Travel Planning Site

Asian Affair: Vibrant Vietnam & Sizzling Singapore

I simply love aircrafts and long haul flights. We board award winning Singapore Airlines with about 30 hours to go. With 8 magazines, 6 movies, 4 meals and a sleeping pill, I arrive relaxed and ready to explore. American airports are still not people friendly. Singapores ultra-modern airport invites you to linger with free internet terminals, a cinema, rooftop swimming pool, aromatherapy spas, oxygen bars, indoor nature garden with waterfalls and koi pond.

Im escorting my smallest group yet with 28 singles. Over 60 had begged me to offer these destinations, but most bailed last minute claiming fear of bird flu. So its like a vacation for me with this quality over quantity entourage of culture-vultures.

We begin with an orientation tour at the top of Mt. Farber with spectacular views. I can see the group is impressed with this sparkling metropolis located between Malaysia and Indonesia. Here is the leader of S.E. Asia, a bustling port that was modernized by the British Empire. Its called the Lion City and inhabited by 4 million souls. 76% are Chinese and the other minorities blend harmoniously. Singapore is a city, state, capital and country all in one and draws 8 million visitors per year, yet few Americans have yet to discover it.

We check into the opulent Regent Hotel of the Four Seasons. Im given a suite and swear this wins the award for the most gracious staff on the planet. Weve arrived at a perfect time now with the Great Shopping Festival on. There is nothing like some retail therapy to soothe our jet lag. Orchard Road, like a tree lined Fifth Avenue is a block away and center of all life. Shopping is the national obsession and bargain hunting can become a blood sport here.

There are 150 mega-malls with some that never close. Im a label slave and purchase a used authentic Rolex with documents for a fraction of its original cost. We have only 4 days here. So much to do 24/7, its like Hong Kong on steroids. The Arts Festival is on with a multitude of venues. After dark, it becomes party city at the trendy Clarke Quay area by the river.
We have an astute and friendly guide named Farida who shows us all the sights along with a great sense of humor. We visit the lush National Orchard Gardens with 60,000 orchids, China Town with its markets and temples as well as Little India with its intense aromas and vibrant colors.
Then on to the ultra-contemporary financial district, Merlion Park with its landmark fountain and the historic colonial area that was established by Sir Stanford Raffles.

We stop to sip a Singapore Sling at the famous Long Bar of Raffles Hotel where rooms start at $700 per night. Other tours included Jurong Bird Park and the Night Safari at the zoo, considered the best in the world with its free roaming enclosures for 2500 animals. In free time, we ride rickshaws around town and take the cable car over to Sentosa Island.

Some of us opt to head back to the zoo for a Jungle Breakfast with the Orangutans. At night Terry & I dine on jumbo chili crabs and rice cakes. This vibrant island-state of Singapore is glistening clean with purple bougainvillea bushes lining the highways. All cars are equipped with alarms to sound if one exceeds the speed limit. No graffiti, no gangs and in this tightly controlled democracy, its the death penalty for drug traffickers. We all make jokes about getting caned for chewing gum or jay-walking.

Its been a leisurely visit here. I usually feel like Jack Bauer on the TV series 24 on my trips with non-stop itineraries. I feel rested as I board our 3 hour flight to Vietnam.

We arrive to another world with rice paddies, sampans, lotus blossoms, coconut milk and noodle soups. Its like time machine travel back to the 15th century in this graceful land that is steeped in history. It is far poorer than I anticipated. There is however, an alluring charm which is found in the gentility of these people with the sincerest of smiles. I am a fan of the Third World. Whereas Singapore was dynamic, Hanoi is culturally stimulating. The city is studded with lakes and shaded by tamarind trees. It is a dichotomy that bustles with Chi-energy and yet is tranquil at the same time.

We check into the deluxe Sheraton Resort, an oasis of calm amidst the chaos. Our fabulous guide named Hong will be with us for 6 glorious days. His first lesson was in teaching us how to cross the streets. The traffic of 7 lanes is horrendous with 2.4 million motor scooters. Its called the Chicken Game. Hong says. Dont run, dont stop, just walk slowly so drivers can predict your direction. That afternoon I stand in fear stranded 20 minutes curbside as this lesson goes against all instincts. There are entire families on a single scooter, called the Vietnamese sandwich. Everything is transported on these mopeds, 8 piglets, a dozen chickens upside down, a TV, a tree and more. Pollution is bad. The inner city looks tired and worn. Suddenly theres a monsoon downpour. People drape ponchos and it becomes raincoat city. It dissipates as quickly as it began and life goes on.

