India Tours: Embark on a Kaleidoscopic Sojourn

India is a country of vibrant hues and colors. If you are planning a travel to India, you are in for variegated experiences in a country which has been long regarded to be the paradise on earth. The kaleidoscopic India offers the amazing experiences set on a palette. The discerning traveler will embark on a sojourn which takes many hues: a fun-filled holiday, a soul-searching hideaway, a spiritual getaway, a medical tour, a tryst with the majestic Himalayas, an encounter with the romantic Thar desert, a rendezvous with palm-fringed backwaters, an adventurous trip to Rishikesh and Kashmir, a trekking tour to Leh and Ladakh, a passport to the ancient history, culture, customs and heritage, an appointment with the modern-day sophistications, a date with the millennial-old civilization that is India, No matter where your interests lie, a tour to India is sure to sweep you with its charm.

To borrow the words of Romaine Rolland “If there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India.” India Tour is a way to see your fantasies come alive.

With 5000 years old recorded history, India boasts of world’s most ancient living civilization. Once dwelt by lords, this magical land has divine origins where hundreds of thousands of shrines, temples, churches, mosques and monasteries symbolize the unity in diversity. India is an epitome of harmonious confluence of tradition and modernity. Its rich cultural heritage is a thing of joy for those who love to witness the ancient past. The remnants of old wonders, many of which have been carefully preserved, invite the Orientalists to research and learn from the gurus of history.

India is, not surprisingly, world’s the most sought-after destination. Thanks to its variety of tours ranging from religious, adventurous, beach, cultural, wildlife, medical and eco tourism, India offers a matchless variety of colorful travel. What’s more, on your India tour many of these packages can be combined together to make a perfect holiday experience.

On your Indian travel be a part of India’s festivals and fairs to witness its culture in full vigor. Held at various places time to time, these festivals are real treat for souls. Boat Carnival, Camel Festival, Elephant Festival, Ganesh Chaturthi, Gangaur Festival, Goa Carnival, Holi in Malwa, International Kite Festival, Kumbh Mela, Onam, Pushkar Festival, Taj Mahotsav and the like, all these festivals and fairs make India a kaleidoscope hues and colors.

For the lovers of heritage and architecture, India offers great retreats. Visit on your travel to India the treasure troves of art and architecture. Forts and palaces in Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra, Buddhist monasteries in Bihar, Ladakh and northeast, calm and tranquil gardens Srinagar in Kashmir, Colonial heritage of Goa, Mughal wonders in Delhi and Agra, mosques of North India, temples in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka all these monuments will touch your soul.

India tours offer stunning journey for nature lovers. With its sun-kissed beaches, snow-capped mountains, lush green landscapes, sparkling backwaters, serene coastal lines and tranquil sand dunes the experience is quite enthralling. With large wildlife base India offers many sanctuaries and wildlife parks. The adventure buffs can find peace in mountaineering, hiking, whitewater rafting, motor biking, para gliding and many more perilous and adventurous sports.

Last but not the least, there is one more thing that will beckon you to again to India. It is Indian cuisine. Variety is the word that best describes Indian food. Goan, Gujarati, Hyderabadi, Kashmiri, Maharshtrian, Mughlai, Rajasthani, North Indian, South Indian, and so on, the list never gets exhausted. What’s more, Indian Chefs can whip up authentic international delicacies as well.

Travel to India if you think you deserve a treat for a lifetime.

Thailand – The Land Of Smiles And Cheap Travel

Thailand is known as the land of smiles, which is amazing considering the traffic jams in Bangkok. For budget travelers, Thailand simply can’t beat on price alone.

Thailand

Thailand is an odd mix of contrasts. It can be extremely stressful while trying to get around in Bangkok and gloriously relaxing while laying on practically any of the beaches that populate the coast of the country. Regardless of the situation, the Thais have a habit and custom or smiling regardless of what you ask or how you ask it.

