Best Styling Tips For Newly Wedded Brides Who Want To Resume Work

Some of the common questions which pop up in the newly wedded bride’s mind are:
Should I change my dressing style completely?
Should I accessorize differently?
What jewellery should I wear to work?
If you are also facing such problems, then here is a detailed guide for you that will help you understand that how newly wedded brides can style themselves while going to office after the wedding.
Try Skirts or Tunics
If you did not use to wear skirts to the office before, you can give a try to them now after the wedding. Wearing a long skirt with a tank top, or a long fitted tunic can give you a new look. You can pair your skirt with a stylish yet light dupatta or scarf.
Also, you can try more professional look by pairing the pencil and formal skirt with a shirt or top. Here the key to look good is to festoon or enhance your dress with an apt selection of jewellery or accessories.
Look Out For Formal Yet Classy Dresses
These days, you can get a variety of formal outfits which can be worn in the office. You can try some outfits in the pastels because such dresses get enhanced with the accessories and look outstanding. By pairing them with the right set of bright accessories, you can attain a perfect contrasting look.
Wear Ethnic Dresses
One of the range of apparels in which you can get unlimited variety and styles is the ethnic one. You can find an array of kurtas, tunics, kurtis etc., which can be paired with pallazos, leggings as well as denims.
By accessorizing well, you can flaunt your ethnic style in a completely new way. If you don’t want to invest in precious jewellery, you can try fusion jewellery or some funky & colourful pieces of jewellery.
Experiment With The Jewellery
One of the pieces of jewellery that newly wed’s are accustomed to wear is the mangalsutra. But, nowadays, instead of wearing it as a neck piece, the girls prefer stylish and classy mangalsutra worn like a bracelet on the wrist.
Precious Diamond Jewellery
You can choose contemporary, sleek and stylish jewellery pieces made with diamonds like sleek necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets to enhance your look. Diamond looks good with every dress and gives you a very sophisticated look.
Invest In A Stylish Watch
One of the best ways to enhance your looks and attain a contemporary style is by investing in a stylish watch. A watch is one of the best accessories that can be flaunted with any dress and jewellery, and it will enhance your look dramatically.
With these styling tips, you can completely change your style and look trendy after marriage.

Tips to Planning Your Honeymoon on a Budget

A wedding is not a cheap exercise. You may have been saving for months or more to get the wedding of your dreams, but what about your honeymoon. When planning a wedding, you always want to leave some of your budget for your honeymoon but when you look at the cost of booking a venue, caterers, flowers, entertainers and even a wedding gown, you will soon find that your honeymoon budget has reduced.
Not everyone has the benefit of being able to go on honeymoon without a budget, which is why you need to have some idea on what you can afford before you start shopping sound. The first step to planning a honeymoon on a budget is to know what your budget is. Your budget should include travel, accommodation, food, drink and experiences to ensure you have a memorable time and the perfect start as your new life together.
That being said, it is always advisable to start saving as soon as possible to push your budget up slightly, though all-inclusive deals may be the best option for you to help your money go further and gel you save on your budget, so that everything is included and all you have to worry about is food, drink and entertainment, or in some cases just your drink and entertainment. It’s something to think about. There is nothing that says you have to go straight from your wedding reception to your honeymoon, you can wait a couple of weeks or months and then go on your honeymoon to ensure you have a big enough budget to relax and enjoy yourself.
The next tip is to look at the honeymoon travel deals and offers that are currently available. It is at this point you may want to look at online travel companies that work with resorts throughout the world and can offer you a type of holiday experience that you will both enjoy. Ideally the company should provide city, sea and snow breaks, so you can choose the one you feel is the best match for you. Have a good look through the honeymoon travel deals that they provide, identifying their costs and see if anything appeals to you that you feel is the romantic getaway that you deserve.
It is always advisable when planning your honeymoon on a tight budget to look at out of season times. Even if you are getting married in the heat of summer and you want to go to a seaside resort, consider midweek or out of school holidays, where resorts and hotels are more likely to drop their prices to fill rooms. Here you can find value for money deals that has you staying in top quality resorts at prices you can afford.
If you are planning your honeymoon on a budget, then the shorter your honeymoon the better. Yes, it’s fantastic to imagine a few weeks or a month away together to spend your first few weeks as a married couple, but you have to be realistic in terms of your budget. You an easily enjoy yourself for a full week, enjoy a spectacular location and five star hotel within your budget. Who says you can’t have more than one honeymoon and if you had your heart set on a longer honeymoon, split it up into budgeted experiences over a period of time.
Another tip when planning your honeymoon on a budget is to not travel too far. If you live in the United Kingdom then travel within your own country or head over to Spain or France, which are easily accessible and affordable for travel so that you can make your budget go a little bit further.

