Indonesia will not be issuing entry to foreigner as of 20 March. It’s believed the restrictions are in place for one month, and include entry to Bali by Australians.
Following an uptick in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, the risk of transmission is increasing across the Indonesian archipelago, including in Bali.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs announced on 18 March that there is a limited availability of testing and infection control facilities in Indonesia. Critical care for Australians who become seriously ill, including in Bali, is significantly below the standards available in Australia. Medical evacuation to Australia may be not be possible and, if it is, very expensive.
From 20 March, Indonesia will suspend its visa exemption policy for short-stay visit, visa-on-arrival and diplomatic/service visa-free facilities for all countries, for a period of 1 month.
– Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Canberra. Source
The announcement made on Smartraveller adds that if a traveller returning to Australian is suspected or confirmed to have COVID19, they will likely be placed in quarantine and be unable to leave Indonesia until cleared or recovered.
Measures to reduce the spread
Indonesian authorities have implemented a raft of measures aimed at reducing the spread of COVID19 including travel restrictions, cancellation of events, closure of tourist attractions and schools, and asking people to avoid large public gatherings.
Australian diplomatic missions in Jakarta, Bali, Makassar and Surabaya have restricted entry to all but essential visitors and for urgent business only. For passport or consular services call or e-mail in advance for an appointment.
Returning home
If you’re in Indonesia, and wish to return to Australia, it’s recommended you do so as soon as possible by commercial means.
For urgent consular assistance contact:
- +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
- 1300 555 135 from within Australia
- +61 421 269 080 from SMS
For non-urgent inquiries, email smartraveller@dfat.gov.au
Transparency and accuracy: Today’s announcement by DFAT does not include a statement on when Indonesia’s COVID19 entry visa policy will be revoked. Information regarding the 1 month period was sourced from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Canberra.
See the announcement by Smartraveller
See the update by Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Canberra
In an Australian first, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued an update to its travel advice, saying: Do Not Travel to anywhere overseas, at this time.
Today Smartraveller announced the unthinkable: Do Not Travel to any overseas destination. This has massive implications for travel insurance as we are directed by government statements that include ‘Do Not Travel’.
We now advise all Australians: do not travel overseas at this time. This is our highest advice level (level 4 of 4). If you are already overseas and wish to return to Australia, we recommend you do so as soon as possible by commercial means. Regardless of your destination, age or health, our advice is do not travel at this time.
– Australian DFAT, Smartraveller
As more countries close their borders or introduce travel restrictions, overseas travel is becoming more complex and difficult. You may not be able to return to Australia when you had planned to. Consider whether you have access to health care and support systems if you get sick while overseas. If you decide to return to Australia, do so as soon as possible. Commercial options may become less available.
If you are overseas and cannot, or do not want to, return to Australia, follow the advice of local authorities. Take care to minimise your risk of exposure to coronavirus including by self-isolating. If you choose to stay, note our ability to provide consular assistance in some places may be limited due to restrictions on movement and other services.
If you decide to return to Australia, you will now be required to self-isolate for 14 days. This applies to all travellers, including Australian citizens. For details see the Australian Border Force website.
Contact your airline, travel agent or insurance company to discuss your travel plans and options for cancelling or postponing current bookings, or to arrange commercial flights back to Australia.
All cruise ships which have sailed from a foreign port have been banned from entering Australian ports for 30 days.
For more information see Smartraveller’s COVID-19 updates.
For urgent consular assistance contact:
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 from within Australia
+61 421 269 080 from SMS
For non-urgent inquiries, email smartraveller@dfat.gov.au
Thank you for letting us use your image, Anna Shvets from Pexels
Join our Book Club – What Wandering Women Read
Whether it’s quitting a job to sail the seven seas, pursuing a search for self across the continents, or overcoming tragedy through travel, the heartfelt travel memoirs of real-life women never cease to inspire us. Here’s 7 reads the Jane gals can’t wait to get stuck into.
Female travel is not a new phenomenon – women have been adventuring solo since the 1800s. Yet, as more women share their stories through travel blogs, social media groups and published memoirs, their intrepid travel tales are reaching a wider audience. By breaking down all kinds of social conventions, they inspire others to do the same. So if you’re thinking of setting off on an epic voyage of your own, or simply in the mood for a bit of armchair travel, let these 7 female travel picks from Good Reads light the way.
