24/7 travel insurance blog

Following the recent announcement that Flyglobespan, Scotland’s biggest airline, went into administration – leaving over 3,000 people stranded abroad without cover and a further 100,000 potential claimants – Peter Hayman, Director at Travel Insurance Specialist, P J Hayman, says:

“The failure of Flyglobespan is very unfortunate – especially at the height of the festive season. This news will be a severe blow not only to those who are stranded but also those who have travel plans over the holidays and their family and friends who they are visiting.

“Much like the XL Leisure Group failure last year, some elements of Globespan bookings were unprotected. As a consequence, people with bookings have to resort to claiming back on their credit card, where applicable, or travel insurance where cover has been extended to cover such failures.

“Those with cover that have Financial Failure cover (such as BONDPLUS automatically included with 24/7 ‘premier’ policies) are protected against this type of eventuality. Unfortunately, this collapse, coupled with the impending industrial action at BA makes it a difficult time for many UK travellers and it is therefore all the more imperative that people have sufficient travel insurance cover in place”.

Travel insurance is a must!
When buying your travel insurance, don’t assume that every policy is the same. Your needs may be different from others, so make sure the policy you buy provides the cover that you require. Read the small print, check the level of cover and ensure you are covered for any activities that you want to undertake. Carry your travel insurance documentation with you whilst abroad and keep the 24-hour emergency medical assistance number on you at all times along with your policy number. Call us for an instant 24/7 travel insurance quote, for just £7.33* 24/7 travel insurance will cover you for a 3-day trip to Europe including Financial Failure Protection!

*Premium £7.33 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a ‘Premier’ single-trip policy for 3 days in Europe excluding personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: BONDPLUS Financial Failure cover

Are you looking to take a scuba diving holiday but not sure where to go? In this blog we’ve listed the top 10 scuba diving locations around the world…

1. Cozumel, Mexico
The Island of Cozumel, off the Mayan coast, is surrounded by gorgeous reefs and pristine clear water; perfect for scuba diving. On a good day visibility can be up to 200 feet. There are 19 popular scuba diving reef areas teeming with marine life. Cozumel is tourist friendly with affordable accommodation and buzzing night life.

2. Fiji Islands, South Pacific
Fiji offers an incredible scuba diving experience. It is the ‘Soft Coral Capital of the World’, the home of the Great White Wall, the Yellow Tunnel and other famous underwater marvels. Because of its clear water, scuba diving conditions and visibility are good year-round and a favourite hangout for professional underwater photographers.
3. Grand Cayman, Cayman IslandsVisibility averages 80 feet to 150 feet in this tropical paradise. Rising like a mountain plateau in the Caribbean, the Grand Cayman's shallow reefs provide maximum downtime, next to massive drop-offs in the surrounding 12,000 foot abyss.

4. Florida, USA
Florida offers the best scuba diving opportunities on the North American continent. Within a short boat ride of the nearest beach you will be submerged alongside giant turtles, manatees, sharks, tropical fish, rays and dolphins. The Gulf coast generally has better visibility, the Atlantic Coast has a wealth of reefs and wrecks and the Florida Keys offer beautiful warm water and tropical fish.

5. Belize
Boasting some of the world's best preserved marine ecosystems, but undiscovered by excessive tourism, Belize is a natural destination for scuba divers. The cayes, the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are the main attractions in Belize each offering a stunning variety of marine life.

6. Heron Island, Australia (Great Barrier Reef)
Heron Island is literally a coral island rising above the famous Great Barrier Reef with excellent scuba diving, just steps from the shore. Heron is a quiet island, devoid of industry or day trippers, which is ideal for the scuba diver who wants to relax during surface intervals.

7. Vanuatu, East of Australia
Suspended between New Zealand and Southeast Asia, Vanuatu is prized by scuba divers primarily for its incredible diversity. Amid clear warm water and abundant marine life scuba divers can experience caves, swim-throughs, lava towers, wrecks and grottoes.

8. Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
Located along the southern tip of the Bahamas, Grand Turk stays sheltered from heavy currents and visibility is excellent year-round for scuba diving. Inquisitive scuba divers can dive amongst the underwater walls covered in sponges and corals and the manta rays which gather in Grand Turk for the summer.

9. Hawaii
Scuba diving in Hawaii is popular especially as giant sea turtles, stingrays, sharks and whales gather near Hawaii to live in its fertile volcanic ecosystem. Most of the diving on the island is off the Leeward Coast, with some excellent locations stretched all along the coast.

10. Koh Tao Island, Thailand
Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand is a tourist friendly island that caters especially to scuba divers. Surrounded on all sides by colorful reefs the island is also well known for opportunities for close-encounters with whalesharks and grey reef sharks.

