Guest Post: Top Travel Insurance Tips

Today's guest post comes from Joe Johnson, aka Backpack Joe. (this post originally ran on ShereenTravelsCheap)

Going on holiday is invariably one of the highlights of the year, unless of course you’re a wealthy oil tycoon and your whole year is one big holiday, but since you’re reading this, I’d wager that you’re not (what oil tycoon needs travel insurance?!). Everything about going on holiday is exciting, planning which restaurants to go to, flip-flop shopping, frantically scrabbling to locate your passport in the ‘safe’ draw, getting travel insurance… Oh wait.

Ok, almost everything about preparing for a holiday is exciting, and while travel insurance may be an unwelcome aside, it is nevertheless necessary, if only to give you piece of mind. Getting injured, falling ill or having your laptop pilfered is inconvenient in the outskirts of Coventry, but when you’re in an unfamiliar country where you don’t speak the language, it can be more than distressing. Best shell out for travel insurance then. Here are some tips for ensuring you get the right type of insurance, and getting the most out of it should you need to use it.

1. Get Insurance 

Sounds obvious right? Maybe, but so many people make the mistake of not taking out travel insurance and regretting it afterwards when they end up with hospitals bills for thousands of pounds/dollars. You wouldn’t take to the road without car insurance, so don’t take a holiday without travel insurance.

2. Get the right Type of Insurance

Travel insurance covers many different things: injury, illness, delayed flights, loss or theft of possessions, and while you don’t want to go away without any kind of insurance you need to get the type that will suit your trip. If you’re going backpacking for example, you won’t need the same kind of insurance that would be suitable for, say, a business trip.

3. Abide by the Rules

As we all know, insurance policies are riddled with loop holes, so make sure you tick all the boxes by obeying the rules. This means checking in on time so you can claim if your flight is delayed.

4. Report Theft Immediately

If you are unfortunate enough to have your possessions stolen on holiday (or carelessly lose them), you must report to the local police in order to record the loss or theft. A crime reference number will usually be given. Failure to do this may mean you cannot claim on your policy.

5. Take Notes

If you do claim, your insurance company will want to know the precise details of what happened. Make sure you note every last detail down – what happened, when it happened, where it happened and why it happened. Make sure your story is water-tight or you’ll get caught out!

6. Get Luggage Insurance

We all know how heavy-handed ground staff at the airport can be. Not a problem if you have suitcases full of clothes, but a real risk of you have prized items in tow like a snowboard, guitar or canoe. Make sure any, large fragile, valuable items are insured. Oh, and always padlock your suitcase. Use TSA approved locks.

7. Keep Your Insurers Abreast of Changes

If you make any changes ahead of your holiday, be that changes to your schedule, holiday dates, hotel, car rental details or anything even mildly significant , be sure to inform your insurers so your policy can be adjusted accordingly.

8. Buy in Bulk

If you are travelling as a couple or a family, get group coverage. It’ll work out a lot cheaper than buying individual policies.

9. Think Long-term

The reason travel insurance can sometimes seem very expensive can simply be because you’re unprepared and disorganised. If you think you’ll be going away multiple times through the course of a year (lucky you) then buy a year's coverage since it’ll work out cheaper than buying many short-term policies. Consider what kind of holidays you’ll be going on, too. Skiing holidays require a different type of coverage than beach holidays.

10. Be Persistent with Claims

By their very nature, insurance companies don’t want to pay out for claims. They’ll try every trick in the book in an attempt to refute a claim. For this reason, you need to be persistent when claiming or insurance companies will brush you aside with legal jargon.

Joe is a travel blogger from the UK who always takes out insurance before going away! You can follow Joe on Twitter @joe__johnson__ or his blog.

Lake Como Budget Activities

On Monday, we looked at what makes Lake Como so amazing. If you're interested in planning your own trip, here are just a few budget activities you may like to include:

Villa Balbianello - True Star Wars fans make the pilgrimage to Lenno to view the famous wedding spot. Heck, it's even available for weddings, but that's not the budget part. For only a few euro per person, you can take a water taxi over to Lenno and for €5 you can view gardens of the villa and for €11 you can gain entry into the villa and gardens.

