EHIC Confusion Continues...

The confusion surrounding the use of EHIC cards abroad has still not been tackled with around 1 in 9 travellers to Europe believed they would be covered for Private as well as State cover when they tried to use it abroad.

In recent research by The Post Office, over half of the people who had used their card abroad had run into trouble that cost them money, most commonly in Spain and France.

According to the research 60% of Brits hold an EHIC card, but over a quarter of them don't know what it is or what it can be used for...

The Card is valid in the EEA, not just the European Union and entitles the holder to State Funded health care in the country the traveller is in. In some cases this treatment can be free, but in most cases medical care is offered at a reduced cost, yet only a third of those questioned understood that they may have to make a contribution to their treatment.

The EHIC card should certainly be used as part of your Travel Insurance in Europe, but travellers who venture abroad are taking huge risks of high medical expenses.

Please check out our other posts on this subject, but ensure you have adequate insurance alongside the card.

EHIC

EHIC Update

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Data Roaming Charges - Again

Image copyrightAFP

Extra costs of using a mobile phone in countries across the EU are to be scrapped, MEPs have agreed, after years of negotiations.

The ban on data roaming charges from 15 June 2017 has received a final green light in the European Parliament.

Roaming charges are added by mobile operators for calls, texts and internet browsing when phone users are abroad.

An interim cap on charges will take effect from 30 April next year, prior to the full ban across the EU.

That means telecoms operators will be able to add a surcharge of no more than:

• €0.05 (3.5p) extra per minute for calls
• €0.02 extra per SMS sent 
• €0.05 extra per megabyte of data used

The cap would make roaming within the EU 75% cheaper during the interim period, the European Commission has said.

Some 665 MEPs voted in favour of the deal. 

Bill shock

Image copyrights

The aim of the ban, in part, is to prevent consumers being caught out by huge bills when downloading films or other data during their European holidays.

There have been a number of cases when mobile users have been landed with bills for hundreds of euros or pounds.

From 15 June 2017, users within the EU will be charged the same as they would in their home country. 

Critics of the ban suggest the loss of revenue for mobile phone companies could push up prices in general, including prices for non-travellers. 

There have been lengthy negotiations between EU officials and the mobile phone operators over the plans, which are also tied into proposals affecting how internet traffic is managed.

Yet there has been some opposition to the move in the European Parliament, partly for political reasons after the UK government used the proposals as evidence for supporting EU membership.

This was the final vote on the matter, as the majority of member states have already provisionally agreed to the plan.

For Travel Insurance Quotes, click HERE

When Things Go Wrong

This is A great article from The Telegraph....

The summer holidays are upon us. I’m assuming you have bought your travel insurance, booked your airport parking, checked-in for your flight, ordered your euros and have remembered your tickets and passport. I also assume that you don’t need any help in having a good time. It’s when things go wrong that they risk ruining your holiday. So here is our guide to sorting them out. 

Cancellations and delays 

If your flight is cancelled, European Union regulations require airlines to offer you either a full refund of the unused parts of your tickets, or to re-route you to your destination, as soon as possible. The airline is also liable to pay for the cost of a hotel and subsistence for all those stranded as a result, until a replacement flight is provided. 

If your airline advises you to buy your own food and accommodation, keep all receipts, and keep such costs to a reasonable minimum, before making a claim when you get back to Britain. Your insurance policy may also pay out a small amount for very long delays (usually over 12 hours), but not usually enough to pay for more than a meal or two. In addition to this, if you are flying on an airline based in an EU member state you are entitled to compensation of at least 250 euros if your flight is delayed by more than three hours and the delay is the airline’s fault (this includes some technical problems). Compensation is not payable for delays caused by outside factors such as bad weather, security issues or air traffic control strikes or congestion. 

Missed departure

If you miss your ferry, train or flight through no fault of your own - perhaps your car or the bus or train you were travelling in broke down - your travel insurance policy will normally cover the extra cost of onward travel. You’ll need supporting evidence such as a receipt for roadside assistance or repair work on your car, or confirmation of delay from the public transport company. It’s vital too to contact your airline or ferry company and explain that you missed the flight, otherwise the return leg might be cancelled automatically. 

