Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Money saving advice to ski past the credit crunch!
Considering the global financial crisis that has dominated the headlines of late, a lot of people will be looking for ways to cut costs in any way they can. If one of your passions involves skiing and you are having second thoughts about taking a ski holiday due to the cost, this blog is written for you. It offers some useful tips and advice on how you can make cost savings...and even possibly still have some money spare to enjoy your après ski!
Get the timing right
There is no doubt that there are certain times of the year that you want to avoid when it comes to paying high prices for your skiing holiday. These include: February half term, Easter, Christmas and New Year. It is best to target early December and January after New Year for the best deals. Also because Easter is late next year you may also find some good deals in March.
Another good tip is to book your holiday early. When you are booking flight tickets separately, low budget airlines like Easyjet and Ryanair offer the best prices the earlier you book. The alternative is to book at the last minute and websites such as www.lastminute.com provides some fantastic discounts and savings. To find out more go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/sep/28/top100skibreaks.skiing3
Airport parking is another big cost but if you pre-book your parking you can save up to 50%. Three websites worth visiting for low cost airport parking are: www.holidayextras.co.uk/airport-parking and http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/guides/airport/parking-and-hotels/ and http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-airport-parking
Where to go
The more famous the resort, the more it normally costs. To save money you have two options: go for a lesser known and less expensive destination or find cheaper accommodation in your first-choice resort.
Get the best exchange rate
The rate of exchange can make a big difference to the cost of your ski holiday. To get the best rate do your research before you go. Websites such as http://www.xe.com/ and www.moneysavingexpert.com are certainly worth visiting. Tip: When changing money abroad check out the commission rates on currency exchange and credit cards.
Accommodation
There are some good ways of cutting costs in terms of where you are staying.
Get the timing right
There is no doubt that there are certain times of the year that you want to avoid when it comes to paying high prices for your skiing holiday. These include: February half term, Easter, Christmas and New Year. It is best to target early December and January after New Year for the best deals. Also because Easter is late next year you may also find some good deals in March.
Another good tip is to book your holiday early. When you are booking flight tickets separately, low budget airlines like Easyjet and Ryanair offer the best prices the earlier you book. The alternative is to book at the last minute and websites such as www.lastminute.com provides some fantastic discounts and savings. To find out more go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/sep/28/top100skibreaks.skiing3
Airport parking is another big cost but if you pre-book your parking you can save up to 50%. Three websites worth visiting for low cost airport parking are: www.holidayextras.co.uk/airport-parking and http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/guides/airport/parking-and-hotels/ and http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-airport-parking
Where to go
The more famous the resort, the more it normally costs. To save money you have two options: go for a lesser known and less expensive destination or find cheaper accommodation in your first-choice resort.
Get the best exchange rate
The rate of exchange can make a big difference to the cost of your ski holiday. To get the best rate do your research before you go. Websites such as http://www.xe.com/ and www.moneysavingexpert.com are certainly worth visiting. Tip: When changing money abroad check out the commission rates on currency exchange and credit cards.
Accommodation
There are some good ways of cutting costs in terms of where you are staying.
- Book self-catering accommodation particularly if you are in a large group as the larger the chalet/apartment the cheaper the “per bed” cost.
- Cut out the luxuries - if you are going to be hitting the slopes on a regular basis there really is no need to have extras like room service and a swimming pool. You can also save money by staying in three star hotels and B&B’s which still provide a friendly atmosphere when you come back after a hard day on the piste!
- Big resorts can work out cheaper than smaller ones as they have a greater variety of hotels, such as one- and two-star hotels and a greater choice of good-value restaurants.
For further advice click here
Clothing and equipment
For first time skiers buying ski clothing and equipment can be a big expense in the overall cost of a ski holiday. You can save money by not buying at the resort but searching out for good deals in the UK before you go. Shops such as TK Maxx (www.tkmaxx.com) are worth checking out as they are one of the biggest suppliers of ski clothing in Britain. Ebay (www.ebay.co.uk) is another good source of both new and second-hand ski clothing and equipment. Tip: If you are new to skiing don’t splash out on expensive ski wear you may never use again. You can hire ski clothing and equipment from Edge2Edge (www.edge2edge.co.uk).
