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Post by purvis on Dec 15, 2016 3:17:03 GMT
Read carefully my dear friends. Remember that these policies are drafted by lawyers for the benefit of the insurance companies not the travelers. Purvis
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Post by tiffany on Dec 15, 2016 12:44:43 GMT
The insurance I bought for this trip is through Transat Travel. My travel agent spoke to them and told them my condition, and they told her I would be covered, based on the date I was diagnosed. If I have to cancel for a medical reason, and they won’t cover me for that reason, I’ll still get 75% back, as you can cancel for any reason at any time, and get 75% back. That’s better than nothing. This extra insurance is really costing me though, as I’m going on three tours next year. It’s worth it though!
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Post by chech on Dec 15, 2016 14:47:39 GMT
I think I mentioned what Manulife told me when I went looking for insurance for the storm chasing. He said that the insurance only lists what it excludes. If it's not on the list, it's included. As for the storm chasing, he said there wasn't a "dumbass exclusion."
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Post by Tulips on Dec 15, 2016 16:33:33 GMT
Might be worth looking into an annual policy.
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Post by tiffany on Dec 15, 2016 19:11:14 GMT
My current insurance is an annual policy, and they only reimbursed me for the money I paid towards the trip before I was diagnosed. I think going forward, I just get this extra insurance as needed. The price varies based on the length and cost of the trip and flight. The only downside is, you have to purchase the insurance at the same time as booking your trip. You can just add it on at a later date. It means my up-front costs are much higher.
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Post by chech on Dec 15, 2016 23:51:37 GMT
Hmmm...that might be a consideration for 2018 (the insurance for both my 2017 trips are already paid).
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daphne
Junior Member
LOVE Travelling!!
Posts: 58
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Post by daphne on Dec 20, 2016 13:56:52 GMT
Solaria...I got the same email. Apparently, Tollman will be on the tour. The timing is no good for me as I'll just be back from my storm chasing tour. Hi all, yes, its true, a survey was done as to which country was the favourite place to visit (we thought it would be Italy). We were fortunate to have a past guest dinner for Trafalgar's 70th birthday in Cape Town (the invite said "plse join Gavin Tollman") and I thought yeah.... The next moment he walked through the entrance!! We were about 30 people and I had the privilege to sit opposite him and next to South Africa's CEO Theresa. He said an email will be sent out (we have not received the email in RSA yet), which invites all the join him in Ireland!!! Apparently he went on 16 trips this year already, to experience and see what we as guests experience and also to rate the trips. Me and my husband's next trip will be Switzerland and Austria and he invited us for dinner in Geneva... not sure how it will play out, he has a diary scheduled for 3 years onwards.... he is so passionate about travelling, everyone had their story to tell ... obviously... but he listened intense to all.... and responded to all... really fortunate to have met the man himself!
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Post by chech on Dec 30, 2016 13:36:32 GMT
I wonder if he'll call me and ask why I haven't been on a TT since Nov2015. LOL I've discovered Adventure Travel for people over 50. I just booked three tours with Eldertreks during their sale and saved over $3000...and all three were confirmed. - Tibet/Nepal (with visit to Everest Base Camp) Oct 2017 - South America (BA and Uruguay, then north central Argentina with visit to Bolivia and 5 days in the Atacama Desert) March 2018 - Kenya/Tanzania - Nov 2018 And today I just booked a second storm chasing tour this coming summer. This one is the solar eclipse tour. It will look for storms, go to parks, astrophotography and end the tour sitting under 2 1/2 minutes of totality. Sweet.
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Post by Tulips on Dec 30, 2016 20:17:00 GMT
I wonder if he'll call me and ask why I haven't been on a TT since Nov2015. LOL I've discovered Adventure Travel for people over 50. I just booked three tours with Eldertreks during their sale and saved over $3000...and all three were confirmed. - Tibet/Nepal (with visit to Everest Base Camp) Oct 2017 - South America (BA and Uruguay, then north central Argentina with visit to Bolivia and 5 days in the Atacama Desert) March 2018 - Kenya/Tanzania - Nov 2018 And today I just booked a second storm chasing tour this coming summer. This one is the solar eclipse tour. It will look for storms, go to parks, astrophotography and end the tour sitting under 2 1/2 minutes of totality. Sweet. LOL! I don't expect a call. I haven't been on a TT since the summer of 2014. I did stay at his family's hotel in Cape Town though. It was really nice. I'm done with tours with 30 plus people now that I have discovered small group tours. So much more flexibility and different experiences.