Beaches

The beaches of Thailand need no introduction. Used as the setting for hundreds of movies, they come in a variety of styles. The beaches of Phuket and Phi Phi fall along the lines of traditional beach resort areas like you might find in a place such as Cancun, Mexico or Tamarindo, Costa Rica. On the other end of the scale, you can find more rustic beach areas in places like the island of Ko Chang where you’ll have a few beach bungalows, a couple of bars and one or two stores. If you’re looking for a little of both styles, just ask around.

Da North

Infatuated with the beach life, many people fail to head up country when in Thailand. This is a mistake as the north is the host to such locations as the city of Chang Mai, the Summer Palace of the King of Thailand and interesting little villages. For the outdoor enthusiasts, rafting, hiking and mountain biking are very popular and widely available.

Prices

If you’re on a budget, Thailand is a perfect travel destination. For some reason, flights to Thailand are particularly cheap with my recent flight on Korean Airlines running roughly $650 round trip. Once in country, your money will go a long, long way.

I think a note of caution is need at this point. Please beware. If you decide to take a trip to Thailand, you won’t want to come back to your native country. You will, however, definitely come back to Thailand!

Travel Tips and Guide

Travel Tips

Golden rule

The first thing that you Must ALWAYS REMEMBER.

You must always pack your own bags and not put Anything inside that will get you in trouble, this includes Flammable Liquids, Sharp Objects and banned substances of any kind. Under No Circumstances should you ever allow anyone, not even your best friend to pack your bag. When checking Inn, nowadays in any airport you are always asked. Did you pack your own bag? A This question may sound routine to you but it is the most important question with regards to your travel.

The Second thing you must ALWAYS REMEMBER.

Never carry anything for anyone no matter how small the package or what the excuse is, your life and your freedom may depend on this. In most countries around the world trafficking Banned substances will extend your Holiday a lot longer than you want it to, maybe for the rest of your life it’s No JOKE!

Passports and visas

Every Country has a different policy on Visa’s and entry permits. It is inportant that you check with the Embassy of the Country or Countries you are going to visit,to see what their Visa or entry requirement are. If you need to get a visa it can take a couple of days so you need to plan ahead, and you would also need a passport that has at least 6 months left before it expires. This may increase if you are going to be travelling for a longer period.

Keep your passport in a safe place, since you will need it whenever you board an international flight. In some countries you will be required to leave your passport with the hotel or hostel when you check in this is to satisfy regulations requiring the hostel/hotel to register all foreign visitors. You will need to show your passport when cashing a traveller’s cheque.

Photocopy the identification page of your passport to carry with you in case your passport is lost or stolen while travelling.

Before departing make sure you are covered by insurance that will reimburse travel expenses.

What to pack

Your main objective should be to travel as lightly as possible, casual dress is acceptable in most countries around the world except for Muslim countries, where visitors can not wear short or scanty tops. In some Asian countries spiting or dropping chewing gum on the street can get you in trouble with the law which might result in a fine, always make sure to read the do’s and don’ts of the country you are visiting this will make your life much easier.

Break in your shoes before you leave home, shoes with soft substantial soles are not only deal for walking but can ease the difficulty of manoeuvring the cobbled streets that characterize many old city centres especially in European countries.

Health

Make sure you get all your vecinations from you doctor before you travel this will ensure that you stay healthy while you are travelling.

Always take sensible precautions during hot weather, wear a Hat/sunglasses and sun block, drink plenty of fluids. Tap water in Europe, America and Canada in general is safe to drink, although its high mineral content can cause Minor stomach up sets if you are not used to it. If travelling further a-field you should stick to Bottled water which is an inexpensive and widely available alternative.

A general rule to stop any stomach up sets is to stay away from salads, uncooked foods and fruits, no matter how good they look.

Language

Travelling is always exciting and enjoyable if you can converse a bit with the locals. Only the basics are needed like yes, please, no and thanks you accompanied by a pleasant smile, polite manner and using your common sense will get you very far.