What to Look for When Buying Pearls – Top Tips

Here are some top tips for things to look for when you’re buying pearls.
Please note, there is no discussion here relating to increasing in value over time – i.e. an investment. Generally speaking, it is unwise to consider the purchase of any type of jewellery from an investment viewpoint because values can rise or fall over time.
Check to see if the pearl has been artificially colored
This isn’t, in itself, necessarily a problem. Typically though, purists will look for naturally colored pearls and they might well command higher prices.
Things that might indicate the pearl has been artificially colored include:

  • color seemingly “wearing off” the outer shell;
  • a very dark core (indication of possible irradiation to change colours);
  • a very visible stratification of colour change on the inside of the pearl.

The final two above assume your pearl has a drill hole that you can look into with magnification.

Examine the regularity and symmetry of shape
Tiny irregularities of shape can be seen or felt – and that’s typically a good sign.If your pearl is perfectly round and perfectly smooth over its surface, then you’re probably looking at an artificial not natural (whether wild or cultured) pearl made from synthetic materials.
However, even if you have a real pearl, remember that significant deformations and irregularities may (or should) reduce the value if they’re particularly evident or severe.
Look at the lustre
Peals may vary in both body colour (their background colour) and their overtones (a surface shimmer of colour). Some may not have an overtone and that is not a problem. A lot will depend upon your own colour preferences.
However, this is very difficult to describe but look for pearls that gently shine. If they’re a dull matt finish it might indicate that there has been some damage (e.g. poor cleaning techniques with acid) that has taken the lustre off.
That can hugely reduce both value and appearance.
Read the advertisement’s wording carefully
Terms used in some pearl advertisements which may mislead (intentionally or otherwise):
Pearls from Japan“. That phrase would be true for pearls farmed in say China, shipped to Japan and then sold-on from there. Look for “farmed in Japan” to be sure – if that’s what you’re looking for;
Certified“. By whom? To what recognized standards? Remember, a label attached to your pearls means nothing if it’s just the seller’s.
Real pearls“. That should exclude synthetics but it’s ambiguous in terms of whether your pearls are natural (i.e. found in the wild – which is VERY rare today and they’re very expensive too) or cultured.
AAAA Grade“. Gradings are not standard across the globe or universally recognized. Trust some of the other tips on this page and your own common sense.
Price
Typically, if all other things are roughly equal, from most to least expensive pearls run:

  • natural/wild (sea);
  • cultured (sea);
  • freshwater;
  • synthetics.

If you see cultured pearls advertised at a price close to a set of essentially plastic ones, then something’s gone wrong and you should be sceptical.

Summary
  • If you have any doubts, you should contact an expert retailer for advice and guidance.
  • It might save you money and disappointment downstream.