Lost Luggage

If your baggage doesn’t turn up on the carousel when you arrive report it straight away, before you leave the baggage hall. Ask for a property irregularity report (PIR) and record the details of what you have lost. If you can’t get one (because there is no one at the airport desk, for example) you are still entitled to claim but it is much more straightforward with a PIR. You should then write to the airline, enclosing the a copy of the PIR, within seven days of the flight. 

If there’s no sign of your bag after three weeks, it will be declared lost, but if your bag is returned to you even only a couple of days after arrival on the outbound flight, airlines are still obliged to cover costs of “essential items” such as toiletries and clothing to tide you over in the meantime. This terminology is unhelpfully vague, so ask the airline what its policy is and keep receipts for anything you buy. Compensation policy varies: it can be an upfront cash payment, a fixed daily budget, or remittance once your claim and receipts have been submitted. This must be done within 21 days of recovering a delayed bag. Airlines will often suggest you claim on your travel insurance. Depending on your policy, you may get a higher level of cover this way (the maximum payout from an airline is around £1,000). But check your insurer’s excess charge and small print first - some policies provide minimal or no cover for luggage while in the care of an airline. 

Hire car issues

Such is the dysfunctional nature of the car hire market at present, this could be the most stressful experience of your trip. First rule at peak times is to get ahead in the queue by sending one of your party to go straight through customs rather than wait for the baggage. Second is to be alert to all the potential sales pitches and pitfalls. Here is a summary checklist: 

* Research the insurance excess and the cost of waiving it. It is usually cheaper to buy a policy in the UK before your leave, rather than pay on arrival. 

* Check the fuel policy - are you being charged for a full tank and so are expected to return it empty for example, or will a re-filling charge be levied if you don’t return it full? 

* Inspect your car carefully and report and photograph any damage before your drive it away. 

* Photograph all sides of the car when you return it so you have clear evidence of the condition it was in. 

Effective complaining

The most common cause of complaints on holiday is accommodation. Usually you know as soon as you arrive whether there is a problem, but whenever it crops up, the key thing is to let the operator, agent, hotelier or villa owner know straightaway as soon as you are aware of an issue. After all, they may not realise something has gone wrong, and may be delighted to help. And if you don’t give them the chance to sort things out, your chances of compensation at a later date will be undermined. 

Your rights depend on two key principles - the accommodation must be safe, and it must match what you were promised in the brochure or booking website. Referring to this will help make your point. Do, however, keep a sense of perspective. How bad is it really? Are you blowing a small thing out of proportion? 

If you do feel genuinely aggrieved, still try to hang on to that sense of perspective. If you are perceived as having been calm and reasonable, you are also much more likely to resolve the situation before it starts to spoil your holiday. Confrontation is probably counter-productive. It’s a good idea to get the most conciliatory member of your party to negotiate - at least at first. 

If there is a serious problem which is not satisfactorily resolved, keep written, photographic and video evidence, and, if possible contact details of any witnesses. This could be absolutely crucial if you have to take your case to court or arbitration. 

Police problems

If you are arrested or in desperate straits, British citizens should turn to the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate. There is a limit to what they can do, but they will endeavour to represent your interests and put you in touch with legal help. 

Lost passport

You’ll need to visit the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate (see above) - phone in advance. You must report the loss (government website here), and take an “emergency travel document application form” (from here), a passport photo, proof of your travel plans and a police report, if your passport was stolen. There is a non-refundable fee of £95 (often covered by travel insurance policies) and if your case is straightforward you may receive a replacement on the same day. The emergency travel document will allow you to leave the country you’re in and get to your destination via up to five countries (which must be named on your itinerary) within a specified time. 

Insurance claims

Travel insurance policies cover quite a few eventualities, but two areas attract by far the highest number of claims:

Loss or theft: When claiming be aware that there will a time limit within which a loss or theft has to be reported to the police - usually 24 hours. The key thing is to ensure you get a copy of a police report confirming the loss or crime. If you lose money you may need to produce cash withdrawal slips or receipts. 

Medical claims: once any immediate emergencies have been dealt with, and excepting minor claims for more routine visits to a GP, it’s vital to contact the assistance line given on your policy. They will assess your case, authorise and organise treatment and, normally, settle bills directly. To back up any claims, keep proof of purchase of any medicine or treatment. 

Potential pitfalls: Policies usually specify an excess charge (typically £50) on most claims, but some will waive this on medical claims in Europe if you have an EHIC card (available free from here). And there are plenty of exclusions which it's as well to be aware of before you travel. Valuables left unattended in a car, in a hotel room or on the beach may not be covered, and all sorts of activities may be proscribed - including the sort of thing that you might organise on the spur of the moment without thinking about insurance cover, such as horse-riding, white-water rafting, parascending etc. 

