Travel quiz

You want to pay for something at a street stall in Thailand. A banknote slips out of your hand. You put your foot on it quickly to stop it blowing away. Was that a mistake?

You've seen amazing pictures of the Aïr mountains in the desert in northern Niger. You love the desert and love taking photos too. You've even found a tour operator on the internet. But the FDFA advises against travel to Niger because of the high risk of kidnapping. What do you do?

People are striking in Peru. They're blocking the roads and you're stuck in Cusco. What do you do?

When you book a trip at a travel agency or online, you are usually asked if you want to take out travel insurance. Do you take them up on this offer?

You must always take instructions from local authorities seriously and follow them at all times. 

Remark: If a police officer or someone on the hotel's staff gives me a tip about local safety, I follow it. They live there and know the area better than I do.

The routes are blocked for the embassy too. You'll probably just have to wait for the situation to return to normal.
 
Remark: But that doesn't mean you can't do anything. Contact your tour operator and travel insurance provider. Get advice from your local guide and notify the Swiss embassy of your presence in the country.

In reality, you'll probably just have to wait for the situation to return to normal. 

Remark: But that doesn't mean you can't do anything. Contact your tour operator and travel insurance provider. Get advice from your local guide and notify the Swiss embassy of your presence in the country.

Basic health insurance only covers hospital costs up to twice the daily rate in Switzerland.

Remark: In other words, that's not enough in many countries. And even if it is enough, it doesn't include repatriation to Switzerland for medical reasons. So make sure you clarify what your health insurance covers exactly and what it doesn't. And if you need to, take out another policy!

Excellent. That's the best cover you can have.

Remark: It's still worthwhile finding out what you're covered for and what not.

The chances may be small, but if something happens, costs can quickly run into their thousands. So it's always a good idea to take out comprehensive travel insurance.

Remark: Skimping on insurance might be a false economy. Insurance cover doesn't cost much, and it can save you and your relatives a lot of stress and trouble. Basic health insurance alone is not enough. It doesn't cover medical repatriation to Switzerland or pay the advances on costs that many hospitals abroad require, for example. And some of these advances can reach five-figure sums.

You must always take instructions from local authorities seriously and follow them at all times.
 
Remark: If a police officer or someone on the hotel's staff gives me a tip about local safety, I follow it. They live there and know the area better than I do.

Correct, you must follow instructions from local authorities at all times. 

Remark: If a police officer or someone on the hotel's staff gives me a tip about local safety, I follow it. They live there and know the area better than I do.

You could be jailed for up to 15 years because the note has the king's portrait on it. Just let it blow away. 

Remark:
The Thai royal family commands the utmost respect; insulting them is severely punished. There are similar laws in other countries, and not just for monarchies either.

The Thai royal family commands the utmost respect. Careless statements or actions that offend the royal house may be punished by up to 15 years in jail. So just let the note blow away. 

Remark:
The Thai royal family commands the utmost respect; insulting them is severely punished. There are similar laws in other countries, and not just for monarchies either.

You're right! There are similar laws in other countries, and not just for monarchies either.

That's the sensible thing to do. 

Remark: The FDFA advises against travel to certain areas if particular dangers there make it too risky. In crisis zones, the FDFA only has limited possibilities to help – sometimes none at all.

You would be taking a huge risk yourself, and you may even put the very people who want to help you in danger too. 

Remark: Don't have any illusions. In crisis zones, the FDFA only has limited possibilities to help – sometimes none at all. And you might not just put yourself in danger, but the people helping you too. Have you ever thought what a kidnapping would mean for you and your relatives? Uncertainty, fear, unimaginable physical and psychological ordeals – not really an adventure worth having.

Remark: Even if a group hasn't been attacked, that doesn't guarantee your safety. Not even local guides and a good network of contacts are enough to rule out the risk of kidnapping. In the Sahara, it isn't just organised tourist groups but staff working for aid agencies that have been kidnapped, for example.