If you are really stuck with Communication remember that hostel /hotel receptionists usually speak English and in most cases are helpful and friendly. So you should make use of their help and they could even teach you a couple of words. Be nice to them!

Money and valuables

Having some funds in local currency is a necessity, but only carry what you will need for a day or two if its lost or stolen your chances of getting it back are next to nothing. Travellers Cheque are reliable and safe, always keep a record of the Cheque numbers you redeem and receipts in a separate place in case you need to produce them in the event of loss. Be prepared to show your passport each time you cash a cheque or offer one in Payment

Personal safety

Common sense keep valuables passports, money, credit cards etc hidden when you are on the move a money belt or neck belt or neck purse worn inside clothing is the safest option, also put money in different places so that if one bag is lost you have another source of funds. Any bag you carry with you should have a secure fastener with strap that goes over your neck and crosses your body this ensures that bulkier items like cameras etc are safe from pick pockets.

Getting around

Find a central public transportation information centre spend some time there and obtain information on how to get around the city, including transportation maps and detailed maps. Buy valid transport tickets for multiple rides or for more than one day, they will save you money and the inconvenience of having to buy a new ticket for every journey. There are a variety of public transportation in Europe and America these include subways, trams buses etc

Each country has its own customs and regulations it is very essential to take note of these, the European Union countries are considered as one and there are no limits on goods for personal use when travelling between member countries, however restrictions do apply when travelling between EU and non EU countries.

To Know More Go To WWW.HOSTELS247.COM

Serious Human Outbreak of Bird Flu

China has reported only three confirmed cases of H5N1 in people of which a boy in Hunan province who recovered, and two women in Anhui province who died, the latest of which was announced on Thursday. There was another possible case in Hunan.

The potential problem of underreporting might not only be technical. There are also many a claims that Chinese medical personnel have been arrested for trying to report cases. China imposed serious restrictions on the investigation and reporting of suspected cases of bird flu in June 2005.

Opinion of Virologists
Virologists consider the relative absence of human cases of bird flu in China strange, given its widespread infection in birds. China has reported 22 poultry eruption in 10 provinces all across the country since mid-October 2005, the latest being on Friday.

The WHO told the official Chinese news agency Xinhua last week that the virus that caused the eruption in Hunan is the same as the H5N1 flu in Vietnam and Thailand, where it has caused 113 confirmed human cases and 55 deaths so far. Officials said five people suspected of having the virus had died, in addition to a six-year old boy who became the first confirmed casualty.

Reports of World Health Organization
The World Health Organization said the flu’s rapid expand posed a potential threat for a serious human outbreak. However, there has been still been no signal of it jumping from human to human. A WHO spokesman told the BBC that it was becoming clear that injure had been around in the region much longer than first thought.

That it had multiplied the risk of human infections, and of the virus mutating, perhaps by attaching itself to human flu and becoming far more deadly. The WHO believes the disease is now too serious for individual countries to deal with alone. Among the Thai dead were two women and three men, according to a statement subjected by Thailand’s disease control director Charal Trinvuthipong.

More reports on deaths caused by the bird flu
Earlier on Monday, the Thai Agriculture Ministry said the virus had been detected in eight more provinces, in addition to two provinces previously confirmed. It said all the victims were from two provinces central Sukhothai and Chachanoengsao, east of the capital Bangkok.

The Thai outburst has triggered alarm across the region. In Laos, where thousands of chickens have died, corpses of dead birds have been sent to Vietnam for tests. There are also reports of a boy dying of bird flu in the adjacent Cambodia, the BBC’s Rachel Harvey reports.

