24/7 Travel Insurance Blog

Lego lift-off!

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:17:00 +0000

An Australian lego enthusiast has spent 8-months building a 7ft-long, 6ft-wide Qantas Airbus A380 model out of lego in his garage! The model aircraft is split into two halves to reveal the inside of the replica aircraft which (in real life) is used for long-haul flights.

The lego model boasts a selection of fully functioning landing gear, two rear landing gear doors, airbrakes on the wing, landing lights and a tail fin on the rear wing. As well as 2-inch high cabin crew and famous passengers including Indiana Jones and Star Wars’ Yoda.

The entire project is estimated to have cost Ryan McNaught around £3,500 which was purposely built for 2010 Brickworld Lego event in Chicago, USA, in June.

Mr McNaught, says: ''I used to work for an airline so had a bit of knowledge about planes, but it is harder to get information these days because of the world terrorism threat. This was by far the most challenging thing I have ever built.'' *

* Source – Daily Mail March 2010

For his next project, Mr McNaught said he would like to construct a cut-open skyscraper…so watch this space!

Don’t forget your cheap holiday insurance!
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance, click here for an instant quote. For a 3-day break in Europe, it will cost you only £5.32* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your holiday all the more!

*Premium £5.32 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult 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 (March 2010) and are subject to change.

Paris and London are popular with British children

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

According to a new poll by trainline.com, almost 1 in 4 children have visited the French capital while the same proportion have been to London. Research found that children aged 4 to 12 have on average, visited up to 7 foreign countries by the age of 12, but do not know where many British landmarks are.

It revealed that 85% of British children have been abroad by the age of 12, with almost 1 in 5 venturing to North America and nearly 1 in 10 travelling to Asia.

But when asked if they expected their offspring to know where in the country popular destinations were located, less than 1 in 10 of parents said they thought children would be able to say where Hadrian's Wall could be found, while 7% believed their children could pinpoint Stonehenge on the map and 3% said youngsters would know where the Giant's Causeway was.

Marketing Director at thetrainline.com, Iain Hildreth, said: ''It's amazing to think that British kids will have seen so many foreign places by the time they hit their teens. It is surprising, to see the gaps in their knowledge about their own country in this report. With so much to do and see in the UK - and the great value for money that rail travel can provide - there really is no excuse not to be able to tell the Lizard from Lyme Regis.''

Don’t forget your cheap holiday insurance!
You can purchase great value family holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance, click here for an instant quote. For a 3-day family break in Paris, it will cost you only £10.64* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your holiday all the more!

*Premium £10.64 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on 2 adults aged under 55 and 2 children aged under 18 taking out a “Standard family” 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 (March 2010) and are subject to change.

Which airlines are worst for extra fees

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:01:00 +0000

Airline passengers around the world will pay as much as €41 billion in extra charges this year. ‘Add ons’ like baggage, seat reservations and credit card charges now make up an average 12% of airlines’ revenue according to researchers at the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. For short-haul European flights, this percentage can be closer to 40%.

Research found that Bmibaby's extras are nearly 40% of the total flight cost, closely followed by Ryanair at 33% with its expensive baggage fees and then easyjet at 29%. Flybe was found to be the least competitive airline on price.

However, it is worth bearing in mind that fares vary according to the demand and taxes vary according to route, so more thorough investigation across different flight times and dates is needed to make any conclusions about average fares.

The research revealed that there is still a divide between the original ‘low cost carriers’ and the ‘traditional full service airlines’. Any extras such as baggage, seat reservations and credit card charges, make up a considerable chunk of the total flight cost for ‘low cost carriers’ Jet2, Ryanair, easyJet and bmibaby.

Bob Atkinson, travel expert at travelsupermarket.com, who carried out the research exclusively for Times Online, said: “bmibaby's extra charges were a whopping 39% of the total charges and the best was BA at 12%”.

The biggest extra cost was baggage, which ranged from one free checked bag on BA to £30 with Ryanair. Seat bookings were also pricey, and so too was travel insurance, if booked through the airline website – be aware, some airlines like easyjet automatically opt you in for travel insurance (and the extra cost) when you book your flights.

Cheap holiday insurance!
Don’t get caught out by airlines’ automatic travel insurance. You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance, click here for an instant quote. For a 3-day break in Europe, it will cost you only £5.32* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your holiday all the more!

*Premium £5.32 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult 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 (March 2010) and are subject to change.

Machu Picchu set to reopen in April

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:38:00 +0000

Tourists should once again be able to make the journey to the the World Heritage Site Inca ruins at Machu Picchu in April after the area was cut off by torrential rains last month according to Peruvian government officials.

Martín Pérez, Peru’s minister for overseas trade and tourism, told a Peruvian news agency: “We expect that from April 1, we will once again begin to receive the millions of tourists who have always been coming.” He said there had been progress with repairs to the nearby railroad and insisted that there had been no damage to the site of Machu Picchu itself.

About 2,000 tourists, including up to 80 Britons, had to be airlifted from the ruins after the heaviest rains in more than a decade triggered mudslides.

Each year thousands of people make the journey to Machu Picchu, which was built in the mid-15th century and lies 680 miles south-east of Lima, the Peruvian capital. It is by far the most popular attraction in a country that counts tourism as one of its main sources of revenue.

Since the site was forced to close, the Peruvian government has been emphasising other historical sites in the area that are still open. It encouraged national tourists to visit Cusco, the city that many use as a base for exploring the region, with discounts on flights and hotel packages.

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 Worldwide excluding USA trip, will cost you just £21.62* - a small price to pay to really enjoy your backpacking adventure all the more!

*Premium £21.62 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 Worldwide excluding USA. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (March 2010) and are subject to change.

Airline tells movie director he can not fly because he is too big

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:04:00 +0000

A Twitter storm has erupted over the ejection of an American film director from a Southwest Airlines flight for being too fat.

