The trial runs from today, Monday, 15 March until Monday, 22 March 2010. 

The trial is currently for customers of Orange and T-Mobile with +44 numbers as a way to provide information to British nationals travelling abroad.

The messages will be in the form of a greeting, providing details on how to contact the closest British Consulate or Embassy in Turkey or Egypt.  Those who receive the message do not need to respond, but the FCO asks that the numbers are stored in case needed. 

The FCO chose Turkey and Egypt for the trial as they are popular holiday sun destinations for Brits.  According to the FCO, the text service is not intended as a replacement for any of the services currently offered, and it does not make available any additional services other than those normally provided.  For the FCO website click here.

Don’t forget to take out travel insurance before leaving on your trip!

Clickr cc Image:  kiwanja

According to the FCO report, four out of ten young people travel without insurance, one in ten admits to having been hospitalised when travelling abroad, one in five admits to having run out of money overseas (through lack of planning), and one in four admitted they did not research their destination prior to travelling.

The new interactive toolkit is an aid for Personal, Social and Health Education teachers (PSHE) to help students plan for their first independent travel experience.  The toolkit is available at www.fco.gov.uk/schools.  The material includes information relating to vaccinations, financial planning, where to go for help in an emergency, and the importance of travel insurance.

Although it is very important to take out travel insurance - it is perhaps even more important to make sure that the correct policy is purchased.  Remember to check that all planned activities are covered by the policy.  In case you did not know, the cost of medical evacuation (repatriation) from the US to the UK could cost a frightening £45,000.  The toolkit also explains the potential consequences of drinking excessive alcohol, or being under the influence, and ignorance of local laws and customs (perhaps ending up in jail). 

Neglecting to research and prepare for a trip overseas could have devastating consequences.  Travellers of all ages should check with the FCO ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign for the latest country travel advice before going overseas. 

Many young people apparently have the misguided idea that travelling without insurance is ‘cool’ but the reality is far from that.  It is decidedly uncool to end up in a foreign hospital, faced with huge medical bills and the cost of emergency repatriation, which could financially cripple the traveller and/or their family.

Travel insurance is too important to just pick the cheapest one you find on a comparison website and hope for the best.  Check the levels of cover and ensure that all planned activities are covered.  We are the first to admit that insurance policies can be confusing, so if you are unsure about anything - call and ask. 

Here at Travel Insurance Direct we are happy to take calls and address any questions or concerns.  Our Backpacker Travel Insurance starts from just 20p per day - obtain a quote here.

Your mother may be as good a cook as the late, great, Julia Child but this is one day of the year when Mum should be given a break from kitchen duties and taken out or invited over and treated.  Here is Julia Child (recently celebrated in the film Julie and Julia) in one of her famous clips (apologies to vegetarians):

Mother’s Day is celebrated on different dates throughout the world so if your mother lives in another country check the date and mark it on your calendar so that you don’t forget.  

The majority of countries celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, which is May 9 in 2010, including the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Italy and South Africa.  France celebrates on May 30 in 2010. 

If you have left it until the last minute it may be too late to send a card or have flowers delivered, but at least pick up the phone and make a call to let that special person in your life know that she is not forgotten.  

Note:  If you are checking Mother’s Day dates online we’d recommend checking several sites as we found a lot of erroneous information!

For a travel insurance quote click here.   Safe travels!

March 11-14 - WGC – CA Championship
Doral Golf Resort and Spa, Florida, USA

April 8-11 - Masters Tournament
Augusta National, Georgia, USA

May 20-23 - BMW PGA Championship
Wentworth Club, Surrey, England

June 17-20 - U.S. Open
Pebble Beach, California, USA

July 15-18 - 139th British Open
R&A (Royal and Ancient), St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland

August 12-15 - U.S. PGA Championship
Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wisconsin

October 1-3 - Ryder Cup
The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, Wales

November 4-7 WGC - HSBC Champions
Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, China

November 25-28 - Dubai World Championship
Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE

We don’t mean to leave out the ladies - the Ladies European Tour ends in Dubai on December 8-11.

Golf cover can be added to your travel insurance policy upon payment of an additional premium.  Cover includes lost, stolen or damaged equipment; golf hire in the event that your golf equipment is delayed or misdirected, and pre-paid green fees.  See the policy for details, or give us a call.

To obtain a Travel Insurance quote for seniors click here.  If you plan to mix your next business trip with a little golf click here for business travel insurance.

This is the Year of the Tiger in Chinese Astrology but, ironically, it doesn’t seem to be a great year for Tiger Woods, so far…

Flickr cc Image:  tiarescott  (St. Andrews 18th hole marker)

The race schedule roars into action with the ‘2010 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix’ from the Sakhir Circuit, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, from 12-14 March.   Here’s a preview of the circuit to whet your appetite:

Bahrain International Airport is just north of the capital city, Manama. The Sakhir Circuit is 30 km SW of Manama (approx. 40 minutes drive) to the south.  Airport shuttle buses are available to take visitors to hotels and resorts.

Once in Bahrain, it is easy to get around by taxi, bus or rental car.  The island state of Bahrain is a lively place, with plenty of sun, sea and sand -so don’t forget to pack your sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses and carry drinking water with you.  Manama provides plenty to do, with exotic souqs, shopping malls, restaurants, clubs and discos.  Currency is the Bahraini Dinar. 

