Magic Holidays

Exploring cold regions in winters:

Winter has a charm of its own! Enjoying the delicate white tufts of snow in a snowfall, snuggling in warm beds with hot cup of coffee, the most awesome delicacies meant to keep your taste buds happy & your body warm from within. But the geography of the planet has been bit partial while ordaining the world with winters. So if you are also living in a place deprived of winters & wish to travel to a bone chilling, snow covered terrain, here is how you prepare for it:

Before leaving, first thing be prepared for delays and/or cancellations of your tickets. Sorry to put it so bluntly but in winters due to many reasons long delays, & cancellations are very common. So moral of the story- have an alternate plan or make your bookings free of season effects (road trips, buses, break journey, etc.)
Always be aware of the current scenario of the region. The weather reports & other news related to your destination city.
You are going from a warm place to a considerably cold place; hence you will have to pack your warm clothes. But always keep the biggest of your jackets & heaviest of boots on while travelling. This will save space in your luggage bag & will be convenient during the transition areas when coming from warm place you eventually start feeling cold & vice versa.
Do not wait to change your attire at the end of your travels – you will be forcing your body to face extreme temperatures at considerably short notice. Hence most of your energy & health cells will get busy in preparing you for the new terrain, which means immense tiredness, exhaustion & many other health issues.
Keep medicines for cold, fever, coughs, motion sickness, etc in your first aid, within your reach as traveling through hills & valleys often causes headache, nausea or puke.
Keep drinking water! Being in a cold region or not, never stop drinking water. It helps build up your immunity & your body temperature at par with your surroundings.
Plan your trip systematically so that you know exactly what stuff you will need & so you can avoid over packing. This will be a blessing when you have to adjust your shopping stuff also in the same baggage on your return trip.

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

Why should Santa Have All The Fun- II!

The non-stop party season is at its zenith right now. The best thing about winter is you just can’t escape the festive zing it brings with it, starting from Dussera, to Diwali & now Christmas is almost here (not to mention New Year is closely following Santa’s approach)! This is the season where you can make up for your old mistakes, start something new. Or just open a new chapter – whatever you do, being emotionally intelligent is a must. So how about few emotionally festive yet intelligent gifts this Christmas for the people you love. The gifts may be for old time’s sake or just to toast a new life. Afterall, why should Santa have all the fun when it comes to giving gifts!

Here are top 5 souvenirs to present someone during festive season:

Gift a trip: it can’t get better than this! Nothing says ‘I love you’ or ‘I am sorry’ better than travel tickets to one’s much coveted destination, especially during festive season. Make sure, before booking though that your person (or people)of interest will be able to attend this trip.
Camera: giving a shutter machine is a direct green signal for awesome holidays. It is the most practical & considerate way of wishing someone best of vacations.
Travel smart luggage: so your dear one is a travel freak or maybe going to travel for the first time. One thing all travel bugs have in common – the baggage which comes along. Gift your special one smart, trendy & durable luggage. Choose the one which perfectly matches the personality of the traveller, physique of the person & nature of imminent travelling.
Watch: time matters, always has & always will. Gifting a perfect traveller’s watch can be great option. Keep your travelling buddy on time, updated with the different time zones, days and (if you are really generous with the gift) hinting at right direction can also be added to the check list.
Universal portable charger: caution –gifting this one can even turn your enemies into your most loyal fans! This is the master gift which has one stop solution for a lot of problems – none or just a single socket in hotel rooms, long traveling hours, dedicated Facebook profile updater, etc. Having a universal & portable charger which will not only work wonders for phone, camera, ipods, etc. it also saves time.

Besides other things you can always gift travellers are first aid kit, diary & an awesome pen (don’t forget the mightier-than-sword, most people do!) to jot down amazing traveling experiences, travel guides & maps, etc. the list is really long & can be customized to suite one’s needs & budgets.

So make someone happy this festive season.

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

Why Should Santa Have All The Fun!

Image courtesy: www.goaeasy.com

…Oh what fun it is to ride, in a one horse open sleigh!

