Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Shopping abroad
It has long been suggested that we pay over the odds for many goods in the UK, and many of you will have heard tales of much cheaper prices abroad. So how do you get the best bargains?
Day trips to France
The “Booze Cruise” is nothing new. Even though duty-free is no longer available in the EU, the prices for alcohol are as low as ever. If you are having a large party or just want to do some major stocking-up, a trip to Calais can be good value even when taking into account ferry and fuel expenses (but fill up your car over there for a 35% saving on UK prices)†. While you are there it is also worth taking a trip to a hypermarket to stock up as cheese and other groceries can be up to 75% cheaper (but curiously, not cereals which are more expensive!)†. Calais has a large shopping centre (http://www.cite-europe.com/) where the savvy shopper can also take advantage of lower prices for perfumes and beauty goods
Across the pond and beyond
It’s been a long time since the pound was so strong against the US dollar. This means great news for shoppers! Head for the outlet malls rather than city-centre department stores, who inflate their prices for the tourists. These are packed with bargains and some shoppers even recover the cost of the airfare with the savings they made. As a rough rule of thumb, for each £1,500 you spend, the savings should pay for a flight to New York or Miami*. This has the added bonus that while the pound is strong, the cost of staying and eating in the US is cheap too. Don’t forget the clothes sizing is different so use a convertor, and US price tags don’t include sales tax (similar to our VAT) which is added when you get to the till.
Interestingly, the Hong Kong dollar is pegged on the US dollar, which means there may be bargains to be had on electrical goods if you are heading east. Hong Kong also uses the same plugs as the UK, but bear in mind that DVD players may be regionally coded and might not play your British DVDs.
Markets and local specialities
Some countries are famous for their markets. Morocco and Istanbul are a shoppers paradise, and haggling is all part of the fun. As a general rule of thumb, start with an offer of half the price first given to you and expect to get about a third off in the end. They are especially good for rugs, leather and jewellery, but check that what you are buying is genuine, particularly if you are seeking designer labels. Don’t rely on the word of the seller, look for poor stitching, mis-spellings and cheap fabric. If you are planning on making a big jewellery purchase, do some research into metals and hallmarks and be particularly wary with gemstones. The majority of sellers are genuine, but doing your homework decreases your chances of being ripped-off.
Anything to declare?
Be prepared to go through the red channel at customs; The European Union (EU) has set a goods allowance of £145 (excluding tobacco and alcohol) rising to £290 next year, on bringing items back to the UK from countries outside the EU. Above this and you’ll need to declare the goods at the airport and pay customs duty and VAT at 17.5%; customs duty will be calculated based on the what the item is, how much it costs and what it’s made from. Of course, some people just walk though the ‘nothing to declare’ exit and get away with it; yet doing this is illegal and can land you a hefty fine and confiscation of your goods if you’re caught. So don’t try it!
HM Revenue and Customs have an up to date guide on their site: www.hmrc.gov.uk
Insurance
Even if you are going abroad just for a day, don’t forget your travel insurance and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you are planning to shop ‘til you drop then check that you have sufficient baggage cover on your travel insurance for your purchases and keep your receipts as you may need these in the event of a claim. www.247travelinsurance.co.uk offers personal possessions cover of up to £1,500 on its ‘standard’ Single Trip policy (£150 valuables & single item limit) and premiums for a short hop over the channel start from under a fiver** – a small price to pay to protect your purchases!
†Source: Boozecruise.com
*Source: Moneysavingexpert.com
**Premium £4.86 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a ‘standard’ Single Trip policy for 3 days in Europe and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press and are subject to change.
Day trips to France
The “Booze Cruise” is nothing new. Even though duty-free is no longer available in the EU, the prices for alcohol are as low as ever. If you are having a large party or just want to do some major stocking-up, a trip to Calais can be good value even when taking into account ferry and fuel expenses (but fill up your car over there for a 35% saving on UK prices)†. While you are there it is also worth taking a trip to a hypermarket to stock up as cheese and other groceries can be up to 75% cheaper (but curiously, not cereals which are more expensive!)†. Calais has a large shopping centre (http://www.cite-europe.com/) where the savvy shopper can also take advantage of lower prices for perfumes and beauty goods
Across the pond and beyond
It’s been a long time since the pound was so strong against the US dollar. This means great news for shoppers! Head for the outlet malls rather than city-centre department stores, who inflate their prices for the tourists. These are packed with bargains and some shoppers even recover the cost of the airfare with the savings they made. As a rough rule of thumb, for each £1,500 you spend, the savings should pay for a flight to New York or Miami*. This has the added bonus that while the pound is strong, the cost of staying and eating in the US is cheap too. Don’t forget the clothes sizing is different so use a convertor, and US price tags don’t include sales tax (similar to our VAT) which is added when you get to the till.
