A-Z of sporting Activities

Here is an A-Z list of all possible Sporting Activites you may wish to attempt on your holiday:

A
Adventure Racing
Aerobics
Airboarding
Airsoft
Aligator Wrestling
Amateur Athletic Field Events
Amateur Athletic Track Events
American Football
Angling
Animal Sanctuary/Refuge Work
Archery
Assault Courses including High Ropes
Athletics
B
Badminton
Ballooning - Hot Air
Bamboo Rafting
Banana Boating
Bar Work
Baseball
Basketball
Beach Games
Biathlon
Big Foot Skiing
Big Game Hunting
Billiards
Bird Watching
Black Water Rafting
Blade Skating
Blowcarting
BMX Freestyle & Racing
Boardsailing
Bobbing
Bobsleigh
Body Boarding
Bouldering
Bowling
Bowls
Boxing
Boxing Training
Breathing Observation Bubble (BOB)
Bridge
Buggying
Bungee Jumping
C
Camel/Elephant Riding/Trekking
Camping
Canoeing
Canoeing (excluding white water)
Canoeing (White Water)
Canyoning
Caravanning
Cat Skiing
Catamaran Sailing (In-shore)
Cave Diving
Cave Tubing
Caving/Pot Holing
Chess
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Climbing
Coasteering
Cricket
Croquet
Cross Country Skiing
Curling
Cycle Racing
Cycle Touring
Cycling
Cyclo Cross
D
Dancing
Darts
Deep Sea Fishing
Devil Karting
Dinghy Sailing
Dirt Boarding
Disabled sports
Diving
Drag Racing
Dragon Boat Racing
Driving Any Motorised Vehicle
Dry Slope Skiing
E
Elephant Trekking (non-UK booked)
Elephant Trekking (UK-Booked)
Equestrian
Expeditions
Extreme Sports
F
Falconry
Fell Running
Fell Walking
Fencing
Fishing
Fives
Flag football
Flying as passenger (private/small aircraft)
Flying crew/pilot
Flying ex crew/pilot
Flying Helocopter (Pilot)
Football
Football - Amateur
Football - Beach Kick Around
Free Diving
Free Mountaineering
Freestyle Skateboarding
Fresh Water/Sea Fishing
Frisbee
Fruit or Vegetable Picking
G
Gaelic Football
Glacier Skiing
Glacier Walking
Glass Bottom Boats
Gliding
Gliding (competition)
Gliding (learning non competition)
Gliding (non competition)
Go Karting
Golf
Gorilla Trekking
Gymnastics
H
Handball
Hang Gliding
Harness Racing
Heliskiing
High Diving
Highland games
Hiking/Trekking/Walking
Hill Walking up to 2000m
Historical Research
Hobie Catting (In-shore)
Hockey
Hockey (Ice) With Full Body Protection
Horse Jumping (no Polo, Hunting)
Horse Riding
Horse Riding (Eventing)
Hot Air Ballooning
Hunting/Shooting
Hurling
Husky Dog Sledding
Hydro Zorbing
Hydrospeeding
I
Ice Climbing
Ice Diving
Ice Go Carting
Ice Hockey
Ice Marathon
Ice Skating
Ice Speedway
Ice Windsurfing
J
Jet Boating
Jet Skiing
Jet Skiing (non incidental)
Jogging
Jousting
Judo
K
Karate
Karting
Kayaking
Keepfit
Kendo
Kick Sledging
Kite Boarding
Kite Buggying
Kite Surfing
Kiting
Kloofing
Korfball
L
Lacrosse
Land Skiing
Land Yachting
Langlauf
Low Ropes
Luge/Bobsleigh
M
Manual Labour
Marathons
Martial Arts
Micro Lighting
Mixed Gas Diving
Model Flying
Model sports
Modern Pentathlon
Mono Skiing
Motor Racing/Rallies/Competitions (all types)
Motorcycling with appropriate UK licence
Mountain Biking
Mountain Boarding
Mountain Walking up to 1000m
Mountaineering up to 1000m