Beware of airline baggage charges
While you may want to take all your ski equipment on holiday to save on ski hire costs, please be aware that by going by plane, some airlines charge for ski carriage. For example, currently Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) charges £50 and Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) charge £33. However, some airlines such as Swiss, BA and Snowjet currently don't charge to carry your ski gear. Bear this in mind when comparing flight prices.
Getting to your resort
Self drive is a popular option especially for families. One main benefit is that you can take as much baggage as your vehicle will allow space for. With an average journey time of 10-12 hours to the Alps it can be a cheaper option for families than flying. For a family self catering ski holiday, you can save money by purchasing food at supermarkets away from your resort. Other advantages include being able to drive through some fantastic mountain roads with some great scenery. For more information click here.
The larger the group the better!
If you manage to get enough of your friends to come, then there is a chance you can get your own holiday for free! There are some really good deals on offer such as with Neilson you can get 25% off bookings for groups of seven or more and, as well as this, you can get free lift passes. Also Inghams has a free place in eight at all chalets and selected hotels. So try and persuade as many friends as possible to come along – not only will you have more fun in a crowd, you will be saving money as well!
Eating out
Eating in restaurants on the mountains can be very expensive. Some hotels offer packed lunches which will not only save you money compared to mountain prices but will also save you time from queuing! If you are not on half board, make lunch your main meal and eat in the resort. There are usually lunch–time specials which work out cheaper than eating on the mountain or having dinner in the evening. Drinks too in a resort are expensive, so make the most of happy hour or après-ski specials.
Don’t forget travel insurance with winter sports cover!
You want to relax when on the piste so you can enjoy your ski holiday all the more. To put your mind at ease, make sure you take out travel insurance including winter sports cover just in case you have an accident and need medical treatment. www.247travelinsurance.co.uk offers winter sports cover for 1 week in Europe for just £15.54*.
Happy skiing!
*Premium £15.54 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on 1 adult aged under 55 taking out a ‘Standard’ Single Trip policy with Winter Sports cover for 7 days in Europe and travelling within 14 days of purchase. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (October 2008) and are subject to change.
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
// posted by 24/7 Travel Insurance @ 17:44
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Cutting your mobile phone costs when travelling abroad
Have you ever been horrified at the cost of using your mobile phone abroad and the fact that you have to pay to receive calls as well as make them! With a bit of planning you may be able to cut down your mobile phone costs. This blog tells you how*.
Plan ahead
It is like a lot of things in life, ‘failing to prepare is preparing to fail’, so if you are planning to use your mobile phone on holiday make sure you are fully equipped with the facts to ensure you don’t face a hefty bill!
Call charges
Before departing on your holiday, make sure you know what your mobile phone provider charges for roaming in the country you are visiting. Some mobile phone operators charge flat rates for text messages and calls to the UK no matter what time of day it is or what foreign network you use. So when you arrive at your destination you can simply turn on your mobile phone on and use the network it automatically defaults to. Simple!
Certain networks however (Vodafone, Virgin and Three) charge different call rates depending on which foreign network you use. It is therefore worthwhile finding out which foreign network is cheapest before you leave the UK so that you can select it manually when you arrive at your destination.
Price comparison
Getting an overview of what prices each mobile phone company charge is a good place to start and save money. The Internet is ideal for this and websites such as www.moneysavingexpert.co.uk are a great source of information. Moneysavingexpert.com has an International Callchecker which compares daily the different prices of calling abroad from each provider.
Another good way of keeping costs to a minimum is by using payphones for local calls and then buying an international card for calls back to the UK.
Text messaging
It is best to try and limit the amount of text messages you send as the costs can mount up very quickly. The European Commission is proposing to reduce the cost of text messaging which may come into force next summer after it has been approved by Governments and the European Parliament. For more information on this click here
SIM cards
If you are going away for an extended period in one country, e.g. a Gap year, it might be worth considering buying a SIM card. You can buy an International one in the UK before you go or one at your destination. For further information visit these websites www.0044.co.uk and www.uk2abroad.co.uk.
