All vehicle insurance policies in the UK will provide minimum third-party coverage to drive in the European Union (including Ireland) as well as IIceland, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Serbia, Norway, and Switzerland. You will need to get a physical copy of a green card to drive in the aforementioned locations.
Also, will need to check with your insurance company if it has coverage for theft or damage to your car outside the UK or abroad.
Third party auto insurance is used to protect a driver against a loss that is caused by a third-party, or when another driver damages the insured’s car. The 2 main classifications of third-party auto insurance include property damage coverage and liability protection.
In most instances, you need to carry a green card to show that you have the minimum coverage of insurance for the country in which you are driving. Insurance may also need to be taken out for a trailer or caravan, if applicable. Before you drive in a country in which you plan to travel, check on the auto insurance requirements.
If you have a green card to travel in Europe, it is part of the Green Card System – a program overseen by the European Council of Bureaus, or CoB. Currently, the CoB has a list of 48 participating countries. Basically, a green card shows proof of international auto insurance coverage while you drive in countries within the Green Card System.
If you do not possess a green card when driving in Europe or another country in the Green Card system, you may be held liable for any accident-related costs.
A rainbow of card colors represents the international auto insurance card required by UK travelers in other countries. For example, a blue card covers southeast Asia while a brown card is used while driving in western Africa. An orange card is designed for drivers in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Pink and yellow cards cover central Africa and Eastern Africa, respectively.
Slow travel does not represent a mode of transport. Rather it is defined as a way to think about enjoying a vacation. Slow travelers do not try to clutter their itineraries with cities and sights. Instead, they like to explore each destination completely and experience the local cuisine and culture.
The idea of slow travel came about from the slow food movement, which started in Italy in the 1980s. During this time, Italians protested the opening of a McDonald’s restaurant in Rome. Therefore, the slow food movement is meant to preserve the idea of traditional food preparation and communal meals.
Not only does slow travel include eating in fine dining restaurants, it also extends to activities, such as riding a bike, instead of driving, from one village to the next. This type of movement allows people to savor their surroundings and better relax and enjoy their holiday.
Some people think of slow travel as traveling a long distance by train instead of air. Doing so allows them to embrace the scenery and make the most of each moment.
Because the slow movement was initiated in Italy several decades ago, it is still a part of what traveling in the country is all about. If you plan a trip to Italy, slow your pace and leave the hectic pace of life behind. Take several days exploring the sights and cuisine of each destination. In Italy, you don’t need to hurry to take in the sights.
Italians love the idea of slow travel, as they are a friendly people. They want you to take your time to get to know them and acquaint yourself with the menus, attractions, and sights of their country.
The best time to visit The Maldives on a budget would be between the months of May to August. This is when you can find some Maldives off-season deals for flight tickets and accommodation. However, this means that you’re ready to take a risk with the weather conditions as the cheapest months to go to The Maldives are during the official monsoon season.
During these months, your holiday to The Maldives might be subject to rain, strong winds and currents as the sea can get rough at times. If you are thinking of snorkeling or diving in The Maldives, do take note that the possible poor weather conditions might affect underwater visibility as well.
When to go to The Maldives? Best time to visit The Maldives
If you’re after sunny days, the best time to visit The Maldives is during the dry season between November to April. This is the best season if you plan on island-hopping in The Maldives and enjoying the best beaches around the atolls. Underwater visibility for snorkeling and diving in The Maldives is also great during this period.
What is the hottest month in The Maldives?
The month of March usually records the highest temperature in The Maldives. During this period, the temperature can go up to 31ºC. That being said, temperatures in The Maldives rarely go lower than 27ºC – this is usually the coldest it can get and it is usually in January.
Yes, there are ATMs on the Gili Islands. You can always cash out once there itself. However, the reason why it is recommended to cash out from mainland Bali or Lombok, is because often, the ATMs on the Gili Islands run out of cash. There are also several power cuts on the Gili Islands that might affect the proper functioning of the ATMs.
For that reason, it is safer to come prepared. Do take note that most hotels and restaurants do accept card payment as well so it should not be too much of an issue. However, it is good to have cash on you (not too much either) if you plan on doing some shopping. Most reputable hotels/resorts also come with a safety box if you need to store your valuables so make sure you’re not walking around the Gili Islands with all your cash in your pocket.
My Tip: Although not only applicable to the Gili Islands, do watch out for suspicious activities like ATM skimming when in Indonesia.
River Tubing is a popular activity among young travellers and backpackers in Vang Vieng, Laos. However, if you are a non-swimmer, this might not be the safest activity to sign up for when in the region. Although not necessarily dangerous, river tubing in Laos does come with potential risks if you are not confident in swimming – the undercurrents are quite strong and very unpredictable.
Being a non-swimmer and facing challenges in the water can also put you in situations of panic and potential drowning is not to be ruled out. You will of course be equipped with a life jacket but this is only a safety precaution and does not ensure you’re 100% safe from injuries and other accidents.
River tubing incidents have been a common occurrence in Laos. Most of these fatal river tubing accidents are of people who have had too much to drink or taken drugs and who have either drowned in the strong currents or hit their heads against rocks while jumping into the river. For this reason, officials have taken the decision to close most bars that used to line up the main river in Vang Vieng. Nowadays, the thrill and excitement of river tubing in Laos has calmed down.
Picking between Bali and Lombok for your honeymoon will depend on what you want to do. In recent years, Bali has gained lots of attention from tourists as it offers a variety of attractions, catering to everyone’s needs – there’s a whole lot of action around the island.
In Ubud for instance, one can escape to the jungle and enjoy rice paddy fields, luxury resorts hidden deep down in nature. In Uluwatu you can find beaches which are best enjoyed by surfers, there are also glitzy pool clubs. On the other side, Seminyak, Kuta and Canggu are great for shopping and cafe-hopping and nightlife.
So if you’re after a honeymoon that’s filled with things to do, then Bali might be a great option. Romantic hotels in Bali are also aplenty, you can find reputable international resorts, as well as affordable accommodation in Bali. You can enjoy a mix of both relaxation and action-packed honeymoon in Bali.
Lombok on the other hand is very much beach-focused. If you are coming to Lombok, you have to be prepared to be spending most of your time by the beach or in your hotel – it’s a great place to relax. Up north, you can also choose to explore the rugged landscapes of Mount Rinjani or take a boat to the nearby Gili Islands. A honeymoon in Lombok is for those after a laid-back atmosphere, something quieter than Bali.
Contrary to popular belief and information on the internet, there is no direct train linking Malaysia to Singapore. Luckily, getting from Malaysia to Singapore isn’t only easy but also pretty affordable. One popular way to travel from Malaysia to Singapore is by bus. The journey by bus will take you around 7-8 hours, depending on the traffic and includes a few R&R stops along the way.
In order to ensure availability, we highly recommend you to book your tickets in advance with your travel agent as New Year’s Eve sees lots of people travelling to Singapore by bus. For that reason, try to book your bus tickets as early as a month prior to your travels (especially for the festive season). Once you’ve made it through the border, there will be an immigration check, do make sure you have an onward ticket out of Singapore as officials are quite strict on overstaying matters. You should also make sure to check on your visa requirements and length of stay to avoid getting into trouble.
That being said, travelling from Malaysia to Singapore (and vice versa) by bus, would only be recommended if you have plenty of time to spare. If you are only planning a day trip or short visit to Singapore, we would suggest you to take a cheap flight ticket from a low-cost airline. There are several low-cost airline companies in South East Asia serving between these two countries and tickets can go as low as RM 100 (under 20 GBP) if you book early.
Skydiving in New Zealand is a life-changing experience and it is a popular activity in the region. It’s not rocket science, skydiving does come with risks but although classified as an adventurous activity, skydiving is much safer than you think. It is important that you opt for a reputable skydiving operator in New Zealand – make sure to do some research about what skydiving involves, read online reviews on the company and once there, do pay attention to the step-by-step briefing session before your skydiving experience. New Zealand has reported only a dozen fatal skydiving incidents since 1997.
Where can you skydive in New Zealand?
There are several skydiving operators across New Zealand, and with magnificent landscapes around the whole country, you’re bound to find a skydiving experience near you! You can skydive in Queenstown or skydive in Wanaka to enjoy endless panoramas of snow-capped mountains. For an even more thrilling experience, why not adventure yourself to skydive in Lake Taupo and free-fall over volcanoes and lush forests? The area is home to the largest commercial drop off zone in the world! If you’re a certified skydiver already, do make sure to bring along your licence when travelling to New Zealand for skydiving!
How much does it cost to skydive in New Zealand?
A skydiving experience in New Zealand can cost as low as $300 for a basic package, so anything much cheaper than this would raise serious questions and not be recommended for safety purposes. If your package deal to New Zealand is inclusive of a skydiving experience, the price should then be making sense. Otherwise, it is best to request more information to know about the reputation of the activity provider. Knowing the name of the provider will also enable you to read through online reviews, watch videos and get to know more about their brand, safety measures and whether they’re reputable when it comes to skydiving.
Not all rivers in Sri Lanka are safe to swim in. The best way to know whether a river or waterfall is safe to swim in is to observe or ask the locals as they know best, especially those living in the surroundings. That being said, although rivers are home to crocodiles and snakes, there are other potential risks that could put your life in danger.
Many people have lost their lives by drowning due to strong undercurrents and river depths that can change suddenly and pull you down. We do recommend checking for signage as well and avoid swimming in secluded locations where it will be hard to get help should you face challenges. If you’re a non-swimmer or are not confident about swimming in strong currents, we would highly discourage you from swimming or even taking a dip in the rivers and natural pools in Sri Lanka.
Where not to swim in Sri Lanka?
Like anywhere else in the world, there are places to avoid swimming in Sri Lanka. On top of the list is the Nilwala River which is deemed to be home to saltwater crocs, particularly during the dry season. With mangroves being destroyed and crocodiles travelling longer distances, more and more crocodile attacks in Sri Lanka have been reported in recent years. However, some rivers do feature fences in order to block crocodiles from entering areas where people usually bathe in rivers.
You’re right to ask which destination is best for families. In fact, both Mauritius and The Maldives can be family-friendly if you’ve got a well-planned itinerary. For this reason, we would highly recommend you opt for the services of a travel agent to ensure all your needs are catered for.
However, making a decision on which island to pick will also depend on your kids’ age. If you’re talking about teenagers or young adults – they will see no difficulty in keeping themselves entertained in The Maldives, although activities are principally water-based. A holiday to The Maldives is a good option if you’re more after relaxation rather than sightseeing. You will be able to enjoy plenty of time by the beach, sipping cocktails, pampering at the spa, island-hopping, diving or snorkelling.
Mauritius on the other hand is packed with nature activities like hiking, catamaran trips, safaris, island-hopping, kayaking and so much more. There’s a bunch of things to do in Mauritius for adults and kids alike, no matter the age. You will find your fair share of happiness in the city as well, with shopping malls and markets. Adding to all that, you can also enjoy and relax at a luxury resort – the hospitality service in Mauritius is unbeatable! Most resorts also come with an exciting kids’ and teens club for when you need some time on your own. This is why I believe that Mauritius is a great option if you want to combine time-off and a fun-filled holiday altogether!