India Historical part of Varanasi Tourism

Travel Varanasi – Home to the Kashi Viswanth temple located in the Northeast part of India in the state of Utter Pradesh. It is a crowdy place – the human traffic that can be quite discouraging, travelers mostly use hired Rickshaw or Auto to avoid the hassle of transportation. Varanasi, the “Pool of Nectar” derived its name from Ganga, the holy tank that surrounds the wonderful Kashi Temple. The Temple, also known as Kashi Viswanth was initiated by the Koshal Naresh. The Temple in Varanasi is not only visited by the local people but sea the temple for other country s around the world but also a large number of tourists visit Varanasi to have a look at the wonderful structure of the Temple. Tourists are also interested to travel Varanasi to know more about the world famous culture of Utter Pradesh. The Kashi Viswanth temple is two one temple is old which lives in the mid of Varanasi (Gowdoliya) and second is new builds for Kashi Hindu university (Lanka) lives. The Temple, also known as Kashi Viswanth (New) was initiated by the Kashi Naresh. The world wide famous university (Kashi Hindu University) of the India.
Varanasi is the center of the Hindu Religion also is one of the most ancient cities of India an important seat of Hindu History and culture. In brief the most complimentary places to visit are temple. Kashi Viswanth and other famous temple just like Sankat Mochan are famous of world wide and make cotton saris.

The most visited places in Varanasi are Temple and the popular make for carpet. The local bazaars surround the area around the Temple are the most preferable shopping spots for tourists. It is also famous for its many theaters, galleries, parks, libraries, art & architecture, forts, museums, colorful street markets and for delicious cuisine. The tourists are most interested to buy the cultural dresses of India – the Varanasi Girls Suits and simple of course, the dress of the Varanasi dance “Nauntki”
Varanasi is now having Babatpur national Airport offering Varanasi Flights. Several airlines operate flights from national, including India any city for flight available. The Airport now handles as many as 25 flights every week.
Agra memorial of love
Travel Delhi – The city of Jama Masjid, as Delhi is not only one of the most historically rich cities of India, but also home to the magnificent temple and Masjid. Delhi is one of the best destinations in India having Main magnificent monuments – The Jama Masjid, India gate, Lalkila and other historical part of wonderful place. Delhi is the capital of India. These lives Sansad Bhawan, President Niwas.
Most of the travelers like to travel Delhi to view the magnificent holistically building
A memorial of love built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Agra is one of the many visited travel destinations in India and in the world. Agra, Located about 204 km south of Delhi in the Indian state of UP. The city, positioned on the west bank of Yamuna River, is historical as it is ancient.

People also love to Travel Agra as it is famous for its Handicrafts Products like Leather Goods, Footwear, Brassware, Designer Carpets, Jewelry, Zari & needlework, Inley work on Marble. Leather Goods are the foremost buying yield over there like the leather bags, leather shoes, leather belts, leather jackets, etc. Agra is also well known for Agra ka Petha, a sweet. Agra, an old city
You can plan to Travel Agra to visit all the famous tourist desirability in Agra including Taj Mahal, Agra Red Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s Mausoleum, Jama Masjid, Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb, Mariyam Tomb, etc. Also you can have a great shopping experience over there in Agra. You can find a large variety of Exquisite Handicrafts Items, Leather Items, Brass Decorative Items, Stone Carved Images, Zari Items and many more. Go for one of the slighter towns and you do not have to put up with the hassles of city life. As Allahabd and Mathura as well as famous town of the India and tourist traps, rather keep your distance to them. As a replacement for, go for a place that is a little lower key like Allahabad town of the India. Of course the condition looks a bouquet more pleasurable if you are self–employed and can choose the place to live in Mumbai. When you be the owner of your own business and pay all of the bills, business travel takes on new importance. Unlike commercial travelers who are backed by expense accounts and expect upgrades and perks.

Newbie’s Guide to Goa

Goa is a vacation paradise, rightly said. Located in South Western India, it is famous for three Ss: Sand, Surf and Sea. Never ending stretch of sandy beaches, water sports, flamboyant life style, British reminiscent, history, fairs and festivals make Goa the best, yet economical vacation spot.

