Understanding Travel Insurance For Sports and Hazardous Activities

Would your travel insurance policy cover you if you fell off an elephant while on holiday in Phuket? Well, maybe - but there could be a reduction in the available benefits. However, if you were on a holiday which included trekking by camel or elephant you would not be covered because the activity would be classified as 'non-incidental.' Confused yet? The subject of travel insurance for 'hazardous activities' can be very complicated!

Many travel insurance policies automatically cover for 'incidental' activities. The term 'incidental basis' means that your participation in an activity is on a casual, fortuitous, occasional, or minor basis. In contrast, sports tours or activity holidays; for example, a week's white water rafting on the Colorado River is considered non-incidental.

The term 'hazardous activity' for insurance purposes generally means any activity where it is recognized that there is an increased risk of injury or it can be reasonably expected to exacerbate an existing medical condition.

You should be covered to participate in an activity such as canoeing, hot air ballooning, camel riding, jet skiing, deep sea fishing, horse riding or snorkeling on a limited basis but not in excess, i.e. a planned adventure holiday where you would be participating in the activity on a daily basis.

For incidental activities which are considered more dangerous, such as abseiling or playing amateur rugby, claims resulting from these activities could mean a reduction in the amount of personal accident benefit and an increase in the 'excess' for medical expenses.

Another group might include activities considered dangerous which you would participate in on a regular basis, i.e. 'non-incidental.' Claims relating to these activities are also likely to be subject to a reduction in the amount of personal accident cover and an increase in the excess for medical expenses. These activities might include cycling (touring), pony trekking, safaris, and sailing holidays.

Sports, which include racing of any type (except on foot), would usually have to be approved in advance. The same would apply to activities such as: mountaineering (while using ropes), potholing, hang-gliding, caving, micro-lighting, motor racing, and parachuting (other than a solo or tandem jump) in excess of one jump and bungee jumping (in excess of one jump). Motorcycling may be covered provided an additional premium is paid, but is often subject to restrictions such as riding your own motorcycle up to a certain engine size, and not including any type of racing. Your travel insurance policy will not cover for professional sporting activities and you cannot work (paid or unpaid) as a guide or instructor to others.

Most travel insurance policies will contain a clause in their General Exclusions section regarding 'willful exposure to danger or peril' (unless in an attempt to save human life). The onus is on you to exercise reasonable care to prevent illness, injury, or loss or damage to your property. In other words - you should always act as if you are not insured and not tempt fate!

When it comes to winter sports, you do not normally have automatic coverage with your travel insurance policy and will need to pay an additional premium. Most winter sports policies do not cover for anything other than normal skiing and boarding activities. Dangerous activities such as ski jumping, heli-skiing, ski acrobatics, freestyle skiing, ski racing or training, ice hockey, and bobsledding would be excluded unless pre-approved. Exclusions would also apply to offpiste skiing in areas designated as unsafe by the resort management.

Travel insurance policies can vary a lot so if you should be offered free insurance or ludicrously cheap insurance it would be wise to check and see what it actually covers! You may find, for instance, that there will be no liability cover under certain circumstances or for certain activities. You may be covered for some potentially hazardous activities - but only if you remain within certain limited guidelines for that activity.

It is up to the underwriter whether they decide to provide cover for any unusual type of risk. You would need to contact the travel insurance company in advance to discuss any potentially hazardous activities. In some cases, you may be able to obtain cover, but only after payment of an additional premium or an amendment to the policy. If in doubt - always ask first. It will be difficult, it not impossible, to find a company which will add cover for a hazardous activity to your policy once you are on holiday. If you should find yourself in this position, it would be wise to avoid the activity - or attempt to purchase insurance where you are.

Are you less confused now? Imagine you are on holiday in Egypt. You decide to go on a camel ride. You fall off and break your leg. Would your travel insurance cover you? Depending on your particular policy, the insurance should cover you - because your participation in the activity was on an incidental basis!

Jean Andrews is a freelance writer living in the UK. She regularly contributes articles for TIA Ltd who offer travel insurance at great prices online.

What Are the Most Commonly Used Golf Putting Grips?

When it comes to selecting a golf putting grip, you will find that there are more variations and preferences to choose from than in any other area of golf. The key to successful putting starts with a good solid golf putting grip, and one that feels comfortable and enables you to produce a consistent and reliable stroke.

