Are you going on holiday soon? You often have to consider taking out travel insurance. That’s how an accident happened. One of the most common reasons for taking out travel insurance is to get help in an emergency. But even if you have to quarantine due to COVID, for example, the costs can be high.

In this blog you can read the answers to all your most important questions about travel insurance. We look at: what is travel insurance? What does travel insurance cover? Is travel insurance mandatory? And finally: when do you need travel insurance?

Carefree on the road: everything about travel insurance

What is travel insurance?

In 2020, a total of 28.7 million Dutch people went on holiday . For many people, taking out travel insurance is a logical step. When you take out travel insurance, you leave well insured and without any worries. There are two different travel insurance policies: short-term and continuous insurance.

The short-term insurance

If you do not go on holiday more than once or twice a year, the best choice is short-term travel insurance. For example, are you going on holiday for 5 days? Then you take out short-term travel insurance for 5 days. When you return after 5 days, your travel insurance will stop. You only have to pay the premium once.

The continuous insurance

Do you go on holiday more than twice a year? Then we advise you to take out a continuous travel insurance. You are then insured worldwide throughout the year. You do not have to take out travel insurance separately each time. Please note, because your continuous travel insurance is automatically extended.

What does travel insurance cover?

You have taken out travel insurance or are thinking about doing so. But what does such insurance actually cover?

When you take out travel insurance with standard or basic cover, you receive emergency assistance while travelling. For example, search and rescue, transport by ambulance to the hospital or other necessary medical care. If you have to go home early – also known as repatriation – you will also be reimbursed with the basic cover.

It is also possible to take out additional cover. The choice for additional coverage depends on your personal preference, other insurance policies you may have already taken out and the type of trip you plan to make. It is advisable to always call the emergency center of the travel insurer in case of (emergency) situations. This way you avoid high costs and disappointments if the costs are not reimbursed.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

Taking out travel insurance is not mandatory , but it is certainly not superfluous. The main reason is the help with any emergencies on vacation. Unforeseen situations often cost not only a lot of time, but also a lot of money. Do you need a rescue helicopter to the nearest hospital? This quickly adds up to thousands of euros! But also situations where you are not in immediate emergency, can lead to unpleasant situations if you have not taken out travel insurance. Don’t want to worry about anything on the road? Then simply take out travel insurance for a carefree sustainable holiday !

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Cool off, exercise and move like a fish in the water. The popularity of the surfing industry in the Netherlands and the rest of the world is still increasing considerably. Learning to surf in the Netherlands is especially popular in the summer. There is something magical about surfing and sometimes it even looks like you can float through the water. Yet surfing is one of the most difficult water sports to learn.

Do you want to learn to surf? The most important thing when you want to surf is that you master the technique and have control over your surfboard. We recommend that you take a number of surf lessons to master the basics. Tips and directions are very useful when you want to learn to surf and ensure that you can get up a lot faster. In this blog you will read the four most important rules that you should use when you want to learn to surf. You’ll be on that shelf in no time!

Learning to surf in the Netherlands: 4 important rules for beginners

1. Basic safety rule

The most important rule when learning to surf in the Netherlands is that only one surfer is allowed to take a wave. This basic rule is important to avoid collisions with others and the resulting injuries. The surfer who is first on the wave has the right of way. Is the surfer not on the wave yet? Then the one who surfs the most on the inside gets priority. How do you know who surfs the inside the most? This is the one that surfs closest to the foam head.

2. Don’t hinder other surfers

The second important rule when you want to learn to surf is that you must not hinder other surfers. Derived from the basic rule that only one surfer is allowed to take a wave, it is important to avoid the surfer sitting on a wave. Why you should avoid the surfer? If you don’t, there is a chance that he or she will have to try to avoid you and accidents could occur. So quickly paddle in a different direction and point your surfboard towards the horizon to avoid being swept up by the wave.

