We’ve had some really amazing entries for this month’s My World First competition. There have been tales of camel kissing, AK47s, communist countries, ice hotels, the Amazon, a kiss from Olly Murs, stolen underwear and a fling with a diving instructor. And that’s just the start! The best news is that there’s still time to enter and give yourself the chance of winning a Kindle.

As you might have guessed, the theme for our travel writing competition is world firsts. Get it? We want to hear about your first-time travel experiences. It could be anything you like. And judging by the entries we’ve already had, it probably will be! If it’s a first in your world then it’s one of your world firsts. Tell us about it. This blog post explains the rules and reveals just how easy it is to enter.

The winner of this month’s competition will receive a Kindle – or the equivalent value in Waterstone’s vouchers if they prefer. Viveca Koh won a Kindle in a previous World First competition and sent us this amazing photograph of her and her new toy at the ECVB powerstation in Belgium.

You can take a look at more of Viveca’s photography using these links:

Viveca Koh Photography

Viveca Koh Blog

Follow the hashtag #myworldfirst on Twitter. This month’s competition ends at 23:59 on 30th November.

Written by Tristan Rothwell

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Related posts:

1. My World First competition update! Win a Kindle, again!
2. The results are in! Here’s December’s travel writing competition winner!
3. Announcing our first travel writing competition winner!

My World First travel writing competition update | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Zoë Dawes – aka The Quirky Traveller – is a travel writer.  She was recently voted Britain’s Best Travel Blogger and her website www.thequirkytraveller.com was voted in the Top 10 Inspiring Travel Websites 2010. We asked Zoë to give us a few ideas for brilliant places to visit. We never guessed that it would be good old Blighty that would take the top spot. But there it is. And Zoë really does know what she’s talking about.

There are so many places to visit on Planet Earth – how can you choose where to go and what to see? Well, everyone has their own ideas. But here are some of my favourites: Of course they could have changed completely by this time next year!

1. The Lake District, Cumbria, England.  Discover what inspired many of the world’s greatest writers and artists to product some of their best work. Our quaint villages, beautiful lakes and rivers, soft hills and challenging mountains, historic sites, vibrant cultural events, welcoming old pubs, top-class restaurants and quality accommodation all ensure the Lake District was be voted ‘Best Destination’ in Virgin’s 2010 Responsible Tourism Awards. The loveliest place in the world – but then I would say that, wouldn’t I – it’s my back yard!

2. The Norwegian Fjords. Unsurprisingly this area is one of the top destinations in the world for outstanding natural beauty. The Geiranger Fjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is unparalled in its majestic beauty and the FlamsBahn railway is a quirky and spectacular.  I visited them on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth – now that’s the way to see them; up close and in luxurious comfort …

3. Western Turkey. For anyone interested in the origins of European civilisation, this area is a treasure-trove of delight. There are also great seaside resorts with gorgeous beaches, luxury hotels and quality restaurants, some of the best spa treatments in the world, exotic bazaars and traditional markets. The Temple to Apollo at Didyma, the Library of Celcus at Ephesus, Lycian Tombs, hot springs at Pamukkale, a leisurely cruise from Fethiye … and so much more.

4. Rotarua, New Zealand. Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe is its Maori name and that culture permeates the area as much as the smell of sulphur. Boiling hot steams escapes the earth at every opportunity, from tiny cracks in the formal English-style gardens to enormous geysers shooting high into the air in the geo-thermal park. There is so much to do here for all the family; some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery and adrenalin-fuelled activities are right on the doorstep.

5. Boracay. The Phillippines: simply one of the loveliest beach destinations in the world. White sandy beaches overhung with palm trees, the sea every shade of blue imaginable, laid-back charming people and an island so small you can walk its length before breakfast. The perfect get-away to relax and remember what life is really all about.

6. Lithuania. Relatively new to the tourist trail, this country is slowly emerging from a very colourful past to take its rightful place in the European travel itineries. With its age-old traditions, medieval towns and villages, breath-taking landscapes and friendly, hospitable people, it has everything the discerning traveller is looking for.

7. Jerez, Spain. This graceful old city retains Moorish influences in the Alcazar and is the home of some of the most names in sherry including Gonzales Byass, Tio Pepe and Pedro Ximenez.  Jerez is in the heart of flamenco country; brilliant guitar playing and passionate singing and dancing fill the streets every evening. Historic Cadiz is a stepping off point to other worlds and the White Villages of mountainous Andalucia are popular all year round.

