turtle blog

Travel Insurance is a type of coverage which can imply one thing, but can actually include several different coverages. For years, as I travelled back and forth to the United States by car, travel insurance to me, meant Emergency Medical coverage. There was no trip to cancel, interrupt, or delay, and I would be hard pressed to lose my luggage in the back seat or trunk of my car. However, if I were a frequent flyer for business, lost luggage or trip delay would be a lot more significant to me. As a Canadian, we have Universal Health care. Paying for medical services, or having to get private insurance to cover those costs, is not something we think about, except when travelling out of Canada. We should also think of it when travelling outside of our home Provinces.

Being in the insurance business has made me aware there is more to Travel Insurance than just Emergency Medical coverage. Although, that is pretty important, it is only one of the many types of plans available. Here is a list of what you should consider before you leave the country.

Emergency Medical

Look for a policy that has unlimited coverage in the policy wordings. Most Travel Insurance plans have some form of maximum or limit on claims. There are plans that don’t. Your plan should also have features that cover accidental dental coverage, medical evacuation, or return home costs in the event of hospitalization. Likewise, in the event of death, a repatriation benefit is important. If for some reason, you become hospitalized beyond your intended length of stay, find a plan with a benefit built in to pay for those extra nights of accommodation and food.

These types of plans can be purchased on a per trip basis or on an annual basis. Believe it or not, they are not as expensive as they seem. As an example, a family of four, parents aged 40, and two children under 6, can get this coverage on an annual basis for as little as $120.

Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption

This type of coverage can be purchased either alone, or in addition to, Emergency Medical coverage. Your plan should cover the insured cost of your trip for both cancellation and interruption. Look for features that contain Emergency Early Return benefits, accommodation & meal benefits. Cruise cancellation is also available. This Travel Insurance plan is available on either a per trip, or annual basis.

Other Features

If you fly frequently, for business or pleasure, you may want to look into some sort of baggage protection. Whether it be for your laptop, files, or even golf clubs, it’s important your belongings arrive with you. Especially these days, with limited carry on’s allowed. If you frequent other countries, there is even a Passport Replacement benefit which can be added.

An Accidental Death or Dismemberment feature, to cover yourself while flying and 24/7 for the duration of your trip, anywhere in the world, may also be purchased.

Lastly, if you have friends or family coming to visit from another province, you should look into getting them coverage. Even if you travel within your own country, you may not have full coverage if something were to happen to you outside your own province.

International Student Insurance is important, I’d say critical, for anyone who is from a foreign country. It provides emergency medical coverage while completing studies in Canada.

I hope that the information in this article has been helpful. For more information, please feel free to visit our website, www.thebenefitguys.ca.

For more resources please review http://www.thebenefitguys.ca.

Canada is such a vast country to visit; it’s hard to know where to begin. Most Canada holidays will need to be concentrated on a certain area. It’s a land of contrast with mountains, prairies, cities and the Great Lakes. The culture is derived from Britain and France and French is spoken as a first language in some quarters. It really is the nation of wide, open spaces.

Ottawa is the country’s capital and the House of Commons and the Senate is situated at Parliament Hill, where visitors can go on guided tours. The Museum of Civilization contains exhibits on the history of the country and there is a children’s museum within the main complex. Children will love the Science and Technology Museum too, which includes some very big train locomotives. Toronto is the largest city in the country and has many attractions. The Art Gallery of Ontario is the largest gallery in Canada and exhibits the largest collection of Henry Moore’s works in the world. The Ontario Science Center is popular with families on Canada holidays and has several interactive displays. The Island Lake Group offers some of the world’s most exciting private heli ski tours and untouched powder snowcat skiing, Cat Ski, Catskiing in Canada. Visit Island Lake Lodge today for a perfect hiking & mountain spa getaway!

Vancouver is said to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is not to be missed by those on Canada holidays. For a terrific view of the city, there is a skyride to a viewing area up on Grouse Mountain. The Vancouver Aquarium has an international reputation for marine life research and conservation. This is a good area for winter sports enthusiasts and Whistler Mountain is reputed to be one of the best ski resorts for skiers and snowboarders in the world.