Kevin Smith, the director of films Clerks and Chasing Amy was told he could not fly on a Southwest Airlines flight from Oakland to California, because he didn’t fit properly in the seat.

Smith, who updated his Twitter account throughout the incident, at one point tweeted: “But, by their own guidelines, I was not, in fact, 2 Fat 2 Fly: the arm rests went down & I could buckle my seat belt w/o an extender. So...?”

His Twitter feeds, which are followed by over 1.65million followers,Top of FormBottom of Form has sparked support from fans and prompted Southwest to issue an apology via its Twitter feed, as well as issuing him with a $100 voucher.

The airline’s “Customer of Size” policy, which has been in place for 25 years, requires larger passengers to purchase two seats if they cannot be comfortably accommodated in a single seat.

A frequent flier reported a similar incident in June last year. He claims to have been prevented from boarding a Southwest flight from Las Vegas because he was deemed too large to fit in one seat, despite having flown with the carrier up to 50 or 60 times in the previous year alone.

A statement on the airline’s blog said: “This policy is not unique to Southwest Airlines and it is not a revenue generator... If a customer cannot comfortably lower the armrest and infringes on a portion of another seat, a customer seated adjacent would be very uncomfortable and a timely exit from the aircraft in the event of an emergency might be compromised if we allow a cramped, restricted seating arrangement.”

Both Smith and the airline acknowledged that he had bought two seats for his original flight from Oakland, where he had attended a conference. But he was flying standby in order to catch an earlier flight, and only one seat was available.

Don’t forget your cheap holiday insurance!
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance. For 8-days insurance cover for the USA, it will cost you only £25.52* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your holiday all the more!

*Premium £25.52 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult aged under 55 taking out a “Standard” Single-trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for 8-days travel insurance cover for the USA excluding personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (March 2010) and are subject to change.

Has your EHIC expired?

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:05:00 +0000

If you are planning to take a trip overseas in Europe, have you checked that your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is still valid? Travellers who are unaware that their EHIC has expired are putting themselves at risk when going on holiday this summer. As useful as the EHIC is, it does not cover you for every eventuality, so you should always take out travel insurance when heading abroad.

What does the EHIC do?
The EHIC entitles the cardholder to reduced cost or free healthcare in most European Union countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland if they fall ill or have an accident whilst abroad - but only if it is in date!

When should you renew your EHIC?
Your EHIC expiry date can be found printed on the front of your card. It is very easy to renew online or over the phone and can be done up to six months in advance of expiry. You will need your EHIC Personal Identification Number (PIN) when renewing (this number is shown on your existing card beside your date of birth and begins with the letters ‘UK’).

Do you need a replacement EHIC?
If you change your name due to marriage or divorce, or if you lose or have your EHIC stolen within the UK, then you need to apply for a replacement EHIC. If your EHIC is lost or stolen abroad then you will need to apply for a replacement when you return home. If you require healthcare whilst you are abroad and have lost or had your EHIC stolen, then you will need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions in the UK and obtain a EHIC Provisional Replacement Certificate – which will provide you with the same cover as the EHIC until you return home. Failure to get the EHIC Provisional Replacement Certificate may result in you having to pay for medical treatment yourself.

How to apply/renew your EHIC:
To apply for an EHIC you will need to provide your name, date of birth and NHS or National Insurance number. In Scotland the NHS number is known as the Community Health Index or CHI number and in Northern Ireland it is known as the Health and Care number.

You are also able to apply for an EHIC for your partner and any children up to the age of 16 (or 19 if they are in full-time education). You must be over 16 to apply as a main applicant.

Applying for the card is free and it's valid for up to five years. All British travellers can renew or obtain an EHIC by:

going online, at the following address www.dh.gov.uk/travellers (delivery within 7 days)
telephone, on 0845 606 2030 (delivery within 10 days)
post (delivery within 21 days)

For more information regarding your EHIC, click here

Travel insurance is a must!
Remember the EHIC is NOT a substitute for travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, repatriation to the UK or lost or stolen property. You should take out adequate travel insurance for visits to all countries, regardless of whether you are covered by your EHIC.

Buying direct from the travel insurance provider is normally cheaper than from your travel agent, so check out 24/7 travel insurance for great value and peace of mind. A 3-day break in Europe will cost you only £5.32* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your holiday even more!

*Premium £5.32 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult 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 (March 2010) and are subject to change.

Cost of seeing the 100 Wonders of the Modern World!

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:48:00 +0000

It would cost £29,281 and just over 17 weeks (or 123 days) of your life to see the 100 Wonders of the Modern World, reveals specialist travel insurance provider, P J Hayman (the company behind 24/7 travel insurance).

Many people start off the New Year with the resolution to travel more and if they decided to see the 100 wonders of the world, they would spend:

- £18,431 on travel expenses
- £5,731 on daily living expenses
- £481 on visas
- £3,972 on accommodation
- £590 on entry fees to attractions
- £75.78 on travel insurance

They would visit 44 countries, take over 90 flights and use a variety of other modes of transport including taxi, tuktuk, rail, boat and bus. After accommodation costs, entry fees and direct travel costs were accounted for, it is estimated that the traveller would spend an additional £46.59 per day to cover other eventualities including food, toiletries and souvenirs.

Of the countries visited, Italy (12 number of wonders) and China (7 number of wonders) contained the highest number of wonders of the world while the continent with the most sights is Europe (31). Just 31 of the 100 wonders of the world are natural (e.g. Niagara Falls) rather than man made (e.g. Topkapi Palace) and only two (Rio Carnival and The Serengeti Migration) are time dependent.

