Category Archives: Holidays

Destination

If you are flying to a part of the world where healthcare is expensive and you don’t have any health insurance, then health coverage at least is vital. Even if you don’t intend to have a wild vacation white water rafting, horseback riding and paragliding, you can still have small medical needs – for example from a mosquito bite that becomes infected – and these small medical bills can be high unbudgeted for expenses.

Stuff

Are you planning to take a digital camera? How about smart phone or a laptop? Do you have designer clothes? Do you have expensive luggage? Are you planning to take any specific equipment, skis for example? If you are taking anything on your vacation that’s worth a consider amount of money, then you should have insurance to cover the cost of replacing it.

Now that you’re convinced that insurance is a good idea, don’t just sign the first travel insurance policy that’s handed to you. Shop around. You can get some bargains out there, but make sure you read the policy and what it covers before signing.

Travel Costs

Does the insurance cover you for delays? What does it cover – for example does it cover overnight expenses in a hotel? Does it cover you for rebooking flights? Will it allow you to reschedule using a different airline to what you originally intended? What if your holiday has to be canceled – will it refund all of your costs unreservedly or will it only do so under certain circumstances?

Health

Check the amount insured. When looking at health insurance you need to have a figure in the millions of dollars of healthcare protection. If the cover in adequate, then you need to check what isn’t covered by the policy – for example some policies don’t cover sporting accidents as part of their basic policy. Will the insurance company pay for special assistance/flight if you have a major health problem? What doesn’t it cover?

Stuff

Again the most important thing to check here is what isn’t covered. If you are taking any of the uncovered items, then you need to either investigate how much the upgrade will be to put these items under the policy cover, or find a policy that does cover them. What kind of documentation will you need to provide in order to get your insurance company to pay up – for example, some insurance policies will require you to have made an official theft complaint to the local police, and perhaps have the crime number it was allocated, if you are claiming an item was stolen. You may also be asked to supply photographic evidence that you owned the item you’re claiming for, and/or produce the receipt from when you bought it! What about items that you purchase on your vacation, after the policy comes into effect? Are they covered? If you have expensive luggage, is damage by the airline/in transit covered by your policy?

It you are taking a number of expensive items you might find it easier to pay a more expensive premium that doesn’t require as much in the way of evidence of ownership if you need to make a claim. Take note of any serial numbers your possessions have, and if you have a digital camera, consider taking photos before you leave home.

Travel insurance is often a necessary item to budget for when planning your holiday finances. Make sure you read all the small print, particular the exclusions, and the excess that you will need to pay in the event of a claim being made by you against the policy. You should also check whether or not you will be responsible for first paying any bills, and then claiming back from them, or whether you can have the hospital, for example, invoice your insurance company direct.

Adequate and appropriate travel insurance may be an expense you don’t want, but in the event of something going wrong on your vacation, it could save you a lot of money and stress.

Want to see the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, do some white water rafting in the Grand Canyon, walk along the famous stars on Hollywood Boulevard and then visit with Mickey Mouse before an air balloon ride over the vineyards of California? No problem. How about a tour of the Kennedy Space Center, pay your respects to the King in Memphis, see how New Orleans is doing after Katrina, learn more about the American civil war at one of the battleground sites, take a paddle steamer ride on the Mississippi, visit the Alamo, and then spot celebrities homes in Beverley Hills? You can take bus tours that will get you from one part of the US to the other and have excursions along the way but with fly-drive or Amtrak you set the pace.

There are most restrictions with choosing the Amtrak option. Once you buy your ticket for a chosen route – or a pass that will allow you unlimited Amtrak travel if you’re going to be in the US a while, then you can have stopovers at any point along the rails your train travels. You get off your Orlando-LA Sunset Limited Train in New Orleans, spend a night or two there before catching the next Sunset Limited train and traveling to Houston for a city stopover, then before arriving in LA, you might like to have a final stopover in Tucson, Arizona. Even though you are restricted to the rails, you can still experience a lot of varying American culture. The best thing about the Amtrak option is that you can enjoy the view and let someone else take care of the driving.

