Camping is available at the site between July 13-21 and the music events are scheduled for four days, from July 16-19 2009.   The line-up so far, according to the unofficial website, includes Oasis, The Killers, Kings of Leon, Franz Ferdinand and Paul Weller. 

Festival fans are likely to be making their way to the event either by flying into Valencia and taking a train to Benicassim, or flying into Barcelona, Reus, Madrid, Girona, Murcia or Alicante.  Others may make the trip by road or rail, using special rail passes. 

The Foreign Office have issued some general advice for festival-goers.  Last year close to one hundred people lost their passports during the festival so keep yours safe, make a photocopy of the information page to keep with you and leave a copy at home.  Also beware of spiked drinks at the festival.  If attending the festival, please read more of this excellent travel advice and information here. 

Don’t forget to take along your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but remember that it is not a substitute for travel insurance.  Check out our cheap rates for Backpacker Insurance also - and get a quote from just 20p per day!

Check out  World Taximeter - a (beta) site providing information about taxis in London and international taxi fares for many cities of the world including New York, Los Angeles, London, Rome, Barcelona and Sydney. 

What a great idea - and a useful tool for those travelling on a budget!

Exciting action is promised after a disappointing race for Jensen Button and British fans following the Red Bull domination at the British Grand Prix.  Watch this video for a preview and tour of the track by German driver Nico Rosberg: 

The circuit is 5.148 km (3.198 miles) long, so with 60 laps to complete the drivers will cover a distance of just over 308 km (191 miles).  The lap record is currently held by Michael Schumacher. 

Practice kicks off on Friday with more practice and qualifying on Saturday.  The Grand Prix starts at 2pm local time (1pm UK time) on Sunday. 

It has also been announced that three new teams will join the F1 circuit for 2010:  Campos Meta (Spain), Team US F1 (US), and Manor F1 Team (UK).  Read about this new development and all the F1 news on the Formula1 official site.

I know we harp on about it - but it is important - don’t forget to take along your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if travelling to Germany; however, remember that it is not a substitute for travel insurance (for example, the EHIC does not cover things like lost luggage, medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment, non-urgent treatment, etc.)  

For more information about Germany (especially if you are driving) visit our Travel Guide and then follow the link for the Foreign Office (FCO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign for updated travel advice and information. Lastly, make sure your European breakdown cover is up-to-date.  All that’s left is to enjoy the race!

If you haven’t made any serious plans for the upcoming ski season yet, now is the time to do so if you want to catch the fast train to all the action in the Alps.  

Act quickly to grab the times and deals that suit you best.  Industry reports indicate that those who book early will secure the best prices and that last minute deals may be scarce. 

The Eurostar ski train begins operating on December 19 through April 17, 2010.  Boarding at either St. Pancras or Ashford International you can quickly be transported to a wide variety of resorts.  Choose either the night train, to maximise time on the slopes or the day train to relax and take in the scenery. 
For more information click here.

While you are busy making arrangements and securing your transport and accommodation, why not protect your trip against any unforeseen problems by taking out ski insurance effective immediately.

The Running of the Bulls, obviously, can be a very dangerous activity.  Those who choose to participate often receive serious injuries and there have been many fatalities.  Be warned, this video is fairly graphic but amazingly no lives were lost!

If you still think this looks like fun and are tempted to join in, it might be worthwhile remembering that travel insurance is unlikely to cover claims related to ‘unnecessary exposure to peril’ – or similar wording in the policy.  If you plan to see this spectacle stay well away from the bulls!

Be prepared to cough up for the cost of treating any injuries if you get on the wrong side of a bull – and to pay for medical repatriation back to the UK if required (which can be very expensive!)  If you are not sure whether your particular travel insurance policy will cover you it is best to call and find out beforehand!

Other hazards during the festival (which cannot be blamed on the bulls) include pickpocketing and passport theft.  It is wise to make a photocopy of the information page of your passport to keep with you for identification purposes – and in case of theft of the original.  It may seem a bit of a contradiction but a ‘lost and found’ office will nevertheless be set up at the Pamplona Municipal Police Station.  In the event of loss of personal property a report should be filed with the police for the missing items.  This is a requirement for filing claims under most travel insurance.

Don’t forget to take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to Spain.  However, this should not be used as a substitute for travel insurance.  Although emergency medical care may be provided under the EHIC in a state-run facility it does not cover medical repatriation, lost luggage, or many other common travel-related mishaps!  (Note: there is no guarantee you would be taken to a state facility in an emergency (or have a choice if conscious) and the EHIC does not normally cover treatment in a private hospital).  Visitors planning to participate in the run are advised to read the information provided by the Foreign Office under ‘UKinSpain‘,

In a continuing effort to tighten border control for visitors coming to the United Kingdom, the UK Border Agency is enforcing new visa rules for many additional countres in an ongoing effort to combat illegal immigration, crime, security concerns, and passport and identity fraud.  Visas are now required by nationals from more than one hundred countries outside the EU.  The new visa rules have already gone into force for visitors coming from Venezuela and Bolivia. 
 
