STERLING TAKES A POUNDING The pound has enjoyed a strong currency for many years, but the falling pound in recent months has left British holidaymakers lighter in the pocket. Brits heading to Europe, the US and Australia in particular will feel the pinch of less favourable exchange rates. We h... Read more
If you’re dreading the arrival of winter and your summer tan is a long-distant memory, cheer up - there’s a very good chance you could have the funds you need to make your winter holiday a reality. A new study reported in the Daily Mail has revealed that the average household brings home around £11... Read more
A big influence on the dishes served up in Turkey today came from Ottoman cuisine from the Ottoman Empire (14th – 20th Century), inheriting flavours from Turkey, Greece, the Balkans and parts of the Caucasus and the Middle East. And it was this collection of flavours and cooking techniques which giv... Read more
Last Friday was World Mental Health Awareness Day - and even though travelling is supposed to be a time of rest and relaxation, sometimes, that isn't the case. Life doesn't stop when you're abroad - bereavements, relationship breakdowns and money worries can contribute to stresses and strains, and ... Read more
According to the 2011 ABTA Consumer Trends survey, nearly 20% of travellers and 37% of all trips taken in 2011 were uninsured, with Brits deciding that 56% of domestic holidays did not need any insurance protection. The survey also revealed that 26% of travellers in Europe believe the European Heal... Read more
The attacks at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport (Europe’s third-busiest airport) have caused some travel disruption to and within Turkey. If you’re in Istanbul and you want to know how your travel insurance can help you, we’ve answered some FAQs below. For more information, please call our customer servic... Read more
Hurricane Irma tears path through the Caribbean and Florida Travellers heading to the Caribbean and Florida over the weekend are justifiably on high alert about the progress of Hurricane Irma. Already tearing into the eastward islands of Turks and Caicos on Thursday night, Irma has been upgraded to... Read more
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have amended their advice to say that no travel should take place to Tunisia unless essential. Read their latest travel advice here. Currently tour operators are flying customers home, and cancelling further trips to Tunisia. Airlines are also engaged in b... Read more
After the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday, November 13, you may have some questions regarding travel to France and how you’re covered if you’re in the French capital. We would advise all travellers to heed the following guidelines: Travellers in France should remain vigilant and avoid public ... Read more
Columbus Direct is one of over 500 travel industry partners that supports of the FCO’s Know Before You Go campaign, whose aim is to help Brits to stay safe and healthy abroad. And with the ski season in full flow, the Know Before You Go team has sent us the results of a recent survey of winte... Read more