5 Situations When Personal Loans Can Save the Day

With a rock solid credit history, you can successfully apply for personal loans and expect a swift processing of the same for meeting temporary financial glitch in life. Personal loans are all-purpose loans that can be availed as secured or unsecured loans. These can be used for multiple reasons and the purpose need not be disclosed ever to the lender.
The interest rate of loan depends on the tenure and credit score of the borrower. These can be drawn for a few months to several years as per your requirement.
5 situations when you can use personal loans as a smart financial move:

  1. When you have immediate cash needs: It is practical to use short-term personal loans to bridge the shortage of funds in your life. You can use the funds to support any of the sudden cash emergencies like medical expenses, home repair or funding a foreign trip. The purpose of loan doesn’t affect its interest rate, however your income and duration of loan does. All you need here in a planning stage is to have a strong back up plan for repaying the loan. The repayment will improve your credit score and add to your future worth at the same time.
  2. To avoid bad credit situation: In case you have lost a job or face a sudden spurt of personal expenses such as a wedding or some other expense in your life, you can take recourse on personal loans. Bad credit is a situation you should always avoid. If you have shortage of funds, rather than missing a loan repayment you can borrow some funds. The idea is to not let the score fall for temporary financial challenges.
  3. Consolidate multiple payments: When you have multiple payments to be made every month, it is better to simplify the process by consolidating the loan into one personal loan. By consolidating loans, you just have to pay a single repayment and that will pay for other loans. Availing short-term loans for bad credit is a practical means to mend mounting debts and save a financial mess.
  4. Additional funding for students: Being a student it is not always easy to keep a track on your expenses. Sometimes you need funds for reasons that your education loan misses to pay for. Herein you can apply for short-term loans for students as these are readily available. The short-term loan can also be used as a right way for building a good history.
  5. Business funding: Every new start-up or a business entity needs positive inflows. You need to maintain adequate supply of funds for maintaining sound terms with your suppliers and business associates. The short-term personal loans can be used as business loans to keep the flexibility of operations in your business.

In all of the above cases, personal loans can be used to better manage your finances. However it is prudent that you carefully read terms and conditions of a loan agreement and do not sign a very expensive loan. In case you find yourself unable to make a mind on the loan terms, you should contact a loan broker for a financial advice. He would guide you on the ways to manage your funds and keep your credit score healthy.

How To Decide Which Piece of Jewelry To Buy Your Lady Friend

When it comes to buying gifts for women, jewelry is one of the top choices. Of course you can always give candy or flowers, but these things are temporary. They only last a short amount of time. Jewelry, on the other hand, can last forever.
So let’s say you decide to buy a piece of jewelry as a gift for someone you care about; then you have to decide what type of jewelry to purchase.
Every woman has her own tastes and preferences. If you do not already know what she likes, look for these cues and see if you can decide what would be best:
Earrings- Earrings often work best for women who like to wear their hair up. When they wear their hair up they give the opportunity to highlight earrings whether they are studs or long earrings. Earrings do not work well for women with young children who will be attracted to the earrings and pull on them while they are still in their mothers’ ears.
Necklaces- Necklaces look great on most women. Most women wear tops with a scoop or v neck that offers the perfect showcase for a beautiful necklace. They are not for all women, though. Some women prefer not to wear necklaces because they have larger chests. Women with larger bust lines might run into the problem of a necklace falling right into their cleavage and drawing too much attention there.
Bracelets- Bracelets can be worn by most women and look beautiful. Bracelets are a less commonly worn piece of jewelry, though. They make an outfit look much fancier, so when going for a casual look women often leave the bracelet out of their outfit.
Rings- Rings are one of the most popular pieces of jewelry for women. Unmarried women often wear rings on both hands, while married women primarily wear extra rings on their right hand. Rings can dress up an outfit, or can keep an outfit casual as well depending on the type of setting and stone that you choose.
Before making a choice, try to watch the habits of the person you are looking to purchase for. If she often wears rings or often wears necklaces, that may be because those are the pieces of jewelry that she likes best. But check her jewelry stash to make sure. She may not wear necklaces simply because she does not have any that she likes.
Jewelry is a great choice when looking for a gift to give to a woman you care about. To make sure you get the best gift for her personally, watch her habits, and look for the things mentioned in the list above. You will be sure to make a great choice!