Funicular Railway - Want to see the best views of Como? Well, for just  € 5.10 you can get a round-trip ticket on the railway, built in 1894, to Brunate. Amazing views of the Alps and Como. Make sure you bring your walking shoes, or else catch the bus to the lookout and lighthouse. For €20 you can get a return ticket and dinner. Choose from a variety of restaurants participating in the promotion. Allow for enough time to explore the village of Brunate and take pictures.

Villa Carlotta - Love plants and flowers? Then this is a fun place for you to visit. See over 500 varieties for €9 at this luxurious palace build in the 1600's. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the gardens or have a quick bite at the coffee house.

Jungle Raider Park - Starting at just €10, you can choose one of five courses (or a combination of them) and zip line, traverse rope bridges and other awesome outdoor amusements that test your skills and get you out in the fresh air.

The Jewel Of Northern Italy: Lake Como

Today's guest post comes to us from Shane Mcc from NationalRVParks. Doesn't this make you want to visit Italy?

Any trip to Northern Italy should include a visit to Lake Como. It is a popular tourist destination because of its fresh air, water, mountains and great weather. This lake is so beautiful that many celebrities like George Clooney, Madonna, Sylvester Stallone and Gianni Versace have purchased property there. It has also served as the setting for movies including the Stars Wars. Its appeal is truly legendary.

This photo of Como is courtesy of TripAdvisor

My family, which includes my mother, father, brother and I, traveled to this pristine area of Northern Italy in October 2011 as a side trip while we were visitng Milan.  Lake Como is in close proximity to Milan, Italy. It is easily accessed by train from Stazione Centrale in downtown Milan.  It takes about 45 minutes to arrive. We left on a quiet Sunday afternoon in mid October.






St. Marks

After a short walk from the main train station called San Giovanni, we gazed open-mouthed at a vast expanse of clear, glass-like, calm water and almost in unison, a smile appeared on our faces. We all knew immediately why this area of Northern ltaly is so popular.



Santa Maria Dellfiore



The town of Como was our starting point to tour the lake.  It has various docks where boats are available for transportation to other towns on the lake.  The lake itself, is shaped like an inverted "Y", and is rimmed by small village-like towns that each have a dock for easy boarding and unboarding. 




Statue of David

These towns are rustic and quaint.  A visit to any of them is the quintessential Lake Como experience.  Towns like Tremezzo, where the gorgeous Villa Carlotta is a must see attraction, Mennaggio, with its small wine bars, gelatarias, and cafes, and, Bellagio, the "pearl of the lake" are all worthy of a  visit. 

 

      

Bellagio, in particular, was the most appealing for us.  We had lunch at a small trattoria situated along the lakeside.  I particularly remember a gentle breeze, soft sunshine and a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains accompanying our bottle of Pinot Grigio and bruschetta. A pleasant lago di Como memory that i will always treasure. An interesting note is that the little town of Bellagio was Steve Wynn's, the well known Las Vegas impresario,  inspiration for the  Bellagio Hotel, the centerpiece of the  famous Las Vegas Strip. The essence of an old Italian villagio comes to life in its buccolic surroundings.  Bellagio is known as the "Pearl" of the Lake. Our visit to Bellagio will be incentive enough for us to come back.

This photo of Villa del Balbienella is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Bellagio also is the home of another must see attraction;  the Villa Balbienello (the location of the famous Star Wars wedding scene).  Its meticulously maintained grounds and its old world Italian architecture are of particular note.  

There are many other sleepy little towns and villages worthy of a visit on the Lake.  If you are fortunate enough to spend a few days there, you can really get a chance to explore and enjoy  Lago di Como . The only mistake that you can make about visiting Lake Como is not making plans to return. Please, take some time to view some photos taken of our perfect lake Como sojourn.

