Travel Insurance FAQs About

Travel Insurance - Columbus Direct (Australia) Our Travel Insurance Assistance & Claims Travel Tips Travel Insurance FAQs About Us Contact Us Travel Insurance - Are you paying too much? As pioneers in travel insurance, Columbus Direct always put the customer first. That's why our travel insurance is typically much cheaper than that offered by travel agents and some other travel insurance providers.* How can we do it? Well, we sell direct, so we cut out the high commissions typically paid to agents and pass these savings on to you, and you'll get the same low price travel insurance whether you call or purchase online. So if you're looking for cheap prices and great service, don't buy your travel insurance until you've checked us out. What our customers say about our travel insurance... I recently purchased insurance from you for the third time in 12 mths as you are great value (even though my husband works for an insurance co). The policy is comprehensive and I have recommended Columbus to friends... - Leanne Read more customer feedback Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance for frequent travellers... You could save even more with our Annual Multi-Trip policy. Year-round cover for all your international trips of up to 60 days. Prices from just $250. Read more about our annual travel insurance * When compared to the most similar travel insurance products. Cover varies between providers. Columbus Direct Travel Insurance, 62 Alexander Street, Crows Nest NSW 2065, Australia Columbus Direct does not provide advice about travel insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation and needs. To decide if our travel insurance is right for you, please read the Product Disclosure Statement. If you purchase a policy, Columbus will receive a commission based on the type and duration of the travel insurance that is never more than 40% of the premium paid (excluding any GST and Stamp Duty). Columbus Direct Travel Insurance Pty Limited (ABN 99 107 050 582) is an Australian Financial Services Licence holder: No. 246636. © 2005 Columbus Direct Travel Insurance Pty Limited. All rights reserved. Annual Travel Insurance | Ski Travel Insurance | Travel Insurance Australia | Travel Insurance Quote Home | Privacy Policy | Resources | Visit our New Zealand site | Visit our UK site Get a travel Insurance quote now... Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm Australia DST Get a travel insurance quote now... Secure online purchasing Call us to pay by Amex, Diners, cheque or money order. COLUMBUS DIRECT TRAVEL INSURANCE The Columbus St Bernard: A trusted brand for more than 15 years. Columbus Direct Travel Insurance policies are underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyd's of London Get a travel insurance quote now...

