-Water is something most of us take for granted until we step on a plane and head out into the world.? Then we suddenly realize that this precious liquid so necessary to sustain life can also cause serious ill health and even worse.

Nothing ruins a good trip like a bout of diarrhoea, nausea, feeling totally exhausted, feverish and in no mood for anything but bed! Water borne illness is one of the leading sources of health problems for travelers, and can have serious immediate consequences and after-effects for months.

Where are you at risk?

High-risk areas include Central America, most of Africa and Asia and the Middle East. Moderate risk areas include Eastern Europe, Russia, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, and the Caribbean.? Even developed countries aren’t necessarily risk-free.?

Basically if you want to be safe, assume the worst and plan accordingly.

Don’t use local tap water without purifying it in some way, even for brushing your teeth or washing fruits and vegetables. And don’t make the mistake of using locally produced ice cubes: Freezing doesn’t kill the germs!

Is bottled water the best option?

Yes and no. It’s easy sure, but it is expensive (worldwide we spend US$100b on bottled water a year!), has serious health issues and huge environmental consequences.

Anyone who has travelled will be well aware of the huge problem or plastic bottles littering the countryside and turning pristine bush and beaches into rubbish tips.

Using just 4 bottles a day, a single traveller is likely to throw away over 50 bottles in just a couple of weeks – not a nice legacy to leave your host country.

The fact is that worldwide, almost 90% of plastic water bottles are not recycled and end up in landfills or worse.? And once they’re out there, they stick around affecting habitats of all kinds and killing an alarming number of fish, dolphins, birds and other wildlife.

Then there’s the huge carbon footprint, the toxicity issues, and various other long term environmental timebombs…

So what are the options?

If you can plan to avoid bottled water in your travels, you’ll be doing everyone a favour. Here are some other options that are all cost effective, healthy & environmentally friendly.

For more information

HydroPal – a water bottle with a carbon filter in the lid, costs $20-40 depending on the level of filtration required. The bottles lasts for years, the filters for hundreds of refills. www.hydropal.com

Plastic bottles

http://www.insidethebottle.org/

http://www.pacinst.org/topics/water_and_sustainability/bottled_water/index.htm

Water quality globally

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.aspx

Thanks to Chris Cranshaw, a seasoned traveller with a real passion for drinking good water and looking after the environment for this story.? He’s been working on both issues for 15 years and is proud to have helped tens of thousands of travellers to drink better water already, saving hundreds of thousands of plastic bottles from littering our beautiful planet. Chris is also the founder of Hydropal

What are your thoughts on using purifiers and filters Vs bottled water when you travel?

Travellers to South and Central America should get the minimum vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Center for Disease Control including:

• Hepatitis A & B

• Typhoid

• Yellow Fever – This vaccine is always a good idea if you will be in the jungle since
  there are periodic outbreaks and deaths. Some countries require it for entry.

• Rabies - Yes, rabid animals can bite you even in the most cosmopolitan city and, once bitten, you could die unless you received the rabies vaccination in advance.

• Flu Shots -? Flu
  Season in South America begins in June.? If you are traveling during the
  Southern Hemisphere’s winter, you may be exposed to circulating influenza—both
  seasonal and H1N1.

• Malaria medication might also be recommended depending on the country.

Immunization Tips

Your once in a lifetime trip should not be hampered by bringing home an unwanted souvenir of yellow fever or other malady. With proper preparation, you can maintain your health and remain at ease for traveling any where in South America.

Aswin Kedia from Vacapedia shares his tips of what to consider before getting your all important jabs.

Check Immunization Records Verify your previous immunizations and if they meet the routine requirements for the area(s) you plan to visit. Typically this should include measles and DPT shots. A require a booster shot may be needed if it has been a long duration since your most recent shot.

Visit a medical professional A doctor who specializes in travel medicine can enlighten you about the recommended and required vaccinations needed for a specific country. Recommended vaccinations are not mandatory but required vaccinations are. Your doctor should also be knowledgeable of all recent notifications or health risk warnings issued by the?World Health Organization.