Don’t forget your travel insurance!You should buy your travel insurance before you leave home, just in case you have an accident or fall ill on your travels. If you’re planning to take part in an activity on holiday, please ensure you check the policy wording to make sure you have cover for your chosen activity. 24/7 travel insurance automatically covers 70 activities as standard, including scuba diving to a maximum depth of 30 metres. A Worldwide excluding USA, Canada & Caribbean cover for 5-days costs only £18.60† - a small price to pay for peace of mind to really enjoy your scuba diving holiday!

For a more advanced travel insurance policy for scuba diving try BSAC’s Travel 4 Scuba.

† Premium £18.60 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a Standard single-trip policy for 5 days Worldwide excluding USA, Canada & Caribbean cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: scuba diving

Recent studies from Which? holiday have indicated that checking a bag into the hold and using a credit card could add almost 30% onto the advertised price of some ‘budget’ airline tickets!

Which? Holiday compared the prices of four of the UK’s largest no-frills airlines on flights to four different destinations and looked at the charges incurred on these flights for checking a piece of luggage into the hold and for paying with a credit card.

Based on a three-night break between the 11th and 16th February 2010, they found:

• The price of a flight to Paris with BMIBaby increased by around 25% when one piece of hold luggage was checked in and the ticket was booked using a credit card, and the price of a flight to Malaga increased by 23%.
• Ryanair charges £50 extra across all its routes for checking in a hold bag and paying with a credit card; an increase of between 8% and 29% on the advertised cost of the fare.
• Although Jet2 were found to add the most to the cost of a flight for the charges - £92.16, this was an increase of just 10% on the advertised ticket price.
• The cost of a ticket on a Ryanair flight between East Midlands airport and Malaga increased by 29.1% when a bag was checked into the hold and the ticket was paid for using a credit card (£121.98 to £171.98).

Rochelle Turner, the head of research for Which? Holiday, said: “It’s hard to believe that any airline could justify increasing the ticket price by almost a third just for checking a bag into the hold and paying on a credit card, two services that not too long ago were included in the headline price.”
“Airlines argue that they are being fairer to customers who don’t use these services. But, in reality, how many people don’t use a credit or debit card to pay for their flights, or travel without luggage? These aren’t extra services. They are part and parcel of taking a flight.”

Airlines automatic travel insuranceKeep an eye out for some airlines who are still leading customers to buy holiday insurance by making buying insurance cover a default booking option when customers book their flights online. Last November, there was an EU ruling making it illegal for airlines to automatically opt passengers into optional additional charges including travel insurance, as part of their flight package. By shopping around online for holiday insurance, you’re likely to find an insurance policy which suits you better.

Holiday insurance is a must!
When buying your holiday insurance, don’t assume that every policy is the same. Your needs may be different from others, so make sure the policy you buy provides the cover that you require. Read the small print, check the level of cover and ensure you are covered for any activities that you want to undertake. Carry your travel insurance documentation with you on holiday and keep the 24-hour emergency medical assistance number on you at all times along with your policy number. Call us for an instant 24/7 travel insurance quote, for just £5.91** 24/7 travel insurance will cover you for a 3-day trip to Europe!

**Premium £5.91 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a Standard single-trip policy for 3 days in Europe including personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: budget flying

In general, a little common sense goes a long way when backpacking. However, many backpackers are robbed every year while travelling. Unfortunately travellers do draw a lot of attention, and by some local standards they are considered ‘rich’. Theft does not just happen in poor countries, it can occur all over the world.

Fortunately, the trick for not letting it happen to you is simple - don’t present an easy target. Here are some easy tips for backpackers to avoid becoming a victim of theft:

1) When riding a bus, try to sit on the same side as your bag that is stored underneath in the cargo hold. If you are awake, watch out the window at stops which are not yours to make sure no one takes it as they exit.

2) While sleeping in airports, make a ‘lead’ out of some string or a clothesline. Connect your wrist to the bag while it is under your seat or sitting beside you in case you fall asleep.

3) Consider your country’s relations with the country you are travelling before sewing your flag patch on the outside of your bag. When a thief has to choose between dozens of bags, it may make yours stand out.

4) Carry a small bicycle combination chain lock in the top of your bag. Attach it to support bars when it is stored on an overnight train or to the bed frame when it is in your hotel.

5) Put small combination locks on outside pockets. In a crowded area it may be impossible to feel a deft hand unzipping and reaching inside while it is on your back.

6) Consciously pack bulk things on the back side of the bag rather than valuable items. If your pack is slashed by someone with a razor while you wear it, all they will get is a handful of dirty underwear. This makes sense for not putting weight away from your body and for padding the contents inside as well.