3. Don’t surf where people are swimming

This rule seems pretty obvious, but it still often goes wrong. Every summer, clashes between surfers and swimmers are a reality. An important rule when learning to surf in the Netherlands is that you are not allowed to surf where people are swimming. For the safety of both swimmers and surfers, it is forbidden to surf within a so-called swimming zone. Are you doing this? Then you can receive a fine. In Scheveningen, the municipality is considering introducing zones for swimmers, surfers and water sports enthusiasts .

4. Don’t go against the flow

Finally, when you want to learn to surf, it is important not to fight against the current. Besides that this is a waste of your energy, it is also dangerous. Do you feel that the current wants to pull you along? Then you have probably ended up in a mule. This is a deep stretch of sea where there is a strong current that drags you into the sea. So let yourself be carried away by this current. Then paddle or swim to the left or right and move towards the coast via the sandbanks. It is important that you do not get on the surfboard too tired. This can be dangerous! Before you go into the sea, also check where the ripples are. You can recognize a ripple by the lack of crashing waves. So struggle through the white foam to avoid the strong currents!

Now that you know the basic rules in the water, it’s time to start taking lessons and learning to surf. And where better to learn to surf than at a sustainable surf school on the Dutch coast? After your lesson, have lunch in the accompanying surf cafe and discover the tastiest organic snacks and meals!

Do you want to learn surfing in the Netherlands? Book your first surf lesson right away !

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In the busy everyday life, many people have a constant sense of rush. In fact, there is always more to do than there are hours in a day and we fly from here to there. Although the current lockdowns slow us down somewhat, we still seem to have too much to do.

A trend that opposes this is slow living. Instead of to-do’s, the emphasis here is on mindfully and consciously living in the moment. Not when you are still finishing that one task with your mind already on the next thing to do, but more often standing still and being aware of the moment. What does this bring you and how can you apply it in your own life? We zoom in on it in this blog.

What is slow living?

Slow living is a lifestyle that is about ‘being’ instead of ‘doing’. Not just in your spare time or when you have time to spare, but as a mindset. It makes you aware of what you have and allows you to enjoy it, also to be summed up under the term ‘conscious living’.

Although the origin of the slow living movement cannot be fully attributed to an event, the story goes that it originated from Italy. When McDonald’s opened a branch in Rome at the end of the 20th century, many saw this as a mismatch with Italian cuisine, which revolves around attention to preparing tasty food. Slow Food was founded in response to this, which has resulted in various slow living initiatives over the years.

Tips for a more thoughtful life

Do you also want to get started with a slower and attentive life? Surprise: you don’t necessarily need more time! It’s about being aware of the time you have and the things you do in it. How thoughtful life takes shape is different for everyone, because everyone experiences satisfaction and happiness from something else. A few tips to discover what slow living looks like for you:

1. Do you have a day off? Pick a few things you want to do that day and do them with your full attention. Not three things at once, but one at a time.
2. Now and then consciously plan nothing for a few hours – for example on the weekend – and then do nothing. Not cleaning that one closet, watching your series or repotting plants, but just really doing nothing: you’re bored actually. Bonus: this is also very good for your creativity !
3. Take a long walk alone. Without music or podcast and with attention to the nature around you.
4. Make something with your hands. Start drawing, knitting, woodworking or, for example, make pasta or bread yourself.
5. Don’t automatically pick up your phone when you have to wait, but look around you when your table partner has gone to the toilet in a restaurant or when you are waiting for the train. Notice the people around you and say hello!
6. Choose to eat consciously and slowly. Try to taste the different ingredients and focus on the taste of what you eat.
7. Make a conscious effort to travel longer: cycle instead of by car or walk instead of bicycle.
8. Dare to say no to questions and invitations from others, even if you do have time. That way you have more time to do nothing.

Of course, you don’t have to apply all of these points to experience slow living. However, they can help you become aware of what you have and develop a grateful attitude towards life.

The benefits of slow living

Consciously choosing to take it easy can provide a sense of relief. You will notice that you are less lived in today’s society where things often have to be done quickly. Small side note: fast isn’t always bad. However, it is about the balance: consciously think about which things you find worthwhile, think about that and do other things at a faster pace.