Medications Individuals should contemplate taking prescribed medication, such as anti-malaria drugs in order to avoid potential medical problems.

Timing Immunizations recommended and required to prevent unwanted illness need to be injected in advance of your trip. Plan on having your vaccinations completed several weeks before your departure to South America. Some vaccinations require a series of shots such as those used for?Hepatitis B.

Considerations Learn as much as possible about the possible health risks and preventions for the country you plan to visit. For detailed information in the different geographical locations of South America, visit the?Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

South America Safety Tips

In addition to getting the proper immunizations, Christy Grimste from Educators Overseas offers these tips for staying safe in South America.

Check the water You should assume that local tap water isn’t safe to drink, even in the nicest hotel in town and even if someone tells you it is. So, while brushing your teeth is probably ok as long as you don’t swallow (ask local expats though, just to be sure), only drink bottled water or purified tap water. To resolve this
bring along iodine tables and portable water filters.

Peel your produce Raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables and sold on the side of the road are also suspect. No matter how beautiful that apple looks, you’re better off peeling it first!

Kick the bacteria The first few weeks in any new country will likely bring some stomach discomfort as your digestive system adapts to a level of cleanliness you might not have been used to. For this, an excellent natural remedy is yogurt, whose live active yogurt cultures will help kill off the bad bacteria in your system.

Practice sun safety Even on overcast
days, the sun can be stronger that you think. Sunblock and sunglasses
are the best protection from harmful effects of UV sun rays.

Ward off the mozzies Some locations in South America are notorious
for infected?mosquitoes.?To protect yourself from bites, always wear
lightweight long sleeve shirts, long pants and a hat when venturing
outdoors. Deet can be purchased in your neighborhood pharmacy and acts
as a repellent.

Altitude sickness can range from a simple and annoying headache to a life threatening crisis.? Altitude sickness is more common at altitudes of 2500m (8200ft) or more and usually involve a rapid ascent.? Very fit hikers, car travel and stepping off a plane are great examples of "rapid ascent" which is considered gaining more than 900m (2970ft) in a single day. The best prevention for altitude sickness s a slow ascent and the best treatment is to descend the mountain immediately.? Lastly, remember the golden rule of altitude that states "any illness or headache experienced above 2500m should be considered altitude sickness until proven otherwise". More detailed info on altitude sickness here

Useful Links

Jim Sano at?Geographic Expeditions also advises checking out these sites/documents that provide you with a sense of what to do to
stack the deck to prevent health issues and
address unforeseen problems in destinations where access to high quality
western medical care may be limited:

• Regional specific
  maps for malaria prophylaxis and yellow fever immunization

• Personal
  medical kit recommendations

• Directory for travel medicine specialists via the International Society of
  Travel Medicine

Read more stories from WorldNomads.com to help keep you travelling safely. WorldNomads.com – an essential part of every adventurous traveller’s journey.

This week, a typhoid outbreak in Fiji has been reported.? With the pacific islands of Fiji being a very popular travel destination for Round-The-World trippers and family holiday makers, we thought it important to give you a quick overview of the situation and some info about typhoid fever.

The Age.com.au on March 3, 2010 reports that…

"The rapid spread of typhoid fever in Fiji is alarming, according to travel medicine experts.? There are 99 people now infected with the disease – 55 contracted typhoid fever over the past week."

What is typhoid?

Typhoid fever, also known as enteric fever? is a life threatening illness caused by the bacteria salmonella typhi.

How is it Transmitted?

The organism Salmonella Typhi can only live in humans. People who have been infected with the organism carry it within their intestinal tract and blood stream, and they shed the bacteria in their faeces (stools).

You can get typhoid fever if you consume food or drinks that have been handled by someone who is shedding Salmonella Typhi, or if your water for drinking or washing food has been contaminated with sewage that contains the bacteria. The most common routes of infection are contaminated drinking water, milk and food.

Where is it present?

It’s usually common in most parts of the world, with the exclusion of industrialised regions. So it is therefore more present in developing countries.

How do I avoid Typhoid Fever?

