are traveling as a group. They are out there waiting to meet you at some point, so you need to make friends with them. They can give you tips, advice and they can even be a big help when you need one. You are not alone as long as you make friends with the people you meet especially those who are just like you. Trust me; you’ll be OK.

Take Time to Breath, Relax and Enjoy

It is part of human nature to feel intimidated or even fear the unknown. But if you let that feeling control you, you’ll be missing much of what this life can offer. So learn to take a deep breath, relax and enjoy every moment as they come so that at the end of every trip you can confidently say these famous words by Julius Caesar- ‘I came, I saw & I Conquered!’

No one wants to go somewhere without knowing some necessary information about the place itself. Doing research is one of the primary things a traveler must do before taking the first step. From the current exchange rate down to the basic courtesy and other essential items to remember while visiting a new territory, learning how to plan a trip to a place you know nothing about is a good thing!

If you’re a new traveler, then it’s safe to say that you know less about the places that you plan to visit. And when you’re blind about something, it is difficult to plan things ahead of time. But thankfully it isn’t impossible. Here are some pointers that you can follow when preparing for a trip to a place that’s new to you:

1. Do Some Research and Acquire Some Guidebooks

In the modern age in which we live in, almost everything can already be searched and learned from the Internet. That’s exactly the first place you would need to go to before starting to plan for your trip. Open Google Search then type in the name of the country or the specific city that you want to visit and read through the sites that provide information about the place.

And if you need a more reliable source of information, the best one you can get are guidebooks. While most of these have some quite outdated information, you will still get some useful information on how to get around in some areas of interest, what attractions are available and the activities that you can do in them. Other guidebooks also provide more advanced information like suggested itineraries and even maps.

Guidebooks are a good foundation for your planning, and it’s better than reading through blogs since it allows you to highlight certain places. Additionally, it also provides quick access to a precious resource of information even without WiFi.

2. Read Through Some Blogs and Travel Websites

Websites like Wikipedia can give some facts and other crucial information that a traveler should know about before visiting a place. But if you need more, your next stop should be travel blogs and websites. These resources can fill in the gaps that are left after you’ve done your homework with guidebooks and other sites that basic information. Most travel blogs provide up-to-date details and even real-life experiences which can help in your planning.

Some even give an overview of new spots to discover and more exciting activities to do while staying you are in the place. Reading through the comments section on every blog content that is relevant to the place that you want to visit also helps since it gives answers to questions that other readers who are planning to visit the same site have asked. Doing these things will provide you with even more sense of your planned destination.

3. Ask Others Who Have Personally Experienced the Place

Third, you need to move deeper into your research and start asking friends or other people you know who have already visited the place. There’s nothing that can beat first-hand information, so if you need more advice and tips or even suggestions on restaurants and hotels, these are your most reliable resources! You may also find someone who has family members residing or having a vacation in the place itself which is a big bonus! Just imagine having people who can show you around after landing on the spot. People you can stay with or even help you get settled on your first few days in the place!

4. Look Into Social Media and Blog Communities

The beauty of reading through blogs is that most of them (especially the popular ones) already have a significant number of followers and readers. This group of people is also a precious resource of information since there could be some of them who have already gone to the place that you’re planning to visit. The social media pages of these travel blogs is also an excellent place to go to as you do your research.

5. Buy a Book That Tells Its History

Lastly, it will also be helpful if you buy a book that tells much about the history of the place. During the planning stage, you can skim through the book itself taking only the useful information that you need and read it in more detail while you’re on travel or during a long flight. It is impossible to know a place without knowing its history so be sure to invest in a piece which you can spend your spare time reading throughout your trip going to the site itself!

Researching is the Key!

Planning for a trip to a place that you know nothing about can sound intimidating, but with proper research, you can shake all the fears and hesitations away easily. Take time to do all the five (5) steps we’ve shown above, and you’re sure to be on the way to a new and exciting adventure that’s going to produce memories all set to last a lifetime!