Thursday, January 30

Year: 2020

Emotional Support Animals on Flights Facing Tougher Regulation
Entertainment, Travel

Emotional Support Animals on Flights Facing Tougher Regulation

Travelling can be stressful, especially if you have a mental health illness or have a fear of flying (aviophobia or aerophobia we cant figure out the phobia name)... well if you are travelling to the US or are taking an internal flight in the US you might want to double-check if your Emotional Support Animal is able to accompany you... The US Transportation Department is tightening rules on "emotional support animals" after a series of high-flying (terrible pun, I know) incidents onboard flights. Department of Transport has said that it no longer considers animal companions used by travellers on commercial flights for emotional support as "service animals". Which essentially means airlines can ban them outright. The new definition of a service animal is: "a dog that is ...
Irish Airports open Covid-19 test centres
Announcement, Travel

Irish Airports open Covid-19 test centres

Let's get the two most common questions out of the way first Can I get tested for COVID-19 before I travel from Dublin Airport? Yes!Can I get tested for COVID-19 if I land in Dublin Airport? Yes! Now lets talk details and price Walk-in and drive drive-through Covid-19 test centres will be available at Dublin Airport starting this Thursday 🎉 The walk-in centre will be close to the terminal two car park and is charging €99 with roughly a 24 to 48 hours results time frame. The drive-through test centres will have prices ranging from €129 to €159... costs a little extra for the convenience 😏 Both centres will be open to the public as well as those needing tests to travel and/or returning travellers. Booking online through individual companies’ websites will be required....
Online COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form for Ireland 🇮🇪
Announcement, Travel

Online COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form for Ireland 🇮🇪

The COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form is now an online form. If you are arriving into Ireland on or after Wednesday 26 August 2020, you can complete this form online in advance of arriving into Ireland. The information you provide may be used to contact you in the next 14 days to verify the details given on this form and to provide you with public health advice. This form may also be used for the purposes of contact tracing in relation to confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19. You are not required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form if you are an essential supply chain worker: Air and ship crew and hauliers Accredited diplomat If however, you are travelling onwards to Northern Ireland, you will need to fill out a portion of the form. To comply with Irish law, al...
What is the EU 261 Compensation Regulation?
Announcement, Travel

What is the EU 261 Compensation Regulation?

EU 261 confirms that long delays, cancellations, missed connections and flight re-bookings cause great inconvenience to travellers, and as such affected passengers should be compensated! Happy days! Who is eligible for EC Regulation 261/2004 compensation? Passengers who have a valid ticket and booking confirmation ✅Passengers who: start their trip at an EU airport or land in an EU airport, provided that the airline is headquartered in the EU ✅ It doesn’t matter if the passengers are: Using a low-cost airlineBooked on a package holidayOn a business trip orChildren (on a paid ticket) orFlying on free or reduced tickets under customer loyalty or promotional programmes. The EU Regulation does not apply to: Passengers travelling on a free or redu...
Travel Insurance Policy Update: COVID-19
Announcement, Travel

Travel Insurance Policy Update: COVID-19

Notwithstanding the CORONAVIRUS EXCLUSION clause on page 5 of the Policy booklet, we are delighted to confirm that Buddy policies now include the following protections for COVID-19. 🦠 Buddy now has you covered for: Up to €10million (up from €6.5m last year) emergency medical expenses cover for Covid-19Unlimited FREE extended trip duration cover (if, due to unexpected circumstances beyond your control)Where medically necessary - repatriation costs to bring you back to the Ireland where it is deemed to be in your best interests   Additional accommodation and repatriation expenses for you, and anyone member of the travel party who has to remain or travel with youTravel expenses, if medically necessary, for a friend or relative to travel from your home area to stay w...
The EU Countries not Imposing a 14-day Quarantine!
Announcement, Travel

The EU Countries not Imposing a 14-day Quarantine!

After months of COVID lockdown, news of holiday destinations planning to accept travellers is beginning to seep in! Great news! 😎 🇪🇺 We’ve done a round-up of European destinations who have confirmed they are opening for business! 🇦🇹 Austria has announced it will reopen its land border with Italy on June 16th. On the same day, they will end the quarantine requirements for more than 20 European countries. 🇨🇭 Switzerland is allowing entry of all travellers from EU and Schengen countries – and the UK, from June 15th. 🇩🇪 Germany is also allowing entry of all travellers from EU and Schengen countries from June 15th. 🇫🇷 France is welcoming all Europeans from June 15th 🇮🇹 Italy has been welcoming back Europeans since June 3rd 🇪🇸 Spain is opening to foreigners in July. ...
My Top 3 Travel Blogs From Around The World To Inspire Wanderlust 🛩
Travel

My Top 3 Travel Blogs From Around The World To Inspire Wanderlust 🛩

What is it that makes a great travel blog? This is a really difficult question to answer but in my opinion, a great travel blog has to suit the style of travel that I enjoy. I am someone who likes to feel like I am on an adventure. I have no problem with tourist traps because I appreciate what they are (Times Square, Khaosan Road, any Hard Rock Cafe) but if I am on a holiday and it is simply following the tourist trail with no deviation I certainly feel like I am not actually experiencing a places culture and unique quirks. Here are a few blogs that I have turned to when planning my trips to inspire me, get me off the tourist trail, and discover things that I know I will love... 1) Maptia "Maptia is a collaborative project with a diverse group of photographers,...
Update: When and Where Can I Fly This Summer with Ryanair?
Travel

Update: When and Where Can I Fly This Summer with Ryanair?

🛫 Europe is starting to opening post-COVID-19. While not entirely out of the woods it is encouraging to see lockdown restrictions being lifted by our European neighbours. Always follow exact travel warnings for each country from The Department of Foreign Affairs website and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website. Ryanair has announced that from the 1st of July they will be operating 1,000 daily flights. That being said be warned that countries are likely to update and change travel restrictions at any time. Let's look at each country: 🇮🇪 Ireland Ryanair currently operating a limited flight schedule.14-day self-isolation required upon arrival into Ireland (Note: I was returning from NYC and had to self-isolate and the HSE called on me to check I was self-isolating).All...
12 Travel Hacks That Every Irish Person Needs To Know
Travel

12 Travel Hacks That Every Irish Person Needs To Know

1. Turn on ‘Private Browsing’ or ‘Incognito’ for cheaper flights online Travel sites and airlines use cookies on your browser which they use to track your online activity....so if you search for a flight or a hotel one day then return the next you might see the price increase. You can avoid this by switching to ‘Private Browsing’ whenever you're looking to book flights or hotels. FYI we don't do this at Buddy....we never increase your quote based on your search activity, unlike other insurers in the Irish market 🙊 2. Use packing cubes or roll your clothes for more space Packing cubes are a great way to organise your bag, so if you are on the go and need to take something out of your bag quickly you can just grab the cube you need without having to unpack and repack th...