The lowest classified expense for the entire trip, but arguably the most important, was the cost of travel insurance. Peter Hayman, director of P J Hayman, said: “While it is unlikely that any but a lucky few would be able to spare the time or the money to visit all these destinations in one go, this research shows just how easy it is to see the many modern wonders of the world. However, that said, to reach all these amazing destinations would take you through a wide variety of countries, some of which have high medical costs in the event of accident or illness.

“Therefore, we recommend that before anyone sets off to see these or any other exciting destinations, they get a comprehensive travel insurance policy. While it might only cost £29,281 to see all these destinations listed, if anything went wrong, it could cost many more thousands of pounds to ensure that you received first class medical treatment and were repatriated – if necessary.”

Don’t forget your travel insurance!
It would cost just £75.78 to take out a 24/7 travel insurance Annual Multi-trip Worldwide ‘Premier’ policy which contains valuable extras like BONDPLUS Financial Failure Protection that covers you if your travel or accommodation provider goes bust.

*Premium £75.78 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult aged under 55 taking out a Worldwide “Premier” Annual Multi-trip 24/7 travel insurance policy. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (February 2010) and are subject to change.

Backpackers - How to find Cheap Flights

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:03:00 +0000

There are an abundance of ticket websites out there to help you find the best deal for a flight. There are also additional things that you can do to get more for your backpacking budget…

Here are some top money saving tips:

Flights are usually cheaper 21 to 45-days in advance rather than last minute deals. You will pay more as your date to leave approaches. Sometimes buying too soon months in advance also makes for higher prices.
Sometimes unsold seats are drastically discounted 2 days before departure.
Weekend flights can be expensive. Try to fly on a Monday morning, Tuesday, or Wednesday.
Try not to fly within 7-days before or after a public holiday. Check your destination’s local holidays and festivals as flights and accommodation will be more expensive.
Search for flights at all times throughout the day, you never know when a cheap ticket has been released to the system.
Make sure your luggage is not over sized or overweight. Check individual airline sites for rules, some airlines charge for a hand luggage now.
Flights with longer layovers usually have lower price tags.
Early morning ‘redeye’ flights are more painful but are usually cheaper.
Fly into the largest city on the continent you are visiting. Take budget airline hops or travel overland from there to reach your destination. For instance, it may be cheaper to fly into Brussels (a major business hub) and then get a cheaper flight to Amsterdam rather than flying straight there.
Use frequent flier programs. It may take years, but the miles do add up and may come in handy in the future.
Being as flexible as possible can help you find a cheap flight. Do not specify flight times, number of stops, etc.
Refundable tickets can cost more - your backpacking travel insurance may have trip cancellation coverage.

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 (February 2010) and are subject to change.

Britons more likely to travel as recession ends

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:03:00 +0000

Nearly a fifth of British travellers say they are more likely to go on holiday in the coming year than they were six months ago, according to new research from price comparison website travelsupermarket.com.

The survey of more than 2000 people comes as Britain exits the worst recession for decades and the results will be seen by travel companies as an encouraging sign – ahead of what many people fear will be another tough year for the travel industry.

“This is undoubtedly good news for the industry,” said Sean Tipton, communications officer for ABTA, the Travel Association. “It’s difficult to forecast what will happen in the summer – and we are unlikely to see a record-breaking year – but these are good signs.”*

* Source – The Telegraph Feb 2010

The failure of Globespan at the end of last year prompted predictions of many more failures in the coming months.

Plimsoll Publishing, the finanical analysts, claimed that the recession has cost British tour firms around £2.1 billion in lost profits and has predicted that more than 300 travel companies could go bankrupt or be taken over this year.

Despite indicating that Britons are more likely to head overseas, the survey suggested that they will take less spending money. Average holiday spending money, per person, per week, dropped from £312 to £295 in the last six months.

Londoners carry the most money with them, taking on average £331, while East Anglians are the thriftiest, heading abroad with an average weekly budget of £236.

Don’t forget your cheap holiday insurance!
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance, click here for an instant quote. For a 3-day break in Europe, it will cost you only £5.32* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your holiday all the more!

*Premium £5.32 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult 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 (February 2010) and are subject to change.

Virgin boss criticises US support for BA and American Airlines tie-up

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:21:00 +0000

British Airways' plan to join forces with American Airlines has met with initial approval from the US Department of Transportation (DoT), to the outrage of Virgin Atlantic boss Sir Richard Branson.

The DoT has found that granting anti-trust immunity to the two companies and three of their partners, including British Airway's intended merger partner Iberia, would enhance competition with the Star Alliance and SkyTeam alliance.

It would also "provide travellers and shippers with a variety of benefits, including lower fares on more routes, increased services, better schedules and reduced travel and connection times."

The DoT has made approval conditional on four pairs of take-off and landing slots at Heathrow being made available to competitors, and has invited interested parties to show cause within 45 days why the proposed decision should not be made final.

Rival Virgin Atlantic boss Sir Richard Branson blasted the decision yesterday, saying it was a "real kick in the teeth for consumers".

"The US Department of Justice, who are the experts in competition issues, called for strict remedies to protect the public interest, because the alliance will harm competitions and the consumer."

A British Airways spokesman said: "British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia plan to operate a joint business between North America and Europe. "

As verified by the DoT today, their closer cooperation, made possible by anti-trust immunity, will benefit customers with more travel choices and convenient schedules, expanded opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles, and greater availability of lower fares."

Source – The Telegraph 2010

Don’t forget your cheap holiday insurance!
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance. For 8-days insurance cover for the USA, it will cost you only £25.52* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your holiday all the more!

*Premium £25.52 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult aged under 55 taking out a “Standard” Single-trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for 8-days travel insurance cover for the USA excluding personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (February 2010) and are subject to change.

When choosing your backpacking destinations, keep these things in mind

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:59:00 +0000

When planning for your backpacking adventure, try to focus on a loose plan to help you get the most out of your trip. It is worth researching events like festivals and wet seasons so that you will have some idea of what to expect and where.