7) Carry less! Its true, a fat rucksack is a fat target. Also, you will not be tempted to leave it behind so much if the bag is less of a burden.

8) Don’t look like a target. Leave the designer goods behind. If you present an image of wealth, someone will be very interested in your bag.

9) Avoid carrying bags that declare what is inside. Any thief that sees ‘Kodak’ on a bag knows that an expensive camera is probably inside. The same thing goes for using laptop bags as a daybag. Sew a patch over the logo or put some duct tape over it to make it look less appealing to thieves.

10) While you travel, your backpack is your home. Always be aware of where it is and try to keep it close.

Don’t forget your cheap backpacker travel insurance!
You can purchase great value backpackers insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance. For a 2-month trip in Europe, will cost you just £13.52* - a small price to pay to really enjoy your backpacking adventure all the more!

*Premium £13.52 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual aged under 36 taking out a Standard Backpacker 24/7 travel insurance policy for 2 months in Europe. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: Backpacking

Sitting proudly on the calm blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is one of the world's most magnificent fortified cities and a UNESCO world heritage site and Croatia's most upmarket destination. During its Golden Age in the 16th century, it had one of the largest merchant naval fleets in the world, with consulates in over 50 foreign ports. Read on to find out more…

When to visit:The best time to visit is in May-June or September-October to enjoy warm, sunny days with slightly less crowds. During the peak season between July-August, Dubrovnik is busy and hotel prices can be expensive. The low season between November-April can be pleasant but the weather less reliable.

Getting there:
Fly to Dubrovnik with British Airways (0844 493 0 787, http://www.ba.com/ from Gatwick); Croatia Airlines (0870 4100 310, http://www.croatiaairlines.com/ from Gatwick); Flybe (0871 700 2000, http://www.flybe.com/ from Birmingham and Exeter) and Thomsonfly (0870 1900 737, http://www.thomsonfly.com/ from Manchester and Luton).

Things to do:
Lokrum Island
If you're in Dubrovnik for the summer, take an afternoon off sightseeing to visit the tiny island of Lokrum, served by taxi-boats (journey time 10 min) from the old harbour. There's a small botanical garden with peacocks, a tiny saltwater lake and two bar-restaurants.

Adventure
For a day filled with fun adventures, Dubrovnik has a range of activities to choose from including mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking and hiking. The excitement of participating in an outdoor activity combined with the outstanding scenery of Dubrovnik makes this unforgettable experience!

Diving
The part of the Adriatic Sea belonging to Croatia is regarded as one of the top diving areas in the world, attracting numerous underwater enthusiasts every year. The most popular are dives on the shipwrecks in the Cavtat area and the archipelago of reefs and rocks between the Mljet and Lastovo islands. This area is rich in fish and it is possible to take pictures of some species that are rare in other parts of the Adriatic.

Cavtat
In the far south of Croatia lies the little fishing village and seaside resort of Cavtat. Built on the site of an old Roman site, Cavtat curves around a horseshoe shaped harbour. It is only 17 km from Dubrovnik and can either be explored on a day trip, or serve as a base for exploring Dubrovnik. Cavtat has numerous hotels and good facilities for travellers. It is also a very pleasant spot with numerous beaches in the area and some historic and cultural attractions.

Elafiti islands
The car-free Elaphiti Islands are scattered to the north of Dubrovnik. The islands of Sipan, Lopud, and Kolocep are the only inhabited islands in this archipelago and life is still very slow paced and resources for travellers are scant. In the high season some simple restaurants open but apart from that visitors are on their own. Regular water taxis from Dubrovnik service these islands. The Elaphiti Islands are for the most part forested or farmed but they are known for having beautiful beaches and coves. There are a few old sights on some of the islands, including churches and monasteries.

City Walls
The city walls of Dubrovnik are one of the city's best known features. Built in the 10th century and modified in the 13th to 14th centuries the walls, some up to 6m / 19ft thick, provided a solid defence against invaders. The total length of Dubrovnik's city walls is 1949m / 6390ft and they make a great spot for a casual stroll. Tremendous views can be had from Dubrovnik's city walls out over the Adriatic and inwards over the old town centre.

Onofrio’s Fountain
Located in a small square near the Pila Gate and Franciscan Monastery, the large fountain was built in 1438 by the famous Italian architect from Naples, Onofrio della Cava. After sustaining severe damage in a 1667 earthquake, the fountain was repaired and features 16 masked faces, known as 'maskeroni', which supplied water via an aqueduct. This construction was a masterpiece of that time and well worth a visit.