Mountaineering up to 2,000m
Mountaineering up to 3,000m
Mountaineering up to 4,000m
Mountaineering up to 5,600m
Multi activity courses
N
Netball
O
Octopush
Off Road Motorcycling (up to 250cc)
Off-piste skiing
Orienteering
Outdoor Endurance Tests
Overland Trips
P
Paint Balling
Parachuting
Paragliding
Parapenting/Paraponting
Parasailing (over water) incidental
Parascending (over land)
Parascending (Over water)
Parascending (over water, non incidental)
Passenger Sledge
Petanque
Pigeon racing
Polo
Polo cross
Pony Trekking
Pool
Potholing
Power Boating
Power Gliding
Power Kiting
Power lifting
Professional Entertaining
Q
Quad Bikes
Quoits
R
Rackets
Rafting
Rambling
Rambling under 1,000m
Rambling up to 2,000m
Rap Running/Jumping
Raquet Ball
Re-Enactment
Restaurant Work
Rifle Range
Ringos
River Bugging
River Tubing
River Walking & Gorge Walking (no ropes)
Rock Climbing (under 2,000m)
Rock Scrambling (under 4,000m)
Rodeo
Roller Blading (Line Skating/Skate Boarding)
Roller Hockey
Roller skating
Rounders
Rowing
Rugby
Running, Sprint/Long Distance
S
Safari (non UK Organised)
Safari (UK Organised)
Safari Trekking
Sail Boarding
Sailing
Sailing/Yachting inshore (recreational)
Sailing/Yachting offshore (recreational)
Sand Boarding
Sand Dune Surfing/Skiing
Sand Yachting
Scuba Diving to 18m
Scuba Diving to 30m
Scuba Diving to 40m
Scuba Diving to 9m
Sea Canoeing/Kayaking
Sea Fishing
Shark Cage Diving
Shark Free Diving
Shinty
Shooting
Shooting (target range-not hunting)
Skateboarding
Skeleton
Ski Acrobatics
Ski Biking
Ski Blading
Ski Boarding
Ski Dooing
Ski Flying
Ski Jumping
Ski Mountaineering
Ski Racing
Ski Randonee
Ski Run Walking
Ski Stunting
Ski Touring
Ski Yawing
Skiing
Skiing - Cat
Skiing - Freestyle
Skiing - Glacier
Skiing - Heli
Skiing - Mono
Skiing - Nordic
Skiing - Off Piste Without a Guide
Skiing - Para
Skiing - Snowcat
Sky Diving
Sky Jumping
Sky Surfing
Slack-Lining
Sledging
Sledging/Toboganning
Sleigh riding (reindeer, horses or dogs)
Small Bore Target Shooting
Snooker
Snorkelling
Snow Biking
Snow Blading
Snow Bobbing
Snow Carting
Snow Go Karting
Snow Kiting
Snow Mobile/Ski Doos
Snow Mobiling
Snow Parascending
Snow Scooting
Snow Shoe Walking
Snow Tubing
Snowboarding
Snowcat Driving
Soccer
Softball
Speed Sailing
Speed Skating
Speed Trials/Time Trials
Sphereing
Squash (amateur)
Stoolball
Stoopball
Street Hockey
Summer Tobogganing
Surfcasting
Surfing (amateur)
Swimming
Swimming with Dolphins
Sydney Harbour Bridge
T
Trekking 2000m
Trekking 3000m
Trekking to Everest Base Camp
Trekking up to 5,600m
Triathlon
Tubing
Tug of War
U
Ultimate
Under 17 Driving (not public roads)
up to 1 day Skiing/Dry slope skiing/Snowboarding
V
Via Ferratta
Volleyball
W
Wake Boarding
Walking
War Games/Paint Balling
Water Polo (amateur)
Water Ski Jumping
Water Skiing (amateur)
Waterskiing/Windsurfing/Snorkelling
Weight Lifting
Whale Watching
White Water Rafting
Wicker Basket Tobogganing
Wind Tunnel Flying
Windsurfing
Winter sports
Winter Walking
Working
Wrestling
Y
Yachting
Yoga
Z
Zip Trekking
Zorbing

