Travel insurance is arguably the most tedious aspect of arranging a holiday. It should also, however, be on the very top of the smart travelers “to do” list.  One member this week has booked a cruise for Feb-March 2011 and is querying when the best time to purchase this boring but important necessity.

Our members are quick to provide hints, tips and experiences regarding the key to getting the most out of travel insurance.

When it comes to travel insurance “the sooner the better” appears to be the general rule of thumb.  Insurance can cover travelers for any pre-departure unforeseeable events which may prevent travel.  From the day the insurance is taken out, you are covered, irrespective of whether of not airfares and the balance of the holiday is paid.  This means if you suffer an unforeseen (and not pre-existing) ailment which prevents travel, you may be entitled to a partial (if not full) refund of your travel expenses.

For frequent travelers, one member suggests an annual travel insurance policy may be worth exploring.  Annual policies are both a cost-saving exercise and provide extra pre-departure protection.  Its worth noting that our GOLD members are entitled to a 20% discount off Columbus Direct Travel Insurance.  With this discount, an annual multi-trip policy costs just $256.

As always the specific terms and conditions of individual policies should be carefully examined to determine the exact level and extent of coverage.  Read the full discussion HERE.

I thought I’d write this for everyone. Remember it’s one a quart plastic bag in the United States, but it’s a one liter plastic bag in most of the rest of the world. It’s amazing to us how many people still don’t understand what they are allowed.

Security regulations for this have been in effect for several years now, and with ongoing terrorist threats, the rules are not going to be loosened anytime soon. In fact, from time to time they become more stringent.

You are greatly restricted to the amounts of liquids, creams, and gels you can carry with you on the plane. So what do you have to do to carry your shampoo and toothpaste in a carry on bag? Let’s go over the basics here:

What type of bag or container can you carry them in? You don’t have too many options here. No cute little plastic carrying case. What you need is mandated.

You must use a clear, zip-top plastic bag.

Yes those plastic bags are sold by several companies and they come in a variety of sizes. Can you choose the size that works best for you? No!

You must use a one liter. Not one of those two liter or gallon size bags loosely filled.

If your bottle or tube fits in that small bag, can you take it? Can you take a half full 6 oz (or 200ml) container? Not necessarily and no.

You must use small containers that hold only 3 oz or 100 ml when full. 3 ounces is approximately equal to 90 ml, but the rule in countries that use metric is that you can carry 100 ml bottles. In the U.S. if you have 100 ml bottles, they will usually be allowed.

So if all of your items don’t fit in one bag, can you use a second plastic bag? NO.

You must use only one bag per traveler.

If you are traveling with a friend or loved one, you can “share the space” in the two bags the two of you will be carrying.

Some places lipstick and chap sticks are allowed outside of the plastic bag, some places they are not.

You may carry larger amounts of necessary medications, and they don’t have to go into your one liter plastic bag, but you must declare them at security. As of this writing, things like eye drops and sterile solution are included. Baby foods may also be carried if declared.

Be prepared for the rules to change when there are terrorist attempts. You may run into different rules at different airports, and the rules can change depending on your destination. What you carried on last time may no longer be allowed. We’ve seen this happen recently, and it will probably happen in the future.

If you can’t live without larger amounts of liquids, creams, and gels, then check your luggage. You can carry as much as you want and not worry about that one liter plastic bag.

Yes, it can be frustrating, and yes, it may try your patience, but there is no use fighting it. Pack your carry-on liquids, creams, and gels in a one liter plastic bag (or one quart plastic bag) for now, and remember how much fun you’re going to have on your holiday.

It is not always easy manoeuvring the slippery slopes of planning accommodation, transport , schedules and flights when arranging a skiing holiday for a family of six!  However for our valued member and moderator NM, the journey was made a little easier thanks to the wonderful contributions of our AFF members and apparent snow experts.

Our members this week shared their perspectives on the what, when, where and how of skiing holidays.  The result is that NM is heading to Mt. Ruepehu for fun-filled five day skiing family adventure!

In the true AFF tradition, the process was not without controversy.  There were debates about the relative merits of New Zealand skiing Versus Australian skiing.  Japan also got a mention, but was dismissed by many members as not appropriate for “beginners”.

Many members agree that New Zealand is a cost-effective option in terms of accommodation and the costs of ski-passes, however the costs of flights may be prohibitive.

