Travel Insurance for Family Holidays

The economy may be tough and holiday budgets stretched more than ever before but families still need, and will take, their holidays. Getting away as a family is very important for maintaining the family bond. However, the organisation of a family holiday can be daunting. There is so much to do and think about before you leave home – and family holiday insurance is just one of them.A checklist is vital so that you don’t forget anything important. Holiday checklist examples are available online and you can tailor them to suit your family’s needs. Keep a copy on your home computer, if possible, so that you can edit it as the family’s needs change. Print out copies for all family members and ask them to add anything they think is important to them. (Be prepared for suggestions to include a tattered teddy bear or computer game; better to have all this on board – and contented kids – rather than deal with the alternative… )One aspect of a family holiday that is easy to solve and tick off that ‘to do’ list is family travel insurance. It is best to take care of this as soon as you book your holiday so that coverage begins immediately, in case of any unexpected events that may cause cancellation of your trip.Families can save money on family holiday insurance because kids are very often included free of charge. Let’s face it, you don’t get much for free these days – and there is no trick involved. This is something offered free that is actually worth having! (Remember to check the policy terms and conditions).If you think you might take two of more holidays in a year it is wise to save money by choosing an Annual Multi-trip policy for your family holiday. This is a no-brainer if you consider how much it would cost for multiple trips or holidays if you were to take out a single-trip policy for each family member each time you travel.Before purchasing holiday insurance always check carefully to ensure that it provides adequate cover for the needs of your family, as well as all your planned activities. Medical cover is the most important concern for most families. No one wants to think about possible accidents, sickness, or health emergencies when going on holiday. However, imagine how you would feel if the worst should happen and you are faced with an astronomical hospital bill. Remember to check that your insurance policy includes air ambulance and medical repatriation to your homeland – as this can be extremely expensive.Wouldn’t it be nice to know you have an emergency number to call 24/7 when you are far away from home, perhaps in a country where you do not speak the language? A friendly voice at the end of the phone would be welcome to help with medical emergencies, and other problems such as replacing stolen or lost travel documents or credit cards, tracing lost luggage, or handling arrangements in the event of a delay in your travel schedule.Do you like to gamble? Because travelling without insurance is taking a real risk. Travel insurance is just as important for solo travellers as for families. When the kids are grown and it is time for them to venture out into the world without you, it’s no use trying to stop them. (You may have been responsible for infecting them with the travel bug in the first place). The best you can do is make sure they have insurance – or purchase travel insurance for them as a farewell gift and send them on their way. Insurance not only provides needed protection for them, but also gives a worried parent or parents some peace of mind while the kids are out of sight. Tip: a Backpacker policy is great value and a cheap option for young travellers who don’t have a lot of luggage. There’s no point in paying for cover that you don’t need.The kids will be grown up and gone before you know it and family holidays are precious times to be cherished. One day you will look back through family holiday photo albums and ‘ooh and aah’ at the cute snapshots of the kids. Don’t risk spoiling those holiday memories because you thought travel insurance was an unnecessary expense!

Why Holiday Rental Properties Are Gaining Popularity Amongst Property Owners

Europe is the world’s largest holiday rentals market, and holiday rentals have always been an attractive accommodation option for European holiday makers. However, it is only been in the past two years or so that the spotlight has really been focused on this sector. What has brought about this renewed interest into the holiday rentals sector?On the holiday maker end, economics and technology are the main drivers. Belt tightening in Europe has meant that Europeans are holidaying closer to home within Europe or doing domestic holidays. Additionally, with the rise of the emerging markets, non- Europeans are able to travel abroad more often, and revisit a destination again after their initial tours. Rather than being cooped up in a tiny hotel room, for the same costs, they are able to rent a larger apartment or villa.Technology has been a key catalyst in bringing the holiday rental properties industry into the limelight in the past two years. As holiday makers get used to planning and booking their travels online with the aid of travel reviews, they are discovering that holiday rentals are better value for money.As for property owners, they are discovering that they are no longer subject to the marketing efforts of holiday rental management companies who take a hefty chunk of commission, and might not be putting in as much effort in market the property other than just putting it on their websites or brochures. The other option in the past was just having their own websites, which hardly stood out from the multitude of vacation rental sites online. The rise of vacation rentals by owners websites empowers property owners who do not need to pay any upfront fees to list and market their properties. These websites typically collect a commission with each booking, with the added security feature that the booking fees are only passed onto the property owner after check in. Property owners are also protected by setting their cancellation policies as well as deposits should they wish to. After each stay, both the property owner and the holiday maker can review each other, thereby building up their respective reputation for future stays and rentals.So why should property owners consider renting out their place to holiday makers via vacation rentals by owners websites? These websites not only empower the property owners to compete against the hotels on a more level playing field in the absence of a marketing budget, but it provides the property owners with the flexibility of renting it out when they want it, and not be committed to a long-term rent to a tenant or via a property management company.There are many reasons why property owners choose to rent out their place – be it saving up for a holiday, an important event like their wedding, not having to sell off their place if they have been made redundant, having a retirement income stream or simply putting their children through to higher education. Vacation rentals by owners websites empower property owners and at the same time allow them the flexibility in being an micro-entrepreneur, and running their own holiday accommodation without the need of huge start-up costs.

Distinguishing Between Truths and Lies About Health and Fitness

We all know how things get started concerning information, and that certainly applies to health and fitness facts and myths. Myths are born when we hear something about a good tip even if we don’t have the whole story and we go and tell the next person. Maybe they even didn’t hear it right. But they innocently tell something they know, and another myth is born, again.There is a very high likelihood that you will accept what you hear if the person you are hearing it from is in a position that makes them more likely to know for sure or one of power even. If you are getting information that isn’t entirely correct it can be dangerous. Keep reading for more on fitness and health facts and myths.Treadmill workouts and your knees is one fitness myth that has been going around for a long time. Some believe that running on a treadmill is easier on your knees than running on a hard surface outdoors. This is indeed not a true statement. Your knees suffer the full force of your weight when you are jogging or running. The surface you choose to run on has no impact on the safety of the exercise.Treadmills may offer some give but they are not going to offer extra support to your knees. Having a good running shoe can help benefit your knees. Everyone has heard that regular exercise can help you have more energy. This is a true statement and many people who exercise regularly enjoy this benefit. People who regularly exercise in the morning feel energized all day long. One of the many reasons for this is increased blood circulation. Your cells receive more oxygen when your circulation is improved. Regular exercise can also help improve your strength and stamina. Improved stamina contributes to the feeling of having more energy.Another myth that is common is the excuse “No Time” for exercise. Really, you only need to take about 15 minutes a couple times a week. Then, a thirty minute workout can be fit in on the weekend, perhaps. That minimal amount is vastly better than nothing at all. You can even do some at work or at the park with your kids. You can take a break time walk or jump rope at home or in the office. Three ten minute slots in our schedules is easy for anyone to find.It’s important for you to take the time to research everything in order to be able to clearly discern fact from fiction. It’s in your best interest to do the research. Since you are ready to exert the energy and time, it’s important that you know what you are doing. This way you get the optimal benefit to your exercise program.