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Post by chech on Dec 30, 2016 21:39:18 GMT
Yup...only way I go back is if it's a unique itinerary that I can't find anywhere else. That's the case with Insight's Mediterranean Country Roads.
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Post by Tulips on Dec 30, 2016 22:37:15 GMT
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Post by chech on Dec 31, 2016 1:00:19 GMT
Yeah, Insight is max of 40 with extra legroom. And I'd get the return discount. I like the ending in Venice over Florence. I could walk Venice all over again and again. And again.
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Post by tiffany on Jan 4, 2017 12:32:15 GMT
I will be paying for my two Spain tours next week, in order to get the 10% early payment discount. The good news is, my boss got me a gift card for my travel agency for Christmas, so I was able to use that towards my tours. Now, I just need to come up with the money to pay for Croatia! I had the money to pay for both Northern Spain and Croatia, but then I added the Southern Spain tour to the mix!
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Post by tiffany on Jan 13, 2017 12:26:50 GMT
My two Spain tours are now paid in full! Now, I just need to come up with the money to pay for Croatia and my flights! Why does travelling have to cost so much? It’s worth it though!
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taskaz
Junior Member
Posts: 46
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Post by taskaz on Feb 5, 2017 22:42:20 GMT
I did see the Trafalgar $499 airfares from Australia but we weren't in a position to book anything then and had no plans to travel overseas anyway. I then saw the $899 airfares and mentioned it to my husband and as we were now possibly in a position to book I checked it out. The cheap airfares went quickly but there were more for only $100 AUD each extra. Interesting things we noted were that you could not have the early bird prices with that airfare and we usually depart from Hobart, Tasmania and Trafalgar have included fares all the way through on two previous occasions but these fares would be from Melbourne and we'd have to organise our own Hobart Melbourne return fares.
My husband lived in London for a few months many years ago and travelled in Europe but was called back to Australia for family health issues when he was in Rome. So he didn't see the Sistine Chapel or the Coliseum. He never made it to Pompeii or Florence either. He also told me he would love to go to Vienna (I've been once), Budapest and the Greek Islands (I've not been to either). I looked and an Insight tour and tried to tack on a Trafalgar Eastern European trip but it was starting to get a little complicated and then I remembered Trafalgar's European Supreme. It's bigger than Ben Hur with 12 countries in 29 days and I didn't think hubby would be happy doing a bus tour for that long but he jumped at it! It covers all he had wished to do although we'll probably need a holiday to get over it. Reminds me of my first Trafalgar tour where the TD used to tell us "and you thought this was a holiday hehe, no it's a tour".
Now here's the interesting thing. I got two quotes - one with the cheap fare and one with the usual fare plus the earlybird discount. In our situation it was cheaper to take the usual fare as we had our flights to and from Hobart included (with no worries if flights were delayed as it's all on the one ticket) and the early bird discount brought the price down further. On top of that we got the past traveller discount and we also had vouchers from Trafalgar that entitled us to 10% each off a future trip on top of other discounts due to some very poor behaviour from the TD on our UK trip in 2014. So it ended up that we saved quite a few thousand dollars. So we are now booked on the September 14 Trafalgar European Supreme. I've always travelled in Spring or early summer before so it will be nice to see Europe in Autumn (Fall). Plus it covers hubby's wish to visit Buckingham Palace. We are staying at the Premier Inn London Waterloo for a week prior to the tour (with the Trafalgar departure centre conveniently located right next door) and I have already purchased tickets to the Buckingham Palace state rooms and garden tour. We'll also visit Hampton Court Palace by train and do a Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds day tour (been to the Cotswold before but only drove past Blenheim Palace on a day tour).
A couple of days after I paid the deposit there was the issue with the Louvre attack but I believe in being sensible but not shutting down everything I wish to do. As a quote from my favourite movie says "A life lived in fear is a life half lived".