It is quite simple and easy to avoid typhoid fever by following two simple rules:

1. Get Vaccinated

2. Avoid food or drinks that could be at risk

These basic safety suggestions will also help you prevent other
diseases like travellers’ diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery and hepatitis
A.

• If you’re drinking water buy it bottled or bring it to a “rolling boil” for 1 minute.
• Drink beverages without ice unless you know it was made from bottled water.
• Eat food that is thoroughly cooked still hot and steaming.
• Avoid raw vegetables that can’t be peeled, when you eat fruit & vegetables that can be peeled peel them yourself and don’t eat the peelings.
• Remember to wash your hands before eating or peeling things, if running water is unavailable try to always carry an antibacterial hand gel that you can use for this purpose.?
• Avoid food and beverages from street vendors it can be hard to keep things clean on the streets, many travellers get sick from eating or drinking things purchased at a street vendor.

A handy catch cry used with regular travellers to developing areas or areas at risk of infection is “Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it!”

If you are travelling to an area where typhoid is common or an outbreak is present, you should consider vaccination. So visit your GP or travel Dr to discuss vaccination options.

Typhoid vaccination is recommended for all travellers over two years old and should be conducted 2 weeks prior to travel. The vaccine is available both as an injection and orally.

What are the signs & symptoms of typhoid fever?

A person who is suffering from Typhoid fever usually will have a sustained fever that can be as high as 39? to 40? C, can feel weak, suffer from stomach pains, headache, loss of appetite, malaise, muscle pain & dry cough. In some people a rash may develop that is flat and has rose coloured spots. The only way to know if it is Typhoid fever is to have blood or stools tested for the presence of Salmonella Typhi.

What should I do if I think I have Typhoid fever?

You should see a doctor immediately; you can refer to your Travel Insurance Policy Certificate for your medical assistance company’s contact numbers and they will help you find a recommended doctor in the area you are in.

Treatment is usually in the form of antibiotic tablets or injections, the three most commonly prescribed are ampicillin, trimethoprim- sulphamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin. People who are given antibiotics usually start to feel better within 2-3 days, and death rarely occurs. People who do not get treatment can continue to have symptoms for weeks to months, up to 20% of these people die from complications of the infection.

Even when your symptoms seem to subside you could still be carrying the bacteria Salmonella Typhi. If so the illness can return, you can still pass the disease on to other people. If you are being treated for Typhoid Fever, please keep taking the prescribed antibiotics for as long as the doctor has asked you to take them, wash your hands with soap & water after going to the toilet, do not prepare or serve food to other people.

Have your doctor perform follow up stool samples and tests to ensure the bacteria are no longer within your system

Backpacker travel insurance is the best way to ensure your carefree holiday remains carefree. With backpacker travel insurance you can be sure to save your money and still put your worries to rest.

The ideal backpacker’s holiday is one that traverses boundaries and braves danger, the luxury resorts and billion-dollar views are passed up in favour of rustic hostels and priceless experiences. It’s about adventure, and where there is adventure, there is risk. Without the security that comes with 5 star hotel vaults and from the certain knowledge of where one will be spending the night (more than a few hours in advance) there is even greater risk of things going awry.

Travelling backpacker style often means being a traveler prepared for the worst, being a traveler with a plan. And when it comes down to it, there is no better plan, than a backpackers travel insurance plan. Backpacker travel insurance offers policies and plans which can be tailored to your needs and made within your budget. Cheap backpacker travel insurance does not have to mean compromised cover, your holiday adventure can still be fully secured and your worst nightmares kept at bay.

The beauty of travel insurance for backpackers is that it is designed with backpackers in mind: policies for single trip, multi trip, or even annual trip travel insurance are available. Whether you are looking for backpacking travel insurance to cover the inherent risks of your lifelong dream to backpack your way around Australia or whether domestic travel is a little too on the safe side – and you need insurance cover for an overseas sojourn with no set return date, backpacker travel insurance will ensure you get the cover you at a cost you can live with.

There are insurance plans and policies to cover hitchhiking, trekking, road trips, boat trips. Whatever traveling you have in mind and wherever you want your travel to take you, backpacker travel insurance gives you the flexibility that is necessary when it comes to taking a backpacking holiday. A policy suited to you, and your as yet unknown destinations, a policy designed with your uncertainty in mind, backpacker travel insurance is sure to provide you with the best cover you can hope for at as little a cost as you can imagine.

