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

Why late season boarding can play havoc with your snow style

It’s half term for many schools next week. And that means a mass exodus for a spot of late season snow. But, as the European ski season comes to a close and the numbers start to drop, the number of skiers coming home in plaster rises significantly. According to World First Travel Insurance, the end of the ski season is the time when injury claims go up. The reason for this is quite simple: the pistes have had months of regular use and will have deteriorated since the beginning of the season, there is less snowfall and the temperatures begin to rise. This often leads to more ice, which, in case you hadn’t noticed, is very, very slippery.

And that’s where you’d rather be doing the swoosh than the FOOSH, especially if you haven’t sorted out your snowboarding travel insurance before you go.  FOOSH or Falling On Out Stretched Hand is a term used by doctors in the mountains to describe the most common cause of injury seen among snowboarders. It happens because the first reaction you’ll have as you fall is to put your arm out to save yourself. It’s an instinctive reaction. However, if you look at the following stats from http://www.ski-injury.com you might want to think about how you approach your trip to the mountains!

• Over 25% of all injuries to boarders are wrist related
• 43% of all snowboard injuries are attributable to first time riders
• 30% of injuries seen by professionals are fractures

So. Still thinking about it? Good. But read this first.

 Preparation is everything

Wrist guards, which will provide vital strength and support if you fall, are de rigeur for the first time boarder. They range from simple protectors available from chemists to expensive gloves with inbuilt shock absorbers. In line skaters use a simple wrist guard that can easily be worn under gloves.

Before you go, also think about the process of falling, and how you can protect your wrists. You need to roll as much as possible, if you are falling on your front use the forearm, falling backwards means rolling with your bottom and back, have a practice at keeping your hands out of the way. Unless you have a weak wrist you might be able to leave the wrist protectors at your accommodation after a few days but trust me, they are very helpful for beginners.

You are going to spend a long time on your behind. Make sure you have adequate clothing to keep you warm and dry. Sitting on cold snow quickly gets uncomfortable. Good underclothes and proper snowboard pants are a must. The slacker look of low slung pants and tight jackets often means that when sitting down your midriff is exposed, that soon gets to be a drag every time you sit down to buckle in.

Many modern sports shops will stock lower torso protectors that can be worn under your snowboard pants. These lightweight, plastic and breathable slip-ons are affordable and available all over the place. The protection they give to the bottom and coccyx can be extremely useful for the beginner.

The next most common injury seen by doctors is to the head or face. Beginners often catch the wrong edge in the transition between turns or on long schusses. So there’s no shame in wearing a helmet. You will be very glad you bought your after your first slam!

And last but not least…

Winter sports travel insurance is a must for any snowboarding trip so please make sure you are adequately covered. Every week in every resort in every bar you’ll hear the same old tale of the incredible costs accrued by an unlucky accident. So don’t forget that the insurance that’s offered with your lift pass is only enough to get you to the bottom of the mountain. After that, without proper insurance, you’re on your own.

So what’s it to be? Swoosh or Foosh?

Related posts:

1. Boosting your half term holiday fun
2. Where to go at half-term
3. The top ten of staying safe on the slopes.

Make sure it’s more swoosh, less FOOSH this half term | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Martin Dorey

If you’ve been anywhere near BBC2 this week you might have caught a brand new series that’s been running every night at 6.30. It’s called ‘One Man and His Campervan’ and it’s all about a chap who travels around the UK in his classic camper cooking and eating as he goes.

Well, can I let you into a secret? I’m the one with the curly hair, Martin Dorey. The big bubbly shaped red and white one is Gordy, the VW camper that I travel in. It was an amazing gig to get, driving around the UK cooking and hanging out with nice people, herding strange animals and molesting goats (actually being molested by goats). It’s also worth noting that it’s not something I do every day. In my day job I write copy and blogs for World First Travel Insurance. Like this one, and plenty of other ones that, hopefully you’ll have had time to read.

Getting to appear in my own TV series was an unbelievable stroke of luck. I wrote a book, The Camper Van Cookbook, sometime in 2009. It was published in 2010 and was packed full with camper vanning tips and wrinkles, great recipes and some easy foraging. Next thing was that some bright spark suggested I might be good on telly. So I made a tape of me picking mussels, sent it off and whaddaya know? Next thing I know I’m in the Beeb having ‘meetings’. All very exciting stuff.