Finally, don’t forget your holiday insurance!
If after reading this blog you like the sound of Dubrovnik, make sure you take out cheap holiday insurance as soon as you book your trip. Buying direct from the travel insurance provider is certainly cheaper than from your travel agent.

You can purchase great value travel insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance. For a 3-day break in Europe, it will cost you just £5.32* - a small price to pay to really relax and enjoy your holiday all the more!

* Premium £5.32 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual aged under 55 taking out a Standard Single-trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for 3 days in Europe excluding personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: holiday insurance

Lots of backpackers carry a large rucksack and a smaller day bag. If you travel light enough, you can put the day bag inside your rucksack so that you only have one backpack to strap on when walking. Otherwise, you will have to wear the smaller bag on your front. The alternative is to travel with a small enough backpack (45L or less) that can be used as your day bag as well.

What to bring?When you are looking at loads of potential travel gear, neatly displayed on the floor next to your backpack, you will have a mental picture about what to take and what to leave at home.

• Don’t ‘what-if’ yourself into carrying a lot of useless survival gear
• You will not need many distractions while on the road - just take what you need to live
• You can always buy goods locally

Remember the golden rule for packing a backpack - When in doubt, leave it out!

Unless you are going to a very remote part of the world like Antarctica, you will be able to buy most of what you need to survive on the road. If you are travelling to a developing country, you will probably find what you need cheaper and may help a struggling economy out as well!

Don’t take any priceless or irreplaceable belongings with you. Any personal items you take may be exposed to the elements, mistreatment, and even thieves if you are unlucky.

You won’t need to take a lot of clothing. Fashion will be a non-issue completely when on the road. You can wash laundry regularly in the sink or if you feel that you do not have enough to wear, buy some clothes locally for cheap.

• Think ‘wear one, wash one’. You really only need 2 outfits, maybe 3 for backpacking.

Backpack SecurityNever pack valuable things in the outer pockets of a backpack. When it is on your back, it is very difficult to feel a deft hand reaching inside while you walk down the street or stand on a crowded train platform. Invest in some combination locks to secure zips on the outside of your backpack for that added security.
Some backpackers opt for a ‘pacsafe’ which is a metal cover that protects your backpack from being ‘slashed’. Unfortunately, to some thieves these covers attract attention and may imply that you have something valuable inside worth protecting.
Important items to keep secure in your backpack:

• Copies of your credit cards and passport - in case they are lost or stolen
• Copy of your travel insurance documents
• Contact number secured on the inside (in case the outside tag breaks off or is removed)
• Emergency contact information (in case you are hurt)
• A valid EHIC (European health insurance card) if travelling within the EU

Remember to pack your backpacker travel insurance!You can purchase great value backpackers insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance.For a 2-month trip to Australia, will cost you just £18.93* - a small price to pay to really enjoy your backpacking adventure all the more!
* Premium £18.93 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual aged under 36 taking out a Standard Backpacker 24/7 travel insurance policy for 2 months in Australia. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: backpacker travel insurance

Following the recent news of Richard Branson’s company, Virgin Galactic, launching commercial test flights into space, a Barcelona based company, Galactic Suite, plans to open the first hotel in space.

The architects of The Galactic Suite Space Resort says it will offer a three-night stay at the hotel, including an eight-week training course on a tropical island. It is expected to accept its first guests in 2012 for a mere £2.7 million a time!

During their stay, guests would see the sun rise 15 times a day and travel around the world every 80 minutes. They would wear velcro suits so they can crawl around their pod rooms by sticking themselves to the walls.

Galactic Suite's CEO Xavier Claramunt, a former aerospace engineer, said: “The project will put the company at the forefront of an infant industry with a huge future ahead of it, I forecast space travel will become common in the future.” *

* Source – The Telegraph Nov 09

Space tourism is beginning to take shape with construction underway in New Mexico of Spaceport America, the world's first facility built specifically for space-bound commercial customers and fee-paying passengers. Richard Branson's space tours firm, Virgin Galactic, will use the facility to propel tourists into space at a cost of £120,000 a ride.

Galactic Suite Ltd, set up in 2007, hopes to start its project with a single pod in orbit 450 km (280 miles) above the earth, travelling at 30,000 km per hour, with the capacity to hold four guests and two astronaut pilots. It will take a day and a half to reach the pod.

Mr Claramunt said: "When the passengers arrive in the rocket, they will join it for 3 days, rocket and capsule. With this we create in the tourist a confidence that he hasn't been abandoned. After 3 days the passenger returns to the transport rocket and returns to earth."