When you purchase a backpacker travel insurance plan you are not buying hidden extras which simply won’t apply to you, you are not paying for add-ons that are more likely to be implemented when you slip on a spilt martini along glass tiles of the roof top pool of some ritzy five star hotel. No, with backpacker travel insurance the policy is tailor made for the type of risks and dangers a traveling backpacker is far more likely to encounter. Backpacker travel insurance can provide monetary compensation for flood damage to your belongings, health cover for malaria and other tropical diseases, immediate cash pay outs to cover the expense of an urgent mechanic repair to your combine van. For backpackers who are serious about their travelling and sensible about their cover, backpacker travel insurance is the only way to go.

Just before dawn on Saturday 27th February, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile. The epicenter was situated in the Maule region, 300km south of the capital, Santiago.

So far, over 700 deaths have been recorded with fears that this will rise significantly over the coming days. The Earthquake sent waves of more than two metres crashing into the coastline as well as into outlying pacific islands, sparking Tsunami alerts as far as New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Chilean government agencies and forces are currently working around the clock to restore electricity, supply emergency medical assistance and assess what other support is required before requesting international aid.

Safety tips if you are in an
affected area

If you are injured or Sick?
If
you are injured or become ill please seek medical aid and contact your
24-hour Medical Assistance Service.? The traveller should recognize that
any functioning
hospitals and clinics will be busy caring for people who have been
injured and/or who are sick.

If you are in a region with no
operating medical facilities please contact your Medical Assistance
Service Immediately.

WorldNomads
policy holders can find these details on their Certificates of
Insurance or see phone numbers at the bottom of this article.

Injuries

The risk of injury is high. Persons who anticipate the need to travel
to disaster area should wear sturdy footwear to protect their feet from
Injury. Tetanus is a potential health threat for cuts and grazes. Any
wound, cut, or animal bites should be immediately cleansed with soap
and clean water. Seek rapid medical review should you become injured.

Wash
your Hands
Wash
your hands often using soap and water to help prevent the spread of
disease. Waterless alcohol-based hand rubs may be used when soap and/or
water are not available and hands are not visibly soiled.

What
can I eat or drink?
Natural
disasters can disrupt water supplies and sewage systems. If bottled
water is not available, water should be boiled or disinfected. For more
information refer to the CDC website

Food
should be carefully chosen to reduce the risk of getting
gastrointestinal illness. Avoid salads, uncooked vegetables and milk
products, such as cheese. Ensure your food is freshly cooked and has
not been sitting around. Food’s that has been cooked and is still hot
or fruit that has been washed in clean water and then peeled by the
traveler personally are safer to eat.

What if I get Diarrhea?
Gastroenteritis
outbreaks
can occur following a disaster.? Diarrhea may be accompanied
by a high fever or passing blood in the diarrhea. Replacing lost fluids
by drinking clean water is important or the use of oral rehydration
solutions.

Insects
Bites can be prevented through
combined use of insect repellent and barrier methods such as wearing
long-sleeved shirts and long pants when. Insect Repellent containing
DEET should be used at all times.
Ensure you have been immunized for
Tetanus in the past 5 years.

Safety
Traveller’s
should be careful to avoid downed power lines. Battery-powered
flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or
torches, should be used. Keep your personal belongings especially your
passport and money on your person or in a safe place close to you.

Environmental
Hazards

Be
aware of what is happening around you. Following a disaster there will
be rapidly moving water.? Lung infections may occur after inhalation of
sea water. Disasters resulting in massive structural damage can also
result in exposure to chemical or biologic contaminants (I.E.
asbestos).

Environmental things to remember
Both hot
and cold extremes in temperature can pose a danger. Heat-related
illness, such as heat stroke, can even be fatal. Remember to wear your
sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat to protect you from the sun. Evenings
can become cold so have a pullover or waterproof jacket available. Keep
you fluid intake up with clean water during the day. Try to keep a dry
change of clothing handy to change into. This will help in keeping you
warm and preventing heat loss.