The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost – Rachel Friedman (2011)
“Rachel Friedman has always been the consummate good girl who does well in school and plays it safe, so the college grad surprises no one more than herself when, on a whim (and in an effort to escape impending life decisions), she buys a ticket to Ireland, a place she has never visited. There she forms an unlikely bond with a free-spirited Australian girl, a born adventurer who spurs Rachel on to a yearlong odyssey that takes her to three continents, fills her life with newfound friends, and gives birth to a previously unrealized passion for adventure. As her journey takes her to Australia and South America, Rachel discovers and embraces her love of travel and unlocks more truths about herself than she ever realized she was seeking. Along the way, the erstwhile good girl finally learns to do something she’s never done before: simply live for the moment.” – Rachel Friedman
How Not to Travel the World: Adventures of a Disaster-Prone Backpacker – Lauren Juliff (2015)
“I had no life experience, zero common sense and had never eaten rice. I suffered from debilitating anxiety, was battling an eating disorder and had just had my heart broken. I hoped by leaving to travel the world I would be able to heal myself. Instead, Lauren’s travels were full of bad luck and near-death experiences. Over the space of a year, she was scammed and assaulted, lost teeth and swallowed a cockroach. She fell into leech-infested rice paddies, was caught up in a tsunami, her motorbike’s brakes failed and she experienced a very unhappy ending during a massage in Thailand. It was just when Lauren was about to give up on travel that she stumbled across a handsome New Zealander with a love of challenges…”-Lauren Juliff
Uncanny Valley – Anna Wiener (2020)
“In her mid-twenties, at the height of tech industry idealism, Anna Wiener—stuck, broke, and looking for meaning in her work, like any good millennial–left a job in book publishing for the promise of the new digital economy. She moved from New York to San Francisco, where she landed at a big-data startup in the heart of the Silicon Valley bubble: a world of surreal extravagance, dubious success, and fresh-faced entrepreneurs hell-bent on domination, glory, and, of course, progress.
Anna arrived amidst a massive cultural shift, as the tech industry rapidly transformed into a locus of wealth and power rivaling Wall Street. But amid the company ski vacations and in-office speakeasies, boyish camaraderie and ride-or-die corporate fealty, a new Silicon Valley began to emerge: one in far over its head, one that enriched itself at the expense of the idyllic future it claimed to be building…”- Anna Wiener
Love with a Chance of Drowning – Torre DeRoche (2011)
“A city girl with a morbid fear of deep water, Torre DeRoche is not someone you would ordinarily find adrift in the middle of the stormy Pacific aboard a leaky sailboat – total crew of two – struggling to keep an old boat, a new relationship and her floundering sanity afloat. Set against a backdrop of the world’s most beautiful and remote destinations, Love with a Chance of Drowning is a sometimes hilarious, often moving and always breathtakingly brave memoir that proves there are some risks worth taking.” – Torre DeRoche
This is How I Save My Life: A True Story of Finding Everything When You are Willing to Try Anything – Amy B. Scher (2018)
“When Amy B. Scher was struck with undiagnosed late-stage, chronic Lyme disease, the best physicians in America labeled her condition incurable and potentially terminal. Deteriorating rapidly, she went on a search to save her own life–from the top experts in Los Angeles and the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis to a state-of-the-art hospital in Chicago. After exhausting all of her options in the US, she discovered a possible cure–but it was highly experimental, only available in India, and had as much of a probability of killing her as it did of curing her. Knowing the risks, Amy packed her bags anyway and flew across the world hoping to find the ultimate cure.”
Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of an Iranian American, at Home and Abroad – by Firoozeh Dumas (2008)
“In the bestselling memoir Funny in Farsi, Firoozeh Dumas recounted her adventures growing up Iranian American in Southern California. Now she again mines her rich Persian heritage in Laughing Without an Accent, sharing stories both tender and humorous on being a citizen of the world, on her well-meaning family, and on amusing cultural conundrums, all told with insights into the universality of the human condition. (Hint: It may have to do with brushing and flossing daily.) Dumas also documents her first year as a new mother, the familial chaos that ensues after she removes the television set from the house, the experience of taking fifty-one family members on a birthday cruise to Alaska, and a road trip to Iowa with an American once held hostage in Iran.” – Firoozeh Dumas
Confessions of a Paris Party Girl: A Humorous Travel Memoir – Vicki Lesage (2014)
Wine, romance, and French bureaucracy – the ups and downs of an American’s life in Paris. This laugh-out-loud memoir is almost too funny to be true! Drinking too much bubbly. Meeting sappy Frenchmen who have girlfriends or are creeps or both. Encountering problème after problème with French bureaucracy. When newly-single party girl Vicki moved to Paris, she was hoping to taste wine, stuff her face with croissants, and maybe fall in love.
