Early May Bank Holiday 2015 – Motorist Travel Advice

Posted on April 17, 2015 by worldwideinsure

An early Easter meant that lots of people looking for a long weekend break delayed their travel plans until the Early May bank holiday hoping for better weather. As a result, there will be more people than usual on the roads this bank holiday – here is how to stay clear of the crowds and what to take to prepare for a long journey!

1 – Plan your route effectively

Rather than planning your route quite simply from A to B, find out what roadworks are planned during the Bank Holiday weekend, the longer route may well be faster. The Highways Agency Travel App shows current and planned roadworks, listed by road, region and country as well as delivering up-to-the-minute real-time information about traffic congestion.

2 – Set off early – or late!

Not everyone has time off over the bank holiday, so rush hour traffic still exists. The best bet is to leave well before it starts, or after it has cleared. Bear in mind that lots of people will travel in the morning after the rush, creating a rush of a different sort, and people are more likely to set off in the afternoon than evening to miss the p.m. congestion. Ergo – the best plans are to travel well before breakfast, or after dinner!

3 – Be prepared to change course

Keep an ear out for traffic reports so you can avoid unexpected tailbacks, and have an idea of alternative routes that you could take. Another great way to avoid jams is to use them as an ideal time to get off the road and take a break. Far better to be enjoying a cuppa and some food than sat in traffic for hours!

4 – Pack refreshments

Dehydration can cause fatigue, so make sure you take plenty of water for your journey. Energy drinks are also popular, but beware of the slump that can occur after consuming caffeine and sugar – you might just end up more tired!

5 – Plan a break

This could be a motorway service station, in which case take plenty of cash for food and drink, or it could be a beauty spot along your journey. Choosing the latter will offer a more relaxing break from driving, and will also feel like you are already on holiday, rather than on a long journey trying to get from A to B. It is recommended that drivers take a 20 minute rest every 2.5 hours.

6 – Avoid being the cause of a tailback

Quite simply, get your car serviced, or make sure that your oil, screenwash, coolant, wiper blades and tyres are all as they should be before a long journey. If you are hiring a car, consider taking out car hire excess insurance – just in case.

The Early May Bank Holiday is on Monday 04th May 2015 and the Spring Bank Holiday is on Monday 25th May 2015. 

Posted in Travel Advice | Comments Off on Early May Bank Holiday 2015 – Motorist Travel Advice

Wedding Insurance – Your Questions Answered

Posted on April 10, 2015 by worldwideinsure

Did you know that only 47% of couples take out wedding insurance?

WorldwideInsure.com were recently featured as the voice of expertise in a bridal magazine offering advice on wedding insurance, answering some common questions that brides ask about whether or not they really need the cover. We thought this advice was too good not to share here too. You can read the full article in Absolute Bridal online, page 112, or take a look at our extracts below!

Why do I need wedding insurance? Surely the venue and the suppliers have their own insurance! Although venues and the suppliers are likely to have their own cover, wedding insurance is specific to the couple getting married…

Does the type of cover I need depend on my wedding budget? Yes. Couples should choose their level of cover based on what it would cost if they had to cancel their entire wedding. Honeymoons are not covered as they would be considered by insurers to be holidays…

Wedding Insurance protects from loss or damage… can that be from flood, fire, courier mistakes, and best man misadventures? As with all insurance policies, the eventualities that are covered are listed in the policy wording under each section – so it depends on what is lost or damaged as to what can be claimed for…

I am getting married abroad, do I need specialist over, or will my Wedding Insurance cover that too? Some wedding insurance providers cover overseas weddings at no extra cost, although there may be the addition of Essential Document Cover…

Want to know more about getting cover? Get an instant online quote for wedding insurance from WorldwideInsure.com, or call us on 01892 833338.

Posted in Travel Insurance, wedding insurance | Comments Off on Wedding Insurance – Your Questions Answered

Easter Island – The Alternative Easter Holiday

Posted on April 3, 2015 by worldwideinsure

Bored with picking foil out of half-melted Easter eggs at this time of year? Yearning for adventure? Why not pack your bags and go on an Easter holiday of a lifetime to Easter Island… not a chocolate egg in sight – promise!