More than 200 people have expressed an interest in travelling to the space hotel and at least 43 people have already reserved. The numbers are similar for Virgin Galactic with 300 people already paid or signed up for the trip but Galactic Suite say they will use Russian rockets to transport their guests into space from a spaceport on a Caribbean island instead of using the Virgin Galactic space craft.

Fancy a trip closer to home?
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance. For a 3-day break in Europe, it will cost you just £5.32** - a small price to pay to really relax and enjoy your break all the more!

**Premium £5.32 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual aged under 55 taking out a Standard Single-trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for 3 days in Europe excluding personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: holiday insurance

Generally skiing holidays can be quite expensive; especially by the time you’ve hired your ski equipment, bought your lift pass and arranged your flights/ accommodation. We've made it easy for you with our top budget destinations to ensure you get your skiing fix without breaking the bank.

Borovets, Bulgaria
Bulgaria has for some time been something of a bargain ski destination, and none more so than its oldest and biggest ski resort Borovets. Situated outside the eurozone means that Bulgarian prices are much cheaper than some of the more glamorous Alpine resorts. Borovets has seen a lot of money invested in to expanding the resort which is due to be completed by 2012, turning the resort into a completely modern ski area. So go now before it becomes too popular and too costly!

Brides-les-Bains, France
Brides is perfect location for those on a budget who want easy access to the superb Trois Vallées ski area without the price tag. The spa town, located just below Méribel has a much more relaxed feel than some of the resorts further up the mountain and was once the Olympic Village for the 1992 Savoie Winter Olympics. Brides is linked by high speed gondola (25-minute trip) to Méribel, opening up the full range of snow guaranteed skiing in the Three Valleys. Accommodation is considerably better value than the higher altitude resorts.

Zakopane, Poland
Zakopane has long been considered the favourite winter mountain resort in poland, but has in recent years started to attract visitors from further afield. Its world-class ski slopes, and great value accommodation, means that it is rapidly becoming a favourite among everyone from beginner to expert. The resort is an excellent place to learn to ski, with tuition a fraction of the cost of some western European countries. Zakopane is just over 65 miles away from Krakow airport, making it easily accessible with flights offered by most of the low cost airlines.

Schladming, Austria
The resort of Schladming lies just an hour away from Salzburg and therefore becomes a realistic prospect for both the weekend or week-long skier. Cars can be hired at the airport, while for the more prudent, there is also a bus service or train service directly to the resort. The resort lies in the Dachstein Mountain region, and has seven ski areas - much of which is for the intermediate and advanced skier - and can easily be reached in one of the free local buses that run in the main season. There is a good selection of reasonably priced accommodation in and around the town.

Aviemore, Scotland
Keep your costs to a minimum by remaining on these shores with a ski trip closer to home. Aviemore in the Cairngorm National Park provides variable opportunities for skiing, but you'll need to keep a watch on weather conditions as they can be indifferent. When conditions are good, the 30 available slopes can provide excellent skiing opportunities, generally for beginners and intermediates, at almost any time between early December through to mid-May.

Content sourced from Yahoo Travel Dec 09

Travel Insurance with wintersports cover can be purchased for just £11.82* at www.247travelinsurance.co.uk – a small price to pay to be able to really enjoy your wintersports holiday on the slopes!

* Premium £11.82 includes Insurance Premium Tax, Personal Possessions cover and Wintersports cover. Based on a ‘standard’ single trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for one adult aged under 55 travelling to Europe for 3 days. Policy purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: cheap ski holidays

So you are looking at a packing puzzle. All the stuff you have purchased or want to take is spread out on the floor around your backpack and you are wondering how it is all going to fit in there?

Packing a backpack is an art, and sometimes it takes several attempts. Do not assume that the first time you pack is the correct way, only experience will tell.
Top tip: Don’t wait until the night before to start packing!

Stage everything first
Don’t grab your backpack and start stuffing things inside. Stage everything that you might want to take on the floor in an open area around your backpack. This will give you an opportunity to eyeball what you will be carrying, commit it to memory, and eliminate anything not absolutely necessary for your backpacking trip.

Assume that your backpack will be mistreated
While travelling, your backpack will be thrown from the top of buses and trucks, rained on, slept and sat on (by you), and battered like never before. Fragile items need to be packed with the most protection possible. Remember to pack liquids and electronics inside a ziplock or waterproof bag.

Assume that your backpack will get wet
Anything of value, books, and electronics should be in zipped in waterproof bags. Waterproof covers for backpacks are expensive luxuries if you don’t want to waterproof all the contents. The problem is that they only work when they are on. If a tropical storm pops up while your pack is sitting in the luggage hold of a bus or boat, it is going to get wet!
Top tip: Keep a large bin liner into one of the outside pockets on your backpack so you can at least try to cover it during a storm.