Interestingly, the Hong Kong dollar is pegged on the US dollar, which means there may be bargains to be had on electrical goods if you are heading east. Hong Kong also uses the same plugs as the UK, but bear in mind that DVD players may be regionally coded and might not play your British DVDs.
Markets and local specialities
Some countries are famous for their markets. Morocco and Istanbul are a shoppers paradise, and haggling is all part of the fun. As a general rule of thumb, start with an offer of half the price first given to you and expect to get about a third off in the end. They are especially good for rugs, leather and jewellery, but check that what you are buying is genuine, particularly if you are seeking designer labels. Don’t rely on the word of the seller, look for poor stitching, mis-spellings and cheap fabric. If you are planning on making a big jewellery purchase, do some research into metals and hallmarks and be particularly wary with gemstones. The majority of sellers are genuine, but doing your homework decreases your chances of being ripped-off.
Anything to declare?
Be prepared to go through the red channel at customs; The European Union (EU) has set a goods allowance of £145 (excluding tobacco and alcohol) rising to £290 next year, on bringing items back to the UK from countries outside the EU. Above this and you’ll need to declare the goods at the airport and pay customs duty and VAT at 17.5%; customs duty will be calculated based on the what the item is, how much it costs and what it’s made from. Of course, some people just walk though the ‘nothing to declare’ exit and get away with it; yet doing this is illegal and can land you a hefty fine and confiscation of your goods if you’re caught. So don’t try it!
HM Revenue and Customs have an up to date guide on their site: www.hmrc.gov.uk
Insurance
Even if you are going abroad just for a day, don’t forget your travel insurance and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you are planning to shop ‘til you drop then check that you have sufficient baggage cover on your travel insurance for your purchases and keep your receipts as you may need these in the event of a claim. www.247travelinsurance.co.uk offers personal possessions cover of up to £1,500 on its ‘standard’ Single Trip policy (£150 valuables & single item limit) and premiums for a short hop over the channel start from under a fiver** – a small price to pay to protect your purchases!
†Source: Boozecruise.com
*Source: Moneysavingexpert.com
**Premium £4.86 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a ‘standard’ Single Trip policy for 3 days in Europe and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press and are subject to change.
Labels: Shopping abroad
// posted by 24/7 Travel Insurance @ 11:25
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
When in Rome…
Did you know that you might be committing major social faux pas on holiday without realising it? In this blog we have gathered some etiquette tips from around the world so you need never put your foot in it again…
In Brazil, don’t make the “OK” gesture with your thumb and forefinger – it is considered extremely offensive. Similarly giving the thumbs-up in Iran is also very rude.
Chewing gum in Singapore could lead to a fine
Chopsticks are surprisingly communicative in China – the further away you hold them from the end that picks up the food is said to indicate a higher social standing and where chopsticks are wrapped in a restaurant, you should not open the packaging until you are just about to use them. At the end of the meal they should be laid across your bowl – placing them upright is only done for offerings to the deceased.
In many parts of Asia using your left hand to eat with is seen as very unclean, and don’t offer your left hand in greeting either!
In Egypt it is considered offensive to show the soles of your feet.
Political discussion with your hosts (such as foreign policies or civil unrest in their countries) should be avoided unless the conversation naturally turns towards it and they are willing to talk. Stick to things we all have in common – food, children, the beautiful scenery or the prowess of their sports teams.
Business cards in Hong Kong are treated with a certain amount of reverence – they should be offered and received with both hands, must be carefully studied and never written upon.
Greetings can be a potential minefield, so look for a cue from the person you are meeting. In Arabic countries it would be considered inappropriate to kiss an acquaintance’s wife on the cheek, whereas in France you would be considered aloof if you didn’t.
If you are offered a wrapped gift in Japan it is considered the height of bad manners to open it in front of the giver.
Flowers are a welcome gift worldwide, but Carnations and Chrysanthemums tend only to be used for funerals in much of Europe whereas roses have a stronger romantic significance so giving them to your host’s wife might not go down too well. A chat with the tourist office might be a good idea before you head to the florist!
Tipping is something else that varies widely between countries. In the USA the tipping culture is so prevalent that the wages are set lower and staff rely on tips to supplement their income. In other countries it borders on the offensive, so do your homework.
Luckily wherever you go in the world, people have one thing in common and that is a willingness to help someone in need. For help of a different kind, be sure to take travel insurance with you. 24/7 travel insurance offers premiums starting from under a fiver* and the policy includes access to a 24 hour Emergency Medical Assistance helpline.
