South America Travel Tips

South America Travel Tips Book Online or call (800) 682-3333 Europe Asia Americas Caribbean Mediterranean Pacific Cruises Home Hotels Find a Vacation Specials Contact Us Italy & Sicily Spain & Portugal Britain & Ireland France Belgium & Holland Central Europe Scandinavia Greece River Cruises China & Japan Southeast Asia Thailand India South America Brazil Peru Costa Rica Bahamas Caribbean & Mexico Bahamas Cancun Riviera Maya Punta Cana Jamaica Greece & Turkey Israel Egypt Morocco Australia & New Zealand Tahiti China & Japan Southeast Asia Sea Cruises River Cruises South America Travel Tips Climate / Clothing Language Code of Conduct Currency Holidays Travel Insurance Departure Tax Luggage Local Emergency/Phone Health Precautions Passports and Visas Driving Electricity Shopping Tipping Airport Tax - Chile Climate /Clothing Brazil: The weather in Brazil is temperate to hot year round. Bring casual, lightweight clothing that can be layered. Sunscreen and a hat are advisable. Bring insect repellent if you plan on a visit to the rainforest. Brazil Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Brazil-weather.htm . Peru: Peru's climate can be divided into 2 seasons - wet and dry. The coast and the slopes of the Western Andes are dry with summer falling between December and April. In the Andean highlands, the dry season is from May to September, while the wet season takes up the remainder of the year. Bring casual, lightweight clothes that can be layered and a jacket if you are going up into the mountains. Bring sunscreen and a hat to protect against the strong sun along the coast and in the rainforest. Insect repellent is necessary as well. Peru Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Peru-weather.htm . Argentina: The climate of Argentina is mostly temperate; arid in the southeast and sub-Antarctic in the southwest. Bring lightweight clothes you can layer, a sweater and an all-weather coat. Dress is more formal in the city of Buenos Aires and a jacket a tie or cocktail dress may be required at some of the finer restaurants. Casual dress is more appropriate in the countryside. Argentina Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Argentina-weather.htm . Chile: Climate varies from subtropical and sunny in the extreme north; dry and arid in the Atacama north desert; mild, pleasant and Mediterranean in the fertile central valley; cool, temperate and rainy in the southern region; and covered with ice and snow in the Antarctic region. Chile Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Chile-weather.htm . Ecuador: The climate and geography of Ecuador vary widely. The highlands are cool and dry. Bring lightweight clothes, a jacket and comfortable shoes. Along the coast it's warm and sunny all year round. Sunscreen and a hat are important accessories to have on hand. The Amazon rain forest is tropical and humid. Light, layered clothing and plenty of insect repellent are advisable. Ecuador Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Ecuador-weather.htm . Language Brazil: The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. Some English is spoken in the major cities. Peru: Spanish is the official language of Peru. In most tourist center, English is spoken. Argentina: Spanish is the official language of Argentina. English is spoken at hotels and restaurants in Buenos Aires. Chile: Spanish is the official language in Chile, although English is often spoken in hotels, restaurants and shops. Ecuador: Ecuador has two official languages - Spanish and Quechua. English is spoken in the major tourist centers. Passports and Visas Brazil: Passport and visa required. Peru: Passport required. Visa not required for tourist stay of up to 90 days, extendible after arrival. Argentina: Passport required. Visa not required for business/tourist stay of up to 90 days. Chile: Passport required. Visa not required for stay of up to 90 days. Entry fee of $100 (U.S.) charged at airport. Ecuador: (including the Galapagos Islands) - Passport required. Visa not required for a stay of up to 90 days. Columbia: All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport and proof of return ticket to enter Columbia. No visa is required. Uruguay: All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Uruguay. No visa is required for stays up to 90 days. See http://www.gate1travel.com/visas.htm for more information. Currency Brazil: The currency of Brazil is the Real. U.S. currency can be exchanged at banks, exchanges and hotels. Peru: The official currency is the Peruvian Sol. Most tourist areas accept and exchange U.S. Dollars. Exchange your currency at your hotel or a bank. Argentina: The currency of Argentina is the Pesa. It is not always easy to change money in the interior of the country. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. Chile: The unit of currency is the Chilean peso (CHP$). U.S. dollars and travelers checks are easily changed in banks and exchange bureaus. Major credit cards are widely accepted in shops and hotels. Ecuador: Official currencies are the U.S. Dollar and the Sucre. Tipping Brazil: Most services get tipped a mandatory 10%, often included in the bill. If a waiter is friendly and helpful, you may like to give more. Because of Brazil's high unemployment rate, services that may seem superfluous are customarily tipped. Parking assistants are the most notable as they receive no wages, but petrol-station attendants, shoe shiners and barbers are also frequently tipped. Taxi drivers are an exception: most people round the price up, but a tip is not expected. Peru: A combination of taxes and service charges are added to bills in the best hotels and restaurants and can total as much as 28%. The cheaper hotels and restaurants don't add taxes. Tipping is not expected in budget restaurants. A tip of 10-15% is fine in upmarket restaurants if a service charge has not already been added to the bill. Taxi drivers are not tipped - bargain hard beforehand and stick to your price. Local guides should be tipped US$3-5 per day. Argentina: Tipping around 10% is customary in restaurants. Chile: In restaurants, it is customary to tip about 10% of the bill. In general, waiters and waitresses are poorly paid, so if you can afford to eat out, you can afford to tip. Taxi drivers do not require tips, although you may round off the fare for convenience. Ecuador: Tipping is expected by tour guides, porters and other tourist industry workers, though not by taxi drivers. Quality restaurants add 10% tax and a 10% service charge to their bills; cheaper restaurants usually don't. If you want to tip your server, give the money to them directly - don't just leave it on the table. Please refer to our main brochure under www.gate1travel.com/tipping.htm for additional tipping suggestions. Electricity Brazil: Brazil's voltage is 110, however some hotels operate on 220. Peru, Argentina & Chile: The voltage used is 220. Ecuador: Ecuador's voltage is 110. *Note: The U.S. uses 120 volts and you can purchase a converter and transformer at most hardware stores for your 120V appliances. Shopping Brazil: Shops are open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Brazil has a rich array of native crafts from Afro-Brazilian textiles to Bahian pottery and delicate lace tablecloths. Peru: Duty-free shops and artisan's shops offer tourists the opportunity to purchase Peruvian handicrafts such as pottery, carvings, and weavings. Argentina: Business hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Banking hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shops open at 9 a.m. and generally close at 7 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Good buys include leather goods, jewelry and furs. Chile: Good shopping can be found in the streets of Providencia and Santiago. There are also a few big shopping malls. Handicrafts in Chile are the best bargains. Local jewelry made of lapis lazuli, found only in Chile and Afghanistan, makes a beautiful souvenir. Ecuador: Duty-free shops and artisan's shops offer visitors the opportunity to buy Ecuadorian handcrafts such as ponchos, tapestries, ceramics, jewelry. Health Precautions Brazil: No vaccinations are required to enter Brazil. However, it may be advisable to get inoculated against yellow fever, malaria and typhoid. Be sure to consult your doctor before your trip, especially if you are planning to go up the Amazon River. Drink only bottled water and do not eat raw fruits and vegetables. Peru: A yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you are going into the Amazon rain forest. Travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should check with their doctor about high-altitude travel if you will be visiting the mountainous regions. Avoid the tap water and raw fruits and vegetables. Bottled water is widely available Argentina: No inoculations are necessary when arriving in Argentina from the U.S. Chile: Tap water is fairly safe to drink, but it is advisable to drink bottled water. Consult with your doctor if you are planning to visit the higher altitudes. English speaking doctors are easy to find in all major cities. Ecuador: No inoculations are required for entry. Travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure who plan to visit the highlands should check with their doctor about high-altitude travel. Bottled water is advisable and is available everywhere. *To prevent "Montezuma's Revenge," avoid the tap water, including raw fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. Your stomach may still become upset due to the change in diet. Bring anti-diarrhea medicine just in case. *For the latest overseas travel health information, call the Center for Disease Control's traveler's hotline at 404-332-4559. Or visit their web site at www.cdc.gov Conservation/Code of Conduct Brazil: Handshaking is customary on meeting and taking ones leave, and normal European courtesies are observed. Frequent offers of coffee and tea are customary. Flowers are acceptable as a gift on arrival or following a visit for a meal. A souvenir from the visitors home country will be well received as a gift of appreciation. Casual wear is normal, particularly during hot weather. In nightclubs smart-casual (eg blazer, no tie) is acceptable. For more formal occasions the mode of dress will be indicated on invitations. Smoking is acceptable unless notified otherwise. The Catholic Church is highly respected in the community, something which should be kept in mind by the visitor. Peru: Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Visitors should follow normal social courtesies and the atmosphere is generally informal. A small gift from a company or home country is sufficient. Dress is usually informal, although for some business meetings and social occasions men wear a jacket and tie. Life is conducted at a leisurely pace. Argentina: The most common form of greeting between friends is kissing cheeks. When invited to somebodys house it is quite common to take a homemade dish or dessert. Dinner is usually served between 7pm - 10pm. Avoid casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas war. Dress is not usually formal, though clothes should be conservative away from the beach. Formal wear is worn for official functions and dinners, particularly in exclusive restaurants. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theatres. Chile: Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Most Chileans use a double surname and only the first part should be used in addressing them. Normal courtesies should be observed when visiting local people. It is very common to entertain at home and it is acceptable for invitees to give small presents as a token of thanks. Informal, conservative clothes are acceptable in most places but women should not wear shorts outside resort areas. Ecuador: Casual wear is widely acceptable, but businesspeople are expected to dress smartly. It is important to be punctual when arriving for meetings. Smart clothes are often required when visiting hotel dining rooms and better restaurants. Beachwear should only be worn on the beach and revealing clothes should not be worn in towns. Smoking is widely accepted. A tip may be requested if you wish to take someones photograph and it is better to seek permission first. Luggage *Gate 1 tour packages allow one piece of luggage per person, plus carry-on bag. Additional baggage will be subject to handling charges of up to $100 per piece. As Gate 1 will not be responsible for loss or damage to luggage and personal belongings, you MUST report any loss or damage immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your insurance provider. If you luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form MUST be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. See www.gate1travel.com/destinations/luggage.htm for Important Baggage Information for U.S. Travelers. Departure Tax There is no Departure tax levied in Brazil. Please see www.gate1travel.com/Destinations/departure_tax.htm for more information. Travel Insurance We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance as additional security in the case of cancellation or interruption of travel plans, lost or damaged luggage, travel delays, illness, or accident. Keep all boarding passes, ticket copies and receipts for expenses paid during your trip if it later becomes necessary to file a claim. Local Emergency Phone # Brazil: general emergency: 911 Peru: general emergency: 011 or 5114 Argentina: ambulance/medical: 101 fire: 107 police: 101 Chile: ambulance/medical: 131 fire: 132 police: 133 Ecuador: ambulance/medical: 131 Holidays Brazil : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Jan 20 *Founding of Rio de Janeiro Jan 25 *Founding of So Paulo Feb 19-23 Carnival Mar 25 Good Friday Apr 21 Tiradentes May 1 St of Brazil May 26 Corpus Christi Sep 7 Independence Day Oct 12 Our Lady Aparecida, Patron St of Brazil. Nov 2 All Souls Day Nov 15 Republic Day Dec 24 Christmas Eve (half day) Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve (half day) *Note: Regional observances only. Argentina : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Mar 24 Maundy Thursday Mar 25 Good Friday Apr 4 Malvinas Day May 1 Labor Day May 25 National Day (Anniversary of the 1810 Revolution) June 20 National Flag Day Jul 9 Independence Day Aug 17 Death of General Jos de San Martn Oct 12 Day of the Americas (Columbus Day). Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve (half day) Peru : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Mar 24 Maundy Thursday (half day) Mar 25 Good Friday May 1 Labor Day Jun 29 St Peters and St Pauls Day Jul 28-29 Independence Day Celebrations Aug 30 St Rosa of Lima Day Oct 8 Angamos Battle Nov 1 All Saints Day Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 24 Christmas Eve (half day) Dec 25 Christmas Day Chile : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Mar 25 Good Friday Mar 26 Holy Saturday May 1 Labor Day May 21 Navy Day May 23 *Corpus Christi Jun 29 St Peter and St Paul Aug 15 Assumption Sep 5 Reconciliation Day Sep 18 Independence Day Sep 19 Army Day Oct 12 Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day) Nov 1 All Saints Day Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 25 Christmas Day *Note: Corpus Christi dates for 2004 and 2005 are actually Jun 10 and May 26 respectively, however, the holiday is observed on the Monday closest to these dates. Ecuador : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Feb 7-8 *Carnival Mar 24 Maundy Thursday Mar 25 Good Friday May 1 Labor Day May 24 Battle of Pichincha May 26 Corpus Christi Jul 24 Simon Bolivar Day Aug 10 Independence Day Oct 9 *Foundation of Guayaquil Nov 2 All Souls Day Nov 3 *Foundation of Cuenca Dec 6 *Foundation of Quito Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve *Note: These holidays are not official public holidays, but are widely observed. Other holidays, in addition to the above, may be marked locally. Driving Brazil: Brazil has 1,940,400km (1,202,800 miles) of roads. Traffic drives on the right. Peru: The Central Highway connects Lima with La Oroya and Huancayo. From La Oroya there is a road connecting Cerro de Pasco, Hunuco, Tingo Mara and Pucallpa on the Ucayali River. Landslides are frequent in the rainy season (December to March), making for slow travel. The Touring y Automvil Club del Per and the Instituto Geogrfico Nacional sell maps. Travel guides like Gua Toyota and Gua Inca del Per include good road maps. Traffic drives on the right. Argentina: Major privatization programmes have resulted in many trunk roads being upgraded, and roads are generally in good condition. Expect tolls on motorways. Rural roads, composed of packed dirt, become impassable after rain. Nonetheless, buses are considered to be a more reliable form of long-distance transport than trains. Traffic drives on the right. Car hire: There are a number of agencies in Buenos Aires (including Avis , Dollar and Hertz ). Drivers must be at least 21 years of age (sometimes up to 25 years of age). International Driving Permit is required and this must be stamped at the offices of the Automvil Club Argentino (website: www.aca.org.ar ). These documents must be carried at all times whilst driving: proof of ownership, proof of insurance and receipt for last tax payment. Chile: Chile has about 80,000km (49,460 miles) of good roads. The Pan American Highway crosses the country from north to south (a total of 3455km or 2147 miles) from the Peruvian border to Puerto Montt. It is advisable in remoter areas to carry spare petrol and an additional spare tyre. Tires should be hard-wearing. Traffic drives on the right. Ecuador: Traffic drives on the right. An extensive network of roads spreads out from the main northsouth axis of the Pan-American Highway. The Government and PetroEcuador are developing highways into the Oriente. In general, road improvements are being put into effect rapidly but, due to the effect of earthquakes and flooding (in the south) during the last 10 years, conditions remain variable; potholes and cracks in the road are sometimes sizable.The roads between Quito and Guayaquil and between Quito, Latacunga, Ambato and Riobamba are completely paved. A road connects Quito, Otavalo, Ibarra and Tulcn, the frontier with Colombia. Airport Tax - Chile There is an entry fee of $45 per passenger that must be paid before proceeding through Immigration. Return to the South America brochure More TravelInformation Email This Page to a Friend © 2005 Gate 1 Travel Home | About Us | Travel Agent | Free Brochure | Help | Site Map | (800) 682-3333 Read our privacy policy . Contact Us . This site can be best viewed using Internet Explorer 4.0, or higher. The browser software can be downloaded, free of charge, from the Microsoft website at http://www.microsoft.com . All external sites will open in a new browser. Gate1travel.com does not endorse external sites.