Then we hit the road. That was in May 2010. Five weeks later the van arrived home on the back of an AA truck and my family and I came home by car, having had a wonderful final few days meeting up in Pembrokeshire. You can catch that episode on 18^th February at 6.30.

Along the way I chased Rhea for their eggs, hauled pots on a lobster boat, attempted to milk goats, learned the most bonkers way of fishing, wrestled with my conscience on a stag hunt, ate some great food, saw some lovely sights and fell in love with this fabulous country of ours all over again. If anyone saw the Malham episode last night you’ll understand why. It’s enough to make you want to take off on holiday isn’t it? Yes me too.

But until then let’s hope that Egypt gets the result we’re all hoping for. Their tourism industry has had a tough time recently with riots, sharks and mayhem. Likewise Australia has been hit badly by natural disasters. Mind you, we’ve had a fair amount of our own disruption, with ash clouds and snow go zones at many airports. Maybe this is the year to stay at home and hire a classic camper? Maybe. But whatever you decide to do, go safely and with confidence. Get yourself some cheap travel insurance from World First.

Related posts:

1. Summer indecision? Solve it with a holiday on wheels.
2. Boosting your half term holiday fun
3. More sun for your money

Don’t give up the day job. | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Ten things to help you avoid accidents and prevent injuries on your skiing holiday.

If you are planning a skiing getaway this year, the last thing you want to happen is to come back hobbling or with a wrist in plaster, especially if you forgot to book your travel insurance. Attending the fracture clinic or speding time in hospital is no way to finish a holiday. So whilst it’s no fun to think about and plan for the worst, you could do a lot worse than following our guide to the top ten things to remember on your skiing holiday.

1                    Make sure you are fit enough. Skiing and snowboarding is fun but can be hard work. If you’re not used to it you’ll get tired very quickly. And that will lead to injuries and problems. So make sure that you start an exercise regime well before you go. Some people recommend starting (if you don’t already exercise regularly) a fitness programme at least six weeks before going.

2                    Warm up and warm down. Yes, we know. When you’re excited about heading off in the morning or grabbing the first après ski schnapps in the evening it’s going to be difficult to remember to do your stretches. But do. If you’re warmed up properly you’ll be better able to cope with the stresses and strains of the slopes.

3                    Check the weather conditions before you go. Looking out of the window every morning might not be enough. The weather can change rapidly in the mountains so make sure you’re aware of impending snow showers, high winds or fog and mist. It’s easy to get lost in a whiteout.

4                    Keep your equipment in tip top condition. Making sure your boots and bindings are set up properly is vitally important for a happy life on the slopes. Poorly maintained equipment will only lead to tears before schnapps time. So hire yours from a reputable company or get your own checked by a professional. And don’t even think about borrowing equipment. According to the very informative www.ski-injury.com you are 800% more likely to have an accident with borrowed kit.

5                    Ski to your ability. Might seem obvious but let’s say it out loud again: don’t ski on pistes that are above your skill level! And whatever you do, don’t go off piste unless you are capable and with a guide. Also, don’t forgo the tuition. If you are a beginner, take lessons. And if you’ve not been for a few years, take lessons to brush up on your knowledge. There. We said it again.

6                    Tired? Take a rest. Don’t over do it. Again, this seems obvious but if you are tired you are more likely to get lost or injure yourself. So take a break, enjoy the scenery, take it easy. Avoid alcohol at all costs!

7                    Ski to the local conditions. No, you aren’t Franz Klammer, especially not on the nursery slopes when there are kids and learners about. If you ski like a lunatic on the easy stuff or pootle along like your Gran on the serious stuff you’re going to get hurt or, worse still, hurt someone else.

8                    Wear the right clothing. You might think style is everything on the slopes but it isn’t. Waterproof clothing and multiple layers that you can take off as you get hot are the way to go. Once you get wet you’ll start to get cold so make sure you do everything you can to stay dry and warm. We all know it’s not cool to be cold. And you might not think it but it’s also cool to wear safety gear. So consider wearing a helmet and wrist guards (especially if you’re boarding).

