Should I Purchase Travel Insurance

Should I Purchase Travel Insurance? Travel Tips

This is one of those age-old questions with no definitive answer. It’s estimated that 30 percent of Americans purchase travel insurance, which is a drastic increase since 9/11, when less than 10 percent of travelers were insured.

If you’re flying on a $150 ticket to see Aunt Irma in Wisconsin, you probably don’t need travel insurance. But on a trip such as yours, travel insurance can come in handy if something unexpectedly disrupts your trip. Your first step is to compare the cost of the trip versus the cost of the policy.

The most common situations when travel insurance comes in handy are:

• Your flight is canceled

• Your passport and wallet are stolen

• You require medical treatment while abroad

• You need to cancel your trip due to illness

• An unexpected hurricane hits your destination

• Your airline/cruise line/tour company go bankrupt

Reasons NOT to purchase travel insurance are:

• You’re afraid of terrorism

• A hurricane is going to hit your destination (this applies if the storm has already been named by the National Weather Service)

• Your pet is ill

• Your flight is delayed for so long that you want to cancel

One major caveat: Never purchase travel insurance from the same tour operator or cruise line with which you’re traveling. If that company goes out of business, there may not be money to cover your claim. Use a third-party provider (that includes travel agents).

Also, don’t forget about medical insurance. Even if you are covered for basic emergency care overseas, in almost all cases, your current health insurance does NOT cover you to evacuate you and fly you back to the U.S. Something called “Medical Evacuation and Repatriation” insurance comes in handy here. You pay a yearly fee, and if you get sick or injured overseas, the policy will get you treated, stabilized and flown back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice, not theirs. There are a number of good companies that provide this type of plan, such as MedJet Assist.

Must See Festivals Around Europe

5 Must See Festivals Around Europe

Festivals are a great way to experience this amazing continent which is rich in history and diverse in culture that has some the best festivals around the world.  
1. Notting Hill Festival
The Notting Hill Festival which happens on each August bank holiday, it is one of the most spectacular carnivals in the world often been classed second only to the Rio Festival but is Europe’s top carnival with its variety of upbeat music, street parties and twenty miles of vibrant colourful costumes it brings the streets of West London.
2. Seville Festival
The Seville Festival is in fact 2 major carnivals that bring the city alive during the month April with the Seville Fair covering around 1.2 million square metres with a week long party of dancing, drinking and entertainment that often go into the early hours of the morning and in some cases there  is plenty of party goers that will often go through the night.
3. Venice Mask Festival
Venice Carnival is one of the most exuberant and exciting Carnivals in Venice and around the world, with its famous masks and lavish parades, the carnival heightens after each and passing day over nearly 2 weeks of partying in the month of March.   
4. Edinburgh Festival
The Edinburgh Festival is on during the summer month of August and is one of the most spectacular music and arts festivals with its top-notch performance ranging from rock to cabaret with its mixture of modern and alternative music as well as dance and drama.
5. Tomato Fight Festival
Tomato Fight Festival is one of the few festivals with really no meaning known as the La Tomatina is held in the region of Valencia, Spain in a small town called Bunol which as a small population of 9000 and is held on the last Wednesday of August each year where an estimated 30,000 people descend into this small town to participate in this tomato throwing frenzy.

Great Vacations on A Budget

Great Vacations on A Budget

  • The first thing you should consider when vacationing on a low budget is where you will stay. A hotel or rental property/resort? Most people vacationing on a low budget would say “cheap hotel” or motel, but this sort of attitude will ruin your comfort level for your entire vacation. No one wants to be in a room with limited space, especially if you have children. Choosing a hotel will start one uncomfortable vacation! Resorts are much relaxing, and tend to have its own recreation facilities on site. Though resorts are always more expensive than hotels, joining a vacation club, or resort club of some sort would help you save thousands. Most vacation clubs cost anywhere from $500-$2000. But keep reading and I’ll link you to one, with just the low budget solutions you want.

*Avoid Timeshares when vacationing, they were created for people who want to sell and profit from them. Typically not for vacationers. The timeshare process can cost you thousands a year*

  • The second thing is to set a budget for all the food you will bring or purchase for your entire vacation. Packing is key here, eating out is very costly and can leave a your wallet empty after the vacation if not before. That’s another reason why a resort would be beneficial , relaxing, and money saving. 9 out of 10 resorts has fully equipped kitchen and dinning room areas to prepare meals and enjoy meals! So no sitting on the bed or sharing that one lousy chair in the hotel room. Boy will you be happy with this club I’ll show you.
  • The third thing is amusement/theme park cost, if there are any amusement parks you plan on attending you should definitely include this in your budget. Google up specials, promotions, or even email website owners for big discounts. Try to pack snacks and lunches for the amusement park also, the park makes a third of its profits from gifts and food. “That’s why their food is so high”
  • Forth and Last is transportation costs, whether taking a bus, train, taxi, plane, boat, or car, make sure you get the cheapest way possible. Below is a Website that offers exclusive travel deals for its members including hotels, car rentals, air tickets, and cruises, Best of all resorts.