What is happening to me and who do
I call?

It is important to remember that the situation you are
in can be extremely stressful.

Keeping an item of
comfort nearby, such as a family photo, favorite music, or religious
material, can often offer comfort in such situations.

Call
home and your country’s Consulate or Embassy to let them know where
you are, if you are alright and if you need any assistance.

Call
your travel insurance company emergency assistance hotline should
you
need immediate attention (see phone numbers below for WorldNomad’s
policy holders)
?

When you get out of there or
get back home

If
you become unwell within 6 weeks of returning with fever, rash,
respiratory illness or any other unusual symptoms seek medical
attention and tell them that you were recently in a Disaster affected
region.

Advice for World Nomads Policy Holders

Should you have
any concerns or fears, please contact us on the following emergency
assistance numbers.

Please have your name, location and phone
number ready when you call (and policy number if available)

Australian
and New Zealand travellers (Specialty Assist for policies purchased on
or after 01 Dec 2009):
Email: operations@specialty-assist.com
Telephone:
+44 (0)20 7902 7405

Australian and New Zealand
travellers (Mondial Assistance Australia policies purchased prior to Dec
1, 2009):
Email:? medicalnotes@mondial-assistance.com.au
Telephone:
+61 7 3305 7499 (While overseas, reverse charges)
Telephone: 1300
729 467 (Within Australia)
Telephone: 0800 630 117 (Within New
Zealand)
?
UK travellers (Specialty Assistance Services):
Email:?
assistance@specialty-group.com?OR assistance@mstream.co.uk
Telephone:
+44 (0) 845 643 2628
?
Irish travellers (Specialty Assistance
Services):
Email:? assistance@mstream.co.uk
Telephone: +44
(0)20 7902 7403
?
USA travellers (Access America):
Email:?
AssistanceGroup@MondialUSA.com
Telephone: +1-877-257-8108 (toll free
within US)
Telephone: +1-804-281-5789 (Collect)

Canadian
travellers (Mondial Assistance Canada):
Email:?
nomad.inquiries@mondial-assistance.ca
Telephone: +1-866-759-2892
toll-free from the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Island or
Telephone:
+1-519-342-4947 collect from anywhere else in the world

For
all other travellers (ihi Bupa):
Email:? emergency@ihi.com
Telephone:
+45 33 15 33 00 (not toll free))

Very Important Note for
volunteers.

?
Please, please only engage in direct travel
to Chile as part of an established charity or organization who can
demonstrate that they have proper logistical and security support.
?
Many
good hearted people want to rush in and ‘do something’ in the event of a
natural disaster such as the earthquake that has hit Chile. Although
these are very admirable instincts this is often the wrong thing to do.
?
In
the immediate hours and days following a catastrophe aid agencies,
governments and international organizations enact pre-arranged disaster
plans involving very experienced and specialist staff with full
logistical support. Getting together with a group of friends or just
jetting to an area like this on your own can create even more problems
on the ground for them and it is potentially highly dangerous for you.
?
What
you can do if you are not a part of one of these organizations?

Many
agencies have already established disaster relief funds and requests
for essential supplies. Although there is a desire in most of us to get
hands-on and help, the money and goods collected by these funds will
provide important support in the longer term as the people of Chile
affected by this earthquake slowly rebuild their families, homes and
businesses.

Read more from the WorldNomads.com Travel Safety Hub. WorldNomads.com
– an essential part of every adventurous traveller’s journey.

Ecuador is the second-smallest country in?South America, but nowhere else on earth will you find so much natural diversity. In one day you see the Amazon Basin, volcanoes, cloud forests and the Pacific coast. You can spend your cash shopping at the awesome indigenous market in?Otavalo?or enjoy some of the world class trekking Ecuador offers (try the Quilatoa Loop).

Some fun facts: Ecuador exports 4.5 million tons of bananas a year, has had nine presidents since 1997 and its residents make a minimum wage of $148/month. Also, did you know that the Panama hat actually came from Ecuador??