9                    Follow the International Ski Federation(FIS) code of conduct at all times. This is a list of ten rules that you must follow on the slopes and have been written with your safety in mind. They are also law, so it’s vital to read and understand them before you go. See below…

10                Get good winter sports travel insurance. If you follow the rules you shouldn’t need it. But don’t travel without it – just in case. Getting rescued or helped off the slopes – as well as treatment – can be very costly. Never mind the cost of repatriation if things go terribly wrong. World First provide excellent value ski travel insurance and snowboarding travel insurance that will give you £5 million medical cover as well as cover if the pistes are closed, your ski pass is lost or stolen or you cannot ski if you are ill. You will also be covered if you ski off-piste with a guide or decide to try another winter sport such as tobogganing, ice skating or blading. And don’t forget that you MUST adhere to the FIS Code of Conduct at all times.

The FIS Code of Conduct

Respect: Do not endanger others.

Control: Adapt the manner and speed of your skiing to your ability and to the general conditions on the mountain.

Choice of route: The skier/snowboarder in front has priority – leave enough space.

Overtaking: Leave plenty of space when overtaking a slower skier/snowboarder.

Entering and starting: Look up and down the mountain each time before starting or entering a marked run.

Stopping: Only stop at the edge of the piste or where you can easily be seen.

Climbing: When climbing up or down, always keep to the side of the piste.

Signs: Obey all signs and markings – they are there for your safety.

Assistance: In case of accidents provide help and alert the rescue service.

Identification: All those involved in an accident, including witnesses, should exchange names and addresses

Related posts:

1. Now that it’s safe to go back in the water…
2. Make sure it’s more swoosh, less FOOSH this half term
3. Boosting your half term holiday fun

The top ten of staying safe on the slopes. | World First Travel Insurance Blog

So it’s Friday afternoon. It’s raining outside. There’s nothing in the diary to keep you excited. Every other shop window is spraying fake snow all over the place. You’re dreaming of far away lands. You’re dreaming of pistes glowing white under a fresh dump of snow. You’re dreaming of schnapps and good times. Why not? But where to first?

If you’re thinking of dropping everything and jumping on a plane for a quick snow plough in the alps it’s going to be a bit of a risk at this time of year. But don’t worry. With your trusty computer at hand you can check out the snow conditions practically anywhere. So. How about a quick overnight dash to Scotland? What’s happening right now? Thankfully you can check out the conditions right here at Ski-Scotland’s website. There’s not much on offer but you might be lucky if you head for the Cairngorms. They plan to open this weekend for snow sports. Yippeeee.

If it’s more serious stuff you’re after, then you might have to head south. The exact destination for your mind wanderings might depend on the imaginary snow but if you were going to do the whole daydreaming thing properly then it might be time to start dreaming up some thermals too. According to snow-forecast.com Klyuchevskaya in Russia is reporting temperatures as low as -30 degrees centigrade. Brrrrr.

But for even deeper dreaming you might have to head for more traditional territory. There are reports of powder at Zermatt, one of the more famous of Switzerland’s ski resorts. Easyjet will take you there tomorrow from Gatwick for just £129.00 (without bags or skis). But who cares, we’re only dreaming right? From Zurich you will need to get a train to the resort but you can make a part of this on The Glacier Express, ‘the most famous railway in the world’. Now that sounds good doesn’t it? A little James Bond, but what the heck?

And of course you’ll want to make sure you’ve got everything to hand for your trip. Cue the internet once more. You can get winter sports travel insurance from World First in just a few moments. Even if you need medical travel insurance to cover a pre-existing medical condition they can complete a medical screening online and cover you in just a few minutes. You know, if you decided that you were really going to go. It’s reassuring isn’t it? And if you plan on doing this sort of thing more often you could even get cheap annual travel insurance at the drop of a hat too. Worth keeping in mind if you ever decide to hit the road for real. Because, you know, it is possible.

Tempting isn’t it?

Related posts:

1. Snow joke if you get caught off-piste!
2. Low carbon skiing? Let the ski train take the strain.
3. Make sure it’s more swoosh, less FOOSH this half term

Friday dreaming. Where to go for snow? | World First Travel Insurance Blog

In the last blog we looked at airport parking with ski gear on our journey to the slopes for this winter’s ski season and great deals on airport parking as part of a World First Travel Insurance package.  For this one we’re going to look at a completely different way of getting there – the ski train from St Pancras ( you might not need the parking but you’ll still need great value winter sports cover). Going by train can be really relaxing and it could well prove to be the answer for people who want all the fun of the snow without the hassle or higher environmental impact of flying.

Seems reasonable enough to us. After all, skiing, snowboarding and enjoying the slopes are all about enjoying the fresh air and appreciating the mountains in all their natural glory. So why wouldn’t you want to go lightly to the Alps? Why bother if all you’re doing is contributing to the lack of snow in future years? If you feel this way then taking the ski train offers a lower carbon solution rather than not going at all.