There’s a lot more flexibility with a fly-drive vacation but keep in mind the amount of miles you’re going to cover every day in order to get to your exit airport on the right day. To really get the most out of this kind of vacation you’ll need to do a lot of planning but this will pay off once you arrive in the US and you see your travel itinerary in action. Remember to factor in a few days when you aren’t driving, and try to get an early start most days so that you arrive in your daily destination before lunch leaving plenty of time to explore. Of course you could combine the two and Amtrak across the US, drive up one coast and fly out of an airport there – for example, fly into Washington DC, take the train to Chicago, and then down to LA. From there hire a car and drive up the western coast to Seattle.

If you love the idea of travel, and you want to see as much of the United States as possible on your vacation there, a fly-drive holiday, and/or Amtrak is the best way to do it!

• In this part of Central Europe, countries are primarily linked by train (e.g. Rail Europe), and as noted, Switzerland is located in a key spot in the center of many routes. From major European cities like Paris, Nice, Milan, and Frankfurt, tourists can easily take the train into Switzerland for a day trip. (An overnight train will get you here to enjoy an entire day, but many sightseers prefer daytime trains, to take in the impressive views.)

• In Switzerland, outdoor recreation reigns supreme, with skiing, snowboarding, and water sports generally enjoyed year-round. Interlaken in the Bernese Highlands is the country’s action-sports capital.

• Hiking is of course always popular. Whether it’s a short excursion or one that’ll require a walking stick, you’ll at least want to attempt a hike. There is possibly no better way to see Switzerland than to walk it. Its preserved natural beauty is one of its most spectacular assets.

• There are over 700 museums found across Switzerland, including castles and mansions now open to the public. In addition, you’ll want to also look into the country’s churches, monasteries, and abbeys. Historic places-to-visit include St. Peter’s Church (Zurich), Chapel Bridge (Lucerne), and Löwendenkmal (a.k.a. Lion Monument, Lucerne).

• Festivals to circle on your calendar include Vogel Gryff Volksfest (January), the Sechseläuten (in spring), Carnival (before Lent), the Zurich Festival (June), Swiss Independence Day (August 1), the Onion Festival (in Berne, fourth Monday in November), and L’Escalade (December 11-13).

• There are three distinct cultures in Switzerland, each defined by a region. In the northeast, the prevailing culture is German, while in the southwest, it’s French. And in the southeast, you’ll find an Italian influence. With this said, it’s advisable travelers learn a few basic phrases in German, French, and Italian before visiting. However, as a major tourist destination, it’s usually not too difficult to find an English-speaking person to ask questions, particularly in the retail areas.

• Speaking of retail, Switzerland is not a part of the European Union and thus, doesn’t use the Euro as its currency. Instead, it’s the Swiss franc. Fortunately though — and a sign of its warm hospitality — you can still pay with Euros. For instance, if you’re travel to Switzerland from a neighboring country and only have Euros on hand, you can pay with them and in return, you’ll receive Swiss francs in change.

• Switzerland is known for several locally-made, world-class products, including chocolates, watches, cheese, and knives.

• All establishments are closed on Sundays, so this is an ideal time for exploring the country’s landscape, scenic attractions, and historic sights/sites.

And finally, some “fast facts” to note about Switzerland:

The country is 15,940 square miles and is comprised of three main geographic regions: the Jura, the Plateau, and the Alps. There are over 1,500 lakes in Switzerland, including its two largest: Lake Geneva (shared with France) and Lake Constance. The capital of Switzerland is Berne, while Zurich is the country’s largest city; Geneva, its center for arts and culture; and Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, known for its water links.

A pricey destination to be sure, keep in mind that it’s not necessary to spend a bundle to enjoy Switzerland. It’s indeed possible to backpack here and what’s more, the country’s central location makes it a must-stop when crisscrossing Europe. Landlocked by France, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Germany, most visitors make Switzerland part of a total European experience. Should you choose to visit Switzerland yourself, here are a few “good to knows” for the country. A kind of pocket guide for your trip.

• In this part of Central Europe, countries are primarily linked by train, and as noted, Switzerland is located in a key spot in the center of many routes. From major European cities like Paris, Nice, Milan, and Frankfurt, tourists can easily take the train into Switzerland for a day trip. (An overnight train will get you there to enjoy an entire day, but many sightseers prefer day trains, to take in the impressive views.

• In Switzerland, outdoor recreation reigns supreme, with skiing, snowboarding, and water sports generally enjoyed year-round. In St. Moritz for instance, you’ll find 320 days of sunshine each year.