Check your mobile phone works abroad
The last thing you need is your phone not to work when you arrive at your destination. So well in advance of your departure date there are a few things you need to do. Firstly, check whether your mobile phone will work at your destination – if you are visiting the USA and Canada, for example, you will need a tri-band phone. Secondly, check with your mobile phone provider to make sure you can use your phone in the country you are visiting – not all networks allow you to roam anywhere. Thirdly, ask your mobile phone provider whether or not they have to activate your phone for use abroad. Finally, check the network coverage in the country you are visiting.
Travel adaptor and phone charger
These are vital items to pack in your rucksack or suitcase before you go, so you are not left in the middle of nowhere with a mobile phone with a flat battery!
Don’t forget your holiday insurance!
You can also cut down your holiday insurance costs by buying cover online. For great value holiday insurance why not check out 247 travel insurance which offers cover from as little as £4.38*.
* Source: http://www.which.co.uk/advice/using-your-mobile-abroad/index.jsp
** Premium £4.38 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a ‘standard’ single trip policy for 3 days to Europe, travelling within 14 days of departure date, excluding personal possessions cover. Cover details and prices are correct at the time of going to press (October 2008) and are subject to change.
Plan ahead
It is like a lot of things in life, ‘failing to prepare is preparing to fail’, so if you are planning to use your mobile phone on holiday make sure you are fully equipped with the facts to ensure you don’t face a hefty bill!
Call charges
Before departing on your holiday, make sure you know what your mobile phone provider charges for roaming in the country you are visiting. Some mobile phone operators charge flat rates for text messages and calls to the UK no matter what time of day it is or what foreign network you use. So when you arrive at your destination you can simply turn on your mobile phone on and use the network it automatically defaults to. Simple!
Certain networks however (Vodafone, Virgin and Three) charge different call rates depending on which foreign network you use. It is therefore worthwhile finding out which foreign network is cheapest before you leave the UK so that you can select it manually when you arrive at your destination.
Price comparison
Getting an overview of what prices each mobile phone company charge is a good place to start and save money. The Internet is ideal for this and websites such as www.moneysavingexpert.co.uk are a great source of information. Moneysavingexpert.com has an International Callchecker which compares daily the different prices of calling abroad from each provider.
Another good way of keeping costs to a minimum is by using payphones for local calls and then buying an international card for calls back to the UK.
Text messaging
It is best to try and limit the amount of text messages you send as the costs can mount up very quickly. The European Commission is proposing to reduce the cost of text messaging which may come into force next summer after it has been approved by Governments and the European Parliament. For more information on this click here
SIM cards
If you are going away for an extended period in one country, e.g. a Gap year, it might be worth considering buying a SIM card. You can buy an International one in the UK before you go or one at your destination. For further information visit these websites www.0044.co.uk and www.uk2abroad.co.uk.
Check your mobile phone works abroad
The last thing you need is your phone not to work when you arrive at your destination. So well in advance of your departure date there are a few things you need to do. Firstly, check whether your mobile phone will work at your destination – if you are visiting the USA and Canada, for example, you will need a tri-band phone. Secondly, check with your mobile phone provider to make sure you can use your phone in the country you are visiting – not all networks allow you to roam anywhere. Thirdly, ask your mobile phone provider whether or not they have to activate your phone for use abroad. Finally, check the network coverage in the country you are visiting.
Travel adaptor and phone charger
These are vital items to pack in your rucksack or suitcase before you go, so you are not left in the middle of nowhere with a mobile phone with a flat battery!
Don’t forget your holiday insurance!
You can also cut down your holiday insurance costs by buying cover online. For great value holiday insurance why not check out 247 travel insurance which offers cover from as little as £4.38*.
* Source: http://www.which.co.uk/advice/using-your-mobile-abroad/index.jsp
** Premium £4.38 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a ‘standard’ single trip policy for 3 days to Europe, travelling within 14 days of departure date, excluding personal possessions cover. Cover details and prices are correct at the time of going to press (October 2008) and are subject to change.
