The Traveler Guide

Now that the summer travel season is starting, a number of travelers are concerning themselves with protecting themselves, their family, and their vacation investment. What you should get is travel insurance if you are planning a trip that involves a sizable financial outlay. What can be covered in this case are missed flights, bungled connections, and illness. You can consider this as a safeguard for financial loss which can be used should there be cancelled trips, delays, or interruptions.

For travel policies, despite their variations, they include baggage loss and flight insurance, accident, sickness, and financial protection in the event of trip interruption and delay. Usually included when it comes to the best policies is medical evacuation which is a feature rarely offered by conventional health insurance plans. In this case, it comes with an expense because one or more airplanes or helicopters are used to retrieve the sick traveler. Due to illness, accident, or weather, trip cancellation is the most likely occurrence in this case. Trip interruption also is a possible scenario, usually because a traveler must cut short a trip to go home.

The price runs to around 5 to 7 percent of the trip cost per person when it comes to the cost of travel insurance. When it comes to a $3,000 per person trip, an additional $150 or $210 may be included. While you are shopping for travel insurance policies, do consider looking for one with a 24 hour hot line providing international access as this is essential for medical emergencies. Do consider checking the US State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC before you travel abroad. What you can obtain from them include information on crime, medical care, drug supplies, and on areas prone to natural disasters and political instability.

In this case, most US Embassies and Consulates maintain 24 hour operators or answering services to assist Americans in difficulty when it comes to robberies abroad. Here, you can get help from them when it comes to expediting the replacement of a stolen passport, canceling stolen credit cards, dealing with local police, and assisting with language problems. You can also rely on them to provide a list of English speaking lawyers, direct travelers to the right source for replacing airline tickets, and instruct travelers on getting money transferred.

If you lose your passport, they can provide you with temporary identification. What security reasons have changed is the ability for passports to be changed within 24 hours. What will be issued to Americans who lose their passports are new passports with computer generated digital photographs.

It's smart for any traveler to pack, in a separate location from the passport, a notarized copy of a birth certificate, a copy of the information pages of the passport and two passport size photos. Here, if the actual passport is stolen then the process will be speedier. In this case, the State Department advises travelers to also bring along photocopies of credit cards, airline tickets, and drivers' licenses and leave a second set of photocopies behind with a friend or family member.

When you return home, have a copy of the police report so that you can file insurance claims. It is important that a traveler contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate for advice if he is exposed to political instability abroad. When it comes to foreign travel, you can get tips from the State Department's publication including those on street safety, driving, and terrorism. You can order a copy from the State Department or read about it online at the State Department's Web site.

There are times when travelers will be asked to pay for some services in advance and there are also instances where charges for travel arrangements accumulate to a huge expense and when these happen it is always advisable to get travel insurance. There is another option travelers can take and that is to review an existing policy they might have.

There are provisions in these policies which shoulder different kinds of losses.

If you want travel insurance, you have a choice of comprehensive package policies with broad coverage, or airport flight insurance and travel accident policies that usually only cover injuries or death while on a common carrier, such as a plane, train or boat. Brokers can offer clients a series of coverage plans at a single premium or travelers can opt to buy different coverage types at separate prices.

Losses while traveling can result from death, sudden illness, theft, accidents or emergencies, and even trip defaults and this is where a comprehensive policy works best. Policies will almost always be inclusive of other services such as that for emergency evacuation, insurance for flights and personal liability claims, financial reimbursement for lost belongings, and a daily living allowance should flights be delayed in any way. Most policy exclusions won't affect a leisure traveler.

Differences among insurance coverage plans will be discussed.

When there are possible penalties that can be incurred when travel plans are changed then it makes considering getting insurance for trip cancellations and interruptions that can amount to about five percent of a hundred dollar coverage plan. There will always be refunds even with non refundable payments should a traveler apply a policy quite like this one should there be any trip defaults. Travelers can use this policy to secure them from extra charges that can arise if they need to change their plans due to a companion not being able to join the trip as planned.

One will get his or her money back should reservations or travel arrangements not follow the agreed upon schedule. Financial obligations for the expenses a person may incur to catch up with a group or head back home become the responsibility of the insurance company. The only reasons that are valid for claims to be processed are cases of injury, death, or illness leading to cancelled trips.