Want more? Join my bookclub on Facebook: What Wandering Women Read
Image by Renato Abati from Pexels
Here’s how Travel with Jane’s standard policies and tailored Pregnancy Pack work for pregnant travellers.
Am I covered while pregnant?
If you’re heading off on a babymoon, or for any other reason while pregnant, you’re definitely covered for most items listed in your travel insurance policy. So for claims like lost luggage, trip cancellation, legal liability and some medical, you’re covered.
Where it gets a little technical is if you’re needing to claim for certain hospital or medical emergency expenses that are related to your pregnancy, including childbirth.
Pregnancy is viewed as a pre-existing medical condition and your due date play an important role in whether you can get cover or not.
On all of Travel with Jane’s policies, except our Domestic, you are covered for any pregnancy-related claim, up to 26 weeks in the case of a single baby, and 19 weeks in the case of a multiple pregnancy. Cover is provided to you, but not provided for childbirth or the health of a newborn child.
If I give birth overseas, will I be covered?
Having a baby overseas in a medical emergency is no doubt the last thing you’d want. Unfortunately, childbirth is not covered on our standard policies. So for any of these, you won’t be able to claim on medical costs.
Read our full guide on airline rules and flying while pregnant, here.
And with the pregnancy pack, is birth covered?
For extended cover while pregnant overseas, we offer an additional product called our Pregnancy Add-on. First, you’ll get an extension on the week’s you’re allowed to claim at – so this means you have more time to be able to claim for trip cancellations, and pregnancy related medical bills.
- Single pregnancy up to and including 32 weeks gestation
- Multiple pregnancy up to and including 23 weeks gestation
If you’re up to 32 weeks pregnant with a single child, or up to 23 weeks with twins when an incident occurs, and you have written certification from a medical practitioner that you are fit to travel up to ten days prior to your departure, your emergency medical costs are covered under our Pregnancy Pack. The maximum payout under this benefit is is $1 million.
Just to be clear, even with our Pregnancy Add-on, emergency childbirth coverage includes the costs related to your birth and post-birth medical care. It won’t cover your newborn’s medical costs. The costs that come with looking after a newborn after an emergency birth can vary greatly. If we covered this risk, it pushes up premiums across the boar
What does the pregnancy pack cover, and not cover?
Conditions you’re covered for
If you purchase the Pregnancy Add-on, many medical expenses that stem from pregnancy-related complications, otherwise excluded by our standard policy benefits, are covered. This includes:
- toxaemia
- gestational diabetes
- gestational hypertension
- pre-eclampsia
- ectopic pregnancy
- molar pregnancy or hydatidiform mole
- post-partum haemorrhage retained placenta membrane
- placental abruption
- hyperemesis gravidarum
- placenta praevia
- stillbirth
- miscarriage
- emergency caesarean section
- a termination needed for medical reasons
- premature birth more than 8 weeks (or 16 weeks if you know you are having more than one baby) before the expected delivery date.
What you are not covered for
Your pregnancy-related medical costs will not be covered by Travel with Jane’s Pregnancy Add-on in these situations:
- if you have experienced any pregnancy complications prior to purchasing your policy.
- multiple pregnancies arising from services or treatment associated with an assisted reproductive program, including but not limited to in vitro fertilisation.
- a single pregnancy after 32 weeks
- a pregnancy with twins after 23 weeks
- neonatal care
Why are newborn’s not covered?
Even with our Pregnancy Add-on, emergency childbirth coverage includes the costs related to your birth and post-birth medical care. It won’t cover your newborn’s neonatal medical costs. The costs that come with looking after a newborn after an emergency birth can vary greatly. If we covered this risk, it would push medical cover premiums across the board. For your safety, and the safety on your baby, the overriding message is to avoid all chances of giving birth overseas.
Am I covered for fertility treatment?