When you have a slow living mindset, it can manifest itself in different ways. You may have already noticed that in our list of tips, which vary from conscious eating to going outside and DIY. In addition, you can also express slow living in your interior or in sustainable travel . Want to know more about this way of life? Then read the book ‘ Seeking Slow ‘ or listen to this podcast .

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The last week of 2021 is just around the corner. New Year’s resolutions are often made during the New Year. The making of New Year’s resolutions goes back about 4000 years. In Babylonia, the inhabitants made promises to the gods to return the things they had borrowed. Nowadays you see that good intentions are increasingly about achieving personal goals, financial goals or sustainability goals. But how are you going to make these good intentions come true?

A list with all kinds of good intentions for 2022 is made in no time. In this blog we give you inspiration for sustainable good intentions for 2022 and we look at how we realize these good intentions!

New Year’s resolutions for 2022: living more sustainably

Sustainability is a development that meets the needs of the current generation, without compromising those of the future generation. In simple terms, this means minimizing the impact on the environment. You can think of economic, social and environmental needs. An example of sustainable consumption is, for example, sustainable travel , separating waste and saving energy.

Why is this sustainable development important?

Sustainability therefore ensures that the environment is burdened as little as possible. This development is so important as it protects our natural environment and ecological and human health. Sustainability also stimulates innovation by looking at problems from a new perspective. In this way, the environment is endangered as little as possible and the earth can last longer.

Inspiration 2022: making your sustainable good intentions come true

Are you looking for inspiration for your New Year’s resolutions for 2022 to contribute to a sustainable life? Read here which New Year’s resolutions you can easily achieve in the new year!

1. Hand in obsolete electrical appliances

One of these easily applicable New Year’s resolutions for 2022 is to hand in electrical appliances that you no longer use. For example, think of your old telephone or batteries. Toss these in a small appliance container that you can find at the grocery store. You can also dispose of electrical appliances in bulky waste. Why this 2022 good intention contributes to sustainability? Electronics contain raw materials that can be reused! Handing in batteries also ensures that the harmful substances contained in them do not end up in nature.

2. Opt for one or more meatless days

Meat production is responsible for about 40% of the greenhouse gases released by the average Dutch person when producing food. Eating less meat is therefore good for the environment. Making these good intentions come true is now very easy thanks to the many meat substitutes in the supermarkets!

3. Don’t ask for and/or give birthday gifts

Buying stuff has a negative impact on the environment. Every product needs raw materials. The production of raw materials is often accompanied by negative effects on the environment, for example pollution. Instead, go do an activity together, buy items from the thrift store or look for a circular product!

4. Extend the life of your clothes

For the production of textiles, for example, a lot of water is needed. The production plus the transport of clothing, annually produces approximately 320 kg of CO2 emissions per person in the Netherlands. When you extend the life of your clothing, less needs to be produced. Visit a second-hand clothing store, sell your clothing on a second-hand platform such as Marktplaats and Vinted, or give your clothing away to family, acquaintances or friends!

Do you have any more tips for making good intentions come true? Share them with us via Instagram or Facebook !

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You probably remember the holidays as a child: sitting in the back of the car with a puzzle book or coloring page while your parents mapped out the way to the campsite or the holiday park with the help of a map. Navigating with a map is not for everyone, but it is still a bit of nostalgia and something we sometimes miss these days with our direct access to a navigation app on our phones. Do you want to go back to basics or experience the nostalgic feeling again? Traveling with a map is still possible in 2022, and will undoubtedly lead to a surprising trip!

An ode to the map

In the past, a paper map was used to find a vacation spot or to map out a route. Without a smartphone with pictures of the destination, every place became a surprise; after all, you didn’t know exactly what the destination would look like. Using the map, you could brainstorm all possible routes, find secluded beaches and think about all the sights to visit along the way. Being on the road became a great adventure, and the anticipation was an important part of that! With the rise of navigation systems and various maps apps, some of the adventure has disappeared. After all, this made getting lost almost impossible, but that is also one of the biggest drawbacks. Because what could be more fun than getting lost in a small village or a beautiful nature reserve?

