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Join Lorna every weekday afternoon with expert advice, entertainment news and music.

Join Lorna every weekday afternoon with advice from the experts, entertainment news and great music.

Lorna Milton: 16/03/2010

16/03/2010

BBC Three Counties Radio - Lorna Milton, 16/03/2010

With expert travel advice about 'All Inclusive Holidays' from Steve Pattenden.

Expert travel advice about 'All Inclusive Holidays' from Steve Pattenden, entertainment and the best music. Phone in with your travel questions on 0459 455 555.

Expert travel advice from Steve Pattenden, entertainment and the best music. Phone in with your travel questions on 0459 455 555.

ALL INCLUSIVE HOLIDAY FACTS:

Todayâs Exchange Rates
Euro. Our tourist sell rate today:	Â£1 = 1.05531 	worse than last week
US Dollar. Our tourist sell rate today:	Â£1 = 1.44721 	better than last week

Hot Tip:

Get your ESTA now as the US Government are intending to start charging for it soon.  It lasts two years and the cost is likely to be about US$20 per person soon.  It is free at the moment.
All Inclusive Holidays.

Be careful of the term âAll Inclusiveâ.  It can mean just a bit more than âFull Boardâ or it can mean âEverything Includedâ or it can mean everything in between.  There is no standard definition.

Always read what the accommodation is offering. 
For example:
Are the drinks just the local brands?
How long are the bars open?
Are ice-creams only for children?
Does the âfree water sportsâ include motorised water sports?
How long are the restaurants open?
Are all restaurants free or just the buffet restaurant?

The cheapest All Inclusives may be less inclusiveâ¦.. so please read exactly what is included.

When pricing a holiday always estimate how much you will spend.  For example, prices in the Euro zone may well be at least:
breakfast Â£5
snack lunch  Â£5
dinner 	Â£20
3 drinks Â£4 each
Total  Â£42 per day

The cost of a 7 night self catering holiday would be at least Â£294 per person plus the cost of the holiday. 

Therefore when comparing prices take Â£42 per person per day off the price of an All Inclusive holiday. 

Top Tips:
Always:
â¢Check that your passport does not expire within six months of your return date.
â¢Ensure you have taken out good travel insurance and if going to Europe, take your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) with you too.  You can apply for a card at www.ehic.org  Note: The EHIC does not cover you in the Channel Islands.
â¢Put the 24hour UK Consular Assistance number - +44 020 7008 1500 into your mobile telephone â just in case you need emergency help.
â¢If hiring a car, donât forget to take both parts of your photo driving licence (the card and the paper counterpart) and a credit card with you.  Some rental companies no longer accept the old-style green paper non-photo driving licences.
â¢Ensure you have all the visas you need in order to travel.
â¢If you have booked connecting flights, the baggage allowance may be smaller than your long-haul flights.  To avoid extra charges, pack to the lowest baggage allowance.
â¢Tell your credit card and debit card issuer where you are going and for how long otherwise you may find your cards may be blocked.  Take a Cash Passport instead of your debit card â much safer.
â¢Use public transport to get to the airport.  Most travel insurance will only cover you for a missed departure if you used public transport.
â¢Take a photocopy of your passport with you.  If you lose your original it is much simpler to replace if you have a copy available.
â¢Protect your money and your holiday by booking an ATOL protected holiday through a reputable travel agent.  Even short-breaks using no-frills airlines can be covered if booked through and agent.
â¢Declare all medical conditions and hospital visits at the time of taking insurance and tell the insurer if you develop a medical condition before you travel otherwise they may not settle if you try to make a claim.
â¢Travelling to or through the USA? You need a visa (called an ESTA) in order to travel. www.usembassy.org.uk 


Remember, travel safely, protect your money by booking through an ATOL holder, but most of all - enjoy your travelling.

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Lorna Milton

16/03/2010

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