Never Discount Weather in Travel Plans

Photo Credit: www.NOAA.gov

In the midst of what is often the strength and height of hurricane season, travelers who have plans to visit Florida, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and other more hurricane-prone vacation destinations are never surprised when a named storm or hurricane steers their way in September or October. But, what is strange and not expected is a hurricane or strong tropical storm threatening the Northeastern coast of the United States, especially Maine. This, however, is exactly what happened with what was briefly named Hurricane Kyle (currently downgraded to a tropical storm as of the 11pm EST advisory on Sunday, September 28^th).

This storm has caused Royal Caribbean to change its itinerary for one of its New England voyages. Based on a Royal Caribbean weather alert, Explorer of the Seas, which departed the Cape Liberty Port on Sept. 25, did not visit Charlottetown, Price Edward Island, on Sunday. Instead the ship traveled through the Saguenay River on Sunday and was scheduled to visit Quebec City on Monday and stay overnight. The rest of the itinerary remains unchanged. For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.com.

This altered vacation demonstrates the importance for flexibility when traveling during hurricane season or other times of the year prone to Mother Nature’s influence. One benefit to cruising is that often, even when a hurricane stands in an itinerary’s path, the voyage can be altered resulting in an unaffected vacation. Once when traveling during Hurricane Ivan, the storm took an unexpected turn to the South, resulting in Royal Caribbean to cancel its port of call to Curacao, but instead calling on St. Lucia as a bonus visit.

To ensure that all bases are covered when traveling, it is advisable to purchase a third-party travel insurance policy via sites including Squaremouth.com or Insuremytrip.com. This type of protection gives added layers that a policy purchased directly through an airline, cruise ship or tour operators do not.

Two months are technically left in hurricane season (Subtropical Storm Laura has developed most recently) and just as it comes to a close, the whipping winter storms will come into play just in time for holiday travel. Flexibility and protection are key vacation survival items needed when traveling.

Subscribe to this blog's RSS feed

This Halloween consider having the kids trick-or-treat at a theme park such as Walt Disney World or SeaWorld. These limited edition events allow the kids to dress up and trick-or-treat safely in a not so scary environment that provides fun for all.

SeaWorld’s Spooktactular is complete with friends of the sea including octopuses, mermaids, pumpkin fish and more. Throughout the park are candy stations and there is a separate kids’ area for photo opportunities and play area with sea fairies. There is even a Sesame Street “Countdown to Halloween” live musical show. The Spooktacular event beings at 11am on selected days through October and the admission price is included in the general ticket. Visit www.seaworldspooktacular.com for details.

Other special Halloween SeaWorld events include: The Spooktacular Sesame Street character breakfast buffet where Elmo, the Count and others will attend. The breakfast is additional and requires reservations. A special Spooky Spectacular Sleepover on select dates allows families to come up close to predators and scary overnight sleep event in the Shark Encounter. This event is an additional cost, runs from 7pm-9am, and is designed for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Another favorite Halloween tradition sure to delight kids and adults is Mickey’s “Not So Scary Halloween” after-hours party. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is decorated to the nines with Fall and Halloween décor. Kids and Disney characters dress up for this evening of fun and treats. Not to be outdone by the kids, adults alike dress up too.

Starting at 7pm through midnight on select nights through October 31^st, guests can see the special “Boo-to-You” Halloween parade and the bewitching “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks display that can only be seen during this time. Beyond the safe trick-or-treating stations throughout the park, attractions and rides are open as well. A separate ticket is required. Visit www.disneyworld.com/halloween for more details.

Both of these Halloween special events provide a unique opportunity and vantage point for familiar theme parks! The opportunity to have kids and adults dress up and trick-or-treat in these locations is one to be remembered and a fun way to experience both SeaWorld and Disney.

Photo Credits: Walt Disney World & SeaWorld

Photo Captions:

DUCK-O-LANTERN: Donald and Daisy Duck are decked out in their newest Halloween party-wear in front of the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. It’s all part of the fun that takes place when the Magic Kingdom hosts “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.” Activities include trick-or-treating, a Halloween parade and Disney’s “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks show. A separate ticket is required to attend. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

FRIGHTFULLY FUN FIREWORKS: Orange-hued fireworks explode over Cinderella Castle while illuminated pumpkins are projected onto the facade during the “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks show. The pyrotechnics show is part of “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party,” an after-hours Halloween celebration that takes place on select nights at the theme park. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

SeaWorld Spooktacular: Mrs. Mackeral leads the way in an underwater fantasea during SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular.