For Free Travel Insurance Information and quotes, click HERE

Language

A few words about getting it wrong on Holiday....

It's all very well learning a bit of the local lingo, but be sure your efforts don't end up getting you in trouble by avoiding these easy-to-make (and potentially offensive) errors. 

Spanish

Vegetarians need to be particularly careful when ordering a soy burger in a restaurant. This is the first person verb form of “to be” in Spanish, so you could be telling the waiter, “I am a burger.” 

If a Spanish friend says she’s embarazada, be careful with giving her pity and comfort. This word means to be pregnant, not embarrassed. And if she complains of molestar on the tram, don’t call the police. It means to bother, not to sexually assault. 

Turkish

Though Turkish people are famously friendly, be careful with a casual hiya, as it sounds the same as the Turkish word for testicles. 

If a restaurant has Tuna in its name, don’t assume that it’s a seafood spot. This is a popular male name in Turkey, and translates to “Danube.” Don’t order a peach-flavoured drink, as “peach” sounds like Turkish slang for a person born out of wedlock. Also, know that bir is Turkish for “one,” so when ordering a pint, just saying “beer” won’t cut it. 

French

It's worth remembering if you find yourself at the zoo that you may well hear children discussing a phoque. It’s French for seal. 

When negotiating in French, don’t take offence if the opponent says demande. In French, this simply means to request, and doesn’t take the more aggressive English meaning of “demand.” Likewise if they say they are déçevoir, it means they feel disappointed, not deceived, and if they proclaim a réalisation, it means a completion or accomplishment, not an epiphany. 

Portuguese

In a Portuguese-speaking country, be careful when giving compliments – esquisito means strange, not exquisite. And don't worry if a friend tells you that she’s constipação – it means she’s feeling cold, not constipated. 

Norwegian 

When clothes shopping in Norway, remember that a dress is a man’s suit, not a women’s garment. At breakfast, if you order juice made of appelsin, you’ll receive a glass of orange juice, not apple. Don’t ask for coffee in a mugg, as this means mildew or mould. And when getting directions in Norway, bring a map. Gate means “street” in Norwegian, and port means “gate.” 

Russian 

Travelling in Russia isn't always easy, but if the hotel staff call you a Lunatik (лунатик) they're referring to your sleepwalking habit, not calling you insane. And if you need to call for service, don't ask for the Operator (Оператор), or they will put a cameraman on the line. 

Should you dine out at a restaurant, be careful when ordering Kovyor (ковёр), since it means a carpet, not roe. And if there’s a noisy child seated beside you, calling him a brat (брат) won’t help. In Russian, this means brother. 

Swedish

Be careful when paying compliments to the chef after a Smörgåsbord. Fulmeans ugly in Swedish, not full. If you really, really enjoyed it – to the point of feeling positively affectionate – know that kissa means to urinate, and lustig means humorous, not lusty. And don't be surprised if the conversation ends with the word slut – it means “end” in Swedish.

For a Full English translation of Holiday Travel Insurance, click HERE

Lisbon

Lisbon

I was fortunate enough to find myself in the pretty City of Lisbon last December. A full moon, a mild, quiet evening and music and Christmas everywhere, we only spent a few hours in the City, but were so impressed we would recommend it to anyone.

Why go?

For the simple charm and maritime magic of a vintage-era Southern European capital.

In the summer months, Lisbon swelters under a cerulean blue dome. ‘A praia’ (to the beach) sings out from the city’s sun-kissed, begonia blossomed streets as surf boards are stacked on top of cars and everyone makes for the beachy ‘burbs of Cascais and Estoril – 20 minutes drive from the city-centre. The aim being to cool off in the frosty Atlantic, get some sand between their toes, and tuck into the seaside classic of a plate of garlicky ameijoas (clams) washed down with a tumbler of brain-freeze cold lager.

Set against the ever-present backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, this dainty sun-kissed city lives in a Latin fairytale of timeworn manners and traditions.

Just check out the century-old wooden trams and iron funiculars that still lurch and rumble their way among the seven steep hills over which this city lies. Or witness the best of this bygone heritage by wandering through the Baixa district, where age-old herbalists, haberdashers and tailors rub shoulders in the baroque streets of the ornate city centre.

