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We know Paris as the City of Love, but who knew that it’s also a place to go if you love a little thrill. Under the romantic city’s streets, the famed Catacombs are lined with skulls as far as the eye can see. Holding the remains of over 6 million people, this underground labyrinth was built in the late 18th century to accommodate the city’s overflowing cemeteries. It even contains different sections dedicated to different bones and body parts. Explore all of them if you have the time, or the guts!

Fancy a homestay in a lovely Victorian-style house in the middle of nowhere? (Read: Perfect setting for a horror film.) Just under three hours’ drive from Canberra, you can tour this 1880's Victorian homestead. Hear stories of the past and present, while experiencing the energy of the house and its spirits. Who knows, you may just bump into the Crawley family who supposedly still walks the hallways of this magnificent mansion.

Step onto Hashima Island and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported into a post-apocalyptic town. A canvas of monochromatic grey paints the abandoned island with the creepiness of a ghost town. What was once a bustling coal mine and a brutal prisoner of war camp is now a dwelling of wandering souls and spirits. If this island gives you a feeling of déjà vu, that’s because it was the ominous setting for films like “Skyfall”, “Hashima Project” and “The Battleship island”. Now, it’s your turn to live to tell of your visit.

Fans of Count Dracula, get ready to sink your teeth into this one. We’re talking about Bran Castle, or more terrifyingly known as Dracula’s Castle. In the mysterious land of Transylvania well-known for tales of bloodthirsty and cape-wearing vampires, Bran Castle was made infamous by Irish author Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula," published in 1897. Today, the grand medieval castle continues to thrill those who come to seek an audience with the frightfully famed vampire.

Imagine hundreds of terrifying dolls with severed limbs, decapitated heads and blank eyes hanging from the trees, staring into your soul and beckoning you with moving arms. Legend has it that the dolls were hung by a caretaker, in respect of a young girl who had drowned. Apparently haunted by her spirit, he started hanging more dolls in an attempt to please her spirit. Witnesses claimed to have heard the dolls whispering to one another, but you’ll only really know after visiting this eerie island—if you dare.

Fancy a royal sighting of the supernatural kind? Head to one of the most haunted places in the UK—the Tower of London. The castle has a torrid reputation  torture, execution and murder in its nearly 1,000-year history, which probably explains why it is also the un-resting place of different classes of ghosts. Two allegedly murdered young princes, Edward V and Richard, were seen wearing nightgowns, clutching each other in terror in the castle’s rooms. And, watch out for the headless body of beheaded Queen Anne Boleyn floating by you.

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Excited to plan your trip? Don’t forget your travel insurance which can come in handy when you least expect it. Reach out to us here or find out more here.

Most people know that changing their diets is integral to leading a healthy lifestyle—so they try to switch it up completely. While some have found success, such a change may be drastic and difficult for most people, which leads them to give up completely. One way to get around this is to start small: choose a favourite healthy vegetable and include it in your diet daily. Our preferred choice? Kale, because it is filled with powerful antioxidants and is great for detoxifying your body.

In times of war, trenches are incredibly useful as a type of defensive position. If you’re committed to leading a healthy lifestyle, find a trench buddy whom you can go to war (against unfitness!) with. After all, a difficult plan often becomes easier when doing it with someone. It could be your spouse, your best friend, or even your colleague. A good workout partner can go a long way in ensuring that you are exercising frequently. That way, you can both keep each other accountable to a healthy regime and achieve health goals together.

One method to healthy living and combating stress is to exercise your mind through an activity that is separate from work. Find a regular pastime that requires some form of mental activity, such as reading a book or even playing chess on your phone when you’re traveling from one place to another. Such mental tasks help to strengthen your neural circuits and more importantly, allows for any accumulated stress to dissipate.

If you think that injuries are rare and unheard of in the world of golf, think again. Most people experience some form of back pain in their lifetime, but that number may be higher amongst golfers. That is because swinging a golf club can place considerable rotational stress on your spine and muscles, especially when done repeatedly. Tiger Woods, probably the most famous golfer in the world, has gone through four back surgeries alone. And that’s not all. Other injuries related to the neck, rotator cuff, wrist, and knees are also common amongst golfers. Investing in golf insurance would be a wise decision to ensure that you are covered for all of these potential injuries.