Insurance covers the losses resulting from travel providers closing up shop and not when it is the travel agency who is at fault for the cancellation of trips. When baggage insurance is bought the cost can sometimes be based on the dollar limit and length of time. Other than a person's checked in luggage nothing else will be covered by insurance when something is misplaced or lost.

There are personal policies like homeowner's or renter's insurance which are meant to cover valuables should instances of fire and theft arise and these policies can also have stipulations to cover lost baggage during a trip. There is always baggage insurance for any possible material losses. People can avail of a year round medical insurance policy.

If a traveler is required to pay for medical services obtained on foreign trips he or she can simply apply for a reimbursement of the expenses back home. Medicare in the United States can extend limited services to Canada or even Mexico but in other areas outside the border the policy may not be as useful.

Regular Medicare coverage might be more useful in some situations.

Will a policy like this call for a huge sum of money? Take into mind this example where there is a family of four that engages in a travel package for a two week trip so they end up taking a policy amounting to a hundred and thirty four thousand dollars on a comprehensive travel insurance policy with provisions for accidental death and dismemberment, emergencies and medical expenses, flight delays and cancellations, and lost belongings. Insurance providers will usually charge a person two hundred dollars as the premium for a policy similar to the one previously discussed.

In terms of future illnesses, Canadians do not worry about this because what they have is the best health care system in the world. In itself, that is probably healthy, at least when we're at home, but things are quite different when we travel outside Canada. Financial hardship as well as real emotional and psychological stress are some of the things that you may need to deal with if you experience sudden illnesses or injury even in the United States.

For protection against such occurrences, mature travelers always consider getting enough comprehensive global health insurance before leaving Canada. For several readers, it is necessary to have an idea of when health insurance is enough and where it should be obtained from. Would you consider this adequate insurance for travelers to the U.S., to Europe? The manager of Winnipeg's major bank said that their intention was to try to provide a comprehensive package at a reasonable cost but this is not meant to replace total health coverage.

In terms of the older card members, in order to supplement these benefits they may need to get another insurance package. It is important to consider getting travel health insurance of at least $1 million as mentioned by two major insurance companies that scale their packages due to the fact that not only are there more claims from long stays but also more claims from people over 60. One company set their limit to extending their maximum coverage to those between 60 and 65 because of certain costs.

If they need assistance, travelers can ask for it when it comes to getting an insurance health plan. You need to consult with an insurance agent if you are looking for a comprehensive overview but for information about the larger companies go talk to a travel agent. There is one major insurance company that bases its rates on the length of stay and age, being under 60 and over 61. For someone over 61, coverage for a 10 day trip will amount to about $17 while for a single traveler under 60 it will only be $9.10.

If the package is for 30 days then it will amount to an expense of $23.50 for someone under 60 and $67 for those over 61. With a 48 day trip, the coverage will amount to as much as $95 and $220 respectively. The longer you are gone the higher the cost. $270 per person or $540 in total is the amount to be paid if a couple over 60 plans to be away for two months, $1,350 if they extend to four months and this is for a comprehensive health insurance package.

Considering the rates of long term health insurance, one Winnipeg couple was able to make these work for them. Annually, they do not get 120 day health packages for the four months they spend in the southern states but opt for two 60 day coverage plans instead. You will be able to find other affordable alternatives from this renowned insurance company. One other company bases its scales on age but their offerings come at substantially lower rates. For a couple over 65, $330 is how much a sixty day coverage would cost.

Normally, a disclaimer will be given to you when it comes to several insurance policies and this will mention how for any medical condition which commenced prior to the effective date of the policy the contract will not be able to cover you. When coverage from various credit card plans expires, policies offered by some companies will take effect. Getting insurance for the entire duration of the trip is something advised by several companies.

You will be able to find some plans that do not consider age and sometimes these are more affordable. If a trip extends beyond 60 days, coverage may not be provided by these plans. There is a company that may be able to help you by giving a money saving tip that can help you offset the costs of health insurance for when you travel. Taking the travel health premium into consideration, you can include this in medical expenses not to mention your tax credit calculation for income tax purposes.

Recently, the Government of the Republic of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Social Welfare, issued a notification that the Health Surveillance Desks, which were abolished way back in the year 2001, will be reinstated in all entry points - border posts, ports and international airports. Tanzania happens to be among the countries that are at risk of being affected by the yellow fever. The health officials have therefore been instructed to deal with the control and prevention of yellow fever with regard to international travelers coming from yellow fever endemic areas. This directive is actually as a result of an advise from the World Health Organization on the same issue.