*Premium £4.76 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a Standard single-trip policy for 3 days in Europe and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press and are subject to change.
In Brazil, don’t make the “OK” gesture with your thumb and forefinger – it is considered extremely offensive. Similarly giving the thumbs-up in Iran is also very rude.
Chewing gum in Singapore could lead to a fine
Chopsticks are surprisingly communicative in China – the further away you hold them from the end that picks up the food is said to indicate a higher social standing and where chopsticks are wrapped in a restaurant, you should not open the packaging until you are just about to use them. At the end of the meal they should be laid across your bowl – placing them upright is only done for offerings to the deceased.
In many parts of Asia using your left hand to eat with is seen as very unclean, and don’t offer your left hand in greeting either!
In Egypt it is considered offensive to show the soles of your feet.
Political discussion with your hosts (such as foreign policies or civil unrest in their countries) should be avoided unless the conversation naturally turns towards it and they are willing to talk. Stick to things we all have in common – food, children, the beautiful scenery or the prowess of their sports teams.
Business cards in Hong Kong are treated with a certain amount of reverence – they should be offered and received with both hands, must be carefully studied and never written upon.
Greetings can be a potential minefield, so look for a cue from the person you are meeting. In Arabic countries it would be considered inappropriate to kiss an acquaintance’s wife on the cheek, whereas in France you would be considered aloof if you didn’t.
If you are offered a wrapped gift in Japan it is considered the height of bad manners to open it in front of the giver.
Flowers are a welcome gift worldwide, but Carnations and Chrysanthemums tend only to be used for funerals in much of Europe whereas roses have a stronger romantic significance so giving them to your host’s wife might not go down too well. A chat with the tourist office might be a good idea before you head to the florist!
Tipping is something else that varies widely between countries. In the USA the tipping culture is so prevalent that the wages are set lower and staff rely on tips to supplement their income. In other countries it borders on the offensive, so do your homework.
Luckily wherever you go in the world, people have one thing in common and that is a willingness to help someone in need. For help of a different kind, be sure to take travel insurance with you. 24/7 travel insurance offers premiums starting from under a fiver* and the policy includes access to a 24 hour Emergency Medical Assistance helpline.
*Premium £4.76 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a Standard single-trip policy for 3 days in Europe and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press and are subject to change.
Labels: Travel etiquette
// posted by 24/7 Travel Insurance @ 10:51
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Safer Holiday Accommodation
When you arrived at your holiday accommodation after a long journey, your first thought isn’t likely to be “how safe is it?” After all most of us happily assume that the accommodation we booked has to be safe. While tour operators are obliged to ensure that accommodation meets local safety standards, these may not be as rigorous as we expect in the UK and if you have booked independently you should be especially wary as the accommodation may never have been inspected. Which? magazine have been campaigning for improved standards for many years. So amongst the excitement of finally being on holiday, take a few minutes to check for the following.
Pools
It is rare to find lifeguards at foreign pools who will curb dangerous behaviour, so everyone needs to be responsible for their safety. Familiarise yourself and your children with where the shallow and deep end are (some deep ends are placed close to the infant pool). Don’t dive into the pool unless you are certain it is deep enough – unfortunately this is a common cause of serious injury. Discourage running around the edge and if the water is cloudy, excessively blue-coloured or generally appears to not be clean, don’t use it, and inform your tour rep straightaway. Dirty water can make you very sick.
Balconies
The novelty of a balcony is bound to be a popular draw for the kids but they should not be encouraged to play on them. Check that there are no large gaps in the railings and that the mountings are secure.
Heaters and air conditioning
Carbon monoxide is odourless so if you have gas heaters in the property you might not notice a problem until it is too late. If you can see a flame, it should be blue and not yellow, and watch out for a sooty discharge around the appliance. If the party begin to show flu-like symptoms, turn the appliance off straightaway and seek medical advice.
Air conditioning units can harbour Legionnaires disease and other viruses. It should appear and smell clean and the room should not feel humid.
Electricals
Check that light switches and sockets are secure on the wall and do not get excessively hot or begin sparking.
Security
Check that your door locks properly from the inside and the outside (and can be unlocked quickly again) and that windows accessible from the outside can be secured.
Fire Escapes
Take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the fire instructions, and make a note of where the fire exits are. In a self-catering cottage this may not be so obvious, so consider how you and your family would evacuate the building in the event of a fire, and check that the smoke alarms are working.