Local pride was also on display with the Victoria versus News South Wales rivalry making an appearance.  Thredbo versus Perisher versus Bulla was a popular bone of contention.  However, Mt Perisher received rave reviews from most members due to its sheer size.

Despite our members difference of opinion, one thing was made abundantly clear… that skiing holidays are great fun and we wish NM and family a fantastic time!

Read the full discussion HERE.

You know by now that we love travel. So we think much of that negativity is just your mind set. We try to make the most of every trip, and that can include layovers. We have some airport layover ideas for you.

Sometimes we take the “red eye” from the West Coast to the East Coast to begin our trip. Then we might have to wait all day for a flight. We sleep pretty well on planesbut really who gets that much sleep on the red eye? We usually find a nearby hotel that will give us a reduced “day rate”.

We can then take a nap in a real bed, eat in a real restaurant (though airports now have a better selection than they used to) and take a shower. Using the layover this way gets us more rested, lets us get partway acclimated to a new time zone, and lets us arrive at our destination feeling much better.

Getting a little rest and quiet time on layovers during long trips can be a good thing. Many airports around the world have hotel rooms inside security – and you actually can rent them by the hour – no bad joke intended here. Some rooms come with showers and toilets in the rooms. Some just have a desk and a bed with showers and toilets down the hall.

If airports don’t have hotels inside security, some at the very least have shower facilities. We’ve made use of these from time to time too. On a long flight from Africa connecting through London, a shower and a change of clothes felt really good, maybe not as good as a full day in transit with time to sleep, but good enough.

Are you feeling fresh enough that you would just like to go shopping? Airports do have better shopping now than they used to and many guarantee that the prices will be the same as you would pay in town.

What about airport layover ideas for just a few hours. Do you have time for a massage at the airport? Maybe there is a gym at the airport or nearby where you could get a little exercise and a shower. Getting exercise will make you feel better on your trip.

Do you have enough time for some sightseeing? You might be able to take a train, subway or bus into the city or nearby attractions and see some sights. For instance, take the train into Philadelphia and see Liberty Square. The Le Bourget Air Museum is about a 45 minute local bus ride from Charles De Gaulle Airport.

If you have friends near the airport, one layover idea is to see if they can meet you for lunch or dinner. We have stayed connected with travel buddies that way. Sometimes a dinner is just long enough.

Activities off the airport are easier if you can leave your luggage somewhere. This is harder to do with today’s security levels, but some airport do have left luggage facilities. Check airport websites before your trip to see if your airport has one. Make sure you know when your connecting flight leaves so you don’t miss it.

Be creative in your thinking and you’ll come up with some airport layover ideas of your own. If you don’t, you can always read a book!

The seat pitch and width (the distance between seats from front to back for legroom and how much room you have from armrest to armrest) is about the same in regional jets as it is in the larger planes, but the overall impression may be that you have less room because the plane itself is smaller, the ceilings are lower, and the aisle is narrower, the walls curve in closer.

It all may feel more cramped. If this would be uncomfortable for you or you just don’t want to deal with it, check to see if there is a full size jet serving the city you are flying to.

If it’s a long flight, bring food. Regional jet flights may be as long as four hours. Often you can’t even buy food on the flight.

Most of your normal size carry-on luggage will not fit in the overheads on smaller jets in Australia. You will usually have to check-in your bag.

In the U.S. you have two options. Which you choose determines where to find your luggage at the end of the flight. One option is to take your carry-on to the gate where it will be “gate checked”. If you choose this option, the bag will be unloaded at your destination and returned to you on the ground next to the plane or in the jetway. If you choose to check your bag at the ticket counter, your bag will come up in baggage claim.

Remember that most regional jets are narrower, so they only have two and two seating or one and two. Some of them are small enough that there is no exit row. When you are choosing your seat, check to see what 3D is. It might not be an aisle, it could be a window seat.

Find out what kind of aircraft you are flying on so if you go online to choose a seat, you’ll know what it is you really want, not what you thought you wanted. Bottom line: with regional jets, airplane size matters.

Heading for a centrally located “restaurant row” full of tourists is the worst possible way to find the magical combination of good food and low prices. That restaurant row may be a little more comfortable, it might be a little easier to read the menu there, but remember what we said about local colour and the prices!