The Correlation Between Drug Abuse And Healthcare Costs

A study conducted by an organization known as Monitoring the Future, found that 47% of teenagers had involved used illegal drugs before they completed high school. This is not only a problem attributed to the youth, since it is found in adults too. Illegal drugs have a detrimental effect on the livelihoods of the people who use them, making it a national concern. People have lost their lives, and caused untold pain to those who are around them. These drugs have also led to a high level of crime, an issue, which has led to the formation of enforcement agencies, to fight the vice. There is a significant relationship between Drug Abuse and Health Care Cost.
How the abuse of drugs affects healthcare costs.
People who use illegal drugs spend a lot of time in medical facilities, due to a myriad of problems brought about by consumption of the drugs. These drugs affect your health directly by compromising your immune system. If you abuse drugs, you will always be suffering from one illness to another, thereby resulting in more visits to the hospital, than you would, if you were not abusing the drugs. This considerably increases the cost of health care per capita. Insurance companies that provide healthcare schemes are therefore forced to increase the amount of money that you pay, in the form of premiums. Government healthcare schemes are also stretched thus, providing lower cover for people. Drug abuse also has an indirect effect on the cost of healthcare. Scores of people around you will be affected when you abuse drugs. Accidents, on people who do not use drugs, caused by people who are under the influence of drugs are on the increase. These people need medical care, and therefore have to spend large sums of money, treating a condition that was not of their own doing. This is how drugs, directly and indirectly, affect the cost of healthcare provision.
Apart from increasing the cost of providing emergency medical response to people who abuse drugs, a large volume of financial resources goes into curative drug abuse programs. These are programs designed to help you stop abusing drugs. The reason why they are expensive is because they take a long time to have any measurable effect, and they are conducted by highly paid professionals. Drug rehabilitation programs have a draining effect on the exchequer. A lot of taxes are used in creating programs that help people to stop using drugs. Private medical care schemes also spend a lot of money in paying for private rehabilitation of drug addicts in clinics or at home. The costs are further increased by the fact that you still have to be monitored after you leave a rehabilitation facility. This is done so you do not suffer a relapse, and end up where you began.
How you can help lower the healthcare costs brought about by drug abuse.
The first step towards lowering this cost is to stay away from drugs in the first place. Get involved with your peers, and other members of your community, to educate people on the dangers of abusing these drugs. Your efforts will reduce the cost of providing healthcare to drug addicts. If you, or anyone you know, are abusing drugs, you should seek immediate help from a professional. The cost of rehabilitation can be reduced considerably, if you make a personal commitment to staying away from illicit drugs. If you go through a rehabilitation program, only to relapse later, you will have increased the national cost of healthcare provision.
The untold story of abusing prescription drugs
Although the abuse of illegal drugs is a primary concern, when it comes to the cost of providing healthcare, the abuse of prescription drugs, to a lesser extent, also contributes to this issue. When you are addicted to prescription drugs, you will have to spend a lot of money buying the drugs, when you do not need them. To stop this, you should use all prescription drugs according to the directions given by your physician. Do not use the drugs, for a longer period than that prescribed. If you do not get better, you should visit your physician who will give you an alternative treatment.