A bit about Easter Island…
This is the educational bit! Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui by the natives, or Isla de Pascua by Chilean settlers, or Te Pito o Te Henua, meaning Navel of the World by Polynesian settlers, is about 2,300 miles off the coast of Chile. The name Easter Island was coined after Jacob Roggeveen, the first European to land here set foot on it on Easter Sunday in 1722.

The history of the island is full of mystery, and there are many theories about how the population of 12,000 dropped to just 111, and of course about how and why the Moai appeared! The reason for the disappearance of the island’s 16 million trees and diverse wildlife is less of a mystery, a culture of slash and burn farming was to blame.

Permanent population: 5,200
Size: 14 miles long, 7 miles wide
Number of Moai statues: 800
Climate: subtropical
Hottest months: January and February
Wettest month: May
Coolest months: July and August
Weather warnings: tropical downpours are common, high winds and storms cause flight delays

What to do on Easter Island
It all depends on how long you stay. Some people do a flying visit, literally a couple of days as part of a grand Chilean tour, whereas other visitors like to spend a whole week exploring the island. Whichever you choose… here is what’s on offer if you can fit it in:

Rano Raraku – The birthplace of the Moai! A quarry in a volcanic crater that also has a beautiful lake. It is thought that this is where the statues would have been sculpted, and there are many here in an unfinished state – one measuring a whopping 21 metres!

Ahu Tahai – At this beach location you can see the reconstructed Moai – the stone statues originally had eyes made of coral and obsidian.

Ahu Tongariki – Go at dusk or dawn to see 15 Moai at their most magnificent – you’ll soon see why this is the most photographed spot on the island!

Ahu Akivi – This is thought to be an observatory! Unlike the other statues on the island, the seven Moai here face out to sea.

Anakena – 3 Moai, which are more or less complete, can be found on the dunes at this coastal location.

Rano Kau – An extinct volcano, well worth the climb to the top.

Orongo – A ceremonial village where the Birdman Cult is said to have replaced the Moai tradition.

Ahu Huri A Urenga – A unique Moai that is not only situated inland (they are usually on the coast), but also because it has four hands instead of the usual two.

Hanga Roa – The capital of the island, and home to Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum where you can see some amazing artifacts relating to the island’s mysterious past. You’ll also find hotels, eateries, bars and cafes in the town – but be warned, things here are pricy because of the extremely remote location!

As far as outdoor pursuits go – Cycling is a great way to discover all the above at your leisure, horse riding is also popular here, and the crystal clear waters is perfect for scuba diving! Surfing, sailing and kayaking is also available.

FACT! In 2012, over 86,000 people visited the island!

What to add to your holiday insurance
Make sure you get insurance for the outdoor pursuits mentioned above. Our Wintersports Insurance provides comprehensive cover for all sorts of adrenaline-fuelled activities. Get a free instant quote online or call us on 01892 833338.

Find Out More! Visit EasterIslandTourism.Com for info about hotels, restaurants, package holidays, car rental, sports, and of course the best excursions!

Posted in Fun, Travel Advice | Comments Off on Easter Island – The Alternative Easter Holiday

Holiday Car Hire – 8 Moneysaving Tips

Posted on April 1, 2015 by worldwideinsure

Thinking of hiring a car on holiday? Here’s what you need to know to keep costs down and reduce the chances of getting ripped off by a car hire company!

1. Opt for the basic package – At all times resist the patter of the sales person who is trying to sell you insurance for incidents that may not be covered by the basic insurance. Their policies will be far more costly than one you can source yourself, such as our car hire excess insurance… you can find out more from Norbert…

2. Ignore their claims that the insurance you have purchased is not valid – Quite simply it is valid! They will also likely tell you that you need to get extra insurance to specifically cover windscreen, tyres and the undercarriage – you won’t need this if you have arranged your car hire excess with Worldwide Insure.

3. Make sure you have money on your credit card – Some car hire companies may get twitchy about the cover you may or may not have, so will ask for a pre-authorised sum to cover costs on your credit card. This is a normal procedure so make sure you have about £600 available as it will also need to cover fuel costs too if that is part of the arrangement.