8. Kinsale, Co Cork, Ireland. No-one really needs a reason to visit this part of Ireland, but the quaint fishing village has a cosmopolitan air that certainly adds to its appeal. Near the vibrant city of Cork, amongst some of the loveliest scenery in the country, Kinsale is famous for its diverse culinary delights and its excellent sailing. The village has colourful Dutch-style buildings. fantastic restaurants, welcoming bars and quirky shops, an old fort and, of course, the Irish ‘craic’. Great any time of the year.

9.Venice, Italy. No excuses for including this magical place. Everyone should visit Venice at least once in their lives. Take a stroll round the back streets, gaze up at crumbling palaces, find the most out of the way trattoria, escape from the heat into one of the many churches on every corner – and do the full-on tourist bit with a gondola ride and a coffee at Florian’s as you watch the world pass by on St Mark’s Square…

10. The Isle of Man. This unspoilt gem lies off the coast of Ireland and NW England and has Gaelic connections with Ireland and Scotland.  It’s like stepping back in time to a world where life was lived at a more leisurely pace – except when the world famous TT Races take place and then the island is alive to the roar of thousands of motorbikes and the pace definitely speeds up.  The Isle of Man is full of fascinating places including the capital, Douglas and horse-drawn trams, the lovely Laxey Wheel, Peel Harbour and Manx Kippers, the Calf of Man with its seals and maybe a basking shark or two… and so much more.

Follow Zoë on Twitter @quirkytraveller and on Facebook www.facebook.com/thequirkytraveller

Related posts:

1. How to be a responsible traveller
2. Boosting your half term holiday fun
3. Taking the plunge on your winter holiday

The Quirky Traveller’s Favourite Travel Destinations | World First Travel Insurance Blog

For many of us, going on holiday is one of those rare times when you can settle into a deckchair and get stuck into a really good book. It’s a glorious indulgence isn’t it? Once you know that everything, including the travel insurance, is in order you can begin to relax.

I love reading and adore books so I’ve spent many trips hauling piles of novels around with me. On one trip, to India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bali I endured a couple of months with three volumes of Indian epic ‘A Suitable Boy’ in my rucksack. They must have weighed over a kilo but I just couldn’t bear to be parted from them. What a fool I was. But then again, they hadn’t invented e-readers yet!

If only I’d had a Kindle. This is Amazon’s e-reader.  It is a remarkable piece of technology that does away with books as we know them. For travellers and voracious holiday readers it will bring a welcome end to the annual chore of cramming novels into your luggage.

The new 3G Kindle will store up to 3500 ebooks and weighs less than a paperback. That’s remarkable isn’t it? All you have to do is pop it in your hand luggage and you’re away. And if you were worried that you might run out of reading material you can download new ebooks in about a minute as long as you’ve got a 3G signal or wireless connection.

So what about the readability? The screen uses what Amazon describe as Electronic Ink which can be read in bright sunlight, unlike backlit tablets. So no more squinting at a laptop for you then. The Kindle also outperforms tablets when it comes to battery life. Just one charge will last for two months. You won’t even need to remember to pack your plug!

Downloads are cheaper than books too - so you’ll soon recover the cost of the device. Some e-books are free. It’s no wonder the Kindle has been Amazon’s hottest selling item in the last two years. 

If you are unsure whether or not a Kindle would be good for you then why not take a leaf out of World First founder Stewart Rothwell’s e-book? At 67 he’s just got himself a Kindle and he loves it! It just goes to show you’re never too old for new technology. He uses Twitter too!

WIN a Kindle

We’re giving a way a Kindle in the next week or so. To enter just follow @wftristan on Twitter and then retweet the following message  before the 20^th July. It’s that simple. The winner will be chosen at random on 18.00 Wednesday 20th July 2011.

WIN a Kindle in the #worldfirstkindlecomp

Related posts:

1. Boosting your half term holiday fun
2. Taking the plunge on your winter holiday
3. Summer indecision? Solve it with a holiday on wheels.