Labels: Mobile-phones
// posted by 24/7 Travel Insurance @ 10:55
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Holiday insurance – don’t go abroad without it!
When you are planning your next holiday, whether it is a short trip for a week in Europe or a year long round the world trip, it really is advisable to make sure that you don’t forget to take out holiday insurance. Holiday insurance is not typically a large expense, but the consequences of not having it could be devastating and leave you severely out of pocket. This blog has been especially written to highlight the importance of taking out holiday insurance before you go on your travels.
Pre-travel cover
One of the main reasons for taking out holiday insurance is to cover you in the event that you have to cancel your holiday, for example you fall ill unexpectedly and are unable to travel. Top tip: if you arrange your insurance cover as soon as you book your holiday, you will be immediately protected should you need to cancel your trip. Without holiday insurance you will more than likely lose your booking deposit or worse still, be liable for the full cost of your holiday.
Be aware of medical costs
There is no doubt that one of the reasons you are going on holiday is to get away from your 9-5 job and to relax and ‘switch off’ from the stresses and strains of modern life. So the last thing you need is to fall ill or have an accident. But if it does happen and you don’t have holiday insurance you could be paying a heavy price. Medical treatment can cost thousands of pounds particularly in countries such as the USA. For more information click here and you will see for yourself just how steep medical costs can be.
What happens if your flight is delayed?
Imagine if your outward flight is delayed for a long period of time forcing you to cancel your holiday. Without holiday insurance you may not get your money back. Most holiday insurance policies however will cover you for irrecoverable cancellation costs if you decide to abandon your trip after a long delay on your outward journey lasting more than 12 hours. Please note that the period of time that you can claim ‘abandonment cover’ varies from policy to policy so check the policy wording before you buy your holiday insurance cover.
Your personnel possessions
There is nothing worse than losing something on holiday, whether it your passport, an item of jewellery or your camera. If you don’t have holiday insurance or ‘cover away from home’ under your home contents insurance you won’t be able to replace your lost items. Top tip: most holiday insurance policies stipulate a maximum limit of cover for valuable items and a limit for any one item. If you are planning on taking expensive jewellery or photographic equipment with you on holiday it may be better to cover these items under your household insurance. Some holiday insurance even offer a premium discount if you exclude personal possessions cover so it is worth checking which policies offer this option.
Select the right policy for you
After deciding your holiday destination, the dates and length of your trip and what type of activities you will be taking part in, there are three principal holiday insurance policy types to choose from. These are single trip, annual multi-trip, and backpacker policies. Top tip: if you happen to be a person who likes to go away several times a year at the last minute to take advantage of cheap holiday deals, then taking out an annual multi-trip holiday insurance is the probably the best option. By doing this it saves you having to worry about taking out holiday insurance each time you book a trip, and, if you go away more than two times a year, it will probably work out cheaper too! For regular travellers this website is worth a visit: Spontaneous travellers should have annual holiday insurance.
Backpacker policies are mainly for those who are taking extended trips typically up to 18 months. The cover and limits may be less than single trip and annual multi-trip policies, so you should check carefully that the backpacker policy provides you with the right level of cover before you take it out. There are certainly some great deals to be had and comparison sites such as http://www.moneysupermarket.com/ and http://www.confused.com/ are worth checking out. Likewise, 24/7 travel insurance offers great deals, for example if you are under age 36 travelling for 6 months to Europe, you can buy a ‘standard’ backpacker policy for just £33.55!*
Know before you go!
The FCO have put together a useful travel checklist to help you plan your trip abroad and stay safe whilst you are there. It is definitely worth a read - click here
Better safe than sorry!
Whether it’s a short weekend getaway or a long haul journey, you can see that it makes sense to have holiday insurance in place. Holiday insurance should not to be taken as an optional holiday extra, so make sure it’s on your checklist and ticked off before you go. Like the old saying goes, better safe than sorry!
Top tip: 24/7 travel insurance offers great deals on all holiday insurance types, and with premiums starting at just £4.38 ** it’s worth a visit.