4. Take video or photographic evidence of the condition of the vehicle – Even the most minor blemish, inside or out could land you with a bill if it hasn’t been noted before you drive your hire car away. Video and photographic evidence is difficult to dispute, so make sure you capture any damage that already exists on camera.

5. Read the T&Cs – It sounds simple, but how many of us (besides those in insurance) actually pore over the fine print? If scan and tick accept is your modus operandi, now is the time to take a little more time and find out what you are really signing.

  • What’s the fuel policy? Some car hire companies make you pay for a full tank up front and you then return it empty – fine if you know you’ll be using a full tank!
  • Is there a mileage limit? Some companies don’t want their cars driven for thousands of miles, do check if you have a long journey planned.
  • Are you old enough? Generally only an issue if you are under the age of 25.

6. Take your own accessories, don’t hire theirs – Items such as child seats and sat navs can be hired from the car hire company, but usually at a much greater cost than buying items new.

7. Get your camera out again when you return your vehicle – Just as you documented the state of the vehicle before you left, do the same when you get back just in case there are any allegations of additional damage after you’ve handed the keys over and left the building. Keep hold of the paperwork and photos!

8. Keep an eye on your bank statements – Firstly you want to check that any fuel or damage deductions have been correctly charged, or that deposit money is correctly returned. Then you want to keep an eye open to make sure no mysterious payments come out over the following months.

If you would like to know more about car hire excess insurance from Worldwide Insure (not that Norbert hasn’t summed it up succinctly), give us a call on 01892 83 33 38

 

Posted in Car Hire Excess Insurance, Car Hire Insurance | Comments Off on Holiday Car Hire – 8 Moneysaving Tips

YPlan App Review – Travel App of the Month March 2015

Posted on March 27, 2015 by worldwideinsure

Hot off the virtual press, YPlan promises to be an essential app for the travelling masses that like to do something fun in a new city. So far though, that fun is limited to London, Edinburgh, New York, San Francisco and Las Vegas – but the developers are promising that more locations will be rolled out.

YPlan – What is it?

The YPlan app is an app that tells you what is on where and lets you book your ticket in just two taps! The entertainment experts ensure that there is a curated list of “best stuff on” with the aim of encouraging spontaneity, by removing the need to plan ahead (YPlan… geddit?). The result is a perfect app for travellers. Just landed in a new city and want to experience some culture? This app will tell you where the hottest things are happening.

What does the YPlan app do?

Yplan lists exclusive events for a huge range of interests at the most sought-after venues around. Categories include:  Art, Burlesque, Cabaret, Cinema, Circus, Classical, Clubbing, Comedy, Cooking, Experience, Film, Food & Drink, Happy Hour, Magic, Music, Opera, Pop Up Food, Pub Crawl, Special Event, Sport, Talk, Tasting, Theatre, Tour, Wine Tasting… to list just a few. If you like something, you just tap it to book it.

If you don’t like what the list is offering you, just swipe it away, and next time, the list will be a new more improved personalised version, just for you. Clever huh?

And the tricks don’t stop there… You can even invite your friends to events from the app, and not worry about having to foot the bill for their ticket – Genius, and just what you need if you have met some new travel buddies and you don’t want to be lumbered with their thrifty ways!

YPlan Reviews

Lots of thumbs up from users so far, and a lovely selection of celebrity endorsements…

“YPlan offers a concise list of the best NYC nightlife in one app… genius.” – Pharrell Williams

“Spontaneity app YPlan makes planning ahead so passé.” – Evening Standard

“YPlan – now that’s a seriously good app. Last minute events of all kinds booked in seconds. Damned smart.” – Stephen Fry

“A real contender to Time Out.” – Eva S.

“20 Hot London Startups You Need To Watch” – Mashable

Get it yourself and try it out next time you travel

App Store

Google Play

Posted in travel apps | Comments Off on YPlan App Review – Travel App of the Month March 2015

St Patrick’s Day 2015 – Ireland Travel Guide

Posted on March 16, 2015 by worldwideinsure

If you like a drop of the black stuff, or just enjoy the sights and sounds of the Emerald Isle, a trip to Ireland for St Patrick’s Day celebrations is guaranteed to be a colourful experience!