How e-readers will change your holiday reading forever | World First Travel Insurance Blog

July 4th 2011

Busy day today? Too stretched to catch up on the best in travel news and writing? Manic Monday making it impossible to manage those blog feeds? Don’t panic. The World First Weekly Wander is our very own weekly breakdown of the best travel based web content. It’s compiled by our very own Tristan Rothwell ( @WFTristan for all you tweeters). So sit back and let him do all the work.

Hello!

I love a list (what man doesn’t?) so this week I’ve compiled my own hit parade of the best online lists. And to top it off I’ve added (last but not least, of course) an amazing video from Worldhum.

But first. On to our list.  

Our first is from @NomadicNeill and it’s all about living an authentic life. I really enjoyed reading this one. There are some great principles to live by here.

Next we pay a visit to Aaron Bradford AKA @Happytimeblog who tells us how to make backpacking harder than it really needs to be. I am sure we have all made at least one of the mistakes listed here (I know I have).

So you love to travel but need to make a bit of dosh along the way? Our friends at The Gay Traveller Blog (who we follow on Twitter) may have the answer with their post 3 ways to make a living while travelling

Ok. So now you have made a bit of money – thanks to the above post – we want to help you keep it!  Let @vagabondish show you how not to get scammed when on your travels

And carrying on with the staying safe theme, let’s have a look at @rtwdave and his article, 5 safety tips for taking taxis in Latin America

On a serious note, staying safe includes taking out travel insurance. Of course we’re biased but we really do offer some of the best deals around for travellers! In fact, if you’re looking for a bargain, click here and you’ll get a discount on your next World First travel insurance policy!

Right then, back to the lists. Moscow is on my bucket list and has been for a long time (ever since my school trip there was cancelled in 1982). So reading the @GapYearEscape list of the top 5 places to Visit in Moscow has made me even more determined to get there.

Let’s travel a bit closer to home now. Thanks to @travelingsavage for the great article on 9 ways to fill your days in Moray Speyside. I like the sound of sampling drams at the Whiskey Shop!

Let’s stay a while in the UK and explore five of the best markets in Manchester thanks to @blightytraveler. Makes you want to go doesn’t it?

Lastly, it’s off to find out where a couple of world travellers with a busy schedule are going to be next week. William and Kate are off to California! Let’s hope they have their travel insurance sorted.  @lonelyplanet has a list of places the royal couple should visit while they are there. One simply must.

Well I promised you a video to round off this week’s “world First Weekly Wander” and this one Blew me away I found it thanks to Worldhum you can find them on Twitter Here

Splitscreen: A Love Story from JW Griffiths on Vimeo.

Have you got a blog you want to shout about? How about one that you think Tristan should mention in the Weekly Wander? Let us know! Tweet Tristan on @WFTristan and we’ll do our best to include it.

Related posts:

1. World First Weekly Wander: 20th June 2011
2. World First Weekly Wander: 27th June 2011
3. What’s new in the travel blogosphere? Find out with the World First Weekly Wander.

The World First Weekly Wander | World First Travel Insurance Blog

How’s your summer been so far? A little lacklustre, if ours is anything to go by. It’s not uncommon is it? So how about planning an autumn break to somewhere hot and sunny? How does Southern California sound? It has always been a popular mid-haul destination for good reason: sunshine year round, consistently warm temperatures and some of the most renowned tourist attractions in the world. Southern California rarely disappoints.
Yet despite its popularity, California has a few surprises left for the intrepid tourist. There are still a few exciting destinations that have managed to remain just under the radar. The aerial tramway at Mount San Jacinto is one of them. Cai Waggett, a regular visitor to the Golden State, spills the beans…

