Traveling these days is fraught with risks. Delays, cancellations and lost luggage happen all the time. An unforeseen skiing accident or a fall on the stairs can lead to unexpected medical expenses and possible hospitalization away from home. There can be natural and man-made occurrences that can foil the best-laid travel plans and seriously affect your health and personal security.

This is where travel insurance can come to your rescue, to cover you for such occurrences that can crop up when you least expect them. Travel medical insurance will take of your medical charges should you be hospitalized or fall ill in a foreign country.

If exploring nature without ruining its natural beauty and conserving the environment is your passion along with improving the lives of local people, you could visit protected places earmarked as ecotourism sites. Enjoy canopy walking to conservation, animal rehabilitation adventure and rich wildlife - ecotourism holidays could help you do this and much more ...

Ecotourism is all about nature, wildlife and culture. It is for the Eco conscious traveler to experience the world of glory while looking at the environment. Hike in New Zealand or shoot down its rapids in a kayak. Volunteer to help build wells and bring clean drinking water to the inaccessible rural communities in remotest Africa. Or simply indulge in a well-planned holiday that should have a minimum negative impact on the natural environment.

'There is no island that is more beautiful in the world' exclaimed Christopher Columbus, when he arrived on the Dominican Republic in 1492. A paradise to discover, Dominican Republic boasts of golden sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and mysterious lush valleys, whispering majestic tall mountains and above all, wonderful and friendly people.

Lying in the same waters as Cuba and Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic takes up the eastern two thirds of the island it shares with Haiti. A vacation to the Dominican Republic promises to be a mix of caves with lush interiors, with the lore of pirates and Victorian gingerbread houses, and a 900 miles coastline!

You cross a cheerful countryside with many orchards and plantations, notably the immense Dole pineapple plantation. Etched from a distance is the imposing silhouette of the Matutum Volcano (2,293 meters). The last part of the route from Surullah onwards takes you up on the mountain trail. The atmosphere changes as soon as you leave the agricultural plain—the air gets cooler and the light becomes brighter. Finally, about two-and-a-half hours trip from General Santos, you arrive at Lake Sebu where you will notice the tilapia fish-breeding enclosures.

South Africa’s forests are famous for their great beauty and natural value. Many plants and birds can only be found in these woodlands and hiking and bird watching of excellent quality make them well worth visiting. From Modjadji’s mysterious Cycad Forest to the stately Grootvadersbosch in the Western Cape, these forests enchant with their spectacular biodiversity.

Many forests of South Africa are confined to the coastal provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Eastern Cape, although hundreds of smaller forests are tucked into the many valleys and gorges of its mighty mountain ranges.

A large proportion of South Africa's forests are renowned for their incredible biodiversity and beauty, with special emphasis on unique flora and abundant birdlife.

A trip to Europe is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, a chance to finally experience all those famous sights from movies and books for oneself. The problem, however, is that some of Europe’s best known sites are also some of it’s most disappointing. Psychologists have a name for when this experience reaches its extreme: the Paris Syndrome, named for Japanese visitors that develop panic attacks when confronted with sights that just don’t meet their expectations. Likely locations for such attacks? The Eiffel Tower (far better on the postcards), the Acropolis in Greece (ah, there it is, through the smog!) and the gondola rides in Venice. Other strong contenders for crushing disappointment are the Mannekin Pis of Brussels and Little Mermaid of Copenhagen, both guaranteed to elicit a cry of “Is that it?”.

Thank goodness for plate tectonics, for without this, the Himalayan mountain range and Mount Everest would be as flat as pancake. The rise and fall in the Earth’s landscape millennia ago has resulted in some truly astounding and breathtaking mountains, which amaze and challenge those who dare climb them. From relaxing mountain trails to scaling some of the world’s highest peaks, mountains provide a wonderful escape and a fantastic holiday activity for many travellers. Anyone who enjoys the great outdoors and some fresh air can find a walk or hike suited to their capabilities. Amateurs can walk just about anywhere there is a mountain and gentle trails and walks can be found the world over.

New York City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US... and the world. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most expensive. A day spent visiting the Statue of Liberty, seeing a Broadway show, or admiring works at the Guggenheim will take a chunk out of any tourist's pocket. Sure, there are always the sights to take pictures of, like Times Square, Wall Street, and Ground Zero, but there are fun things to do in New York City besides taking pictures. And they're free.

Endangered travel destinations around the world.Many of the world's most wondrous and beautiful destinations are in danger of being destroyed by a combination of environmental and social factors: a warming climate, pollution, strained resources, bulging populations, and booming tourist traffic. Below are some popular locations worth visiting before they disappear.

Some call it the "Forgotten Corner," but the North Pend Oreille scenic byway has been discovered and rediscovered by nature-lovers, wildlife viewers, adventurers and historians for years. Covering the northeast corner of the state, the byway brings travelers through a land of remote mountain ranges, bootlegger's caves and 2000-year old cedars.