If you wish to try any of the activities above, always check you are covered by your travel insurance, for Activity travel insurance visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Activities on holiday - Are you covered?

Sport and activity holidays have become hugely popular over the last few years, as many people are travelling to practice their
skills, or to learn a brand new sport.
Many sports and activities, like skydiving and scuba diving, can be much cheaper to do abroad than in the UK. However despite all the dangers associated with extreme sports, insurance for dangerous activities abroad usually isn’t researched as carefully as it should be. Many people assume that their cheap travel insurance covers any and every sport or activity that they may decide to try while on holiday.
Realistically do we really expect our cheap basic insurance to cover walking and ski jumping at the same premium?
Always check the your travel insurance, for what you are, and are not covered for.

For the best Activity travel insurance visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Top Ten Backpacking Destinations

1 Thailand and Laos
Top destination, its very easy to backpack here, every thing is available,
and very cheap

2 Australia
Everyone speaks English. The culture is easy to understand and varies so little that you can get on a plane to the other side of the continent and almost nothing changes.

3 Amsterdam / Holland
A cute little city is in the shape of a horse shoe and so you can end up walking in circles all day.

4 Praque, Czech Republic
Prague and the Czech Republic are important stops on the Eurorail trail, where European and American backpackers in pairs and trios dare to venture behind the old Iron Curtain. The beer is cheap, the architecture is very impressive.

5 Nicaragua
Now that Costa Rica is becoming pricey and over developed, the backpackers are taking over Nicaragua, demanding cheap hostel beds and jazz bars.

6 Morrocco
A slight draw back as Moroccan hustlers relentlessly hound you into going on a tour or buying a carpet.

7 India
India is one of the most challenging places to travel in the world but it’s also one of the cheapest which appeals to the ever budget-conscious backpacker.

8 Greece
Greece is a very seasonal affair and the entire nation heaves a sigh of relief every winter as they get a break from all the culture vultures and sun worshippers that indundate the country every summer.

9 Nepal
Nepal is altogether a lot easier to digest than India as the Nepalese are a good deal more standoffish and it’s easier for backpackers to fly in and wander around looking at temples without being hassled.

10 Guatemala
Now that Mexico has become a little more expensive for backpackers, Guatemala is a popular alternative and many take the noble step of actually learning the language in the many Spanish schools in the north of the country and Antigua.

Remember to purchase backpacker travel insurance at http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Before You Travel

Travelling abroad is exciting, but with so many things to see and do when you get there, the basics of
health and safety are often neglected.
Every year, people living in the UK go on more than 60 million trips abroad. Most have a safe trip,
but some people get ill or have an accident and need medical treatment while they’re away.
From organising travel insurance and vaccinations to preventing DVT and jet lag,
here's what to think about before you travel.

Travel kit checklist
Sunscreen
After sun lotion
Insect repellent
Antihistamines
Anti-diarrhoea pills
Rehydration sachets
First aid kit

Sunscreen
Make sure you purchase a sunscreen with a sun protective factor(SPF)
of at least 15, the highr the factor the better you are protected
against the suns harmful rays.

Insect Repellent
Mosquito's usually bite between dusk and dawn,they are attracted to us by
our body heat.The best repellants against mosquito bites are those which
contain DEET, these are available in sparays roll-ons, sticks and creams.
Your GP can advise you whether the area you are travelling to is malarial
and advise you on protection.

Antihistamines
Antihiatamines can help reduce itching and irritation caused by allergies
and insect bites, These can be bought in tablet form, nasal sprays and
creams.

Anti-Diarrhoea pills
Anti diarrhoea pills can slow down bowel movements, to relieve
the symptoms of diarrhoea.

Rehydration Sachets
Rehydration sachets help replace fluids and salts lost through diarrhoea, vomiting and too
much sun. You can purchase these from the pharmacy.

First Aid Kit
It is always a good idea to carry a small first aid kit, which usually contain
essential and useful items such as antiseptic cream, plasters and bandages.