* Premium £33.55 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual traveller aged under 36 taking out a ‘standard’ backpacker policy for 6 months to Europe. Cover details and prices are correct at the time of going to press (October 2008) and are subject to change.
** Premium £4.38 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a ‘standard’ single trip policy for 3 days to Europe, travelling within 14 days of departure date, excluding personal possessions cover. Cover details and prices are correct at the time of going to press (October 2008) and are subject to change
Pre-travel cover
One of the main reasons for taking out holiday insurance is to cover you in the event that you have to cancel your holiday, for example you fall ill unexpectedly and are unable to travel. Top tip: if you arrange your insurance cover as soon as you book your holiday, you will be immediately protected should you need to cancel your trip. Without holiday insurance you will more than likely lose your booking deposit or worse still, be liable for the full cost of your holiday.
Be aware of medical costs
There is no doubt that one of the reasons you are going on holiday is to get away from your 9-5 job and to relax and ‘switch off’ from the stresses and strains of modern life. So the last thing you need is to fall ill or have an accident. But if it does happen and you don’t have holiday insurance you could be paying a heavy price. Medical treatment can cost thousands of pounds particularly in countries such as the USA. For more information click here and you will see for yourself just how steep medical costs can be.
What happens if your flight is delayed?
Imagine if your outward flight is delayed for a long period of time forcing you to cancel your holiday. Without holiday insurance you may not get your money back. Most holiday insurance policies however will cover you for irrecoverable cancellation costs if you decide to abandon your trip after a long delay on your outward journey lasting more than 12 hours. Please note that the period of time that you can claim ‘abandonment cover’ varies from policy to policy so check the policy wording before you buy your holiday insurance cover.
Your personnel possessions
There is nothing worse than losing something on holiday, whether it your passport, an item of jewellery or your camera. If you don’t have holiday insurance or ‘cover away from home’ under your home contents insurance you won’t be able to replace your lost items. Top tip: most holiday insurance policies stipulate a maximum limit of cover for valuable items and a limit for any one item. If you are planning on taking expensive jewellery or photographic equipment with you on holiday it may be better to cover these items under your household insurance. Some holiday insurance even offer a premium discount if you exclude personal possessions cover so it is worth checking which policies offer this option.
Select the right policy for you
After deciding your holiday destination, the dates and length of your trip and what type of activities you will be taking part in, there are three principal holiday insurance policy types to choose from. These are single trip, annual multi-trip, and backpacker policies. Top tip: if you happen to be a person who likes to go away several times a year at the last minute to take advantage of cheap holiday deals, then taking out an annual multi-trip holiday insurance is the probably the best option. By doing this it saves you having to worry about taking out holiday insurance each time you book a trip, and, if you go away more than two times a year, it will probably work out cheaper too! For regular travellers this website is worth a visit: Spontaneous travellers should have annual holiday insurance.
Backpacker policies are mainly for those who are taking extended trips typically up to 18 months. The cover and limits may be less than single trip and annual multi-trip policies, so you should check carefully that the backpacker policy provides you with the right level of cover before you take it out. There are certainly some great deals to be had and comparison sites such as http://www.moneysupermarket.com/ and http://www.confused.com/ are worth checking out. Likewise, 24/7 travel insurance offers great deals, for example if you are under age 36 travelling for 6 months to Europe, you can buy a ‘standard’ backpacker policy for just £33.55!*
Know before you go!
The FCO have put together a useful travel checklist to help you plan your trip abroad and stay safe whilst you are there. It is definitely worth a read - click here
Better safe than sorry!
Whether it’s a short weekend getaway or a long haul journey, you can see that it makes sense to have holiday insurance in place. Holiday insurance should not to be taken as an optional holiday extra, so make sure it’s on your checklist and ticked off before you go. Like the old saying goes, better safe than sorry!
Top tip: 24/7 travel insurance offers great deals on all holiday insurance types, and with premiums starting at just £4.38 ** it’s worth a visit.
* Premium £33.55 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual traveller aged under 36 taking out a ‘standard’ backpacker policy for 6 months to Europe. Cover details and prices are correct at the time of going to press (October 2008) and are subject to change.
