It seems every adventure travel company promises the best guides, the best food, the best service, but do they provide a safety net for the unexpected? Here are a few suggested questions from Jim Sano, president of Geographic Expeditions, to ask to help make sure your backside is covered.
1. Do you provide around-the-clock logistical and air support services? (this is especially important in the event of cancelled, delayed or changed flights?)
2. Do you include medical evacuation, expense, and assistance coverage, with access to a board certified emergency physician?
3. What assurances do you provide to protect my travel investment?
4. Do you accept major credit cards?
5. Are my deposits and payments placed in a U.S.-based financial institution or an offshore entity?
6. How will you protect me from currency rate fluctuations? (Some international currencies have fluctuated by as much as 40% over the past 12 months) How to do mitigate the fuel surcharge risk?
7. What are your payment/cancellation terms and conditions? What are your cancellation policies in the event of a U.S. State Department, Centers for Disease Control, or World Health Organization travel warning?
8. Do you offer optional trip cancellation/interruption insurance, including cancel for work reasons?
9. Does your company participate in a U.S.-based seller of travel/consumer protection program?
10. Does your company possess current liability insurance with an A-rated company?
Source: Choosing the Right Adventure Travel Company; Canadian Mountain Holidays, The Adventure Blog.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
With their hard plastic chairs, plastic food and service to match, airports are about as inviting as a root canal. Sure, elite members-only lounges are a wonderful perk if you have access. But thankfully, more and more airports, especially in Europe, are offering in-house options where even the economy-flier can relax, work and freshen up in civilized surroundings. Here are a few airport rest-stops worth checking out next time you’re passing through.
MUNICH AIRPORT photo by llinke via flickr (commons license)
MUNICH
As the five-star Kampinski Hotel Airport Müchen, designed by Helmut Jahn, passengers are welcome to use the indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, whirlpool and gym for 22 euros. Thus refreshed, head to Airbräu, the world’s first airport brewery with an outdoor beer garden, for a cold one brewed right on the premises.
HELSINKI-VANTAA AIRPORT
At Helsinki’s award-winning airport, known for its Finnish cutting-edge design and first-class telecommunications capabilities, Finavia offers free unrestricted wireless Internet connection, but for a private microenvironment where you can watch a film or work online in peace and techy comfort, check out the “artpod” chairs at eService Bar near gate 20.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
a guest blog by Peggy Coonley of Serendipity Traveler
Stressed out on vacation? Help! THAT wasn’t in the brochure!
Here are 10 wise tips to help you better enjoy your next vacation…
- Let go of all expectations
- Be open to surprises
- Take walks wherever you are
- Pack exceptionally light
- Find blessings in all disguises
- Arrive early at Airport, Train, or Bus
- Remember what really matters
- Mindfully create positive memories
- Keep well rested
- Let go of all perfection
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".