Yes, you know what we are talking about! Every year, you all must be celebrating this wonderful day in a way that is unique to you. This year, how about enjoying the festivities while having a cultural adventure? And don’t worry, we’ll update Santa on your whereabouts – you can count on us for that. Let Santa follow you to a place as warm as his heart & as jolly as his nature – the evergreen Goa!

Christmas in Goa, it can’t get any better than this, can it? If you are looking forward to enjoying an authentic Catholic Christmas, just pack your bags & head to Goa & in fact South Goa to be exact. Goa as whole is a fun place to be at but honestly, the ‘party essence’ is way over hyped!It is just unfair to associate a cultural place like this one with a perpetual party tag. Come to South Goa if you want to smell real Christmas in the air (Oh wait! Sorry that’s fish curry).

The enchanting churches emit mesmerizing carols around this time of the year. The masses held during this period have a contagious happy & joyful ring to them, you just can’t escape it! Take a stroll down the beaches, and don’t forget to dine in at the beach side shacks. These not only provide typical lip-smacking Goan delicacies but the variety of fish curries will leave you wishing you had more than just one tummy!

With accommodations ranging wide in price & variety, one can easily find a perfect place to crash – no matter if you are with family, or are just on your own. Also, Goa is conveniently connected with trains, buses & flights. Whether you are a lone ranger or with bunch of friends or family – South Goa is a place for all. With so many festivals taking place at the same time, there is something for everyone!

So folks have happy ho-ho-ho-lidays!

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

Timeshare: Sharing Fun Times

You keep hearing of timeshare more often than usual these days. So what is timeshare? We’ll help you with that. The basic idea commenced in the early 60s in European countries, when few related families bought a vacation cottage jointly, each having exclusive use of the property for one of the four seasons. More people came up with similar concept. However, it was realized that the vacation houses were vacant for most of the time; hence they came together with a new idea – sharing vacation homes.

This way the owners could rent their vacation homes to others throughout the year. This concept gained momentum within a decade and different hotels from various places collaborated together. Few of the benefits of Timeshare are as such:

Since the properties are jointly owned by many, the expense are reduced which in turn leads to lower costs for guests.
Timeshare is a joint network, hence provides large variety of vacation houses at places all over the globe.
As per current norms, you can enjoy 25 years of timeshare membership, wherein you get to enjoy vacations at exotic places at way cheaper rates.
The vacations even years afterwards remain inflation free, which means you actually get to enjoy your stay at amazing places in way lesser price!
Gifting a holiday becomes easier – you have membership & it provides a greater convenience to present your friends or relatives with amazing time at no additional rates.

Timeshare ownership is also varied; few owners prefer to buy the properties while the rest become owners for a fixed amount of time depending upon the contract or until the property is re-sold. Depending on it the initial purchase price may be paid all at once or over time; with a likely periodic maintenance fees. Stay glued to the page as we come up with more travel information in our next blog. If there is anything you would like to know regarding traveling – do let us know!

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

Spotted!

We keep saying holidays bring best of times; these are the times which create most amazing memories & cherish wonderful relationships. But there is actually a lot more than these aspects! Holidaying is almost equivalent of entering into a parallel universe – where you don’t work, got no worries & just enjoy life! Few of our dear customers shared with us their unusual experiences they had while they were on vacations. So people, there is so much more to look forward to! Everyone expects something different, but even you will agree these off-the-record experiences are pretty remarkable, read on –