Unfortunately not. Fertility treatment at any time, including any resulting pregnancy, is not covered by our emergency medical benefits, nor under our Pregnancy Add-on. For claims related to lost luggage, trip cancellations, and legal liability – not related to your treatment, you are eligible to claim
Am I covered for trip cancellations?
Yes – provided you are under 26 weeks or 19 weeks with twins, or 32 weeks and 23 weeks with twins under our Pregnancy Add-on. , you are eligible to claim for the costs of not being able to go on your trip. You’re also able to claim of you need to cancel a portion of your trip, your, or activity. So for example, if you discover you’re pregnant while on our trip, and are not able partake in pre-booked strenuous activities, you are eligible to claim for lost deposits or full payments.
What should I do if I’m pregnant and have a medical emergency overseas?
For medical emergencies overseas like broken limbs, a severe and sudden toothache or becoming seriously ill with pneumonia for instance – you’re covered whether on one of our regular policies, or under the Pregnancy Add-on.
When it comes to pregnancy-related medical emergencies, your ambulance or hospital bills are only covered by our Pregnancy Add-on.
In both cases, you’re first action should be to contact our trained customer care team. We’re available 24/7 by phone, and during business hours on live chat and email.
If I need to claim while on a holiday in Australia, what am I covered for?
The key thing about travel insurance and domestic travel, is that although we offer a domestic policy for trip cancellations, legal liability and so on, we can’t cover medical claims. That’s because in Australia, emergency medical care is covered by Medicare, and when possible, private health insurance.
As the Pregnancy Add-on is geared to assist with medical claims, it cannot be added to a Domestic policy.
Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
Sure you know your nasi goreng from you mie goreng, but have you ever delved deeper into Bali’s unique cuisine? Here are 5 quintessential dishes to try in Bali.
Sure, Bali might only be one of the hundreds of islands that make up Indonesia, but in reality, Bali’s culture, religion, and traditions are unique. And with that, comes a unique culinary approach you’re unlikely to find outside of the island.
Perhaps the reason why Australian tourists aren’t as exposed to Bali’s traditional dishes is that they’re a little harder to come by. This is largely down to the fact that Balinese dishes are complex and can require up to 24 hours to prepare. So if you’re keen to go authentic, do a little research.
Babi Guling
No doubt you’ve seen plenty of signs for babi guleng on your scooter rides.
That’s because babi guling, a suckling pig on a spit, is Bali’s most beloved dish.
According to a very specific recipe, the suckling pig is filled with lots of herbs and spice include coriander, chilli, garlic, ginger, shallots, turmeric, lemongrass, black pepper, shrimp paste and lime leaves. All this is served with white boiled rice.
If you’re in Ubud, make a beeline for Ibu Oka Warung, located opposite the former Royal Palace. This Ubud institution draws both locals and foodies from around the world, keen to try babi guling. The restaurant opens at around 10.30am and tables fill up quickly.
Want to know more? TripSavvy has the full scoop.
Since being ‘discovered’ by both Rick Stein and Anthony Bourdain, this local food stall has moved to larger premises with river valley views so as to cater to tourists. It’s famous for one dish: excellent Balinese-style roast babi guling (suckling pig). The set meal comes with pork, rice and soup.
– Lonely Planet
Sate Lilit – skewers of seafood on a stick of lemongrass
Sate Lilit
Familiar with the tangy peanut flavour of skewers laced in satay sauce? Bali has its own version called sate lilit. To make this popular street food skewer, all meat varieties are used including fish, however, the meat of choice is typically pork. Once again aromatic spices are part of the magic, like chili, turmeric, ginger, candlenut and coriander. To add even more flavour, the skewers themselves are sticks of lemongrass. Barbequed on a grill, sate lilit is served with peanut sauce or chili sauce.
Where should you head to devour sate lilit? Taste Atlas has done the groundwork for you with a comprehensive round up of warungs known for their sate lilit.
Bebek Betutu
Bali’s most famous dish is arguably bebek tutu – or smoked duck. Once the duck is seasoned with turmeric, ginger, galangal, lumbangana, nuts, coconut oil, onion, garlic and shrimp paste, its wrapped in banana leaves and smoked for around 24 hours. For authentic bebek betutu, look out for Bebek Bengil in Ubud.