Heading from Los Angeles up Interstate 10 into Riverside County, Mount San Jacinto comes into view from far back in the Inland Empire. As you follow the fault line east, entering the Coachella valley and toward Palm Springs, you traverse the hot desert floor through the San Gorgonio Pass wind farm. It’s quite a sight. Thousands of white windmills, stark in their grubby setting, harvest the strong winds that funnel through this natural sump.
Turning off the I10, you take the Highway 111 toward Palm Springs. Not quite entering the city itself, turn right and drive up the languidly winding Tramway Road toward the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and the rocky foothills of Mount San Jacinto.
Once you’ve arrived at the Valley Station, you’ll immediately spot the tramway heading sharply up the side of the mountain through the lofty slopes of Chino Canyon. Initial feelings of dread and vertigo should be checked at this point – it’s going to get a little spookier! The Valley Station lies at 2,643ft above sea-level, still situated in the blistering desert heat (yet, as with almost every public building in Southern California, enjoys the luxury of air-con inside). However, don’t be fooled and dress to hike: the temperature outside the Mountain Station (8,516ft above sea-level) can often vary from the desert entrance by as much as 25C, so layers and sensible walking boots are a necessity.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest ‘rotating’ tram, and this becomes quite apparent once aboard. The ten minute journey up to the Mountain Station is at once steep, terrifying and exhilarating, with 360 degree views of the razor-sharp rock face that the construction workers who built this tramway in 1963 had to contend with. Often described as the ‘8th Wonder of the World’, it is a feat of man-made engineering against the many obvious natural odds. As the desert disappears below, the tram passes above all sorts of mountain flora and fauna growing on the precarious escarpments, evolving as the temperature retreats.  The heart-stopping swing of the tram as it passes over the numerous support towers does little to calm the teetering nerves.
Arriving at the Mountain Station and passing through the lobby and out onto the verdant pine-scented plateau that is Long Valley, the difference to the world recently left below is palpable. Magnificent, tall trees and crisp, cool air are the first things you’ll notice. Beyond, the forest rises up to the San Jacinto peak at 10,834ft above sea-level (hiking into the distance here is allowed, but only with a permit from the US Forest Service). As you wander onto the woodland plateau and along the well-marked visitor trails, it’s at once surreal and tranquil. The floor is soft with sand and needles from the Coulter pine trees and a babbling stream gently winds its way through the woods. Along the path you’ll notice large walls of granite, all naturally formed. Find your way onto the other side of these stone bulwarks though, and you’re fast brought back to reality as you are greeted by a drop of thousands of feet.
The view from the Mountain Station, and at various openings along the well-worn paths through Long Valley, is no less than breathtaking. Save for the granite outcrops there are few fences or man-made barriers, so care and concentration is a must if you approach the edges. There is little to stop you falling off the mountain. Far, far below lies the desert valley and all the conurbations which have sprung up along or close to the snaking San Andreas fault line. Look carefully and you’ll spot planes circling beneath you as they approach PSP airport in Palm Springs. Looking to the east, the valley trails off into Coachella and the Salton Sea. To the north-west, the hills and mountains tumble away toward the beautiful Big Bear resort and retreat onward toward Burbank and then Malibu.  Across the flat, dusty valley floor to the north, where the hills rise again, you can make out the Joshua Tree monument and Yucca Valley. On a clear day, they say you can see up to 200 miles into the distance. Famed Naturalist John Muir once said “The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth!” It’s hard to disagree.
After a good stomp across this oasis in the sky, it’s worth taking in a meal in one of the two eateries that can be found in the Mountain Station, Peaks Restaurant or Pines Café. Both have a great selection and, of course, if you secure a good table the views are out of this world. If you’re thirsty, you can grab a tequila sunrise in the cocktail lounge. It’s a classy touch, made all the more so when you find out that Bing Crosby once took the same tram ride up here too.
Before you head back down to earth, it is worth watching the fascinating short film that details the construction and realised dream of the founder, Francis Crocker. The sheer determination and battle against stacked odds that was undertaken by this man and all those who worked upon building the tramway gives an added degree of respect toward that (reluctant) return tram journey to the Valley Station. You begin to notice thing that you hadn’t seen before, such as hazardous helicopter landing spots on crumbling ledges and spray-painted arrows on the rocks where steely-nerved engineers had sauntered many years earlier. And of course don’t forget to take some layers off on the way back down. The baking desert heat waits for the unprepared soul who donned one too many warm sweaters atop the cool mountain…

Fancy California this year? Go for it. Just don’t forget to take your World First travel insurance. The US is notorious for its healthcare divide and a good insurance policy will ensure you access to the very best of it. Of course you shouldn’t ever discount the possibility of getting sued so personal liability is a must too. Imagine the cost of tripping on a boulder on Mount San Jacinto, falling and breaking someone’s arm and then having to be airlifted off the mountain to hospital. It’s unlikely, but is it worth the risk? Never.
Here at World First we can provide you with comprehensive cover for the USA, including medical cover. And if you want to go backpacking, diving, golfing or doing any of those fantastic holiday activities, talk to us. Most of our policies cover them automatically.

