Posts

Showing posts from April, 2024

Travel Insurance For South Africa: Everything You Need To Know

When purchasing a travel insurance policy for South Africa, you will have the option to choose a basic policy or a comprehensive policy. A basic policy is cheaper , but may turn out to be more expensive in the long run if you aren't covered for the things you need. While a basic policy will usually cover medical needs, it may not provide cover for things such as lost luggage and cancellations (or, if it does, will provide it at a much lower claim level). That's why a comprehensive policy is highly recommended for travel to South Africa, as you will receive cover for stolen items, lost luggage, delays and more, in addition to medical and emergency dental care. Smartraveller asks Australians to exercise a high degree of caution due to the threat of violent crime in South Africa, which includes robbery and carjacking. The government website warns that opportunistic criminals will target travellers at the approaches to tourist-hotspot Kruger National Park, at well-...

Travel Troubleshooter: Expedia said it would refund my tickets four years ago. Help!

Image
DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: I need help getting a refund from Expedia. I booked two round-trip Air Transat tickets from Toronto to Paris through Expedia back in 2020. I had to cancel the flights, and under the refund rules during the pandemic, Expedia said I could get my money back. Expedia said it would process the refund in a matter of weeks. Christopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter  I waited a few months, but the refund never showed up on my credit card. I contacted Expedia in early 2022, and they told me to contact Air Transat for my refund. I did, and an Air Transat representative said the airline had already sent my refund to Expedia. I've contacted both Expedia and Air Transat on numerous occasions since then, and I've also asked my credit card company for help. It says that there's no record of a refund from Expedia or Air Transat.I would love to get my refund. Can you help me? — Keith Dawe, Toronto ANSWER: Expedia should have refunded your money four...

How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing The Way You Buy Travel Insurance

Artificial intelligence is changing the way you buy travel insurance. Here's how. getty Artificial intelligence is transforming the way you buy travel insurance. From shopping for a policy to filing a claim, there's no part that hasn't been touched by AI. "AI is revolutionizing travel insurance," says Greg Jung, chief growth officer for Seven Corners . "It's making it more efficient and tailored to individual needs." Words like "efficient" and "tailored" are rare in the one-size-fits-all, bureaucratic travel insurance industry. For years, consumers had limited choices. And when they filed a claim, it took close to forever to get an answer, much less get paid. Not anymore. Jung says AI is doing away with that. The benefits to travelers include: Personalized coverage. AI can analyze vast amounts of data on traveler profiles, including travel history, preferences, and even risk factors like age and health ...

Travel To Italy Like An Insider With The Best Local Experts

A trip to Italy is too special to get wrong. Here's how to do it right. (San Gimignano, Tuscany) getty I absolutely love Italy, for many different reasons. But I hate the way in which many Americans go about planning trips there. Survey after survey shows it is the number one dream destination for U.S. leisure travelers, but the way those travelers get their information and advice gives me nightmares. Throughout the years I've heard people say over and over that "I was told to do this in Italy," or "I was told not to do this in Italy." By who? "A friend." I have close friends who recently planned their entire 12-day trip on the basis of another couple they knew who gave them advice—after their first visit. I've heard of many people who skipped Rome because "we heard it was too busy, just another big city." Or passed on Venice, one of the world's most magical destinations, because, "I heard it was touristy." Ther...

New Greek Resorts, Golden Visa Countries And More Travel News

5 New Greek Hotels For Summer . getty With summer fast approaching, there are recently opened hotels and resorts in Greece to consider. From popular escapes such as Mykonos and Santorini to the lesser-known islands across the Aegean chain, here are five new Greek hotels worth checking out —and into. 10 Incredible Cruise Ship Features . DAVID NIKEL For many years, the trend in cruise ship design has been that "bigger is better"—with vessels such as Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas setting new passenger records. But many cruise lines are also competing by offering innovative features to the high seas. From kart racing on multi-level courses to multiscreen movie theaters, here are some of the most incredible activities on cruise ships right now. Disney World Earns Its First Michelin Star . Getty Images Victoria and Albert's at the Grand Floridian Resort—which has been a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant since 2018—added a new star to its constell...

WH Smith's 'one-stop shop' travel destination pays off as it plots more store openings

The retailer said it was benefiting from an increase in consumers travelling, particularly in large stores at London Heathrow, London Gatwick and a new flagship store at Birmingham airport The WH Smith store at Victoria station, London. The company said the business is now in it's 'strongest ever position as a global travel retailer' WH Smith's strategic pivot to become a "one-stop shop" for travel essentials is paying massive dividends, with the firm planning to open multiple new stores in train stations, airports, and healthcare facilities. Carl Cowling, chief executive of WH Smith, painted a bright picture for the future when he stated that the business was now in its "strongest ever position as a global travel retailer". Profits from the UK travel enterprise swelled by nearly a fifth, with total revenue soaring by 8% in the six months leading to February's end compared to the year before. WH Smith credits its strong trading performance to ...