Canada is also famous for the Great Lakes, which traverse both Canada and the United States. It is an area of great beauty, used for recreation and commercial interests. Several National Parks occupy islands on the lakes. The five lakes are Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world and Lake Erie is very popular with sport fishing enthusiasts. Lake Michigan is the one lake that lies completely within the United States and is known for its beautiful beaches.

Nova Scotia, on the East Coast, contains one of the world’s last, true wilderness areas. The majority of the terrain is lakes and woodland. The Cape Breton Highlands National Park is particularly scenic and is home to several wildlife species, including deer. The capital, Halifax, is a pretty town and a popular destination on Canada holidays for people who enjoy strolling around the harbor and the historic streets.

Are you planning a trip to the beautiful country of Costa Rica? There is plenty to see in this country including the beaches on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, quaint colonial towns, and lush inland rainforests. It would be impossible to see all of this with buses and taxis so you should consider renting a car. Car Rental Costa Rica will give you the ability to come and go as you please and see places that aren’t reachable by other forms of transportation.

Since Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination there are several local and international car rental companies to choose from. Here are some tips on renting a car in Costa Rica.

Driving in Costa Rica

You might be worried about driving in a foreign country but Costa Rica is one of the most developed Central American countries and the roads are in fairly good condition. The road rules are about the same as the U.S. so it’s easy to get the hang of it after a few hours of driving around.

Check with the car rental company about what kind of license you’ll need. Sometimes you can just use your license from home but usually you’ll need to get an international drivers license. An international driver’s license doesn’t require a test and you can pick one up for a nominal fee from an auto club such as AAA. Even if you’re not required to have an international driver’s license it’s a good idea to get one since your information is translated into several languages.

Rental Car Locations

The majority of rental car companies have facilities at the Juan Santamar?a airport which is most likely where you’ll arrive and depart. Some also have offices in town which can be more convenient if you don’t want to rent a car right when you arrive. Smaller local car rental companies may only have offices in town but they usually offer a pick up and drop off service to make it more convenient.

Resort cities also have a few car rental offices in town. You can rent a car for just a day or two to explore the sounding area and get away from the chaotic city. Some offer one way rentals so you can drive it back to San Jos? and drop it off at the airport when you leave.

Special Offers

Costa Rica car rental always have special offers and discounts especially in the off-peak season. Visit individual car rental websites to find specials you may be eligible for. Most rental companies partner with airlines so it’s worth checking with the airline you’ll be traveling on. Discounts are usually available such as auto club, senior and corporate discounts. Make sure you have the discount code and supply it when booking your reservation.

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America. It is the worlds second largest country by total area and extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean. Canada shares land borders with the United States to the northwest and south.

It is a union of British colonies and it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1982. It remains a Commonwealth Realm with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state.

It is a federal constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy. It comprises ten provinces and three territories. Canada is a bilingual and multicultural country, with both English and French as official languages at the federal level.

The name Canada comes from a word in the language of the St Lawrence Iroquoians meaning village or settlement.

The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court and final arbiter and is led by the Right Honourable Madam Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, P.C.

The population density of three and a half people per square kilometre it is among the lowest in the world. The country is sparsely populated. Most people congregate around urban centres and venturing into more remote rural areas, you may well have only the countries stunning scenery as your companion. The Island Lake Group offers some of the world’s most exciting private heli ski tours and untouched powder snowcat skiing, Cat Ski, Catskiing in Canada. Visit Island Lake Lodge today for a perfect hiking & mountain spa getaway!

Average winter and summer high temperatures across Canada vary depending on the location. Winters can be harsh in many regions of the country, particularly in the Prairie Provinces, where daily average temperatures are near minus fifth teen degrees, but can drop below minus forty degrees with severe wind chills. Coastal British Columbia is an exception and enjoys a temperate climate with a mild and rainy winter.

On the east and west coast average high temperatures are generally in the low twenty degrees, while between the coasts the average summer high temperature range between twenty five to thirty degrees with occasional extreme heat in some interior locations exceeding forty degrees.

Official national sports are ice hockey in the winter and lacrosse in the summer. Hockey is a national pastime and the most popular spectator sport in the country. It is the most popular sport Canadians play.

Few countries in the world offer as many choices to the traveller as Canada. Whether your passion is skiing, sailing, museum combing or indulging in exceptional cuisine, Canada has it all. Western Canada is renowned for its stunningly beautiful countryside. Eastern Canada mixes the flavour and charm of Europe with the bustle of trendy New York. Wildlife viewing is at its best in Northern Canada.

Delight in the beauty, fun and relaxation of a mountain vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Asheville NC. Key attractions such as Biltmore Estate, Chimney Rock and Grandfather Mountain combine with outdoor adventures of the Appalachian Trail, Lake James, Linville, Nantahala, and Pisgah National Forest for mountain outings and natural experiences to suit all tastes. Charming small towns such as Black Mountain, Lake Lure, Hendersonville, Mars Hill, Brevard NC, and Hot Springs NC are full of art and craft galleries, traditional music venues and diverse arts festivals, restaurants serving locally grown foods, historic sites and museums. Stay in a Blue Ridge cabin, a Blue Ridge rental property, a romantic bed-and-breakfast, a charming historic inn, the famed Grove Park Inn, or one of many Asheville hotels ? mountain accommodation options are endless.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Celebrates 75 Years

In 2010, the breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway celebrates its 75th anniversary with festivities scheduled in many of the charming mountain communities it winds its way past. The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway is a both a scenic byway and a spectacular national park, complete with hiking trails, towering trees, diverse wildlife and cultural points of interest. “America’s Favorite Drive” makes it way past many points of interest in the Blue Ridge Mountains; Linville Falls, the Museum of North Carolina Minerals, Mount Mitchell State Park, Craggy Gardens alive with Rhododendron, the Folk Art Center, and Mount Pisgah are a few. The Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center with information, exhibits and programs is just east of Asheville on the Parkway.

Asheville NC: In The Heart Of It All

The Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina are anchored by the hip, urban hub of Asheville. For an Asheville vacation, visit Biltmore Estate, the NC Arboretum, and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, or just stroll through downtown. Historic Asheville is a mid-size city and its streets are lined with inspiring architecture and sculpture, delicious restaurants, locally owned shops and galleries, and venues with live music. Base your mountain vacation in the city’s vibrant center to take full advantage of the arts, eateries and nearby outdoor recreation or choose one of the many Blue Ridge Mountains’ beautiful, quaint small towns with their own Blue Ridge cabins, Blue Ridge inns, spas and outdoor activities for a romantic and relaxed mountain getaway.

For more resources please review this page http://www.ncblueridge.com

Spain is a place that attracts millions each year. Some wish to live here. Others would rather visit for a nice vacation getaway. One of the most important factors to influence their decisions to come here is the great weather Spain offers. There are typically five weather patterns that Spain is known for, and they each coincide with the five different regions that make up the country. One thing that all of these weather patterns have in common is the warmth and comfort they offer both citizens and tourists. Into everyone’s life a little rain must fall, but it is not the rain that makes the weather Spain offers something special. It is the tropical, breezy, and refreshing qualities that matter the most!

If you are wondering just which type of weather Spain provides to the different regions within its landscape then read on for a brief synopsis of the weather type and the kind of locale where you will find it:

Continental Mediterranean: This is the climate you will find in the interior areas of the Spanish peninsula. It is most known for the city of Madrid. With a Continental Meridian climate, the weather Spain offers is truly the best of both worlds. The seasons change regularly as with most continental climates, which means you will get cold winters and warm summers, but at the same time, you get a nice influence from the Mediterranean Sea itself. It is very rare and sets apart the area where it is found from the rest of the world.