Orlando Vacation rental !

Orlando vacation home Disney World home rental Florida villas Reserve Dates Links Page "Orlando vacation home" Orlando Vacation rental ! Vacation homes in Orlando! Vacation condos near Disney World. Golf rental accommodations Vacation homes & condos located in the heart of Orlando, Kissimmee, Central Florida. We assure you that our Orlando villa rentals near Disney World will have the best location to the attractions. Lodging accommodations that make sense & offer you an alternative to hotel type accommodations, when you are bringing your family to see the magic of Disney, Universal Studios & Sea World. Do you have a desire for a relaxing vacation with your family. Vacationing in these Florida vacation rentals will be like being on a vacation & still have all the creature comforts of your own home. All our Florida rentals and Orlando villas offer the convenience of a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryers, heated community or private pools, living and dining areas, patios or decks. We have something for everyone. Imagine this Almost in your own back yard or just a few minutes drive, will put you into the magical world of -- Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Magic Kingdom. Universal studios, Island of Adventure, Sea World, Discovery Cove, Wide World Of Sports, Orange County Convention Center. Sparkling Florida beaches, Kennedy Space, Downtown Disney, City walk, and Orlando down town are just a few minutes drive. If you are looking for Orlando villa rentals on golf courses, views of lakes, secured gated communities, then you have found it ! Our Florida vacation rentals will offer you just that-at a price that will surprise you. "See the fire works from your own back yard". If you are trying to plan a business trip and want to throw in a little pleasure, this works out great, because we are just minutes from the convention center, Orlando downtown, and centrally located to major area business. So bring your family along and drop off the load, for a fun filled day, while you take care of business. Resort condos for your utmost comfort & satisfaction Pool homes for luxury & relaxation WINDSOR HILLS RESORT Last minute availability Call 1-877-FL-VILLA Just minutes from all major attractions of Orlando Walt Disney World: Epcot center , Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Wide World of Sports. (2 - 12 mi) Universal Studios, Island of Adventure. Sea World, Discovery Cove.(8 mi) Wide World of sports, Disney Down Town, City Walk. (5 mi) Championship golf courses within 2 - 10 miles Orlando airport is 25 miles. 60 miles to Kennedy space center & famous Florida beaches on east or west. We are specialists in the Orlando area and have been providing accommodations, discount attraction tickets and transportation to a large number of repeat clientele since 1992. We thank you, if you have stayed with us in the past and welcome you if this will be your first time staying with us. We are confident that you have made the right choice and assure you that you are in good hands and our sincere efforts will go towards providing the best options and values available. You are invited to our feature presentation of a vast selection of holiday homes that range from simple two bedroom condo apartment to 4 and 5 bedroom luxurious homes. There really is something for everyone !. Remember that booking through us is like being in direct contact with the owners and they are always eager to give you a good feel for the place before you book your holiday. Got a golfing Florida vacation on your mind, let us invite you, we have some very exciting golf packages lined up for you. We will put you in a 5 ** condo or home & you get to play at some legendary golf courses that will challenge you. So get your group of play buddies & explore the possibilities. Enjoy weekly stays in these superb vacation rental homes just minutes away from the attractions. Units are rented weekly, monthly, yearly or any duration (minimum stay requirements in effect), that are suitable to your busy schedule. You can arrive any day of the week, no restriction, no formalities, no hassle's. 2 and 3 bedroom luxury villas sleeping 6 to 8 adults. 