On the road with a map

If you still regularly travel to places that are difficult to reach, you will recognize the satisfied feeling: at the end of the day, take a look at the map and see exactly which route you have taken, where you are now and where you can still go. A road map helps you put distances in perspective, giving you a much better understanding of the route and the distances you will cover. Traveling with a map also contributes to the deep travel phenomenon, where you visit places in a more conscious way and absorb them.

How do you still travel with a map in 2022?

Do you want to look up the adventure again by traveling with a map? Then you can even start with this new hobby in the Netherlands! For example, buy a map of the Pieterpad: the most famous long-distance walking route in the Netherlands. During this route of no less than 500 kilometers you walk right through the Netherlands. You start in Pieterburen and end in Maastricht. With the help of a map you can easily guide yourself throughout the country! Along the way you can spend the night at various local places, a perfect way to travel sustainably ! Do you not know what to do with the map after the time? Sell or donate it if it is still in good condition, or mark the route you have traveled and use the paper map as decoration in your interior!

The post Traveling with a map in 2022 | Is that still possible? appeared first on Sustainaway.

The Christmas dinner is perhaps the best dinner of the year, and not to forget: the tastiest. Christmas is often accompanied by just a little too much food, and that throughout the day. Do you still have room in your stomach for a vegan Christmas dessert? Then end the evening with this mocca mouse, simple and delicious!

Vegan Christmas dessert – Mocca mouse

Our favorite vegan Christmas dessert recipe is the mocca mouse. This recipe is gluten free and vegan. The mocca mouse is a dessert made of coffee, chocolate and hazelnuts. Note: This recipe contains caffeine. So do you want to have an after-dinner nap immediately after dessert? Then this recipe is less suitable.

This vegan Christmas dessert from Puur Suzanne is easy and quick to make. Start preparing this dessert on time, as it needs to set in the fridge for about 4 hours!

What do you need?

The list of ingredients below is based on a mocca mouse for 4 people. Are you going to make this vegan Christmas dessert for more or fewer people? Adjust your quantities accordingly.

The ingredients

• 200 milliliters soy cream or another type of cream
• 2 tablespoons of coconut blossom sugar
• 1 cup of espresso or strong coffee*
• 1 teaspoon agar agar – this ingredient is available at health food stores
• 50 grams of dark chocolate
• 50 grams of hazelnuts

*you can replace the coffee with decaffeinated coffee. Note that this recipe is made on the coffee with caffeine. So it is possible that when you use decaffeinated coffee, the taste may be different.

How do you make this vegan Christmas dessert?

Step 1: Whip the soy cream, or another type of cream, until it is firm.

Step 2: Chop the dark chocolate and hazelnuts into small pieces.

Step 3: Brew a strong cup of (decaffeinated) coffee. Dissolve the coconut sugar and agar agar in this. Bring the coffee to the boil in a small saucepan along with the ingredients you’ve added.

Step 4: Turn off the heat source. Keep stirring in the small pan. Allow the coffee to cool until it is lukewarm.

Step 5: You can now add the coffee from step 4 to the whipped cream from step 1. Add the chopped hazelnuts and dark chocolate. You can now divide the mocca mouse over the four glasses. Don’t forget to let the glasses with mousse set in the fridge for about 4 hours.

The nice thing about making your own mocca mouse is that you can, for example, stir chocolate chip cookies or stroopwafels through the mouse. Or decorate your mocca mouse with, for example, coffee beans.

Haven’t put together your entire Christmas dinner menu yet? Also check out our vegan appetizer for Christmas !

The post Vegan Christmas dessert | Inspiration to successfully end your Christmas dinner! appeared first on Sustainaway.

The demand for a good walking app is growing. There are certainly good hiking apps, but they are difficult to find because of the large selection. In this blog we explain which apps are the best and why. The top three look at the app’s user-friendliness, the range of walking routes and the possible costs of the app.

