Endsleign Travel Insurance Center

When planning to take a trip, it is advisable to spend some time doing research even if you are booking through a Travel Agent. This research could save you a significant amount of money and perhaps prevent a miserable stay in a sub-standard hotel.

Many people have moved away from using Travel Agents. This is understandable due to the availability of cheap fares and hotel rooms available through the internet. However, it is wise to consider the benefits of utilizing a professional particularly when proposing to visit somewhere that you haven’t previously been. Some of the advantages of using a Travel Agent are gaining the benefit of their expertise, experience, personal service, ability and indeed the obligation to clarify and inform you of details in the fine print which you may miss if booking on your own account, their up to date knowledge of the latest deals and their ability to distill and interpret information to hopefully offer you the best value deal for your trip.

With that said, it is still prudent to conduct your own research. The Travel Agent can provide suggestions about a range of airlines you could use and different fares and advise on hotels in good areas within budget guidelines. At this point you have some great information to work off. You have not had to start from scratch. You have an idea as to which are the better priced airlines and the areas you should look at staying taking into account what you’re looking to do in a particular place. Now you can see if there are internet deals that may beat the air fares the Travel Agent has quoted you. In many cases these days, the Travel Agency will do what they can to equal or beat whatever publicized deal is out there. It is a very competitive industry. In the cases of hotels, many of the chains as well as some independents are claiming to have the best internet deals on their own sites. This is of benefit to both the consumer as well as the hotel. They don’t have to pay commission to a third party and you are dealing directly with the establishment that you are proposing to stay with who can answer any queries that you may have regarding elements of your accommodation as well as possibly saving money. You will also find that when booking direct off the hotel website that you may be offered upgrades or specials not available anywhere else.

The internet is also a great and up to date resource which can allow you to read reviews from consumers regarding airlines, hotels, sightseeing trips and just about anything that you can think of. This can be invaluable. If you go to a site such as www.tripadvisor.com you will find reviews on just about any hotel in the world. Many of the reviews provide excellent information about the hotel rooms, restaurants, attitude of the staff, cleanliness, activities and pool if they have one. If looking for reviews on airlines there are 2 particularly good sites - www.epinions.com and www.carsurvey.org/air

Don’t underestimate the value of a good Travel Agent but be prepared to put in some time to conduct your own research. The worst you could do is add to the excitement of planning for a trip and maybe you’ll even save yourself some money!

Sue Taylor is a seasoned traveler. For more information abouther travel experiences, refer to http://www.newzealandtravelsite.com and http://www.taylortraveltales.com for further details about her travels.

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Torrevieja is situated in south Spain and chances are if you were a tourist you would be hiring a car from Alicante airport, Murcia airport or driving south from France.

The main road that serves all that area is the AP-7 and is linked to both airports, you can follow this road right up through Northeast Spain until you reach France.

Alicante airport is the largest in the area and is a major hub for all of North Europe and the world. Most tourists who arrive here get on to holiday busses and are whisked away up to Benidorm a major tourist destination. Alicante airport lies 40 minutes or so North of Torrevieja and because many visitors either own holiday homes here or are renting one out, chances are they will hire a car.

As you leave Alicante airport you will have 2 choices of which direction to go. Either follow the one way system around to meet the AP-7 or take the back road to meet up with the N-323. The AP-7 road is quicker in most cases, but if you are nervous driving in a foreign country you will be driving on a faster road. It is well signposted, but beware there is a dual carriageway that takes you to the AP-7, my first visit I actually though I already was on the AP-7. As you follow the AP-7 south look for the signs and turn left at the relevant slip road which will then take you straight into Torrevieja past Carrefore.

The second option using the N-323 is not so obvious as the signs at the rear of the airport are very small. There are also limited street lighting and road markings at night and if you don’t know where you re going can be a bit scary. Head for the coast to pick the N-332 and turn right. The benefits of using this road are that it will take you directly to Torrevieja without any detours. It is also ideal if you are going to a holiday home just south of Torrevieja, as this road continues straight on to these areas. But beware at night, lighting is poor and sometimes the Spanish drivers can’t get by because of single lines in the middle of the road and sharp bends.

Murcia Airport is situated 30 minutes or so south of Torrevieja and has a direct link to the AP-7. Because this is a small airport, it can be much easier getting out of the airport straight to the AP-7 and is my favourite option. Turn right on the AP-7 and follow this road north. However you will face tollbooths as you near the Torrevieja area. If you wish to avoid these, divert off the AP-7 on to the N323 going north this time, where the signs on the AP-7 say Campoamor beach. Again the N323 will take you straight to Torrevieja but going north.

Torrevieja is pretty much made up of narrow Spanish streets, many of them one way. If you wish to park, follow the roads down to the harbour where there is a car park right there. Most locals however try to park in the narrow streets; if you look around long enough you should find a parking space but I never find it worth the extra time and hassle from the habour car park.

The Spanish like to drive their cars fast, and hate to stop for anything. If driving past a slip road either speed up, slow down or move over, but find a place for that driver to fit in because he will not stop. Ironically though I find them far more polite with the horn and considerate to let you in when queuing. They don’t mind slower drivers as long as they can get past and on with their business and seem less likely to judgeyour driving than in other countries. In the are area around Torrevieja however there is a hugh North European population who have bought holiday homes there, so that Spanish driver may not be Spanish after all. Safe driving!

Mark is webmaster for European Breakdown Cover and Direct Line Insurance also RAC.

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Are you going to Paris? Trekking in Nepal? Cruising the Caribbean? Yes, you want to go and to spend some time enjoying the wonderful weather, view and just have a rest from everyday routine.

Whether you tramp through the rain forest or bask on a love boattravel presents new and different health concerns mostly unknown at home.

We do not want to set on you with our lectures just, please, keep in mind some facts - that will be useful for you.
Preparing before you go is the best way to stay healthy while you’re traveling. See a doctor at least 6 weeks before you leave so that you’ll have time for immunizations that may need to be done in advance. Check with your doctor to see if there are medications or extra precautions that you should take. For example, people who have heart failure may need to take shorter flights with more stops to avoid long periods of sitting or they may need to adjust their medications.

Before you go, research local sanitation and other conditions so that you can take appropriate measures while you are traveling:

• Is the water safe to drink?
• Do insects, such as mosquitoes or ticks, carry disease?
• Is there air pollution?
• Will the altitude make you sick?
• Is it safe to swim in pools, lakes, or the ocean?
• Could you get heat exhaustion, sun stroke, or a sunburn?

Basic precautions, such as drinking bottled water or using insect repellent, can prevent some illnesses, ranging from an inconvenient bout of diarrhea to life-threatening malaria.

Preparing for a journey takes planning and time. Proper planning is the best way to stay healthy during your trip. See a doctor at least 6 weeks before you go so that you’ll have time for immunizations and other health precautions you may need to take in advance. There are several factors to consider in preparing for a trip.

Enjoy your trip.

Dr. Elizabeth Robinson is working in health care industry for the half of the life. Visit the new site, http://healthcare.st, where Dr. Elizabeth Robinson works as the author of the articles and shares her experience with you.

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