Tips to remember:

Seasonal Weather - Many tropical destinations can have months of continuous rain. Making it difficult to get a tan or enjoy any diving if you visit during the wet seasons, although accommodation prices will be rock bottom and there will be fewer tourists. Most backpackers plan their travels around the wet seasons.

Budget - You will get way more for your money in developing regions like Southeast Asia or South America as opposed to Australia, North America or Western Europe.

Timing - Other than weather considerations, you may want to plan your travel around events like festivals and crowded tourists seasons. It would be a shame to arrive in a country, just missing a historic festival by days, but still paying the high prices imposed because of the visitors that were drawn to the festival.

Political climate - The mainstream news media seems to play up the dangers of travelling abroad, but in reality there are very few places that are too dangerous to travel provided you use common sense and take the necessary precautions. Check out the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website for advice before you travel.

Language - Don’t let the local language be a deterrent to visiting somewhere. English, is spoken almost everywhere that there are tourists. To earn a few brownie points with the locals, learn a few common phrases to communicate with locals.

Don’t forget your backpackers 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 (February 2010) and are subject to change.

World Cup 2010 - weak demand prompts hotel sales

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:07:00 +0000

Nearly 8,000 hotel rooms for this summer’s World Cup have been put back on the market by the organisers, due to low demand.

Match, the FIFA agency tasked with securing accommodation for the World Cup, has released 441,695 nights in hotel rooms, that’s nearly a third of the total held by the organisation.

A spokesman for Match said that the 7,843 rooms are generally outside of the host cities and on either side of match days and claimed that their release is “in line with expectations.”

“The move is good news for British football fans keen to see the action first hand and to take advantage of additional accommodation options at sensible prices,” said Lebo Mokhesi, country manager for South African Tourism.

However some visitors are being put off by the high prices of hotel rooms in the host cities. Telegraph Travel reported in December that British visitors to South Africa during the World Cup in June could have to pay up to five times the usual rate for a hotel room, as hoteliers, accommodation agents and tour operators take advantage of the limited availability during the five-week tournament.

According to Hotels.com, the accommodation website, the four-star, centrally located Cape Town Lodge Hotel, was charging £68 per room per night from May 28 to June 5, but raised its rate on June 11, when the tournament gets under way, to £395 per night.

British-based South Africa travel specialists have expressed concern at the long-term damage that could be done to the country’s image as a good-value destination. Two thirds of the available match tickets have already been sold, including over 41,000 to British football supporters. The next ticketing phase will start on February 9 and April 7, when an additional 400,000 tickets will be made available.

Source – The Telegraph Feb 2010

Don’t forget your travel insurance!
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance, click here for an instant quote. For a 2-week break in South Africa, it will cost you only £27.36* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your trip all the more!

*Premium £27.36 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult aged under 55 taking out a “Standard” Single-trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for 14-days in South Africa excluding personal possessions cover. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (February 2010) and are subject to change.

Harry Potter theme park nears completion

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:23:00 +0000

The Harry Potter theme park is scheduled to be opened in early spring 2010, the 20-acre park, which is in the Universal Orlando Resort, is estimated to have cost upwards of £160 million.

The theme park will offer guests a tour of Hogwarts Castle, a visit to Ollivander's wand shop and the chance to drink some real-life butter beer. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be followed up in November by the release of the last film in the series, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.

Guests to the park will be greeted by the iconic whistle that announces the arrival of the Hogwarts Express into Hogsmeade Station. At the Hog's Head pub, in the recreated Hogsmeade village, Fire-Whiskey and pumpkin juice will be on offer, along with “traditional British food fare.”

Three roller-coaster rides make-up the centre of the new park but Universal are still keeping the biggest and best rides under wraps. Internet fan sites speculate it is a hi-tech experience inside the Hogwarts Castle called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey that involves likenesses of the actors from the films.

Flight of the Hippogriff is described as a family-orientated ride that replicates a Hippogriff – the half-horse, half-eagle beast from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – training flight over Hogwarts castle.

Dragon Challenge will be a twin high-speed coaster that features elements from the Triwizard Tournament, which made up a plot line of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Central to the park though, is the recreation of the Hogwarts Castle, in the same way that Sleeping Beauty's castle at Disney Land is the iconic image of that park.

Standing 150 feet tall, the castle will appear to tower some 600 feet up due to architectural tricks the parks creators have put in place. Brad Globe, President of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, said: “Harry Potter continues to spark the imaginations of fans of all ages and we really have seen the anticipation continue to build for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter."

"We are excited to share with fans a first glimpse into the truly enchanted world we are bringing to life with all of our partners at Universal Orlando Resort." The park has already received the approval of the stars of the films Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson and they have both visited the park. Harry Potter creator JK Rowling has said: "The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed."

Content sourced from The Telegraph Feb 2010

Don’t forget your cheap holiday insurance!
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance. For 8-days insurance cover for the USA, it will cost you only £25.52* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your holiday all the more!

*Premium £25.52 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult aged under 55 taking out a “Standard” Single-trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for 8-days travel insurance cover for the USA excluding personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (February 2010) and are subject to change.

Pound stretching further abroad

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:12:00 +0000

British holidaymakers abroad will see their spending money stretch much further than last year as a result of the sharp rise of sterling against 13 of the 20 leading currencies over the past 12 months, according to new research.

Analysis by the Post Office showed that the pound had gained by up to a third against some popular currencies. Against the Egyptian pound and UAE dirham, sterling will buy 15% more than in January 2009.

The pound has also strengthened against the dollar by around 15% in the past year, although it fell back slightly this week following the Government's announcement that the economy is growing at a slower rate than expected.

