Here are five of the weirdest travel tips, and whether you should take heed of them on your next trip.

1. Leave your car unlocked.

Most of us would consider this completely mad advice, but there’s actually quite a bit of evidence to show this titbit has solid standing. Most car repairs in holiday destinations are actually the replacement of smashed windows. Leaving your car empty of anything you deem valuable and unlocked at night means thieves can clearly see that you have nothing worth stealing in your car – without breaking in.

Photo by Tim Lucas

2. Wear a fake wedding ring.

Women travellers are frequently given this advice when heading to countries where they could be targeted by unwanted suitors. Although some aren’t happy with lying, there’s no doubt that a fake wedding band will help avoid or get out of difficult situations.

3. Take allergy medication on the plane with you.

If you’re allergic to cats, you might be used to taking your medication when visiting a friend with the little furballs, but why would you need it on a plane? Even if your flight isn’t one transporting animals in its hold, cat owners will most likely be carrying some hair from their pets on their clothes. Take into account the recycled air in the cabin, and you’ll be glad your meds aren’t in your checked-in bag when you’re half way to your luxury chalets in Verbier.

Photo by kelly

4. Don’t eat street food.

Although hygiene standards where you’re travelling may not be the same as home, and food poisoning is a risk, don’t let this stop you enjoying the culinary delights. Street foods in many places are some of the most delicious and cheap dishes you can buy. Just use your common sense – if the stand looks like it hasn’t ever been cleaned, or the vendor looks ill, move on to the next one.

5. No PDA.

In certain countries, in particular the UAE, it’s not only illegal to have relations in public, but also to hug, hold hands and kiss. Any advice like this should not be taken lightly – there have been many tourists thrown in jail for these kinds of offences, so make sure you save it for the bedroom.

Photo by Marco

What’s the strangest piece of travel advice you’ve been given? Did you act on it? Let us know in the comments!

Gavin Harvey is a fitness fanatic and avid traveller who has been given some very odd advice in the past. He currently writes for Dynamic Lives with travel advice.

The post 5 Strange Travel Tips – Should You Follow Them? appeared first on Best of European Union.

Accident on a highway / Photo by admin

Filing Against a Travel Agent

In some cases, the traveller can file a claim against the travel agent who booked the holiday. This normally occurs if the hotel property was directly responsible for the injury. For example if someone contracts food poisoning while eating at a hotel restaurant and the travel agent booked that hotel, holiday accident claims might be a possibility. Likewise, if an injury occurred due to poorly managed hotel groups while on a holiday, the travel agent assumed responsibility.

The reason is that the hotel acts as a representative of the travel agent and vice versa. It is extremely difficult to file holiday accident claims again businesses in other countries, which is why it is possible to file against a local travel agent. The travel agent will then have to deal with the property in question to regain the money that was given to the traveller. Travellers should be aware of this policy, since it is one more reason to always use a travel agent when booking a holiday.

Filing Against Another Location

If the injury occurs away from the hotel grounds, it becomes more difficult to file a claim. For example, if a holiday is cut short because a visitor slips on a poorly maintained sidewalk and breaks his leg, this is the responsibility of the city, rather than the travel agent. This is because the traveller must follow the laws in the country where the injury occurred and follow this process there. Since the processes are different all over the world, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer with experience in these matters. Filing a civil suit against a city is much more complicated than filing for holiday accident claims with a travel agent.

How to Claim

In order to file holiday accident claims, the traveller must be able to prove that an injury was caused by someone else on the holiday. As a result, it is important that travellers file an incident report with the hotel or travel representative immediately after the incident occurs. Hotels usually have an accident log, so make sure that the incident is filed correctly before filing a claim. Travellers can even gather the contact information of witnesses and take pictures of the location where the incident occurred to further their case. Those who need prescription medicine or medical attention after the incident should save the receipts to get this money back.

Legal Help

In most cases, travellers need legal help with their holiday accident claims. This is because very few travel agents will simply hand over this money without going through the entire process. If the traveller has collected a great deal of evidence, the process becomes much easier and can sometimes be handled without a lawyer. Remember that the case will likely end up in court, which is why legal counsel is a good idea.

Traveller Protection

The laws in the United Kingdom exist because travellers deserve to be protected from these incidents. By making the travel agents responsible, it puts a point of contact within the country, so that British citizens are not left dealing with international legal costs. Some insurance packages also cover these costs, making them well worth looking into for the frequent traveller. All travellers should gain awareness of their rights before leaving for another country to avoid these issues.

Thomas Edwards has been an international traveller since the early ‘80s and has widely covered Europe, the USA and as far afield as Thailand, Hong Kong and China.  He has written as both a business, individual and family traveller and a language or two has given him the opportunity to engage with people to a greater degree.

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