• Hiking is also always popular. Whether it’s a short excursion or one that’ll require a walking stick, you’ll at least want to attempt a hike. There is possibly no better way to see Switzerland than to walk it. Its preserved natural beauty is one of its most spectacular assets.

• There are over 700 museums found across Switzerland, including castles and mansions now open to the public. In addition, you’ll want to also look into the country’s churches, monasteries, and abbeys. Historic places-to-visit include St. Peter’s Church (Zurich), Chapel Bridge (Lucerne), and Löwendenkmal (a.k.a. Lion Monument, Lucerne).

• Festivals to circle on your calendar include Vogel Gryff Volksfest (January), the Sechseläuten (in spring), Carnival (before Lent), the Zurich Festival (June), Swiss Independence Day (August 1), the Onion Festival (in Berne, fourth Monday in November), and L’Escalade (December 11-13).

• There are three distinct cultures in Switzerland, each defined by a region. In the northeast, the prevailing culture is German, while in the southwest, it’s French. And in the southeast, you’ll find an Italian influence. With this said, it’s advisable travelers learn a few basic phrases in German, French, and Italian before visiting. However, as a major tourist destination, it’s usually not too difficult to find an English-speaking person to ask questions, particularly in the retail areas.

• Speaking of retail, Switzerland is not a part of the European Union and thus, doesn’t use the Euro as its currency. Instead, it’s the Swiss franc. Fortunately though — and a sign of its warm hospitality — you can still pay with Euros. For instance, if you’re travel to Switzerland from a neighboring country and only have Euros on hand, you can pay with them and in return, you’ll receive Swiss francs in change.

• Switzerland is known for several locally-made, world-class products, including chocolates, watches, cheese, and knives.

• All establishments are closed on Sundays, so this is an ideal time for exploring the country’s landscape, scenic attractions, and historic sights/sites.

And finally, some “fast facts” to note about Switzerland:

The country is 15,940 square miles and is comprised of three main geographic regions: the Jura, the Plateau, and the Alps. There are over 1,500 lakes in Switzerland, including its two largest: Lake Geneva (shared with France) and Lake Constance. The capital of Switzerland is Berne, while Zurich is the country’s largest city; Geneva, its center for arts and culture; and Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, known for its water links.

If you’re interested in spending your entire vacation in the Great Barrier Reef area, then you’ve got plenty of choice for accommodation, whether you choose a large high-end resort on the famous Hayman Island, a family resort on Daydream Island, or perhaps camping on the Whitehaven beach on Whitsunday Island, you’ll find something to meet your budget. The activities that you choose will be limited depending on the island you choose, but some islands offer “island hopping” or sailing opportunities so that you can take the opportunity of, for example, bushwalking trails as well as scuba diving around a coral covered reef.

Should you prefer to split your holiday to Australia so that you can visit the cities such as Sydney with its famous Habour and Opera House, or the Australian capital city of Canberra, as well as experience the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef then consider flying up the coast to Cairns and use this as base for a day trip, or mini-break to the Reef. Not all islands are accessible on a day trip basis so this appeals to you, you will need to plan your trip carefully. If you’re not adverse to flying it’s possible to see a lot of Australia in a relatively short period of time using their extensive network of internal flights.

Tourism in the Great Barrier Reef area is having an effect on the environment there and there are some things you could consider to reduce the size of your environmental impact, such as diving in small groups which are less likely to disturb the coral and not fishing in restricted areas. Don’t be tempted to take a little bit of this or that home in your pocket, it might only be a tiny piece of coral, but It’s part of the larger eco-structure so admire the beauty, take underwater photos to show the people back home, and leave what belongs on the Reef at the Reef!

As well as the time you spend actually under the water, take the opportunity to sail around some of the smaller islands. The Great Barrier Reef is stunning and offers some of the best beaches in the world, some of them not accessible by anything other than a boat. However much time you decide to spend in this area on your Australian vacation you’re sure to have a holiday full of sights you won’t forget!

The best way to get the most from your Disney World budget is to plan ahead. Don’t turn up at each park and buy an individual ticket. Buy a multi-day pass that will allow you unlimited entry into all of the parks for the amount of days for which your pass is valid. You will save money on the day rate entrance fee, but you’ll also get other perks – such as multi-park entrance in any one day, free transportation between the parks, time saved at the ticket queue, and in some instances you might even be allowed extended time within the park.