The Post Office said the improvement in sterling's value has been mirrored by a rise in currency sales. Purchases of Egyptian pounds rose by 9% in 2009, while sales of the UAE dirham were up by 6%. The growing popularity of Egypt and Dubai as mid-haul winter sun destinations has been reflected by a 45% increase in sales of the Egyptian pound and a 205% increase in sales of the UAE dirham since 2005.

"The weaker Egyptian pound, combined with low package prices and costs for tourist staples, should also make Egypt a popular choice in 2010," said Sarah Munro, head of travel money at the Post Office. "Five-star hotels at three-star prices in Dubai should also boost demand for the Emirate again this year among British tourists, who will have 19% more dirhams in their pockets."

Against the Caribbean's leading currencies, sterling has strengthened even further over the same period. Visitors to Jamaica can expect to receive almost 30% more dollars than in January 2009, while those going to St Lucia or Antigua will find the East Caribbean dollar has fallen by 17% against the pound since last year. Sterling will also buy 15% more Barbados dollars.

Source – The Telegraph Feb 2010

Don’t forget your travel insurance!
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance, click here for an instant quote. For a 1-week break in Egypt, it will cost you only £19.14* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your holiday all the more!

*Premium £19.14 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult aged under 55 taking out a “Standard” Single-trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for 7-days in Egypt excluding personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (February 2010) and are subject to change.

Air New Zealand to offer beds in economy class

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:19:00 +0000

Air New Zealand is to offer passengers beds in economy class on some flights later this year and has designed what it calls a Skycouch.

The beds, which are formed by footrests and consist of blanket and pillows, will be available on the airline's new fleet of Boeing 777-300. They will be big enough for a couple or a couple with a small child and will take the space of three normal economy class seats and cost two seats at standard prices and a third at half price.

The airline says the couches and a general makeover of the cabins in the new planes is aimed at revitalising long haul travel. Air New Zealand which is three-quarters owned by the New Zealand government, built a full sized replica of a Boeing 777-300 cabin to develop the couches and new decor.

Chief Executive, Rob Fyfe, said: "For the past three years we have been designing a new long haul experience that will reignite the passion of today's travellers. For those who choose, the days of sitting in economy and yearning to lie down and sleep are gone." *

* Source – Airnewzealand.co.uk Jan 2010

The airline is also giving its premium economy and business premier classes a revamp including seats that do not recline into the space of the passenger behind, and an on-demand food service.

The new planes and in-flight services will be offered initially on the Auckland-Los Angeles route, and then extended on flights to London in time for next year's Rugby World Cup, which is being held in New Zealand.

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.

A Worldwide excluding USA, Canada & Caribbean cover for 14-days costs only £23.93† - a small price to pay for peace of mind to really enjoy your holiday in New Zealand! Click here for an instant quote.

† Premium £23.93 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a Standard single-trip policy for 14 days Worldwide excluding USA, Canada & Caribbean cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Premium excludes personal possessions. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (February 2010) and are subject to change.

Five essential travel insurance tips for skiers

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:49:00 +0000

Most of us have seen enough snow to last a lifetime, but there are plenty of skiing enthusiasts about to head off for a session on the slopes as winter season kicks into gear. Worryingly though, the Foreign and Commonwealth office suggests a third of those travellers heading off to enjoy some winter sports do so without sufficient travel insurance - a gamble given the number of accidents that take place all the time on the slopes.

Research by esure last year found that the average cost of being airlifted off the slopes will set you back £1,500. That's an awful lot of money, before you even consider additional costs like the treatment itself, and getting you home again.

So if you are planning a break on the piste, and need to get your winter sports travel insurance in check, be sure to follow these tips:

1) A valid EHIC
If you're travelling within the EU, carry a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you. Every member of your family should have one and they’re free! If you or a family member falls ill or has an accident in a European Union country, you may be able to get reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment by presenting your EHIC to the hospital or doctor that is treating you.

Remember the EHIC is NOT a substitute for travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, repatriation to the UK or lost or stolen property. You should take out adequate travel insurance for visits to all countries, regardless of whether you are covered by your EHIC.

2) Be careful with alcohol
Due to the altitude of being up a mountain, alcohol can become far more potent - so you're likely to get a bit tipsy far quicker. Remember, many travel insurance policies will include an exclusion covering claims made as a result of consuming alcohol.

3) Stick to what you know - and what you're covered for!
Not only is there a wide variety of different winter sports that you can partake in, there are all sorts of different difficulty levels too. This is hugely important when it comes to arranging your travel insurance for your trip, as you have to be certain that whatever you plan to get up to on the slopes is fully covered.

For example, many general policies will have specific wording explaining where you stand insurance-wise should you go off-piste (some may cover you, so long as you are not alone, for example). If you plan to do something particularly adventurous, then you might need to get specialist insurance, as general policies are unlikely to cover you.

4) Get the right cover, not just the cheapest
While it is always nice to get the cheapest possible travel insurance policy, it also pays to be completely confident in what the policy will cover you for. Put in a bit of time to read the wording of the policy to understand exactly what you are insured for.

5) Protect your ski gear
Your travel insurance policy is also important in terms of protecting your equipment. Theft on the slopes is a growing problem, as many skiers are not taking sufficient precautions when they stop at a bar or restaurant.

One tip is to swap a ski with one of your fellow skiers when you stop off - ie, trade your left one with your friend's left one - as thieves are unlikely to want to steal an odd pair of skis. You can also get your hands on a specialist lock for about £10 which should help.

Many policies will not pay out if your equipment has been left 'unattended' so read your policy and make absolutely sure what they mean by unattended. If your gear is stolen, don't delay in reporting it to the police, as some insurers will refuse your claim otherwise.

Finally, if your gear is badly damaged while skiing and you want to make a claim, make sure you bring the skis home - insurers are unlikely to pay out if you leave them at the resort - while it's also a good idea to get a letter from the resort shop or your instructor confirming the damage took place while at the resort, and not before you even got there.