Knowing some economic rules can help you find cheap restaurants that offer both good food and low prices, no matter what part of the world you find yourself in.

First of all, remember that restaurant row is probably in the high rent district. And rent is one of a restaurant’s biggest costs. For menu prices to be low, that restaurant needs to be in a location where the rent is a little cheaper. That takes you right back to the advice to head for establishments down side streets or in hard-to-find spots that are patronized mainly by locals.

In the U.S., one place to check is in those ugly “strip malls” along roads leading in and out of towns. In other countries, stay away from areas where the big attractions are. Look for neighborhoods where the people live.

Second, remember that restaurants and populations really are going global. Wherever there are significant immigrant populations, there’s usually inexpensive, tasty food. Ethnic restaurants serve customers who know what the food should taste like and who are price-sensitive.

Sure in France you want to eat great French food at chic little bistros, but what’s wrong with Vietnamese “pho” for an inexpensive meal. London is a pricey city, but if you look for noodle joints, you can get a great meal for cheap.

One high-tech way to find cheap restaurants is to check on Twitter. Restaurants are using Twitter, they might post daily specials. Or search twitter for cheap eats where you are and see what restaurants Tweeters talking about.

Want to save even more? You could always go for a big lunch then a small dinner. Lunch prices are almost always less.

Our members this week admit to making (and breaking) a large variety of unspoken rules for air travel. Air Etiquette 101 introduces both newbies and seasoned travellers to the fundamental rules of travelling in a small space and sharing oxygen with relative strangers.

Taking shoes and socks off in the cabin are top of the list of our member’s gripes (however most members openly admit to doing it!).  However, use of the complimentary airline socks is often used to starve off any complaints from disgruntled passengers.

The dreaded iPod on loud volume is another enemy of the polite traveller, with many passengers failing to share the same tastes in rap, RnB or Hungarian folk-music as the offending passenger.

Reclining seats are a controversial topic… with some members opining that they are there to be reclined whilst others complaining about the impingement on personal space.  It is agreed, however, that reclining at meal-time or at rapid-fire speed are definite no-no’s.

The baggage carousel is also a sore-point for our polite travellers.  It would appear that a gentle reminder to all passengers needs to be made that standing mere centremetres from the baggage carousal, fully equipped with trolley makes it difficult for fellow passengers to claim their luggage.

Add your gripe HERE and help ensure the AFF etiquette rules the air.

You must have a valid driver’s license from your home country or state. All that this permit (the IDP) does is translate your license into ten foreign languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, German, Arabic, Italian, the Scandinavian languages, and Portuguese.

This makes it easier for police to read. It also certifies the validity of your license; proof to the police abroad, so they don’t have to try to figure out licenses from all over the world.

The IDP shows information in a standard format that is internationally recognized. It will have your name and other driving license information. Since this is just a translation and not a driver’s license, you must carry your license along with the permit.

We’ve never been asked for one, even when we were stopped for a minor traffic infraction in Croatia. We’re reading more often that they are required, and that you can be fined if you can’t produce one. While you may never be asked for one, our feeling now is to just get one.

We’ve rented cars in Italy often, with no permit, but the rules have changed. The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Italy states that “Americans visiting Italy as tourists and intending to drive should obtain an International Driver Permit before leaving the U.S.”

You may or may not be asked for it by the car rental companies wherever you are. We helped Belgian friends pick up their rental car here in the U.S. The car rental agency here in California didn’t want the International Driving Permit. They wanted to see their Belgian driver’s license.

It is, after all, that driver’s license that is proof you are qualified to drive. You want to be able to produce both, though, if you are asked for them.

Americans can get one from the American Automobile Association or the National Auto Club. You need two passport size photos and $15. The Permit is valid for one year.

Citizens of other countries can get them from government authorized organizations such as national auto associations. Over 150 countries recognize the IDPs and most have agencies which will issue them.

Beware of internet scams. Most of those will try to sell you an “international driver’s license”. Remember, the real thing is not a license – it’s a permit, with translations. If you can’t get a driver’s license at home, even if you do buy something through these scam artists, it’s not going to do you any good. And it could get you into trouble.

So even if, like us, you’ve never had to bother with an International Driving Permit, it’s probably time to check traffic laws for the country you’re going to visit.