Below I have covered what I feel are the most commonly used golf putting grips. So if you are looking for a change or are new to the game, I would recommend trying them out and find one that feels comfortable and right.

The Reverse Overlap:

This is probably the most common of golf putting grips - place both hands on the putter next to each other (left hand above) with the thumbs on top of the grip pointing downwards. Then wrap the index finger of the left hand so it is covering the fingers of the right hand, this ensures that they are connected and can work as one unit.

The Cross-handed:

This is basically the reverse of the traditional Reverse Overlap - so you would place both hands on the putter, but this time with the right hand above the left, again, both thumbs on top of the grip pointing down the shaft and the wrap the index finger of the right hand so it is covering the fingers of the left hand, the advantage of this putting grip is that the left hand is less likely to collapse in the forward stroke.

The Two Fingers Down:

This golf putting grip is a variation of the Reverse Overlap - so following the same set up but this time the index finger of the right hand will be placed on and pointing down the side of putter grip.

The Split Handed:

This is where the hands are placed apart from each other on the putting grip, you can alternate which hand goes on top. With this grip the fingers of the top hand should be touching the forearm of the lower hand to ensure they are working as one unit. Again, the advantage of this putting grip is that the left hand is less likely to collapse in the forward stroke.

Why not continue to improve your golfing abilities by visiting my Start Golf Today! site, for more FREE Golf Instruction, Tips and Advice! Please also take a moment visit my Golf Putting Solutions Blog, to take your golf putting to the next level!

Callaway PGA Junior Tour - Benefits of the Callaway PGA Junior Tour

Do you have a child who loves playing golf and would like to take their game to the next level? Are you looking for a way to introduce them to competitive tour golf? Welcome to the Callaway PGA junior tour! Designed to encourage children to follow their golfing dreams and giving them the structure and environment to hone their skills for tournament golf.

The tour was established for boys and girls age 13-18, and introduces young people to the fundamentals of competitive golf. Through their participation they will learn the rules of golf, golf etiquette, equipment knowledge and general instructions while competing with junior golfers from around the world. They will also have the opportunity to learn what it is like to be interviewed by the media from television, radio and newspaper reporters. Junior golfers will experience a real tournament atmosphere as they compete in "contestants only" roped-off golf courses, normally taking between 4 to 4 1/2 hours to complete.

The Callaway PGA Junior tour sponsors more than 1,650 events in 41 different sections each year, allowing junior golfers to gain plenty of experience while building great relationships and contacts with fellow golfers as well as PGA tour professionals. The tour does not require any association membership fees, but participation can be invaluable as your child's scores and profile are available to be sent to College and University coaches across the country, making them eligible to receive golf scholarships. It is also a great way for them to build their golf resume!

The Callaway PGA junior tour began in 1996 and has since provided many college scholarships to junior golfers wanting to take their game to a higher level. Organized and operated by the PGA tour of America, the junior tour is directly supported by PGA professionals who are very active in promoting opportunities for children to learn and grow in the golfing community. Junior golfers are expected to maintain a high degree of conduct and be neat in appearance and personal grooming. They must be willing to comply with the rules of the Callaway PGA junior tour.

The season begins in May and continues through September, with events at more than 12 courses throughout the country. Event rates are very inexpensive, allowing your child to compete at the most efficient level. Junior tour members are also eligible for membership in the American Junior Golf Association which can expose them to even more effective training as well as the opportunity to win awards and honors in local, regional and national levels. If this sounds like the type of environment you would like to get your child involved in, you can apply online. They look forward to hearing from you and working to help your child build a great golfing future!

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about callaway pga junior tour [http://progolfing.info/callaway-pga-junior-tour-benefits-of-the-callaway-pga-junior-tour], please visit Pro Golfing [http://progolfing.info] for current articles and discussions.

Souvenir Shopping - Buying Carvings, Textiles, and Baskets in Kenya and Tanzania

Souvenirs and memories go hand in hand and collecting something unique from every country that you visit is a memorable and pleasurable experience. Travelers will find many souvenirs to take because the entire continent of Africa is a rich wealth of handicrafts.

Here are some unique things that you can pick up from Kenya and Tanzania on your trip. Always keep your shopping in such a way so that you can easily pack your bags and get back with minimal baggage.

In Kenya and Tanzania, the best things to pick up are small artifacts and wooden carvings made out of ebony. The local people make small wooden carvings of the animals that inhabit the continent and these are unique in their own way. The Makonde carvings are famous worldwide and they are made by the Masai Mara tribe. You can get several household things like candle sticks, pepper shakers, knife holders, paper weights, cups and plates, spoons, and also wooden chalices. These people are excellent with their hands and are skilled craftsmen. Things carved in ebony that are small and can cost you little more, but if you are planning to buy a large item, then you will have to shell out several hundreds of dollars.

The Wakamba tribe from Mombassa also has specialty carvings and they make a huge variety of carvings. The main type of wood that is used for the carvings are ebony and mahogany. Other items you can consider picking up are blankets that are hand embroidered, printed clothes, kaftans, scarves, traditional baskets and beaded jewelry.

About Author:
Pauline Go is an online leading expert in the traveling industry. She also offers top quality articles like :
South Africa Traditional Foods, Ancient Egypt Gods

Bargain Asia Cruise Deals

Surreal views, great thousand-year old temples, ultra modern cities, genuine cuisine, and additionally some of the most beautiful beaches worldwide. Asia has it all, a delicious mix of traditions and modernity that gives this region of the planet an edge over many other tourist destinations, and a great way of enjoying this magic is taking advantage of the best Asia cruise deals.

Top cruise lines like Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Holland America and Norwegian will offer you excellent accommodation, a broad selection of special meals, and professional entertainment. Aboard these luxury structures life is casual and relaxing, keeping passengers busy and happy with a wide range of activities such as dancing in the nightclubs, gambling a bit in the casinos, and enjoying the shows and movies.

Besides all this you can enjoy hanging out with new friends while sunbathing on the decks in the middle of the ocean. Some great ports of call in a cruise to Southeast Asia are Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Phuket, Shanghai, and Kuala Lumpur.

Hong Kong

Formerly a small fishing village, Hong Kong is now the most sophisticated and international city of China, and the world's fourth largest financial center after New York, Tokyo and London.

In terms of tourism, the main city of Hong Kong is a vibrant and bustling business center and a shopping mecca famous for its food and markets.
Aside from the Hong Kong's heart with its harbors and jammed streets, the area has a lot more to offer, like rural islands of isolated beaches, hilly landscapes, and wee farming and fishing villages.

Singapore

Once home of pearl reapers and corsairs, Singapore is nowadays a hugely-developed city-state with a very high standard of living and a prime tourist destination. More and more visitors from all over the world are coming to Singapore to let themselves get seduced by the many entertainment options that so cosmopolitan city has to offer.

Bangkok

Besides a main economical hub of Southeast Asia, Bangkok is a major travel destination, a national treasure, and definitely a place which the traveler can easily fall in love with. In this Asian metropolis you will find all the possibilities of shopping and nightlife, as well as stunning temples and an untold number of exotic restaurants.

Tokyo

Tokyo combines the highest technologies of the world with the Asian devotion to its ancestral traditions. It is maybe the most eye-catching particularity of this astounding mega city, the 3rd worldwide after New York and London.

Phuket

If you like beautiful beaches, Phuket is one of those places that you should really try to visit sometime in your lifetime. A resort of world renown where visitors from all the corners of the planet are attracted like flies to be able to experience the magic of this large Thai island, located on the west coast of the Andaman Sea.

Shanghai

It would seem like the present does not exist in Shanghai. Walk along the Huangpu River to gaze some fine relics built a hundred years ago and catch a bit of the past. As for the future, you can gape at the ultra modern financial district, a Feng Shui craze of steel and glass.

Kuala Lumpur

The booming Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, is a remarkable travel destination. This astonishing metropolis has the power to captivate the traveler's senses and steal their hearts with its unique blend of ancient and modern, East and West.

In short, Southeast Asia is a great place to discover to everyone who is looking to have an experience really unforgettable.

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Get Free information on how to find Exclusive Deals on the most popular cruises to Asia.

Enjoying Your Holidays to Phuket

Phuket is Thailand's largest island and is home to many beautiful beaches, set against the background of verdant coconut palms and sparkling lagoons. Every bay is unique, every creek has its own charm, and the sunsets are invariably spectacular. Visit shimmering temples and colonial mansions, indulge in Phuket's many activities including golf and scuba diving or enjoy an excursion to the many surrounding islands during your holidays to Phuket.

Highlights of holidays to Phuket include a speedboat tour of Phang Nga Bay, which deserves its reputation as one of the loveliest in the world. This dramatic collection of limestone outcrops, rising sheer from the emerald sea, will be familiar to fans of The Man With The Golden Gun and The Beach.

During holidays to Phuket, for the keen golfer, four wonderfully scenic golf courses are available - Phuket Country Club, first and still one of the finest of the island's courses, the Blue Canyon Club (former home of the Johnny Walker Classic), Laguna Phuket Golf Club beside Bangtao Bay and Mission Hills Golf Club.

In Holidays to Phuket you will discover the "Pearl of Thailand", regularly voted one of the worlds top holiday destinations, lies just off the southwest coast, surrounded by the warm waters of the Andaman Sea. Phuket (pronounced poo-KET) is the country's largest island, some 50 km (30 miles) in length and 16 km (10 miles) across, and home to almost 200,000 people. At its northern tip, a road bridge carries traffic across the narrow strait that separates it from the mainland.

Some of the famous white-sand beaches are on the west coast, happily facing the often dramatic sunsets. Phuket offer water sports are the main attraction: all the main resorts offer sailing, wind-surfing, water-skiing and snorkelling, and you can learn to scuba-dive with experienced instructors. For variation in holidays to Phuket there is golf or tennis, a tour of the hilly interior of the island or a boat trip among the spectacular isles of Phang Nga Bay. In Phuket tropical showers can last for an hour or two, rarely interrupting the fun for long-when it's this warm, getting wet hardly matters. And the climate keeps the landscape lush and green, a backdrop for huge, vivid butterflies that flit among the flowers.

While on Holidays to Phuket you will find that the rapid growth of tourism has brought a rash of development at the main resorts, especially Patong. But tranquil spots are not hard to find, and a variety of boats can take you to Phuket's own offshore islets where you may be completely alone. By contrast, bustling night markets are a Southeast Asian tradition. The cool of the evening is a time for strolling and shopping, and when you're ready to dine, you'll be spoiled for choice.

Find more information about holidays in Phuket [http://globaltravelstourbridge.co.uk] from Global Travel Stourbridge.

The Charm of Sydney Opera House

Perhaps it is its location that has enhanced the Sydney Opera House's charm. It lies on Bennelong Point and is a beautiful neighbour to Sydney Harbour Bridge. It also shares its majesty with the Sydney Royal Botanical Gardens nearby. It is highly visible from any distance, and its lights sparkle in the clear water to produce a surreal effect. Had it been located somewhere in the middle of tall skyscrapers, it would have lost some of its grandeur as the other structures would have enclosed its beauty.

The Sydney Opera House owes its beauty to the renowned architect Jørn Utzon. This Danish architect did such a wonderful job that the opera house was voted as one of the finalists for the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

The many "sails" that make up the Sydney Opera House are made of pre-cast concrete and supported by more concrete. Groups of these sails were designed to accommodate the height requirements of the various rooms and halls below. The largest of these groups make up the concert hall and the opera theatre while the smaller ones house the other theatres, the Bennelong Restaurant, and the souvenir shops.

Tourists on a Sydney holiday can take one of the guided tours and visit specific parts of the opera house. First-time visitors to the Sydney Opera House can take the Essential Tour, which, as its name obviously implies, will take the tourists to a basic walkthrough around the opera house and its facilities.

The history of the opera house is projected along the fabrics of its walls while the guide leads the tourists along an emotional journey to each milestone of its colourful history. This one-hour tour will allow the tourists to visit one of the five venues that make up most of the performance facilities: the concert hall, the opera theatre, the drama theatre, the playhouse, and the studio.

There are Asian tours that are designed especially for the Oriental people. They are led by Japanese- and Mandarin-speaking guides. There are also tours that will include going backstage to meet some of the personalities that make the opera house successful. There is also a tour that will permit the tourists to see a live opera performance then afterward have a fine-dining experience at the elegant Bennelong Restaurant.

To complete every Sydney holiday, mementos and trinkets can be bought from the souvenir shops inside the opera house. One shop is even selling authentic pieces of the original roofing of the establishment.