The sun shined on our daily tours which included the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, the French Quarter and the memorial to Ho Chi Mihn. We line up with hundreds of people to enter the tomb where his preserved body is visibly encased just like Lennon in Moscow. Communist armed soldiers command us to silent reverence, no cameras, umbrellas, sunglasses and arms at our sides.

Later we visit Hoa Lo Prison, or Fiery Furnace. Built by the French in 1896, thousands of political prisoners were tortured here until 1954. We view the dungeons with leg irons, torture equipment and head cutting machies. In the 1960s the Vietcong used this as a prisoner of war detention center for American pilots shot down during the Vietnam War. It was our captive pilots that sardonically named this place The Hanoi Hilton. We also do a walking tour through the Old Quarter where each narrow lane was named for its ancient craft: Silk St., Coffin St., Grilled Fish St., etc. Hong leads us to a food market with turtles, sea slugs, pig heads and other unmentionable creatures for sale. Thit Chow is dog stew which is considered peasant food here. Country rat is ceremoniously served at all birthday parties.

Most of our meals are included with elaborate breakfast buffets and 10 coarse lunches. Every restaurant is affordable. One evening my dinner menu presented salad of jellyfish, deep fried eel, ginger crickets and sticky rice with tender roasted pigeon. It seems the Vietnamese will eat anything that moves because it tastes like chicken.

We attend the Water Puppet Show, a ancient art form unique only to Hanoi. This blend of music and dance on water was the source of entertainment of villagers long ago. We then scatter to explore the city, Asias oldest capital. Some go for massages and pedicures at prices that cant be resisted. Some shop for souvenirs while others have clothes tailor made for them. I have an embroidered silk dress cut to my body in 4 hours for $45. We also visited the handicraft villages for bargains in art, ceramics and lacquerware. The currency is a great challenge for us as $10,500 dong equals 65 cents. We felt like millionaires yet it was disheartening to learn that the annual per capita income is just $320! We tip generously throughout.

Vietnams pulse is found in its cities whereas its decorous grace is found in its villages. We head out through the countryside for a full day cruise at Halong Bay. The air is fresh as we pass rice paddies, duck and prawn farms. It is rice harvest time and hundreds of rice farmers are bent over their ponds. Timid children wave as we drive by. We arrive at this natural UNESCO World Heritage Site and board our private wooden junk boat. Quietly we sail into a dreamscape that looks surreal. 3,000 islands of sheer limestone cliffs emerge from the emerald sea. There is a timeless, haunting quality to this scenery. Nat. Geo. calls it magic in stone and water. We enjoy a seafood lunch with fresh caught crab and prawns. Its a perfect day in the sun for escapism and serenity.

The highlight of the trip for me was our group cyclo-tour through Old Hanoi on the last day. We turn a corner downtown to see 28 bicycle-rickshaws lined up to peddle us individually for an hour through the narrow scooter filled lanes of oncoming traffic. There are some near-misses at the red lights which are always ignored. We all laugh as locals stare. Terry at 64 is considered huge even in America. Here he looked like King Tut seated on a throne as his 90lb. driver peddles him effortlessly in line with our group. We later go our separate ways for independent exploration. After several hours, I found myself lost in an area of town with no taxis. I had to get back to join others for dinner. No choice but to hire a ride on a scooter. Dressed in a skirt with my arms full of bags, I mount the tiny seat and were off. On the highway, I wrap my arms and legs around my driver like an octopus. He laughs the entire way to the Sheraton.

We fly back to Singapore for a good nights rest at the Le Meridian before our long flight home to Los Angeles via Tokyo. I reflect on another journey well done with new insights gained on history and cultures. It was like visiting two different planets within one vacation. The contrast of this trip is evident in our photos from the contemporary garden paradise of Singapore to the new renaissance of traditional Vietnam. This is certainly an Asian affair never to be forgotten.