To all Tour Operators, Travel Agents and the general public, the general message is that all visitors arriving from SOME infected countries will require proof of yellow fever vaccination before entering Tanzania.

Which areas are the Yellow Fever Endemic zones in Africa?

The areas considered as Yellow fever endemic zones in Africa include:-

Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Cote D'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Chad, Central African Republic, Togo, Benin, Sao Tome and Principe, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, United Republic of Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somali, Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.

Which areas are the Yellow Fever Endemic Zones in America?

The areas considered as Yellow fever endemic zones in the Americas include:-

Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Bolivia. Any exemptions to this requirements? 

Yes! Some exemptions, here:

Visitors arriving from other areas, but transiting in yellow fever endemic countries by connecting flights to Tanzania within the arrival airport BUT WITHOUT checking out of that 'transiting' airport will NOT be required to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate when they get to Tanzania.

Any yellow fever issues with Travelers from Europe and North America?

Not really, but for personal health protection, it would be wise to heed this advise. “All clients including those arriving directly into Tanzania from non-yellow fever areas, for example Europe or the USA, may need to vaccinate against yellow fever, although it is not mandatory”

What does this mean to Tour Operators specifically?

From the Tour Operators’ and Travel Agents’ point of view, the directive raised a number of concerns. Some of the issues raised by Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) upon getting this notification were:

1. Positioning of separate health desks are not necessary as these will contribute to unnecessary delays at the entry points.

2. Adequate preparation time and proper logistics was required.

3. Sufficient publicity is required regarding the reintroduction of Yellow Fever requirement and position (status) of travelers who have transited yellow fever- endemic zones.

Subsequently, TATO has engaged the relevant government departments on the matter. According to a circular sent from the TATO Secretariat to all TATO members, the discussion held between TATO Executive Secretary and Tanzania’s senior medical personnel responsible for control of transmission of disease within population (epidemiologist)…….. they were informed that the Government is working on their concerns and will give a statement later.

However, in the interim some clarifications have been made:

Travelers to Tanzania who will NOT NEED proof of Yellow Fever vaccination:

For all travelers coming directly from Europe to Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam (Julius Nyerere International) Airports on direct flights, such that they did not cross or transit through an endemic country they will not need Yellow Fever Vaccination. You may however recommend yellow fever vaccination to your clients for self protection against the risk of exposure to the disease, although it is not mandatory – suggested by WHO.

Travelers to Tanzania who will NEED proof of Yellow Fever vaccination:

For all travelers coming from Europe via or transiting through an endemic country, for example. via Nairobi or Addis Ababa. They will need a Yellow Fever Vaccination card. This also applies to passengers in transit in airports where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission, for example, clients arriving on an international flight in Nairobi or Addis Ababa and connecting a regional flight within the airport to Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam.

YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION ON ARRIVAL AT KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Yellow fever vaccination is provided at Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam airports at a cost of USD 50 per passenger. This service is for passengers who are required to hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate but have none on arrival in Tanzania.

ENTRY PROCEDURE

On arrival, international & regional passengers must first go to the health desk then to the Immigration desk; no passport will be accepted at immigration desk without a stamp from Health Desk.

Final word of caution: If you find yourself in a situation that does not fall under any of the ones described above, the most reliable source remains the Tanzania government through the high commission or embassy that you find closest to you. Or ask your travel consultant or destination specialist for Tanzania Safaris to contact them for you.

Professional thieves tend to hang around hotels and resorts, especially the lobbies, looking for tourists and travelers that are easy pickings.  Here are some travel tips that may help you feel more safe and secure in your hotel room when you are traveling, or are on vacation. First of all, the lobbies of hotels and resorts should never be considered secure, even the upscale ones.  They are all easy pickings for opportunistic luggage thieves, especially at peak times when the hotel reception staff is extremely busy with new guests arriving and other guests that are trying to check out.  Never leave your luggage unguarded unless you know for sure that it being looked after by a bellman.

If you are having a bite to eat in a hotel restaurant, especially a buffet, never leave your laptop, briefcase, or handbag unguarded to get a drink or something more to eat.  It takes thieves only a split second to make off with them.  It is impossible for the hotel staff to be constantly on the lookout for these criminals. When booking your room, try to book one that is on the second, third, fourth, or fifth floors, as ground floor hotel rooms are more susceptible to break ins.  Keep in mind that rooms above the fifth floor may not be accessible by many fire engine ladders if a fire breaks out in the hotel.