Photo Credit: Tropical Latitudes Travel

Photo Credit: Tropical Latitudes Travel; Aruba’s Natural Bridge before its collapse.

Located outside the hurricane belt, the Dutch-owned Aruba is a tranquil, tropical year-round destination. Travelers have the opportunity to visit this island via land or sea as it is a port of call for some cruise itineraries. The constant sea breeze and miles of white sand beaches against turquoise waters coupled with water sports and sightseeing opportunities, Aruba is a favorite for all types of travelers.

Plenty of official tour operators are available via the cruise ships or through the many hotels, but renting a jeep and exploring for the day is an adventurous way to experience Aruba.

However one chooses to see the sights, here’s a look at just a few non-swim related things to do when visiting this desert-like island:

California Lighthouse: Located in the most northwestern part of Aruba, a tall, white statuesque lighthouse appears. It is named for the for U.S. ship - the California - which sunk in 1910, about two years prior to the lighthouse’s construction. This spot provides magnificent seascape views and is a true trademark for Aruba showcasing its miles of beaches, sand dunes and rocky coral shorelines.

Rock Formations: Aruba is a relatively flat island so when traversing off-road and coming across the island’s rock formations are quite a surprise. On the way to the lighthouse, travelers will stumble across this unique area and will want to be sure to stop to build their own rock formation and take some photos. It is one of the most peaceful areas on the island.

Natural Bridge: Unfortunately, one of the most thought provoking sightseeing areas of Aruba, the Natural Bridge, is no more. In September 2005, the bridge just collapsed as a result of the wave action which created this 100 foot long structure. Aruba boasts other natural archways which have since received more visitors since the demise of the Natural Bridge.

Caves: Along Aruba’s windward coast, deep in its natural rock await caves for travelers to explore. Complete with stalagmites and stalactites, Aruba’s caves do not disappoint. The Guadirikiri Cave, which extends for about 100 feet, features two chambers, where sunlight sneaks in through the roof holes. The Fontein Cave is the most popular of the caves as it is the only one that has the drawings of Arawak Indians on the ceilings, providing a real sense of island history, as noted on Aruba’s tourism site. There is another cave, the Huliba Cave (300 foot long passageway), also known as the Tunnel of Love, for its heart shaped opening at its entrance.

When attending a music festival weekend, it should all be about embracing the music, and enjoying yourself without having to worry about packing up loads of things to take with you for the weekend.

The most essential item is a tent, just a small one is sufficient as all you need it for it to sleep in to protect you from the elements. Some people arrive with tents that are more like small houses, which are great for a week’s camping holiday with the family, but not necessary for this kind of event. If you arrive in a car and you don’t have a tent, there is nothing to stop you from sleeping in your car if you can rough it for a couple of nights. You won’t have the added hassle of putting a tent up, so from the minute you arrive at the festival, you can start enjoying yourself and go straight to the music tents or arenas to watch the bands or singers.

Whether you do take a tent or not, a sleeping bag or duvet is the most important item as it is pretty hard to sleep anywhere if you are cold, and even the hardest party goers will appreciate a couple of hours sleep at least, wrapped up in a sleeping bag or duvet of some kind. The next most important item is a warm outdoor jacket like the Berghaus jackets.

Anything else is really a luxury, and if you want to embrace the whole experience of a music festival, don’t get bogged down by worrying about what you have or haven’t got with you. Enjoy the music and the atmosphere. Buy food and drink while you are there as there are normally plenty of food stands, and bars to buy alcohol and soft drinks. This means you don’t have to bother spending time cooking on a gas stove, when you could be enjoying your favourite bands. A rucksack with plenty of water and a few snacks should see you through the weekend and the rest can be bought on site for convenience. Water is essential though as dehydration can make you very ill and will ruin the whole experience, so make sure you stock up, and locate the nearest drinking water tap when you get there.

Most people attend these events purely for the music and the whole atmosphere, and want to get the most out of their weekend by seeing as many bands and singers as possible and then the parties continue normally well into the early hours of the morning, so sleep is often very low on the agenda for a lot of people. They are prepared to be tired for a couple of days, so comfort and luxuries go out of the window, as it is a small price to pay to have a fun weekend with friends, watching some of the finest music. An opportunity that may only come along once in a while for many.

