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Half the fun of the travel is the esthetic of lostness. ~ Ray Bradbury Call (800) 315-8073 or (310) 281-1957 |
Why Buy
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Special
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Dare
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Know The Facts
Open your U.S passport to page two and you may be surprised by the following warning:
HEALTH INSURANCE. Persons considering foreign travel should determine what health insurance coverage, if any, they require while outside the United States. Medicare does not cover health care costs outside the United States and its territories, except under limited circumstances in Canada and Mexico.
The simple fact is that many international travelers do not have appropriate insurance protection. Government sponsored health programs such as Medicare almost never cover care received in a foreign country. Employer-sponsored plans often limit overseas coverage to emergency care only (and the burden will be on you to prove it's an emergency). |
China Don'ts
Submitted by sfti on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 20:14.BEIJING - Don't ask a tourist's age or wage, steer clear of sex and avoid religion: what many Chinese consider idle chit-chat has now become the latest area of censure in Beijing as it prepares for an influx of Olympic visitors.
Posters displayed on bulletin boards in the neighborhood which includes tourist magnet the Forbidden City, and which will host Olympics boxing events, counsel locals against a wide range of potentially awkward conversation topics with foreigners.
The list of "eight don't asks" was issued by the Dongcheng district Propaganda Department as a guide for locals about how to show proper hospitality, a department spokesman said.
"Don't ask about income or expenses, don't ask about age, don't ask about love life or marriage, don't ask about health, don't ask about someone's home or address, don't ask about personal experience, don't ask about religious beliefs or political views, don't ask what someone does," the Olympics logo stamped poster advises.
Several etiquette guidelines have already been issued in the run-up to the Games, as China prepares to put its best foot forward with a faultless event.
Where To Get Your Train Tickets
Submitted by sfti on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 19:55.1) RAILEUROPE (formerly Europass) offers travel to single or multiple countries. raileurope.com
2) RAILTEAM offers corporate rates to Britain, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria via high speed network. railteam.eu/en
3) JAPAN RAILWAYS GROUP runs Japan's Shinkansen or "bullet train" at least six times per hour between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations. japanrail.com
The 10 Tips You Must Know
Submitted by sfti on Sat, 06/28/2008 - 15:52.1. Act fast. Many airlines are reducing their fleets or changes their policies. If you see a good price, it's where you want to go, a price you can afford, then don't wait around.
2. Rethink your destination. If you've got to get away but prices are hindering you, think about changing your destination. Airfares to New York are up about 23% this summer from last summer, versus a 7% rise on airfares to Seattle, according to Travelocity, based on booking data. Airfares to Rome are up 19%, while airfares to Cancun are up 2%. Airfares to the Bahamas are up 14% while those to the U.S. Virgin Islands are down almost 3%, according to Travelocity.
3. Plan ahead. Some industry watchers see prices rising higher, others aren't so sure. Still, planning ahead is often a better strategy than waiting. "Half of us know where we want to be for Thanksgiving...yet most of us wait. If you know right now, book now," said Rudy Maxa, host of the travel show "Rudy Maxa's World" on PBS.
You Should Know• Even if you are already enrolled in a health plan, your coverage is limited when you travel abroad. In fact, your plan may not pay to have you safely evacuated if you are critically ill. • Where do you turn to learn which hospitals and doctors meet your standards? Keep up with breaking news about health and safety threats? Translate key medical terms and brand-name drugs? • How do you find a western-trained, English-speaking doctor with the appropriate skills? How do you arrange a convenient appointment and avoid claim forms? • Outside the United States, most hospitals won't provide any treatment until the hospital has received a guarantee of payment, which is rarely issued by a u.s. based health carrier. Without travel insurance, you'll likely pay in advance--as much as tens of thousands of dollars, if your credit card limit allows.
Travel insurance that includes online and telephone assistance services helping you develop contingency plans and manage the unexpected. |