Always check to make sure that the door to your room locks properly, and that the windows and sliding doors open, but also lock securely.  Most hotels use electronic card keys for their hotel room doors as they offer more security than the standard metal keys.   Don't carry you key card in its folder if the folder has the room number on it.   Write down the room number on a piece of paper, keep it on your person when you go out, and leave the folder in your room.

Always identify unexpected staff or visitors to your room before opening the door.  Call the front desk if in doubt as to the authenticity of that person.  It is advisable to not give out your room number to anyone that you don't know and trust.

It may not be a good idea to hang a "please clean the room" sign on the door knob when you go out, as it signals to a would be thief that there is probably no one in the room. 

Don't assume that your hotel room door is locked just because it closes automatically when you go out.  Check to make sure that it has really locked.  If your room has a balcony make sure the sliding glass door is also locked as it may be possible for someone to climb on to your balcony from a balcony beside, above or below yours.

Do not leave any valuables lying around in plain view in your hotel room.  They may be too tempting for some cleaning staff to resist.  Place any small valuables in your in-room safe if there is one.  Keep in mind that safes that use metal keys are not as secure as the ones that use electronic key cards. The next best bet if there is no safe in your room is to lock your small valuables in your largest suitcase when you go out.  Locked, hard sided luggage offers the best security.

Some travelers even use duct tape to secure small valuables to the underside of the hotel room furniture. Always use your door's deadbolt or chain lock at night before you go to sleep or if you feel like taking a nap. There is a small, inexpensive, battery-operated, motion-sensitive, burglar alarm that can be hung on the inside hotel door knob, or there is a wedge-shaped alarm that you can wedge under the door that accomplishes the same thing.  If someone tries to open your door, the alarm will sound.

There are two less sophisticated methods you could use.  You can move a chair in front of the hotel door and place the back rest under the knob, or wedge a standard rubber door stopper under the door.  Either of these two methods are also effective. When you pack and get ready to check out of your hotel, don't forget to empty your room safe.  And last but not least, count the number of pieces of luggage when you check out and make sure that everything has been put in your taxi.

Student group travelers seeking the ultimate New York City experience can now add Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center to their list. Reopened in November 2005, Top of the Rock welcomes visitors to a unique venue, removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. The renowned attraction provides lessons in history and geography that culminate with unparalleled views from the newly renovated Observation Deck on the 70th floor.

Rockefeller Center covers 22 acres and is located between Fifth and Seventh Avenues in Manhattan. It was built by the Rockefeller family, and named after John D. Rockefeller Jr. who began its development in 1930. At the time, it was the largest private building project ever undertaken in modern times. Construction was completed in 1939 when Rockefeller drove the final silver rivet into 10 Rockefeller Plaza. In 1987, it was officially declared a National Historic Landmark.

The observation deck itself was opened to the public in 1933 as a gift to the people of New York - a monument to Manhattan. After it was closed to the public in 1986, Top of the Rock underwent a $75 million renovation and re-opened in November 2005, with three lower levels and three upper levels housed in the 70-story building.

Views from the observation deck are unobstructed for 360 degrees and stretch for miles in every direction. Top of the Rock includes a panorama of Central Park and the northern half of Manhattan that can't be found anywhere else. Famous New York landmarks are visible as well, including the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Times Square, the Hudson River, the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty. Fully transparent safety glass provides unhindered, open-air viewing.

In addition to unforgettable views, Top of the Rock engages student group travelers with interactive exhibits on the mezzanine level. The iconic photograph of building workers in 1932 lunching on a steel beam is part of a display which allows students to virtually feel what it was like to work 60 floors up.

A stunning crystal waterfall chandelier, created by the Swarovski Group, is the centerpiece of Top of the Rock's entrance on West 50th Street. While waiting to board a sky shuttle elevator to the 67th floor, student travelers can enjoy a multimedia exhibition exploring the history of Rockefeller Center. The Top of the Rock shop features exclusive merchandise not found anywhere else. During the ride up to the top, student travelers enjoy the elevator's clear ceiling, exposing the elevator shaft during ascension. Photographs and film sequences projected onto the ceiling as well make for an entertaining trip.