Payday Loans: No Credit Check No Fuss Loans

Payday loans are the fastest and most convenient option for getting a cash advance for emergencies before your next payday. However getting payday loans and their repayments involve certain important aspects. Herein we are attempting to answer all your general queries related to Payday loans and we hope it will serve as a tool to open up any mystery surrounding payday loans or cash advance.
What Is A Payday Loan Or Cash Advance Loan?
We daily come across many loan types like housing loan, personal loan, and education loan. However, the payday loans are a new buzz in the market, and it is very popular. This loan is known by many names like “Cash Advance”, “Paycheck loan”, “Check loans”, and “Payday advance loans”. Let us understand what is a payday loan or cash advance loan and how and when it should be used for your maximum advantage. Payday loans are unsecured loans, which can be used for meeting your emergency financial needs and is paid back out of your next paycheck on your payday. Thus, payday loans are the shortest tenure loans among the other loans available in the market.
Are there any limitations on payday loan or cash advance loan usage?
Many a times we face a situation when we need money badly but feel like our hands are tied as our payday is still several days away. In such a scenario, we either have to shelve or defer our plan of purchasing something or go for a heavy interest credit card loan to meet the obligation. The requirement could be to pay up unexpected medical bills, your kid’s school fee, to avoid bouncing of your issued checks or any other financial obligation. In such trying times, payday loans or a cash advance comes in handy. Thus, you can use this cash advance for whatever purpose. There is no restriction on the usage of payday loans.
Am I eligible to receive a payday loan or cash advance loan?
The best thing about payday loans is that they can be had even if your credit rating is not very good. The second best thing about payday loans is that taking a cash advance does not affect your credit rating. All you need to be eligible to receive the payday loans is to have a running checking account and a regular job.
How should I apply for a payday loan?
To apply for the payday loans, we would say it is easier to do than to say. You can apply for payday loans online using Internet. You may be required to supply some basic information such as your Name, Address, and your employer details. Some companies offering payday loans may ask for your Bank Statement or pay stub over fax. The documents required by these companies for payday loans are minimum in comparison to other types of loans.
What is the fee charged for payday loans?
Before applying for payday loans, we suggest that you scan 5-6 companies for the fees they are charging. Some companies offer payday loans without any fee for the first week.
How much cash can I get with a payday loan?
The amount of payday loans ranges from $100 to $1000 depending upon the repaying capacity of the borrower.
What is the length of payday loans?
Normally a cash advance is supposed to be paid back on or before your coming payday. Therefore, the maximum length of payday loan could be up to 30 days. However, some companies are flexible with respect to the loan duration as well. Payday loans can be extended until the next payday. This extension of payday loans however comes at a price.
How long does it take to get a payday loan?
Payday loans are much easier to get and in less time than other loans. After applying for a payday loan online, you will get a telephone call from the payday lender. After completing the small formalities, the cash advance will be credited to your checking account the next business day.
Does this mean I can enjoy my pay without waiting for my payday?
Before you jump for a payday loan, please note that the rate of interest charged for these loans are higher than other loans. Extending the duration of payment will only increase the fees charged. The payday loans or cash advance loan should be used very prudently and only for meeting financial exigencies that cannot be avoided. Please remember that getting a payday loan or cash advance loan too frequently could upset your monthly budget and you may find it difficult to get out.