Goa owes much to the Portuguese Raj for its architecture and to nature for rich tropical flora and fauna. So, Goa has it all – history, culture and cuisine.

Goa – The Location
Goa lies between the latitudes 14°53′54″ N – 15°40′00″ N and longitudes 73°40′33″ E – 74°20′13″ E and covers an area of 3,702 km². It is elongated stretch of coastal land known as Konkan, facing Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats mountain range separates the coastal region from the Deccan Plateau. The highest point on the Western Ghats in Konkan is the Sonsogor (3,827 feet).

Goa – The Land
Goa has a coastline of 101 km (63 miles). Speaking in pure geographical language, these are mainly rivulets, the major ones being the Mandovi, the Terekhol, the Zuari, Chapora River and the Betul. The Mormugao harbour is a natural harbour on the mouth of the Zuari. The Mandovi and the Zuari serve as the lifelines of Goa, with their tributaries draining 69% of the area. Goa has more than eight marine and about ninety riverine islands and forty estuarines. The total navigable length of Goa’s rivers is 157 miles.

Each Beach of Goa has an individuality of its own. The beaches have popularized Goa as the Beach Capital of India. They attract over two million visitors annually. The Goa beaches give the visitors a “Take It Easy” feeling. You can follow action after action – endless opportunities to roam around and all-night partying. People of every budget can enjoy the endless abandonment.

The Culture of Goa
Goa exhibits a strikingly different culture from the rest of India. Dravidian Christian culture has blessed Goa a flamboyant yet peaceful identity. The natives observe Christmas, Easter, Ganesh Chaturthi and Shigmo with equal jest.

Goa Cuisine
Rice and fish curry is the staple diet in Goa. The region is well-known for its elaborate fish dishes cooked mainly with coconut oil. For drink, the good old Feni (local brew) is popular. Feni is a ferment of cashew fruit and toddy palms.

How to Reach Goa
By Air: Daily flights available to Goa throughout the year from major cities of India.
By Train: Konkan Railway connects Goa with major cities of the country by express trains such as Shatabdi Express, Konkan Kanya, Netravati and Hapa express. Major railway stations are Vasco, Tivim, Margao and Karmali.

International Adventure Travel

International adventure travel: Safaris, balloon tours, swimming with dolphins, bicycling down volcanos, trekking in the Himalayas, Walmart on Christmas Eve – the list is almost endless. This will not be a comprehensive listing of all the adventure opportunities out there. Instead, here is just enough to whet your appetite.

My Own International Adventure Travel

Long before hitchhiking across the country at sixteen-years-old, I had a taste for adventure. At fourteen, a friend and I bicycled 300 miles in a few days during one summer. At seventeen, I went international with my adventuring, hitchhiking from Michigan to half-way across Mexico. Over forty now, I no longer put out my thumb – not very often, anyhow – but I still love to travel.

More recently, my international adventure travel took me to Ecuador. While there I climbed to the furthest point from the center of the Earth. Everest is highest above sea level, but due to the Earth’s bulge at the equator, the peak of Mount Chimborazo, at 20,600 feet, is farther from from the center of our planet. The top is all snow, ice, and glaciers.

My guide didn’t speak English, and thought I was a mountaineer. I had once used an ice axe and crampons to go forty feet up a sledding hill, in Michigan. The rest of the story is on the website, but you can get information and a guide by talking to almost any hotel manager in Riobamba, Ecuador.

Go On A Jungle Book Safari

In southern Nepal, In the Royal Chitwan National Park, you can see tigers, leopards, rhinos, and sloth-bears. And where better to see them from than the back of a large elephant? The tours are lead by naturalists and park rangers. Stay in the comfortable Safari Lodge and take daily tours into the jungle.

Take A Mongolian Horseback Trek

Travel with one of the great nomadic and horse-based cultures of the world. The trips take you beyond tourist routes, and you can customize your trek to fit your schedule and budget. These tours are run from an office in Mongolia, and they provides experienced guides that are multi-lingual.