This famous place is hugely popular for one reason: its crispy Balinese duck, which is marinated for 36 hours in spices, steamed and then fried. Those who don’t enjoy fried food can enjoy a duck salad, duck spring rolls or duck satay. You’ll eat in a huge open-air dining pavilion.
– Lonely Planet
Jaje Laklak
Laklak is a traditional Balinese cake made from rice flour, coconut flakes, and sugar.Flapjack -like in texture, laklak is round and flat in shape and either white or light green. To make green Laklak cake, Pandan leaves are added to the dough.
Vegan friendly Laklak is usually served with grated coconut sprinkled on the surface of the snack, which is soft which is then doused with syrupy brown sugar sauce. You’ll find laklak just about everywhere in Bali, from traditional warungs to street carts.
Bubur injun
Bubur injun is a Balinese sweet dessert made from black glutinous rice porridge with coconut milk and palm sugar or cane sugar. The black rice is boiled until soft, and then sugar and coconut milk is added.
Solo female travel is on the up and showing no signs of slowing down. But where are the best – and safest destinations for women to go it alone?
Why do women love solo travel? There are many answers. Sometimes it’s about the practicalities of not having someone to travel with, or wanting an interference-free itinerary. At other times, it’s about breaking out of our comfort zone and creating space for growth. With an endless amount of benefits to go it alone, the only real question is, where to? We looked to 3 experienced female travel bloggers for the answer.
Discover the safest places for solo female travel according to our favourite travel bloggers The Blonde Abroad, Be My Travel Muse and Haley on Holiday.
Nomadic Matt with Kristin Addis
When our favourite guy traveller blogger needs a female perspective, he looks to Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse. In her post, 10 Awesome Destinations for Solo Female Travellers, Kristin curates a list that empowers women to discover more about themselves.
Traveling solo as woman is a unique opportunity to find out exactly who you are in completely new surroundings and without anyone around from your past to influence you.
– Kristin Addis, Be My Travel Muse
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Solo in Moab, Utah, USA
“I easily met people just by hanging around the free campsites, the coffee shops, and while watching the sunset over Dead Horse point during my solo American Southwest road trip.”
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Solo in Yubeng, China
“Yubeng is a remote village in the Chinese Himalayas that can only be reached by foot or mule.”
“In the big cities, scams often target young female tourists, but in the Himalayas, you’re more of an esteemed guest.”
See our travel advice on China travel in 2020.
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Solo in Maui, Hawaii, USA
“There are female-focused activities — like the Maui Surfer Girls camp, designed specifically for solo female travellers who are looking for a supportive group of women to take up a new sport with. It’s an experience that is both empowering and fun!”
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Solo in El Chaltén, Argentina
“With its constant catcalls, South America can sometimes feel stressful for solo female travellers, but this trekking town is different. It’s full of nature-loving artists and hippies who are welcoming, as well as hikes that are full enough of people that even if you show up solo, you can easily meet others on the trail.”
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Solo in Iceland
“Iceland is the safest country in the world. Seriously, people leave their cars running, with the keys inside, when they go grocery shopping.”
“Plus, the capital draws so many solo travellers on layovers from the US that it won’t be hard to meet someone cool at your hostel to split a car rental with for a day trip like the Golden Circle or even a longer journey like the Ring Road.”
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Solo in Ylläs, Finland
“The locals are so darn amiable that you’re sure to make a few friends, especially if you head to the female-owned-and-run Aurora Estate, where the owners can help you plan some awesome excursions snowmobiling and snowshoeing.”
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Solo in Big Sur, California, USA
“Camping in Big Sur is the perfect opportunity to meet others because campers are friendly. Chances are good you can make a pal at the very next camping spot, especially if you offer them a locally-brewed beer.”
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Solo in Nusa Island, Bali, Indonesia
“Most couples traveling in this area opt for Bali, so chances of you sitting awkwardly next to a loving couple on a stunning beach is much lesser on the Nusa Islands.”
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Solo in Sossusvlei, Namibia
“Namibia is adventurous and social without feeling dangerous. All of the backpackers and camping accommodations have pools and other common areas, which makes it easy to meet others if you’re solo.”
“You can also join a tour or safari and meet plenty of other solo travelers. It’s what I did, and I loved it!”
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Solo in Berlin, Germany
“Berlin draws many solo travelers, and it’s easy to meet others. It’s also a socially progressive city with a low violent crime rate that’s simple to navigate and easy to love.”
