Being prepared for the unexpected is particularly important when travel is experiencing a growth surge, as it is now. Crowds, severe weather and tight connections affect the entire travel experience, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

In the past two years, we have processed more than $2 million in travel claims directly related to hurricanes. Comprehensive travel insurance policies can protect your vacation investment, but like all types of insurance, you must buy it before the event is foreseeable.

Travel agents are usually familiar with a variety of policies and can steer you towards the one that's right for you.

Accidents, illness, crime, severe weather and tight connections can affect your cruise experience, but travel protection gives peace of mind, financial protection and assistance. Insurance is only important when you need it ... and then you want it to be the right type of coverage.

The 2006 year opened on a strong note, with solid growth of 33 percent in online non-travel sales versus the same period in 2005. It's clear based on what we're seeing so far in 2006 that the strength in online sales will not wane anytime soon.

This place, this house, nothing grows there. This is a place of no color, no growth - nothing can really hope to be fertile in this environment until this hothouse flower walks into this place.