And while you may think they’re a little “funny”, if you break some of them, you won’t be laughing. You really want to know what these are ahead of time if you can.

While some minor infractions may be overlooked, in some countries, things you don’t even think about may result in costly fines. Or even get you in serious trouble, might even land you in jail!

Much of the time, we’re talking about common sense things here, but you might run into some strange laws that you just never thought about and not knowing won’t help you in some cases!

Go to government websites to check before you go on your trip. Look under “Local Laws and Customs” on the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office website. On the Australian and U.S. government sites, check under “Travel Advisories”.

At one time even having chewing gum was illegal in Singapore. Now tourists can have it, but don’t chew it and spit it out on the sidewalk. They are watching, and it could result in a big fine. They’re serious about keeping things clean and orderly. Clean – leaving a public toilet un-flushed could cost you a fine. Orderly – don’t try jay walking either.

Jaywalking is a tricky one anywhere. If we don’t know the customs in a country, we cross at a crosswalk and wait for the light (even with no traffic). It only costs you a few steps and a few seconds. So much better than big trouble.

When you fly into Dubai, you may purchase duty-free liquor to take into the country, but be careful where you drink it and where you travel. You can take it to your hotel room, or to friends if they have a liquor license, but don’t even think about drinking it on the beach.

Drug laws are very strict in the Emirates too. You even need to be careful of medications. Some prescription drugs and even some over-the-counter drugs are considered narcotics. Carry your doctor’s prescription and leave the drugs in their original container, especially if they contain codeine.

In most Muslim countries, men and women shouldn’t hold hands when they walk around in public. And whatever you do, leave the magazines with sexy pictures at home.

In Thailand, criticizing the King is illegal. Don’t drop any money and inadvertently step on it – it has a likeness of the King! It’s also illegal to drive shirtless, so guys, while this may seem like a strange law, if you rent a scooter at the beach, keep your shirt on.

We all know you are not supposed to leave your baggage unattended in the airport, but in the UK it is illegal.

Don’t hang out with shady characters in Morocco. If you are with someone who possesses narcotics, even if you’re unaware of it, you can be tried for possession.

In Mexico it is illegal to shout offensive words in any public place.

In many countries, it is illegal to take pictures of police officers, military officers, and military installations. Always ask or check on that one.

In Germany, it is illegal to run out of gas on the autobahn. Not only that, it’s also illegal to walk along the autobahn. So be sure your tank is filled up!

Reading up on strange laws before you travel might not just give you a giggle – it could save you money – or keep you out of jail!

There are search engines out there that are supposed to alert you when airfares or hotel prices drop. There are other sites that try to tell you whether they think the price will go up or down further. Hopefully they’re programmed to guess better than you can if it’s the right time to hit that buy button. But what if you and the search engine get it wrong?

The fact is that prices swing several times a day, let alone from day to day. It’s hard to know what to do. Should you book far ahead? On Tuesdays? At midnight? Maybe getting a last minute deal is the best way to go. How can you tell?

Have you ever gotten into a conversation with the person sitting next to you on the plane and just not wanted to tell them how much you paid for that ticket? There always seems to be someone who wants to brag how cheap he got that ticket – but you’re always afraid it isn’t you.

Seems like some of those websites must have been listening to you or at least reading your mind. More of them are adding a kind of “insurance” to make it easier to click on through to a ticket or hotel room.

There are new sites that will track the amount you paid for your airline ticket or your hotel room, and they’ll e-mail you if the fare goes down. Many airlines will refund the difference if the fare goes down after you book with them, but you need to know about it first of all, then apply for it.

These new tracking sites give you the information so you can do that. Hotels can be trickier. You might have to cancel and rebook. Make sure there aren’t late cancellation fees that would cancel out any savings.

Some of the big travel booking sites have started giving you guarantees that you won’t be paying too much. Some will automatically give you a credit refund if another customer books the same itinerary or flight for less. You don’t even have to track it yourself or apply for the refund.

Other sites have refunds for package deals if someone else gets the same package for less. There are limits on the amount of money you can get back per ticket,but at least it’s something.

The bottom line is that you don’t want to be wondering if you’re paying too much, so when you’re booking online, sign up for a free tracking service or check to see what the website’s policy is for a refund if you pay more than someone else.