Oceanic: The Bay of Biscay and the area of Galicia are two areas where you will be able to enjoy Spain’s oceanic climate. Often called Green Spain, it is here that you will find moderately cool summers and winters. If you like consistency with your weather, Spain gives you just that - a major drawback if you are partial to the seasons, but something you will appreciate when winters get too chilly.

Semiarid: In the city of Murcia, you will find a drier climate. The semiarid climate gives you a taste of the best qualities Spain’s weather has to offer. While semiarid climates such as those found in Murcia receive low annual rainfall, they do receive a great deal more than you will find in arid locations.

Mediterranean: This climate owes much to the effects of the Mediterranean Sea. It is characterized by warm to hot dry summers and cool wet winters. In Spain, the areas where you will find this particular climate type along the Andalusian plain along the Pyrenees, eastern and southern coasts. Sandwiched between sea and mountain ranges, it is a cozy area and a terrific location for anyone who loves the sea!

Subtropical: Las Palmas in the Canary Islands is where you will find the subtropical climate. It is characterized by warm winters and hot summers.

The weather Spain offers is some of the best in the world. Make the trip and see for yourself. You will not be disappointed. In fact, the only drawback is that if you do not live here, you will find yourself wanting to return again and again. And while that can get a little pricy, it is completely worth it!

Weather Spain - Available on Spain News website.

In today’s fast paced world, people get stressed out and long for time off from work and a vacation in an exotic place. With ever increasing pressures and dead-lines at the office, everyone wants some undisturbed leisure time. It is time to switch off the cell phone, blackberry and email and enjoy nature. Some people prefer to travel by car or motor home, some by train or plane and some prefer cruise ships or sail boats. Cruising is one of the most fascinating ways to travel and get pampered along the way. Quite often one travels at night, so you wake up in a different port city. The advantage is you didn’t have to fly or drive or pack your luggage. Occasionally there are sea days but even here there are activities to enjoy. Perhaps you’re exploring the Inside Passage in Alaska or the Panama Canal. Sit on the deck chairs and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature. Or explore the ship, which usually has fascinating art in the hallways and public rooms. Or visit the spa, pool, gym, shops or casino. There are usually many activities for children and teens as well. New ships like the Oasis of the Seas feature everything from massage, spa, hair and makeup, cardio and resistance machines, Pilates, kickboxing, yoga, spinning classes, pools and whirlpools, sports courts, mini-golf, Zip line, rock-climbing walls and basketball courts. Ships have entertainment featuring ice shows, nightclubs, Jazz, comedy and musical spectacles ranging from big band to disco. For kids there are activities such as jewelry making & scrapbooking and a nursery. And let’s not forget about the gourmet food and no dishes to wash or beds to make! Many ships now feature specialty dining rooms and coffee shops. Some cruise lines have large ships with many amenities and others have smaller, cozier ships. Some gear towards older adults and some to families with younger children. Check with your travel agent before you book a cruise. Cruise ships travel to all the popular and exotic locations, so there is a cruise for you. One nice thing about cruising is the day trips when you’re in port. Even when you’re travelling with friends, you can all choose your own adventure. For the thrill seekers, there may be helicopter rides or whitewater kayaking. For the nature lover, try hiking or rafting trips down the river. If you want a more leisurely pace, there are bus trips to various attractions or a relaxed walk around town. Perhaps you just want to lay on that sandy beach and get a tan. Whatever you are looking for, the cruise ship probably has a shore excursion to match. You can book these before you leave home; some fill up fast. One of the advantages of booking shore excursions with the cruise line is that you have nothing to worry about. If you book these on your own on the internet and you come back late, you missed the boat. On one cruise, the ship we were on couldn’t dock at Cozumel due to high waves. The cruise ship looked after cancellation of shore excursions. There are thousands of websites about travel but only a few of them are renowned for their expertise in this field. Oasis Cruise is one of them. We did our first cruise in 1960. Since that day, we have never looked back. We have almost 50 years experience in cruising and different holiday destinations. Another option for sea lovers is sail boats. Travel at a more leisurely pace, where the journey is the destination. Although considerably smaller than a cruise ship, sail boats have all the amenities of home, a galley, dining room, a head, navigation room and bedrooms. Our sailors, Don & Lynn from Prairie Seashell bring you the adventures of sailing a 38 foot sail boat in Mexico. They have a section on building a sailboat in their backyard. We bring you in-depth stories about sailing, life aboard, harbors, boat repairs, food and cooking and PSS blogs. We have photo albums of all our trips and are uploading pictures to the web. We want to share our holiday memories with you. Whether you take a cruise on a large cruise ship like Oasis of the Seas, a medium or small ship or a sail boat, I’m sure you’ll enjoy your holiday at sea. There are many cruise lines to choose from - Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Disney, Carnival and Princess, to name just a few. Oasis Cruise is not affiliated with a cruise line or travel agency. We hope you enjoy our travel and cruise stories.

