Worldwide Insure

Tourism in Australia is booming – and it is a gap-year hot spot for many Brits, especially those who have a taste for adventure! If you are thinking of heading to Oz, the number one rule is to make sure that you have your journey planned – especially if you are thinking of heading to the outback, going bushwalking or hope to make the most of the country’s beautiful seas.

We have gathered essential information about visas, passports, health, safety and the law to give you an idea of what you should take care of BEFORE planning your itinerary.

by Annie Mullin

Entry in Australia

As well as packing your passport, which must be valid for the duration of your stay – you will also need a visa for entry into Australia.  There are lots of different types which you can apply for online from a simple visitor visa, to student visa, working holiday visa, sponsored workers visa and specific professional visas. It should be noted that if you are planning to continue travelling when leaving Australia, or will be passing through another country on your return, you passport may need to have at least six months left before it expires.

Health

Visit your GP to make sure that you are up to date with the usual vaccinations such as TB and Tetanus and if you are travelling to Australia from another country that is known for being a Yellow Fever risk, you will have to have a certificate declaring that you have been immunised. Apart from that pack plenty of sun cream and prepared with plenty of insect repellent.

Whilst in Australia, UK citizens are entitled to limited subsidised health services for urgent medical treatment as long as it is not from a pre-existing condition. However, it is strongly recommended that visitors take out adequate health travel insurance as services such as ambulances and medical evacuations are not covered. Some cases have been reported where bills in excess of £100,000 needed to be paid.

Classic Adelaide Sunset View by Mike Coghlan

The Forces of Nature

In Australia, summer runs from November to February, and brings with it an increased risk of bushfires. Bushfires break out unexpectedly, and can do so at any time of year if the temperatures are high and the winds are strong. Cyclones also occur in Australia in summer, notably in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. Recently, heavy rain has been the cause of flooding throughout the country, so keep a close eye on weather reports and remember that Australia is a big country, and weather conditions can get out of control.

Safety

Australia is well known for its fair share of dangerous animals from crocodiles, jellyfish and sharks, to venomous spiders, snakes and insects. Also, despite having some of the best beaches in the world, the rip tides off the Australian coast can be very dangerous indeed – so pay attention to the safety signs, never swim in unsupervised locations and don’t go chasing animals that might cause you harm!

Importing Goods

On a final note, it goes without saying that if you try and take illegal substances into Australia, you will find yourself in a lot of trouble indeed. However, there are other things that the authorities would like to keep out of the country too – such as pests and diseases. As such expect to be given a special card on the plane where you declare any goods that you may have with you of plant or animal origin, and also sports and camping equipment that you are bringing into the country (they can hold spores and seeds from other locations). You will also have to declare if you have spent any time in a rural area within the last month outside Australia, as such UK travellers can expect some delays upon arrival.

Beaches of the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) by Steven Young

This month’s destination of choice is Croatia, so we have rummaged through the trusty travel Vlog vaults to bring you a snippet of what you can expect when you visit the country. In this five minute documentary, we are greeted by the presenters of As We Travel who show us the sights, the sounds, the tastes and the traditions of Croatia’s capital – Zagreb.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWZTPP7gZv8&w=560&h=315]

We also have another excellent post about visiting Croatia – Our Croatia Travel Guide includes important information about passports, visas, vaccinations, and keeping safe in Croatia.

If you want to do your bit for the environment, but still fancy having a first rate holiday you might well decide to opt for a carbon neutral holiday; but what actually is a carbon neutral break?

The plain truth is that the definition is varied, and therefore what constitutes a carbon neutral holiday is too – and whilst some practices may be considered counterproductive, there are a few things you can do to make your break a little bit greener, and a lot more guilt-free.

Croatia 2010 by Anthony Freeman

Choose greener or cleaner transport

Unless you own a car that runs on LPG, biofuel or a battery – opt to travel by train to the airport, or to your ‘staycation’ location.

Staycation?

Avoiding a plane journey is a great way of keeping your carbon footprint down – so holidaying at home in the UK is one way to opt for a greener break.  However, if you still feel the call of the continent – catch a ferry then take to the road, or rails!