Go Rock Climbing In Rio

Want an outdoor adventure and city nightlife? Try a rock climbing tour in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You’ll find routes for all skill levels in the Sugar Loaf, Urca, Corcovado and Pedra da Gavea mountains. Tours include bilingual instructors, equipment rentals, and transportation, and start at under $100 per person.

Swim With Dolphins In The Croatian Sea

Escape from the cold this winter, to the Cres-Lošinj group of islands, which is known for it’s mild climate. Mali Lošinj on the island of Lošinj is known for its health resort, but recently, the area is becoming famous for the bottle-nosed dolphins that have made their homes in the clear and clean waters of the Cres-Lošinj group of islands. Mingle with them by boat or in your swimsuit.

Climb Mount Kinabalu

Mt. Kinabalu (4101m) is the king of the Borneo sub-continent. It rises 3000 feet higher than other mountains in the area; far above the jungle. It attracts international climbers of all skill levels, who scramble, climb and trek in its unique jungle-alpine enviroment. Kinabalu is in a world heritage site that boasts a wide variety of plants and animals. Experienced guides will take you trekking, or take you to the top.

Tips for Backpackers – What Stays and What Goes?

You have lots of stuff to pack for your trip. How do you decide what stays and what goes? How are you going to fit it all in your pack and how are you going to carry it? Here are some tips to consider when packing for your backpacker trip:

 

1. Buy a good backpack. Investigate the right kind of backpack for your trip and you will make your packing easier before you go and when on the road. 

2. Put your sleeping bag in first. 

3. If you are going to be camping get a tent that is lightweight and durable and pack it in the tent compartment in your backpack.

4. Clothes – what are you going to take? Lay everything out on the bed. Now cut it down to half. If you’ve got something that’ll you’ll only wear a couple of times, leave it behind. You’re backpacking on a budget so it’s unlikely you’ll be going to any balls or ritzy restaurants. Pack your rain gear where you can reach it quickly. Make sure you have enough layers if you are going to colder areas. Don’t forget your gloves and hat.

5. Cooking utensils should be packed where they won’t rub on your other gear and you want to make sure the hard edges don’t stick into your back.

6. Food should be packed in outside compartments; you don’t want any crumbs getting into your other gear. Carry enough food for a day, just in case. Make sure you have at least one water bottle packed on the outside. And pack water purifying tablets if you are traveling to under-developed countries.

7. Your mattress (if you’re taking one) should be strapped to the outside of your pack unless it’s small enough to fit on the inside.

8. Camera!

9. Have you got your map? What about a compass if you intend going off road on a hike?

10. Don’t forget your matches, first aid kit, army knife, flashlight, batteries, sun screen and sunglasses. A whistle and insect repellant are good items to pack, especially if you plan on doing a lot of hiking. And toilet tissue. Just in case.

11. Have you packed a decent pair of walking/hiking boots? These are essential because any backpacker will be doing a lot of walking.

12. Put in a daypack. This will make day hikes and sightseeing much easier if you can have a smaller pack to use on shorter trips.

13. Money, money belt, traveler’s checks and credit card. Along with your passport and necessary visas. Don’t take large amounts of cash and keep it safe while traveling.

 

And there are other things you need to consider before you set out. Keep in mind the following:

 

* Take out travel insurance.

* Are you taking your mobile phone? If so make sure you have global roaming set up. 

* Give someone at home a copy of you itinerary and passport. 

* Get to the airport in plenty of time to enable a smooth check in and time to say goodbye to your loved ones.

 

Pack well and have a good trip!

 

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com

Pushkar Temple – Rejuvenates Your Religious Experiences Here

 

India is a country where mythology can be found in every nook and cranny. There are innumerable religious places here. And, each of these religious places, temples have a story to tell of their own. All of them hold some or the other kind of mythological importance. One such famous temple is the Pushkar temple.