The Best Sydney Accommodation for Your Sydney Opera House Experience

For those who want to be near the Sydney Opera House, a lot of hotels and apartments can be found near the vicinity and have the opera house and the harbour as scenic backdrops. Also, because the opera house is accessible from many parts of Sydney, it is possible to have the best accommodations even away from it. Even from other parts of Sydney or Australia, train trips can take you to Circular Quay, which is just southeast to the Sydney Opera House. The perfect Sydney accommodation might be from across the harbour, then gives you a magnificent view of the opera house. No matter what Sydney accommodation you will choose, you are assured of the best service, though.

The author works for the Cheap Holiday Accommodation website which offers its readers a comprehensive guide to Australia and Sydney accommodation for that memorable Sydney holiday.

Cheap Flights to Thailand, Sites to See and Travel Tips

Cheap flights to Thailand give you a memorable trip. There are cost effective tickets available to vacationers as well as business people. There are flights coming in to Thailand from all over the world. In fact, Phuket International Airport is a mere drive of one hour from Khao Lak. Khao Lak is said to be the most popular of all the resorts in Thailand.

Visitors are anxious to make their way to this particular location because it is peaceful and serene. The standard of the accommodation at this resort is extremely high and it is set in a very beautiful part of the country. Think of timeless green hills and soft white beaches going on for miles and miles.

There are many travelers who are under the impression that a location offering luxury spas and a top quality lifestyle set in spectacular surroundings is going to cost a lot of money. The good news is that it's possible to make a visit to this stunning location cost effective due to cheap flights to Thailand. If you have your heart set on Thailand, or you are duty bound to attend a business conference, you should make use of cheap online flights. This is the most convenient way to see exactly what is available. You will also be able to immediately compare the prices of the cheapest flights.

You will have the option of booking a straightforward air ticket to Thailand or making use of a ticket that is part of a package deal. There is little doubt that a package deal is what allows most of us to afford a stay at a luxury resort such as Khao Lak in Phuket. However, if you want to get the benefits of cheap flights to Thailand then make sure you book as far in advance as you can. This is the only way to ensure you will definitely get serenity and the best value for your money.

To learn more about cheap flights Thailand and more important information about how you can take advantage of all cheap flights domestic and international, head on over to my blog at CheapFlightsReview.com

Book a Mini-Break to Edinburgh For Its Annual Film Festival

Every year, the Edinburgh International Film Festival draws in the crowds - and with good reason.

Its long-standing history of screening iconic films and showcasing new talent means that it is one event that film buffs will not want to miss.

So, if you've been meaning to book a hotel in Edinburgh and explore the Scottish capital, why not do it when the glamour of the film festival is in full swing?

Edinburgh's film festival always offers a packed programme of events, with everything from movie screenings to talks with people working in the industry and workshops for anyone who wants to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes.

If you want some reassurance as to the calibre of movies that grace the festival's screens, then a quick glance at some of its previous premieres will tell you all you need to know.

Pulp Fiction, Blade Runner and Taxi Driver are among the flicks that have been shown in at the Edinburgh film festival.

And that means that you could do some celebrity-spotting during your trip too. If you stay in 5-star hotels in Scotland, you may just find that you are sharing the establishment with some of Hollywood's rich and famous.

You will have 12 days in which to make the most of the events and screenings that are part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Usually held in June, the event has been running since 1947, during which time it has grown substantially and now has a programme featuring hundreds of productions, as well as its workshops.

These seminars cover everything from editing your own video to how to apply screen makeup, so you could come away with some tips about how to make your very own films!

Whatever your taste in movies, you are bound to find something to keep you entertained at one of the six venues that screen the entries.

There are documentaries, shorts, animations and, of course, feature-length films.

And with offerings from every corner of the globe, you will find that the event lives up to its international name.

So, what more excuse do you need to book a luxury Scottish hotel and visit Edinburgh this summer?

If you're looking to take a break in Edinburgh, visit Luxury Scotland to find the best 5-star hotels in Scotland. A hotel in Edinburgh provides the ideal base for people planning to visit Edinburgh's galleries and historic buildings.

Visit Luxury Scotland for luxury hotels, golf resorts, luxury spa hotels, country house hotels and other destinations that we believe reflect Luxury Scotland and experience the very best of Scotland.