Phil Woolas, the Border and Immigration Minister was quoted as saying

“’Already our shake-up of border security is delivering results, with fingerprint visas helping us catch thousands of people trying to hide their true identity or a criminal past…”

For more information on this report, visit the UK Border Agency website.

EU Telecoms Commissioner, Viviane Reding made the following statement:

“From today, all Europeans making calls or sending texts with their mobiles can experience the EU’s single market without borders. The roaming-rip off is now coming to an end thanks to the determined action of the European Commission, the European Parliament and all 27 EU Member States.

I expect the new EU roaming rules to make it much cheaper to surf the web on your mobile while abroad in the EU. For now, EU rules are limited to reducing inter-operator charges. I call on the mobile industry to pass these savings on to data roaming customers swiftly. The Commission and national regulators will monitor data roaming charges very carefully and assess next year whether the roaming market is finally becoming competitive.”

To read more about this long-awaited development as well as review the new rates and caps click here.

If you will be in the U.S. for the 4th be sure to find a place to join in the celebrations. This year will be special because the Statue of Liberty’s crown re-opens to visitors.  What better way to celebrate Independence Day than with a giant firework display in New York City, singing the patriotic Star Spangled Banner!  This video was taken during the 2008 Independence Day celebrations:

Note that new rules are in place for those travelling to the U.S. under the Visa-Waiver program.  As of January 12, 2009 it became mandatory for visitors to register online with ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) at least 72 hours prior to travel.  This is very important especially as it appears from media reports that many travellers are still unaware of the new requirement and some have been denied entry into the U.S. for failing to register.  Also, be aware that travel insurance does not normally cover any claims or financial losses related to failure to obtain the necessary visas!

Visit our Travel Guide for the United States and follow the FCO link for updated country advice for the USA provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office - which also includes more information about the ESTA program.

If you have been considering a trip across the Channel to Europe this summer perhaps this good news will help seal the deal.  Obviously the French restaurant trade is hoping the tax cut will help lure visitors back to France, despite the euro exchange rate.  The tax is being cut from 19.6 percent to 5.5 percent so it should make a noticeable difference to the final bill for meals in cafes and restaurants, although the cut does not extend to alcohol. 

This good news should also help boost interest in skiing at French resorts in the Alps for next season, along with the availability of cheap ski insurance.

Visit our Travel Guide for France and, if going by car through the tunnel or by ferry, be sure to read upon the current laws for driving in France and other countries in Europe, as there have been some changes. Look on the page for the link for the FCO ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign for important and updated advice from the Foreign Office. 

Don’t forget to apply for your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you don’t have one, or check the date to make sure it is still valid.  However, remember that the EHIC is not a substitute for full travel insurance. 

Don’t take a chance and drive across to Europe without the protection of European vehicle breakdown cover, or motorcycle travel insurance – check out our cheap rates.  What else can we add but Bon voyage et bon chance!

The race comprises 21 stages (mountain, flat, time-trial) and covers a total distance of 3,500 km (2,200 miles) which normally takes 23 days.  Although the course varies from year to year, it has in recent years traditionally finished along the Champs-Élysées (Elysian fields) in Paris.

This year the riders will follow a route which takes them through six countries.  Following the start in Monaco, they continue along the south of France to Barcelona, Andorra, back into France, and into Switzerland and Italy before the 20th gruelling Ventoux mountain stage leading to what promises to be a dramatic finish in Paris.  Prize money for the winning team totals over three million euros, with 450,000 euros going to the overall winning rider.  Looking ahead, the Tour moves to Rotterdam in 2010.

Most visitors to Monaco arrive at the Nice Cote d’Azur International Airport and travel the short distance to Monaco (approx. 40 minutes by public bus, 25 mins by train).  Visitors are reminded that although the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid throughout many countries in Europe, it is not valid in Monaco.   If you plan to visit Europe it is highly recommended that you take out separate travel insurance. (Note the EHIC is not a substitute for full travel insurance). 

Visit our Travel Guide to Europe for more information and click on FCO Country Advice for Europe, or individual countries, for important and updated travel advice from the Foreign Office.   If taking the car or motorcycle across to Europe be sure to take out vehicle breakdown cover or motorcycle travel insurance and read up on any changes to the rules of the road.

Visit the Tour de France website for more informatiion.