Star studded: Spotting lovebirds at any gorgeous location isn’t a new thing, but spotting a star, meaning a celebrity – now isn’t this grand! Nothing can make your holidays more memorable than a surprise realization that you are sharing your holiday resort with one of your favorite celebrity stars! Not only does this make your holidays special, it always makes a great tea time story for your friends!
The fun comrade: partying is fun indeed, but what gets funnier is the drunken fellow tourist. on more than several occasions we have witnessed ‘party people’ who make it a point to re-live their long lost childhood days, show off their unfathomable dancing skills & all sorts of other hidden and incomprehensible talents after they are few shots down. Our advice, keep your drinking level low & keep your eye open for the next show of ‘world’s got talent’ which can start any minute after someone gets drunk.
Surprise, Surprise: we all love to get a little extra on anything & everything – extra discount, extra food in meal coupon, extra cheese in the pizza, etc. What makes holidays more unforgettable is when you are on the receiving end of extra ‘special’ experience! Imagine going to a new city known for its amazing history & artifacts and after a spontaneous exploring trip you realize the city has unbeatable natural charm as well! There is literally no end of surprising yourself when you are on the move.
Home is where your heart is: Your age, gender doesn’t have to matter when it comes to holidays. Try going to different places & you may actually feel at home, even though you stand out. Travelling teaches you it isn’t about being same & known, it’s about being different & understanding, respecting the differences. Clearly taking a break from your normal life in a different way is what makes holidays stand out!

If you have got more unusual experiences &/or habits which can be spotted amongst travelers & tourists then we’d love to hear them!

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

Travel like a nomad, click like a professional!

Vacation is all about enjoying yourself and traveling is a fun way to make sure that you do enjoy. These are the best times, days you want to remember & cherish for years to come. You make sure that everything goes as per your likes & tastes, so how about also making sure that your imminent Facebook holiday album really makes a buzz amongst your friendlist members. Don’t just let your holiday destination be a temptation, let your holiday album pictures leave people gaping.

Here’s how you can click pictures like a pro in an easy Lights-Camera-Action way:

Lights:

Before you click a picture, always check for the source of light, and various angles you can play with.
Try to keep the sun behind you, this way you will expose your objects to proper light.
Getting pictures in natural light brings out the best of features.

Camera:

Needless to say better the camera, better the picture quality, but not necessary a good picture.
No matter what shutter machine you are using – your mobile phone or a hi-res camera, know your device well. Realize & learn the features of your camera, and make note of the settings you like most – so that you can use it in future with much ease.
Try out your own creativity – you can always try new effects for your pictures through any number of external sources, example: Covering camera lens with plastic gives a dreamy & fazed effect, etc.

Action:

What do you want to capture, besides your family – beautiful sea & beaches or mesmerizing mountains & scenery beyond. Whatever be your object, be clear about it.
Include locals in your photographs, it not only adds an authentic local touch but also gives a personal effect to it as well.
Freak out! No seriously, the most cherished photographs, you must admit are in which at least one of the individuals is acting out of the blue or something unexpected is happening in the backdrop. Show how much fun you are having at your vacations – make funny faces, try different perspectives, click candid shots (natural reactions are best to collect).

So people, say cheese!

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

Holiday Recovery: Quick Fix to Fight Tiredness & Fatigue!

Image courtesy: www.thefourfountainsspa.in

Vacations are meant to be exciting, adventurous & exploratory. One doesn’t want to return from a vacation feeling something left undone. So let’s face it, no matter how relaxing or rejuvenating your holidays may have been, while being back in your old set up, you really wish to have another set of vacations only to recuperate from the fatigue of traveling (and to get out of that holiday mood).

Here are few tips which can help pull your energy bars to a whole new level – that too in a quick way!

Run/jog: A 15 minutes running or jogging can help jolt your inner energy levels to max! Try brisk walking in your house for 20-30 minutes & if you cannot go out, try climbing the stairs real fast.
Exercise: a power packed 10 minutes of cardio can be a real opener – skip ropes, few pushups, etc. even aerobics & zumba seem like a nice option. Just put the volume high & start the work out.
Caffeine oriented drinks: maybe the most basic & common solution – coffee or soft drinks such as Pepsi & Thumbsup are known to be lifeline of all the over time workers & students burning oil in the midnight lamp.
Good food: yes, true – food rich in fibers, water & sugar contents prove better at jolting your mind wide awake. Munch on some fruits, get some smoothies (fresh veggies) and you will instantly feel perked up.
Shower: nothing like a hot shower after a tiring day. The hot showers relieves body of toxins & excess heat and also it sooths out muscles while enhancing recovery.
Cold water shock therapy: splashing cold water on your face also does the trick. The cold water sends a shock sensation to brain which immediately alerts the entire body – resulting in a livelier you.
Power nap: well we do have to agree tiredness is there for a reason – lack of sleep, body didn’t get proper rest, or any of the traveling routines which have left body still adjusting to new routine, any or all of this can be the cause of your fatigue. So shut down your computer, put your phones on silent, set your alarm clock & take a dose of undisturbed and peaceful powernap.