As well as remembering all of the above also talk to your Gp about vaccinations
at least 6 weeks before you travel.

and finally the first item on your check list should be the best travel insurance visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

French flight controllers strike

French flight controllers began a strike on Tuesday 20 July which is expected to disrupt air traffic until early Thursday.
The industrial action was called by five trade unions to protest what they claim will be a loss of jobs when six European countries merge their civil aviation services.
Passengers face at least 24-hours of cancellations and delays at the height of the holiday season.
Carriers have been asked to cancel half of all flights taking off from and arriving at Paris’ Orly Airport and 20 per cent of flights at the capital’s other major airport, Charles de Gaulle.
The trade unions are protesting against the creation of the so-called Single European Sky re-organisation.
Those with travel plans should contact their airline or travel company for advice and information.
It is anticipated that there will be further French ATC strikes in September, although no dates have been set.

French airports effected

Airports of Paris – Nice Côte d’Azur – Nantes Atlantique – Airports of Lyon – Toulouse-Blagnac

When and wherever you travel purchase the best travel insurance at http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Snowboarding

Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, surfing and skiing It was developed in the USA in the 1960s and the 1970s and became a Winter Olympic Sport in 1998.
Here are a few interesting facts about how to snowboard:

Stance and balance
Balance is of course a key factor in this sport, it is critical that the snowboarder keeps his or her body at the centre of the board.With balance comes the ability to perform various tricks .

Stopping
This is a skill every good snowboarder requires to maintain control, especially when going down hill. There are several ways to come to a complete stop. A boarder can put pressure down on their toe side edge, concentrating their weight on the back of the board. This will naturally guide the board to the right (If riding regular). If the boarder continues to put pressure on their toe side, they will eventually become perpendicular with the trail, and come to a stop. Another way to slow down and stop would be to put pressure on their heel side edge, which will guide the board to the left and will naturally slow down as the board becomes perpendicular to the trail.

Pivot and steering
Pivoting and steering This skill is closely related to the turning of the board. Pivoting and steering are mainly performed by rotation of the body. When people first ride snowboards, they are advised to use their upper body to move their boards. By rotating their upper body, they can change the direction of the boards. It is crucially important for an instructor to make riders feel the rotation of their body; from upper body to the board. To improve this skill, there are exercises such as fall line pivot, motorboat exercise, and static steering.

Pressure control
If riders are good at pressure control, they can perform much more stable riding. This skill is essential when riders are on the bumpy slope, or on the various terrains. By flexing or extending the body, a rider can absorb or add to the pressure of the board, controlling speed. Advanced riders can use lower parts of their bodies to control the pressure of the board. Exercises for this skill are fall line stop, Ollie's, Nollie's, and small straight air.

Time and Coordination
This skill is about changing in rhythm of the performance. If you are good at this skill, you are very confident with performing any kinds of turns by coordinate your body movement in a proper timing. Exercises for this skill are top gun turn, counting with focus on symmetry, and tornado turns.
After all this you can then go onto learn jibbing, free riding, dry slopes, Freestyles, and free curve.

If you are backpacking , buy backpacking snowboard insurance and for all other travel insurances visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Goodbye Britain hello Australia

Many of us talk about moving abroad to live but according
to a recent poll, one in ten people of Brisbanes population are Pommys.
You would presume it would be to the delightful views of Sidney Harbour
or Melbourne for the cricket, but Brits are flocking to the east coast of Brisbane.
One reason is parents wishing to raise thier families
with blue skies and a laid back lifestyle.
Private education in Australia is as good as here but at a fraction of the cost.
Many brits are from the 6 month visa generation,
They went to visit Australia for 6 months but several years later were still there.
Why would you not want to wake up every day in a warm country where the pace of life is slower, children play outside their homes safely, the skies are blue and the beaches are beautiful.

After the credit crunch it has appealed to many families struggling to make ends meet in the UK. For the price of a small house in the UK, you could buy a detached property with your own double garage, land and a pool.
It all seems a no brainer, but of course there are always little things you could miss, like real ale, the rat race, traffic jams and rain??? Or May be not !!

Many of us have relatives who live abroad , If you are going to visit them buy the best travel insurance at http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Psychic Octopus Predicts World Cup Results

Paul the Octopus, who lives in Germany has successfully predicted every homeland result during this Years world Cup.

Paul upset a few of his fellow country men when he predicted Spain over Germany for the Semi final.
He has chosen his predictions, by sitting on one of two boxes both with food in but with the competing countries flags on.