You may not have the luxury that you have at home, or would experience in a hotel or bed and breakfast, but if you attend these sorts of events, then luxury is way down the list of priorities.  You may not have the facilities to have a proper wash, or eat proper meals like you would do at home, but for a weekend away at this kind of event, this is something to be expected and part of the fun, roughing it for a few days. It really makes you realise that humans can do without many of the items we use in our everyday lives.

If you really feel like you have forgotten something that would make your weekend more enjoyable, there are usually stalls which sell camping equipment too but my advice is to enjoy the live music experience and don’t worry about anything else.

Photo credit: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, Va.

Photo Credit: www.visitshenandoah.com

The official end of summer occurred earlier this week, but that does not mean an end to vacation fun together. Fall is a popular time to travel and experience the changing seasons. A few Travel Advocate fall favorites include the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive; Williamsburg, Virginia; and a New England Cruise.

Royal Caribbean offers fall cruises visiting a variety of ports of call complete with fall foliage including Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Quebec City, Quebec and more. Cruisers can take in the unique scenic views while sailing. Not to mention the opportunity for fresh lobster and the lighthouse tours. The shore excursions offered concentrate on the history and culture of each city. Prices start at $489 for a 9-night cruise out of Baltimore, Maryland aboard Grandeur of the Seas, $699 aboard Jewel of the Seas for a 7-night cruise departing from Boston, and $1,099 for a 9-night cruise out of Cape Liberty Cruise Port, New Jersey on Explorer of the Seas. To learn more, visit: www.rccl.com

Located just over an hour outside of Washington, DC, travelers can take advantage of free admission to the Shenandoah National Park on Saturday, September 27^th during National Public Lands Day (all National Parks entrance fees are waived that day). Skyline Drive which is an entry point to the Shenandoah National Park is one of the most spectacular vistas one will ever witness regardless of season, but Fall is a favorite and extends colorful views. There is hiking, horseback riding, camping, dining, rock climbing and more. Entrance fees from March to November is $15 per vehicle, $8 per pedestrian and bicyclist and $10 per motorcyclist and are valid on the day of purchase and for the next six days. To learn more, visit: www.visitshenandoah.com

Williamsburg, Virginia is the restored 18th-century Revolutionary capital of Virginia as a town-sized living history museum, telling the inspirational stories of our nation’s founders. Within the restored and reconstructed buildings, historic interpreters, attired as colonial men and women from slaves to shopkeepers to soldiers, relate stories of colonial Virginia society and culture. As Colonial Williamsburg interprets life in the time of the American Revolution for its guests, it also invites them to interact with history. Williamsburg offers an interactive and interesting way to experience history first hand.  This Fall, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum feature an assortment of guided tours and interactive programs for all ages. To learn more, visit: www.history.org

Glass by glass is a growing way to experience a vacation destination. 27 million travelers, or 17% of American leisure travelers, engaged in culinary or wine-related activities while traveling within the past three years, based on a new report from the Travel Industry Association (TIA), in partnership with Gourmet and the International Culinary Tourism Association. 

Photo Credit: TripAdvisor A taste of Tuscany: one of many stunning Tuscan vineyards, documented by a TripAdvisor traveler.

“The study demonstrates that a sizable proportion of the U.S. leisure market does indeed make travel decisions based on a desire for wine and culinary experiences. In fact, it confirms that wine and culinary experiences are a driver of destination choice,” said Laura Mandala, TIA’s vice president of research.

Wine activities included participating in winery tours, driving a wine trail, tasting locally made wines and attending wine festivals as revealed in the study.

Gina Keough, spokesperson for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau, says “Wine-related travel is growing around 20 percent per year.” The popular movie Sideways introduced a lot of people to the local wine country.

TripAdvisor just released its top 10 wine destinations worldwide. Below is its uncorked list:

1. Geaux Bordeaux: Bordeaux, France

Perhaps the world’s most famous wine destination, the Bordeaux region of France has long been renowned for its vineyards that produce everything from delicious table wines to the most expensive bottles in the world. In Bordeaux, the French passion for food and wine unite for a sensational wine-tasting experience.