Fatigue & tiredness are not mandatory, but are still common effects after returning from travels. These tips provide temporary relief but you must consult doctors if any problems persist.

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

Checklist Before Locking Up For A Vacation:

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We are in the midst of a festive season, and almost every second family is packing their bags and is headed out – to relatives, or family friends, or distant cousins, for a wedding or maybe just for a vacation. Perhaps you too shall be busy making a checklist for packing the important stuff, last minute purchases to be done, etc. How about making a checklist for your house safety while you are gone? Have you thought about the safety plan of your vacation as well as your house while you are not around? Most of the people tend to overlook this most important aspect, if you haven’t worry not for we are at your service:

Stop the daily newspaper service: make sure to pause your newspaper deliveries or if possible, have any one reliable pick it up daily for you. Nothing like a bunch of yellowing newspapers at doorstep to announce your absence.
Settle all bills & payments: if, your off time is clashing with your payment dates, make advance payments or else assign some reliable person with the amount & details of the payment. Don’t let the payment bills decorate your mailbox while you are gone.
Dump or consume all perishable products: don’t forget to eliminate all the short life-cycled products in your refrigerator or in house as such so that firstly, your neighbors may live in breathable environment while you are gone and also you don’t get welcomed back by a house full of unthinkable stinks.
Go Unplugged: it is a must to unplug your electronic appliances, especially the heavy ones like washing machine, your LCD, computer, etc. This is to avoid any possibility of short circuit while you are not around.
House checks: withering plants, no evening lights, unchecked mails are enough to give anyone the idea of nill presence at your residence. In order to keep the enigma of your presence on, ask a reliable friend to check up on your place every other day, to put on lights in the evening & put them off in the morning. You can also set timer for lights & manage the light of your entire place even being miles away!
Fix it: if you have any leaks in the water system of your house, or any broken window or latch which refuses to work make sure you get at least these problems fixed on priority before you leave for your vacation. Carelessness in such chores can lead to much bigger problems when you return, hence enjoy a relaxed vacation & fix the happiness of your break while fixing the broken things at your place.

Well, there is certainly no end to ways of safeguarding your house before leaving for long vacation, however the most important thing is to always make this checklist in a relaxed environment & start at least few weeks before noticing your daily chores. This way you will know the requirements & possible solution to the problems.

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

Why Destination Wedding?

We ask: Why not?

Well agreed, it’s a slightly new concept, but not all that unheard of. Often when the bride and groom belong to different cities, with mutual understanding & cooperation, and a third place is decided upon as per everyone’s convenience. Planning wedding in a different city has been in fact traditionally very common. So let’s give this old way a new twist. While deciding upon the city you wish to get married in here are few tips as to why you should heed to destination wedding:

Special occasion with special people: Instead of inviting entire family tree, facebook friendlist and making your wedding as crowded as a local fair, it’s a better option to have lesser guests but people who actually make a difference – for the groom & the bride.
Fun, family reunions: at wedding with selective guests, beautiful locations & planned arrangements, the results are smiles, laughter & memories to cherish forever. Close group of people at an auspicious & happy occasion get time to re-live memories, bond with people who they could not connect to because of time & distance.
Fairytale of your life: there’s a saying – Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale. Why not celebrate the romantic ‘Gala’ of your personal fairytale at a gorgeous spot on earth?
Have a break, have a wedding: Imagine going to an awesome location, relaxed & peaceful, do some shopping, and in the evening – get ready for the wedding – a grand celebration at an amazing spot! Getting married or participating a wedding at such a place is fun, exciting and definitely an experience you will not want to miss.
Save time: while being on for a destination wedding, the best thing is the schedule does not stretch more than three days to a week. Hence, once the ceremonies are performed, the feasts celebrated, the guests as well as the newly-wed couple have option to explore more of the destination or to travel on to more spots which are close or easily connected. Hence, the new couple can trail off to their honeymoon right away while other couples can plan their second trip of honeymoon as well.
Easy on pocket: planning for a destination wedding definitely influences budget. While, the guest list shortens, time period is made just apt and venues along with travel options are booked, often if you opt for wedding planners or destination wedding spots, special discounts & services are provided to the families. Even without planners, often at bulk booking – tickets or hotel reservations provide with lavish discounts and complimentary services.

