New Zealand Mirror Travel

Archive for the ‘Australia Travel Tips’ Category

Traveling is one of the most fun things that a person can do. It allows you to get out and see the world, visit exotic locations, and experience different cultures. Traveling around the world can be immense amounts of fun. But it also carries a certain amount of risk with it. When a person travels they will be exposed to different foods, different climates, different people groups and potentially unsafe transportation methods. When a person travels to certain locations around the globe they truly are taking their life in their own hands. That is why it is so important to take out a life insurance policy before going on a trip.

When a person sets off of an adventure, whether it is in the next town over or halfway around the world, there is a certain amount of risk involved with that trip. People can never know what potential dangers lay ahead and they will never be certain of any accidents that are waiting to catch them. Because many of these dangers and accidents can unfortunately lead to death, it is always safe to be prepared for the worst case scenario. Before you begin packing for your trip you will need to choose a life insurance Australia offers so you will be protected, and your family will be protected, in case something should happen to you while you are traveling.

When a person takes out a life insurance policy they will be purchasing a life line that their family can use if that person were to die. When a person dies from accidental death, their beneficiaries will receive their death benefit. Typically, this life insurance policy is meant to cover the costs of a funeral and a burial, but it is typically a much larger sum than is needed to pay for those expenses. A life insurance policy is meant to replace the income that the person would have received and used to support his beneficiaries. This is an excellent system because it allows a person to leave behind the financial support that he or she will no longer be able to. Life insurance also allows a person to take care of his loved ones even after his death.

No amount of socks and bug spray will take care of your loved ones after you die. It is a sad reality, but one that everyone should be prepared and ready for.

Travel by air for people with health issues, handicaps, disabilities or special needs, can be challenging. The following air travel tips will help make your flight and trip, whether domestic or international, easier, cheaper and safer.

When making your travel reservations, request any carts, wheelchair services or any other transportation you’ll need. Fully describe your limitations and needs. Get your airline ticket and boarding pass well ahead of time so you don’t have to wait in any lines. You’ll be able to arrange travel at a discount, get better travel deals, and avoid last minute travel headaches.

Talk with your airline representative or travel agent regarding the type of restrooms that are on the airplane. Call your airport and find out as much information as possible about the restrooms and handicapped parking at the airport.

You’ll need to find out how you’ll be boarding the airplane at each of the airports involved in your trip. You may need another type of airplane or alternative route so you’ll have Jetways, or jet bridges, into the plane from the airport and not have to worry about stairs.

One year my mother and I were going to fly out of the San Jose, California airport and discovered after we arrived that we had to go outside on the ground level with the wheelchair to the tarmac. Four airline employees had to carry my mother in the wheelchair up the steep steps to board the plane. This might be impossible if there are weight issues.

Think about what seat arrangement will work best for you needs. Would an aisle seat make it more convenient to get to the restroom? You’ll want to avoid sitting in the emergency exit row. The passengers in this row may be asked to help others in an emergency situation.

Let the airlines and flight attendants know if you have any assisting devices. Find out the best way to store them so they arrive without damage.

Always keep in mind what you can do easily and without assistance, as well as situations that would require help.

Can you transfer to seats by yourself? Will you need a transfer board or assistance from airline staff?

Consider hiring a travel nurse if you have serious health or medical issues. There are traveling nurses networks.

Can you describe your wheelchair, scooter or walker, dimensions, weight, type of tires, type of batteries, etc.? You may need to take along spare batteries. You also may need to rent or buy a travel wheelchair.

Make sure to mention to your travel agent or airline representative any assisting devices you may need or already have like canes and crutches. Do you need a slow pace or are you a slow walker?

If you will be traveling through different time zones, how will jet lag affect your situation?

Consider how the following will be of concern during your trip and discuss with your travel agent: upper body strength, communication ability, speech issues, voice issues, vision problems, hearing problems, heat issues, medication needs, oxygen requirements, and dietary requirements such as gluten-free meals.

Try to arrange or book your air travel through experienced travel agencies or tour operators that specialize in disabled travel. There are a large number of agencies throughout the U. S., Canada, Europe, Australia and many other countries.

Just in case you need them, it’s also good to know if there are any travel agencies that specialize in disabled travel at your destination, for return travel, local resources or travel services.

At the airport let airline boarding personnel know that you may need extra time to board the plane. Sit close to the door at the gate so you’re called first and then board at a comfortable pace.