From 14^th December 2010 until 16^th April 2011 Eurostar will be running run three trains a week from St Pancras International to Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne or Bourg-St-Maurice in the French Alps. You will also be able to pick up the train from Ashford International. The journey from St Pancras will take around 9 hours – much longer than flying – but will drop you right in the heart of prime ski country and less than an hour from many excellent ski resorts. These include: Val Thorens (30 minutes transfer time), Courchevel (35 minutes), La Plagne (30 minutes), Meribel (15 minutes), Tignes (25 minutes) and Les Arcs (15 minutes).

 When you consider how little you could pay to grab a flight from Stansted to Geneva with Easyjet (On 14th January 2011: Stansted Geneva with one bag and a pair of skis, returning one week later: £79.80) it might seem a little costly at a minimum of £149 per adult ticket in standard class, but according to Eurostar, the environmental benefits far outweigh the cost.

They claim that the journey from St Pancras International to Bourg-St-Maurice produces just 14kg CO2 per passenger whereas the journey from London Stansted to Geneva produces 147.8kg CO2 per passenger. For the carbon conscious, it could well be irresistible. But Eurostar don’t stop there. Whether or not you agree with offsetting in principle their carbon offsetting programme is covered in the price of your fare. The projects they invest in include wind farms and biomass generators in the third world. Of course you can offset your journey with Easyjet by paying an extra £2.38 for the flight to Geneva, but you’re still producing the carbon.

The time it takes might put a few people off too. But don’t forget that transfer times are shorter at either end as you’ll be deposited right there among the resorts, rather than at Geneva Airport (Courcheval is about 2 ¼ hours from Geneva).  So if you get the Friday night train you could be skiing by nine o’clock on Saturday morning. That’s not bad, especially if you were still sitting at your desk at 5 o’clock on Friday afternoon!

When it comes to luggage you’ll be pleased to hear that Eurostar make special concessions for travellers on the ski train: they allow an extra item of luggage per passenger on top of the usual maximum of 2 medium-sized cases (85cm at their longest length), plus one item of hand luggage. So this could be your skis or snowboard – or just another set of woolly jumpers for the après ski. It’s up to you. That’s another one in the eye for flying for sure.

But what about the legend of the Friday night ski train parties? Well if you’re worried about those stories of rowdiness and all night ski train parties, don’t. According to Eurostar’s website, there is a strict limit to the amount of alcohol you can carry on to the Eurostar. That should help to ensure that alcohol consumption on the train is kept at a sensible level for the journey. Better to save the injuries until you actually put on your bindings.

Alcohol related mishaps aside, you’re still going to need good value ski and snowboarding insurance if you hit the slopes. And that’s not just because injuries are common (you’ll get £5 million as standard on World First policies) and can put paid to your trip. A World First winter sports insurance policy will cover you all sorts of all other eventualities too, including piste closure and skiing off it (as long as it’s within resort boundaries or with a qualified guide). And if you decide to take a day off from the skiing and have a go at tobogganing or dog sledding while you’re there, you’ll be covered for that too. Although you might want to speak to World First if you plan on doing an ‘Eddie the Eagle’. Ski jumping is NOT covered.

All aboard!

Related posts:

1. Friday dreaming. Where to go for snow?
2. London to Hong Kong, by train
3. The top ten of staying safe on the slopes.

Low carbon skiing? Let the ski train take the strain. | 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

Earlier this week we talked about carrying surfboards on UK airlines. So, with half term coming up, we thought it might be a good time to talk about travelling with young kids – and all the paraphernalia that goes with them – on those same airlines.

Family travel essentials

There are always going to be things that you must have when travelling. Passport, tickets, money, the usual. Family travel insurance is also one of them. You could call it an essential. But did you know that having a car booster seat is essential – as it is in the UK – if you intent to drive anywhere in Europe? It is law in Europe for children between the ages of 3 and 12 (unless they are taller than 135cm) to have an age-appropriate car seat. So if you fly-drive it’s something you’ve either got to take with you or hire when you get there.

Carry-on or fly and hire?