Related posts:

1. Summer indecision? Solve it with a holiday on wheels.
2. All but essential travel to Bangkok
3. More sun for your money

Secret Southern California: a ride into the little known. | World First Travel Insurance Blog

It’s heartbreaking watching the news today. As we stare open mouthed at our televisions it’s hard to imagine the magnitude of what has happened in Japan and what is about to happen in the rest of the Pacific. Tidal wave alerts are in force in Russia, Hawaii, The Philippines, Indonesia, Alaska, Central America and even South America. The Tsunami that resulted from the largest earthquake to hit the country since records began over a hundred years ago has already hit the north east coast of Japan. Its magnitude has been put at 8.8 on the Richter scale with some reports putting the wave height of the tsunami at 10 metres. To give it some scale the earthquake that hit Christchurch last month was 6.3.

As I write this the latest warning has been for the California coast. The situation is changing all the time but of course it’s hard to know what is really happening on the ground and it’s even harder for us to know what to do. All we can hope for is the best that the warnings that have been issued will make a big difference.

Advice for those caught up in the quake

The Japanese government has issued statements and warnings of aftershocks and advised the population to stay away from coastal areas. Naturally travel advice will change as the situation develops but the message from World First Travel Insurance  for anyone caught up in the quake, tsunami and its aftermath is that help will be available for those who need it. Whilst there is nothing that World First can do to keep people safe as events unfold, their 24 hour advice lines (the number is on all policy documents) will remain open. They say: “We will of course assist anyone who is stuck out there and needs to return home on a case by case basis, as referred and authorised by our underwriters, professional Travel Insurance Company Ltd (as per requirements of the policy) or anyone injured will obviously be covered under Medical Expenses and repatriation sections of their travel insurance policy.”

For those with travel plans to the Pacific

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have cancelled all flights to Japan. As carriers they will be obliged to rebook any cancelled passengers on another flight when appropriate. For people booked on to other airlines it is best to check before you travel whether or not the airline will fly. Like wise they will have an obligation to your ticket to get you where you are going or to refund you if you are delayed for more than 5 hours and you are flying from within the EU. We wrote about extreme circumstances, known as Force Majeure, in a previous post. You can read it here.

For World First Travel Insurance Policy Holders

At the time of writing those policy holders with flights booked to the Pacific region should note that cancellation will not be covered. It would be classed as a “disinclination to travel” by the insurers.

Policy holders should also note that Travel Delay or Abandonment will not be covered as the situation does not come under Adverse Weather, Mechanical Breakdown or Strike.

Also, a Missed Departure will only be covered if the policy holder was travelling on public transport and this is delayed, making them too late catch your flight and covering for additional costs incurred in reaching destination up to the policy limit.

 Our advice though is to check with the Foreign Office and the airline to find out what the travel situation is like at your destination. If you are heading to the airport, be prepared for a wait.

What can we do?

At the moment it’s hard to know what to do. We know that charities like Shelterbox, who have worked so hard in places like Haiti, have said they are monitoring the situation and are ready to act. You can find out more by following them on Twitter ( @shelterbox ) or by following the founder, Tom Henderson ( @shelterboxTomH). Alternatively, keep an eye on the media for Tsunami relief. And please be prepared to put your hands in your pockets.

Related posts:

1. FCO update advice for travel to Kenya following another deadly attack. Where do travellers stand?
2. Foreign Office revises its travel advice for Japan
3. The World First Weekly Wander

Aftershock. World First advice for travellers in Pacific region following earthquake in Japan. | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Now I’m no economist but even I know that the exchange rate means everything when it comes to booking your holiday. It can mean the difference between eating out and eking out the pennies. And that can make or break your holiday, especially during these (and I quote) ‘tricky economic times’.

So whilst you might be able to get great deals on your travel insurance and super-cheap flights, it may not be a true reflection of the cost of your holiday.  Some of those great holiday deals might look great you when you’re tapping away on the laptop absentmindedly in front of the telly, but don’t forget to think about how much it’s all going to cost when you get there. At the time of writing the GBP (£) was at its lowest against the Euro for almost a year, which means that if I nipped out to the Post Office today I’d get about £140 less for every £1000 worth of Euros I bought this time two years ago. That adds up to more than just a few cervezas.

Euro millions?

