Ask the team: half-term trekking and travel insurance for the Caribbean

Our experts answer your travel queries

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My husband, three teenage children and I want to go trekking somewhere warm over October half-term. Can you help?
Jo James, Cardiff

Jeremy Lazell replies: Morocco is a sure bet, with October temperatures in the 20s and superb hiking in the High Atlas. Fleewinter has a private, fully supported trek between ancient villages in the shadow of Mount Toubkal. You’ll camp for five days, then spend two nights in a riad in Marrakesh. The eight-day trip costs £575pp, including transfers and most meals, but not flights (fleewinter.com).

Prefer to travel in a group? Families Worldwide’s Teen Hike & Bike itinerary adds camel rides and mountain biking to trekking in the High Atlas, with beach time in Essaouira. Departing on October 15 or October 22, the nine-day trip costs £1,099pp, B&B, including flights and some meals (familieswordwide.co.uk).

You’ll find sunshine in Tenerife, too. KE Adventures has an eight-day Teenage Tenerife Hiking Highlights group trip that includes six days of trekking, with an ascent of Mount Teide, and dolphin-watching. Prices start at £995pp, including meals and transfers, but not flights (keadventure.com).

Or how about a Sicilian Volcanoes Family Adventure? Exodus’s eight-day trip has guided hikes on Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano, pizza-making and kayaking; from £1,199pp, including flights, transfers and some meals (exodus.co.uk).

Guadeloupe is a French overseas territoryALAMY

I’m travelling to the French overseas territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique, in the Caribbean. My European travel insurance policy doesn’t cover me for these two islands — but the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) seems to. I have had two embolisms and am on medication. I have not been able to get insurance for these islands on any worldwide policy. Am I OK just to travel with my EHIC?
Christel Struckmeier, Montrose, Angus

Chris Haslam replies: The EHIC does indeed cover Guadeloupe and Martinique, but not, oddly, the French overseas departments of French Guiana, in South America, or the islands of Mayotte or Réunion, in the Indian Ocean. The card entitles you to free or reduced-cost medical care, including the treatment of existing conditions. The benefits are limited, however, and the card should not be considered as an alternative to travel insurance — repatriation, for example, is not covered.

Your medical history does not preclude getting insurance, although you will have to pay a premium. Specialist insurers that can help include Campbell Irvine (020 7938 1734, campbellirvinedirect.com), Staysure (0800 033 4902, staysure.co.uk) and Avanti (0800 888 6195, avantitravelinsurance.co.uk).

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