We took a look at what the airlines will (or won’t) charge you to carry booster seats versus what car hire companies will charge to rent them at the other end. The results were great for the airlines but not so good for the car hire companies. Many of the UK airlines will carry pushchairs and booster seats for free. However others won’t and will charge per item per flight. So if all you want to do is take a couple of booster seats on a half term break to Spain choose your carrier carefully. Ryanair and BMI Baby will charge you £40 for the privilege. And if that’s a shocker, try leaving yours at home and renting one! Europcar will charge you £11.00 per day over the half term for renting a booster seat in Alicante. Hertz will charge you £22 per day. For a family of four staying for a week that’s an awful lot of cash considering the cost of an average high backed booster is about £40 and a seat booster is about £10. To be fair though, many of the airlines we asked will take boosters and pushchairs for free. Good for them!

Using your own seats

It seems obvious that taking your own seats is going to be the cheapest option – and perhaps the best. After all, you know how to fit your seats and car hire companies often operate a first come first served system, so even if you’ve booked the seats in advance, there may not be any available. Also, there’s no guarantee that a hired car seat hasn’t been involved in a accident previously. If the extra hassle of taking car seats into the airport is going to cause you stress you can always take the opportunity to relax airside with a great value holiday extra - a VIP lounge pass.

The cost of not complying with the law

But what happens if you decide that it’s not worth the hassle or the cost of hiring a car seat? Firstly you could get an on the spot fine for breaking the law. Secondly it just isn’t worth the risk to your children. And whilst underwriters might not see it as a serious offence – like driving whilst on the phone, under the influence or without a seatbelt – good sense must always prevail. Don’t risk invalidating your holiday insurance.  The story as always is this: ‘don’t take chances, either with the law or your family’s’ safety’.

Kid friendly? The UK’s popular airlines and their booster policies…

1. BA: Booster seats go free
2. Virgin Atlantic: Pushchairs and boosters: free
3. Easyjet: 2 kids items (booster or pushchair) free
4. Air South West: Booster seats go free
5. BMI: Booster seats go free
6. BMI Baby: £10 per booster per flight
7. Ryanair: Booster seats £10 per item each way.

Related posts:

1. Make sure it’s more swoosh, less FOOSH this half term
2. Taking the plunge on your winter holiday
3. Where to go at half-term

Boosting your half term holiday fun | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Some women choose to travel abroad to give birth. They have time to put things in place and plan.

But sometimes things just happen. Junior decides it’s time to make a break for the big wide world  just when you were enjoying yourself on holiday or even when you were in a business meeting.

If you do travel abroad when you’re pregnant, you’d be advised to take a certain number of precautions just to make sure things go smoothly.

Get a European Health Insurance Card

The EHIC covers you for routine medical care in all EU countries plus Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway or Switzerland and replaces the old E111 form we used to get from the Post Office. Or not, because I suspect we rarely did, except when going on a school trip.  These days, its easy to apply online so you don’t really have any excuse not to get one.

More forms

In addition, you’ll need an S2 (E112) form to cover the birth itself. To get this, write to the overly sees Health Care Team in Newcastle or the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland explaining why you want to give birth abroad. Include the following information:

• A MATB1 certificate or a letter from your UK GP or midwife, showing your expected date of delivery.
• Your NHS number or National Insurance number
• Your date of birth, your full UK address and dates of travel

Get travel insurance to cover pregnancy

Of course this is a no-brainer if you’re going anywhere outside the European Union,  even in the early stages of pregnancy.  It’s also really important to read the small print. Not all travel insurance policies are the same many will find a get out clause if you have a problem when you are pregnant.  It’s worth noting that,  as long as your airline or shipping company says it’s okay to travel, and you’ve had no complications in this or in previous pregnancies, World First will cover you for everything.

The EHIC, good as it is, will only cover you for general medical care. It won’t cover you for any specialist care or if you have any complications and have to be repatriated.*

Travelling by air

Although most forms of transport are completely safe, there are a number of things to consider when travelling when pregnant.

• Doctors may recommend you do not fly in the first three months of pregnancy if you have excessive morning sickness or there is a threat of miscarriage. Additionally, you should not fly in the last two months if you have raised blood pressure or an increased risk of premature labour.
• In any case, most airlines will not allow you to travel after 36 weeks.
• Especially if you take the low-cost cattle trucks,  travelling by air can be quite cramped. Ask the airline in advance about  any options that may be available to make your trip more comfortable. These may include booking an additional seat to give you more leg room, getting upgraded to first or business class (yes, it is possible, check-in and cabin staff are often quite amenable to it), or making sure you have an aisle seat where you can stretch your legs.
• During the flight be aware that you are more at risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis where a potentially fatal blood clot forms in the veins particularly in the legs. To minimise this risk, wear DVT  socks, walk around every so often, where comfortable shoes and avoid tight clothing and drink plenty of water and fruit juice to keep yourself hydrated.