Cheap Travel

Cheap flights by Just the Flight UK discount air fares specialist Scheduled & Cheap Flight Search - Book Online Low fares, discounted flights and secure online booking Type of trip One Way Return Multi-Leg Departing Select UK departure airport Aberdeen Alderney Belfast City Airport Belfast Intl Birmingham Blackpool Bristol Cardiff East Midlands Airport Edinburgh Exeter Glasgow Guernsey Humberside Inverness Isle Of Man Jersey Leeds/Bradford Liverpool London (ALL) London City Airport London Gatwick London Heathrow London Luton London Stansted Manchester Newcastle Norwich Plymouth Southampton Teesside Adults 1 2 3 4 5 6 Departure airport not listed? Click Here Children 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Going To Infants 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Departing 0100 0200 0300 0400 0500 0600 0700 0800 0900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 Anytime Morning Midday Evening Night 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Dec 2005 Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Jul 2006 Aug 2006 Sep 2006 Oct 2006 Nov 2006 Returning 0100 0200 0300 0400 0500 0600 0700 0800 0900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 Anytime Morning Midday Evening Night 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Dec 2005 Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Jul 2006 Aug 2006 Sep 2006 Oct 2006 Nov 2006 Cabin Class Any Cabin Class Economy Premium Economy Business/Club First/Upper Cheapest Flights Top Flight Destinations Amsterdam -- Athens -- Atlanta -- Bangkok -- Barcelona -- Belfast -- Berlin -- Boston -- Brussels -- Budapest -- Cairo -- Cape Town -- Chicago -- Copenhagen -- Dubai -- Dublin -- Edinburgh -- Frankfurt -- Glasgow -- Guernsey -- Hamburg -- Hong Kong -- Istanbul -- Jersey -- Johannesburg -- Kuala Lumpur -- Las Vegas -- Lisbon -- Los Angeles -- Madrid -- Marseille -- Miami -- Milan -- Moscow -- Munich -- New Orleans -- New York -- Nice -- Orlando -- Oslo -- Paris -- Perth -- Rome -- San Francisco -- Singapore -- Stockholm -- Sydney -- Tampa -- Toronto -- Warsaw -- Top Flight Searches Turkey Resting between Europe and Asia, where East Meets West Cyprus Aphrodite's Island. Hot climate and great resorts Crete Island of passion, magic and mysteries. The Canary Islands Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma Florida Theme parks, beaches and great weather The Balearics Mediterranean islands Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza Flights to Dominican Republic Flights to Spain Flights to Greece Flights to Bulgaria Flights to The Caribbean Flights to The Channel Islands Flights to The Algarve Charter Flights from the UK Seasonal flight only deals Alicante £39 Antalya £99 Bodrum £145 Bourgas £149 Cancun £129 Corfu £119 Dalaman £135 Faro £49 Fuerteventura £49 Goa £209 Gran Canaria £49 Heraklion £99 Ibiza £99 Izmir £125 Kefalonia £139 Kos £139 Lanzarote £49 Larnaca £99 Majorca £48 Malaga £39 Malta £59 Menorca £89 Montego Bay £219 Orlando £119 Paphos £59 Reus £89 Rhodes £109 Sharm El Sheikh £79 Tenerife £39 Varna £144 Ski Flights from the UK Flight only deals to Ski resorts Berne £79 Calgary £244 Chambery £59 Geneva £49 Grenoble £59 Innsbruck £59 Lyons £49 Milan £76 Salzburg £49 Sofia £59 Toulouse £49 Turin £49 Verona £49 Flights from UK Airports Holiday & Charter Flights Aberdeen Belfast City Airport Belfast Intl Birmingham Blackpool Bournemouth Bristol Cardiff Cork Coventry Doncaster-Sheffield Dublin East Midlands Edinburgh Exeter Glasgow Glasgow Prestwick Humberside Inverness Knock Leeds-Bradford Liverpool London Gatwick London Heathrow London Luton Manchester Newcastle Newquay Norwich Shannon Southampton Teesside Worldwide Airport Finder Select Region Europe Middle East North America Far East South America Australasia Africa Merry Christmas Christmas Opening Times Special Offers Newsletter Great Deals by Email Enter your email address to receive our exclusive special offers newsletter Flights to the Canary Islands £39 View flight deals to ... Tenerife Gran Canaria Lanzarote Fuerteventura Flights to Majorca, Ibiza & Menorca View flight deals to ... Majorca Ibiza Menorca £48 Flights to Turkey £99 View flight deals to ... Antalya Bodrum Izmir Dalaman Flights to Orlando £119 Flights to Cyprus View flight deals to ... Larnaca Paphos £59 Just the Flight RSS Feeds NEW! Just the Flight have just introduced the quickest and easiest way of getting information about the cheapest flight deals we have. Receive details about the latest cheap flights; just choose where you want to fly from and where you want to go to. To learn more and to see our list of RSS Feeds, visit our RSS Information Page Click on the logos above for more information Our ATOL number is 5554. Our ABTA number is 44935 Our IATA number is 91223064 Scheduled Flights | Charter Flights | Airline Finder | Holiday Extras | Holiday Guides | Home | ATOL & ABTA info Cheap flights by Just the Flight UK discount air fares specialist info@justtheflight.co.uk ortelephone08707 589 589 or Guernsey 44 (0)1481 242200 and Jersey 01534 769769 Monday to Thursday 8:30-20:00, Friday 8:30-17:30 Saturday 9:00-16:00, Sunday 10:00-16:00 (UK time) (Calls may be recorded for quality control & training)

Ski Vacation Gear Guide

Plan a ski vacation  You are here: About > Sports > Skiing Sports Skiing Essentials Ski Resort A to Z Snow Reports Plan a Ski Trip Ski Equipment Learn to Ski Articles & Resources Beginning Skier Downhill Skier Cross Country Skier Snow Reports/Weather Ski Resorts Ski Vacation Gear Guide Picks FAQ's Ski Fitness Mountain Cams and Pictures Competitive skiing Latest News Specialized Skiing Expert Skiing Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Skiing newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Skiing Plan a ski vacation Skiing Blog « Mammoth Mountain California on Christmas Day | Main | Top Ski Schools » From Apply Now , Your Guide to Skiing . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! December 27, 2004 Plan a ski vacation When its time to make a few turns you're going to need all the information to plan a good trip. Start planning today . Think about a few days in Whistler, a weekend in Taos or a month at Vail. I'm getting lightheaded just thinking about it. Email to a Friend Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Ski clothing Ski tips Ski schools Ski pants Ski Resort Index What's Hot Winterplace Mt. Holly Las Vegas Ski Area Ski Windham Paoli Peaks Related Topics Snowboarding Adventure Travel Surfing / Bodyboarding Sports Medicine Weather        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 Winterplace Mt. Holly Las Vegas Ski Area Ski Windham Paoli Peaks Headlines Killington Resort to Re-Open Saturday for the 2005-06 Ski and Snowboard Season The Killington Resort in Vermont will Open this Saturday... Free Ski Deals - Discount Ski Deals Find the best free ski deals and best discount... Breckenridge in Colorado - Ski Season Opened Nov 11 Strap on your skis, brush off your board and dig... Top 10 Ski Schools Take lessons from the top instructors at the top...