Of course some European countries are cheaper than others when it comes to the average cost of essentials, food and a beer. Spain, with an average price of just £2 for a lager (according to the very brilliant but probably not very scientific http://www.pintprice.com/) may well be one of the better value winter sun locations in mainland Europe for the pint lovers among us. But don’t all rush at once to the Canary Islands. With most items imported, prices there are given as a more realistic £3.39. Best go by wagon then.

The sunshine states

A big favourite among us is the good old US of A. And it’s looking like a good bet this winter based on the exchange rate. Your Post Office is going to give you $1.60 for your average British Pound. That’s almost 20 cents more for every pound than May’s low of $1.42 per pound. If you’re pushing the boat out it’s going to make a big difference to the cost of your hols. Oh yes, in case you were wondering…. £1.51 for a lager over there. Where’s my passport?

Best value winter sun destinations

So where is the best place for your winter sun this year? It’s back to the Post Office for this one. But before they sell you their travel insurance, make sure you shop around for the very best prices. If you intend to go away more than once this year, take a look at World First’s great value annual policies.

Anyway. According to their Long Haul Holiday Costs Barometer of the best value places to go long haul from the UK, the Post Office put Sri Lanka, Mexico and Kenya at the top of the pile. The list – of 22 global locations -provides plenty of gems of useful information about the real cost of travelling in many of our favourite winter sun locations. They do this by pricing up the cost (on September 1^st this year) of a ‘shopping basket’ of typical holiday goods in locations all over the globe. It might not be as fun as www.pintprice.com but it may well prove to be more useful.

In terms of value, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia follow closely behind, with Australia, another favourite for Brits, proving to be more costly than ever imagined. According to the Long Haul Barometer it’s going to cost you over £100 more for the same items from Sri Lanka. So perhaps best to keep your hands in your pouches and head for the tropical beaches of Negombo, Hikkaduwa and Galle. I can heartily recommend Oonawatuna for a totally tropical feel. Today you’ll get 179 Sri Lankan Rupees for every pound. In May this year it would have been just 160. And if you like your pint it’s looking good too: just £0.95 in case you were wondering.

*currency prices from www.x-rates.com on 15/10/10

Related posts:

1. Boosting your half term holiday fun
2. Taking the plunge on your winter holiday
3. The World First Weekly Wander

More sun for your money | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Be a traveller, not a tourist. It’s an expression that gets banded about a lot these days, by me if no-one else. But what does it actually mean? If you read travel literature, not just Bill Bryson (good though he is) but Paul Theroux (Louis’ father), Jonathan Raban or Bruce Chatwin, you’re probably a traveller. If you’re more interested in what’s going on the beach or go on the tour to the local Roman ruins but don’t understand (or care) much about them, you’re a tourist. Travellers go to places to discover, relax and learn. Tourists go to places to tick them off a list of places they can say they’ve been to.

Tourism is the world’s fastest growing industry, accounting for 6% of the world’s GDP and providing 10% of the world’s employment. Cheap flights and holiday packages mean that there are few places out of reach of the average Westerner with money to spend. But responsible travelling is not about being an eco-warrior or some kind of evangelist, it’s about doing sensible and, in the end, personally enriching things that benefit everyone.

Get to know other cultures

• Don’t think your way is best, different cultures put different values on things. For example, people in Muslim cultures often avoid eye contact whereas Westerners consider looking people straight in the eye to be a sign of honesty. That’s not the case everywhere.
• Talk to locals and observe what they do. This will give you a good picture of their culture and their lives.
• Take note of local dress and adapt yours accordingly. Even in Western Europe’s sun spots, local authorities are getting twitchy about tourists walking down the high street in their bathing costumes.
• Bargaining or bartering is part of the game, so take it in good heart. Don’t complain that locals get a better price than you do. Your take home is likely to be vastly superior to theirs anyway so you can take the hit.

Protect local communities

• Use local services rather than international corporations. Staying in local B&Bs will be cheaper and far more enriching than yet another faceless international hotel.
• Eat where the locals do. Chances are the food will be better anyway…
• Respect local laws and customs. This is mainly to stay out of trouble, but you could also have a detrimental effect  on the local community. When drugs were introduced to the hills of northern Thailand, a new economy was created with obvious effects.
• Buy locally made arts and crafts directly from the source rather than as an afterthought from whatever airport you happen to be passing through. That way, you’ll benefit the local community rather than the airport company’s bottom line.