So there you have it. Two weeks ago this trip wasn't even thought of and here we are booked to go. But sometimes you just have to do these things hey :-D
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taskaz
Junior Member
Posts: 46
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Post by taskaz on Feb 5, 2017 22:47:33 GMT
I forgot to mention that this date is a definite departure. Interesting to note that, for this tour, there are only 3 definite departures for the whole year so far - one in May, one in June and our one. I'm sure most of you would have seen that this seems to be the norm in the last year or two due to world events. Hoping very much that this tour continues to have the green tick
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Post by purvis on Feb 6, 2017 4:31:34 GMT
taskaz: Your fall tour looks wonderful. It appears to have all that both you and your husband want to see. You will be away from home for a considerable length of time but the memories will be for a life time. Purvis
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taskaz
Junior Member
Posts: 46
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Post by taskaz on Feb 6, 2017 5:24:07 GMT
Thanks purvis Still haven't got my head around the fact that we are actually doing this but it will sink in soon. Feeling very lucky
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Post by tiffany on Feb 6, 2017 12:20:57 GMT
Congrats on booking a tour taskaz! I almost always travel to Europe in the Fall, and Europe is really nice at that time of year. In fact, it may still be quite hot in the southern countries, but it should be less crowded than Summer. I’m sure you’ll have a great time!
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taskaz
Junior Member
Posts: 46
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Post by taskaz on Feb 8, 2017 22:24:29 GMT
Thanks tiffany Can't wait!
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Post by californian on Feb 9, 2017 16:31:49 GMT
It looks wonderful Taskaz, and the quote from the movie reminded me to watch it again, one my all time favorites. Have a great time preparing for the trip. I have stayed at The Premier Inn, simple hotel but great location and very helpful personnel.
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Post by purvis on Feb 9, 2017 17:35:09 GMT
taskaz: Stayed at Hampton by Hilton on Waterloo Rd. last fall and it was cheaper than staying at Premier Inn at which I stayed at the previous year. I think the price at Hampton by Hilton may have gone up but worth checking into. Hampton also provided free breakfast and is 5 mins. from Waterloo station (walking) and right next to The Old Vic theater. The nice thing about Waterloo station is that it has a very large Marks & Spencer where one can buy munchies, beer, wine,salads, etc. Since I'm not a big eater I often after a busy day and arriving back at Waterloo station would pick up some munchies and a sandwich to eat back in my room before going out in early evening for a walk about. Purvis
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taskaz
Junior Member
Posts: 46
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Post by taskaz on Feb 10, 2017 7:04:05 GMT
It looks wonderful Taskaz, and the quote from the movie reminded me to watch it again, one my all time favorites. Have a great time preparing for the trip. I have stayed at The Premier Inn, simple hotel but great location and very helpful personnel. Thanks californian Love the Premier Inn - stayed at County Hall on the last 2 occasions but Waterloo should be good and only a stone's throw away. An added bonus that it's right next door to the Trafalgar Departure Centre
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taskaz
Junior Member
Posts: 46
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Post by taskaz on Feb 10, 2017 7:50:14 GMT
taskaz: Stayed at Hampton by Hilton on Waterloo Rd. last fall and it was cheaper than staying at Premier Inn at which I stayed at the previous year. I think the price at Hampton by Hilton may have gone up but worth checking into. Hampton also provided free breakfast and is 5 mins. from Waterloo station (walking) and right next to The Old Vic theater. The nice thing about Waterloo station is that it has a very large Marks & Spencer where one can buy munchies, beer, wine,salads, etc. Since I'm not a big eater I often after a busy day and arriving back at Waterloo station would pick up some munchies and a sandwich to eat back in my room before going out in early evening for a walk about. Purvis Thanks for the heads up purvis Unfortunately the Hampton by Hilton's prices have risen Their flexi rate is about 770 pounds dearer than what we are paying at Premier Inn Waterloo and their pay in advance rate is about 610 pounds dearer. They had some great rates in the early days - particularly when they first opened. The Marks and Spencer at Waterloo station sounds fantastic and I've added that to my trip notes - many thanks
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Post by tiffany on Feb 17, 2017 12:35:02 GMT
My flight for Croatia is booked, and I leave in a little over two months! Now, I just have to pay for the rest of the tour! I noticed that they are now offering pre-paid gratuities in Canada, and I’m thinking of paying for the gratuities now. That way, I can pay for them in Canadian dollars, and I don’t have to worry about getting Euros. I’ve never done this before, but it’s convenient to have this done and taken care of, so I have to worry about putting money aside for tip.