Find more of Kristin’s musings at Be My Travel Muse, Instagram and Facebook.
Haley on Holiday
To qualify as a good destination for independent female travel, Australian blogger Haley on Holiday lists four criteria. She has to feel safe and comfortable, Secondly, destinations need to offer good attractions that she can enjoy alone, and it needs to be easy to navigate via public transport. Finally, the language barrier can’t be too much of a struggle.
In her post, My 15 Favourite Solo Travel Destinations Around The World, Haley rounds up 15 of the best destinations she’s personally experienced as a female travelling alone. Here are 1o of our faves.
It’s widely known on this blog that I am an introvert. But solo travel has made me step out of my comfort zone on hundreds of occasions. For this I will be forever thankful, because stepping out from inside my bubble has allowed me to experience much more than I could have inside that zone of comfort.
– Haley Simpson, Haley on Holiday
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Solo in Dublin, Ireland
“I wouldn’t say Dublin is my favourite place in the world, but it’s a great city to visit alone. Although I only took one bus during my visit, there were different transport options available. I also felt very comfortable walking around the entire city early in the morning and at night.”
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Solo in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
“To be honest, travelling around Europe solo did make me nervous because of the language barrier.”
“Amsterdam was the best city I visited in Europe in terms of the minimal language barrier.”
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Solo in Las Vegas, USA
“Yes, Las Vegas would be a lot of fun with your favourite people, but I am here to tell you that you can still enjoy yourself in Vegas alone.”
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Solo in London, UK
“London is a fantastic place to visit solo, especially if it’s your first time travelling alone. The city’s public transport is fantastic – expensive, but extremely efficient. There’s also possibly too much to do in London. I have now spent about 10 days in the city and I still have SO many things left on my bucket list.”
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SoLo in Vancouver, Canada
“Firstly, public transport is fantastic. Secondly, there’s lots of things to do. Thirdly, there are plenty of accessible day trip options, like getting the bus to wonderful Whistler.”
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SoLo in Singapore
“Singapore is a great Asian destination for solo travel. The transport is excellent and the city is very safe. I felt totally comfortable visiting sights at night and walking back to my hostel from the train station.”
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SoLo in Tokyo, Japan
“Another place I was anxious about visiting solo was Tokyo.”
“But I loved it and I hope to return soon, now that I’m based in Australia again. I felt comfortable walking to my hostel at night and the Japanese people I interacted with were all very friendly. The public transport is also fairly easy to use, as there are thankfully signs in English everywhere, directing you where to go.”
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SoLo in Melbourne, Australia
“Finally, I have to give a shoutout to Melbourne, my current home. Because in Australia, Melbourne is hands down the best place to visit alone. There are plenty of transport options and too many things to do (like, my list is still long and I’ve lived here for nearly two years). Go to brunch, visit St Kilda, spend a day wandering around the city’s many laneways and go on a day trip. I promise you’ll love it.”
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SoLo in Paris, France
“Paris is synonymous with romantic escapes, but I’m here to tell you it’s a fantastic city for solo travel too. Although some French people won’t converse in English, I think you can get by just pointing at the delicious pastry you want.”
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SoLo in Edinburgh, scotland
“I loved its gorgeous brick buildings, free attractions and pub offerings. I also only walked around Edinburgh, because both the New and Old Towns were easily accessible from my hostel.”
“If you have time, I also recommend doing a day trip through the Scottish Highlands.”
Find more of Haley’s solo travel tips at Haley on Holiday, Instagram and Facebook.
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The Blonde Abroad
Splitting her home base between California and Cape Town, prolific traveller blogger Kiki has been just about everywhere, and is a huge advocate for independent female travel. In her post 10 Safest Destinations for Solo Female Travelers, Kiki rounds up the 10 destinations she loves for safety, ease of getting to, and the potential for meeting other like-minded travellers.
I’m a firm believer in the power of women traveling alone and on girlfriend getaways. Traveling alone or with other women can be empowering and so much fun! There’s nothing more fun than connecting with other female travelers and sharing experiences around the world.
– Kiki Rich, The Blonde Abroad
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sSoLo in Iceland
“Join a tour and snorkel or dive the Silfra Fissure and hike a glacier. And don’t miss a bath at the beautiful Blue Lagoon!”