After the plane has landed, never get off the plane until you see or have your assisting device, wheelchair, travel wheelchair, etc. Flight attendants have to stay on the airplane until the last passenger leaves. They will help you while you’re on the plane but once you’re off the plane they won’t be able to help you.

Make sure you carry your medications and back-up prescriptions with you onto the plane, along with doctors’ names, addresses, fax numbers for faxing prescriptions, phone numbers, medical diagnosis, names and dosages of medications you’re taking and any allergies you have.

Photocopy passports, airline tickets, American Express Travelers Cheques, credit cards, any important papers.

Carry your health insurance information with you on the plane. Know what you’ll do if you encounter a health problem or medical emergency on your trip. Get travel insurance to ensure less costly medical assistance. These emergency bills may not be covered under your health insurance policy. It’ll ease your mind to have this back-up travel insurance and prevent costly emergency medical charges on your trip. Emergency medical costs can run considerably higher than standard medical fees.

These air travel tips should provide good insurance and help make your airplane travel, with health issues, handicaps, disabilities or special needs, easier, safer and cheaper.

Sydney Beaches

Sydney is renowned for its beach-side suburbs, which include Manly, Bondi and Cronulla plus plenty more. During summer, these beaches are packed full of swimmers, who flock to enjoy the city’s beautiful sandy beaches. Like Rio de Janiero and Los Angeles, Sydney is somewhat unique in that it’s a major metropolis surrounded by beautiful beaches, making it an ideal holiday spot. If you’re heading to the beach in Sydney, don’t forget your sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen, as the UV rays here are extremely high.

Trains, buses & ferries

A combination of all these modes of transport is the best way to enjoy both the tourist and resident experiences of Sydney. A rental car is best acquired for trips outside the CBD; the nearby Blue Mountains are just one of many scenic destinations you can reach from Sydney if you have a vehicle. Within Sydney city itself, however, public transport can very often be faster than driving. Sydney’s integrated ticketing system, permitting travel across trains, buses and ferries on a single ticket, makes traveling on any mode of public transport easy.

Of all the trips you can take in Sydney, the ferry to Manly is a great one for any tourist, offering great view of the Sydney skyline and its beautiful harbour. Ferries can take half-an-hour to travel from Circular Quay to Manly, a refreshing tour itself and a great way of seeing the city. To catch the Manly Ferry, you’ll need to head to the terminal at Circular Quay: easy to find right between the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sydney Landmarks

The Centrepoint Tower, Sydney’s largest building, rises high about the Sydney cityscape and is an amazing sight to behold from Darling Harbour. The elevator ride and revolving restaurant at its top are well worth doing for the 360-degree panorama of Sydney on a fine day.Like any major destination, Sydney has its fair share of tourist attractions. In Sydney, though, it really is worth seeing all the famed attractions: Bondi Beach, Manly, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour…. All these places really do live up to the hype, and it’s great to cross them all off your list before you go on to enjoy all the rest of the things to do Sydney has to offer.

Sydney CBD

The central city of Sydney is an interesting mix of old and new architecture, parks, and streets, with many unique characters represented. Take a wander around and see what you find. Don’t miss The Rocks: this re-developed historic precinct is located just outside the main financial district, and offers a blend of the original colonial settlement and early Sydney architecture with the latest in Sydney culture.

Eating in Sydney

In multicultural Sydney you’ll be able to sample a variety of cuisines, including Asian, Indian, European and Middle Eastern dining. Fine food venues in Sydney can often be found overlooking the harbour, or along the waterfront at Darling Harbour and the Rocks, meaning a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. The city has many tourist hangouts, however if you want to experience real Sydney cuisine, find where the locals eat and go there.

Prices are generally a little more expensive than Brisbane and other major Australian cities, in keeping with the higher cost of living here. There is a national Goods and Service Tax (GST), to which tips can be added at your discretion, though these are by no means necessary.

Sydney Fashion

Sydney is home to names like Akira Isogawa, Marcs, Morrisey and Collette Dinnigan, so for those fashionistas amongst us, you won’t want to skip taking a stroll down George Street for your fix. Take a look also at The Rocks precinct for boutique shopping and hip haute couture. Sydney is home to a lot of Australia’s glitz and glam, so fashion is a major commodity in Sydney. That said, most Australians are fairly laid-back about dress sense, so you won’t need to worry about dressing up unless it’s a formal occasion.