Turquoise and 2017 Fashion Styles

Turquoise has been described as the 2017 color of the year by Pantone. To be exact it is the color Pantone 15- 5519. And Pantone describes this turquoise as an inviting, luminous hue. There is something yes truly illuminating about turquoise. ‘Illuminating’ seems to be the right word. Turquoise doesn’t sparkle. Instead it illuminates and it is a color that can seduce too. But ‘seduce’ may not be the right word either. Scarlet reds and maybe blacks seduce but turquoise, a color of the sea, a color linked to Caribbean, Mediterranean waters calms and excites and illuminates rather than seduces.
Other words used by pantone for turquoise are tranquil and exciting. These might seem contradictory terms. But the effect of color is contradictory and actually there might be nothing contradictory at all in calling a color, both exciting and tranquil.
Still how can one truly describe the effect of colors? But the effect of colors is important. In fashion, colors can be used to electrify and excite e.g if turquoise was used with a metallic look or a certain type of fabric eg Mesh. Or it can be calming like with cotton. Anyway let’s not dig a hole.
Effects are important. The right effect is important for fashion. So turquoise should be used to create the right fashion effect and for 2017, Pantone is perhaps saying that turquoise is a color that can do this for 2017.
Turquoise is just a color and it needs to be used to create the right looks, and the right look needs the right fabric, style/design and also perhaps the right patterns, where the turquoise hue is part of a pattern e.g. with whites and other lighter hues or perhaps with more powerful hues like red.
One can perhaps imagine turquoise as having that loose effect, loose feel, effect. Perhaps it can be described as a color suitable for casual wear but to be more exact, it is a color for Spring and Summer where the casual look is important. It is suitable for the world of the beach or clubs, the afternoons where the sun shines and people rid themselves of coats and heavy jackets and color is important.
Imagine the drapy turquoise chemise dress, the drapy turquoise t-shirt and there the more fitted looks, the tight looks which accent the body, And turquoise is the sea color, the color of beaches, spring/ summer afternoons. It can be used for the popular gypsy dresses and the popular 70s styles which are in vogue. And turquoise is of course an illuminating color which means too that it is a powerful color so a simple turquoise chemise dress might be the right look. One might need subtle designs. Turquoise is a pure, simple color but powerful too and one might just need another color/hue for contrast e.g. white. And then there is black which combined with turquoise can create an edgy, stylish look. And one can move into the world of prints but here the effect of turquoise might be lost when combined with reds, purples, violets. Imagine the turquoise dress, shirt worn on the beach. One doesn’t really need a red, purple contrast hue with it. There is also turquoise combined with a green hue. Yes turquoise can be merged with other colors/hues to create interesting prints but this is really another area completely.
Turquoise can be used for different social functions/gatherings/parties. There are obviously different types of occasions. There is the beach party, the afternoon gathering too and turquoise is ‘there for that’. Turquoise can be imagined as a ‘t-shirt’ color, a dress color but it can be used as the skirt color in a separate look with another hue for the top area.
So turquoise can be used to create the cool warrior look. Think of a cool warrior walking along the sea. Actually a cool ‘girl’ warrior look because in the fashion world, warriors are usually women. The cool warrior wears the cool turquoise. And the warrior wears a dress but there is an edginess about the look. It is an edgy warrior look. Maybe there is a short turquoise chemise dress. The shoulders are shown and there is a purity about the turquoise here The emphasis is on the effect turquoise brings across. Yes turquoise is one color that can be used to style apparel for the months of sun; the seasons of sun, spring and summer.

