We're switching from talking about holiday travel to focus on the island nation of Cuba. There is a certain allure that comes with traveling to a place that’s been shrouded in mystery for decades because of its travel restrictions, and it’s probably a reason why interest in traveling to Cuba has grown significantly.
Though traveling to Cuba has become easier, there is a risk that the new president-elect and his administration may undo Obama’s lifting of the embargo, so you may want to plan your trip before it’s too late. Keep in mind, however, that there are still requirements attached, which we’ll detail below.
Travel to Cuba is easier, but there are still restrictions. You cannot travel to Cuba solely for leisure. Your trip must involve one of the twelve approved categories which include visiting relatives or for educational/religious purposes. You’ll need to have a full itinerary prepared and you’ll also be expected to maintain receipts for up to five years to ensure that you did, in fact, adhere to the rules while in Cuba.
You may have trouble with lodging. You won’t find hotels in Cuba listed on major websites like Expedia, which means you’ll need to seek a company that specializes in travel to the island. Because of the surge in interest, it may be harder to find a room due to the relatively limited number of rooms.
Strongly consider cash. Cuba doesn’t yet have a very robust ATM network, and there are still a number of merchants that will not accept credit cards. Bring along more cash than you think you’ll need in case of unforeseen emergencies.
Make sure you have insurance. Cuba’s government requires all American travelers to have an insurance policy during their trip, plus a separate health insurance plan.
Get ready to disconnect. Cuba does have Internet access, but it’s not as widespread or strong as what you’re accustomed to. Public Wi-Fi will likely cost you and you’ll need what’s called an Internet card to use it which can take time to purchase because of long lines. Be aware that there may be several moments where you’ll need to go without it for a while.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 18 Nov 2016
If you’ve already booked your holiday airfare, you may still have work to do. If you’ve yet to make reservations, now is the time. For each day that you delay, your fare can increase by four to five dollars, which only makes the already pricey fares that much more expensive. After you’ve purchased your tickets, here are some practical tips to make sure your holiday travel doesn’t become a nightmare.
Always be on the lookout for ticket changes. It’s very common for an airline to make changes when it comes to departure time or even worse, canceling a trip altogether. Make sure your contact information is correct so that you can be contacted in advance.
Keep an eye out for seats. If you weren’t allowed the option of choosing your preferred seat or there weren’t any you liked when you booked, check back to see if seats have been made available. You may be able to find seats when you check in for your flight.
Be aware of what you can and cannot bring through security. Food items like cakes, cookies, pies or sandwiches will be allowed, but are subject to being X-rayed. However, bottled items like liquor, salsas or jams are not allowed. If you’re concerned about what you can bring, check the TSA website.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 16 Nov 2016
Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has developed a positive reputation for its wealth, rich culture, and some of the most spectacular architecture in the world. As the second most populous city in the UAE, it is very tourist friendly. If you need some suggestions on where to go, we have a couple.
Abu Dhabi has some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, and many of them have their own themed bars. La Cava wine bar in the Rosewood Hotel is actually located underground and includes more than 10,000 distinct labels, including some of the priciest bottles in all of the UAE. The tropically themed Trader Vic’s is also a good option, known for its Polynesian-themed bar in the Beach Rotana hotel.
A night on the town isn’t complete without some dancing, and you’ll find plenty of world-class nightclubs in Abu Dhabi fusing fantastic music with the city’s astute attention to innovative, forward thinking design. Legends at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort is one of the recent clubs to emerge in the city and is known for its Monday Open Bar Night. A number of drinks are available at half their regular price.
Before you plan your trip to Abu Dhabi, make sure to purchase the necessary travel insurance and do your research on its customs.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 14 Nov 2016
As important members of the household, the holiday season is probably one of those times when you really don’t want to leave your beloved four-legged friend at home. If your impending travel plans include bringing them along, you can make things easier for them, yourself, and your fellow travelers by simply being responsible.
Make sure to feed your pet at least an hour prior to leaving, and only feed them a small portion. This step will ensure that their food has digested and will reduce the odds of motion sickness. Giving them a walk is also a good idea so that by the time you’re ready to depart, he or she will be sufficiently tired and relaxed, perhaps even falling asleep.
If you’re unfamiliar with the country you’ll be traveling to, consider checking out the BringFido.com website, which provides information on pet-friendly accommodations across 100+ countries. There is also a useful iOS app available that includes not only accommodations but also attractions and pet-friendly restaurants.
Remember that traveling with your pet means having to follow any FAA guidelines as well as those that may be unique to the airline you’ll be flying with. Additional fees may be required and there may be restrictions on the size and breeds allowed to travel in the cabin or in the cargo area. Do your homework before booking a flight so that you don’t run into any surprises.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 9 Nov 2016
We all know that holiday travel can become a nightmare with delays and cancellations but, if you’re planning on traveling this year, there is some good news to report. Many of the leading airlines in the country are confident they’ll be able to handle the increased Thanksgiving travel volume thanks to the greater number of people that have signed up for quick screening. These programs are aimed at speeding up the slow security lines.
Just over 27 million people are expected to fly the friendly skies on a U.S. airline over a twelve day beginning on the 18th of this month and ending on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Those numbers represent a healthy increase of more than two percent from last year. The airline industry anticipates airport lines will become more manageable because of the greater number of people enrolled in programs such as TSA PreCheck.
Per the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), close to four million people are currently enrolled in PreCheck, a substantial increase from 1.75 million in 2015. Over five million are enrolled in other screening programs such as Global Entry, a program overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Slow moving security lines were a major headache during the spring season, resulting in thousands of passengers missing their flights during the first five months of the year. To address this, the TSA has increased its staff and continues to encourage people to sign up for the PreCheck program.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 4 Nov 2016