Other results that Paul successfully predicted in the South African tournament included Germany's win against England and their defeat to Serbia.
The eight-legged mystic is said to have had an 80% success rate during Euro 2008.
In what German fans had hoped was a good omen, the only tip Paul has ever got wrong is the Germany v Spain final two years ago.His keeper, Oliver Walenciak, said before Wednesday's match: "We know that all octopuses have nine brains so we know he has exceptional powers."In the European Cup he got one game wrong. It was the final between Germany and Spain and he picked Germany which was wrong and this time he has picked Spain so we are thinking he must be wrong again."
Now the world is waiting to see if Paul can successfully predict the result of the World Cup final between the Spanish and the Dutch, and the third-place play-off where Uruguay take on Germany.
His owners believe Paul is Psychic and has become quite a talking point during this years world cup..especially on networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook

Dont try and predict your holiday , buy travel insurance, visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/

Why choose a cruise

Many of us find it hard deciding where to go on holiday, so why not choose a cruise ?
imagine waking up every morning somewhere different, for instance if you decided to go on :

A Nile cruise
Imagine sitting out on the sun deck, sipping a cool drink while snaking your way down the longest river in the world. A cruise along the Nile allows you to experience all the sites and sounds of this ancient land.

Mediterranean Cruise
f you’re short on time but still want to set sail, then a Mediterranean cruise is your best option.
Often split into either eastern or western-focused trips, you’ll get to experience some of Europe’s most beautiful and cosmopolitan destinations all in one holiday.
Western cruises can take in the cultural sights of Barcelona, the glamour of Monte Carlo and the romance of Italian cities such as Venice or Rome.
Eastern cruises can take you into the Azure waters of the Aegean Sea and the Greek isles of Mykanos and Santorini. Then there are the bustling markets of Morocco and the blissful beaches of Croatia and Malta.

Africa
Combine a safari trip with your cruise for an action-packed holiday in South Africa.
Begin your adventure in Cape Town and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. Close by are the famous wine lands, most famously the picturesque Stellenbosch with its oak-lined roads.
Back on board, you can drift onwards to East London (not UK), with its lagoons and waterfalls and the colonial influenced Durban.
Further on is Port Elizabeth, where you can enjoy excursions into the Shamwari Game Reserve before cruising to Mossel Bay. The dramatic shoreline here is often touted as Africa’s most spectacular

When it comes to booking a cruise, the sheer choice can prove overwhelming. But before you reach for your credit card, ask what you want out of the cruise. Are you looking to laze around or get exploring? Do you want peace and quiet on board or lots of activities day and night?
Don’t be afraid to ask the travel company lots of questions to make sure the cruise is right for you. And don’t get forget travel insurance to make sure you’re covered should things go wrong.

Visit www.holidaysafe.co.uk for the best cruise travel Insurance

Obama has put Tax on Tanning Beds

A tax on tanning is expected to raise £1.8bn in the US to help raise money for overhauling healthcare.
While the harmless spray-tan remains untaxed, those going for the burn on tanning beds now face considerably higher charges.
The first federal tax has been tacked onto indoor tanning services in a move expected to generate $2.7bn over a decade.
The 10% levy was introduced as part of controversial healthcare reforms President Barack Obama signed into law in March.
Senate Democrats considered a tax on cosmetic surgery dubbed the Botax to pay for the costs of implementing the legislation, before looking to the indoor tanning industry.

The tanning industry complains that thousands of small independent business will be badly affected by the introduction of the tax, which will hit profits.
Tanning services offered by health clubs are, in the main, not taxable thanks to an exemption on fitness facitileies’ membership fees which include access to sunbeds.
However tax authorities have ruled that tanning outlets cannot seek a fitness centre exemption "by allowing users access to exercise classes or pieces of exercise equipment."
Bizarrely, many video rental stores are affected by the tax as it not unusual in parts of US to offer free tans in exchange for a certain number of rentals.
Meanwhile tanning addicts have raced to fit in extra sunbed sessions before the tax took effect.
Current NHS advice warns that sunbeds and tanning booths give out the same type of harmful radiation as sunlight - often in greater doses than the midday Mediterranean sun.

source:skynews

To save money on your travel insurance visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/