Pack ‘modules’
You do not want to have to dig through a giant rucksack looking for a tiny sewing kit. Organise objects in the way that you know you will need them and then put them inside smaller bags and containers. Preferably the smaller bags will be very soft, water resistant, and pliable so that you can cram them into your backpack.

Never pack to capacity!
Packing a backpack to its full capacity is a disaster in progress. When you start your trip, your backpack should be no more than 75% full. You will most definitely end up carrying gifts, buying cheap objects along the way. Your dirty laundry will take up more room than nicely rolled and folded clothing and when you run out of travel sized toiletries, you may end up having to buy the full sized equivalents.

No Wasted Space
Make every use of space possible. Stuff things inside shoes; remove items from their packaging, whatever it takes to take full advantage of the room that you are already using.

Pack larger and heavier objects first
Heavy objects such as shoes and books should be as low in the backpack as possible and as close to your back as possible so that they do not pull the backpack away from you. Pack larger items first, and then stuff the empty spaces around them with smaller bags and objects so that no room is wasted.

Keep in mind, when choosing a packing order, how often you will want to access certain things. For instance, your sleep sheet or bedding can go in the bottom because you will only need it once a day.

Your backpack should be comfortable
You should be able to wear your pack and walk around for at least 2 hours without getting sore. You can save a lot of money by simply walking from bus and train stations that are usually on the edge of town to the main square. You may have to wear your pack while standing in a long line, maybe in the hot sun (or the rain). When you are finished packing, it should feel like a natural extension of your body, secure, and weight balanced so that you can move and walk like you normally would.

Don’t forget your cheap backpacker insurance!
One thing you should definitely make room in your backpack for is travel insurance for backpackers. You can purchase great value backpackers insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance.

For a 2-month trip in Europe, will cost you just £13.52* - a small price to pay to really enjoy your backpacking adventure all the more! It could save you from a hefty bill after a medical emergency. Remember, lost luggage and theft is all too common these days, so get a backpacking travel insurance quote from 24/7 travel insurance today.

* Premium £13.52 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual aged 18-35 travelling in Europe for 2 months purchasing a backpacker ‘standard’ policy. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: How to pack a backpack

Some of the old holiday favourites like France, Spain and Italy are no longer on the map for the budget conscious traveller. These days, countries outside the eurozone are increasingly popular destinations, as are some of the more unexpectedly cheaper holiday destinations. Read on to find out which countries offer better value for money than some of the usual suspects…

Iceland
Iceland's reputation for being expensive, with some of the costliest food and drink in Europe is no longer justified. After the recent collapse of the country’s main banks, you now get more pound to your Icelandic krona. Basics like food and hotels have near halved in price, which while still not considered exceptionally cheap when compared to other bargain destinations, is still cheaper than it has been in years. For anyone wanting to check out the country's lava landscapes or bathe in natural hot springs of the geothermal Blue Lagoon - the time to do it is now. You may even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights!

Turkey
Relative stability in currency markets between the pound and the Turkish lira have meant that Turkey remains a good cheap option, so much so that people are even using the likes of Istanbul for a weekend city break. Unlike shopping meccas like New York, you can still haggle yourself a shopping bargain in the Grand Bazaar and being outside the euro zone means that prices are still low compared to the majority of Europe.

South Africa
South Africa is a good holiday destination for UK travellers looking to get a bit more for their pound. There are plenty of budget accommodation options combined with a low cost of living, which make South Africa a good choice for the budget conscious. Try a budget safari break in the Kruger National Park, with tented accommodation being a good cheap option.

Egypt
The low-cost Egyptian pound makes Egypt one of the best value countries at present to the UK traveller. While previously for some, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Egypt is open to even the most budget conscious of travellers. Fine sandy beaches and some of the world's best historical sites make Egypt a hot destination in many more way than the excellent sunshine hours of summer. Don't forget that Egypt has some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling around and the likes of Sharm el Sheik is now one of the first places that people will take the plunge if they want to learn to scuba dive.

Tunisia
Another North African option, Tunisia enjoys fine sunshine which sees it as a popular spot for both winter and summer sun breaks. Accommodation and eating out are great value, making Tunisia a great choice for the budget traveller. Resort hotels around Hammamet, Sousse and Port el Kantaoui are good options, and provide opportunity for some bargain pampering spa sessions at a fraction of the price that you would normally expect. Another good destination is Monastir where you can delve into Tunisia's past, including the well preserved Ribat (fortress) used in Monty Python's Life of Brian, plus chilling out for free on the gorgeous beach.