Dublin

To experience the festivities in full swing, head straight to Dublin. There are parades, walks, talks and plenty of performing art. Expect to see traditional Irish dancing and experience live literary readings and music, paying homage to the country’s artistic talents. Hundreds of thousands of people attend the parade in Dublin, which starts at 10am – so get up early to get a good spot!

A trip to the Guinness Storehouse should be on your agenda, but be warned, it is a busy time of the year – expect crowds! It should all add to the atmosphere of the day though. This year, the Guinness Storehouse is putting on a St Paddy’s Day extravaganza:

What: St Patrick’s Day at Guinness Storehouse

When: Sat 14th to Tues 17th March

Where: St James’s Gate, Dublin 8, Ireland

  • Live music
  • Guinness variant samplings
  • Guinness and food tasting
  • Live marching bands
  • Six Nations Rugby hub
  • Face painting
  • And apparently much more!

 

Galway

Galway was once a tiny fishing village, but today it is a thriving bohemian city that has beautiful beaches to explore, traditional cobblestone streets to admire and plenty of shops to peruse. There is of course a wealth of traditional Irish watering holes too, where you’ll find your next dose of St Patrick’s Day passion in the form of real Irish music and real Irish booze.

In the run up to St Patricks’s Day you’ll find fun and frivolities abound at the fortnight-long annual Seachtain na Gaeilge festival. This gathering has become the largest celebration of its kind of the Irish language, culture and heritage – well worth looking in on whether you are already au fait with all things Irish, or have never been to visit before. 

What: Seachtain na Gaeilge Festival

When: Sun 01st  to Tues 17th March

Where: Various venues Around Galway

 

Cork

If you’ve had your fill of Guinness, then maybe you’d enjoy a pint or two of Murphy’s Irish Stout instead. This brew hails from county Cork, so a fitting tipple to enjoy while here. Cork is well known for diversity, and culture, but that doesn’t mean to say visitors to the county can’t get a good dose of all things Irish during their stay. Cork has a 4-day St Patrick’s day festival, starting on Saturday 14th march – where the city streets burst to life with live music, circus acts and street performances.

Alternatively, you can head to one of Cork’s most popular attractions, Blarney Castle for St Patrick’s Day – where you’ll see the castle lit up in glorious emerald green light. The Castle was built around 600 years ago and is renowned for its “stone of eloquence” aka the Blarney Stone. Legend has it that if you hang upside down and kiss the stone you’ll be blessed with the gift of the gab. Whoever first told that story evidently was, so you never know – it might just work!

What: St Patrick’s Day Festival

When: Sun 14th to Tues 17th March

Where: All over Cork, festival finishes with Paddy’s Night Fleadh at Cork Opera House

 

Posted in The places we've been, Travel Advice | Comments Off on St Patrick’s Day 2015 – Ireland Travel Guide

Mother’s Day 2015 – Weekend Break Ideas for March 15th

Posted on March 6, 2015 by worldwideinsure

If you’ve got a mum in a million, and a few quid in the bank too – whisking her away on a mini-break to celebrate Mothering Sunday could be just the treat she needs. We have picked some fab ideas for March 15th that won’t break the bank!

UK Countryside Break – Dorset

Mums that like fresh air, long walks and maybe a tipple of a local brew will appreciate the pleasures of Lulworth Cove in Dorset. They say that Dorset is beautiful wherever you go, and Lulworth certainly doesn’t disappoint. The Limestone Hotel has a fabulous restaurant serving up delicious foods, perfect for Mother’s Day, whether you are staying at the hotel or not. There are also a couple of pubs nearby, one in the Cove itself, which serves up posh pub grub, and another in the village that boasts a year-round ale and cider festival!

Surrounded by the rolling hills, you’ll be spoilt by the views, but this is the Jurassic Coast, which means there is something extra special on offer for visitors here – Durdle Door. Just a 20 minute walk along the coast, you’ll discover a beautiful beach with one of nature’s finest examples of a natural rock archway.