The best walking apps of the moment:

1. Hiking App

The first app on the list is Hiking App . This free application is already used by more than 100,000 other Dutch hikers. The idea of the app is that there is always a nice walk nearby, super fun! Are you satisfied with the app? Then you can consider upgrading it. The costs for this are 99 cents: relatively cheap, because you get a considerable expansion of the number of routes. You get up to a hundred routes per province.

The app currently contains 3,500 walking routes that are clearly visible on a map. In addition, the app has also integrated all walking events of the Nederlandse Wandelbond (KWBN) on the map. There are about 1,500 in total.

2. Experience Routes

The hiking app Experience Routes brings you more than a hiking route: with a clear interface and handy extras you can easily follow nice routes. The idea of the app is that you take a digital guide with you, which tells you fun anecdotes about the area and provides other interesting facts about the history of the places you pass. How does the app do this? When you enter a so-called highlight zone, you will receive a notification on your smartphone. As soon as you see the notification, you know that there is something to see or experience in the area!

The routes of Experience Routes are almost all free! In addition to the walking routes, the app also has various cycling routes.

3. Nature routes from Natuurmonumenten

This walking, cycling and sailing route app is perhaps the most special of the list. The nature routes app tries to give you a unique experience in nature. While following the route you will hear interesting audio fragments from forest rangers. Furthermore, the app is easy to use, the interface is very clear and there is also a clear instruction video on the website of Natuurmonumenten.

The app has a wide range of routes. In total there are no fewer than 400! They vary from routes you can take with children to long-distance hikes for the avid walker. The hiking app is free to use for members of Natuurmonumenten, which is handy! Not a member yet? Try the app for free for a limited time.

The 3 best hiking apps: conclusion

All three apps have a clean interface that is easy to use for everyone. What they mainly differ in is the type of walk. Do you only want a route and have a nice chat during the route? Then the Wandel app is most suitable for you. Do you want to go for the unique routes with interesting background information from forest rangers? Then go for Nature routes from Natuurmonumenten. By using the app (paid) you also support nature in the Netherlands. Would you rather not spend money on hiking routes, but do you want a hiking experience that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Go for the Experience Routes app. The walking app has a wide range of free routes that take you to special places in the Netherlands.

During long hiking trips, don’t forget to bring a refillable sustainable water bottle and fill your backpack with enough snacks! A poncho or raincoat is also a nice item to take with you in your backpack in case of unexpected rain showers. Have you packed all these items? Then you are in for a beautiful walk!

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Where years ago you might not have hesitated for a minute and took the plane to your destinations, something has changed in your head: flight shame. In recent years it has been a growing phenomenon and for a logical reason: climate change.

Flying is still one of the most polluting means of transport we know. It accounts for 2-3 percent of global CO2 emissions annually . Furthermore, a journey by plane is usually about 7 to 11 times more polluting than by train. In this blog we look at the solutions and dive into avoiding flies. This way you can now go through life without flying shame!

What to do about flight shame?

It is important to look for alternatives where possible. Remember the train! The first thing you can do about flight embarrassment is to avoid short flights. Destinations such as Paris, Berlin and London are easily accessible from the Netherlands by train. In some cases, the train is even faster than the plane. This is especially the case if you factor in the long check-in time. Another advantage of the train are the prices. Train tickets fluctuate less in price than airline tickets, which can be advantageous if you want to go somewhere around the holidays. It is usually cheaper to buy your train tickets a while in advance.

Compensating for CO2 emissions

Not everyone can stop flying completely overnight. You may also feel ashamed of flying because of all the miles you’ve flown in the past. Fortunately, it is not yet too late. There are various tools online that calculate how many kilometers you have flown in total, how much CO2 you have emitted with your flights and how many trees are needed to compensate for this.

Providers such as Greentripper offer the option of first calculating the emissions and then immediately compensating your emissions. Many companies can be found for offsetting CO2. For example, at Trees for All you can invest in various certified forest projects. Another option is to take out a monthly subscription to offset carbon emissions through various sustainability projects at Regreener .

Are you going to your destination by plane?