2. Golden Grapes: Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley has long been synonymous with superb wine and striking scenery, both of which draw millions of wine lovers to the region each year. Home to nearly 400 unique wineries, the valley has a Mediterranean climate that is ideal for growing a variety of grapes, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Zinfandel.

3. Keen on Chianti: Tuscany, Italy

Famed for its reds like Chianti and Montalcino, the Tuscany region of Italy is a delight for the senses. Celebrated not only for its vineyards and its cuisine, its sheer natural and historic beauty make it one of the world’s most sought-after destinations and a magical place to taste the local “vino.”

4. A Bit of the Bubbly: Champagne-Ardenne, France

The Champagne province is famous for the beloved sparkling white wine that shares its name. Its neatly-tended vineyards amongst a picturesque natural landscape, rich history, and unique culture make this region as vibrant as its effervescent wine.

5. Raising the Barossa: Barossa Valley, Australia

This scenic region in Southern Australia is highly regarded for its Shiraz and its other robust varieties of red wine. Characterized by its visibly rich German heritage, along with its rolling, vine-covered hills, Barossa Valley is a uniquely beautiful destination for sightseers and wine connoisseurs alike.

6. Spanish Inbibation: La Rioja, Spain

Spain’s most famous wine destination, Rioja is divided into three regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Baja. Most recognized for its outstanding reds, the region’s wines are particularly distinctive because of the oak aging and delicious vanilla flavors.

7. To the Moon: Sonoma Valley, California

Nicknamed the “Valley of the Moon” by legendary writer and one time Sonoma local Jack London, the Valley features amazing vineyards, with particularly remarkable whites, as well as beautiful scenery and charming towns.

8. Grand Central: Valle Central, Chile

Just outside the Chilean capital of Santiago, the gorgeous Valle Central set among the Andes Mountains and Pacific Ocean is internationally acclaimed. Wine enthusiasts will be particularly fond of the Maipo Valley’s cabernets, and the Curico’s chardonnays.

9. Great Escape: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Home to one of South Africa’s most visited wine routes, Stellenbosch is the heart of the Cape Winelands region, with more than 100 wine cellars to visit surrounding the culturally rich center town of Stellenbosch.

10. Blanc Stare: Marlborough, New Zealand

Located on the southern island of New Zealand, Marlborough is widely regarded as the country’s birthplace of winemaking. Famous for its white wine varietals, the region is best known for its delectable Sauvignon Blancs.

“In addition to supplying some of the finest wines to the world, these destinations offer visitors outstanding hotels, restaurants and wine tours,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

Building off of the Year of the Million Dreams campaign, Disney is not content to rely on its brand name to continue bringing people into the world of fun at a Disney theme park. Disney continues to entice travelers with new park additions, resort features and unique offerings. Yesterday, Disney announced its “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign which is a first in Disney history allowing visitors to any Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park free admission in 2009 on their birthday.

When planning this amazing free opportunity, Disney executives have thought of everything even providing alternative “birthday gifts” for those who already have a ticket for their birthday visit or for season pass holders. The key is the traveler has to go to Disney on their actual birthday.

The birthday promotion is being unveiled as Disney embraces a newly identified family travel trend called “celebration vacations.”

In this new national trend, American families are hitting the road to mark life’s special occasions - birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, reunions and more - with a “celebration vacation,” as stated in a Disney release. A nationwide survey of nearly 4,600 adults conducted by Ypartnership - co-author of the influential National Travel Monitor - showed that 70 percent of U.S. leisure travelers have taken a vacation with the primary purpose of marking a special occasion in their lives - a “celebration vacation,” as Ypartnership President and CEO Peter Yesawich termed it.

“Birthdays are the one occasion that we all share every year,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. ”We thought a free birthday ticket would be the icing on the cake as we extend this new ‘celebration vacation’ trend to Disney Parks.”

Disney parks provide the perfect setting for this new style of vacation that celebrates the special occasions in life, Rasulo added. 

Whether a guest is celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, Quinceañera or any special occasion, Disney parks already are filled with favorite characters, world-class attractions and entertainment, and legendary guest service - exactly the “something for everyone” that trend-watchers say families look for in a “celebration vacation,” as explained in the launch release.