We can come up with way more reasons why you should probably get married at your coveted destination, but the fact is – nothing is actually enough when it comes to having a perfect wedding. Enjoy your big day, make the memories you’ll cherish forever.

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

Match Made In Heavan – Married In A Paradise:

Image courtesy: www.maharaniweddings.com

This is the season of happiness, love & dreams. Wedding season, Christmas, New Years – just too many reasons to venture out of your homes! But it gets even better – how about combining the reasons, subtracting the expenses and multiplying fun! We are talking about Destination Weddings here.

A destination wedding in simple terms is one in which the wedding is hosted in a vacation-like setting, at a location to which most of the invited guests travel to and often stay for several days. The destination could be gorgeous beaches, lavish forts and palaces, amazing farmhouses, or full blossomed garden, snow covered fairytale locations. In short – any place can host a destination wedding, as long as the bride & groom are okay with it.

The concept of destination weddings is on the rise these days, not only abroad but in India as well. No doubt these weddings require a lot of planning and research but so does every wedding – even a simple one. Not only this, destination weddings provides a refreshing look at the customs & rituals; it’s a vacation plus wedding for all! And getting married in a paradise – who wouldn’t like it? Guests as well as the groom & bride not only get to enjoy the venue, wedding excitement just adds a zing to all the celebration!

But now let’s get down to business – coming to the budget, the main and very important aspect of every planning (wedding or vacation). You see, in a traditional wedding, the bride and groom’s families have to pay for all the setup, feasts, etc., then later for reception and again for the honeymoon. These all account for double & in fact more of the expenses actually required. But if you bring it all together – getting married at the favorite destination, bookings, traveling, feasts, you can actually save on a lot of cash plus most of the time. Many of the destination wedding planners also provide amazing discounts on the entire package which generally includes traveling, stay, wedding ceremonies, photography, feasts and much more.

So here is yet another reason to pack your bags and go to your dreamland – to get married!

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

8 Signs Say You Need A Vacation!

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1. Working Overtime Is Your Life

All work and no play will most certainly lead to a burnout. Forget the long hours of your job and book some days off – go for the much needed rejuvenating vacation.

2. You're Nursing a Broken Heart

It is said that only time can heal a broken heart, but we know for sure that spending time with your best buddies is a sure shot to speed things along. Or just go for an adventure trip on your own, explore world, discover different people & customs. Plan a weekend getaway, right away!

3. You'd Give Anything For A Moment of Silence

Run away from anything that is disturbing your peace of mind. Silence is golden, try to achieve it – on a solo getaway – without the constant pinging of your Blackberry or laptop.

4. You've Been on Auto-Pilot for Years

You’ve been stuck in the same-old routine in effect, making you feel old and rather bored. Thankfully for you, it’s never too late to spin things around and create the life you’d really like to live. Start now and plan a vacation.

5. Your Idea of a "Vacation" Is a Trip To the Mall

If that last ‘trip’ you took was to the Grocery Mart or a Mall, you’re doing it wrong. Break your sedentary habits with an energetic trip that’ll pump up the life in you and your family. Go for the trekking you had been putting off since ages, mix some ‘nature & excitement’ ingredients in your life!

6. It's Been Years Since You've Left Your State

The world’s constantly changing, so why don’t you go & check it out! Get out of your comfort zone. Leave from the safe confines of your place and explore the cultures, food and more. Pick a place you’d like to check out and book your tickets at once!