Suzy Davis
Adventures For Singles Inc.
800-813-9421 or GA. 770-432-8225

Is Travel Insurance A Waste Of Money?

If you’re planning a vacation you’ve probably already been offered travel insurance more than once. And if you’re like most people you quickly dismissed the idea and went about your business.

But don’t be so quick to decide. While travel insurance is not always a good idea, there are times when it can come in handy.

What is covered?

While coverage can vary from one carrier to another, travel insurance policies generally cover:

Trip cancellation or interruption due to weather, sickness, airline bankruptcy/strike, or terrorist activity.

Medical expenses incurred while in a foreign country. If you get sick while on African safari, you may find that your medical plan does not cover foreign care or that the coverage is severely limited.

Baggage and belongings that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

Accidental death and dismemberment if you are seriously or fatally injured while on vacation.

So when should I buy travel insurance?

Well, if you are going on a relatively inexpensive trip that is not likely to be canceled or delayed and you are young, healthy, and not planning on doing anything dangerous then you can probably skip it.

But if you are planning your honeymoon or a once in a lifetime trip, especially to a an area where weather is a concern, you should consider travel insurance. The small investment will be well worth it.

If you are elderly or in poor health you’re more likely to need medical attention while on vacation. Likewise if you are planning to take part in potentially dangerous activities such as rock-climbing or cliff diving.

Remember too that you don’t have to be doing anything risky to get hurt. You could be taking a lazy afternoon sightseeing drive and get hit by a reckless driver. If that happens, you’ll be glad you bought some extra insurance.

International Travel Insurance Dont Leave Home Without It

Does this sound familiar? Youve saved and saved for that perfect vacation youve always dreamt about. Youre in the travel agents office, youve just purchased your very expensive ticket and shes saying that you should buy some international travel insurance too. You roll your eyes because youre sure all this international travel insurance business is nonsense and shes just trying to get some more of your money. You say no thanks. While on your vacation, you crash your car and get hurt. Guess what? Youve got to foot all the expenses yourself and because you didnt want to get international travel insurance.

For those of you who arent familiar with it, international travel insurance is a must have if you intend to travel out of your own country. Since youre not familiar, right about now youre probably asking what international travel insurance is. Simply put, it is a temporary insurance policy which you buy before you leave on your trip. Typically, coverage lasts the full duration of your trip but, depending on who youre insured with, your international travel insurance can be extended for up to 12 months.

A lot of people couldnt be bothered with the added expense but there is always the small possibility that something can happen. A good international travel insurance policy will provide three things: good coverage at a reasonable price, readily available emergency assistance and efficient claims processing. It should also cover most circumstances. Your international travel insurance isnt adequate if it doesnt cover medical expenses, medical evacuation, travel cancellation and deferment costs, loss of luggage, rental vehicle expenses, death expenses, personal liability and legal expenses.

There is most often a need for international travel health insurance, to cover medical expenses. This can include hospital stays, medication and doctors fees. However, international travel health insurance is a godsend in more critical situations as it also covers ambulance services and emergency-related travel expenses, which is especially important in third world countries where supplies are limited and you may need to be transported to another country.

While you may not think that the cost of such international travel health insurance coverage is justified for a short, weekend trip, if youre going to be hiking through malaria infested forests over those two days, you might want to think again. Use your discretion. Its much better to be prepared for a possible emergency than to fall ill or get injured and not have any international travel health insurance coverage.

Jerusalem in just 3 days

How to Get Around:

The best way to see the Old City of Jerusalem is by walking the narrow, ancient alleyways that twist and turns like a maze. Parts of the Old City like the Shouk (market) where the hustle and bustle crushes around you amid the presence of the past is pedestrianised.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

The Via Dolorosa ends here, at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Like most of the Old City, it is located within a small courtyard in front and the neighboring buildings built of Jerusalem stone. The dome of the church next to the spire of a minaret, the call to prayer echoing through the ancient alley ways. Inside the church, the place has been divided up among several Christian sects who jealously guard their piece of space.

This spot, the highest in the Old City, has been a sacred site since the Romans built their temple to Venus, and there have been several churches here, beginning with the one Constantine put up, followed by another constructed by the Crusaders. It’s been added onto since then, but it remains a square Gothic creation with vast ceilings and huge columns supporting it.