Ypartnership research showed that when travelers take that “celebration vacation,” families are looking for destinations that provide activities for children and - better yet - activities adults and children can enjoy together. “Given these findings, it’s not surprising that Disney Parks topped the list of destinations where families would most like to celebrate these special occasions,” Yesawich said. 

Having celebrated our child’s birthday at Disney, I can tell you that this is an opportunity to not miss. And, considering the price of admission, Disney’s birthday promotion is a welcomed one during tough economic times. When celebrating your birthday at Disney, be sure to do the following extras:

• Go to Town Hall in Magic Kingdom and let the cast member know it’s your birthday and you’ll receive a free birthday button. When riding the rides and partaking in other park attractions, the cast members will acknowledge your special day, which is great for the kids, not so much for me as I have a milestone coming up!
• If staying at a Disney resort, let the guest services staff know you are celebrating a birthday and typically you will receive a special keepsake delivered to your room!
• Make reservations for character dining ahead of time if you want the extra celebration touch on this day. You can reserve ahead of time up to 6 months. You can work with a special department too to arrange for a birthday cake too. This is an extra cost, but it is worth it! 

As part of the 2009 birthday party, Disney has added even more customization options to make everyone’s birthday special. Depending on the Disney park travelers are headed to, guests can order everything from special dining to princess tea parties, from yacht cruises to treasure hunting on a pirate sailing adventure, from a quiet trail ride to parasailing thrills.  

Among add-on experiences guests can choose to customize their “celebration vacation”: 

• Custom Bakery Cakes and Signature Desserts: Disney chefs create an unforgettable finale to a special dinner with a beautifully decorated cake themed to any occasion or a new line of celebration desserts.
• For Lovebirds: Sweetheart dinners for two in which couples can clink “Celebrate Today!” champagne flutes.
• Family Portraits: Capture the memory with a portrait session with Walt Disney World photographers.Build a custom photo album with Disney’s PhotoPass.
• Personalized Souvenirs: Mark your occasion with personalized Mouse ears, character T-shirts and collectible pins.
• Decorate Your Disney Guest Room: Step into a resort room decorated to fit your celebration theme with confetti, banners, surprises and more.
• Stay Inside a Dream Theme: Book a themed guest room at either destination - princess-themed or Mickey-inspired at Disneyland or - coming in 2009 - pirate-themed at Walt Disney World Resort.
• Set Sail: Book a private romantic cruise on a yacht or set your party afloat on a shared magical fireworks voyage.
• Go Inside the Magic: Behind-the-scenes tours take you inside the storytelling, adventure and history of Disney Parks.
• Disney Story Book Experiences: Choose from pirate adventures, tea parties, princess makeovers and more - all with the magic of Disney.
• Disneyland Parties: “Celebration Roundup and Barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch,” all-new, is a full-blown party complete with frontier entertainment, goodie bags and a surprise treat for everyone - no matter what they’re celebrating.”My Disneyland Birthday Party” features cake decorating, party hats and even Mickey and Minnie pay a visit.  

Free theme park admission details: To receive free admission to one of the Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks on your birthday in 2009, guests must bring valid ID including proof of birth date.  Guests who already hold a valid multi-day ticket they will use on their birthday may choose from other birthday treats instead, however, no cash refunds or credits will be given.  To register your birthday and find out more details, visit www.disneyparks.com or call 407/W-DISNEY.

Photo Credit: Walt Disney World

Top Photo Caption:

FREE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY - It’s party time at Disney Parks during 2009. As part of a special park-wide celebration, everyone who visits a Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort theme park in 2009 gets in free on their birthday. Disney Parks have embraced a new travel trend called “celebration vacations.” Wondrous new entertainment and special services such as character greetings can be booked to help guests transform personal milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries into magical Disney experiences. (Paul Hiffmeyer, photographer)

Mickey & Goofy Photo Caption:

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN — Chef Mickey Mouse and Chef Goofy are baking up fun surprises as Disney Parks embraces a new travel trend called “celebration vacations.” Disney Parks will lead the growing trend with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn personal milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries into magical Disney experiences. As part of the celebration, everyone who visits a Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort theme park in 2009 can get in free on their birthday. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

I’ll be taking a trip to the UK next spring, and as part of that trip I’m hoping to see a number of different shows and hopefully a few concerts in addition to the historic and typical tourists websites. In preparation for the trip, I researched all of the different means of ordering tickets online in the United Kingdom, and there were a lot of different options. You can order tickets by mail, show up and try to buy tickets at the gate, or order them from a number of different websites online.