7. You've No Time for Quality-Time

People are always so busy working, running a household, etc, that they forget the most important part – making memories. Don’t let that happen to you, be it a trip to your nearest hill station or weekend at a beach house, go and enjoy!

8. You've Haven’t Worked on Improving Any New Skills

Tackle new tasks and challenge yourself to keep your mind and body agile. Find something new you’d like to try and do it. Travel is very well known for providing that spark and opportunity for growth. So what are you waiting for now? Pack your bags & catch the next train!

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

Give Your Child Memories For Life, Give Your Child A Holiday

Holidays! It’s a word that brings happiness to us all! Taking a family vacation and venturing off to places – that you may know inside out or may be not at all. It is the time when often one’s most treasured memories are created. The sense of adventure and exploring nooks and corners together with your entire family can be an awesome bonding experience as well. In the fast paced life of today, it is very important to take out time for your children – and what better way to escape the rat race than to be off for holidays!

Wordsworth rightly said that ‘Child is father of Man’. The curiosity, sincerity and insatiable thirst to know more – holidays provide children perfect time to open up, learn & blossom in every way. It is definitely most commendable, also a healthy habit, to spend some sincere time with your children – to make them realize the value & importance of a family. It not only strengthens relationships, but also creates memories that last a long, long time.

Planning a vacation with kids definitely requires a very exciting and not to forget – careful planning! Make the trip while remembering how you were at your children’s age, & try to think like them. Did museums interest you, would you have liked to explore beaches more or mountains? To be honest, children find awe and inspiration in everything they see – a trait adults should definitely pick up from them while travelling or even in regular life. Think about all the possibilities of what you can teach to your kids while on vacation, which is actually endless. Be a kid while you are with kids – best way to make the most of your holidays. We understand exploring & excitement are definitely inseparable ingredients but responsibility should also be another part of it. While going out with children, especially under 10 years old, one has to be very vigilant at all hours.

This festive season, go and enjoy happy moments, gift your family memories which you will cherish for years to come.

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

Prepared for Wilderness

Every individual has a wish list – where they wish to travel. Some wish to explore his or her city, while others wish to explore the world’s farthest corners. No matter the places, you have always got to start somewhere in order to get where you wish to be. So here we are to help all those future travel bugs – how to prepare for the place of their dreams. Places cannot be generalized as each has its own charm and beauty, however, the genre of the landscapes can be generalized into mountains, forests or wilderness, beaches, etc.

In this blog, we will provide you basic information & requirements you should have for an overnight exploration of a wilderness – nothing like sleeping under the stars after a day of trekking amidst nature with friends.

Footwear: as trekking includes lots of walking and that too into the wilderness, you should choose footwear you are comfortable with & which provides good protection against bugs, ants, probably any small creature which can bite or hurt you while walking amidst bushes & provides support to your feet while walking on uneven grounds.
Socks: needless to say socks are mandatory while going for a trek. Cover your skin as much as you can to avoid bites and/ or of flora & fauna of the wilderness.
Clothing: jackets, tees & lowers as per the weather conditions. Ideally, trekking suits are the best suited for this activity. Choose waterproof & sun proof garments which are long sleeved – to keep most your skin covered. Carrying an extra pair of tee won’t be a bad idea.
Carry water: as much as you can. You never know about the availability of this natural & essential ingredient of your life in the wilderness.
Sunblock creams, medi-kit which can provide basics of first aid for cuts, burns, rashes, irritation, insect repellents, antibiotics & painkillers.
Caps & hats: you never know how unbearable sunrays or unpredictable rains may get.
Toiletries: carrying some tissue paper, towels, and disinfectants is an all time must have.
Torches, candles & match box: to find your way after dark or just illuminate your temporary stay amidst nature. Carrying one of the igniting & illuminating articles can help you through some dark times, literally.
Pocket Knife, a small sewing kit (optional), sleeping bags & camera, binoculars are other articles which you might find useful for your overnight or single day trekking.
Carrying maps, compass, pen and paper can be avoided if you are carrying your smart phone or Iphone.