This one is more for the less experienced golfers—although even the best athletes may slip up sometimes. Public liability refers to an injury sustained by another person or damage to public property. For example, an overzealous swing of the golf club may lead to it accidentally hurtling towards an onlooker or damaging parts of the property. Your inexperience could thus cause you a significant amount of medical compensation or repair expenses—unless you have golf insurance, which could offset most, if not all, of these costs.

If you are someone who is really passionate about golf, you would probably have invested in some quality golfing equipment—and these don’t come cheap. Unlike other sports where you may simply need a good pair of shoes, golf requires different clubs for different situations. In the event that any of the equipment is damaged accidentally, it would cost plenty to repair or even replace them. If you’re worried about incurring such costs—especially if you’re a frequent golfer—a golf insurance plan would provide the necessary coverage for your expensive equipment.

We’re adding this in just for the fun of it! A hole-in-one is seen as a rarity in golf, and some may even describe the experience as hitting the jackpot. You might think it is cause for celebration—and it definitely should be—except that the celebration includes buying a round of drinks for everyone afterwards. As ludicrous as it may sound, this tradition has been around for years. The benefit of golf insurance is having hole-in-one coverage that will cover the cost of drinks. After all, nobody wants to hit a hole-in-one only to have their heart sink at the thought of an impending bill, right?

Month of Festival: April

Also known as the world’s biggest water fight, this energetic festival in Thailand marks the beginning of the Thai new year. The origin of Songkran can be traced back to the tradition of pouring water on Buddha statues as an act of purification, and eventually believed to wash away one’s sins and bad luck. Typically lasting over three days, you can look forward to an exciting array of street food and cultural performances—and of course, the customary throwing of water. Once you hit the streets, there is no escape from being drenched by buckets, water guns, and even hoses from head to toe. It is truly a wild and wet party all around, so don’t expect to reach home dry for three straight days!

Month of Festival: March

Celebrated in India to welcome the beginning of spring, Holi is a joyous and fun-filled event widely recognised for its signature bright colours. Much like Songkran in Thailand, it is similarly seen as an occasion to rid oneself of the past and start over afresh. During the festival, people of all ages gather excitedly in the streets to throw coloured dye and powder (known as gulal) at one another in good jest and fun. If you’re recognised as a traveller, you could also be targeted as a friendly form of ‘welcome’ from the locals. Our advice? Pack plenty of spare clothes for your trip!
 

Month of Festival: July

One of the most unique festivals in Asia, the Boryeong Mud Festival was first conceived to promote cosmetics made from mud in the region. These cosmetics were said to be rich in minerals that occur naturally in the mud. Today, thousands from all over the world flock to this small, sleepy town to partake in some good old-fashioned mud activities such as wrestling, sliding, and swimming. If you’ve ever had a deep longing to go against your parents’ wishes and frolic in the mud as a child, this festival is where your dream can finally come true.
 

Month of Festival: February

Legend has it that locals once ridded themselves of a cholera epidemic by setting off firecrackers throughout the city. Eventually, it grew to become the exhilarating tradition that it is today. During this annual event, thousands of firecrackers are set off into the crowd at the same time. This results in a deafening cacophony of bee-like sounds and trails of light everywhere, almost as if swarms of angry bees had just broken out of their nests. Definitely a ‘lit’ experience to share about—but remember to come equipped with helmets, gloves, and flame-retardant clothes!

Having a comprehensive insurance plan prevents unwanted hassle and expenses down the line.

When selecting a plan, find coverage that matches the value of your new home and its contents. Ideally, this includes injuries and the damage or loss of valuable items, such as MSIG’s Homecare Insurance.

Want to know a secret to radiant skin? Healthy amounts of Vitamin D! Found in sunlight, Vitamin D also prevents stress-related diseases and promotes bone growth.

Our recommendation: Visit Costa Rica. Known for its pristine beaches, volcanoes and diverse animal species, you’ll get plenty of sunlight and Vitamin D. Stay at one of the countries’ ecotourism resorts where you can detox with organic food. You can even help to conserve wildlife by volunteering to look after sea turtles with your kids!