Especially attractive and convenient for student group travelers are the reserved time ticketing and advance bookings to guarantee groups will not spend time waiting in lines. The system also ensures the deck is never overcrowded.

In addition to Top of the Rock, student group travelers can also take tours of the other interesting venues at Rockefeller Center. The guided tour takes students through the buildings, gardens, and places that make up this "city within a city." Frequent tour stops include:

- Radio City Music Hall, one of the largest and most opulent theaters in the world. It's famous for the Rockette dancers and the annual Christmas Spectacular show.

- The headquarters of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) and most of their New York studios, including the legendary Studio 8H, home of Saturday Night Live.

- Adjacent to the center is the open air Ice-Skating Rink which opened on Christmas Day in 1936 and has remained a popular winter venue ever since.

Private Studio Tours of the National Broadcasting Company are also available to the public. Led by an NBC page, these tours guide students through the world of the famous Peacock Network. Interestingly, there is a history behind the NBC pages, as many have gone on to become celebrities including Willard Scott, Regis Philbin, Ted Koppel, Michael Eisner, and Dave Garroway.

The first stop on the NBC tour is the Sharp History Theatre, where visitors learn about NBC's early days in radio. Afterward, student group travelers have the opportunity to see some of the most famous studios, including The Today Show, Dateline NBC, NBC Nightly News, Football Night in America, and Saturday Night Live.

The Top of the Rock and other intriguing indoor and outdoor spaces make a visit to the Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan a must for student tour groups traveling to New York City.

The average car rental is a process that should be given more than last minute attention during travel. Unfortunately, many families (and business travelers) fail to do a few small things in advance that could lead to a more stress-free car rental travel experience. As any frequent traveler knows, getting the car rental right at the beginning of the trip can certainly result in a much more enjoyable trip for all concerned at the end. Below are 5 keys to a successful car rental that every traveler should make note of:

1. Do a little homework. As with any wise buying decision, even a little preparation can save dollars. For example, the wise and experienced traveler will make sure their own automobile insurance is up to date and sufficient for their planned car rental needs. It is widely accepted that travelers need not take the rental company insurance offered if their own coverage can protect them adequately. The only exception to this might be: lack of insurance because the renter does not have a personal car. In this case, the higher-priced rental company insurance is better than none at all.

2. Understand your rental agreement. Wise car rental customers will make absolutely sure they understand the terms and requirements of any car or vehicle rental agreement. This is a major part of preparation for travel and car rental, and should not be something that is studied only when a problem arises. Some details that should always be confirmed include: 1) How many miles are allowed per day (experienced rental customers agree that unlimited mileage is best for most travelers), and 2) Is the customer required to refill the gasoline tank when the car is returned? Rental companies generally offer a fuel option that allows the customer to pay up front for a tank of gasoline. This means that the driver can return the car without filling the tank. In most cases it is best to buy gasoline when needed, filling the tank just before returning the car.

3. Know what you are renting. While many travelers will actually consider insurance, mileage and gasoline when renting a car, most will not take the time to look at the car's physical condition to check for dents, scratches and other appearance problems. Feedback from customers and customer complaints indicate that car rental companies will sometimes try to blame these problems on the current renter. To avoid this difficulty, wise car rental customers will point out any problems prior to taking the car, making sure that the company representative notes scratches, dents and upholstery problems, in writing. Tip: Experienced renters use their digital cameras to document any problems before driving away.

4. Look for value but pay for happiness. The car rental industry has grown quickly and now includes dozens of choices. This level of competition has led to reduced prices, even from some of the top-name companies. Of course, the best deal for the lowest price is everyone's goal. However, experience in the field of car rentals has taught many people that the lowest price is not always the key to happiness. (It's always a good idea to pay particular attention to the "howevers.") As the choices expand, customers are tempted to choose lesser-known companies to save money. Many of these occasional renters assume that state and federal laws will protect them from any major problems. While it is generally true that the "name-brand" corporations and many smaller companies will provide a quality, worry-free experience, problems can arise with some of the smaller start-up businesses. The wise renter will be sure to clear up any doubts about terms and car conditions, especially with smaller fleet businesses. The pressure of creating and growing a business may lead some to cut corners. In the end, the customer may have to pay for that pressure.