Meander up one of Lisbon’s loftiest hills to the Moorish Alfama neighbourhood, where sunset-amber walls and dusty lanes orbit the Arabic-cum-medieval castle that looms, omnipresent, over the terracotta rooftops of the city below. At the imperial Belém waterfront, Portugal’s “Age of Discoveries” is celebrated in the form of a lavish monastery and dazzling river-facing statues, built with the coin of one of the most ostentatious colonial empires in history.

For Lisboetas (natives of Lisbon) today, excess is largely channelled into nocturnal activities, making the city a libertine’s dream. A night on the (azulejo) tiles always starts in the bar-filled cobbled lanes of boho Bairro Alto. It inevitably peaks to the dawn chorus of Euro house on the sundeck of one of the city’s immense river-facing warehouse clubs. Should sore heads make sightseeing a chore, skip it and laze away the day on the nearby Atlantic-battered beaches. Just 30 minutes drive from the city centre, wild stretches such as Guincho, Adraga and Grande curl out around the surrounding coast, making Lisbon one of the best city/beach-combo destinations in Europe.

When to go

Rarely too hot or cold, Lisbon is a year-round destination. The first buds of spring usually appear around late February while the last puffs of the Sahara-warmed winds keep the mercury high well into November. Much of the city shuts down in August, when many restaurants and bars close and locals escape the steamy city for the cooler Atlantic shores.

Know before you go

Essential contacts

British Embassy: 00 351 21 392 4000; Rua de São Bernardo 33. Open Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm and 2.30pm-5.30pm

Emergency services: dial 112

Lisbon Tourist Office: 00 351 21 031 2819; visitlisboa.com, Praça do Comércio.

In the summer months, everyone makes for the beachy ‘burbs of Cascais and Estoril.

The basics

Currency: Euro.

Telephone code: dial 00 351 for Portugal, then 21 for Lisbon, when telephoning from the UK

Time difference: None.

Flight time: London to Lisbon is just over two hours.

Local laws and etiquette

If driving, you must have a fluorescent bib in the car. It’s to be put on should you break down on a busy road and need to be visible to other motorists – and it’s a legal requirement.

For Travel Insurance quotes click HERE

The Cheapest European Breaks

Vilnius

The Lithuanian capital came top in Post Office Travel Money’s City Costs Barometer, which covers 26 European cities. The average cost of a weekend break here totalled just £100.04 – less than half the calculated cost of a stay in Paris (£262.39) or Rome (£276.83).

The most expensive Eurozone city was Amsterdam at £288.66, while Stockholm was found to be the continent’s most expensive city overall, with an average cost of £311.01.

The Barometer based its findings on the price of two nights’ three-star accommodation, airport transfers, a three-course evening meal for two with wine, drinks, sightseeing, and transport in the city.

Six of the 10 cheapest destinations were in Eastern Europe, with Riga offering the cheapest accommodation, at £36, coming third for overall cost. The most expensive, in Amsterdam, was £174.

The Lithuanian capital came top in Post Office Travel Money’s City Costs Barometer, which covers 26 European cities. The average cost of a weekend break here totalled just £100.04 – less than half the calculated cost of a stay in Paris (£262.39) or Rome (£276.83).

The most expensive Eurozone city was Amsterdam at £288.66, while Stockholm was found to be the continent’s most expensive city overall, with an average cost of £311.01.

The Barometer based its findings on the price of two nights’ three-star accommodation, airport transfers, a three-course evening meal for two with wine, drinks, sightseeing, and transport in the city.

Six of the 10 cheapest destinations were in Eastern Europe, with Riga offering the cheapest accommodation, at £36, coming third for overall cost. The most expensive, in Amsterdam, was £174

Top 10 cheapest European city breaks

Prague, in seventh place overall, remains cheapest for dining out. Visitors can expect to pay £23.94 for a three-course meal for two with wine.

UK cities surveyed ranked towards the more expensive end of the scale, though they were among the best value for sightseeing as entry is free to major museums and galleries.