Since I’m a planner, I figured my best bet was to try to get a good price by ordering them online. I looked at a number of different ticket sites, and found that a site called Viagogo was definitely the place to “gogo.” Viagogo has all sorts of tickets for athletic, theater, and concert tickets in a number of different venues in the UK. I was able to score some Stevie Wonder tickets and Tina Turner tickets for just about the same as what I would be paying to see those two acts in the United States, which is quite remarkable since the British Pound is very strong compared to the weak US Dollar.

The tickets arrived in about a week, which is very acceptable considering the distance had to travel. Air Mail between the United Kingdom and the United States has really become a decent means of shipping. It’s affordable and can get your small packages very quickly. Even if the tickets took a month, it’d still be okay since the trip is several months away.

I was hoping to get some Steve Coogan tickets, but couldn’t find any in London at the time that I’ll be traveling, hopefully I can see him in the states next time.

Travelers looking to protect their travel investment and ensure certain items are covered during an upcoming trip can easily be confused when trying to navigate the cluttered travel insurance product marketplace. Travelers should not expect the worst when heading out for a little rest and relaxation; but, they should know that the right travel insurance can safeguard one’s vacation investment, and prepare their family for lost baggage, unexpected illness or whatever else comes their way.

Squaremouth.com’s CEO Chris Harvey provides answers and clarity to its customers’ top questions surrounding the myriad of travel insurance issues and travel insurance products available on the market. Questions ranging from what qualifies as a pre-existing condition to can I purchase travel insurance after I have departed are all covered in this part two Q&A Squaremouth.com series.

Visit Squaremouth’s “Help and Advice” section for answers to these and more questions, as well as an insider’s look at the industry. What travelers learn today about travel insurance may surprise them - and it will leave them better protected.

A Sampling of Squaremouth Customers’ Top Q&As:

What is the latest date I can buy a travel insurance policy?
You can typically buy travel insurance up to the day before you leave; however, for policies that include cancellation, it is better to buy as soon as possible after your deposit: the cost is usually the same and you maximize your benefits. If you wait, you run the risk that something will happen before you buy your insurance and you won’t be covered.

What qualifies as a ‘pre-existing’ medical condition?
A pre-existing medical condition can be any reason to cancel, interrupt or delay your trip due to a medical condition that existed before you bought insurance. If your heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma or epilepsy is solely controlled though medication, and remains so within what’s called the “look back” period, this will not be deemed ‘pre-existing’ for insurance purposes. Some plans require you to insure the full pre-paid, non-refundable trip cost to be eligible for pre-existing medical condition cover, refer to the policy certificate for full details of the plan you have chosen.

Can I buy insurance after I’ve left on vacation?
If you only need medical and medical evacuation coverage, you can buy ‘international medical insurance’ policies during a trip. Standard travel insurance policies must be purchased prior to departure.

What’s the difference between trip ‘cancellation’ and trip ‘interruption’ benefits?
The ‘cancellation’ benefit covers you if you have to cancel your trip before your departure date. Trip ‘interruption’ covers you if you have to cut short a trip you are already on.

If my trip is insured on my credit card, should I buy more travel insurance?
Check to see exactly what coverage you already have — since what you think you have and what you are actually covered for are usually very different. In fact, credit cards cover accidents but typically exclude illness — which helps if you break a leg skiing but not if you have a heart attack on the green. Usually, you are reimbursed only for what was bought with the card.

Why should I buy insurance independently, rather than through a tour operator?
Most experts recommend that you purchase through a third party. A tour operator usually sells policies designed expressly for them. They reap a high commission on those sales, which often leads to higher prices for you and fewer benefits than you will find on the open market.

Using Squaremouth.com, travelers may purchase third party travel insurance products online or call its licensed insurance experts for detailed assistance. The site displays policies in a format that allows for side-by-side comparison, sorts policies by price, benefit or carrier, and instantly lets consumers buy their choice of coverage.

Getting through airport security is challenging, especially considering restrictions on what a traveler can and can not bring aboard. The Transportation Security Administration keeps a comprehensive, up-to-date allowable list of items acceptable to pack in your carry-on bag. To simplify the packing process, here is a look at some of Travel-Advocate’s must-have carry-on items when traveling. Note: These products have been tested first-hand and are just suggestions.

