Worldwide Insure

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1. You don’t need a change of clothes for everyday.
2. Layering is the best way to dress for all weathers.
3. Cotton clothes retain water, which is rubbish for backpacking in the winter. During the summer however that is an obvious perk.
4. Wool socks and base layers are the way to go in winter.
5. Merino wool is worth the money because it’s not itchy.
6. Extra socks are a necessity not a luxury.
7. Every little thing you can cut from your backpack bag really does make it weigh less.
8. Pack less, smile more.
9. Pack a portable charger WITH converters.
10. Take a kindle not hardcopies of books.
11. Download “offline” maps while you have wifi.
12. Listening to music on an mp3 player is better than wasting phone battery.
13. Microfibre towels take ages to dry, a wash cloth is just as good as a towel.
14. Ziplock bags in various sizes will save your day, every day.
15. Going with the flow and hoping to find a bed for the night doesn’t work out if you turn up mid-festival/holiday/celebration… check how busy your destination might be before you head there.
16. Good socks are just as important as good shoes and boots.
17. Sock liners are a luxury you make room for if you don’t want stinky feet or blisters.
18. Looking for stuff in an unorganised pack is a waste of time – pack your bag so the stuff you use the most is on the top or in external pockets.
19. Earplugs are a must if you want a good night’s sleep.
20. Hostel beds can be rank even at the best of times – pack a travel sheet.

Don’t forget your travel insurance! Living out of a bag and being constantly on the move ups the risk of losing belongings, or having them stolen. We have special long stay insurance perfect for backpacking adventures. Cover from 3 to 18 months covering casual work plus many sports.

Thrifty travel without slumming it is totally possible. Check out this list of hints and tips – add them all up and you’ll probably have enough cash left over for another holiday!

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Find cheap flights first using tools like Skyscanner and Flights Direct.

Book flights early – last minute flights can be more expensive.

Book a flight through a partner airline. This is known as the codeshare trick where airlines sell each other’s flights, often at a reduced price.

Use Trivago or Trip Advisor to see who is offering the cheapest price on your chosen hotel room – then call the hotel to see if they’ll beat it.

Book a last minute package holiday – these get discounted to make sure they are sold.

If there is a group of you consider booking a luxury apartment or villa, when the costs are divided it can beat the price of a hotel of a similar standard.

Don’t get a travel insurance package with your holiday provider, airline or bank – this is usually more costly (and not tailored to your specific travel requirements) than getting insurance through an independent provider.

Book car hire early – the daily rate increases dramatically if booking the day before, and even more if you book when you arrive.

Get car hire excess insurance from an independent insurer, not the car hire firm. Not only should it be cheaper, it will likely offer more protection too.

Get a travel credit card for the best exchange rates. Bear in mind that you must pay off the balance if full at the end of the month or the interest negates the bargain exchange rates.

We offer Single trip cover for 1 to 94 days; Annual multi-trip cover for 31, 45 or 62 days per trip; Longstay cover for 4 to 18 months. Options available to tailor your policy to your requirements, plus you can extend it to cover winter sports and golf, or upgrade to cover more adventurous activities! Call us on 01892 833338 or get a quote online.

Jet-setting, high flying professionals – living the life right? As you’ll well know, it’s not all silver linings when you have to travel the skies for work. Here are a few tips that will alleviate the boredom and maybe make that next business trip a bit more like a holiday!

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1. Book an apartment

No matter how luxurious, hotels have a hint of loneliness about them if you are enjoying them solo. Booking an apartment instead will inject some homeliness into your travel schedule, and help you avoid sleeping in the “same old” space over and over again.

2. Take public transport

Ditch the taxi (and the hire car) in favour for travelling by bus or train. This is an amazing opportunity to go on a sightseeing adventure and soak up the culture of the country you are in. While you might not have a tour guide, it is a great way to discover the streets and suburbs of your temporary home.

3. Book in some “me time”

Rather than yearning for home time, indulge in something that you can enjoy without having to book in some time off. Maybe you like to sit in a spa, watch live sport, go to a gig, take in an opera – whatever it is, make your trip a chance to enjoy any free time you have without having to ask for permission.

4. Meet new people

The likes of City Socializer make it easy to meet new people when you find yourself in unfamiliar territory. Not only is it a great way for people travelling on business to network without the hard work, it can fast-track you to the real heart of a city and all it has to offer without needing to spend a whole week exploring.

5. Make it a Bleisure trip

Yes, a trip that is a mix of business and pleasure. Although it may require some element of luck, planning a business trip around a social engagement, or looking up an old friend when you find yourself in their neighbourhood for work has been proven to reduce the stress of business travel. The other option is to tag on a few days holiday to your trip and take your family with you too.

Don’t forget your Business Travel Insurance! We offer annual multi-trip cover for frequent travel with a choice of 31, 45 or 62 days per trip. Call us on 01892 833338 or get a quote online.

Please note, policies, terms and conditions may change – all information published in this blog pertaining to travel insurance from worldwideinsure.com is only deemed valid at the time of publication.