European City Break – Barcelona

There are loads of deals on weekend breaks abroad, so why not head to Barcelona to enjoy a spot of retail therapy and tapas washed down with some Mother’s Day Sangria – a perfect plan for any senorita! Barcelona is blessed with reasonably warm weather at this time of year, and because you’ll be travelling off-peak, you may well find that it is cheaper to travel here than it is to a nearby city in the UK. The other bonus is the hotel prices! You can pick up a perfectly decent pad in the centre of all the action for as little as 20 Euros per person per night!

Make sure you take time to ramble along Las Rambla and catch the enchanting street performers, and head to Park Guell, also known as Gaudi park to see the fantastic work of this artist and architect in action! Two nights in this wonderful city will leave you with enough time to sample the culinary delights of Spain, without feeling like you’ve rushed too much.

Spa Break – Champneys

A spa break has to be the ultimate indulgence, and who can do that better than Champneys! They have come up with a very special mother and daughter spa break that includes a long list of luxuries: immune boosting ginseng juice on arrival, Champneys robe and flip flops, shoulder, neck and head massage, a hearty breakfast after a night’s stay and Mum gets an additional Champneys Aromatherapy Wrap to make sure she feels extra special on the day!

Additional treatments can be added, and there are lots of exercise classes that you can both book into, and don’t forget the fabulous spa facilities, yours to enjoy during your stay! Champneys has four health spa resorts across the UK, the Mother’s Day Package is available at all of them from 01st to 31st March.

  • Champneys Henlow in Bedfordshire and Champneys Springs in Leicestershire from £278
  • Champneys Forest Mere, Hampshire from £318
  • Champneys Tring, Hertfordshire from £358.

Visit champneys.com for more information.

Posted in The places we've been, Travel Advice | Comments Off on Mother’s Day 2015 – Weekend Break Ideas for March 15th

Cost Split – Travel App of the Month Feb 2015

Posted on February 27, 2015 by worldwideinsure

What does the Cost Split app do?

Cost Split is an expenses app that is equally useful amongst housemates and groups of friends on a night out as it is on group travels overseas. It lets you share costs within a group of people, with each person able to log what they have spent from their own devices. At the end of the night, the day, or week away, a report is generated that states who paid what, and who should pay who back, and by how much. Clever!

Other features

– Attach and sync photos to expenses

– Split expenses unevenly (either by amount or coefficient)

– Transfer support (money transactions like loans and paybacks)

– Push Notifications when someone updates your groups

– Intelligent payback algorithm

– Email reports

– iCloud support

What makes Cost Split so good for travelling?

You can choose the correct currency for the country you are in, so work in “real money”, and it has offline support, so lack of connection (for reasons of remoteness or data charges) won’t affect the tally.

Cost Split Reviews

The Cost Split reviews are good… The average rating in Sweden is 5 stars, and the app has been in the top 10 finance apps in 17 countries – but we can’t help but think there is a small obstacle with what is essentially a group app. It is only available on iPhone and iPad. This means its success, and usefulness, relies on everyone in the group having an Apple device.

Find out more about the Cost Split App or download for free from iTunes store.

Posted in travel apps | Comments Off on Cost Split – Travel App of the Month Feb 2015

Shopaholics Travel Guide To the World

Posted on February 20, 2015 by worldwideinsure

With airfares cheaper than ever, more people are hopping on a flight to bag a bargain in a different city. While it may be en vogue to take a plane from Manchester to Milan for a spot of shopping, it made us wonder where shoppers could go further afield to indulge in some retail therapy.

Seattle – Vinyl

Nope, we aren’t talking linoleum, we are on about good old fashioned records. Vinyl has made a comeback, although in a few circles they’ll say it never went, and the pastime of “crate-digging” is enjoying a revival. Seattle is well known for its music scene, so it is little wonder that it is one of the “in” places to go if you are looking for some good tunes in an old-fashioned format.

Capetown – Antiques

Milneton Flea Market is a car-boot style affair that takes place in Table Bay. There are as many as 250 stalls with a wide array of curiosities, and buried amongst them a fair few items that are worth hunting for. The promise of genuine antiques and must-have collectables draws those with a keen eye all the way to this far-out flea market!