How to complain
If you think something is unsafe, don’t feel shy about complaining. Speak to the accommodation manager and if you are on a package holiday speak to your rep who should put pressure on the accommodation provider if they are slow to act on your complaint. Take photos of the problem if it is not fixed straightaway and keep a diary of the complaints you made. If you cannot move accommodation, take the precautions you need and contact your tour operator on your return to the UK – the only way things will improve is if people express their dissatisfaction and your complaint may even save a life.
Even when we have safe accommodation worldwide, travel insurance will always be a must. 24/7 Travel Insurance offers a week’s insurance for a family in Europe from just £15.27*
The vast majority of accommodation is very safe and things have improved dramatically in recent years so don’t be put off!
*Premium includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on a family of two adults aged under 55 and two children aged under 18 taking out a Standard single-trip policy and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press and are subject to change.
Pools
It is rare to find lifeguards at foreign pools who will curb dangerous behaviour, so everyone needs to be responsible for their safety. Familiarise yourself and your children with where the shallow and deep end are (some deep ends are placed close to the infant pool). Don’t dive into the pool unless you are certain it is deep enough – unfortunately this is a common cause of serious injury. Discourage running around the edge and if the water is cloudy, excessively blue-coloured or generally appears to not be clean, don’t use it, and inform your tour rep straightaway. Dirty water can make you very sick.
Balconies
The novelty of a balcony is bound to be a popular draw for the kids but they should not be encouraged to play on them. Check that there are no large gaps in the railings and that the mountings are secure.
Heaters and air conditioning
Carbon monoxide is odourless so if you have gas heaters in the property you might not notice a problem until it is too late. If you can see a flame, it should be blue and not yellow, and watch out for a sooty discharge around the appliance. If the party begin to show flu-like symptoms, turn the appliance off straightaway and seek medical advice.
Air conditioning units can harbour Legionnaires disease and other viruses. It should appear and smell clean and the room should not feel humid.
Electricals
Check that light switches and sockets are secure on the wall and do not get excessively hot or begin sparking.
Security
Check that your door locks properly from the inside and the outside (and can be unlocked quickly again) and that windows accessible from the outside can be secured.
Fire Escapes
Take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the fire instructions, and make a note of where the fire exits are. In a self-catering cottage this may not be so obvious, so consider how you and your family would evacuate the building in the event of a fire, and check that the smoke alarms are working.
How to complain
If you think something is unsafe, don’t feel shy about complaining. Speak to the accommodation manager and if you are on a package holiday speak to your rep who should put pressure on the accommodation provider if they are slow to act on your complaint. Take photos of the problem if it is not fixed straightaway and keep a diary of the complaints you made. If you cannot move accommodation, take the precautions you need and contact your tour operator on your return to the UK – the only way things will improve is if people express their dissatisfaction and your complaint may even save a life.
Even when we have safe accommodation worldwide, travel insurance will always be a must. 24/7 Travel Insurance offers a week’s insurance for a family in Europe from just £15.27*
The vast majority of accommodation is very safe and things have improved dramatically in recent years so don’t be put off!
*Premium includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on a family of two adults aged under 55 and two children aged under 18 taking out a Standard single-trip policy and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press and are subject to change.
Labels: Safer holidays
// posted by 24/7 Travel Insurance @ 14:08
Monday, 3 March 2008
How to take great travel photos
Most people regard their camera as a travel must-have, and photos are possibly the best memento of your trip. So how can you make the most of them?
If you are serious about taking great photos it is worth investing in a good camera and learning more about photography. But don’t despair if this is a bit much – fantastic photos can be taken on a cheap disposable or digital camera. It is more a case of being in the right place at the right time and knowing how to compose your shots. Put yourself in the place of someone who is going to look through your photo album – do the pictures speak for themselves or do they need long and boring stories attached to them?
Landmarks and scenery
The broad rule is this: unless the light quality is exceptional and you think you might be able to get an unusual angle on a well-known landmark, always include a person in the photo too. After all, you can look at good quality pictures of the Eiffel Tower or Maccu Piccu anywhere so a dodgy tourist shot will not do it justice. But get yourself or your travelling companion (or even better, both of you) in the shot and you have an instant “I was there!” souvenir. If it’s appropriate, you could also try having some fun with your landmark by altering the perspective of the shot so you could be leaning on Stonehenge or holding the Hollywood sign in your hands!
Be very wary if you are considering photographing government buildings, airfields, military settings or factories as you may be suspected of espionage and it could well lead to more trouble than the picture is worth.
