Travel Insurance for the Over-65

by Iva Skoch on

The UK’s The Independent recently reported a surprising fact: most travel insurance policies–at least in the UK–exclude claims from those above 75 years of age, and fully one third exclude claims from those above 65.

The reasons for travel insurance are obvious: replacement of lost/stolen luggage, trip cancellations, but, most importantly, medical treatment abroad. The latter reason becomes more pressing for those with greater health concerns.

Understandably, travel insurance rates for those who might have medical problems are higher. Another surprise out of the article, however, was that, in their survey, the rates for those above 65 were often double or more than for people under 65. Above the age of 70, rates got as high as three times higher. And that’s only if the policies didn’t outright exclude those in higher age categories.

I’m not sure of the applicability of these findings to policies sold in the U.S., but a word to the wise is warranted. Read your travel insurance policy carefully. If anyone has had experience with travel medical policies they can share, please do.

Travel by Rocket Bike

by Iva Skoch on

Gear heads will love this article in the Sunday Times. Jeremy Clarkson, host of the super-cool British TV show about high-end autos (Top Gear) has gotten himself the ultimate travel vehicle: the JetCat Cycle. It’s powered by a model-aircraft jet (the JetCat P-180), which produces up 1100 lbs of thrust, running on a mixture of wax and jet oil.

The engineers claim that the bike might be able to reach a maximum speed of 70 mph! And, even though he’ll be speeding by you, don’t get too close: the jet shoots out a 10-foot-long, super-heated stream behind it.

Clarkson admitted that he’s only gotten it up to 20mph so far, but he’s ready for anything: in addition to the Kevlar housing around the jet, and a wicker basket upfront to hold the fuel tank, they fitted it with a smoke machine. “With a smoke screen, you really would beat the [City of London traffic] congestion charge cameras and speed cameras as well,” he was quoted as saying.

Ok, so maybe it’s not the greatest vehicle, but it’s sure one stealth way to travel.

Lonely Planet’s Passport To… On PSP

by Adrienne Wilson on

Thanks to my LP Comet email subscription I just found one more reason to invest in a Playstation Portable (PSP). Yes, the same device used for gamers can now be used by travelers ready to discover weekend getaways in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Prague and London. The fully interactive, portable and up-to-the-minute ‘Passport To’ city guides will feature details on 250 of the hottest bars, clubs, hotels, shops, services, and attractions. In addition to the same material you’d find in the old paper LP guidebooks interested takers will visually receive three off-the-beaten track audio tours and essential language phrases with audio. Sounds like a good investment so far. Not to mention the PSP unit is easy to carry and multi-functional. I’ve handled one here and there on various occasions and was quite impressed. This however, ices the cake. Check out the website dedicated to the ‘Passport To’ series and learn more about PSP.

MSN’s 10 Places to Get Spooked

by Adrienne Wilson on

BOO! Halloween is now only a week away and it is time for some real trip planning if you have yet to begin. If you’re too embarrassed to go cruise your home digs in costume with a begging bag in hand consider some of these ghostly destinations provided by MSN. Start with a trip down to the legendary Bermuda Triangle known for making many a vessel disappear while sailing the sea span between Miami, Bermuda and San Juan, P.R. If taking to the seas on one of the creepiest nights of the year doesn’t give you goose-pimples try a visit to the city of Salem, Mass., where the famous witch trials took place in 1692. All month long Salem makes the most of its utterly gruesome past by hosting several ghost tours, street fairs and costume balls. In all honesty Salem looks like one of the best places to head too if you’re really wrapped into this stuff. Other stops include Roswell, London’s Ghost Walk and Transylvania of course. Having been to Transylvania before, I say skip the expensive plane ride over and again, head to Salem.

See MSN for the spooky rest.

Jails, Homeless Shelters, & Soup Kitchens Turned Hotels

by Adrienne Wilson on

Call it coincidence, but in this month’s edition of concierge.com they’ve listed 10 hotels across the globe with a spooky past. (Coughs, can we say perfect timing for Halloween, hmm?) After going through each one, I noticed the history of some were creepier than others depending on what you tend to get spooked by. Shack up in a past crime den, nun’s cell, jail or my personal favorite an old soup kitchen. From the photos featured one might not ever know that these places have a tale to tell, but don’t let the looks deceive you. When you’re at rest in bed the howling you hear isn’t coming from the outside. It’s the cry of the mentally unhinged resident that stayed there before you. (Insert: horror laughter.) I’m only kidding – sort of.

Check out the Poor House: Hopper Hotel Et Cetera in Cologne, Germany which now sits as a cheap-chic boutique hotel, but was once a homeless shelter and soup kitchen. Heading to Puerto Rico? Stay at the old Carmelite convent, now one of San Juans’ most luxurious hotels was once home to 11 nuns that moved out in 1903. If you’re in need of prison time look at their picks out of Turkey and the U.K., just don’t say I didn’t try to warn you of their bone-chilling ambience.