Oasis Cruise & Travel Stories http://oasiscruise.com/Travel-Tips-Savings/Travel-Cruising/

London is one of the busiest cities in the world. It is always buzzing with thousands and thousands of people every single second. So to accommodate this large amount of people there are many three to five stars hotels in London, more precisely in Central London. It is estimated that there are more than 80,000 hotel rooms in Central London itself.

Now let us see about some of the London hotels.

Hotel Russell is one of the most famous hotels in London. It is located in the Russell square in Central London. This Central London hotel houses 371 rooms which offer luxury and comfort. This London hotel is located near some famous tourist attractions thus making it easier for the guests to get access to these places with ease.

Another famous hotel Central London is the Lancaster Gate. This hotel London is located in Hyde Park. This hotel combines both tradition and modernity. The architecture of this hotel is designed in a more traditional way and its hotel rooms include all the modern amenities and facilities for providing comfort to its guests.

Hotel Hilton Islington is one of the upscale hotels in Central London. This hotel is located in Islington area. This region is considered to be the most chic areas in the whole of London. Most of the celebrities of London reside in this area. This hotel is all about money and glamour. This hotel offer one of the best in class service with state-of-the art facilities and amenities. The staffs employed in this hotel are very flexible and friendly.

All the above hotels located in Central London are some of the best places in London to spend the vacation with the family or any kind of business trip. For more details please visit the respective hyperlinks.

Isola d’Elba, being the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago, is one of the best tourist spots for travelers who love nature and sea. Even people who prefer leisurely cruise destinations and lovely beaches or those who want exclusive, relaxed, tension-free stay for unwinding from the stress of fast life continue to visit Isola d’Elba repeatedly to spend some holidays there vacanze isola d’Elba as Italians says?) sola d’Elba could be reached easily through the two major ferry companies, ‘Toremar’ and ‘Moby Lines’ that conduct cruises every hour during the peak summer season, when tourists visit the island in large numbers. This also means that it is possible to take a journey trip to Elba when renting case mare Toscana for your beach holidays in Tuscany. The Marina di Campo Airport is the airport on the island, and Intersky serves the airport, with flights between the island and Zurich, Friedrichshafen, and Munchen. The internal flights are taken care of by ElbaFly.

A local private company runs a boat service that would take you on a leisurely boat ride along the enchanting coasts of the island. This boat company offers the visitors several exclusive choices of anchorage points along the island coast, if you wish to relax on the beach in between. You could cover the entire coast stretching for about 50 miles by boat in an unhurried manner in a single day, unless you wish to spend more time at the anchorage points. The Ligurian Sea is in the northern side, the Piombino Channel is in the east, the Tyrrhenian Sea covers the south, and the western side is separated by the Corsica Channel from the nearby Corsica.