Ski travel insurance
Ski travel insurance can be purchased for just £11.82* at 24/7 travel insurance – 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 (February 2010) and are subject to change.

First airline to offer full phone/wi-fi connection

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:14:00 +0000

Oman Air has become the first airline in the world to offer a full mobile phone and wi-fi connectivity suite on its commercial aircraft. The airline will offer the new services across its brand new Airbus A330 fleet from the middle of February.

The airline said it hoped the move will give passengers in First, Business and Economy classes the opportunity to make and receive mobile phone calls and SMS messages, use email and the internet and keep up to date with social networking media, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Launching the new service, Oman Air's chief executive officer, Peter Hill, said: "We are delighted to be leading the field by bringing the digital age to in-flight passenger communications. From mid-February we will be unrolling full connectivity across our Airbus A330 fleet, completing the task in the summer. This great new service will enrich the passenger experience and complement the stunning new interiors we are offering in all three classes of travel.

"For many travellers, the ability to communicate via phone, SMS, email or internet is a vital part of everyday life and staying in contact with friends, family or colleagues will constitute huge benefits for Oman Air's customers. People are increasingly expecting internet and mobile connectivity 'anywhere, anytime' and what better place is there than on an Oman Air A330, when you have a few quiet hours to catch up on your email, browse the internet or return that quick phone call."

Availability of the service will be controlled by the crew to ensure a minimum of disturbance to passengers during, for example, the quietest periods of overnight flights.

Don’t forget your holiday insurance!
You should buy your holiday 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.

A Worldwide excluding USA, Canada & Caribbean cover for 7-days costs only £19.14† - a small price to pay for peace of mind to really enjoy your holiday! Click here for an instant quote.

† Premium £19.14 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a Standard single-trip policy for 7 days Worldwide excluding USA, Canada & Caribbean cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Premium excludes personal possessions. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (February 2010) and are subject to change.

Theft of Ski/Snowboard Equipment

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:28:00 +0000

In recent years the skiing industry has experienced large increases in the numbers of skis / snowboards being stolen from open storage racks in ski resorts.

Skis and snowboards are popular targets for thieves, especially at busy ski areas (mountain restaurants, bars, après ski) where people continually drop off and pick up their equipment. Skis and snowboards become even easier targets when they are left unattended with no precautions taken to safeguard them.

Many insurance policies will not pay out if your equipment has been left 'unattended' so read your policy and make absolutely sure what they mean by unattended. If your gear is stolen, don't delay in reporting it to the police, as some insurers will refuse your claim otherwise.

Top tips for looking after your ski gear:
Swap it

Never leave your equipment unattended. Swap one ski with a fellow traveller or partner. No thief will want to steal odd skis!
Use the buddy system and ask a friend to watch your skis or snowboard while you're gone.

Lock it

Lock up your equipment whenever possible. Many locations now offer lockable racks at many communal areas for a small charge.
Secure your valuables in the lockers or check-in services provided.
Lock your skis / snowboard with a purpose made ski lock - these devices are small, lightweight, reasonably priced (approx. £10) and can be purchased in most ski shops / resorts.

Mark it

Make sure your equipment is clearly identified (invisible marker) with your name, address and mobile number or another type of identifiable mark to assist police in identifying you as the owner.

If your ski / snowboard equipment is stolen

Report it to the police or appropriate authority within 24 hours of discovery and obtain a written report.
Make sure you inform the police about any identifying marks on your skis or snowboard. If your equipment is found, these marks will help police identify you as the owner.
Re-visit the theft location and check with all local bar, restaurant or shop owners – ask around for any helpful information.

Remember your 24/7 wintersports travel insurance...

It is not just medical emergencies that wintersports travel insurance can protect you from financially - policies may include:

cover for stolen or damaged ski equipment

baggage loss

piste closure

personal liability

loss of ski passes

medical repatriation

So check your wintersports travel insurance cover carefully to avoid being left out of pocket!

Travel Insurance with wintersports cover can be purchased for just £11.82* at 24/7 travel insurance – 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 (February 2010) and are subject to change.

'Staycationers' may not be getting best deal

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 Travel Insurance) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:59:00 +0000

Vacationing abroad is proving to be cheaper than staying in the UK in many instances, according to research.

The Office of National Statistics reported trips abroad by Britons dropped 17% in the past year. In their place “staycations” have increased in popularity as UK residents try to save money during the credit crunch.

Flight Centre, however, reports that holidaying in the UK may not be the best deal. Countries such as Spain and Portugal are often cheaper substitutes to staying in the UK as accommodation is inexpensive enough to compensate for the cost of flying.

According to the Flight Centre, a package holiday in the Costa del Sol costs from £255 including seven nights in a hotel, return flights out of Gatwick Airport and eight days’ car hire. A comparable holiday in Devon costs about £450.

Flight Centre UK marketing manager, David Forder, said: “In many cases it can work out significantly cheaper than a holiday at home and gives holidaymakers the chance to experience a new place, people and cultures,” He added: “The warmer climate is also a big bonus.”

Another featured holiday is the beach holiday destination in the Algarve, Portugal. Travel packages start at £255 which also includes flights, car hire and hotel. Flight Centre offers this as an alternative to Cornwall where holidays are priced around £700.

Don’t forget your cheap holiday insurance!
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance, click here for an instant quote. For a 3-day break in Europe, it will cost you only £5.32* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your holiday all the more!

*Premium £5.32 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult 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 (February 2010) and are subject to change.

The best places to see the Northern Lights

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 Travel Insurance) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:53:00 +0000

Spotting the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) has never been easy because no one knows when they will appear and clouds often obscure them. When weather conditions are favourable, this fantastical display lights up the skies in Arctic regions. We’ve compiled a list of the best places to catch a glimpse of the spectacular Northern Lights.