Using the multi-park feature of your multi-day pass allows you to visit more than one Disney World park in a day. This is great because it allows you to visit one of the more famous parks, such as the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM or the Animal Kingdom in the morning and then spend the afternoon cooling off at one of the Disney water parks such as Blizzard Beach. You can always return to the larger park either later in that day to watch the firework show, or decide that as there’s still so many rides that you want to enjoy you’ll spend another half day there.

Disney World isn’t cheap to visit and so it’s important to know what you’re going to pay for once you enter the park. For example, you will need to budget for meals and drinks – especially in the Florida heat – but if you plan your visit you can schedule your park times around meal times. You might need to pay out for drinks inside the park, but a budget tip for this is that if you’re taking children into the park, take some picnic cups with you, and then purchase one supersized drink and divide it between the appropriate amount of cups. Leave the park at mealtimes unless you want to do something special such as have a character meal at Cinderella’s Castle (you may need to make a reservation for this at least 3 months in advance so planning is an absolute necessity), and then return after you’ve eaten.

Ask the locals. They’ll tell you so. And one look around this European jewel, you’ll understand why too Vienna is known the world over for its quality of life. In fact, in 2008, Mercer ranked the Austrian capital #2 in that category (second only to Zurich, Switzerland).

During your visit, it might be difficult to decide what to see first and what to experience next. To help, here’s a list of 10 to get you started. Each should also branch out to other possibilities. Vienna is full of them!

• Schonbrunn Palace: Designed by the von Erlachs, the Baroque palace and its 1,441 rooms was a summer home for the Habsburgs. See the Gloriette in the Imperial Gardens, the stunning State Apartments, and Palace Theater and Carriage Museum on the grounds.

• St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom): Dating back to the 12th century, this basilica is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. See the South Tower, standing 445 feet tall; the pulpit of St. Stephen’s; and the carved Wiener Neustadt altarpiece (c. 1447). [Trivia: Mozart was married here in 1782 and had his funeral in December 1791.]

• Schatzkammer: The Imperial Treasury, protecting a thousand years of treasures, including Charlemagne’s saber, the Holy Lance, and the crown jewels of the Holy Roman Empire and Habsburg Empire. The collection is highlighted by the imperial crown (c. 962).

• Museum of Military History: The city’s oldest state museum, the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum is located in the center of the Arsenal and was built with plans by Ludwig Foerster and Theophil Hansen. It features five main sections delineating the military history of the Habsburg Empire.

• Burgtheater: The Austrian National Theater known by the locals as “die Burg.” The theater itself dates back to 1741, was moved in 1888, and after World War I, was restored in the mid-1950s. Today, it stands as the dream stage for German theater.

• Spanish Riding School: Home to the magnificent Lipizzans. Located in the Vienna Imperial Palace, the school is the oldest institution in the world devoted to classic dressage. Guided tours are offered year-round, alternating between the Winter and Summer riding schools, and the Renaissance-designed Stalburg (stables).

• Riesenrad: The second-largest Ferris wheel in the world (behind London’s “Eye”) and one of 250 attractions at Vienna’s Prater Amusement Park, located in the 2nd district of the capital. The Riesenrad was built in 1897 to commemorate the golden jubilee of Franz Josef I.

• Volksgarten: Known as “The People’s Garden,” the Volksgarten is perfect for a stroll. Built in 1820, it was designed to resemble Paris’ Luxembourg garden.

• Hundertwasser House Vienna: An apartment house in Vienna designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. An example of the “modern” Vienna, built between 1983-1986.

• And Music: Vienna brought the world the waltz, as well as some of its most famed operas. Think Mozart, Beethoven, and Mahler. During the summer, experience Strauss and Mozart in the park. Try and attend a performance at the State Opera. Book in advance to hear the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Despite all the shops selling everything Elvis from records to stamps and all things Presley inbetween, once you enter the gates of Graceland and start the drive up towards the mansion, there’s an overwhelming feeling that this is a special place. Whether you’re wandering around listening to an audio tour, or taking the staff led version, you get a definite sense of time having stopped still on the day that Elvis died. The so-called “Jungle Room”, and then state of the art living room are probably little changed from the last time he saw them. Perhaps that’s a little spooky, but hey this is Graceland!

Outside in the Memorial Garden is the best glimpse into what makes Graceland precious to the millions of Elvis fans worldwide. Here the King of Rock and Roll is buried, and the atmosphere around his graveside is full of respectful regret as fans look at their hero’s final resting place as his music softly plays from the hidden depths of the memorial area. With floral tributes from various Elvis fan clubs still in operation, it’s hard to believe how many years it is since Elvis sang his long songs.