Make sure to visit Shane at NationalRVParks, follow him on Twitter or join him on Facebook. [All photos above are courtesy of Shane Mcc, unless otherwise noted.]

 

Guest Post: Exploring the Isle of Wight on a Budget

Today's guest post was brought to you by Kit at WightLink. Please go check out her page.

Nowadays, so many of us spend our holiday time abroad that the beauty and splendour of destinations around the UK are never seen by many. It’s not just Spain that has sun-kissed beaches, France that has good wine, nor Italy that has quaint villages – you can find all these without leaving the country, without the hassle of hours at the airport; and without breaking the bank.

The Isle of Wight is one of the UK’s best kept holiday secrets. It’s only a 30 minute journey from Yarmouth on the Lymington ferry, and if you take your car you won’t even need to worry about having to hire transport when you get there.

The island is a great getaway for those on a budget, with loads of attractions available at cheap or even free entry, accommodation available for much less than the big cities, and restaurants that really are hidden gems.

Sleep somewhere different

Ever fancied finding out what it’s like to spend the night in a Tipi? In the east coast resort of Ryde, you might be lucky enough to stumble across the island’s Tipi Holiday Park. These are brilliant if you’re looking for accommodation on a budget, but still want interesting lodgings.

Alternatively, have a look at Compton Farm: a camping experience with a difference. There’s ducks to feed, eggs to collect, tractors to play on…and even a dinosaur footprint to discover!

Staying entertained

Throughout the year, the island makes sure to provide visitors with plenty of events – the biggest of course, being the upcoming Bestival music festival in September. Aside from this, there’s something for everyone: from a whole host of other musical extravaganzas, to sporting events, food festivals, and even historical recreations.

Ever wanted to see Beyonce, The Beatles, and Take That playing live in one place? You can – sort of – at the Isle of Wight’s ‘FauxFest’, which showcases the UK’s best tribute acts at a charity event. Or you could follow the Wight History Trail, which takes visitors on a tour of the island - and even better, most of the sights are free.

Family fun

Keeping young children entertained on holiday can often be difficult – and especially if you’re trying to stick to a budget. Carisbrooke Castle has the solution, with Spy Training days in early August as part of their Time Travellers Go series of events. You can get entrance to the experience, along with travel to the island, at a reduced rate through Wightlink Ferries.

With plenty to see and do and some great places to stay, the Isle of Wight is the perfect option for those looking for a break on a budget. Whether it’s family entertainment or fun with friends, the island has something for everyone.

Thanks again to Kit for this fun post. You can find her on her website | Facebook | Twitter

Guest Post: How to Have a Great Time in Edinburgh on a Budget

If you're on a budget and want to visit Edinburgh and think it might be an expensive UK city to visit, don't fret, as it is actually an extremely tourist-friendly place with lots and lots of free and cheap things to see and do, which means you can get the full experience of this beautiful city without shelling out too much! If you have never been before and want some tips on what is free to see in the city then the following will be useful to you.

Art

Get your culture fix by visiting one of the many free art galleries throughout Edinburgh. If you enjoy early Renaissance to early 19th century art, then you should visit the Scottish National Gallery. 

If you prefer modern art, then head on over to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Across the road from the Modern Art Gallery you will find the Dean gallery which has a free section to visit too. 

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery has now reopended too and is free to visit and finally the Fruitmarket Gallery beside the train station is free to enter and has a rotating selection of contemporary installations and well worth a visit.

History

Edinburgh is home to many many historic churches and cathedrals and architectural wonders that you can explore for free. Many are centuries old where you can step back in time as you view the splendor of ancient murals and stained glass windows. Head to St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile it is the Mother Church of Presbyterianism and contains the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle. It is free to enter, but a donation is asked if you want to take pictures inside the cathedral. 

If you are a bookworm then the National Library of Scotland just around the corner is a fascinating place to spend a few hours and with free exhibitions too it is well worth a visit.