The volume of tourists is almost the same as in the shouk. Here, Christ was nailed to the cross. Herded down another set of stairs, past the slab of rock where his body was washed and, finally, a few feet away, the Holy Sepulcher itself. Everything is covered in gold and tapestries.

Towards the back of the church are cool, calm, softly lit corridors, open onto small chapels. You can sense the aroma from centuries gone by and the dampness in the air.

Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock is located above the Wailing Wall on the old Temple Mount (Haram esh-Sharif, in Arabic).

There is no commercialism here. In fact, you leave all your belongings outside: shoes, purses, cameras, money, and passports.

Under the huge gold dome, is the quiet and peace of a place that exudes spiritualism. Men (and women, separately) quietly go about their devotions. People speak softly, nobody sells postcards or candles, and no one takes photographs. What light there is shines down from stained glass windows into the dome, onto a chunk of bare rock bordered by an elaborately carved wooden screen. It was here that Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son, and here Mohammed is said to have ascended to heaven on his horse. The horse’s hoof prints are supposed to be visible in the stone.

No matter what your beliefs, this is a unique place and nobody should miss out on an opportunity to visit it.

Shrine of the Book

This is a must see. The Dead Sea Scrolls are housed here. You walk down a sloping tunnel into the underground building that could double as a movie set for a Sci-Fi flick. The long halls are lined with glass-fronted recesses. Inside are various ancient scrolls found in the caves around Ein Gedi and range from dispatches from Bar Kochba to his troops during his uprising against Rome in 132 C.E. to even earlier documents, including legal papers relating to lawsuits, property deeds and loans.

Not until you are underground do you see the Scrolls themselves. The room is round and bi-level with walls of stone slabs like so many of the ancient buildings in the city. Some are just fragments; some seem to be quite complete. Each is perfectly formed letter sits on faint lines drawn for the scribe to follow.

In the deepest part of the Shrine is the spherical window holding the Isaiah scroll, wrapped around an oversized version of the wooden pole a Torah is wrapped around. You can slowly walk around it. What a miracle it is that these fragile pieces of papyrus and parchment have survived for so many thousands of years.

For information on Jerusalem hotels and other Israel hotels visit Cybertravel Network.com

Antarctica: Ultimate Wilderness

In the distance something stirs. A drifting polar bear searches for food on the edge of camp. Despite the presence of the huge beast, the men are in little danger. The guns take care of that. It is rare for a bear to wander so close. She must be hungry.

For the scientists and professionals who choose to live and work in this unforgiving land, Antarctica can seem a very lonely place. Perched upon a hill or mountain somewhere on this great continent, the dry air allows a clear view for many miles. On one of the rare moments the wind drops, the predominantly white landscape offers an eerie silence. You can feel like the only person on the planet.

What attracts anyone to such an inhospitable place? Despite the valuable science and work that is undertaken here, I believe many would choose to live here anyway. For me, the biggest attraction is the alien landscape, unlike anywhere else on the planet. If man is to one-day land on another world, then this is how I would envisage it. Regardless of the barren wilderness and blanket white surroundings, there is no more fascinating place on earth, probably because it is so different.

Despite the inhospitable environment, Antarctica is testament to the tenacity of life. Temperatures have been recorded as low as -89 C; katabatic winds have reached speeds of up to 200 mph. In the face of these daunting figures, it seems incredible that anything can exist here at all. Life always appears to find a way.

My favourite Antarctica phenomenon has to be the static icebergs, fixed in position by the frozen sea. As winter approaches and temperatures plunge, the freezing sea slowly renders the icebergs immobile as they become trapped by the ice. Here they remain until the following spring, when the subsequent rise in sea temperatures melt the frozen ocean, allowing the icebergs to set off once more for foreign shores.

During winter it becomes possible to walk out over the sea and stand next to one of the huge icebergs. It is a very humbling experience standing next to an iceberg the size of an office block. In this planets evolutionary mix, you realize just how insignificant a human being is.

New Zealand- south island part 1

Excitement is never far away in the South Island. Fast flowing rivers rush through the rocky ravines, then growl across plains washed down from the Southern Alps. Alpine lakes provide endless diversions, and the various contents that sweep along the western and eastern coasts carry food and a huge variety of dramatic sea life.