The Bag: It is difficult to find a good carry-on bag that serves as a purse for women that is stylish and not bulky or manly and fits within the size restrictions. Travel-Advocate has found one…the Coakley travel bag. The only complaint about this product is before even packing it up with essentials, it is a heavy bag. But, just as with high heels, function and style trump comfort at times. Truly, the functionality of the Coakley can not be beat with the various compartments and the ease of reaching the passport, keys, baby wipes, cell phone when it is needed. Visit: www.coakleybusinessclass.com

The Wallet: The Original Taxi Wallet from Vallavista is the perfect everyday and travel accessory to keep track of money, receipts, coins, credit cards, and identification. This quality product is the perfect size, measuring 4 x 3 ¼, light weight, various stylish color options, and is functional. There are multiple currency pockets to easily separate monies when traveling abroad and it features an interior security pocket as well. Available at www.sylenedc.com under accessories.

The Sunscreen: Regardless of where travels might take someone, a travel-size sunscreen is important for both adults and children. For kids, a favorite is Hawaiian Tropic’s Kids Sunblock 60+ SPF. Either Kinesys 30 SPF or SmartShield’s 30 SPF travel well as a carry-on product. Both protect from both UVA and UVB harmful rays. SmartShield is eco-friendly and waterproof and its SPF 30 is also available in lotion, gel and convenient towelette form (and 2 oz bottles for carrying on airplanes). Visit: www.hawaiiantropic.com, www.kinesys.com, www.smartshield.com

The Eyes: Regardless of season, a good pair of sunglasses is an item to not leave at home. The Quattro polarized performance sunwear line protect the eyes from damaging UV rays and are light weight with no glare. Visit: www.quattrosunwear.com

The Lips: Keeping lips moisturized and protected while traveling is often forgotten. A great product serving multiple purposes is Softlips® flavored lip conditioning products providing SPF 20 protection and even have a tinted option eliminating the need for a lip gloss. Visit: www.softlips.com

The Head: This sun hat is the easiest product to pack due to its ability to fold up and how how light weith Soleil Chic’s UV hat is, which blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Visit: www.soleilchic.com

The Children’s Warmth: For infants and toddlers, SwaddleDesigns has a comfortable, light weight blanket called SummerSwaddle, as well as an easy-to-pack receiving blanket. Bringing your own blankets removes the wondering if a blanket will be available onboard. Beyond adult sun protection clothing items, Sun Safe Designer Clothing offers either a pink or blue baby blanket which is protected by a fabric that is 50+ SPF. All three products are easy to pack inside of the recommended Coakley bag. Visit: www.swaddledesigns.com or www.sunsafedesignerclothing.com

The Kid’s Entertainment: It goes without saying that an entertainment bag accompanies kids when traveling, but there is one product that is a favorite for infants and toddlers that is multi-purpose. The Munchkin Twisty® Traveling Flash Cards help kids with numbers, the alphabets, word association, counting and more. The product size is perfect to fit into a purse or diaper bag and is a hidden gem when traveling. Visit: www.munchkin.com

The Snacks: For the most part, the free meals are gone when flying. Pack some healthy snacks when traveling that are convenient, healthy and that kids will like. FruitaBü^TM Organic Fruit Twirls give kids a fun and convenient, mess-free way to unwrap a healthy fruit snack. Snacktrition products features some tasty travel-size products including Sea Salt Cashews with Fiber, Sea Salt Almonds with Calcium, Salt & Pepper Cashews with Fiber, Smoked Almonds with Calcium and Fruit & Nut Mix with Fiber and Calcium. Visit: www.fruitabu.com and www.snacktrition.com.

The You Never Know Items: Traveling With Toddlers kit ensures travelers are prepared for anything featuring items such as a small flashlight, disinfectant spray, toilet seat covers and bathroom tissue, paper towels, first aid kit, moist wipes, sunscreen, sun pain relief gel, sewing kit, Splinter Out, anti-cavity toothpaste, toothbrush, calming shampoo & body wash and hand sanitizer. All of these included products are within the TSA travel requirement sizes. Visit: http://www.minimus.biz

Of course there are other items that a traveler never leaves home without, but these are just a few essentials Travel-Advocate has found useful during recent travels.