Mexico – Crafts

Clothes, rugs, statues, plaques, dioramas, masks and many many more items lovingly crafted by the indigenous people of Mexico can be found in stalls and shops across the country. What they all have in common is how colourful they are. If you are like a magpie for handcrafted goods to bring back from a holiday, head to Oaxaca City, where you’ll find lots that will catch your eye.

Marrakech – Trinkets

Heading to the Medina is the closest you’ll ever get to experiencing the treasures of Aladdin’s Cave. Each souk is packed to the brim with bountiful goods, like jewellery, carpets, ceramics, glassware and even designer clobber. There are now fixed-price boutiques springing up, great for those who don’t fancy haggling, and for one-off super-stylish pieces that you just won’t find anywhere else. 

Singapore – Clothes

Orchard Road is home to a staggering 20 shopping centres, and pretty much sums up the obsession for retail therapy in this part of the world. This is not the only place you’ll find places to go on a spending spree either – Singapore really is a shopper’s paradise. Fashionistas will find familiar labels here, but with a far more favourable price tag than in western outlets.

Before you jet off on your holiday, make sure you get your travel insurance! For an instant quote visit worldwideinsure.com or call 01892 833338.

Posted in The places we've been, Travel Advice | Comments Off on Shopaholics Travel Guide To the World

15 Best Places On The Planet To Visit For Pancakes

Posted on February 16, 2015 by worldwideinsure

Pancake Day is on 17th Feb, so we have found the top destinations where the best crepes, pancakes, and generally round flat batters are on the menu around the world (even if they are not celebrating Pancake Day).

15: Ethiopia – Injera

This pancake-esque treat is more of a spongy flatbread than a pancake, but it cleverly doubles as a plate in Ethiopian cuisine.

14: Columbia  – Capachas

These pancakes are made with a corn batter, filled with a fresh melted cheese filling, and folded over before serving.

13: India – Dosa

A staple side dish served with chutney. The pancake is made with from rice and lent flour, and is sometimes stuffed with meat and veg too.

12: Germany – Pfannkuchen

Thin savoury cakes of flour that can be served in numerous ways such as filled with fruit and nuts. You’ll also find them served with soups.

11: Mexico – Mexican Hotcakes

These are thick and fluffy, very similar to the American pancake dream, but made with cinnamon every time.

10: Malaysia – Apam Balik

AKA Malaysian Peanut Pancakes. These pancakes are made with a rice flour blend and stuffed to the brim with a sweet peanut filling

09: Vietnam – Bánh xèo

A tasty savoury treat, made from a rice batter loaded with turmeric. The traditional filling is a mix of pork, shrimp, green onions, and bean sprouts.

08: Greece – Tiganites

Wafer thin batter made to a recipe you’ll be familiar with, but in Greece they like to serve their tiganites topped with honey, cinnamon, and yogurt.

07: Russia – Blintzes

These thin pancakes are also known as blini, and can be stuffed with any sweet or savoury concoction – potatoes, raisins, caviar, sour cream – you name it, it goes in!

06: Netherlands – Pannenkoek

Big thin pancakes that can be filled with sweet or savoury fillings. Very much like our UK recipe, great with bacon and cheese, or topped with a sugary syrup.

05: Australia – Pikelets

Tiny but thick pancakes, quite similar to a drop scone – probably why you’ll find them served in the afternoon with jam and cream.

04: USA – American Pancakes

The fame of these pancakes is less about the batter and more about the array of fillings. Cook it up with choc chips, blueberries, top it with syrup and serve it with bacon and eggs!

03: France – Crêpes

Sophisticated, wafer-thin, and better for your waistline than most pancakes! Fill with spinach and cheese, or cover with chocolate spread and sliced banana.

02: Canada – Buttermilk Pancakes

It’s all about the pure Canadian syrup with these beasts, and the secret batter ingredient… baking powder. The result is thick, fluffy pancakes, perfect with butter and syrup of course!

01: England – Pancakes

Neither paper-thin or thick and fluffy, but perfectly primed for a traditional lemon and sugar topping. Is it this innocuous treat that leads the British to use 22 million* more eggs on Pancake Day than any other day of the year?

Posted in Fun | Comments Off on 15 Best Places On The Planet To Visit For Pancakes