Asia Travel || Hong

Hong kong Travel Information Provided by Asia Travel Hong Kong Country and Travel Information Climate || Entryregulations || Airport facilities || Transfer information Hong Kong's new airport at Chek Lap Kok || Currency || Tipping Telephone || Gettingaround in Hong Kong Hotels Reservation in Hong Kong at upto 75% discount from published rates TourReservation in Hong Kong Hong Kong in a Nutshell ( Don't miss ) Map of Hong Kong The Fragrant Harbour ( click for postcard ) Lying at the southeastern tip of China, Hong Kong adjoins the province of Guangdong (Canton), and is just south of the tropic of Cancer. The total land area of Hong Kong is 1,078 square kilometers, comprising Hong Kong Island (77.5 square kilometers); Kowloon (45.5 square kilometer); and the New Territories , including 235 outlying islands (955 square kilometers). Today Hong Kong has become a great international trading post, a powerful manufacturing base and one of the world's largest financial centres. Population and Language The population as of 2002 was about 7.5 millions, almost 95 per cent of which is Chinese. Chinese and English are the official languages. Cantonese is the most widely spoken Chinese dialect, though Mandarin, Shanghainese and other Chinese dialects are also spoken. Many people, especially in shops, hotels, and service industries, speak English. Climate Hong Kong has a subtropical climate: Spring (March - mid-May): Temperature and humidity rising. Jackets or sweaters suggested. Average temperature: 23C (73F), humidity around 82%, sea temperature, 22.3 C (72 F) Summer (late May - mid-September): Hot and humid. Temperature may rise to 33C (91 F) with humidity up to around 90%. . Shirtsleeves, cotton clothing, a sweater for indoors and an umbrella for outside suggested Average temperature: 28C (82F), humidity 80%, sea temperature 28C (82F). Autumn (late September - early December): temperature and humidity drop. Clear sunny days. Shirtsleeves to sweaters and light jackets suggested. Average temperature: 23C (73F), humidity 72%, sea temperature 17C (63F). Winter (late December- February): Cool with low humidity. Suits, light woollens and sometimes overcoats suggested. Average temperature: 17C (62F), humidity 72%, sea temperature 17C (63F). Top Entry Regulations Visitors must hold a valid passport, endorsed where necessary for Hong Kong. Citizens of some 24 countries, including the USA, Japan, and certain Western European and South American nations are permitted one-month visa-free visits. Three-month visa-free visits are available to another 23 countries as well as all Commonwealth countries. Visitors from most countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for periods of seven days to six months, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status. Health Regulations Vaccination certificates are not required for yellow fever, cholera and typhoid for visitors travelling to Hong Kong. Check with your travel agent well before your departure, however, as requirements can change without notice. Customs Allowance Visitors may bring into Hong Kong free of duty: Liquor - A one-litre bottle of wine or spirits. Ivory - The importation and exportation of raw or worked ivory is governed by strict regulation. Firearms must be declared and handed into custody until departure. Top Airport Facilities A baggage storage service is available in the departure hall and the arrival hall. Other services include a bank, moneychangers, gift shops, duty-free shops, snack bars, restaurants, payphones, a police station, post office, a HK Telecom International Ltd. Office, HKTA Information Centres and private reception rooms. Airport Departure Tax Adults: HK$80; children (aged 12 years and under) free. Safety Hong Kong is generally considered a safe city by day or night. Policemen are very helpful, and those who speak English wear a red label under their shoulder badge. As in all big cities, avoid carrying large amounts of cash; traveller's cheques or credit cards are preferable. Make use of your hotel's safe-deposit boxes. Top Currency The unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). Notes issued by two private banks (the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank and Standard Chartered Bank) have denominations of $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1000. The Bank of China issues all of the denominations except HK$10. There are silver coins for HK$1, HK$2, and HK$5, bronze coins for HK10 cents, HK20 cents and HK50 cents, and a new nickel and bronze coin for $10. Most foreign currencies and traveller's cheques are easily changed in Hong Kong, either at banks, hotels or moneychangers (check how much you will get in return before handing over your money). Top Tipping Most restaurants add a 10 per cent service charge but an additional 5 per cent may be given, where deserved. When a service charge is not automatic, 10 per cent is acceptable. Small tips may also be given to taxi drivers, bellboys, doormen and washroom attendants. Electricity The voltage in Hong Kong is 200/220 volts, 50 cycles. Most hotels provide adaptors. Water All water direct from government mains in Hong Kong satisfies the United Nations World Health Organization standards. Bottled water is widely available in hotels and supermarkets. Top Telephones Telephones in Hong Kong are advanced, economical and easy to use. Local calls are free, and many stores and restaurants offer use of a telephone free of charge to patrons. Calls from public coin phones cost HK$1. Most hotels have International Direct Dialling (IDD). Please note that some hotels charge a handling fee for local and/or international calls. You can also make long-distance calls from (IDD) Public Coin Phones and from HK Telecom International Ltd. Offices. An easy method of making calls is to purchase stored-value phonecards (HK$50, $150 and $200), which can be used in any Cardphone box. The new Hello Phonecard (HK$100, $200,$300) is a stored value card that enables the user to place calls to and from over 30 countries from a touch-tone phone. Both types of cards can be purchased at HKTA Information and Gift Centres and most convenience stores. Call 013 for information. Post Offices The main post offices are on Hong Kong Island, next to the Star Ferry and in Kowloon at 10 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Both