There’s a lot of hype around Graceland, and there’s a lot of places in Memphis to buy Elvis related products, but if you’re in any way a fan of the King, then you really should make the effort to visit his beautiful mansion and pay your respects in person. Tourist-haunt, perhaps, but one that’s worth the money to see how a legend lived, and the place he’s laid to rest.

The Caribbean offers a huge selection of wedding ideas for anyone who is tempted by the idea of getting married barefoot on the beach. Many of the resorts have a wedding coordinator who can help you organize your ceremony before you even arrive on the island of your choice. You will be offered a variety of locations in which to be married, a selection of “extras” such as a wedding bouquet or a wedding cake, perhaps the hotel has their own photographer who can capture the wedding to show family and friends back home, and then you have the opportunity of either staying in the resort for the remainder of your honeymoon, or exploring the island further perhaps going to some romantic places such as Montego Bay, and Dunn’s River Falls if you choose Jamaica. Alternatively you could start married life with some adventure such as white river rafting, or just indulge yourselves in some quality time at the beach.

Getting married in the Caribbean isn’t as difficult as it may first appear. You will be required to produce certain documentation so make sure you start looking into this as soon as you make the decision to be married overseas. The rules and regulations vary from island to island so if your chosen resort has a wedding coordinator, make sure that you use their local knowledge to negotiate the red tape. Apart from paperwork, some islands require you to be on the island a specified period of time before you qualify to be married there. This is usually a few days so again, check this out carefully so that all your plans co-ordinate around the date on which you can legally marry there. Although it may seem complicated, next to organizing a full family wedding at home, it’s nothing! Find out what your chosen Caribbean island requires, comply and you’re almost ready to exchange the rings.

If you’d like to give family and friends the option of attending, give an open invite to anyone to join you providing they pay their own fare/hotel/expenses. There are some close family and friends who will take you up on this so make sure you set out some ground rules in advance so that you don’t bump into your parents when snorkelling with your new husband off St Kitts! Remember that this is your honeymoon as well as your wedding destination and anyone who wants to see you married must to respect this.

With so many islands, the real problem with getting married in the Caribbean isn’t so much how to do it, but rather where! The good thing is that when it comes to making a choice, you can’t make a bad one, so just decide which resort offers you the best deal for your wedding package and make your decision based upon that. Happy Honeymoon!

Through the perils of pirates and natural disasters the Spanish Galleons approached the Dominican Republic only to sink in the waters just off her coastline. Today literally dozens of these shipwrecks lie in their watery graves just waiting to be explored. If you are a diving enthusiast, or are someone who wants to learn a new skill, then this could be a great vacation adventure for you. Some of the wrecks aren’t the result of error or accident however; there are some that are quite close to the shore that were sunk for no other purpose than to create more diving opportunities. Whilst these may not hold the same mystery of the older shipwrecks, their close proximity to the shore means that even more novice divers can explore what lies beneath the waves.

Once you’re finished with the shipwrecks, you can either choose to lie beside the ocean, or take a sightseeing excursion to one of the islands more spectacular sights, the Salto de Auga Blanca where the 87 meter high waterfall cascades down into a beautiful tranquil pool. If you’re interested in ancient history then a visit to the southwest of the country is a must. The Taino cave art in Cueva Las Maravillas can be dated back as much as 2000 years and is another highlight from your vacation to the Dominican Republic that you’ll never forget.

A trip to the Dominican Republic wouldn’t be complete with wandering around the beautiful colonial architecture in its capital city, Santo Domingo. Alongside the restaurants and shops you’ll find the cobbled plazas and buildings of the history city such as the 16th century Caterdral Primada de America. If the ocean world is still calling you then make a visit to the Acuario Nacional where you can walk through plexi-glass tunnels showing a wide variety of local sea life held in the tanks behind. Any kids will be thrilled to enjoy the thrills of the nearby Auga Splash.

The Dominican Republic isn’t just another Caribbean island offering a nice clean beach to lie on. It offers the active and curious visitor a chance to experience the island’s history, admire its natural beauty and explore its ocean treasure. If you’re looking for a Caribbean adventure, you should put the Dominican Republic close to the top of your list!