Up in the north golden sand and countless untouched coves attract a steady line of sea kayakers and canoeists to Abel Tasman National Park.

Just around the corner, the deeply incised waterways of the Marlborough Sounds attract boaties and fisherfolk to it’s fiords and inlets.

The mix of hot and cold currents and the plunging continental shelf bring sperm whales, minke, humpback and southern right whales to within a few kilometres of the kaikoura coast, along with orcas, dolphins and other mammals.

The shallow, braided rivers of Canterbury are stocked with sea-run trout and huge quinnat salmon, and the rivers , especially around the town of Gore, boast the finest brown trout in the land.

Powerful jetboats take groups of people on thrilling rides along braided rivers and steep gorges. Some of the most spectacular rides are on the Shotover and kawarau rivers near Queenstown, the resort known as the adventure capital of the world, where the drivers judge gaps to the metre and perform thrilling spins and turns.

For those after a slightly slower pace, white water rafting can bring out the same whoops and shouts of glee. And on hot summer days, the Southern Lakes are abuzz with waterskiers and sailing dinghies.

The chill currents of the Southern Ocean crash on the coast of Otago, creating excellent rides for well-insulated surfers. In the deep southwestern corner of the South Island, the formidable fiords of Fiordland have more surprises, as heavy rainfall creates a layer of dark stained fresh water, below which are a diverse range of corals, sponges and fish.

Colorado Takes Center Stage

Whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall, visitors to Colorado have plenty of choices if they want to enjoy live entertainment. Each season, there are curtain calls for repertory theater and Broadway productions, children’s plays and a variety of musical performances.

Visit Colorado and experience these “must see” venues and events.

* Denver Center for the Performing Arts: In the heart of Colorado’s Mile High City, the center is home to the region’s largest resident, professional theater company. You’ll enjoy top performances such as “Always … Patsy Cline,” “Peter Pan” and “Fire on the Mountain.”

* Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center: Tap your toes to hit show tunes, such as “Cabaret” and “Singin’ In the Rain” – world-class acts in a popular local venue.

* Diamond Circle Melo-

drama: Located in the historic Strater Hotel in Durango, this is where theater-lovers go to get into the act; audience participation is strongly encouraged.

* Fort Morgan: Visitors will always be in the mood for big-band performances in this area, former home of world-famous musician Glenn Miller.

* Winter Park Resort: Since 1988, its ski slopes have provided perfect seating each July for the annual KBCO World Class RockFest.

* The Benedict Music Tent: Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, this 2,050-seat venue at the internationally renowned Aspen Music School combines Colorado beauty with more than 200 premier performances throughout the summer.

* Chautauqua Auditorium: This auditorium in Boulder, one of only three remaining Chautauqua performance sites in the United States, welcomes 1 million visitors annually. Now in its 106th season, the unique auditorium features educational and cultural programming in the spirit of the country’s historic Chautauqua movement for the entire community to enjoy.

* Telluride Town Park: With its highly acclaimed blend of mountain and creative splendor, this park hosts the annual Telluride Jazz Festival.

* Music Festival Park in Steamboat Springs: Enjoy mountain vistas and musical vibes at this venue, which hosts the annual Strings in the Mountains orchestral ensemble. The park also hosts 10 free concerts each summer.

Italian travel guide

Italy as one of the most ancient European civilizations is unknown to none. Italy had been the land of Roman Empire for long. Today the country has a rich history and tradition that speaks for itself and gathers tourists from all round the world. Italy is a place known for its wonderful cities and their archaic art and architecture. There are great Roman structures like Roman Colosseum and Pantheon; the Sistine Chapel, sculptures by maestros Leonardo, Michelangelo etc. and many more attractions that can make your vacation a dream come true.

A Walk through the Italian Cities-

The cities of Italy are quite popular across the globe. For instance the land of Julius Caesar i.e. the city of Rome also known as the Eternal City has an aura of exotic Roman art and architecture. Rome is famous for its architectural masterpiece of the Colosseum, the National Gallery of Ancient Art which in itself is a magnum opus and displays the work of Bernini, Raphael and Titan. The Capitoline Museums houses the complete history of Rome, the Gallery of Modern Art presents the 19th and 20th century at work by eminent artists and the Galleria Borghese museum in Rome has the largest art collection in the world.