are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm on Saturday. All post offices close on Sunday and public holidays. Television There are two English-language channels. Programmes include a selection of locally produced shows as well as features from the UK, the US, and Australia. Also available is STAR TV (a satellite channel) and, in some areas, Cable TV (subscription television). Radio Fifteen radio channels are broadcast in Hong Kong. Six English-language channels provide a wide range of programmes and the BBC World Service is available 24 hours. Office and Banking Hours Most offices open from 9am to 5pm with a lunch hour from 1 pm to 2pm. On Saturday the hours are 9am to 1 pm. Some Chinese businesses open at 10am and close around 6pm or later. Major banks are open from 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays, 9am to 12.30pm on Saturday. Top Getting Around In Hong Kong Airport Transport After you have reclaimed your baggage and passed through Customs, you will find yourself in the Buffer Hall of Hong Kong International Airport where the Hong Kong Tourist Association Information Centres are located . There you can obtain free visitor publications and any other assistance you may need. Hong Kong International Airport is approximately 40 minutes' drive by car from all major hotels in Kowloon and about 50 minutes' drive via the Cross-Harbour Tunnel from all major hotels on Hong Kong Island (under normal traffic conditions). If you are making your own way to your hotel, follow the signs directing you to the Transport Terminus for taxis or use the airport coach service. If you have no local currency on arrival, change only enough at the airport to get you to your hotel. Hotel Transport Hotel bookings do not normally include transportation from the airport. However, if you have a prearranged hotel booking that includes an airport transfer, you should leave the Buffer Hall via the exit marked Hotel Transport and look for the hotel representative waiting to meet you. Taxis Taxis are numerous and readily available, and fares are low compared with those in most cities. Red taxis serve Hong Kong Island and Kowloon; green ones in the New Territories and blue taxis on Lantau Island operate at even lower rates. Many drivers speak some English but it is wise to have your destination written in Chinese characters. Rates for red taxis start at HK$16.5 on the flag fall plus HK$1.60 for every 200 metres after the first two kilometres. Waiting time is HK$1.10 per minute. Pay, in Hong Kong dollars only, the fare shown on the meter, plus any additional charge where applicable. A HK$20 surcharge applies to cross-harbour tunnel trips (includes the driver's HK$10 return toll). There is also a surcharge for rides through the Lion Rock (HK$6), Junk Bay (HK$3) and Aberdeen (HK$5) tunnels, and a HK$5 charge for each piece of luggage. Taxi drivers expect a tip, but just round up the fare to the nearest dollar. Drivers cannot pick up or drop off passengers on restricted streets, which are marked with yellow lines. New Territories taxis will pick up and drop off only in the New Territories. If you have any queries or complaints, note the taxi's number and call the 24-hour Police Hotline on 2527 7177. Buses Double-decker buses, which run from 6 AM till 3 midnight, cover most parts of the territory. Fares range from HK$1 to HK$30.60. Exact change is required. You'll find that, in general the drivers do not speak much English. Minibuses Minibuses are small passenger vans which are yellow with a red stripe. They can pick up passengers and let them off anywhere except regular bus stops and the usual restricted areas. Fares range from HK$2 to HK$7. Maxicabs Maxicabs are yellow with a green stripe. They run along specific routes and have fixed prices ranging from HK$1 to HK$8. A sign on the front indicates the destination. Pay as you get on. Trains The Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) is 34 kilometres long and runs from Hung Hom in Kowloon up to the border with China. Trains run every tour to 10 minutes in each direction, and vary according to the ordinary single trip to Sheung Shui, the farthest you can go without a China visa). It's a go way to visit some of the New Territories' towns and villages. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR), Hong Kong's fast, efficient and air-conditioned underground system, runs not only along the north side of Hong Kong Island, but also from Central across the harbour to divide into east and west branches in Kowloon. Stations are located by a X symbol. Fares range from HK$4 to HK$11. MTR and KCR stored-value tickets (HK$70-200) are also available. The Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a high-speed surface system linking the New Territories towns of Tuen Mun Yuen Long. The LRT runs from 5.30am to 12.30am daily. Fares range from HK$3.20 to $4.70. Ferries The Star Ferry, which has connected Hong Kong and Kowloon since 1898, runs regularly between 6.30am to 11.30pm. At HK$ 2.20 (upper deck), it must be one of the cheapest and most scenic ferry rides in the world. The crossing takes approximately eight minutes. The Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company provides other regular and inexpensive services which connect Hong Kong Island to other parts of the Kowloon Peninsula and to the outlying islands. Trams ( click for postcard ) Since 1904, the tram system has run east to west along the north side of Hong Kong Island, and still provides a leisurely, grandstand view. The flat fare is HK$1.20 (exact change required) and the service operates between 6 AM and 1 AM. The Peak Tram is one of the most advanced tram systems in the world, taking just eight minutes to climb Victoria Peak. The service operates from 7am to midnight and the single fare is HK$12 (HK$19 return). The funicular railway has run since 1888 and is still the quickest way to reach the Peak. Car Hire Self-drive rental cars are not often used in Hong Kong, but chauffeur-driven cars are widely available. Hotels have their own limousines for hire. Rickshaws The only means of travel in the old days, rickshaws today are used mainly for fun rides and photo sessions. Rickshaw drivers congregate at the Star Ferry on Hong Kong Island and charge for a trip round the block or for a photo session. Negotiate the price first. Top Asia Travel || Hong kong Hotels Page