** Premium £4.38 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a ‘standard’ single trip policy for 3 days to Europe, travelling within 14 days of departure date, excluding personal possessions cover. Cover details and prices are correct at the time of going to press (October 2008) and are subject to change
Labels: Holiday-insurance
// posted by 24/7 Travel Insurance @ 09:32
Thursday, 2 October 2008
Tee off on a golfing holiday!
After the aftermath of the Ryder Cup and the interest that it created, I am sure there are many of you who are motivated to dust off your golfing clubs and get out on the course to demonstrate your golfing prowess. If you happen to be booking a holiday in Europe there are some great opportunities to play at some of the best golfing resorts in the world. In this blog we will look at some tips to help you prepare and get the most out of your golfing holiday as well as a selection of 5 destinations to play.
Book yourself or through a specialist company
When planning your trip, you have to decide if you want to do it off your own back or choose a recognised company where everything is taken care off. You may decide that you can have more flexibility by organising it yourself, and for some people it is nice to be able to set their own itinerary if they are with friends or family as you can do things at your own pace. When selecting a company you should be looking for one that offers golf booking, hotel reservations and car hire as an all in one package. Make sure that you check what is covered in the ‘all inclusive’ charges as a respected company should provide insurance coverage and there should not be any hidden charges.
Choosing the ideal resort
You need to decide your priorities in terms of what you are hoping to get out of the trip. Do you want a once in a lifetime opportunity and stay in top class accommodation whilst playing on some of the most spectacular courses in the world? Or would you prefer a low key destination, but still get the satisfaction of playing on courses that in its own unique way provide just as much joy as the well known courses in the world.
La Manga
La Manga Club in Spain has one of the most renowned reputations in the world and no matter what standard you are, it is sure you to provide you with an unforgettable experience. If you are looking for a relaxing family holiday or looking to take on the golfing academy, you won’t find a better place around. To find out more check out their website: http://www.lamangaspain.co.uk/.
Valderrama
There is no doubt that if you venture to the Costa del Sol there won’t be a shortage of golf courses to choose from as after all, it hasn’t been named the ‘Costa del Golf’ without good reason! Playing at the Valderrama Golf Club you will be playing at what many people have called a very similar version of the famous Augusta course in America. Valderrama is ranked among the top 100 courses in the world, one of the top 10 in Europe and 1st in Spain. It is certainly an exclusive place to play and doesn’t come cheap, but if you visit The top 100 Golf courses of the world website you should find that the temptation of playing there is too good an opportunity to miss!
Praia D’El Rey
How about going to Spain’s neighbour country Portugal? There is certainly a wide range of spectacular golf courses to choose from. For example, if you want to stay in luxury accommodation by a spectacular sandy beach, as well as combining your passion for golf, then Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort is certainly the place to go. For further information visit their official website at: http://www.praia-del-rey.com/
Saint-Malo Hotel Golf
Over the channel and you can find Northern Brittany’s Emerald Coast in France as a very appealing and picturesque destination for a proposed holiday. Staying at the Saint Malo Hotel Golf you will have some fantastic sea views whilst staying in a 19th Century Manor House. So combining all this with your time on the golf course should make it a very rewarding experience indeed!
St Andrews
St Andrews in Scotland has a very revered reputation. To be able to tell your friends and family that you have had the pleasure of playing at this world famous golf club would certainly make them sit up and take notice! It certainly isn’t called the ‘home of golf’ for nothing, with 11 courses designed to suit all ranges of ability and experience. St Andrews is steeped in history and the views are quite spectacular, making it a must for all golf fans. For more information visit their website at: http://www.StAndrewsgolf.org/
Don’t forget your insurance!
When going for a Golf Holiday, there is no doubt that taking out Golf Insurance and Travel Insurance is vital to put your mind at ease – very important when playing golf!
There are a number of specialist golf insurance providers that cover golf equipment, public liability and accidental damage to property. One worth looking at is Golfplan which is one of Europe's largest specialist golf insurance providers and is endorsed by the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA).