Don’t forget to carry an extra plastic bag to store your disposed wrappers & packets, etc. – remember exploring the wilderness is good as long as you are careful enough to preserve it. Travel with an experienced person for the first time & at any given time, let your family know about your whereabouts.

Travel safe! Happy traveling.

Enjoy Safe Travelling with Travel Insurance:

Travel insurance – a very reliable and recommended way to ensure happy traveling. It is a rather matured concept in west, however gaining momentum now in India as well. Traveling doesn’t always go as per our planning, many times mishaps such as – loss of baggage or important documents such as passport, etc., and accident, unscheduled change in bookings, etc. tend to happen. Now not only are these affairs big spoilers in holidays, these also end up digging a further deep hole in pockets as well. You may end up paying double, or out of the way to get settled. In scenarios such as these, travel insurance proves as a great comfort.

But here’s more – not only loss of baggage or booking, travel insurance also covers health issues. Different insurance companies may have slightly varying age ranges, but on an average, if the age of the traveler is between 6 months to 75 years, the individual is eligible for a travel insurance cover. However, it is needless to say that there are many other conditions also to be fulfilled.

Here’s a list of things which can be & usually are covered under travel insurance:

Travel delays (When due to any reason you are unable to catch your flight, be it delay or health issues, the insurance company is liable to pay for the additional days’ stay.)
Loss or damage of baggage(In case of loss of bags, etc. companies reimburse the value of lost bags or items, also few companies pay cost for the “essential items” (such as underwear and toiletries) bought while waiting for luggage or insurance payment.)
Unscheduled cancellation or change in destinations. (When due to any unforeseen reason occurring before or during your trip, then the insurance companies will pay the loss of airline tickets are non-refundable, as well as hotel reservations, or other deposits.)
Medical Costs. (If while on trip you get in the dire need to visit a hospital, physician, or dentist, and there are payments required for the admission or consultation, the insurance company is liable to refund.)
Emergency medical transportation. (An extension on medical costs, when you are unable to travel without medical assistance, then many times not only the transportation but also your stay during the delay is paid by the insurance company)

Travel insurance is another convenience at your expense. To safeguard your dear ones, yourself & your belongings and enjoy a carefree trip, it’s highly recommended as well.

Travel safe. Happy Traveling!

Travelers’ Good Over Evil: Dussera Special Part II

Hello travel bugs, here is the list continuing to ten evils that travelers need to win over. This festive season, make a difference in this world while spreading & receiving happiness.

Follow the tour guides: we understand the urge to just go & explore the world on your own; however, there may be things you need to know before stepping out. Hence, follow your tour guide, unless you have been to the same place many times before & are sure of your whereabouts.
Don’t ignore the warning signs: if the locals wished to decorate the area, we assure you warning signs will not be the choice. Warning signs are there for a reason, please follow them to avoid making your or someone else’s holidays unpleasant.
Don’t feed animals: animals just like humans are susceptible to everything they eat. You may never know what you treat them may have an adverse effect on them. Besides, there are always chances they might harm you in order to retrieve edibles. Maintain your distance & just enjoy the view.
Don’t damage property: be it a monument or a resort, scribbling, or damaging properties in any other sense is never an ideal holiday gesture. The services are for your benefits solely & make use of it to the best of your & others need and requisites.
Frank display of personal opinions should be strictly kept in your mind. You never know how your words may unintentionally upset the locals or your host.

Holidays are fun days which everyone wants to be memorable in most pleasant ways. Tourist destinations belongs to locals & tourists in similar manner, however, it is usually the locals who stay there for longer time. Hence, how tourists & travelers treat the place is what locals deal with. Everyone likes to walk in a haven, but maintaining a place with its original charm takes effort, which is incomplete without the efforts of tourists & travelers. So next time you venture to another wonderful destination, make sure you contribute in maintaining the charisma of the place.

Travel safe. Happy travelling!