Japan Travel

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Ring Home # Make 100s of thousands of new friends today, FREE! Japan Zone Features: Chat Room | Quizzes | Games | E-cards Street Fashion Our latest poll: "What's the best way to spend New Year in Japan?" Thursday, 29th December 2005 Today's Japan News | Japan Weather | Japan Stocks | Currency Converter | The latest posts on our Japan Forum Join Japan Zone Friends in December - Win a DVD! - Join Now Everyone who joins Japan Zone Friends between now and December 31st will be entered to win a DVD! It's FREE to join, so why not? Welcome to the bizarre world of an American mannequin family who have recently moved toJapan, and cause quite an uproar. Fashionably hip and gut-splitting funny, this feature was first shown on the Japanese late-night show Vermillion Pleasure Night and now has a cult following. Available from ADV Films (the largest producer/distributor for Japanese anime) from December 20 on DVD. Official website Watch a classic clip, "Lady Tutor": High quality | Low quality (Quick Time) The Latest -- Japan Zone is the only site that brings you regular news and gossip in English from the Japanese entertainment world. Noriko's Fashion Choice Talento Kato Noriko (32) is to get married on New Year's Day, according to her agency yesterday. The lucky man is Wakatsuki Yoshio (43), a creative director in the fashion world. The fax announcement of the engagement caught the media by surprise as the two have only been going out since the spring, though they've been living together for the last couple of months. They have known each other for several years, and met when Kato took a break from showbusiness to study in Paris in 2000. Wakatsuki was working on the Paris Collection at the time. • Rock band Mr. Children finished up their first nationwide "dome tour" with a show last night at Tokyo Dome. They played to 45,000 fans, bringing the tour total to about 390,000. Vocalist Sakurai Kazutoshi (35), who battled with serious illness in 2003 that saw the band take a 6-month hiatus, said 2005 was the best year ever. • Kabuki actor Onoe Matsusuke died of cancer at a Tokyo hospital on Monday. He was 59. • A survey has shown that people are pretty evenly divided about whether national broadcaster NHK should take legal action against those who refuse to pay their license fee. The number of those refusing to pay has increased to over a million following a series of scandals involving NHK employees. December 28, 2005 Recent Headlines • Noriko's Fashion Choice (December 28) • All Eyes on Women Skaters (December 27) • Ryoko Polishing Her Bridal Skills (December 26) • Boyz of Summer? (December 24) More news available on our News page . (powered by Movable Type 3.15 ) Syndicate this site Content Picks Planning a trip to Japan? ROYALTY : With the marriage of Princess Sayako, the Imperial Family lost one of its members. 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