Croatia
Croatia still remains outside the eurozone, so is good value for money compared with the likes of France or Italy. The weakness of the Croatian kuna against the pound, makes it one of the cheapest destinations in Europe. If you are on a budget, there's no lack of cheap accommodation in Croatia, from campsites to private guest houses, while even the more up-market hotels still offer good deals. The easiest way to do this is to travel outside of the peak summer season and travel in April/ May or September/October, when you should still experience good weather but find room prices far cheaper.

Don’t forget your travel insurance!
You can purchase great value travel insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance. For a 3-day break in Europe, it will cost you just £5.32* - a small price to pay to really relax and enjoy your break all the more!

*Premium £5.32 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual aged under 55 taking out a Standard Single-trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for 3 days in Europe excluding personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.
† Content sourced from Yahoo Travel Dec 09

Labels: travel insurance

When it comes to choosing who to go backpacking with, you have two choices. Either travel with others or go it alone. It's usually pretty easy to meet up with a group of like-minded backpackers when you're travelling alone.

Just the thought of travelling solo scares some backpackers as they worry what could happen to them while being so far away from home. The loneliness and vulnerability of being on your own for long periods of time is certainly not for everyone but in reality, a solo backpacking adventure provides many surprising advantages that may be appealing to some travellers, like:

• The pace at which you travel can be as fast or as slow as you like. You can set your own schedule.
• You are more easily accepted where ever you go. For example, finding accommodation is easier as you can take the last available bed in a hostel.
• You will be more approachable. People are usually more hesitant to approach larger groups of people. You'll be surprised how many people approach you when you are travelling by yourself.
• You have more time, space and privacy to write in a journal.
• You are less obtrusive in a foreign culture. You will blend in and become enveloped in the local culture rather than standing back and looking in.
• You can easily join other groups of backpackers (if you desire) as you make new friends while travelling.

If you do travel on your own, your trip may cost you a bit more than if you went with someone else. You won't have a partner or two to share food, transportation or accommodation expenses with (like taking a cab, renting a car or staying in a cheaper hotel).

But on the other hand, travelling solo gives you a great feeling of independence. You are in complete control of your travel experience. It also allows you to travel at any time of the year, when you are able to, rather than trying to coordinate time with someone else. Whether you choose to travel with someone or go solo, you will meet many people as you mix and mingle with locals and other backpackers.

Don’t forget your backpacking travel insurance!
You can purchase great value backpackers insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance.For a 2-month trip to Oz, will cost you just £18.93* - a small price to pay to really enjoy your backpacking adventure all the more!

*Premium £18.93 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual aged under 36 taking out a Standard Backpacker 24/7 travel insurance policy for 2 months in Australia. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: backpacking solo

Virgin Galactic's sub-orbital space plane, the SpaceShipTwo, is preparing for test flights which the company’s owner Richard Branson hopes it will be taking tourists into space by 2012.

For £120,000, wealthy space tourists will be able to enjoy a few minutes' weightlessness while marveling at views of the Earth from space. So far 300 people have paid in full for their ticket, while a further 82,000 have registered their interest on Virgin Galactic's website. The engineers behind the craft refer to the rich, middle-aged people as their target market.

A small, rocket-propelled, shuttle-like vehicle around the size of a light aircraft, SpaceShipTwo will be carried to 50,000 feet above sea level - 20,000 feet higher than most airliners - by its mothership, WhiteKnightTwo.

Once there, SpaceShipTwo's own rocket engine will fire, launching the little ship to the boundary between the atmosphere and the vacuum of space at three times the speed of sound. After the engines are cut off, they will enter free-fall, experiencing total weightlessness for several minutes.

WhiteKnightTwo has been undergoing flight tests since December last year. The SpaceShipTwo is still under construction and is expected to make its first test flights in the early months of 2010.

For a trip a bit closer to home…You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance. For a 3-day break in Europe, it will cost you just £5.32* - a small price to pay to really relax and enjoy your break all the more!

*Premium £5.32 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual aged under 55 taking out a Standard Single-trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for 3 days in Europe excluding personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: holiday insurance

Planning the financial aspects of your backpacking trip and figuring out how much money you are going to need is an important part of any backpacker’s experience. By crunching some numbers, you will have a better idea about how much money you need to save up to make your trip possible.