Obey local laws

Despite what some people may think, local laws apply to everyone, just like at home.

• Don’t work illegally. If you need or want to work, get a permit. Otherwise, you could end up in jail, fined, deported or all three.
• Don’t overstay your visa. You know the tabloid headlines here about illegal immigrants. Overstay your visa and you’d be one.
• Cross borders at recognised crossings. Some countries’ armies get a little nervous about people just walking in through a field, even in good faith.
• Sometimes, it’s just better to keep your hobbies at home. There are plenty of cases of bird watchers, plane spotters and train spotters being treated as spies.

This may be cheesy but responsible travel means more than being a casual onlooker. It means realising that we are all part of a global community and we can all benefit (in a non-patronising way) it.

Related posts:

1. The Quirky Traveller’s Favourite Travel Destinations
2. How e-readers will change your holiday reading forever

How to be a responsible traveller | World First Travel Insurance Blog

In recent months Thailand has been embroiled in political turmoil opposing the red-shirted supporters of former Prime Minister Taksin Shinawatra and government forces backed by the military. The six-party coalition is under pressure from its supporters in the upper classes and from royalists to crack down on the mainly poor red shirts.

Thailand has a constitutional monarch King Bhumibol Adulyadej who has been on the throne since June 1946, making him the world’s longest reigning king. The government is freely-elected with a Prime Minister at its head. However, the military has had a tendency to intervene from time to time when it doesn’t like the government or it does something it doesn’t to upset it. The last time was in 2006 to remove the previously mentioned Taksin Shinawatra. Perhaps they didn’t like him buying Manchester City?

So why is the situation getting bad?

The political unrest started at the beginning of March with protesters demanding fresh and free elections. Portrayed by the media as simple country folk who were deluded in their allegiance, they were compared to water buffalo. Apparently that’s quite an insult in Thailand.

In mid-March things took a turn for the worse. The protesters moved into the more swanky areas of Bangkok and their daily rallies took on a more confrontational tone. Things came to a head on April 10th when the army and riot police tried to remove the protesters by force. Gunmen clad in black appeared on the protesters’ side and the army had to retreat. Not before 25 people were killed, including a Reuters’ cameraman.

There is now something of a face off with both sides making claims and counter-claims and rumours that a new crackdown is imminent. It’s quite a dangerous place to go, especially if you don’t need to be there.

What does the Foreign Office say?

To quote the their statement directly:

• We advise against all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok, in light of ongoing political demonstrations and outbreaks of violence within the city. This advice does not apply to passengers transiting Bangkok airport on their way to other destinations in Thailand or internationally.
• British Nationals should exercise extreme caution throughout the country and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, some of which have recently turned violent.
• The line of the international border in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Pra Viharn in Thai) is the subject of dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. Fighting broke out on 15th October 2008, between Thai and Cambodian troops along the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Pra Viharn in Thai). We advise against all travel to this region. The appointment of ex-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as Economic Adviser by the Cambodian government in November has raised tensions between the two countries further.  You should remain alert to the local situation when travelling in other border regions and at land crossings between the two countries.
• If violence breaks out again British nationals are advised to remain indoors and to monitor the media and this website. Suvarnabhumi airport is operating as normal. The route to the airport from Bangkok city remains open.

What does that mean for my travel insurance?

As a general rule, when the Foreign Office says “We advise against all travel to this region”, it means that you will not be covered by your travel insurance. In a nutshell, “you were warned”. When however it advises against “all but essential travel”, that’s when things get complicated. What actually is “essential travel”?

If you are in transit, on the way to Australia for example, you have nothing to worry about as you won’t ever see any trouble remaining at all times air side. If during your transit you take a trip into Bangkok for whatever reason, you need to be careful. If you are travelling for business, the official line currently is that your travel is essential and you will be covered. However, given the powder keg situation at the moment, you might be advised to put it off if you possibly can. If you are going on holiday however, you won’t be covered and you go their on your own back. Other personal matters such is visiting a sick relative or attending a funeral are considered essential.

In addition to all that of course, at the time of writing, almost 3,000 British travellers are stranded at the airport. That’s the subject of another post.

Related posts:

1. All but essential travel to Bangkok – update
2. All but essential travel to Bangkok – update 2
3. How to make your journey easier with Essential Holiday Extras

All but essential travel to Bangkok | World First Travel Insurance Blog