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Post by grandma7 on Feb 18, 2017 18:53:13 GMT
I have 2 trips booked for 2017. In March I am taking my soon - to - be - a teenager grandson to London for 4 days. I got an excellent air fare from West Jet ( with tax rebates for a youth ) and we are booked into a central B&B within walking distance of a lot of sights. The Original Hop On Hop Off bus had a great deal up until the end of March ( extra 24 hours ) so we will be doing those routes as well as their 3 included walking tours and the river cruise to Greenwich. Keegan's top choice was the Churchill War Rooms as well as The Tower of London. He didn't mention The Eye, but I am sure that once he sees it , we'll be going on it! We're also headed out to The Beatles Store and the It's Rock n Roll store - not what I would do if on my own - but it is his trip! Camden Market is also on the list. And I was lucky to get good seats at School of Rock at the New London Theatre. Then in September, my husband and I are doing Insight's Easy Pace Russia. We are going 3 days early to get in more of the sights. I am patiently waiting for the Ballet schedules for September to be posted so I can get tickets. Russia has been a long time coming and I am really looking forward to it. Happy travelling to everyone!
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taskaz
Junior Member
Posts: 46
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Post by taskaz on Feb 19, 2017 1:07:01 GMT
I have 2 trips booked for 2017. In March I am taking my soon - to - be - a teenager grandson to London for 4 days. I got an excellent air fare from West Jet ( with tax rebates for a youth ) and we are booked into a central B&B within walking distance of a lot of sights. The Original Hop On Hop Off bus had a great deal up until the end of March ( extra 24 hours ) so we will be doing those routes as well as their 3 included walking tours and the river cruise to Greenwich. Keegan's top choice was the Churchill War Rooms as well as The Tower of London. He didn't mention The Eye, but I am sure that once he sees it , we'll be going on it! We're also headed out to The Beatles Store and the It's Rock n Roll store - not what I would do if on my own - but it is his trip! Camden Market is also on the list. And I was lucky to get good seats at School of Rock at the New London Theatre. Then in September, my husband and I are doing Insight's Easy Pace Russia. We are going 3 days early to get in more of the sights. I am patiently waiting for the Ballet schedules for September to be posted so I can get tickets. Russia has been a long time coming and I am really looking forward to it. Happy travelling to everyone! Both trips sound wonderful London is one of my favourite cities and we did a Baltics cruise in 2015 that included Russia and loved it. Enjoy
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Post by tiffany on Mar 7, 2017 12:45:54 GMT
I have less than two months to go before my trip to Croatia! I downloaded the itinerary with optionals yesterday, and noticed that they changed the itinerary a bit. I’m going to check out my Spain tours to see if they changed those itineraries as well. I can’t wait to leave! It’s been a year and a half since I’ve been to Europe and I miss it!
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Post by tiffany on Mar 29, 2017 11:36:49 GMT
Less than a month before I leave, and I’m getting excited. I’m just wondering how much of each currency I should bring with me. I’ll be in Croatia for nine days and Bosnia-Herzegovina for two, and they use a different currency. Do you think they will take the Euro in Bosnia-Herzegovina or the Croatian Kuna? I don’t want to take too much of the Bosnian Marka, and then be stuck with it. I usually use my credit card for large purchases, but I want to have some money with me for smaller purchases and lunch, etc. I don’t want to have to use the ATM
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Post by chech on Mar 29, 2017 15:00:28 GMT
I wasn't able to get Croatian currency anywhere before I arrived in Croatia and all the Canadians on the tour couldn't get money from an ATM with debit cards. We could with our credit cards. If you go to the bank and they say that you still can't get Croatian currency here, I'd say take only Euro. That way, you can convert to Kuna when you get there if necessary. I'm guessing they'll take Euro no problem in Bosnia but you could always get a small amount when you cross the border. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Bosnia. I was stationed in Visoko just outside Sarajevo in 93/94 and looking at the area now on Google Earth and it's like we were never there. Do you stay at the infamous Holiday Inn in Sarajevo? (It may have changed its name...it was a square building....with a few holes in it last time I saw it)
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