3 to 7 bedroom very spacious homes with private attached pools, sleeping 8 - 16. We have it all, and let us assure you, it will appeal to the most discerning travelers. The Villas/Condo's are located in top resort's and you get the feel of Florida with its simmering outdoor pools, lined up with palm trees, patio furniture on the decks, family actives like tennis, volleyball & barbeque filling out the crisp evening breeze. If you are inclined towards a quiet time and are looking for more privacy, an intimate environment, then our spacious home would do the trick. These home are located in quiet residential areas & come with their own private heated and screened in pool. "Let this be the place where your dreams begin !!. As you cruise through the pages of our brochure, you are transported to another world, a world of sun kissed beaches, action and attractions, blue seas and drinks on the patio, a place where you can recharge your batteries and enjoy yourself with family and friends, free from all the pressures of every day life. We have what it takes to offer "A vacation experience of a life time" Resort condo properties Superior standards of living even when vacationing. Our vacation rental condos have it all. Pictured above is our - Island Club Villas. These offer just about ever thing you can desire, and within minutes from the parks. Condo's come in 2 or 3 bedroom/2 bath and will sleeps a family or two, depending on you. Designer equipped kitchen with pots, pans, crockery, cutlery, microwave, oven, fridge and more. Additionally you get washer, dryers, ironing boards, hair dryers, linens, towels, living and dining rooms. All of these units have free cable, TV, free phone. Resort communities offer heated simmering pools, an ideal place to laze around, or hot tubs great for soothing those achy muscles. Kids have a place to hang out too! tennis, club houses, work out facilities, BBQ are just some of the amenities offered to keep you happy, safe and energized. Fully Furnished to perfection! Equipped full size kitchen with cook ware! Living rooms with entertainment area. Dining rooms for a whole family 6 to 8! Master bedroom with private bath, large beds, walk in closets, private patio. Additional bedrooms for other members- kids or family. Washer & dryer in the unit. Hair dryers, ironing boards, cable TV, fully air-conditioned!. Resort styled with community pool, tennis. Choose from a vast selection of Resort condo's with community pool. Offer's you all comforts at an economical price. This is Orlando vacation at its best. Homes with private pool Choice of the discerning traveler. Homes that offer privacy, comfort & luxury. Our Superb homes are the ultimate in luxury, comfort and style. Experience Orlando vacation rentals at its best in any one of these 3 to 6 bedroom homes with private pools. Once you have stayed in these homes you will never go back to a hotel room - guaranteed. These homes are located in residential areas, destination resort development's, or on golf course communities just outside the entrance to the parks. Come to the sunshine state and have your own private pool. Cheaper than hotel rooms ?? - ABSOLUTELY!! plus the advantage of a fully equipped kitchen for that gourmet meal, or just a healthy snack. Designed and decorated painstakingly, so that each unit offers luxury with a blend of comfort, furnished to perfection, with you the vacationer as our primary focus. Our units are just an overall "great deal" for families looking for a "Vacation of a life time" or guests who come more often and need a place that they can call a second home. 3 to 6 bedroom homes with heated pools Executive homes with pools, spas & 2 masters. Spacious, private, living and dining areas. Master bedrooms with private baths, walk in closets, large king or queen beds, private TV's Large size kitchen with breakfast area and formal dining. A family gathering place in the family room for entertainment & hanging out. Pool area with loungers, patio furniture. 2 car garages, landscaped to Florida style. Executive homes with pools - spa's. We Have what you wish for, when vacationing with family. NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS DISCOUNT TICKETS - CAR RENTALS - GOLF PACKAGES P.O. Box 470113, Celebration, FL 34747 Phone: 407-566-8687, Fax: 407-566-8646 Toll Free: 1 - 877 - 358 - 4552 Square trade Verified seller. Buy with confidence. Square Trade Seal Member Number: 040720329630 Dunn & Bradstreet a reporting company on businesses also will be able to provide you with a history of the company. Camsun Vacation has a profile of our business activities since 1992 with the Better Business Bureau, Orlando office. Click here to review report Home Site: http://www.Disneycondo.com Site problems: Click here Last modified date : Dec 2005 All rights reserved to Camsun Vacations, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 CAMSUN VACATION

Travel insurance Holidaying abroad,