People
Taking pictures of the locals gives a feeling of realism to the photos of your destination. But always ask permission first. In some areas your camera might arouse curiosity, and it is polite to let people see your camera and look through the viewfinder (always keep hold of the strap). Once everyone has had a turn, they will probably be much more relaxed about having their picture taken. Remember that in doing this you are taking something from people who may have very little, so be considerate.
If the picture you are taking is just of your family or group of friends, try different angles for the shot – on the ground looking up produces some interesting results! Don’t pose children in photos if you can help it; try getting close to them with the camera first, then call their name and take the picture as they turn around.
Events
Festivals and events are wonderful photo opportunities – the mixture of colours and people enjoying themselves makes great photos and you can really capture the atmosphere if you get it right. The downside is you often end up with pictures of people’s heads. The way around this is to somehow get height. The best spots are often reserved for press photographers, but look out for café’s and hotels which have balconies overlooking the action. You could even try giving the camera to your children and sitting them on your shoulders. They will love it, and while most of the photos will probably be useless, they might get an absolute gem.
Wildlife
This is notoriously difficult for the untrained, but you might get lucky if you are patient. Let’s say for example you have seen a lizard on the balcony – approach it quietly from behind, and downwind if possible, making sure you do not cast a shadow over it, and use as much zoom as you can. If you see an animal running past you, follow it with the lens and click just as it passes you.
Insurance
Lastly, if you are taking a camera of any value, check that it is sufficiently covered. This could be on your home contents insurance or your travel insurance. Keep the receipt for the camera and any parts and accessories, as you may need to produce these in the event of a claim.
24/7 travel insurance offers a valuables limit of up to £300 on its Premier Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip policies and premiums start from under a fiver*.
*Premium £4.76 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a Standard single-trip policy for 3 days in Europe and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press and are subject to change.
If you are serious about taking great photos it is worth investing in a good camera and learning more about photography. But don’t despair if this is a bit much – fantastic photos can be taken on a cheap disposable or digital camera. It is more a case of being in the right place at the right time and knowing how to compose your shots. Put yourself in the place of someone who is going to look through your photo album – do the pictures speak for themselves or do they need long and boring stories attached to them?
Landmarks and scenery
The broad rule is this: unless the light quality is exceptional and you think you might be able to get an unusual angle on a well-known landmark, always include a person in the photo too. After all, you can look at good quality pictures of the Eiffel Tower or Maccu Piccu anywhere so a dodgy tourist shot will not do it justice. But get yourself or your travelling companion (or even better, both of you) in the shot and you have an instant “I was there!” souvenir. If it’s appropriate, you could also try having some fun with your landmark by altering the perspective of the shot so you could be leaning on Stonehenge or holding the Hollywood sign in your hands!
Be very wary if you are considering photographing government buildings, airfields, military settings or factories as you may be suspected of espionage and it could well lead to more trouble than the picture is worth.
People
Taking pictures of the locals gives a feeling of realism to the photos of your destination. But always ask permission first. In some areas your camera might arouse curiosity, and it is polite to let people see your camera and look through the viewfinder (always keep hold of the strap). Once everyone has had a turn, they will probably be much more relaxed about having their picture taken. Remember that in doing this you are taking something from people who may have very little, so be considerate.
If the picture you are taking is just of your family or group of friends, try different angles for the shot – on the ground looking up produces some interesting results! Don’t pose children in photos if you can help it; try getting close to them with the camera first, then call their name and take the picture as they turn around.
Events
Festivals and events are wonderful photo opportunities – the mixture of colours and people enjoying themselves makes great photos and you can really capture the atmosphere if you get it right. The downside is you often end up with pictures of people’s heads. The way around this is to somehow get height. The best spots are often reserved for press photographers, but look out for café’s and hotels which have balconies overlooking the action. You could even try giving the camera to your children and sitting them on your shoulders. They will love it, and while most of the photos will probably be useless, they might get an absolute gem.
Wildlife
This is notoriously difficult for the untrained, but you might get lucky if you are patient. Let’s say for example you have seen a lizard on the balcony – approach it quietly from behind, and downwind if possible, making sure you do not cast a shadow over it, and use as much zoom as you can. If you see an animal running past you, follow it with the lens and click just as it passes you.
Insurance
Lastly, if you are taking a camera of any value, check that it is sufficiently covered. This could be on your home contents insurance or your travel insurance. Keep the receipt for the camera and any parts and accessories, as you may need to produce these in the event of a claim.
24/7 travel insurance offers a valuables limit of up to £300 on its Premier Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip policies and premiums start from under a fiver*.
*Premium £4.76 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a Standard single-trip policy for 3 days in Europe and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press and are subject to change.
Labels: travel photos
// posted by 24/7 Travel Insurance @ 14:54
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