The city of Venice seeks no introduction. It is the city where tranquility prevails and the beguiling art and architecture makes everyones day. The visitors are attracted by pulls like the Grand Canal, the museums such as the Museum of Modern Art and Museum of Oriental Art in the Santa Croce region of Venice, which put at parade the art work from countries like Japan, Indonesia and China. Also worth visiting are the Academy of Fine Art and the Correr Museum known for its Renaissance art.

The fashion city of Milan has always been inviting visitors. It is a primary economic and cultural center of Italy. Milan is popular for the Romanesque architecture in the Lombardy region of which Milan is a part; The Cathedral of Milan that is a paradigm example of Gothic architecture. The Milan museums include some of the fascinating museums in the world. For instance the Brera Gallery that presents the tour de force of geniuses like Raphael and Giovanni Bellini. You can also gaze at the awesome The Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples at the Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie church.

Since the entire Italy is swarming with museums and art, the city of Florence too grounds few wonderful ones. The Uffizi Gallery which is best known for the art work of Sandro Botticelli Birth of Venus, Leonardo da Vincis strokes, and apart from these the Dutch, French and Spanish work of art it displays.

Besides this, Florence is thronged for its delectable cuisine, hill slopes and the oldest archaeologically significant region of this place i.e. the Tuscany region. One among the wonders of the world, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is nestled in the Italian town of Pisa in the Tuscany region.

The Vatican City is a center of attraction in Italy particularly for magnificent Sistine Chapel, designed by the architect Baccio Pontelli and feathers added to it by Bernini. The galleries of this Chapel present some of the exclusive art works-paintings and sculptures like run-of-the-mill, the archaic bronze statue of Apoxyomenos, Michelangelos sculpture The Pieta and so forth.

After these Italy has many other cities that have always been welcoming visitors with their pleasant surroundings and amazing art work.

So one should, in ones life time definitely bask in the glory of the skill of distinguished artists, painters and architects, no where else but Italy.

Monte Carlo – Paradise of a Different Sort

Monte Carlo is the city of glitz and over the top indulgence. I had to see it for at least a day trip and ended up finding my food paradise.

Monte Carlo Surprise

Monte Carlo is the where you go to see the pretty people. Well, maybe not pretty, but definitely wealthy. I was loafing in Nice for a few days and decided to join two travelers for a day trip to Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo is only a ten minute train ride from Nice, so it seemed like the perfect day trip.

Monte Carlo is the kind of place that makes you feel insignificant. The place screams yachts, money, plastic surgery, money, Ferrari and did I mention money? This is not a travel destination for the faint of budget.

Monte Carlo is mostly about beaches, being seen and a high end casino. We had already hit the beaches in Nice, werent important enough to “be seen” and had been denied admission to the casino, so it was off to the museums.

Museums in Monte Carlo are pretty run of the mill with one notable exception. Spend enough time in them and youll become convinced the Grimaldi royal family is solely responsible for human civilization. Ive been known to embellish on occasion, but the museums are ridiculous.

As day turned to evening, it was time to find something to eat. There were plenty of restaurants, but we either couldnt afford them or werent dressed appropriately with our shorts. Walking back to the train station, we stumbled upon paradise itself.

Growing up in San Diego, California, one becomes addicted to Mexican food. Unfortunately, there arent a lot of Mexican food restaurants in Europe. In fact, I hadnt eaten a rolled taco for two months. That was about to change.

Turning the corner on one of many endless little streets in Monaco, we were stunned to see a line of people waiting outside a door. The sign over the door read “Juans” and paradise was before us. Turns out the restaurant was owned by a San Diego resident and served authentic Mexican food. Rolled tacos, chicken tortilla soup and Dos Equis beer.

Mexican food in Monaco was definitely my idea of paradise. Of course, it set me back $75, but I really didnt care at that point.

Guide To Cheap Annual Travel Insurance

Vacations are for fun, it means leaving behind your job and responsibilities for a while. Having travel insurance is one way of putting your mind at complete rest. It’s a lot easier to enjoy your trip if you know that you are covered from luggage lost to sickness.

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.