5. Stress the small details. There are a number of items in the small print of rental agreements that can add to or subtract from the overall cost you finally end up paying. Two that should be understood fully at the start are: 1) Return requirements - Is the original renter required to bring the car back to the same location? There may be a charge for returning the vehicle to another site. 2) Will there be an extra charge if the driver is under a particular age. Companies may include a surcharge if the driver is under 25, for example. These are the most popular and can mean hidden charges at the end of your trip you weren't counting on. Make sure you read the small print and ask questions before driving that rental car of the lot.

Vacations can be hectic enough without adding the stresses of a bad car rental into the equation. The mistakes that the average traveler makes when renting a car can end up costing him or her money in the end. Wise travelers can avoid these mistakes by following the five tips above to achieve a successful stress-free car rental.

Traveling can be exciting and rewarding, but it can also be expensive when the unexpected occurs far from home such as sickness or injury, travel delay, baggage loss, or worse.

In the past decade medical costs have increased dramatically worldwide and even countries with subsidized National Health plans now demand payment in full from foreign visitors for medical services rendered.

At the same time travel suppliers such as airlines, and tour operators worldwide have made cancellation policies more restrictive, so if you have to cancel a trip it's likely that a substantial portion of your pre-paid travel expenses will not be refunded, and if you have to interrupt a trip mid-way, a last minute, one-way economy fare return-flight is now likely to be more costly than ever.

Moreover, the reality of global terrorism, increased travel industry bankruptcies, global economic instability, and the overall unpredictability of life today causes many people to seek ways to minimize the unique financial risks associated with travel.

As a result, savvy travelers purchase travel insurance in order to protect against the potentially staggering financial costs resulting from crises such as the cancellation of a big trip due to death or illness of a family member or a required emergency medical evacuation.

The further your trip will be, the more you will need travel insurance. This is common sense, as international trips are costly, so there's a need to protect your hard earned travel money. So wherever you go, to a local or international destination, it's very important that you have the necessary insurance coverage. Cheap annual travel insurance is an alternative choice for those budget- conscious travelers who are making more than one trip a year. The main feature of the annual travel insurance against regular travel insurance is that it saves you money. For a once annual payment, you become covered whenever you travel during the year. The terms and conditions vary between companies, but annual insurance for unlimited travel is also available. Cheap annual travel insurance provides substantial cost savings than any regular type of travel insurance.

Here are some tips for choosing your best cheap annual travel insurance:

1. Sign up with a reputable insurance company that has worldwide offices which can easily be contacted during emergency needs.

2. The insurance company should have a 24/7 customer assistance which is an essential for international travelers.

3. Always make your office's 1-800 number available to you when you are abroad.

4. The cost of the insurance should not be more than 10% of your investment.

5. Read the terms and conditions of the policy to make sure you aren't buying unnecessary or inadequate coverage.

6. Look for refundable policy, especially if you have the history of changing your mind too often.

7. A good insurance should cover at least the following:

a. Flight cancellation or delay b. Luggage loss and delay c. Sickness and accident during the trip. d. Evacuation support during an emergency situation such as natural calamities

Cheap annual travel insurance is good for you if you take vacations more than once a year. Instead of taking several insurance each time you travel, you can make use of a single travel insurance that could save you a lot of money and time. On the other hand, if you travel less often, an annual insurance policy is not for you since you will not be able to recover the cost.

If you've never taken an exotic vacation, it might be time to take advantage of great airfare rates and visit the island of Malta, a land filled with history and mystery. Malta comprises an archipelago of islands nestled in the warm waters of the Mediterranean about halfway between the coast of North Africa and Sicily. The cluster of islands makes up the southernmost border of Europe and consists of five islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino, along with two smaller uninhabited islands called Filfla and Cominetto.

Malta has figured in European history for centuries as a strategic point that joins Europe and Africa. Trade routes have passed through Malta since the beginning of mankind, and most of them left traces of their existence on her rocky slopes and pristine beaches. Thanks to low-budget airline carriers, more people than ever before are experiencing the unique history of this tiny island and reaping the benefits. Since low-fare airlines have added Malta and Gozo to their itineraries, island residents have pulled out the welcome mat in an effort to boost their tourist industry. Since 2006, more than 45,000 travelers from around the world have visited and been enchanted with the Maltese islands and people, who are more than anxious to open their arms in welcome to global visitors.

