Gallery Of Travel

Today we have the Walking Dead marathon on in anticipation of tomorrow night's premiere! Can't wait! And for lunch we had super yummy Sloppy Joe Squares! They are super simple to make and really really yummy...especially on a chilly day like today! As a kid my mom made traditional sloppy joes and they were always a family favorite. This version is not only easy but the neatness of them is very appealing...and the biscuity goodness that they're enveloped in takes the sloppy joe to another level. I know kiddos would probably love them!  Keep reading for the recipe! 

We are taking the day to clean the house...at least in the areas that still feel like a house. We're dusting, mopping, and organizing. I'm sure some of you have gone through some sort of home renovation where things were completely turned upside down, but you don't feel sane unless you keep that tiny livable area in some semblance of order. Probably about one half of our first floor is ok. But the other is totally unfinished, cold, and looks like a storage facility. So we have crammed everything that we need for everyday living into one area. Yes, it does feel like the walls are closing in on us sometimes. But in an attempt to maintain sanity (who am I kidding...I haven't been acquainted with sanity in years!!) we decided to take this snow day to clean up a bit so that tomorrows creative endeavors can be approached with less baggage in tow. 

In order to mop Aaron pulled the furniture out and Jack, liking his new vantage point by the front window, took it as a cue to sit up high in order to keep a stern eye on our shoveling neighbors. I mean who knows...without ole snake eyes on watch they could end up stealing some of our snow!

Tech-savvy travellers have no excuse for failing to research their holiday destination before booking a trip, after all there is plenty of advice available online. It is also easy to purchase travel insurance online. Okay, you say, but a holiday is about relaxing and having fun, not thinking about what might go wrong...

Travel insurance is important but it may not cover everything - especially if you get yourself into trouble with the law, or break your leg while doing something crazy like jumping into the pool from your hotel balcony!

If you think it is unnecessary to research your destination, have a look at the following examples:
In Barcelona it is against the law to go out in the street dressed in only swimming trunks or a bikini
In Greece you could be fined and/or arrested for indecent behaviour, which includes 'mooning' in public or wearing clothing considered offensive
Ignorance about something as basic as avoiding tap water and ice-cubes in drinks could cause days of sickness and misery

It is important to check official government travel sites for updated advice - especially to see if there are any advisories against travel. Many travellers are unaware that booking a trip to a destination where an advisory against travel is already in place is likely to invalidate any related claims on their travel insurance. This may seem unfair, but one basic rule that exists across all travel insurance policies is that you do not knowingly put yourself in harm's way. However, if the problem was unforeseen and occurred after you booked your holiday and purchased insurance you should be fine, but always read the small print of your particular policy.

Check your government's website for your holiday destination, such as the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO); Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland (DFA); Smartraveller (Australia); Safetravel (New Zealand); or U.S. Department of State.

The advice provided by various governments contains very useful information, including:

Laws and customs

Knowing the local laws and customs in advance could save you from inadvertently getting on the wrong side of the law. Advice could range from anything from dress code, to carrying ID with you, to smoking laws, to penalties for carrying illegal drugs, which in some countries (such as the popular Dubai/United Arab Emirates) may include products purchased over-the-counter at home.

Driving

You cannot assume that the rules are the same as at home. Driving in a foreign country comes with challenges, and there could be rules and requirements that result in on-the-spot fines if you do not comply. Drink driving laws are extremely harsh in some countries.

Natural disasters

A country might be prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tropical storms, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions. It is better to have awareness of potential problems and some idea of what to do if the worst should happen.

Safety and Security

This might cover anything from pick pocketing to lottery scams, outdoor activities, mountain rescue, how to stay safe on beaches, and ways to reach local emergency services or your consulate. Forest fires, hiking in mountains.

Entry requirements

Check for passport and visa information well in advance. Some countries require that you must have a certain amount of validity remaining on your passport, or a certain amount of available blank pages. Visitors to the United States are now required to register under the ESTA scheme.

Travel Health

Advice includes seeing your GP ahead of travel, vaccination advice, current health alerts, and links and sources for further information. If you are travelling to Australia it is important to understand their Medicare system. EU citizens should obtain the free European Health Insurance Card and also take out travel insurance.

Setting off on your holiday armed with knowledge about the country you are visiting, as well as a good travel insurance policy, should bring enormous peace of mind and a sense of well-being. Once you are there, with a basic knowledge of how things work in the country, you can relax and enjoy yourself. Remember to take loads of photos of yet another memorable trip to send to your friends and family and maybe they will follow in your footsteps.


Jean Andrews is an employee of Travel Insurance Agencies Ltd. She regularly contributes informative articles about travel insurance and travel related matters.To find out more and to obtain a quote for cheap travel insurance from this well-established company, visit their UK website at Travel Insurance Direct or Travel Insurance Direct-Ireland for residents of Ireland.

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A holiday to an exotic destination is something we all look forward to. What do you do when things go wrong? It is important to be prepared. And prepare you will, when you go through this handy guide on travel insurance that is packed with helpful tips to ensure that your journey is a rewarding one!

Travel insurance is considered an important element for it helps cover essential medical expenses and financial losses when travelling. Some of the risks that travel insurance covers include sickness, medical consultations, missed flights, accidents, baggage loss, cancellation and the like. Specific travel insurance providers will also cover certain adventure sports such as scuba and skiing, a kidnap cover and supplier default at additional costs. There are two common types of travel insurance policies that can be arranged - a "single" trip - for one trip of a specific duration or a "multi-trip" - a policy wherein you are covered for multiple trips within a specified timeframe.

When scouting for travel insurance, it is recommended that you check for different policies that are available online. Check with the provider to see if your insurance policy is valid overseas. Comparing deals that are available with different providers is highly advisable. Choose a provider who has a customized deal available. Consider supplemental insurance if needed. Be honest and notify them of pre-existing medical conditions, specific risks associated with your trip and your requirements. This will ensure that your claim is accepted later. Go through the fine print. Without doubt, going through the minor details is absolutely essential.

While making a claim, ensure you have all documentation in place. Talk to the insurance provider who will provide clear instructions on the procedure to be followed. A dedicated claims assistant and an adjuster will usually take care of your claim. There are different forms for - Trip cancellation, medical issues, personal liability, baggage loss and travel delay, so being thorough helps. Keep copies of the claim form as well all travel-related documentation safely. Do make it a point to retain all receipts and an itemized report showing a clear break-down of all expenses incurred.

Keep your insurance provider's contact information such as contact centre number(s)/hotline and e-mail handy. Confirm if you can access your policy documentation online. Make sure that you send out copies of incident reports, if applicable. A claim made will usually involve a claim reference number. Quote this number in all correspondence for fast processing. The turnaround time for a claim filed is about four to six weeks. In certain cases, it might take longer if there is extensive research involved. Depending upon the nature of the claim, additional notes and papers maybe called for. Make sure your application is complete in all respects. An incomplete form is likely to be rejected. Do not withhold information pertaining to household or any other insurance cover that you may have. Check with your provider if there is unnecessary delay. Do note that in the case of your claim getting rejected, you have every right to appeal. Follow up with a financial ombudsman if required.


Cheaptickets.hk is an online travel agency and a part of the global online company Travix, which specializes in cheap international airline tickets and airfare deals.

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