Travelers’ Good Over Evil: Dussera Special Part I

Festivals all around, make traveling all the more fun & interesting. The amazing Navratri & all its garba celebrations have come to a final grand closure with the celebration of Dussera or usually also called as VijayDashmi. Everyone is well aware of evils of Ravana, but in the twenty-first century, there are many evils, which a traveler most of the time without knowledge and sometimes even deliberately perform which are harming not only the beautiful holiday destinations, but the environment as a whole as well.

Here is a list of ten evils which a traveler should avoid during journey:

Strewn plastic bags, packets: just because no one is watching that doesn’t mean you should dispose of your useless empty packet of chips in the garden, under the tree or behind your seat. Use dustbins where you find them, or keep it in an empty packet and dispose it off when you come across one.
Clicking images at forbidden places: some places are known for their exclusivity and a charm which only the tourists experiencing the place realize. Many times, due to photosensitivity or some other genuine reason as well the photography is forbidden. Kindly respect & honor the fact that conserving a heritage site is more important than uploading an image on social network.
Dress code: different places have different cultural beliefs. The dress up code is very closely related to local beliefs & cultures. Hence, following that as an understanding for the place, try & pursue the dress regulations as per the locals.
Don’t waste water & other resources: switching off the lights & fans of rooms you are not in. Indeed you are not paying for electricity, but conserving energy & drinkable water was never a bad idea.
Demanding for special attention: patience and relaxation are the keys for enjoying your holidays. We understand you are excited about everything & you want it perfect, but slight delay while serving your order or addressing your query should not be taken as a personal offense. Often at peak of holiday seasons, the resort may be trying their best to provide you with the best of services. Keeping your problems in subtle manner is always a better option than depending on rising temperature & volumes.

Well let’s take a break right now and in our next blog we shall continue with the remaining of 10 evils which travelers should definitely win over. No one likes a tourist who cribs, or makes the holiday of his fellow travelers any less pleasant. Spread happiness & make your and other’s holiday cherished for all the right reasons.

Travel safe. Happy travelling.

Pack Smart, Travel Happy!

While packing, no matter how sorted you are, how less or more you are planning to pack, some things are forever troublesome when it comes to packing for traveling. Laptops, delicate gifts or souvenirs, lotions or liquids (medicine), etc. are some of the things which if not packed properly may end up being really inconvenient. So here is a list of such articles and how can you manage them while packing:

Foot wears: these are heavy, maybe even artistically delicate or just plain big. Every occasion needs a different foot wear. So one thing which can be done is, carry foot wear which can be used at multiple occasions. Wear your heaviest pair while traveling, or pack them at the bottom of your backpack.
Laptop: getting slim sleeves for your laptop provides a safe and comparatively more convenient traveling experience. But you must always make sure to pack it amongst upper layers so that you can easily get it out during security search at airports.
Delicate gifts or souvenirs: nothing is more frustrating than finding a broken souvenir in your luggage after returning home. While making purchases of gift material, always make sure to plan how will you carry it back – wrap the delicate articles in newspaper and keep them within layers of clothes instead of below or above or rather at sides. If carrying it separately, you can always stick the label of ‘Fragile’ and ‘Handle with care’ or ‘This side up’ to specify the fragility of the content.
Warm clothes – If you are traveling from a warm place to a colder region or vice versa, one way or the other you will have to store warm clothes along with your casuals. Since warm clothes are thicker, they occupy more space. One solution is to wear multiple layers of clothes and you can also use your bulkiest jacket as a blanket. Tying sweaters on waist or carrying jackets on arms – not only makes it convenient for you to carry stuff, but it also pass off as your keen fashion sense.
Jewelry – you have to be very cautious when it comes to these little but significant articles. Most preferable is to carry travel friendly jewelry – which does not get effected by moisture content or direct sun, dust, etc. Keep studded trinkets in soft wraps and use inner zips to slip in these articles.

While these are few of the most troublesome articles, please let us know more problem areas you face during traveling, so that we may try to find solutions to them to the best of our abilities in our next blog.

Travel safe. Happy traveling!