Eco Retreats

From holiday accommodation that has no more than a solar heated pool, to holiday resorts that are totally self-sufficient, there is a huge variety of places to take a break that are at least making an effort to cut their own carbon footprint as well as helping visitors cut theirs.

Carbon Offsetting

You can ease the guilt of a plane journey by donating money to plant a tree – but general consensus is that offsetting in this way is not actually a long term solution to the problem. Instead – why not donate your money to renewable energy projects. Whilst this still doesn’t cut the amount of carbon being put into the atmosphere, it does at least fund a way to find better alternatives.  To find out how much, use a carbon calculator such as the one at http://www.climatecare.org/home.aspx then choose a charity or cause to donate your money to.

How much does it cost to keep your carbon spend in credit?

Not as much as you would think. A return journey from London Stanstead to Split in Croatia is about £2.50; to travel the average annual distance in a car that does 30 MPG will cost you just over £37.

The Croatian cost is often regarded as being like the Med before it got overtaken by developers. It has to be said that it is indeed a spectacular destination, in general unspoilt and with a staggering 6000km of coastline (including the coast of the 1185 islands), offers plenty of room for sunseekers to sunbathe in peace.

When it comes to dishing out advice for those heading out to the Dalmatian coast, there are more hints and tips for having a great holiday than there are for staying out of trouble, or watching out for people trying to rip you off. In fact, it is noted that Croatia is home to an easygoing and friendly population where crime rates are low and violent crime is practically nonexistent.

Visas and Passports

UK travellers do not require a visa to visit Croatia for trips of up to ninety days within any given 6 month period provided that the visit is for business or pleasure – all you will need is a passport that is valid for the duration of your stay.

Health

Whilst there are no essential immunisations that you should get before you head to the Dalmatian coast, do make sure that you are up to date on your vaccinations. Also it is strongly recommended that you take insect repellent and bite/sting cream, as there are plenty of mozzies about, and don’t forget the sun cream during the summer months! As Croatia is not part of Europe, an EHIC card will not be of any use should you become ill or have an accident during your stay. Instead, you should ensure that you have adequate private travel insurance,  which as it happens is one of our specialities!

Hazards

Even though the troubles in Croatia ended nearly 20 years ago – land mines are still a danger in some isolated areas. If you are in the mountains or remote countryside it is advisable not to stray from well trodden areas without a guide. Forest fires are common during the summer months, and visitors are urged to exercise caution when smoking, and to avoid lighting campfires. Outbreaks are usually dealt with quickly and without disruption by the Croatian Fire Service. Finally, watch out for sea urchins! The spiny critters adore the rocky shores – pick up a pair of surf slippers for extra protection and what where you put your feet when you go in for a swim.

Local laws

Drugs are illegal, you must not have more than 0.5% alcohol in your system if driving, and there is zero tolerance on alcohol consumption for anyone in charge of a boat – important information if you plan to take to the water along with the many other tourists to explore islands in the area!

We discovered this fly on the wall documentary, the first in a series of backpacking adventures around India that combines some great tunes with fantastic footage of life in India.

This well shot ten minutes includes images of a real India – with everything from the Taj Mahal to sleeping rats followed by a group of backpackers arriving in Delhi and getting their bearings.

The Vlog, by avid traveller Monkeetime, contains some helpful tips to take on board for when you arrive – from taking off your luggage tags so you’re not an easy target for hustlers the second you leave the airport to dealing with transportation – including traffic jams caused by elephants and cattle!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YDjcdsDtuA&w=420&h=315]

If you are off on a backpacking adventure – you may be interested in our backpackers travel insurance

It’s sometimes the last thing to be checked before you jet off – the visa. But if you need a visa for a particular country and you arrive at the airport without one, you won’t even get past the UK check-in. The pitfalls of applying for and using visas are many and varied, but with a little research you should be able to get it sorted with the minimum of hassle.