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Solo in Switzerland
“Geneva was one of my favorite spots on my recent summer in Europe—with access to the lakeshore, the jet d’eau, Parc de la Grange, and more, it’s the perfect spot to be immersed in the Swiss culture.”
The Blonde Abroad, Lake Geneva Switzerland -
Solo in New Zealand
“Adventure awaits in the glaciers, beaches, and fjords of New Zealand.”
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Solo in Australia
“I explored The Outback and Uluru, rode the Ghan Train and hiked through Kata Tjuta and the Valley of the Winds.”
The Blonde Abroad, The Ghan South Australia -
Solo in Canada
“Canadians have a reputation for being the friendliest people in the world and, while traveling alone here, you’ll see why!”
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Solo in French Polynesia
“With diverse marine life, some of the world’s best diving, incredible natural beauty, and a heavy vanilla scent that follows you wherever you go, the islands of French Polynesia is a place that you’ve never seen the likes of before.”
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Solo in Ireland
“Cozy up in a local pub, catch a football game or head out to the countryside for an incredible Irish experience.”
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Solo in Namibia
“Namibia is the ultimate road trip destination and a fantastic destination year-round. Home to deserts and stunning coastlines, it’s one of my favorite Africa trips to date.”
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Solo in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
“Rent a bike and run into (not literally of course) some friendly and laid back Dutch locals.”
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Solo on a cruise
“While it’s not a specific destination, a cruise in any part of the world is a great travel experience for female travellers. Enjoy the convenience of an itinerary and secure accommodation.”
Check out Jane’s Cruise Add-on for specialised cruise travel insurance.
Discover more of Kiki’s travel tips at The Blonde Abroad, Instagram and Facebook.
Image by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels
Our community of female travellers has really taken to Airbnb, mostly because we love to ‘live like a local’. But should something go wrong, is Airbnb covered by travel insurance?
While Airbnb has been around a good 16 years now, country-specific rules and regulations are still playing catch-up. This has created many a grey area, and in some cases, legal complications. So if you’re a regular Airbnb-er, you’ve probably wondered how travel insurance views the whole setup, and whether your claims would be covered?
Accommodation claims
Wondering if travel insurance will pay an Airbnb claim? Fortunately, the answer is yes. Travel insurance covers you in an Airbnb property in the same way it covers a traditional hotel. So you’re covered for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, personal belongings and legal liability – provided you took good care of your belongings and acted responsibly.
Travel cancellations
As Airbnb is considered pre-booked accommodation, Travel with Jane covers the value of the unused dates if you suddenly need to cancel a trip, like becoming too ill to travel or being made redundant.
And if you need to make an emergency trip back home that cuts your Airbnb stay short? Policies with cancellation cover can take care of recovering your costs too. With Jane, that would be our Basic, Comprehensive and Domestic plans, and not our Saver plan. See here for more on trip cancellation cover.
TIP Remember to always buy travel insurance before you book your accommodation and flights, so that you’re covered for changes you need to make before your trip start.
Lost or stolen personal belongings
When it comes to Airbnb claims for lost, stolen or damaged luggage, you’re covered if you’ve booked out the whole house.
If you’ve only booked a private room, then the house is considered to be a ‘public place’ that you’re sharing with other people. Therefore, your luggage and belongings will now need to be inside your locked room for cover to apply. See here for more on personal belongings cover.
Medical emergencies
Booked into the Airbnb of your dreams? Say you seriously hurt yourself walking into a glass sliding door, or falling down a staircase? Your Airbnb-related medical bills will be covered by travel insurance too.
Claim from Airbnb first
In all cases, you’ll first need to claim from Airbnb, which offers insurance to cover the host’s property for public liability as well as specific damages within the property by the guest. We step in when accommodation providers including Airbnb, hotels and hostels, are unable to pay, or pay only a portion of your claim.
Ever seen the term legal liability on your travel insurance policy and wondered what it means? The short answer – you shouldn’t travel without it.
Sure, accidents happen on holiday. And when they happen to you personally, you only have yourself to think about in terms of recovering – be it physically or financially. But what happens when an accident that you caused impacts another person? Or their property?
What if you find yourself responsible, accidently of course – for putting someone in hospital, or worse? And what if the country you’re in love a good lawsuit, like the litigious USA or countries that target tourists with legal action to make a quick buck?