1. Vilnius, Lithuania: £100.04

2. Budapest, Hungary: £119.77

3. Riga, Latvia:  £120.39

4. Tallinn, Estonia: £131.28

5. Athens, Greece: £131.35

6. Dubrovnik, Croatia: £139.83

7. Prague, Czech Republic: £141.24

8. Lisbon, Portugal: £141.37

9. Krakow, Poland: £144.96

10. Strasbourg, France: £169.60

11. Madrid, Spain: £179.94

12. Berlin, Germany: £179.95

13. Istanbul, Turkey: £182.91

14. Vienna, Austria: £184.84

15. Brussels, Belgium: £193.14

16. Belfast, Northern Ireland: £198.10

17. Edinburgh, Scotland: £210.75

18. Dublin, Ireland: £238.99

19. Venice, Italy: £240.51

20. Barcelona, Spain: £242.97

21. Paris, France: £261.39

22. London, England: £266.65

23. Copenhagen, Denmark: £269.78

24. Rome, Italy: £276.83

25. Amsterdam, Netherlands: £288.66

26. Stockholm, Sweden: £311.01

A Timely Reminder......

.....A reminder before you start booking your holidays and before you depart....from The Foreign Office...

* Get a good guidebook and find out about your destination. Especially make sure you know about local laws and customs

* Tell family and friends where you're going and leave them your contact details or use an online storage centre with secure access

* Note the details of the nearest British Embassy or Consulate. In the event of any major crisis, the FO provide advice and updates - see the web addresses at the end of this piece.

Insurance

*Get Comprehensive Travel Cover, for example, with Holsure, and check it covers all the activities that you want to undertake. Make sure your policy covers:
Air Ambulance
All Medical Bills
Any Pre-Existing Conditions
Any Potentially Hazardous Sports Activities
Bringing A Body Home in the event of death
Replacing and/or transporting your car home

Stay Healthy

Check what vaccinations you need
Check any medication you take is legal in the country you're going to. Pack it in hand luggage
Take a copy of the prescription with you - and maybe a Doctor's letter
Make sure you take your EHIC card if travelling in Europe

Passports and Visas

Check your passport is valid. Some airlines and operators may require a minimum of six months remaining at return date. Make a note of your passport number, or better still take a photocopy and leave it with a friend or add it to your secure message centre online.

Make sure next of kin is noted on your passport.
Check with the FO website to see if you need a visa
Take another means of ID as well as your passport (Driving Licence) and keep it separate

KEEP THESE SECURE AT ALL TIMES

Drugs

Avoid any involvement with all illegal drugs - the penalties are severe and could include the death penalty.

Don't carry parcels or luggage through customs for other people.

Money

Make sure you have enough for emergencies
Find out if Travellers Cheques are appropriate for your destination and keep the numbers recorded.
Check the expiry dates of credit and debit cards
Use a money belt or secure inside pocket. Do not openly display cash
Don't carry all your cards with you all the time
If any cash, passports etc are stolen - ALWAYS report to the police as you will need a number to claim back from your travel insurance.

Consular Assistance

Make a note of the local British Consulate number - they will always help in times of need

Safety

As in the UK, be alert and observant, report any suspicious activity or unattended packages to the police. You can call 121 in any European Country.

BE SAFE AND ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY, YOU'VE PROBABLY WORKED HARD FOR IT.

FOREIGN OFFICE WEBSITE
HOLSURETRAVEL INSURANCE

Cheap Breaks? Try Warsaw

While many dream of a no-expense-spared five star trip, few can actually afford one. That is unless you travel to Warsaw, which has recently been revealed as the cheapest European city for a luxury break.

A night in a top hotel in the Polish capital costs on average £84 a night, while London, Florence and Paris, unsurprisingly, are the most expensive, according to travel website kayak.co.uk.

It pays to head east when looking for a bargain as Thessaloniki and Bucharest are two cities where a five star experience will cost an average of £87 and £98 respectively. This is in sharp contrast to staying in Florence, Europe’s second most expensive city for luxury, where a stay in its Belmond Villa San Michele starts at £632.

London is the continent’s priciest city - its famous five star hotels, including the Ritz, the Savoy and Claridges, cost on average £321. A night at The Berkeley costs £750, the equivalent of 11 nights at Domotel Les Lazaristes in Thessaloniki, where prices begin at £67. Elsewhere in the UK, Edinburgh is the second most expensive place to stay - prices for a five star hotel cost £211.

If you're travelling to Europe, don't forget your travel insurance - click HERE for great prices.

Reasons To Buy Travel Insurance - Part Two

Loss of documents or cash needn't be a trial, while you're away

Following on from our intermittent articles elaborating upon the reasons not to skimp on your Travel Insurance costs, here are four more reasons which may give you thought....

Personal Accident

I'm afraid that this is just another one of those areas none of us like to consider, yet time and agian we all hear stories of mishaps that happen to unfortunate travellers while away from home, the safety net offered by the NHS and the comfort of our friends and families. Loss of limbs, sight and even life can all leave devastation in their path and while compensation won't change the outcome of the events it may help the recovery or grief of you or your family.

Lost Luggage

Haven't we all had the nightmare of arriving at our destination, only to find that our baggage is on another continent? Or Worse - Stolen! With Travel Insurance, you can be compensated for the loss, and some policies will even cover you replacing lost clothes at your holiday destination.

Lost Documents

It's a hard enough truth to discover that you've lost your passports, tickets or other vital documents - but then to find that you have to pay for them all again.....while you're abroad....

Money

Being robbed, mugged or careless while on holiday needn't be a trial. With a good policy you can be fully covered for the loss and your holiday need not be totally ruined by your misfortune.

More to follow, but please check our website for more Travel Insurance information HERE

Hotel Wi-Fi

According to The Telegraph, Britain's hotels are among the worst in Europe when it comes to providing free Wi-Fi.

Free connection to the net is available these days in most cafés and bars on the high street and even fast food outlets have free internet availability, yet the UK lags behind the rest of Europe when it comes to hotel access. Of the 10 worst cities offering free Wi-Fi, three are in the Uk. Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester offer lower than average free availability, with the latter's hotels only offering 64% availability. 

With charges as high as £6 per hour or £20 for 24 hours, it seems that we Brits are still not vocal enough in our dissatisfaction with theses fees. 

Costs to set up Wi-Fi can range from £10 a month for smaller properties to around £300 per month for a 100 room establishment, yet many of our UK firms (Premier Inn, Travelodge,) still charge and expect us and our European visitors to pay.

The ten best cities are in Sweden (top two and number 5), 2 in Turkey, 2 in Spain, 2 in France and St. Petersburg in Russia.

Of the top 10 worst cities, 5 are German, 2 are Swiss, 3 English and 1 is Italian. 

In the high tech age of iPads, Smart Phones and Lap Tops, travellers should check whether their hotel has free internet access before booking, this may make the hotels think twice before charging in future.

If you do have Free Wi-Fi, why not check out our website HERE

Reasons To Buy Travel Insurance Part One

It's an added expense and it's already worrying you how fast these costs for your annual holiday are rocketing. You feel that you need to cut some corners somewhere to make sure the kids can have all the fun you want them to have and that the wife and you can enjoy an evening in the restaurant without wondering whether you can afford a second bottle of wine.

But it's absolutely vital that Travel Insurance is NOT one of the corners you cut - and here are some timely reminders why.....

Cancellation

Circumstances can change. Illness, work, a posting (if you're in the forces, see our earlier article HERE) or, sadly, a death in the family are just a small handful of reasons why you may not be able to even start on your long planned break. You may have lost your holiday - but you won't have lost your money....

Curtailement

You may get to where you're going only to find that you can't stay due to some of the circumstances mentioned above, but with a comprehensive policy you should be able to regain the cost of the missed portion of vacation. Again, holiday lost - but not the money.

Medical 

Ok, so you have your EHIC card in Europe (see previous article HERE), but you're unwell and you're definitely going to need more help than an EHIC card will provide, and you'll certainly have problems securing medical attention if you're elsewhere in the world. Again, with a comprehensive Travel Policy your medical bills, medicines and even repatriation to the UK will be covered. Air Ambulances can cost between £15,000 and £40,000 depending where you are, so it's very easy to see how these costs can mount.

More reasons to look at Travel Insurance coming soon, but in the meantime, why not take a look at our website HERE

Dublin - The Craic!

Dublin's Fair City....

It's not often one returns from a hectic two day exhibition feeling exhilerated - usually the feelings are tired, worn out, weary and looking forward to a few days of catch up - yet after our trips to Ireland we always seem to be invigorated and ready to face the world again.

I suppose one could put this down to Guinness, perhaps the sea air from the crossing or the change being in another country brings. I think that we put it down to our friends from Ireland who always appear to be so pleased to see us, our acquaintances and fans who unfailingly make us feel welcome - and of course the Craic.

To borrow from Wiki:

"Craic" (/ʔkræk/ krak), or "crack", is a term for news, gossip, fun, entertainment, and enjoyable conversation, particularly prominent in Ireland.^[1][2][3] It is often used with the definite article – the craic.^[1] The word has an unusual history; the English crack was borrowed into Irish as craic in the mid-20th century and the Irish spelling was then reborrowed into English.^[1] Under either spelling, the term has great cultural currency and significance in Ireland.

I'm not at all sure about the word 'reborrowed' but that's Wikipedia for you.  Anyway, the sentiment is about right, it doesn't actually cover any one thing - it's about the whole deal, the entire package of friendship, company, food, drink, entertainment, ambiance (a mix of cultures, languages and etimology never did any harm - honest!) and atmosphere - or - the craic.

It's great that one word can cover a whole range of actions, feelings and environments but that's exactly what happened on our first evening back in Dublin after two years away. We met up with our friends at the Lemon Tree and immediately we were comfortable, deep in conversation with great drink and food instantly at hand and with a room full of friendly people, any one of whom we felt might interact with us at any time and in an equally friendly manner. It was an amazingly comfortable feeling. 

Only in Ireland though. I can rarely recall feeling that at ease in mixed company anywhere else; and even during the exhibition people would treat us as long list friends or family - even complete strangers. The Irish attitude is that we probably are all related anyway and with a surname like mine it's a given. I'm the Plastic Paddy though - an appellation I treasure, given to me years ago by some very dear friends. "Plastic" in this instance also means many things, a wannabe Irishman, a long, lost ancestor, third generation, English sounding, not really Irish, Kerryman. That's me - all of the above - but not the reason that Ireland is a wonderful country to visit. 

It's a beautiful place: flat rolling fields, heather covered mountains, water everywhere and a heritage that could take several lifetimes to explore. All this and wonderful bars where you're made to feel instantly at home, locals who make your welfare their concern and food delivered to the bar if you can't stagger to the restaurant. 

Directions that start with "Well.... You can't get there from here...", a stone that needs kissing if you're going to want the charm, a beer as black as night with a white foam head - yet a music culture second to none, art and dance as intriguing as any, a love of horses and horse racing and of all sport that is spoken of in hushed tones in pubs all over the country. 

We always look forward to our trips to Ireland, they're always different, yet always with the same result - a relaxed feeling of satisfaction and time well spent in good company, a feeling that you're liked - treasured even - and a longing to return.

I urge you all to try a trip to Ireland - by sea, or by air - for a weekend - for a fortnight; I promise you'll feel welcomed, loved, comfortable and relaxed - it's a beautiful, friendly place and it doesn't rain half as much as the Irish tell you it does - and when it does you don't notice because the bars are so welcoming.

For Travel Insurance for Europe and Worldwide, check our website HERE

Happy Birthday To The Channel Tunnel

Having lived in the South East from about the age of 12, I am very aware of the impact that the Channel Tunnel had on the local economy - thousands were employed during its creation - the local attitude and the mindset in the Dover and Folkestone area.

Many of my friends and family were employed in its construction and I remember the day the two tunnels - one from France and one from England - met. 

Now, of course it offers a cheap and exceptionally fast crossing to the continent - 35 minutes or so. It also offers a viable alternative for those who don't like ferries or sea crossings of any kind - and in the early days, a quick crossing to Cite Europe for duty free goods was a blessing around Christmas time.

Yet it is still not as cheap as some ferry crossings, with a car full of passengers, some ferry companies are still offering trips from as little as £60 return for all and with air flights ever more competitive the Tunnel has struggled to maintain its place as the most preferred channel hopping system.

But for speed and the avoidance of anything wet (other than the unpredictable English weather) it's still the best way to pop across the channel and many frequent travellers love its speed, its lack of long queueing and loading times. True you have to sit in your car on a train with no comforts other than a cramped toilet, true there are no views to be observed, no wild, windswept decks to stagger across and no bars full of drunk holiday revellers - in fact, no bars at all - yet the prospect of being in a foreign country in 35 minutes or so is an attraction in itself to many. Kids too, are less easily bored, less likely to wander and so, for families the tunnel remains a great alternative to airports and ferry ports.

Happy Birthday Tunnel - from the many who swear by you - not at you.

If you are thinking of popping over, check Holsure's web site for quotes for day trips or longer holidays HERE