If writing is your thing, then the Writers Museum on the Royal Mile offers an insight into some of Scotland's best knows authors including Robbie Burns and Robert Louis Stephenson.

And finally, one of my favourite buildings and not mentioned in the guide books are the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland on Charlotte square - possibly one of the most amazing banking halls in the country - just look up to the dome in the ceiling and you will see what I mean!

For the Kids

If you're bringing the kids, the the following is well worth visiting. Want to see a million pounds... Yes? Well the Museum on the Mound is all about the history of money and banking in Scotland and they do have a million pounds that you can see and all this for free! 

If you want an afternoon of history and also lots of cool stuff for the kids to see then head to the Museum of Scotland. Having undergone a recent renovation not only will you be blown away by the inside of the building but the exhibitions are fantastic, too!

Back on the mound, no trip to Edinburgh would be complete without a trip to the Museum of Childhood. Take a trip through the ages and see the evolution of toys and games and is fascinating for adults and kids too!

And finally, if you have had enough of being indoors head to Edinburgh’s Botanical Gardens this is a fantastic place for a walk and they have exhibitions for children about plants at the John Hope garden entrance. 

And there we have it, a big selection of free things to visit when you are in Edinburgh!

So, for those of you who like to hang on to your money, there are plenty of things to do in Edinburgh on the cheap. You'll have a rich experience without going broke in the process. 

This article was written by Ross (originally for ShereenTravelsCheap.com) who runs edinburghguide.org.uk and lives in Edinburgh.

Guest Post: The Best Underground Attractions of Wales

Today's guest post was brought to you from Mike at British Travel Guide. Please go check out his page.

Wales is a small, very mountainous country located to the West of Britain. It has a rich history and a population of about three million people. The main languages spoken are Welsh and English. As a tourist destination, one of the most popular areas of interest are the underground attractions of Wales which are twelve in number. They include old mines, a hydro-electric station and a river tour, among others. A trip to Wales can be very exciting for those who love exploring the underground world.

Electric Mountain is located right on the edge of Snowdonia National Park. What you can do is take a tour round Dinorwig Power Station which goes into the Elidir Mountain. You will get to see a comprehensive display of the history and development of hydro-electricity. There is also a natural science exhibition that explains the history of Snowdonia and the geological history of the many mountains in Wales and how they were formed during Ice Age. You also see the massive manmade cavern which is in the deep underground of Elidir Mountain. This tour is one of the most fascinating underground attractions of Wales as it is entertaining as well as educative.

Sygun Copper Mine is located in the Beddgelert village in the Gwynant Valley which lies squarely in the heart of Snowdonia National Park. The tunnels and caves will allow you to explore the old copper mines. They have been restored to allow visitors to explore them but the restoration has not taken away the originality of the mines. The caves have since then formed beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations which are tinted by iron oxide. These form a great opportunity to take photographs which can form interesting art pieces for you. In addition to the tour in the mines, you can also take part in panning for gold, archery, pottery painting, metal detection of old coins, an adventure playground with a bouncy castle.

King Arthur's Labyrinth & Bards' Quest is an exciting story telling tour and is one of the more popular underground attractions of Wales as it caters to both children and adults in a highly entertaining manner. It is located in Corris at the Braich Goch Slate Mines. You take a boat ride underground on a river which will take you through a waterfall into the Labyrinth. As you take the journey, you will be regaled with tales of the well-known King Arthur and other stories of famous Welsh legends.

The stories are told with accompanying sound effects and lighting. The tour is good in all-weather because when it is hot, it is dry in the underground labyrinth and when it is wet, it is dry. There are beautiful crafts at the Corris Craft Centre which you can purchase and the Crochan café serves delicious Welsh meals in addition to having outdoor seating which gives you a huge appetite from all the fresh air. The underground attractions of Wales will be a fun and exciting way for you to explore the rich historical and geological attractions that Wales has to offer.

Don't forget to check out Mike's blog: British Travel Guide| Follow him on Twitter: @payt