Thailand is full of amazing sights and the people are world renowned for their hospitality and generosity. Like when travelling to any country, there are some things you need to keep in mind. From making sure you have the right travel insurance to being aware of some of the basic Thai customs, we’ve got an important list of tips to help make your trip to Thailand a wonderful experience:

Dress

While Thailand is very hot, beach clothing such as tank tops and shorts should really be reserved for the beach. When entering a temple or royal palace it is important that you cover your shoulders (this applies to both men and women.) If you don’t you could find yourself walking into a temple and having someone point you out over the loud speaker and ask you to cover your shoulders. Thai women usually wear longer skirts and keep their shoulders covered. Relaxed beach wear is more than acceptable in the areas by the ocean.

Know how to bargain

There are some great markets and places to shop in Thailand. But with everything from stalls to Tuk Tuks, you need to know how to bargain, otherwise you might find yourself getting ripped off. Learn the currency and make sure that whenever you are going in a Tuk Tuk you decide on the price of the ride before getting in. With market stalls, as a general rule, never pay the first price offered.

Travel insurance

If you have never been to Thailand before or even if you have, it’s vital that you purchase cheap travel insurance before you go. The water in Thailand is not recommended for drinking, but it can be very easy to forget, or purchase food such as a salad that has been washed in the water. Also, there are many street vendors which offer any array of authentic Thai cuisine which could be something your system isn’t used to.

Staying in a Thai hospital from food poisoning for just one night can cost upwards of AUD$1000. If you have travel insurance you can get the treatment you need without worrying about how much you’ll be out of pocket.

A few more things…

• The royal family are highly respected and treated like gods in Thailand. To make fun of them is highly disrespectful.
• Unless you have an iron stomach, don’t eat food from street vendors
• Always take your shoes off when going into someone’s home
• If you run into problems, never approach the regular police. Call the tourist police. Their number is 1155
• Never wear shoes inside a temple

Thailand is a wonderful place to visit and there is so much to see and do you really need a good for weeks to be able to take it all in. I hope our list of tips has given you some important insight into how to ensure your trip to Thailand is an incredibly memorable experience.

4 Top Travel Tips When Heading to Thailand is a post from: Travel Insurance Articles

It might seem that while living in Australia we are far away from the rest of the planet. In reality our location also gives us a wide range of diverse locations not far from our doorstep. Many countries close to us have lower value currencies and that can make for an even better holiday. Check for which time of year is best, as different cultures may have different importance and customs. Book online and save loads of money on flights and get your hands on great travel insurance.

Bali. Only just over 5 hours flying time from Sydney and one of the all time favourites of Australian tourists and their destinations. Well suited for a weekend get-away of quiet and romance or a parties and fun for singles. Visa on arrival.

Thailand. With civil unrest in recent years, that is long over, prices once the heart of tourism is now doing everything that it can to win back its customers. Many packages to Thailand are greatly reduced. I have several friends who live in Thailand and never felt under threat during the last of the real local riots a year ago. This is something that happens in Thailand every now and then, and things are soon back to normal. Visa on arrival.

Noumea. The pacific luxury tourist island is only 3 hours from Sydney. New Caledonia is actually located in the heart of the world’s largest lagoon, and is the heart of an amazing French-Kanak culture, and if you are looking to get away and get a taste of authentic French cuisine and sit by the side of some of the world’s best beaches, Noumea is the perfect destination for you. Remember that New Caledonia is subject to cyclones so check the weather and most suitable time of year before going. Visa on arrival.

Fiji Islands. With only around 4 hours flight time the Fiji Islands can be a great weekend get-away. Loaded with things to see and do, like diving, snorkelling and all the other things that you would expect to enjoy on a tropical pacific island. Visa on arrival. Again, remember to check weather and seasons before making plans.

Vanuatu. One of the all time romantic destinations for couples. A location that is dedicated to luxury and high-end relaxation. Night-life entertainment, cruises, indigenous culture, wildlife, beaches, you name it, Vanuatu has the best of it. Flight time around 5 hours. Visa on arrival.

With a weaker and artificially lowered US dollar prompting the increased value in the Australian dollar, it is a great time to travel for business or for pleasure. The Australian passport is one of the best in the world, with great access to just about anywhere you want to go. Do most Australians really know that? If a visa is required you will always get it, in many countries it is visa on arrival. Get maximum value out of your money and make those overseas trips a reality.

5 Overseas Holidays Close To Australia is a post from: Travel Insurance Articles

When planning a trip to Asia the first thing you need to do is make sure your travel insurance is paid and up-to-date. The next thing to do is to sit down and plan your itinerary and this is where the trouble starts. Of course it’s not trouble in a negative sense, quite the contrary in fact, because Asia has so much to offer, so many cultures, so much history and so much excitement that it is a daunting but pleasant task.

Of course you can stick to the tried and true historical monuments like the Taj Mahal and Angkor Wat, but if you really want to mark your holiday as something extra special, why not consider a few of the more unusual sites and experiences that Asia has to offer?

In this article we will try to step outside the square and stimulate your appetite for something a little different by listing five unusual things to do and see when visiting Asia.

• Delhi, India. Okay, so you’ve been to visit Gandhi’s grave, you’ve visited the Red Fort and you’ve taken hundreds of photographs of the crowd steaming through the streets. Why not try something different and visit the Khan Market? This unusual market is a drawcard for well-heeled Indians and is also popular with overseas consulate representatives! One of the features of the market is a famous Fabindia, a store with an amazing collection of housewares and clothing. While you’re there you can feast on mutton and chicken tikka kebabs which are simply melt in the mouth delicious.
• Hanuman Temple. Of all the Hindu temples in India this is one you want to place at the top of your list. What Westerners find interesting about this temple is that it is a tribute to Hanuman the monkey god. You will be amazed at the displays of the re-enactments of his life, but make sure you maintain your reference as locals take this very seriously.
• Learn Krabi Krabong. This little-known martial art is a unique fighting style only practised in Thailand. If you take the time to spend a few weeks practising at one of the many schools you will master a variety of weapons and be an expert in open hand combat.
• On the flip side of the coin, Thailand is also a great place to practice meditation and to learn how to cook. To make this easier you can spend a few days at Wat Rampoeng in Chiang Mai. Typically there are 10 and 26 day retreats but you will need to book a long way in advance.
• If you have never had a chance to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, why not do it in Ho Chi Minh City? This might sound like a crazy question but you’ll be surprised to know that an exact copy of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was actually constructed in Ho Chi Minh City out of materials imported directly from France.

This is just the start when it comes to finding unusual things to do in Asia. It’s just a matter of using your imagination and doing some exploring on the Web. Don’t forget to arrange your holiday insurance before you leave home so you can really enjoy your holiday free of the worry of any unforeseen events.

5 Unusual Things to See in Asia is a post from: Travel Insurance Articles