Visit our Travel Guide to Bahrain and follow the link for the Foreign Office (FCO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign for very important and updated travel advice.  For example, remember that it is a fairly conservative country and they have a dim view of drink-driving, and intoxication in general.  Be aware of the dress code and your behaviour in public.  Check to make sure that your passport will have at least six months’ validity remaining upon your arrival in Bahrain.

Emergency medical care in Bahrain can be expensive - and you will have to pay for it unless you have travel insurance.  We also offer competitive rates for Motorcycle travel insurance, as well as vehicle and motorcycle breakdown cover.

The race takes the mushers and their dogs through more than 1150 miles of some of the most challenging, wild and dangerous terrain to be found on earth.  Add to that the weather, with sub-zero temperatures and blizzards and it is a real test of human and canine endurance. 

The dog breeds used in the race are mainly gorgeous Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies.  If you read Jack London’s ‘The Call of  the Wild’ or ‘White Fang’ (or saw the movie) your imagination may have been captured by this harsh, yet magical world.

The Iditarod trail takes the sled teams in a north-west direction from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska.  The mushers, with their teams of anything from 12-16 dogs, normally complete the race in 10-17 days. 

The race trail alternates between odd years and even years.  During odd years, the route takes the teams on a detour to the south and through different towns, including the old ghost town of Iditarod.   As this is an even year they will take the northern route.  For more information visit www.iditarod.com.

If the sight of all this snow gets your heart thumping then perhaps you haven’t had enough of winter yet…  Why not take in another ski trip before the snow melts? Don’t forget the all-important ski insurance. 

(Note:  No matter which ski insurance policy you decide to purchase, remember to check the terms and conditions before engaging in any potentially hazardous activities so that you know what’s covered - and the levels of cover).

Don’t miss out because this tournament is only held every four years.  The action kicks off on 9 September 2011.  The tournament lasts for six weeks and it is anticipated that thousands of UK fans will travel out to support their teams. 

The venues for the matches are spread out between many different locations on the North and South Islands, so this affords a fantastic opportunity to really see and experience New Zealand.  The quarter-final matches will be held in Wellington and Christchurch, and the semi-finals and final in Auckland. 

Tickets go on sale to the general public for individual matches in three phases, beginning in April 2010. For more information, and the match schedule, visit the official website www.rugbyworldcup.com.

If you need to research travel to New Zealand, visit our Travel Guide and follow the link for the Foreign Office (FCO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign for important and updated travel advice.  

Don’t risk a penalty by neglecting to take out travel insurance for your trip - obtain a low cost quote here!

Flickr cc Image:  theedinburghblog.co.uk

Although it is not a public holiday, most residents of Wales and those living in Welsh communities throughout the world celebrate their patron saint, St. David, and their Welsh culture.

If you happen to notice anyone wearing a leek or daffodil and wonder why…  It is a tradition  on St. David’s Day to pin these Welsh symbols on clothing, wear costumes and hold parties or parades.  Welsh flags (red dragon on a green and white background) are also displayed by many Welsh people.

Among the many things that Wales is famous for is the long, tongue-twisting name of a town in North Wales, which is believed to be one of the longest in the world:

‘Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch’

Trying to pronounce it, however, may be asking a bit more than most of us can cope with on a Monday morning. 

Wishing a Happy St. David’s Day to all our Welsh friends out there!

For a travel insurance quote click here.

Flickr cc Image: IH (40)

In response to the devastating 8.8 earthquake that hit Chile on Saturday, Google has activated a new app to help friends and relatives find each other.  Here is the link:  chilepersonfinder.

The format is simple, with the options:  ‘I’m looking for someone’ or ‘I have information about someone’ which is available in both Spanish and English.  The service has already been used to track thousands of records following the quake in Chile.   Google also activated a ‘people finder’ app following the Haiti earthquake, which contains thousands of records. 

We really have come a long way with all the new technology available to us these days.  There are so many terrific advantages with access to the Internet and search engines, and social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. 

On Saturday, following the quake in Chile, a missing relative in Santiago was located with the help of another user on Twitter.  She used the Twitter search function and hashtags (#chile, #earthquake, etc.) and her tweet was retweeted and seen by someone who was able to help.  When catastrophes strike and telephone landlines are down, social networking is proving to have a very valuable place in our lives, allowing us to be pro-active in seeking and providing help - and freeing up emergency services to get on with their important work.

GPS tracking technology on mobile phones has also helped to locate hikers, climbers and skiers lost or injured in the mountains.  There was an instance when a snowboarder was lost in the Alps and subsequently rescued and saved because a tweet he sent resulted in his position being located via GPS, his iPhone and Google Maps. 

Obviously, carrying a mobile phone or smart phone with you when travelling is a very good idea, and could even save your life.  However, even with all the new technology available out there, it is still important to take out travel insurance to help pick up the pieces if your plans go awry.

Flickr cc Image:  mckaysavage

The British Foreign Office (FCO) has advised that it is in touch with the embassy in Santiago but communications are not reliable.  The FCO is advising against all but essential travel to the regions of Biobio, Maule and Araucan, including the capital city, Santiago, and the city of Concepcion, near Chillan.  Santiago airport is closed at the time of writing and communications are down in many areas. 

The British Embassy in Chile is unable to receive phone calls at present and British nationals in Chile are advised to follow advice issued by local authorities. 

Those who need assistance or are concerned about someone in the affected areas should phone the Foreign Office in London on:  +44 207 008 0000.

Tsunami warnings are in effect for many Pacific coastal areas, including Easter Island, and evacuation of many areas is underway.  British nationals on Easter Island are advised to follow directions given by local authorities.

Check the FCO website for updated advice and information as it becomes available.