Travel Insurance For Vietnam: Everything You Need To Know

The exact inclusions of your travel insurance will be dependent on your personal policy and the provider. However, generally speaking, you can expect a travel insurance policy for Vietnam to offer some level of cover for: Medical expenses; Lost, damaged or stolen luggage; Travel cancellations or delays ; Personal liability; Credit card fraud; Covid-19 expenses; And more. If you are partaking in certain sports and activities, you will need to make sure that you choose a policy that covers them. You'll also need to make sure that your policy covers any pre-existing medical conditions as well. Plus, if you are travelling with valuables, you may wish to opt for a policy that lets you increase the protection cover on your items. Ultimately, you need to consider what your trip consists of, what you will be taking with you, and your physical health to establish what policies would be appropriate for you. From there, you can compare quotes of different ...

Essential Travel Apps for Your Next Getaway

Julie Loffredi — Lifestyle As travel technology continues to evolve, smartphone applications have become indispensable tools for every traveler. From planning your itinerary to finding the best local eats, these apps promise to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you're planning a quick weekend getaway or a months-long world tour, here's a roundup of the best travel apps you should consider downloading. 1. Google Maps An essential tool for navigation, Google Maps offers not only directions but also information on traffic, public transportation, and points of interest. Its offline maps feature is particularly useful for areas with limited data connectivity. 2. Airbnb Revolutionizing the way we travel, Airbnb allows travelers to book unique home stays from local hosts, providing a more authentic experience. With its wide range of listings, from single rooms to lavish villas, Airbnb can cater to any budget. ...

This TikTok-Famous Travel Bag Has A Way More Affordable Doppelgänger

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. If you've been on TikTok at all, you are probably well aware of the hype surrounding the Béis Weekender , a thoughtfully designed travel bag meant to meet all your globe-trotting needs — for $98. As is often the case with relatively expensive viral sensations, the internet found a way to deliver affordable alternatives that are loved and adored by the masses. In this case, the original has been most famously replicated by Sam's Club and the Minkars brand on Amazon , both of which have completely sold out. But before you get travel bag FOMO, you can still shop another popular and convincing lookalike on Amazon for nearly a quarter the cost of the luxury version. And it comes in about 30 colors.

Bridge closures will affect travel on I-94 and U.S. 127 in Jackson County

JACKSON COUNTY, MI – Drivers in Jackson County should expect traffic backups and delays due to upcoming intermittent closures of bridges over I-94 and U.S. 127. The Michigan Department of Transportation is closing multiple bridges for maintenance, beginning at 6 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, with work expected to be complete by 3 p.m. Friday, May 17, officials said.

Share a tip on travel in Germany – you could win a holiday voucher

With the Euro 2024 football tournament just a month and half away, the spotlight is going to be on host nation Germany in the early part of this summer. Whether you've enjoyed visiting the big cities with their bierkellers and clubs, the country's Baltic coast and islands, half-timbered ancient villages, or its famous forests and mountains, we'd love to hear about your favourite experiences. If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it's your words that will be judged for the competition. Keep your tip to about 100 words The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet , will win a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website. We're sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition. The competition closes on 29 April at 9am Send us your tips You can tell us about your favourite trip in Germany by filli...

What Fuels NASCAR Legend Jimmie Johnson’s Love Of Travel

Johnson at his Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Legacy Motor Club Most of us will never know what it feels like to stand on a stage and give a speech after being enshrined in the hall of fame for our chosen industry. Driving legend Jimmie Johnson surely does. Already this year, Johnson has been inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Arguably the most skilled person ever behind a steering wheel, Johnson has a record-tying seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, 83 race wins and an astounding 374 top-10 finishes. Though he's not on the track nearly as much these days as he used to be, the 48-year-old Johnson hasn't said when he's going to put his car in park forever. For now, the Southern California native seems content owning the Legacy Motor Club team, racing part time in the States while living in London with his family and traveling during any free time between. During one of those recent pit stops in the schedule, ...

The 6 best tablets for travel in 2024

Image
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends With the world opening up once again for tourists, you're going to want to buy a tablet to beat the boredom of long flights and waiting times. Not all models will be able to serve this purpose though, so to help you decide what to purchase, we've rounded up our recommendations for the best tablets for travel. We acknowledge that there are different types of travelers, so we picked devices that will cater to each of them, while considering a specific set of criteria when making our selections. While you can also use your smartphone during your trips, the larger screen of tablets will help provide more amusing entertainment when you need it. The best tablets for travel will let you catch up on work, watch streaming shows , check social media, and whatever else you may think of doing while you're on the way to your destination, or while you're taking a break from all the sights and sounds. Read onward to figure out the best ...

How Boeing’s Problems Could Disrupt Summer Travel

With airlines getting 40% fewer new planes than scheduled, expect higher fares this summer and increased risk of delays and cancellations. By Jeremy Bogaisky , Forbes Staff U.S. airlines had been looking forward to a strong summer. Holding them back: problems at Boeing and Airbus that are delaying deliveries of new planes. Under intense federal and public pressure to improve the quality of its planes, Boeing's production of 737 Max jets has slowed to a trickle. In March the company said it delivered 24 of its bestselling plane to customers, down 53% from the same month a year ago. In the first two weeks of April, it delivered just three, according to the aviation analytics firm Cirium. Boeing's woes, combined with supply chain issues at rival Airbus and engine durability issues that have grounded planes for inspections, have led airlines to reduce flights for the upcoming summer travel season and slow pilot hiring. That could mean higher fares in some markets and in...