Besides for all of the wonderful adventures you can have in Ecuador, as with any place you travel, there are a couple things you’ll need to look out for to stay safe. We’ve asked our friends in the adventure travel industry for their advice so have a read below and then please add in the comments section anything you think we might have missed.

1. When traveling to Ecuador, a thorough evaluation of the traveler’s immunization history is as important whether they are a child, adolescent or an adult.??Routine immunizations?can protect you while traveling to South America; and may even save your life.

– Jorge Castillo, ?Passport Health USA
?
2. Women, dress conservatively if you are bothered by catcalls. It’s still a macho culture. When in Rome, do as the Romans. So avoid miniskirts, spaghetti straps, etc. and no matter how athletic you are, take high altitude precautions seriously. Avoid alcohol, drink lots of water and steer clear of strenuous hikes your first few days.?

–?Kimberly Haley-Coleman, Globe Aware
?
3. Don’t walk up to the virgin monument in Quito as many people who do get robbed. It’s best to take a taxi to the monument for a great city view. Yellow fever has been on the rise in Ecuador, so be sure to vaccinate for this. There is a mustard scam in Ecuador, mostly in Quito. You will be walking down the street and will step on a package of mustard. One of the locals will come to help you clean the mustard off your pants and will also clean you out your wallet.

– Trish Sare,?Bike Hike
?
4. For the Galapagos: Don’t bring anti-malarial medicine. Although there are mosquitoes in Galápagos, none of them are carriers of malaria or dengue fever, so you don’t have to worry about bringing medicine. Parts of mainland Ecuador are risky for malaria and other ailments, so if your trip will take you to other parts of Ecuador, you may want medicine. Make sure you do bring sunscreen. The Galapagos gets very hot and sunny.?Sunburn relief gel or ointment.?In case you forget to apply the sunscreen. Also consider bringing seasickness medicine or check and see if your cruise has it. A motion sickness medicine called Mareol is available in Galapagos and mainland Ecuador pharmacies. The medical facilities in the Galapagos and pharmacies on?Puerto Ayora?are decent, if you are close to them. The town’s hospital offers basic medical services, but it is not very modern or well-stocked. The hyperbaric chamber/clinic offers 24-hour care for diving emergencies and serious burns. Dr. Gabriel Idrovo and Dr. Ramiro Lopez specialize in hyperbaric medicine, but they also provide general medical consultations during their regular office hours (9:30-13:30 and 15:30-19:30). Since it is a private facility that counts on only a small percentage of its funding from local scuba-diving operators, they may ask tourists that use the clinic to give a small contribution in addition to the $20-30 consultation fee.

– Carla Torres,?Geovisions
?
5. Do explore the lesser known parks and mountains, but always consult a knowledgeable and credible local guide on trails & conditions, take a compass and not least, tell someone how long you’ll be gone for. Also, the best thing you can pack is a good rain jacket. The weather is very capricious in the mountains and podocarp rainforests.

– Christina Tunnah,?World Nomads

Learn some local lingo!

Of course, whenever you’re travelling to a foreign country its always helpful to know a bit o f the local language, Learn Spanish with WorldNomads Spanish Language Guide.

Read more stories from WorldNomads.com to help keep you travelling safely. WorldNomads.com – an essential part of every adventurous traveller’s journey.

Share your story! What did you learn in Ecuador and wish you had known before you left?

For many people, acquiring travel insurance is not on their list of things-to-do when making their travel preparations. What most travelers do not realize is that there are many events that can happen on a vacation that can result in serious financial loss. Before traveling abroad, it is important to consider the reasons why you should not forget to buy travel insurance:

Personal Injury: When planning to travel in another country, you should think about what would happen if you were in accident and needed medical treatment. Depending on the severity of the injury, medical costs could run from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Buying travel insurance before your trip will ensure that if you need medical treatment, your costs will be covered. Personal accident coverage can also cover you in the event of death or if you are permanently disabled. Some policies will pay your legal costs if you decide to sue a third party for damages as a result of personal injury or death.

