Long-haul travel to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Cambodia, Vietnam and even Alaska to name just a few far-flung destinations is now commonplace.

Today you can catch a non-stop flight to Canada, the Caribbean or Dubai from Glasgow, for heaven's sake - something that was unthinkable 10 years agp.

Exotic Locations

When it comes to global warming, Leonardo DiCaprio has a lot to answer for.

The exotic location for his starring role in The Beach is single-handedly responsible for sending thousands of travellers packing - to Thailand's beautiful Phuket Island.

But if you fall ill there you could be in serious trouble if you don't have travel health insurance.

The same goes for anywhere else outwith the EEA. If you seriously think the British Embassy will help, think again.

It recommends that British visitors to the US, for instance, should have at least $1million in travel and medical cover to meet hospital costs and return to the UK.

Last-minute getaways

With more and more people opting for last-minute getaways, there's no shortage of airlines touting for business.

How does £19.99 (inc. taxes and charges) for a 1-way flight to Prague sound?

Or Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Toulouse ...?

Even adding on a £4 fee for booking by credit card, it's a fabulous deal - it featured in one of bmibaby.com's recent sales' promos.

Or what about a 1-way flight to Toronto or Montreal for £89?

Meanwhile www.dialaflight.com promise mega savings on hotels, car rentals, sightseeing and tours.

It all sounds wonderful...

Going bust ... until you remember that no fewer than 9 European airlines have gone bust since September 2001.

May 2004 saw 1200 travellers stranded abroad when Brum-based Duoairline failed.

It's a risk run by travellers who buy cheap flights direct from low-cost airlines not covered under the ATOL (Air Travel Organisers Licensing) scheme.

Whereas package holidaymakers are fully protected if their airline goes bust, those booking direct often aren't.

Last year, for instance, only 69% of holiday flights were ATOL protected.

Warning

Travel experts warn that more airlines are likely to go under.

Unless you have travel insurance, and you've bought your ticket and the airline goes under before you fly, you won't get any compensation if it wasn't part of a package.

If you paid using your credit card and the transaction was over £100, you could be eligible for a refund from the card provider. Check with your credit card provider

Raw Deal

Yes, it's a raw deal for travellers and the Government intends to introduce changes to the law to protect holidaymakers.

But the loophole that allows airlines to rob passengers in this way is unlikely to be closed until towards the end or 2005 at the latest.

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