‘Quilt of Nations’ Courtesy of Kate B Harding

 
Do you need a visa?
As a British citizen you might not need a visa at all. Travel to countries in the EU, for example, only requires a valid passport. You can stay indefinitely in EU countries and for varying lengths of time in the remaining EEA states (subject to a visa stamp in your passport).

Many countries do not require you to apply for a visa in advance, instead simply stamping your passport with a visa stamp as you enter the border. The time you are permitted to stay will vary from country to country, and will be specified on the visa stamp.
In many instances, you may be able to go on a ‘visa run’ if you wish to extend your stay. For example, at time of writing you can get a 30 day visa when you enter Thailand by air, but you can take a short trip to neighbouring Cambodia or Malaysia if you wish to extend your trip, by simply crossing the border then returning to Thailand and getting your passport stamped again. Be aware though, you’ll only get an additional 15 day visa if you re-enter Thailand through a land border.

Make the most of your visa
For countries that require you to apply for a visa before you leave the UK, the application process can vary a good deal. One of the key things to find out is if your visa begins when you land in the destination country, or whether it starts ticking as soon as the embassy sends it to you. In the case of India, for example, it starts as soon as the applicable office has processed your passport. This can have implications for when you book onward or return flights, so be aware. A 6 month tourist visa should be easy to obtain to visit India, but there have been stories of people getting an un-requested 3 month journalist visa simply because they ticked ‘media’ when asked what job they did!
In almost all instances in which you need to organise a visa before you arrive, you’ll be required to provide two photographs. Make sure you send the correct size photos, since not all countries ask for the standard passport-size images (India being a good example).
In the case of countries that have poor reputations for speedy visa processing, or who are known to cause problems for UK travellers, you might be well advised to put off buying your air ticket until your visa has come through, in the unlikely event that your visa is refused, delayed, or, god forbid, lost – along with your passport.

As a travel destination, India was once the preserve of those seeking spiritual sustenance, endowed as it is with many religions and hundreds of stunning temples. Today, numerous demographics visit India, ranging from families seeking a unique holiday destination, to those doing business in the country’s booming economy. Nearly 800,000 Britons visit this vibrant nation every year – and for many of them, India offers an experience that no other country can provide.

Man Versus Bull Courtesy of Vinoth Chandar

If you normally only visit Western countries, then India can be quite a surprise. The cities are among the world’s biggest and busiest, and for some are overwhelming. But with a little mental preparation, you’ll be able to get the most out of these sprawling metropolises. The sheer number of people and vehicles on the streets will be the first thing you notice, along with motorists, motorcyclists and tuk-tuk drivers who are not overly interested in the traffic regulations – in sharp contrast to road behaviour ‘back home’. The poverty, too, will make the most run-down part of any Western city look positively decadent.

Cities like Delhi and Mumbai, however, offer an incredible amount in terms of architecture and history, music and food. The vibrancy on the streets that you first found ‘a bit too much’ may well become what you love about India’s cities – the constant movement and the friendly locals, the huge range of delicious cuisine that can be enjoyed everywhere, the religious traditions that are infused with dazzling colour and sound – it all adds up to a very special holiday destination.

Uncle John and the Ice Cream Boy Courtesy of Vinoth Chandar

 
But India also offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, together with unspoilt forests and awe-inspiring mountain ranges. You can reach these places using a variety of transportation modes, ranging from low-cost airlines to long-haul coaches. But perhaps the best way to enjoy the real India is to travel by train. Indian Railways is one of the biggest rail networks in the world, and their wide, spacious carriages transport millions of Indians around the country each year. If you’re on a budget, the trains are the cheapest way to get around, but they also offer a fantastic way to meet the natives. It isn’t unusual to see a group of strangers in a carriage behave like they’ve known each other for years by the end of an (admittedly tiring) 16 hour train ride – and foreigners can find themselves at the centre of such friendly spectacles.

If you only have a short time in India, you might be well advised not to cram too many famous sites in. Trying to visit the Taj Mahal, the Gateway to India and Varanasi’s Ghats in a short period, for example, might sear the bustling cities into your memory of this country; take some time out, enjoy