Pre Booked Trips
If you book a trip at least 6 months in advance, then holiday insurance policies that cover unexpected cancellations (either by yourself or the airline/hotel) is important, as a lot can happen in this time. This means you will get your money back if you suddenly fall ill, the airline goes bust or the destination you are travelling to is hit by bad weather or political unrest making it impossible to travel there.

Expensive Trips
Comprehensive holiday insurance is a must if you are booking a very expensive trip. Think of your holiday as an investment that needs protecting and make sure your policy covers you for as many eventualities as possible so that you will be refunded if anything goes wrong.

Complex Plans
If you are planning an extensive and complex trip with lots of different flights and travel connections, then you need an insurance policy that can protect you in case one of the stages of your trip is delayed, causing you to miss the next connection. This can then refund you any parts of the holiday that you have to miss out to catch up again, such as flights or pre booked overnight accommodation.

Package Holiday
Package holiday deals often have a number of restrictions in place, and if you have to make any last minute changes all the savings you have made on the deal will be lost, as the package will revert to full price. Most package holiday providers will have insurance schemes to prevent this from happening, and as some deals can make savings of as much as £1,000 on your holiday, the small fee is well worth it.

Last Minute Trips
If you book a last minute deal just a couple of days before you leave then there is very little chance of anything going wrong, so you will not need insurance to protect your booking. It is still advisable to have health insurance, as you can never predict what will happen whilst you are away.

Local Trips
If you are travelling to a destination in the country you live in, it is not necessary to take out insurance on either short flights and accommodation, as flights will cost as little as £70 and most hotels in UK and USA allow free cancellations up to 24 hours before you are due to arrive. You will not need additional health insurance either, as your existing US health insurance (or UK citizenship) will entitle you to treatment almost anywhere in your country.

Short Trips
If you are only taking a short break then the non-refundable parts of your booking are likely to be small, and if you are in good health there is little chance of you falling ill whilst you are away. If your budget allows it, travel insurance is still a good idea to make sure you are covered in the event of accident or cancellation, but it is not essential on short trips if you really cannot afford it.

When you are choosing holiday insurance you will need to make compromises between cost and cover, as full insurance policies can add a significant amount to your overall holiday budget. If you are unsure exactly what cover you need then you can check out some travel insurance websites, which will provide you independent advice on all money matters including travel and holiday insurance.

French Polynesia

Tahiti

Tahiti is the perfect destination for a special holiday or honeymoon, with its stunning sandy beaches and romantic atmosphere. You can stay in the privacy of traditional thatched bungalows that overlook the beautiful tropical lagoons, with special extras such as breakfast delivered in the morning by canoe. During the day there are many activities to amuse all ages, and an island tour is a must so that you can see all of the amazing scenery and experience the vibrant Tahitian lifestyle and culture.

Tours include gentle bus trips around the coastal roads and small villages, boat cruises around the balmy tropical lagoons or if you are feeling more energetic you can explore the tropical forests and mountains with an off road safari excursion. The calm blue waters are perfect for snorkeling and diving, and you can dive at several amazing sites including sunken ships, ocean drop offs and relaxing lagoons. Tahiti also has several top spas, where you can relax and be pampered, whilst surrounded by stunning natural beauty.

Tahiti also offers tradition Tahitian weddings which can provide romantic and non binding ceremonies for couples to renew their vows or celebrate their time together. The ceremony can be preformed on the beach, with the couple bedecked with beautiful flowers and accompanied by traditional music and dancing.

Bora Bora

Bora Bora is just an hour away by plane from Tahiti and is renowned for its stunning tropical scenery and romantic lagoons and beaches. Many people believe Bora Bora to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world and it a popular spot for honeymoons and once in a lifetime holidays. Resorts in Bora Bora are luxurious and well equipped, with first class accommodation over the tropical waters, gyms, spas and additional features such as butler, maid and concierge services.

If you are thinking of booking a holiday in Tahiti, Bora Bora or anywhere in the French Polynesia then it is a good idea to visit www.easytahiti.com. This website provides a wealth of information about these islands including where to stay and what to do, and also gives you an insight in the history and culture of the French Polynesia.

The South of France (known as le Midi) has a lovely warm climate for most of the year, and with its stunning sandy beaches and luxury hotels and villas it is a hotspot for the rich and fabulous. The Cote D’Azur is well known for its glamorous lifestyle and fantastic food, and there is plenty to do from shopping and fine dining, to just relaxing with friends in one of the many busy seaside cafes and bars. If you are on a tight budget then further along the coast is Languedoc-Roussillon region, which has some slightly less desirable beaches, making holiday prices more reasonable.

Accomodation can vary, so there should be something availble to suit all budgets, but do check hotels out carefully before you book as some of them are well past their prime. Languedoc-Roussillon also borders Spain, and this is an excellent opportunity for you to visit this charming country for a day or two whilst you are away on holiday, and experience its unique culture which is suprisingly different from France despite their close proximity.

If you are thinking of booking any villas in France, then there are some lovely examples of old French farmhouses and cottages availble in some really beautful locations. Many villas have been modernised so that they include a pool, and this can make a great addition if you have children, as some beaches in France do charge people to use them, and this can get expensive if you want to enjoy swimming everyday.

When you are booking a hotel, you will need to check to see what meals are inclusive (usually only breakfast) and also check the surrounding area to see if there are any reasonable cafes and restaurants for you to get your other meals from, and whether they are suitable for children. Most of the time it is much cheaper for families to book self catering holidays, and then they are free to cook food for themselves and not tied to eating out the whole time they are away.

It can also be easier to plan your holiday activities if you are on a self catering holiday, as you will not be tied to returning to your hotel in time for dinner service, and you will have kitchen facilities available in which to prepare for spontaneous picnics or beach barbeques. If you have very young children eating out each night can be more of a chore than a pleasure, and having your own space to prepare food you know your children will like can be much more relaxing for all of you.

There are some reasonable self catering holidays available in Europe, and this can be very convenient for those living in the UK as you can take your car over on the ferry or Channel Tunnel, so that you have your own transport whilst you away. The company Eurocamp offer an excellent range of self catering holidays in France, Spain, Germany and many more European countries, and you should be able to find something that will suit your budget and family lifestyle.

Eurocamp also offers special discounts if you book early (around 15% off) and reductions if you book with friends. Also in off peak months you can often get a free 7 nights when you book 14 nights, so three weeks for the price of two.

To find out more about all of the European self catering holidays available from Eurocamp you can visit their website and either browse the online catalogue or request a PDF copy to be sent to your email address.