Your travel budget should be considered long before you leave. Knowing approximately how much money you will need gives you an idea about how much you will need to save. You must set a goal well in advance so that it can be reached by the time of your departure. Planning ahead for your budget isn't very difficult. Consider the following expenses:

• Airline ticket
• Visas and other documents
• Transportation in and around the country (countries)
• Accommodations
• Food
• Sight-seeing and museums
• Incidental expenses

Planning your budgetTo figure out how much money you will need, you must first consider where it is you are traveling to. Much of the world is quite inexpensive, but there are places that will drain your wallet faster than others. London, anywhere in Scandinavia, and Japan are some of the most expensive places to travel in. On the flip side, you can live and travel in parts of the Philippines for a couple of dollars a day.
Next, break down your expenses into initial costs and daily costs. Initial costs include your airline ticket, your backpack, passport, guidebook, hostel card and all other equipment purchased before you leave. Already have some of this stuff? Can you borrow any of it from friends? If so, you're already saving money.
The next thing to consider is how many days you will be away. Obviously, the longer your trip, the more money you will need. Now you can figure out roughly how much you will spend on the following each day: accommodations, food, transportation and sight-seeing.

Travel Budget Variables
Except for sight-seeing and museums, many expenses are unavoidable. The difference is how much you spend on each.

• Airline ticket prices vary so much from day to day that you have to be constantly watching for deals and bargains as they come up.
• Transportation costs will depend on where you're going. How you get around can either save you money. Remember, taking taxis in cities on a regular basis will lighten your wallet very quickly.
• Your choice of accommodations leaves room for financial flexibility. Hostels are obviously your best bet and are actually quite affordable.
• Deciding on where you eat and what you eat will change your food budget considerably. Buying your food at supermarkets and making it yourself will be cheaper than eating at tourist-type restaurants all the time.
• Your official documents shouldn't set you back by too much. Your passport should be ordered and paid for well in advance of your departure. Money for visas and exit/entry fees will vary depending on how many countries you are going in and out of.

Finally, don’t forget your backpacker travel insurance!
You can purchase great value backpackers insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance.For a 2-month trip in Europe, will cost you just £13.52* - a small price to pay to really enjoy your backpacking adventure all the more!
*Premium £13.52 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual aged under 36 taking out a Standard Backpacker 24/7 travel insurance policy for 2 months in Europe. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: backpacking budgets

Have you heard of the ‘Know Before You Go’ (KBYG) campaign? It is an ongoing campaign with around 300 travel industry partners - including P J Hayman & Company Ltd (the company behind 24/7 travel insurance)- to help Brits to stay safe and healthy abroad.
The campaign was launched in 2001 to promote these key messages:

• get adequate travel insurance
• check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) country travel advice
• research your destination – know the local laws and customs
• visit your GP as soon as possible before travelling
• check your passport is in good condition and valid and you have all necessary visas
• make copies of important travel documents and/or store them online using a secure data storage site
• tell someone where you are going and leave emergency contact details with them
• take enough money and have access to emergency funds

Every year thousands of British travellers seriously regret not taking these simple steps.
If you’re planning a trip you should read the travellers checklist – it’s full of practical tips for having a safe and enjoyable time.

Labels: Know before You Go

From tropical fish to rare birds, we list some of the most bizarre items confiscated by airport security officials:

Snakes
Possibly inspired by the comedy horror film Snakes on a Plane, a woman in Stockholm, Sweden, was arrested trying to smuggle 75 live snakes in her bra, according to research by the online travel agent www.sunshine.co.uk. Officials became suspicious when they spotted the woman repeatedly scratching her chest!

Tropical fish
At Melbourne Airport in June 2005, a woman was caught trying to import banned marine life. Customs staff were alerted by ‘flipping noises’ coming from beneath the woman's skirt, and found an apron of plastic water-filled bags containing 51 live tropical fish!

Geckos
More recently, on October 27 this year, a Norwegian man was apprehended in the Norweigian town of Kristiansand. He had strapped a number of packages to his legs containing gecko lizards.

Rare birds
Animals and birds are clearly one of the biggest threats to borderline security. A 49-year old man was stopped at Los Angeles Airport in 2002 after four rare birds of paradise escaped from his suitcase and began flying around the terminal.

Chameleon
In July 2002, a 17-year old managed to travel from Dubai to Manchester with a chameleon perched on her head! She had been attempting to smuggle her pet into the UK by wearing it as a hat. Unbelievably, and perhaps aided by the chameleon's ability to camouflage itself, her game was up when suspicious security staff spotted fellow passengers photographing the woman.
One witness said: "At first I thought it was plastic, but then I saw its tongue flick out. I could not believe she had travelled on a plane with it on her head."

Content sourced from the Telegraph

Don’t forget your cheap holiday insurance!
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance. For a 3-day break in Europe, it will cost you just £5.32* - a small price to pay to really relax and enjoy your break all the more!

*Premium £5.32 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual aged under 55 taking out a Standard Single-trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for 3 days in Europe excluding personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (December 2009) and are subject to change.

Labels: cheap holiday insurance