We usually take care of ourselves by making sure we eat and sleep well. Little do we know, the air we breathe is just as important. Fresh, natural air is a great source of negative ions which can calm you down and soothe your emotions.

Head down to New Zealand, where hobbits call home. There, you’ll find beautiful greenery and take in fresh air. You can even have a unique luxury eco-friendly glamping experience at Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses. Powered by solar energy, the resort sources food from sustainable markets and has planted 1,400 trees to date. Marvel at majestic whales and pamper yourself at this green resort!

Get travel insurance
Going on an ecotourism holiday is best enjoyed when you are fully relaxed. The last thing you’d want is to worry about high overseas medical expenses or replacing lost items. Keep your holiday as carefree as possible by purchasing travel insurance first. This would save you the cost of replacing a lost laptop, luggage or paying unexpected hospital bills.
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Need help choosing the right travel insurance plan? Find out more about travel insurance here or contact us here.

Complacency often sets in when we’re having it good. You may be in the pink of health and taking up exercise classes regularly, but the worst types of disasters are those that come without warning. For example, certain diseases such as cancer have no correlation to your current state of health. In addition, people with active lifestyles might even be more prone to conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes due to genetic disorders that are inherited in their family history. Hence, while a regular exercise routine is recommended for everyone, it should not be seen as a reason to avoid getting health insurance.

The truth is, you never know when an accident will strike on holiday. With travel insurance, you have access to a hotline that you can call for assistance. That could mean a world of difference if you’re alone and stuck in a painful situation.

Sometimes, life gets in the way of the plans we make. When that happens, imagine the amount you’ll be spending on a non-refundable trip. By just spending a nominal amount, you could save yourself the worry and protect your trip investment. Purchasing travel insurance is usually just about 8% of your total trip costs!

When travelling alone, you have to manage many tasks yourself. Inevitably, things may slip your mind and belongings may be lost. Plus, travel insurance offers coverage for luggage lost during transit so you can continue with your trip. The same applies for stolen belongings, which includes cash and travel documents. Stolen hand-carried baggage is also covered by travel insurance if you file a police report first. Even if Balinese monkeys steal your luggage and fling it off a cliff, you’ll be covered!

If your trip involves solo golfing or doing outdoor activities, you’ll be better protected. There are also insurance policies that provide a ‘special sports’ cover for activities like skiing, snowboarding or scuba diving.

If you’ve gone to great lengths to plan your solo itinerary, significant flight delays can affect your travel schedule. In the event that your flight is delayed for a long period of time, you’ll receive some compensation.

What if you’re on holiday and there’s no one to look after your house? In the event that an accidental fire happens in your home during your trip, this benefit can cover the losses and damages incurred. With travel insurance, you’ll be able to receive coverage for home repairs and valuables such as jewellery, collectibles, home contents and personal belongings.

Now that you know the basics of travel insurance, you’ll probably be wondering how you can pick the right one. Here are some tips to help you make an informed choice.

Find a reputable provider

Getting the right insurance is critical to having peace-of-mind during your trip. Global companies typically have a good reputation and valuable experience in providing various types of insurance. If you’re on a tight budget, smaller insurance providers can also be the way to go. This would be suitable if you are taking a short trip without a complex itinerary.

Consider the value of your belongings

All travel insurance policies have a limit on the amount insured per item we bring on holiday. If you are packing your laptop, travel documents, golf equipment and large amounts of cash with you, it would be critical to find an insurance plan that covers these valuable items.

Choose a plan that caters to your unique needs

Travelling alone means that you have to take extra precaution to ensure your own safety. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, ensure that your insurance provider can cover the condition. You should also check whether they cover specialist medical care. If you are travelling while pregnant, it is also useful to check if your plan covers women’s benefits for pregnancy-related illness or emergency. Seek an insurance provider with a 24-hour support hotline as this would make it easier for you to get help in event of an emergency.

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Solo travel can be a great adventure. With travel insurance, you can focus on getting the rest and rejuvenation you need, rather than worry about any complications. Got any questions about travel insurance? Find out more here or reach out to us here.