Make sure that the shame of flying does not turn into complete emission shame. It is important that you pay attention to your emissions during your stay. Try to buy your food locally and choose a destination where mass tourism has not yet prevailed. It can be said with certainty that your vacation will be much more surprising that way if you avoid well-known tourist spots and choose to visit small local places.

You can also make a positive impact when choosing a place to stay. Choose sustainable accommodation with, for example, solar panels and a heat pump. Prefer to stay in a hotel? Choose a hotel where sustainability is on the agenda. If you do take the plane, it is also important to book a direct flight. Multiple stops can be a few tens cheaper, but is also a lot more polluting because of the large amount of fuel that is needed during take-off and landing.

Flight Shame: Conclusion

Hopefully after reading this blog you are more aware of the concept of flight shame. Awareness is the first step to change, and yes, the flight behavior of many will have to be changed. Fortunately, this can be a lot of fun! Enjoy a long train journey and make this part of your holiday! Play games on the go or relax while watching a movie. This makes sustainable travel very easy and offers a chance to spend more quality time on the road!

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Open your Instagram to see your best friend having fun on the beach or your best friend having a barbecue with his family? Nowadays we prefer to travel as far as possible, which we then gladly share on the gram. It is strange, then, that we take our smartphone with us to see how things are going at home, while lying and scrolling on a beautiful beach or in a metropolis.

Today, using a phone, laptop and tablet is a big part of our daily lives. In addition to being available for emergency calls, we also use our smartphones for emails, Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and other social media. The multifunctional gadgets are our first source for news, weather and entertainment. Are you going on holiday and do you really want to get away from home? Maybe a digital detox is something for you.

Did you know that a holiday without WiFi has a positive influence on your health? In this blog you can read what a digital detox is, we tell you why a holiday without internet is so good for you and you get tips so that you check your smartphone, tablet or laptop less often.

What is a digital detox?

A digital detox means detoxing from being dependent on digital media and devices such as a smartphone, tablet and laptop. Do you feel that you are always ‘on’? Do a digital detox and find the best balance between online and offline for you.

stress

A holiday without WiFi means a holiday with less stress. With the arrival of the smartphone, it is possible that you can check everything all day long, from your work email to your personal messages. Some people overshoot this and can never put their smartphone down. Do you have an empty battery? Panic! The stress that comes with it has a negative effect on your health. Holiday without WiFi? You will see that you experience less stress and can enjoy the environment and activities more.

Sleep problems

Did you know that more than 58% of adults use their phone, tablet or laptop in the last hour before bedtime? The use of these devices shortly before going to sleep is associated with poor and poor ability to fall asleep . One factor that would play a role in the sleeping problems is the screen light. In addition, another important factor is the alertness to every message that comes in. Do you want to be rested on holiday? Another reason to go for a vacation without WiFi.

Disruption of family life

Are you going on holiday with your family? Both children and parents are fanatically scrolling on their tablet or smartphone. A whopping 38% of parents would “sometimes or even never” respond to their child’s request to stop using their smartphone. Do you want to experience your beautiful moments with your family? Then put your smartphone away and go for a walk in nature or challenge each other during a board game.

Still not a complete holiday without WiFi?

A smartphone, laptop or tablet is of course not all negative. Are you going on holiday and do you want to look up activities online? The internet takes you to places you wouldn’t normally go.

It may sound exciting to you not to use the internet at all while on holiday. We give you tips on how to use your tablet, telephone or laptop as little as possible so that you may discover a new travel experience.

• Turn off your social media and time-consuming apps like WhatsApp and Instagram. Not sure about your time-consuming apps? You can see this under ‘data usage’ in settings.
• Be aware of your screen time. Nowadays you can set up a weekly report on your smartphone, tablet and laptop. Here you can see how often and for how long you use the devices.
• You can of course also schedule fixed times in a day. For example, tell yourself that after dinner you schedule an hour to answer all notifications and messages.

Still need a distraction to leave your phone behind? With these sustainable travel products you will never be bored, not even on your holiday without internet!

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