Or that if you make an innocent mistake that lands you in hot water simply because you didn’t know the rules and regulations of your holiday destination?
This, is where legal liability travel insurance cover steps in.
Legal liability benefit
Travel with Jane’s legal liability benefit covers you when you’re legally liable for causing damage to property, or injuring a person. This built-in cover is there to protect you from the financial burden of a claim made against you, by a third party. Not your travel companion, kids or relatives, but a third party completely separate from you.
Injuring a person and being held legally liable
Legal liability cover kicks in if you’re found to be responsible for injuring a person who is not a member of your family or travelling party. This means, you accidently hurt a complete stranger, and now the injured person has made a legal claim against you to pay for their hospital bills and other costs.
For instance, you inadvertently create a tripping hazard by leaving a heavy suitcase near the entrance of a hotel. A guest walks in and takes a bone-breaking tumble over your bag.
Travel with Jane will pay you if you injure someone or cause someone to die, during your trip. If you become legally liable to pay compensatory damages, or are required to pay reasonable legal costs and expenses for settling and defending a claim made against you, our legal liability is the benefit you’ll need.
Damaging property and being held legally liable
If during your trip you accidentally damage someone’s property, you’re going to want legal liability cover to pay for the costs of lawyers, and settlement.
Imagine accidentally setting your hotel room on fire because you left the iron on overnight? Or knocking over a priceless artifact in a museum with the swing of your handbag? The legal costs could run into the hundreds of thousands.
In cases where you accidentally damage a third party’s property, Travel with Jane will cover compensatory damages, legal costs and expenses for settling and defending a claim made against you.
Travel with Jane offers legal liability benefits across all levels of cover
The risk or become financially responsible for an accident – or even facing jail time during your travels overseas or here in Australia, is such a worry that most travel insurances include cover automatically.
If you need to make a claim to cover the costs of legal fees, a maximum payout of $3,500,000 is available on Saver, Basic, and Comprehensive cover.
For legal liability cases that happen in Australia during domestic travel, a payout of up to $1,000,000 in available on Travel with Jane’s Domestic cover.
When you won’t be covered for legal liability costs
Travel with Jane offers legal liability cover for incidents that are purely accidental, and affect other parties. So to be clear, here are examples of when we won’t be able to cover you.
The injured party needs to be completely independent from you
Legal liability claims won’t work if the claim is for you, your travelling companion or a relative or employee of either of you.
damaged property is not yours
Legal liability claims won’t work if the claim relates to property belonging to you, or in your care or control. Similarly, the damaged property cannot belong to your travelling companion, a relative of yours, or an employee. This o
No Cars or guns
Legal liability claims won’t work if the claim against you relates to the use of any a car, or any other vehicle, aircraft, or firearms. So if you crash your rental car into someone’s front garden and do serious damage – you can’t claim for the payment of legal liability fees.
if a business is at fault
Legal liability claims won’t work if the claim against you arises from the conduct of a business. This includes you providing professional advice or a service. So if you’re travelling to exhibit at a tradeshow, and signage from your stand collapses and injures a client, who then goes on to claim damages against you – you won’t be covered by your travel insurance legal liability benefit.
Reckless behaviour
If you caused an accident due to reckless behaviour and willful disregard for the consequences , all responsibility lies with you and a legal liability claim won’t be possible. Similarly, we won’t cover claims related to assault, intentional harm or battery committed by you, or at your direction.
Spreading Disease
No one wants to hold the title of ‘super spreader’, and doubly so, as travel insurance won’t cover a legal claim made by a person you infected. In the topical case of you unknowingly spreading the coronavirus and then being sued for related hospital or quarantine costs – legal liability cover will unfortunately not count.
Very specific and strict conditions apply. Not all rules and exclusions have been listed here. Please see the Combined Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide for full details.
How to lodge a legal liability claim
The amount that we can pay out in the event of a third party legal liability claim, due to an accident, depends on the supporting evidence you can share with us. If you need to submit a claim, these are the sorts of documents will need to see, if applicable:
- Medical report
- Police reports
- The deceased’s death certificate
- Court judgements
- Lawyers invoices
Remember, we’re here to support you, so if you find yourself in a situation where a claim is likely, get in touch with us as soon as possible, so that we may guide you on your next steps and about the information we’ll need for your claim.
Image by Engin Akyurt from Pexels