Unexpected Cancellation: After booking and paying for a trip, many people do not think about the money they will lose if they had to suddenly cancel. This could be due to an illness or death in your family, jury service, fire, or flood or storm damage to your home or business. The financial loss could be enormous. Travel insurance will cover your costs if you have to cancel your trip.

Missed Departure: On the way to the airport, most people do not consider how much money they would lose if they missed their flight. This could be the result of weather conditions, vehicle breaking down, etc. With travel insurance, you will be covered in the event of a missed flight. You may also receive a lump sum if there is a valid reason why your departure was delayed or you missed your flight.

Lost or Delayed Luggage: When traveling by plane, many people have had their luggage either delayed or lost. Replacing clothes and incidentals can be quite costly. Travel Insurance will cover lost luggage items. If delayed, the policy will cover the purchase of necessities that you require while waiting for your luggage to arrive.

Cause Injury to another Person: If you have rented a car while traveling abroad and crash into another car, and are found at fault, you may be responsible for paying for another person’s medical costs. Personal liability insurance will cover you for another person’s loss. Some policies will pay for the cost of an attorney if you are sued.

Lost Belongings and Theft: When you are traveling abroad, you should consider what you would do if you lost your belongings or had them stolen. Losing you cash, credit cards, and other forms of payment could leave you in a frightening situation. Traveler’s insurance will cover you if you lost or had your means of payment stolen. If you take expensive items such as jewelry and cameras on your trip, you run the risk of having the items stolen. Travelers insurance will cover you in the event of a theft of an item. Most policies impose a limit of coverage on any one item. You should consider adding ‘all risks’ coverage to your valuables. As well, make sure that you become familiar with any stipulations in your travel policy regarding the loss of an item. If you left a camera at a public place such as a park, you may not be covered

Traveling abroad can be an exciting and fun adventure. When making your traveling preparations, you want to make sure that your plans will result in a relaxing and enjoyable trip. Purchasing travelers insurance will give you peace of mind knowing that you are protected.

-

Mountain biking is one of Britain’s favourite sports and the majority of kids have a bike these days. UK cycling was the star of the Beijing Olympics, bringing Britain loads of silverware. The Tour de France and other events also have strong British contenders each year.



It is no surprise then that mountain biking holidays are very popular and are well catered for, and resembles what skiing is to winter sports. It’s not a difficult thing to learn, in fact it’s as simple as riding a bike, and is relatively cheap to buy what you need as a beginner. The vast areas of good terrain mean you’ll never have to visit the same place twice unless you want to.



For the dedicated enthusiast, or those who simply prefer to follow a sense of adventure, planning a mountain bike holiday from the bottom up can be a great experience. Numerous sources of information and advice will help construct a holiday that suits you down to the ground. Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and other travel books are always good, given that they have info on biking but also all the other aspects such as accommodation and travel routes.



Mountain biking magazines regularly run features on certain areas that can be really useful. But perhaps the easiest way is to choose a resort that is known for good quality mountain biking, book flights and accommodation, and get the local knowledge of where is best to ride when you get there.



One thing to make sure you take with you if you’re going to bike abroad is travel insurance. Because of the nature of mountain biking, most standard policies won’t cover all aspects of the sport, particularly things like downhill racing or cross-country in extreme areas.



This is because insurance is based on risk and the more skilled areas of biking are very risky. The chances of injury are greatly increased the higher the speed of the rider and the mor difficult the ground on which he is travelling, not to mention risk of damaging expensive equipment. Personal liability for accidents can also be an issue, given that cyclists can cause an accident just like any other road user.



But don’t let these statistics put you off. Pretty much anyone can get insured for anything, for the right price. They might cost more but paying a high premium sure beats paying the hospital bills for a broken leg when you take a fall off a high saddle. And medical bills aren’t the only benefits, because things like early flights and cancelled accommodation can be refunded when you need to return home early in plaster.



The UK has some amazing cycling as well including the coast-to-coast route in Northern England that starts on the West coast in Cumbria and takes in such wonderful areas as the Lake District, as the rider covers the whole width of England. Rides like this can be done in just a few days or more leaisurely over the course of a week, and are great in summer when camping offers cheap accommodation.

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