How to Choose Home Furniture

You recently bought a new house and then you found yourself asking, “Now what?” choosing a house is one thing, choosing home furniture is another. Furniture is the core feature of a house. It should be comfortable yet suits your personal taste. Here are some tips on how to choose home furniture.

    • Look through home decor magazines or surf the net for interior designing websites. Also, observe other people’s house. You can get several kinds of ideas that you can choose from.
    • Consider the size, layout, and the general style of your house. Moreover, think of what kind of lifestyle you have and also think about your everyday life. You should consider things that people in your house or guests will more likely use very often. This can help you choose upholstery details such as what color and type of fabric to use.
    • Determine your house’s color scheme. Your wall is the background for everything. You can also make large furniture as a base color and accessories such as throw pillows and other decors as accent colors that will add spice to your room.
    • Research on different styles and prices of furniture. You can go to showrooms and furniture shops and you can also visit websites. Not only you can see the hottest home furnishing in today’s interior decorating style but also you can get tips from various subjects related to home and garden improvements.
  • You should be prepared when you go to furniture shop. You should bring the types of fabrics that you have in your house such as curtains, table top, rugs, carpets, etc. moreover, bring measurements with you so that you will not make a mistake in choosing furniture.

At Your Own Risk – 10 Countries Where Travel Insurance Won’t Be Able To Help You

The foreign and commonwealth office draws up an extensive list of countries that should not be traveled to quite regularly and it is from that our, and other global travel insurance providers’, underwriters decide which countries travel insurance should be provided for. We look at the government travel advice and decide from that whether or not we can provide insurance to travelers.
Although global travel insurance does, by its nature, cover the majority of the world, the current climate ensures that there are some places where the likelihood of incident means that UK travel insurance providers are unable to offer protection. Thankfully, the list is clear of the majority of popular holiday destinations, and you’re unlikely to have your big holiday plans affected. The most likely group to have their travel plans altered by the foreign office’s travel advice are business travelers.
The foreign office’s travel advice is not to travel to the following countries, even if it means losing business – the risk from the war-zones listed below is just too great to make the reward worth the danger:
Here’s our top 10 countries to avoid traveling to, and the reasons for the high risk factor! The risk is far from conclusive (the foreign office’s travel advice lists many more countries), but to me, these are the ones that all travelers should avoid like the plague:
10) Liberia
Economic hardship in Liberia is currently making outbreaks of violence common, and foreigners (especially westerners) are at risk targets due to their affluence. This extra likelihood of incident ensures that no UK travel insurance provider would risk offering you cover if you choose to visit Liberia
9) Nepal
Occasional acts of terrorism and political violence in urban areas make Nepal off-limits for those who want to get travel insurance. In September this year, three nearly simultaneous bombs went off in the capital of Kathmandu, killing 3 and injuring many innocent bystanders.
8)Haiti
Haiti is considered off limits to many travelers on account of the high risk of kidnappings and civil unrest that is prominent. At the time of writing, there have been 12 kidnappings of American travelers in 2007 – mostly criminal in nature. In the past, these kidnappings have ended in physical and sexual assaults and shootings. The potential for spontaneous protests and demonstrations has also been known to result in unexpected violence, day or night. It’s no surprise that the government’s travel advice is not to travel here!
7)Yemen
Due to the high levels of terrorist activity in Yemen, westerners are advised to steer clear of Yemen. If this is not possible, then all travelers are encouraged to stay vigilant and to keep a low profile to avoid attacks or kidnapping. The situation is so grave that the US Embassy often restricts American citizens from certain hotels, restaurants and shopping areas.
6)Israel
The Gaza Strip and West Bank has seen immense violence in recent months between Israeli and Palestinian factions, and shootings, kidnappings and violence demonstrations have occurred in each. The region’s continued instability makes travel to Israel widely recommended against – the risk of abduction or worse makes travel insurance impossible to obtain.
5)Democratic Republic of Congo
The democratic republic of Congo remains one of the most dangerous places to travel in Africa, where violence, neglect and corruption has left the country distinctly damaged. Fighting erupted in the streets of Kinshasa in March this year, and the situation remains volatile despite the immediate threat of violence calming down. Travel outside of Kinshasa is difficult and dangerous with security, especially in the north and easy, being unstable. Any traveler brave enough to travel to the Congo should be extremely cautious, avoid the North Kivu district which is the backdrop to armed conflict between government troops and army rebels, avoid crowds and keep a close eye on local media.
4)Burma (Myanmar)
While the human rights situation makes Myanmar an ethically uneasy place to visit, currently there is a lot of personal risk involved as well. Throughout September, the anti-government protests sparked a violent crackdown from the authorities and made international headlines. Although the dusk-til-dawn curfew imposed in some of the towns has been lifted, it still remains an uncertain time to visit the country and you’re unlikely to find any global travel insurance company who will insure you.
3)Colombia
Colombia remains one of the most dangerous places to travel in the world thanks to the crime the country suffers from. The illicit drug trade in urban areas such as Cali and Buenaventura means that there is often a high risk of violence, while the more rural areas expose visitors to the country at risk from narcoterrorist groups who will often kidnap civilians to use for ransom or to gain media attention. Naturally UK travel insurance companies are loathe to insure travellers who choose to ignore these warning and travel to Colombia anyway.
2)Afghanistan
With the war on terror in Afghanistan still fresh in the mind, it’s no surprise that the country remains a big no-go area. Western tourists are obvious kidnap and assassination targets, as many of the disbanded Taliban and Al-Qa’ida forces remain at large and hostile to the new regieme. Additionally, the country remains unsafe due to tribal groups, explosive devices, landmines, military operations and acts of terrorism. Unsurprisingly, the government’s travel advice is to avoid traveling here at all costs!
1)Iraq
Given the high profile nature of western kidnappings by various insurgent groups, and the regular acts of terrorism and hostility to Western troops, it is no surprise that no travel insurance companies will insure travelers to the troubled country. The instability is caused by various groups – Ba’ath regime remnants, transnational terrorists and criminal elements have been known to attack convoys en-route to venues, hotels, restaurants, checkpoints and police stations.
While holidaymakers are unlikely to be affected by these less touristy locations, their riskiness means that business travelers will have to forgo their travel insurance if they are unable to cancel their trips.