BBC - Crime Prevention On Holiday - Travel Insurance Home TV Radio Talk Where I Live A-Z Index 28 December 2005 Accessibility help Text only BBC Homepage Home Crimewatch Crime Fighters Case Closed Crime Prevention You & Your Family Your Home Your Car On Holiday The Law Support for You A to Z of Drugs Newsletter Contact Us Like this page? Send it to a friend! Travel insurance Holidaying abroad, or even in the UK, without basic travel insurance is unwise. But travel insurance doesn't have to break the bank. Many travel operators insist that you have cover before they'll sell you a holiday. They are entitled to do this, but they cannot demand you buy a policy from them, provided the cover you have is comparable. Apart from covering items that may be stolen while you're on holiday, including small amounts of cash, travel insurance offers many other important benefits. Policies usually include cover for medical expenses - useful if you fall ill or if you're unfortunate enough to be attacked and injured. You must disclose any pre-existing medical conditions. Travel policies also tend to include some basic "personal accident" cover, paying a set amount in the event of loss of sight, limbs or injury resulting in permanent disability or death. Another important element is "cancellation cover". If you have to cancel your holiday because of injury, illness or a disaster at home such as a fire, this will pay for any holiday expense you cannot recover. You need to check carefully what is covered and what isn't. Make sure your policy is valid for the whole journey and includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover. Always take a photocopy of your policy, along with a note of any 24-hour emergency numbers. Like all insurance policies there are restrictions. Limits to the amounts that will be paid under different parts of the cover usually apply and you won't be covered for dangerous activities, such as abseiling or scuba diving. Also, a claim could be turned down if you don't look after your belongings properly. For example, if someone steals your things off the beach while you're taking a dip in the sea, the insurance company might decide that you have not taken "reasonable care" and refuse to pay up. Insurance companies are also growing increasingly concerned about fraud, especially with travel insurance. If you claim for anything that has been stolen they'll probably want evidence that you actually owned the item in the first place. Keep photos at home of personal belongings that you've taken with you. Some insurers even ask for receipts! Check to see if you already have cover under your home insurance for personal belongings while travelling abroad or away from home in the UK. It might not mean that you will get a lower premium (try asking though), but it's worth knowing as the cover under your home contents may be better or may have a lower excess. If you have travel and household cover you cannot claim twice! Insurers will normally split the cost of a claim between them. Don't forget the benefits of using your credit card to buy things abroad. Most include automatic insurance cover on items bought with your card for a short period of time, including things you buy overseas. Check with your card company. Finally, if you and/or your family travel often, ask your insurance company about an annual policy. You pay a premium each year and are then covered for all holidays in that period without needing to take out individual policies - although you may be limited to a certain number of trips. Useful Links BBC Watchdog A guide to travel insurance, making sure you get the right policy. printer friendly version The BBC's Crime site (the "Site") is provided for your general information only. The information contained on the Site should not be treated as a substitute for obtaining professional medical or legal advice. All info correct as of 12/02/03. In this section > Accommodation > Backpacking > Before you go > British Consul > Card theft > Car crime > Currency > Customs > Driving abroad > Hire cars > Insurance > Local culture > Local laws > Luggage > Passport > Personal safety > Timeshares > Top five tips Fun and games > Psychology quiz > Chain Gang > Prison Breakout BBC Holiday Try out the Destination Finder About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy

Argentina Travel