Iceland
Located high above the Arctic Circle, the remote location of western Iceland, with sweeping lava fields and with uninterrupted views out to the ocean, makes the area a perfect base for seeing the Northern Lights. This is the perfect place to unwind and explore this beautiful area of the country during the day and hopefully view the northern lights at night.

Finland
The hotel and igloo village resort of Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland is the perfect place for seeing the magical Northern lights because there is minimal light pollution. Its location is in the northern region of Lapland which is almost entirely located within the realm of the Arctic Circle. During the dark winter months, when the sun rarely rises over the horizon, the best time to see the Northern Lights is between late September to early March.

Sweden
Visit the new Aurora Sky Station, which claims to be the best place on earth for a 'northern light experience', and you're almost guaranteed a view of the lights. The lights are created by particles from space exploding on impact with the earth's atmosphere. The station is in the village of Abisko, in the Swedish mountains 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle, between Kiruna in Sweden and Narvik in Norway. From the village, a cable-car takes visitors 900m up to the station. Guests can stay in the Abisko Mountain Station, which is open three nights a week from September to March.

Canada
The best view of the beautiful Northern Lights can be found throughout Canada’s wilderness and mountains especially within the Nunavut, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. The further north you travel the more spectacular the lights become. The Northern Lights can best be seen once the nights have turned long. Autumn and winter are the best seasons to see the phenomena. Late September through to March are the typical winter months in Canada in which you can view the Northern Lights.

Don’t forget your cheap travel insurance!
You can purchase great value travel insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance, click here for a quote. For a 3-day break in Europe, it will cost you only £5.32* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your northern lights holiday all the more!

*Premium £5.32 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult 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 (February 2010) and are subject to change.

Do you have adequate travel insurance?

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 Travel Insurance) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:31:00 +0000

Whether you are jetting overseas or staying at home this year, make sure you have adequate travel insurance.

The events of the past couple of weeks over the festive period have highlighted how important it is to have travel insurance when heading abroad.

Thousands of holidaymakers have had their Christmas trips jeopardised by heavy snowfall, closed airports, cancelled Eurostar trains, the collapse of the Globespan airline and, at one point, the threat of 12 days of industrial action by British Airways.

But this ‘peace of mind’ cover does not fully protect holidaymakers in many of these circumstances. That's why it is important to know what is covered, and more importantly, what is excluded when buying travel insurance.

If you have had your travel plans disrupted, your first port of call is to claim a refund from the travel company, be it an airline, train operator, or travel agent. Provided the agent is covered by either ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) or Atol-bonded (the Air Travel Organiser's Licence), you should be entitled to a refund or rearrange your trip.

Those who have bought a ‘packaged holiday’, where travel and accommodation are purchased together, should have the costs reimbursed by the tour operator.

But independent travellers, who have booked flights and accommodation separately, may find themselves out of pocket if their travel insurance policy is not comprehensive enough to cover them. 24/7 travel insurance automatically includes BONDPLUS Financial Failure cover on all ‘Premier’ policies.

It is also worth remembering that booking trips on a credit card offers additional protection. Under the Consumer Credit Act a credit card issuer should be jointly liable for any goods or services paid for which do not materialise.

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.

Click here 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 (February 2010) and are subject to change.

Top 10 African Safari Destinations

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 Travel Insurance) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:50:00 +0000

Africa's top safari destinations include wildlife parks in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and Gabon. If you're looking for the best safari where you're almost guaranteed to see the ‘Big Five’ you can't go wrong with these choices.

1. Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)
Kenya is Africa's most popular safari destination and the Masai Mara Reserve is the most popular wildlife park in Kenya. From July - October you can witness the incredible migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra.

2. Chobe National Park (Botswana)
Chobe National park lies in Botswana's Okavango Delta and covers four distinct Eco-systems. The Savuti marsh in particular offers some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa year round. Chobe boasts around 120,000 elephants, you're unlikely to miss them when you enjoy a safari here. The best time to visit Chobe is between May and September, the dry, cooler winter months. Herds of zebra, eland, buffalo, giraffe and wildebeest congregate around the Savuti marsh this time of year. Chobe is accessible by car which makes it a little less expensive than some other Botswana Parks. There's a wide variety of accommodation available to suit all budgets, you can even rent a houseboat.

3. Kruger National Park (South Africa)
Kruger National Park in South Africa boasts the highest variety of wildlife in Africa which includes the Big Five, hippos, crocodiles, cheetah and more. Kruger is one of the best maintained parks in Africa which means it's ideal for a self-drive safari.

4. South Luangwa National Park (Zambia)
Home of the "walking safari" South Luangwa National Park in Zambia offers a true African experience. There's plenty of wildlife and over 400 species of birds. The Luangwa River is filled to the brim with hippos and if you're lucky you'll spot prides of over 30 lions at a time. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species living in the National Park. South Luangwa offers both budget and luxury safari lodging. The best time to visit is during the dry season from April to October. Near the end of the dry season, the animals really concentrate around the remaining waterholes, which make for a great safari.

5. Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania offers the absolute classic African safari setting. The grasslands make the Serengeti fantastic for spotting lion kills because you can see the whole spectacle clearly. The migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra starts here and because it's much larger than the Mara, it is also less touristy.
More about the Serengeti and Tanzania's Northern Parks

6. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda)
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda is home to almost half of the world's population of mountain gorillas. Besides offering a wonderful backdrop to Gorilla tracking, you can also see chimpanzees, and many other mammals. Bwindi has been designated a World Heritage Site.

7. Etosha Natonal Park (Namibia)
Etosha National Park is Namibia's top wildlife destination. Etosha is home to Africa's tallest elephants, the endangered black rhino, and 91 other species of mammal. Etosha is especially popular with photographers in the dry season who flock to the waterholes (along with the wildlife).

