Behind the scenes of our Valentine’s Day photo shoot 0:32
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A compilation of photographs we took for our Valentines Day spread.
- The Advertiser
- 06 Feb 2015
- News
VALENTINE’S DAY poses more than its fair share of pitfalls for lovestruck travellers.
From sexually transmitted diseases to muggings, travel insurer 1Cover has some sage advice for romantics overseas.
For starters, travel insurance policies do not cover STDs — so if you are hooking up on a holiday, be sure to avoid unprotected sex.
VALENTINE’S DAY: A great day to update your relationship status
Pays to protect yourself on holidays ... STDs are among the conditions not covered by travel insurance. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied
Another pointer for the amorous is to know the laws around public affection.
In some countries, like the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, overt displays of affection are considered offensive and couples who do pash in public may face fines or even jail time.
The same goes for couples who are not married or closely related who share hotel rooms in the UAE.
Candlelit dinners and walks at sunset may also be hazardous and 1Cover Travel Insurance recommends you know what your insurance policy covers before you go for that moonlight canoe ride or mountain top picnic.
Other tips for couples celebrating the most romantic day of the year include photographing and recording any details of gifts, and getting them insured.
Should that diamond ring or gold necklace be lost or stolen, travellers could find themselves suddenly out of pocket.
Be prepared ... it pays to know the customs of the country you’re in before getting too carried away with Valentine’s Day. Pic: Thinkstock. Source: Supplied
Also be aware that the earth can move on holidays for all the wrong reasons.
Natural disasters do happen, and it pays to know your airline’s policy in relation to major events, and to get in touch with family and friends as soon as possible for their own peace of mind.
Standard travel advice also applies to enamoured explorers such as making copies of credit cards and passports, and carrying an extra outfit and a toothbrush in handheld luggage.
On the subject of Valentine’s Day it pays to know cultural norms curious to individual countries.
Fastcover CEO Dean Van Es said in Germany it was customary for locals to present their paramour with a pig on Valentine’s Day.
“Germans believe the pig represents luck and lust,” said Mr Van Es.
“Thankfully it can be given in picture form as a chocolate statue or other creative methods.”
In Japan, it’s conventional for women to give presents to their men — not the other way around, and in Finland, friendship is celebrated over romance.
Shifting meanings ... Valentine’s Day is a celebration of friendship as much as lovers in some countries. Pic: Thinkstock. Source: Supplied
“Male and female friends are known to exchange gifts among each other like flowers, chocolates and hampers while teenagers throw big friendship parties,” Mr Van Es said.
Perhaps the strangest Valentine’s Day custom belongs to Latvia and Lithuania where good friends “stick together” quite literally.
“The day is celebrated by placing stickers on the faces of friends and family members,” said Mr Van Es.
“This has been a tradition since they gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1990.”
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