Travel insurance is also important to give you cover before and during your trip with Cancellation and emergency medical expenses. 24/7 Travel Insurance offers cover for 7 days in Europe from only £7.77*.
* Premium £7.77 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on 1 adult aged under 55 taking out a ‘Standard’ Single Trip policy for 7 days in Europe and travelling within 14 days of purchase. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (October 2008) and are subject to change.
Book yourself or through a specialist company
When planning your trip, you have to decide if you want to do it off your own back or choose a recognised company where everything is taken care off. You may decide that you can have more flexibility by organising it yourself, and for some people it is nice to be able to set their own itinerary if they are with friends or family as you can do things at your own pace. When selecting a company you should be looking for one that offers golf booking, hotel reservations and car hire as an all in one package. Make sure that you check what is covered in the ‘all inclusive’ charges as a respected company should provide insurance coverage and there should not be any hidden charges.
Choosing the ideal resort
You need to decide your priorities in terms of what you are hoping to get out of the trip. Do you want a once in a lifetime opportunity and stay in top class accommodation whilst playing on some of the most spectacular courses in the world? Or would you prefer a low key destination, but still get the satisfaction of playing on courses that in its own unique way provide just as much joy as the well known courses in the world.
La Manga
La Manga Club in Spain has one of the most renowned reputations in the world and no matter what standard you are, it is sure you to provide you with an unforgettable experience. If you are looking for a relaxing family holiday or looking to take on the golfing academy, you won’t find a better place around. To find out more check out their website: http://www.lamangaspain.co.uk/.
Valderrama
There is no doubt that if you venture to the Costa del Sol there won’t be a shortage of golf courses to choose from as after all, it hasn’t been named the ‘Costa del Golf’ without good reason! Playing at the Valderrama Golf Club you will be playing at what many people have called a very similar version of the famous Augusta course in America. Valderrama is ranked among the top 100 courses in the world, one of the top 10 in Europe and 1st in Spain. It is certainly an exclusive place to play and doesn’t come cheap, but if you visit The top 100 Golf courses of the world website you should find that the temptation of playing there is too good an opportunity to miss!
Praia D’El Rey
How about going to Spain’s neighbour country Portugal? There is certainly a wide range of spectacular golf courses to choose from. For example, if you want to stay in luxury accommodation by a spectacular sandy beach, as well as combining your passion for golf, then Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort is certainly the place to go. For further information visit their official website at: http://www.praia-del-rey.com/
Saint-Malo Hotel Golf
Over the channel and you can find Northern Brittany’s Emerald Coast in France as a very appealing and picturesque destination for a proposed holiday. Staying at the Saint Malo Hotel Golf you will have some fantastic sea views whilst staying in a 19th Century Manor House. So combining all this with your time on the golf course should make it a very rewarding experience indeed!
St Andrews
St Andrews in Scotland has a very revered reputation. To be able to tell your friends and family that you have had the pleasure of playing at this world famous golf club would certainly make them sit up and take notice! It certainly isn’t called the ‘home of golf’ for nothing, with 11 courses designed to suit all ranges of ability and experience. St Andrews is steeped in history and the views are quite spectacular, making it a must for all golf fans. For more information visit their website at: http://www.StAndrewsgolf.org/
Don’t forget your insurance!
When going for a Golf Holiday, there is no doubt that taking out Golf Insurance and Travel Insurance is vital to put your mind at ease – very important when playing golf!
There are a number of specialist golf insurance providers that cover golf equipment, public liability and accidental damage to property. One worth looking at is Golfplan which is one of Europe's largest specialist golf insurance providers and is endorsed by the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA).
Travel insurance is also important to give you cover before and during your trip with Cancellation and emergency medical expenses. 24/7 Travel Insurance offers cover for 7 days in Europe from only £7.77*.
* Premium £7.77 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on 1 adult aged under 55 taking out a ‘Standard’ Single Trip policy for 7 days in Europe and travelling within 14 days of purchase. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (October 2008) and are subject to change.
Labels: Golfing
// posted by 24/7 Travel Insurance @ 13:09
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