All Posts in "Lifestyle, Home, Adventures"

Broke abroad? Stay calm, get the right help

Insurance experts at International Citizens Insurance have some advice for what travelers and expatriates can do if they end up in the nightmare situation of having all their money lost or stolen while abroad.

“It’s more common than you may think to find yourself with no money when you are traveling or living in a different country,” including the theft of a wallet stolen or lost luggage, said Joe Cronin, International Citizens Insurance president. He said it’s important to stay calm and to remember there is assistance available from a wide range of sources.

To help prevent the “nightmare,” tourists shouldn’t keep cash stored all in one place, they should keep a separate fund in a safe place in case of emergencies. Checking online banking applications is also encouraged so travelers can identify where their finances are at regular intervals.

In a financial emergency abroad:

  • Seek help from home. A friend or family member could send money via a safe online transfer and also buy you a ticket home if you need it.
  • Locate your country’s foreign embassy or consulate–the best place to start if obtaining money from a family member isn’t an option.
  • Make an insurance claim. You may be entitled to anything from medical coverage to translators if you are strapped for cash.
  • Find out if there are charitiesfor civil servants, medical professionals, and armed forces that provide financial relief on a case-by-case basis.
  • Tap into your bank’s emergency cash service if you lose your bank card or it is stolen. Travel provider
  • Contact your travel providers. They may be able to arrange travel back to your home country, possibly waiving additional fees.

    An empty wallet due to lost or stolen money doesn’t have to be a trip-wrecking disaster.
srmedia by — April 12, 2022 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures

Wondering what floats most people’s boat for ship cruises? CruiseCompete, an online cruise marketplace, has some answers in its report on bookings for March 2022, including trends in consumers’ most-requested cruise ships, lines and travel dates for premium, luxury, and river cruising. Here’s the top three most-popular in various categories:

 

  • Cruise lines: Premium/contemporary, Royal Caribbean. Luxury: Oceania Cruises. River: Viking River Cruises
  • Ships: Premium/contemporary, Harmony of the Seas. Luxury, Queen Mary 2. River, American Melody.
  • Cruise regions: Premium/contemporary, Caribbean. Luxury, Mediterranean. River, Europe.
  • Ports: Premium/contemporary, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Luxury: Miami, Fla. River, Budapest, Hungary.
  • Ports visited: Premium/contemporary, Nassau, Bahamas. Luxury, Ketchikan, Alaska. River, Budapest.
  • Countries visited: Premium/contemporary, Bahamas. Luxury, United States. River, Germany.
  • Cabin types: Premium/contemporary, luxury and river: Balcony.
  • Itinerary lengths: Premium/contemporary, luxury and river: 7 nights.
  • Sailing months requested: Premium/contemporary, March 2022. Luxury, July 2022. River, August 2022.
  • Average number of days between booking date and sailing date: Contemporary/premium, 176. Luxury, 228. River, 281.
srmedia by — March 16, 2022 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures
Safety tips for snowbirds and other spring travelers

Despite the name, snowbird season doesn’t just last from October to January. This season of finding warmer weather continues for most snowbirds through April, making spring a popular time for travel for anyone age 50-plus.

It’s just as important for snowbirds to be aware of travel safety information when heading to their winter home as it is for them when they’re heading back for the spring and summer seasons.  The tips below ensure staying safe during travels.

On a road trip, don’t always rely on GPS to find the best route once you’re in heavy traffic. Plan alternate routes before heading out.

Keep friends and family Informed.

Everyone has a cell phone, but you never know if you might get caught in a situation where you have no signal or the battery dies. It’s best to provide friends and family with your travel itinerary before you leave home. And then if you must make any changes, update them along the way. A check-in every few hours with an updated location is a good idea when driving, so that if anything does go wrong, people know a general area of where to look for you.

Put technology to work.

Portable power is a must for the road or air travel to ensure your phone is always powered. And keep any mobile personal emergency-response devices in an accessible garment pocket. This way, they’re within easy reach if you have an emergency and can’t dial your phone. Consider downloading weather reports, route guidance, gas station finders, and other relevant travel apps to your phone. These can give you alerts about bad weather, where to find gas, traffic delays, and local news alerts.

Travel at off times.

While you’re traveling home, millions of other Americans are traveling for their spring-break vacation. If you are driving, map out alternative routes to avoid traffic jams. Don’t always rely on GPS to find you the best route once you’re already in heavy traffic. Identify any stops you can make along the way, especially if you’re traveling with a pet. This gives you time to re-route if needed and gives everyone a break to stretch their legs.

Overpack medicine, vital supplies.

Planning ahead and bringing extra medication and other items that you need to maintain your health on a daily basis is a necessary precaution, as shipping delays and sourcing continue to be a challenge.

There is always a lot to get done when planning and packing for a trip. The planning may take extra steps and require extra gear, but the investment in a well-planned trip back home will be well worth it.

 

Chris Holbert, who wrote this article, is the chief executive officer of SecuraTrac, a developer of mobile-safety devices and technology for older adults and business employees.

 

srmedia by — February 23, 2022 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures
Want a free trip?

Author Linda Ballou lays out a budget-conscious roadmap to free trips.

Adventure writer Linda Ballou provides a budget-lover’s roadmap to dream destinations in her book, “Get Great Trips for Free.” To the delight of travel-writer wannabes, she shows how to go through the back door, bypassing the gatekeepers. Simple, direct, with insights and examples of what to do to get places you want to go.

When Ballou isn’t river rafting, hiking or horseback riding, she’s writing about her experiences. Her articles appear in Go World, Real Travel Adventures, and her Boomer Column at NABBW.com. The Los Angeles, Calif. resident shares her most memorable journeys in “Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler’s Tales.”

srmedia by — January 26, 2022 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures