When it comes to travel, a significant portion of it involves perception. A perception of fear can deter anyone from travel, just consider the fears from the past associated with SARS, the Ebola virus, or avian flu. Hundreds of thousands of people canceled their plans because of these viruses and the same seems to be happening again with the Zika virus.
The Zika virus should not deter you from traveling somewhere. Although it is imperative that you do your homework and talk with your physician about where you’re going and the risks involved, it’s also a matter of using some common sense. If you’re traveling somewhere like Brazil, for example, it’s best to stay away from their jungles and make sure you’ve got insect repellant with DEET of at least fifty percent or for a natural repellent, try Lemon Eucalyptus Oil.
As a precautionary measure, you’ll also want to make sure that the Zika virus is one of the conditions covered if you intend on purchasing travel insurance. Despite the fact that the World Health Organization has deemed the Zika virus a public health emergency, a number of travel insurance providers do not currently cover the condition. Future travelers should know however, that the travel medical plans provided by Trawick International do in fact include the Zika virus.
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.
By Administrator at 23 Jun 2016
A domestic flight with your child is one thing, but it can be significantly tougher if you’re planning on traveling abroad. It’s important to have the proper documentation for your child beyond the passport available, especially if only one parent is traveling.
The rules for children traveling internationally have become significantly more stringent around the world as a means of reducing kidnappings, illegal trafficking and disputes involving child custody. To prevent any issues, consider bringing along a copy of the child’s birth certificate. It may also be worth having a notarized note from the other parent clearly stating that the child is allowed to travel internationally. Unless the child is being accompanied by both parents, any child under the age of 18 must have a notarized permission note from both parents or proof of guardianship if the child is traveling with someone besides the parent.
If your child does not have a United States passport and is under the age of 14, proof of consent from both parents or the guardian must also be included in the passport application. Both parents should be physically present upon submitting the passport application but there is also the option of providing a notarized statement of permission should a parent be absent.
If you have international travel plans, you may also want to familiarize yourself with the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program. The program immediately alerts the parents of an abducted child if another application for a passport is initiated anywhere in the world.
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.
By Administrator at 22 Jun 2016
Traveling with your children already requires some degree of pre-planning to ensure as smooth and worry-free trip as possible, and this is even more important if you are the parent of a special needs child.
Prior to booking your flight, you may wish to find a book that you and your child can read together about airplane travel. This step can help your child understand what to expect once the departure day arrives and it can also help them cope if they are sensitive to crowded spaces or sudden changes.
As a complement to the book, check to see whether your local airport offers rehearsal flights so that your child can become acclimated with the process of going through the security checkpoints, having someone physically grab their bag, and sitting on a plane while under the restraint of a seatbelt. This process can also help you determine what seating arrangement(s) work best for your child.
If you have a long flight, you may wish to consider breaking it up and booking a stopover flight so both you and your child can rest and take a breather. Take into account what time your child is most relaxed when booking the flight and ensure that your seats remain together.
Always keep a list of the medications and your child’s healthcare provider information readily available when traveling in case of an unforeseen emergency. You may also want to consider having a medical necklace or bracelet made.
Finally, before traveling check the TSA website regarding information on special needs children. You may find useful information that will make the travel process easier.
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.
By Administrator at 21 Jun 2016
When traveling abroad, it’s critical to keep a close eye on your passport. While losing it or having it stolen is a major headache, it doesn’t mean you’re forced to remain within the county. Because there is always that risk of it being lost, you should always carry a photocopy of your passport or a digital picture as a means of proving your United States citizenship.
If you lose your passport and there is no copy available, head to the nearest United States consulate or embassy and report it to the consular section. Each country has a website you can visit to find out how to contact the consulate or embassy. In fact, you may wish to have this information readily available prior to leaving, especially if you don’t speak the local language.
Prior to heading to the embassy, find a place where you can have a new passport photo taken. This step will significantly speed up the process for you once you arrive at the embassy/consulate.
Upon arriving at the embassy or consulate, inform the officer that you’re the victim of a crime if your passport was in fact stolen and also let them know when you plan on leaving the country. This is particularly important if your departure date is within a couple of days so that there is a sufficient time available to receive a limited or full Validity Emergency Passport.
Keep in mind that you’ll still need to provide identification to receive your new passport. Besides the photo you should also have identification such as a driver’s license, your travel itinerary, and your passport application. Also keep in mind that you’ll still be required to pay the $140 fee to receive your new one.
If you receive a Limited Validity Passport due to immediate travel plans, remember that this passport will only serve to get you back into the United States. Upon returning home you’ll still need to return your emergency passport in order to receive your “full fledged” passport should you wish to travel abroad again.
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.
By Administrator at 15 Jun 2016
Not every trip means you’ll be unplugging. There are many of us who depend heavily on our cell phones to stay connected, to document our trips, or even when navigating around a foreign country where there may be a language barrier. With that in mind, it’s worth taking a look at some of the best travel apps currently available.
If you travel frequently, consider TripCase which can dramatically simplify your travel plans. You can keep track of multiple flights and hotel reservations in one central place instead of fumbling around with multiple apps. What’s more, you can easily allow your approved contacts to keep track of where you are, removing the need to constantly provide updates.
It can be a little intimidating when you arrive in a country where you don’t speak the language, but thanks to Bravolol, you’ve essentially got a portable Rosetta Stone in your pocket. Phonetic spelling is provided and the app will pronounce everything for you, perfect if you’re unfamiliar with an alphabet. Best of all, once you’ve downloaded a language you won’t have to depend on an Internet connection, which can often be costly in foreign countries.
Speaking of Internet connection, CityMaps2Go allows you to download entire maps for more than 7,000 destinations throughout the world. There are also articles and suggestions provided for many itineraries so you can prepare your own itinerary while you’re there.
While there are many apps available for currency conversion, the appropriately named Currency is one of the best apps. You can add over ten different currencies if your itinerary includes multiple countries. Make sure that you download the latest exchange rates while you still have a data connection.
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.
By Administrator at 8 Jun 2016