Due to additional airlines adding Malta to their destination offers, the Maltese Tourism Minister recently expressed the hope that more than 100,000 people will travel to the islands for some fun in the sun in 2007. Major European airlines such as Air Malta, Ryanair and Alitalia are offering lower fares than ever before. Ryanair is offering flights from London to Malta for less than UK40 - that's less than US$80! Malta's sister island, Gozo, is actively promoting itself as being agro- and eco-friendly, prompting tourists who support environmental issues and programs to come to the island to learn how to make cheese, along with learning how to milk and shear sheep.

While some travelers may not want to get involved in sheep care, the move is intended to support the fact that the Maltese islands are still very much involved in caring for their natural resources. Gozo is a tiny island that serves as a relaxing weekend getaway for not only the citizens of Malta, but also those flying north from Africa or south from Italy and Spain.

Communicating in Malta shouldn't be a problem for most travelers, as two major languages are spoken on the island: Maltese and English. Maltese is similar to classic Arabic, with traces of Hebrew and Lebanese mixed in. However, the younger generation has also begun speaking Italian in recent years, making communication for Europeans even easier.

Malta's historical relics and locations serve as a drawing point to visitors interested in history as well as politics. The tiny island withstood the ravages of the Arabs, Carthaginians and Napoleon Bonaparte. She bravely stood her ground against Nazi bombing runs that may have decimated her landscape, but failed to intimidate her inhabitants. In 1942, the island of Malta received a George Cross medal from King George VI for her brave tenacity.

Whether flying from European or African destinations, thousands of travelers are discovering the beauty and history that Malta has to offer. As one of the newest of popular destinations in 2007, Malta promises to enthrall visitors from neighboring countries as well as more distant ones. Perhaps the best time to visit Malta is now, before the secret gets around too fast. After all, it's nice to have white sandy beachfronts all to yourself, isn't it?

Medical coverage can be a big concern for Canadian residents who travel on a regular basis. Regular insurance may only cover a small portion of emergency medical expenses that occur outside of the providence in which a person resides, if any of is even covered at all.

Uncovered emergency medical expenses can absolutely cripple a person or family financially. Emergency medical care costs can begin to add up even if you do have some coverage, but those with no coverage at all could quickly find themselves in a hole too deep to get out of after just a day or two in the hospital.

Extra travel insurance could be an absolute necessity if you are required to travel on a regular basis for your employer, but it's also a good idea for those that just need to travel on occasion.

Piece of Mind

Travel insurance in Canada is available to almost all people in virtually any type of situation where travel is taking place. It's capable of taking care of someone involved in any multitude of different situations, so Canadian residents are able to travel as much as they need to without any worries at all.

Outsiders looking In

For people traveling to Canada from another country, the problem of coverage under their regular insurance may also pose a problem. Many insurance companies don't cover all of the expenses that can be incurred when an injury or emergency occurs during international travel.

For people who want to spend some time in Canada for pleasure, or those that are required to travel to and stay in Canada for business there is Visitors to Canada travel insurance.

Emergency medical care anywhere in the world can be very expensive, but with visitors to Canada travel insurance visitors can spend their time in Canada focusing on what's important to their trip, whether it be business or pleasure, without any fear.

In order to obtain Visitors to Canada travel insurance, a visitor will need to know in which province they will be spending the majority of their time and they'll have to fill out a declaration of health before being able to purchase the plan that will best accommodate their needs for a particular trip. That doesn't seem like very much at all to truly obtain piece of mind to know that you'll be taken care of in the event of any unforeseen instances.

Travel insurance, depending upon the type of plan chosen, may also cover such things as: accommodations, transportation and reimbursement for necessities like clothing and toiletries in the event that an injury or emergency prevents you from continuing your travels as planned.

If you are traveling with family and loved ones and purchase a plan for the group - if one person becomes injured or requires emergency treatment, the others in the group could be eligible for several amenities as well should the injury affect or inhibit the rest of their travel.

Many travelers going from province to province or coming from outside of Canada in, think that travel insurance is simply an extra expense that they don't really need - they adopt the attitude that if they travel and nothing happens to them (which is often the most likely outcome) that they will have, in effect, wasted X amount of dollars that could have been used for something better. Though this is a very real possibility, in most cases there will be no accidents or emergencies what so ever and all travelers will arrive home on time, safe and sound. What these travelers should consider though is that accidents do happen - one accident could mean terrible things for a traveler who isn't covered.

For those traveling (especially frequently) through Canada and who aren't already covered through some other method of coverage, Canadian travel insurance should be considered a necessity.