8. Loango National Park (Gabon)
Loango National Park in Gabon is less well known but it's only a matter of time before it's discovered. Loango is the only place in Africa where you can see whales, chimps, gorillas and elephants in one park. In Loango you get to enjoy watching wildlife on the beach, savannah, swamp and forest in a single day.

9. Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania)
The Ngorongoro Conservation area in Tanzania includes the world's largest crater which acts as a natural enclosure for almost every species of wildlife found in East Africa. The Maasai still live within the conservation area, and it's also home to Olduvai where some of man's earliest remains have been found.

10. Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe)
Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe has an abundance of giraffes, elephants, and lions as well as 105 other mammal species. Hwange also has one of the largest populations of wild dogs left in Africa. There are several comfortable lodges to stay at for reasonable prices. The park is close to one of the world's greatest natural wonders - the Victoria Falls.

Don’t forget your travel insurance!
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance, click here for an instant quote. For a 1-week break in Africa, it will cost you only £19.14* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your safari all the more!

*Premium £19.14 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult aged under 55 taking out a “Standard” Single-trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for 7-days in Africa excluding personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (February 2010) and are subject to change.

Beware of pickpockets on flights

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:38:00 +0000

A pickpocket stole thousands of pounds worth of cash from business class passengers as they slept on an Air France flight from Tokyo to Paris. Air France cabin crew did not spot the thief at work as he rifled through wallets and handbags during the 12-hour overnight flight.

Passengers woke to find large sums of cash missing. The captain alerted police who met the Boeing 777 jet as it landed at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on Tuesday morning, but they were unable to identify the thief.

One passenger told police that about £3,000 in mixed currencies had vanished from her handbag. Five others, who had paid up to £5,000 pounds each for their tickets, said they had also lost thousands in cash.

One passenger told the French news website Le Post: "Most long-haul travellers sleep on overnight flights like this. But at the prices we pay for tickets, you would expect the cabin crew to be watching over us and making sure are belongings are safe."

Air France said it could not comment on this particular incident. But a spokesman added: "As a general rule a passengers' belongings in the cabin are their responsibility, while luggage in the hold is the airline's responsibility."

Don’t forget your cheap holiday insurance!
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance, click here for an instant quote. For a 3-day break in Europe, it will cost you only £5.32* - a small price to pay so you can enjoy your holiday all the more!

*Premium £5.32 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on an adult 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 (January 2010) and are subject to change.

Long-haul ticket buying tips

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:14:00 +0000

As with everything, there's an art to buying long-haul air tickets. Buy too cheaply and you may face a long or unnecessary stopover. Choose the wrong airline and you could spend hours sitting in uncomfortable seats with restricted legroom. But a little time spent comparing the options will pay off. Here's what to look for:

Compare prices
Ask a specialist agent for the cheapest economy fare to your destination and compare it with the national carrier for each route and main UK airlines such as British Airways and Virgin.

Compare flight times
The cheapest fares usually involve a detour or change of plane. While you don't want to increase your journey time unnecessarily, a chance to stretch your legs might not be a bad thing if it means you're also saving some money. But by paying a bit more, it could be a 45-minute stop rather than a 12-hour wait.

Compare ticket types
If you are travelling to New Zealand or Australia, you may find that a round-the-world, or RTW ticket is cheaper than a simple return.

Compare the small print
Ticket restrictions vary considerably and it's worth checking the terms and conditions before you buy. Often you are unable to change outbound flights: when you can, it could be free or cost anything between £50 and £100. You may also have to stay over at least one Saturday night with a maximum stay of between one month and a year.

Compare airlines
You need to decide how much comfort you are prepared to sacrifice for the sake of a lower fare. Seat pitch (the best indication of legroom), for example, can vary from 31in to 34in, depending on aircraft. For airline comparisons see http://www.seatguru.com/ and http://www.airlinequality.com/

Don’t forget to buy cheap holiday insurance!
You can purchase great value holiday insurance direct at 24/7 travel insurance. For a weeks family break in Dubai, it will cost you just £38.31* for you and your family - a small price to pay to really relax and enjoy your holiday all the more!

*Premium £38.31 includes Insurance Premium Tax based on a family (two adults aged 35 and two children aged 10 and 12) taking out a standard family Single Trip 24/7 travel insurance policy for 7 days cover in Dubai (Worldwide excluding USA) excluding personal possessions cover and purchased within 14 days of departure date. Cover details and prices are correct at time of going to press (January 2010) and are subject to change.

Couple gets compensation for 'stressful' cruise

noreply@blogger.com (24/7 travel insurance) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:22:00 +0000

A couple who complained that they were “treated like gipsies” on a cruise where they were given a penthouse suite with their own butler received £22,000 compensation, it has emerged.

Terence and Cynthia Milner, of Leeds, sued after their £59,000 “once in a lifetime” holiday on the maiden cruise of the Queen Victoria was disrupted by sleepless nights, stormy conditions and mouth ulcers.

When they complained about their noisy cabin they were upgraded to the penthouse suite and offered a series of other rooms but they said that they felt “trapped”.

Mrs Milner spent £4,300 on ball gowns ahead of the 15-week round-the-world sailing but the couple abandoned the “stressful” cruise after only six weeks, leaving the dresses unworn and an "unwelcome reminder" of the experience.

They opted to stay in a luxury resort in Honolulu and sail back on the QE2 rather than continue on the £270 million liner to Southampton and Singapore.

Despite receiving a £48,240 refund, they sued for “loss of enjoyment” and received £22,000 damages at Skipton County Court. Cunard is currently challenging the award at London's Civil Appeal Court.

24/7 Cruise Insurance
If you fancy taking to the seas for a cruise, don’t forget to buy your cruise travel insurance from 24/7 cruise insurance. Get a 10% online discount by clicking here for an instant quote.