Travelling by sea

Don’t forget as well that most ferry companies have similar clauses. Just a quick poll of some terms and conditions reveals  Quite a variety of conditions.

• Brittany  Ferries  will not allow you to travel after 32 weeks, and 28 weeks if you want to use their high-speed service (it shakes a lot).
• P&O  will not allow you to take their western Channel routes after 28 weeks, although  on their Short Sea (Dover-Calais, etc) and Irish Sea crossings,  they’ll take you up to 38 weeks. Although why anyone would want to travel on the Irish Sea, especially in the winter, whilst being 38 weeks pregnant is beyond me.
• Check with your carrier (sea or air) because they can and will refuse to allow you to travel if they consider it’s not safe.

Travelling by road

Road  or coach  travel is perfectly safe throughout pregnancy. Although there may be  comfort issues with travelling for extended periods in a coach for example. Again, be aware of deep vein thrombosis. As a general rule,  follow the same suggestions as for travelling by air.

*Once your policy is up and running, you will be covered for anything that happens to you.

Travelling by rail

You’ll be relieved to know that, there are no restrictions for travelling by rail, even on the Eurostar.

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Things to do when travelling abroad when pregnant | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Backpackers old and new have always travelled across Europe and the world by train. As relatively characterless and antiseptic high-speed trains gradually take over the travelling landscape, it shouldn’t be forgotten that there is a wonderful architectural heritage in our train stations (and some pretty rubbish ones as well, but we’ll ignore them).

St Pancras, London

Not so much a train station as a temple to train travel. A triumph of neo-Gothic Victorian architecture, it was almost demolished in the 1960s (thank you John Betjeman) but re-furbished and re-opened in 2008 when it became the London destination for Eurostar. A destination station if ever there was one. Like many a modern station, it has become a shopping centre, but that doesn’t distract from the stunning architecture. And it does have a champagne bar, so it’s not all bad…

Strasbourg

Strangely enough, with one or two exceptions (Marseille St. Charles or the Parisian stations), the French don’t give their stations names like St. Pancras or Estatio de Francia in Barcelona. The boringly named Gare de Strasbourg is also something of an architectural marvel as befits a station located at one of Europe’s rail and political crossroads. Renovated in 2007, a new glass cocoon was added creating an interesting contrast to the 1883-designed original station.

Berlin Hauptbahnhof

Europe’s largest station with no buffers, it is also Europe’s largest two-level station. Located on the site of the original Lehrter Bahnhof station, every day more than 1100 long-distance, regional and rapid transit trains run through the 14 platforms. Another glass and steel temple (and no shortage of shops), it’s the sign of a confident, reunited nation and a statement. It somehow represents what Berlin was, a collision of two worlds, and what those worlds have become, the triumph of commercialism.

Milano Centrale

The cornerstone was laid by King Victor Emmanuel III as early as 1903, but real building work didn’t start for another 10 years and was hampered by the onset of the First World War. Influenced by Mussolini, it is often seen as representing the power of the fascist regime. It has no definite architectural style except imposing, the current station sees 600 trains a day running through its 24 platforms carrying something in excess of 320,000 people right across Italy and beyond. TGVs now run directly to Paris.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai

Indian Railways is a force of nature in itself. The world’s second largest railway company, it has 7,000 stations, employs 1.6 million people and almost 64,000 meters of track. CST, as it is known for short, is the former Bombay Victoria station and it could be said it dwarfs its not inconsiderable little sister in London. Victorian neo-Gothic in style, it is a superb example of nineteenth century railway architecture and the confidence of that age. If you can’t get to see the real one, it features a lot in the film Slumdog Millionnaire.

Grand Central Station, New York

Actually, the name is Grand Central Terminal, but popular culture knows it as a station, not a terminus. Whatever you call it, it’s the world’s largest with 44 platforms and 67 tracks on two levels. Its focal point is an enormous concourse that is usually filled with crowds. The ticket offices remain although they haven’t really been used since the introduction of ticket machines.  It also gives you “68 shops and 35 places to eat and a ride home” as the web site says. Train stations have definitely changed since my day!

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Great stations for backpackers to admire | World First Travel Insurance Blog