However, if you drive or hire a car, you could cover the coast even in about 4 hours. The expressways and the streets of the island are in reasonably good condition. Another advantage of covering the island by car is the possibility of visiting the several unique villages in the island that reflect the local culture. However, it would be better if you spend more time on the island instead of a fast tour. Then only, you would be able to discover and appreciate the beauty of the several tiny natural bays and the little ports created by the inhabitants over the centuries. With this purpose in mind you could book a room in a small village, to live the real Elba athmosphere… We can suggest you to search for alberghi Lacona to book a suggestive accommodation in one of the most lovely pl?aces in Isola d’Elba, the Lacona Gulf…

Another mode of covering the island is to make an exciting trip into the hinterland of Isola d’Elba. You could utilize the services of local buses or you could rent a car or a motorcycle from the various rental travel agencies operating in the island. You would be able to cover every part of the island through this process within a period of about 4 to 7 days. In the center of the western area of the island is the majestic Mount Capanne, with a maximum height of 1,018 meters. You would be able to find several animal species that flourish in spite of the continuous tourist traffic. The most important among them are the wild boar and the mouflon. The central portion of the island is quite flat, containing the most important tourist spots, Portoferraio and Campo nell’Elba. The eastern side is the oldest area of the island, believed to be formed before 400 million years. The Monte Calamita in this area is famous for its iron ore deposits. However, most of the mines had not been functioning at present and tourism had become the main support of the economy of the island.

Cabin staff of the Spanish Iberia Airline went on a 48-hour strike, leading to over 400 flights being cancelled and thousands of passengers being inconvenienced.

Cancelled flights include domestic, European as well as trans-Atlantic flights. Over 440 flights out of 2000 have been grounded. This strike has been called by the unions CTA and SITCPLA, in protest of a four-year pay freeze for around 4,300 cabin staff. Another cause for protest is that other Iberia workers, for example pilots, have seen wages rise in the meantime while their own stay stagnant.

Iberia has expressed its regret that labor unions should demand pay increases, especially in view of the dismal scene in the aviation sector throughout the globe. The strikers have refused to back down, however, and have planned further stoppages for November 10 and 11.

Worst affected was Madrid’s Barajas airport, where over 200 flights failed to take off as 600+ workers joined the staff strike. Passengers have been deeply inconvenienced by the strike, and some are greatly enraged at Iberia for refusing to pay for an extra day’s hotel stay caused by the strike. However, Iberia has promised to offer alternative flight dates or to refund the tickets.

However, Madrid’s inflation rate is extremely high at the moment - the official figure is between 3.6 and 4 per cent, which is one of the highest in all of Europe. This puts the workers in a position where living slowly grows closer to the untenable, especially in view of the jobs being lost in the global recession and added pressure on the earning members of the family.

It is not known yet how this will impact the downward spiral in Spanish tourism. Spain is doing all that it can to revive this failing industry, including a deal with English football club Liverpool giving the Spanish Tourism Board (Turespana) global rights to promoting Spain as a travel destination.

In order to revive its flagging business, Iberia Airlines have also considered other options, among which are:

* A merger with the equally fragile British Airways, which seems to have fallen through as a result of the current airline strike

* A code sharing agreement with GOL, a carrier based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This is aimed at enhancing access to the Brazilian, Spanish-speaking market. If this is implemented, the two companies will also share Frequent Flyer points, resulting in a stronger loyalty program.

These are all parts of a structural overhaul designed to counter the steeply declining revenues caused by the global recession. Other components of this overhaul include -

* creating a new subsidiary airline by 2011 that will handle its short-haul and medium-haul flights.

* Pay freeze throughout the company for 2010 and 2011, or until the new airline is in operation.

* Laying off cabin staff above the age of 55, amounting to about 200 ground staff.

* Saving up to 37 million euros a year in 2011 and 2012 in overhead costs.

The major positive fallout of Iberia’s restructuring and Spain’s declining tourism is that this is an extremely lucrative time to travel in Spain. With Spanish hotels and airlines offering packages at all-time low rates, this becomes the best time to capitalize on the opportunity.

Learn about the latest incidents in Spain by reading Spain News. If you are making a trip to Spain, check out the latest Hotels Spain information.