This temple is located in the holy city of Pushkar in Rajasthan. Pushkar is a place which is known to have more than 400 temples there. However, the most famous temple here is the Pushkar temple which is dedicated to Lord Brahma. In fact, this is the only temple in the entire country which is dedicated to Lord Brahma.

Pushkar is a city which is otherwise drowned in the drudgery of sleepiness, becomes extremely active when the Pushkar camel fair is around. One of the main reasons why the Pushkar temple is considered extremely sacred is because it is believed that Lord Brahma had performed an important religious rite (yagna) here in the ancient times. The Brahma Temple is located in the Pushkar Valley and is one of the most important pilgrim centres for most of the Hindus.

The entire Pushkar Temple, better known as the Brahma temple among the locals is done up in white marble. The walls of the temple are decorated with silver coins and the pilgrims are greeted by a silver turtle which is placed on the floor of the temple entrance. Although there are a large number of temples at this place, yet Pushkar is particularly famous for its five most famous temples.

One of the most famous legend states that the flower, which Lord Brahma is seen holding fell at this place, which led to the coming up of Pushkar temple, which is apparently exclusively dedicated to him. This temple, always manages to stand out of the crowd of other temples which are situated in this area. One of the main reasons for it can be attributed to the large amount of carvings and exquisite embellishments done at this temple. This temple is located on the banks of Lake Pushkar. Pushkar temple was first built during the 14th century on an elevated platform.

The marble image of the silver turtle on the entrance of the temple is one of its chief distinguishing features from all the other temples. The floor of the entire temple is adorned with black and white tiles in a checkered pattern.

Pushkar is a city which becomes extremely vibrant during the times of festivals and other religious occasions. The local population of Pushkar is staunch devotees of Lord Brahma and all the festivals, big or small are celebrated with lot of zest and excitement here. The holy lake of Pushkar temple is considered sacred by the devotees who visit this place. Thus, no visit to this place is complete without taking a dip in the holy waters of Pushkar Lake. While on a trip to Rajasthan, Pushkar temple figures out on one of the must visit places for every tourist.

Why travel insurance is important – Part 1

Traveling with Peace of Mind: When to Buy Travel Insurance

With business and recreational travel reaching all-time highs and personalized policies available on several user friendly websites, travel insurance is more accessible than ever. The decision to buy supplementary insurance will depend on your existing coverage as well as your specific destination and the policies of your individual airline. Solidify as many trip details as possible and consult your existing home owner’s, health and even auto insurance policies before purchasing coverage you may already have.

Almost 90% of travel insurance sold within the United States is for travel abroad.* This is because coverage drops drastically for most domestic insurance plans the minute you set foot outside the country. When traveling outside the US familiarize yourself with the health and safety information specific to your destination to determine the accessibility and cost of reliable health care as well as the likely risks to your health and personal safety.

You may find, for example, that a high incidence of pick pocketing necessitates theft insurance while reliable treatment for most common injuries and illnesses is available for a fraction of the cost of a travel health insurance policy. For destinations without adequate health services however, all travelers should seriously consider insurance that includes emergency air evacuation and repatriation.

If you decide that major medical or catastrophic health insurance is necessary, be sure that all of your intended activities are covered. Some policies may have added activity options, an extra fee that will ensure coverage for injury obtained while engaging in sports, hiking, boating and other activities considered to be a higher risk to the traveler.

In the event that you have to make a claim, be prepared. Consider creating an itemized list and taking photographs of your belongings before you depart. E-mail this list along with a copy of all available receipts, your identification documents, your flight itinerary and insurance policy with contact info to your own account and that of a friend. If your belongings are lost or stolen, file a detailed report with the airline or local authorities immediately and consult the itemized list to confirm that the report is complete.

Be aware that some policies will include a deductible and/or a maximum coverage value and be sure that the value of your luggage falls within these amounts for the policy you choose.

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