Argentina Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore Argentina Argentina The home of the sultry tango does a good line in fiery soccer and juicy steaks. At a Glance Fast Facts WORLDGUIDE Introduction Background Info See Image Gallery Events Transport Money RELATED Thorn Tree Forum Postcards Travel Links More Places Check out our other destinations: Within Argentina Buenos Aires View Map Click here Feature Attraction Puente del Inca One of Argentina's most striking sights, situated 2720m (8920ft) above sea level, is Puente del Inca, a natural stone bridge spanning the Río Mendoza. ... more Despite Argentina's recent economic woes, its pleasures - stunning natural wonders, an elegant capital with a European-flavoured sophistication, and a passionate culture - are still as tempting as ever. The silver lining to the financial cloud is that it's now one of the best travel bargains going around. This is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. An interest in soccer and some nimble foot skills may be all you need to feel like a local. SPONSORED LINKS Enquire Accomodation Reviews Find Lonely Planet author reviewed places to stay * Required Fields Country * Please select Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada China Cuba Czech Republic Denmark Egypt England Estonia Finland France Germany Hungary Iceland India Ireland Israel & the Palestinian Territories Italy Japan Malaysia Mexico Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Poland Portugal Russia Scotland South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Taiwan Thailand Turkey USA United Arab Emirates Vietnam City * Please select Travel Services · Flights · Hostels · Hotels · Travel Insurance More Services › Disclaimer: We've tried to make theinformation on this web site as accurate as possible, but it isprovided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injuryor inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety,customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before youtravel. text & images © lonely planet 2005 about us | privacy | feedback | advertising FAQs worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links

Central America Travel to

Nicaragua, Central America - Travel Tourism Vacation Information  You are here: About > Travel > Mexico / Central America for Visitors > Nicaragua Travel Go Mexico Essentials Packing List for Travelers to Mexico Health Information Mexico / C. America Safety Considerations Travel Books Mexico and Central America Tourism Offices Mexico/ Central America Articles & Resources Mexico Mexico City Acapulco, Mexico Cancun Yucatan Baja Los Cabos Puerto Vallarta Other Places Photos of Mexico Belize, Central America Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panama Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Mexico / Central America for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Mexico / Central America for Visitors > Nicaragua Nicaragua, Central America - Travel Tourism Vacation Information A selection of online travel related resources to the country of Nicaragua, Central America, with information on accommodations, attractions, history, culture, geography and more. Nicaragua Travel Tourism Vacation Information. Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Ecotourism in Nicaragua Read about the natural environment of Nicaragua and the many opportunities available in the country for ecotourism. The site has a directory of environmental travel providers. Experience Nicaragua Learn about the history, economy, culture and people of Nicaragua. This site has some very nice photos. Maps of Nicaragua Find dozens of maps of locations in Nicaragua organized by city and region. From the Multimap Web site. Nicaragua Fishing Tours Nicaragua's Caribbean coast has some of the best fishing in the world. On this site you may reserve a space on a boat for giant tarpon, bonefish and snook fishing. Nicaragua Info This easy to navigate side has comprehensive background information on Nicaragua. The topics covered include travel, culture, news, sports and shopping. Pictures of Nicaragua Browse some excellent photos of Nicaragua's Pacific beaches, the city of Managua and more. All photos are in color. Travel Document Systems - Nicaragua Obtain information on entry requirements and visa applications here. This site also provides travel tips, advisories, maps and information on Nicaragua's people, culture, geography, economy and history.        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Buying Real Estate in Mexico Puerto Vallarta Cozumel, Mexico Whale Watching Fishing In Mexico Headlines Top 6 Travel Books for Mexico and Central America There are many travel guidebooks devoted to Mexico and to... Health Information for Visitors to Mexico and Central America This article provides a summary of the more important health... Safety Considerations for Travelers to Mexico and Central America Travel to Mexico and Central America is not significantly less... Acapulco, Mexico Once a favorite destination of honeymooners, celebrities and the...