Your Holiday Checklist
Luggage
Always keep tickets, passports, visas, insurance details, car and house keys, valuables, cameras, films, breakables and medical supplies in your hand luggage. When travelling by plane, sharp items such as pocket knives, corkscrews, cutlery, nail files, scissors, etc. should be packed in luggage checked into the hold. Such items will be confiscated if taken as hand luggage. Please note, similar restrictions are in place when travelling by Eurostar. You may find a simple first aid kit useful and please remember to pack mosquito repellent, and comfortable shoes as you may be walking more than usual. Except for at the ship on our European Cruises, porterage is not included in your holiday. Please bear this in mind when packing your luggage. Remember that your luggage is your responsibility - please make sure that it is loaded on to the coach.
Money
The Euro has now been adopted in most European countries. Some exceptions are:
- Croatia - Kuna
- Czech Republic - Czech Crown or Koruna
- Poland - Zloty
- Hungary - Florint
- Russia - Ruble
Some countries, such as Morocco and India operate ‘closed’ currencies, where it is not possible to purchase the currency before travel. Please check your individual itinerary notes for more details. Current exchange rates and advice about using your cards in other parts of Europe/worldwide can be obtained from your bank. Credit cards can be used widely all over Europe/worldwide, but as in the UK, you will need to check with the individual retailer whether they accept them or not. Whilst some people consider taking traveller’s cheques, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get them cashed or to find outlets prepared to accept them. Traveller’s cheques are widely accepted in the US and Canada, and can easily be changed at hotels in Morocco, India and Vietnam. They can be more difficult to change in other destinations, particularly South Africa and Botswana. To cover all eventualities, it is best to take a combination of local currency — where possible — and credit/charge/debit cards. Foreign currency can usually be obtained from Post Offices, Travel Agents and at your departure or arrival airports. Most major cities overseas also have ATM cash machines from where you can obtain local currency using your normal UK PIN number. If you are in any doubt about this, please check with your card issuer. Remember to keep a separate note of your card issuer’s emergency telephone number. We recommend you advise your bank or credit card provider of your destination prior to travel if you intend to use your cards as they can sometimes be blocked if the bank detects any unusual activity. There may be entrance fees to pay for certain museums and places of interest. Where possible the Tour Managers will try to purchase these at a special rate for you. Such payments will need to be made in cash.
Security at Home & Personal Safety on Tour
Please be extra vigilant whilst on holiday. Do not leave handbags on the back of chairs or on the floor under tables — even at breakfast. Do not put wallets in back pockets of trousers unless they can be secured. Do not put all your cash, credit cards, passports, etc in one bag — if it is stolen you lose everything. It is advisable that you do not take non-essential valuables with you, such as jewellery. You might consider cancelling your papers and milk deliveries as well as leaving some lights on timers while you are away. It is a good idea to take a photocopy of the pages of your passport showing your passport number and photograph. Bring this with you on holiday, but keep it in a different place from your passport so that you will have it even if your passport is lost or stolen. This can also be used as proof of id for reduced entrance fees.
Security & Safety Abroad
In your hotel
Always use the in-room safety deposit box (if available) to store your valuables, cash, cameras, passport etc, but don’t forget to take them with you when you check out! Take extra care when getting into the shower or bath, surfaces may be more slippery than at home. Always lock your hotel room door and balcony door at night. Please familiarise yourself with the location of the nearest fire exit, alarm and extinguisher on your hotel floor. In case of fire, alert the hotel management, do not stop to collect your belongings and exit immediately via the emergency stairs. Do not use lifts. If your way is blocked by smoke or heat, stay in your room and place wet towels in any gaps under or around your door. Be aware of the depth and width of your hotel pool. Few have a lifeguard. Never dive in. Do not swim immediately after a meal. Be aware of slippery tiling or uneven surfaces around the pool or underwater ledges and obstacles.
Out and about
You need to be extra vigilant, especially in large cities, on public transport, in crowded airports, stations, marketplaces and near ATM cash machines. Casually carried cameras, expensive-looking jewellery and open handbags can make you a target. Our Tour Managers will be able to give you more details on your personal security, but in the meantime these simple hints should help:
- Take with you only the amount of cash you think you will need for the day and never carry your wallet in your back pocket or in an open handbag.
- Always divide your belongings, cash and bank cards amongst different pockets or with your partner.
- Buy a money belt and wear it under your shirt.
- Use hard-sided luggage.
- Remember that most countries drive on the opposite side of the road and may have different rules of the road. Please take extra care when crossing roads.
If anything is lost or stolen whilst in resort, your insurance company will require a report from your Tour Manager and/or the local police. If your bank cards are lost or stolen you need to advise your bank immediately. Keep a separate note of the bank emergency numbers. Always notify your Tour Manager as soon as possible who will do all that he can to help.
Joining the Tour
Holidays by air
When you receive your tickets it is important that you check that all the details are correct and it is vital that first name and surname are exactly as they appear on your passport. If not then contact us immediately. Make a careful note of your flight departure time and plan to arrive to check-in at least two hours before the scheduled departure time. Allow time for traffic hold-ups, parking your car, etc...
Check-in
- Check your flight number, check-in areas and expected departure time, which will be displayed on monitors or information boards.
- All members of your party must be present at the check-in desk and you will need to present your flight tickets or airline reference number, together with your passports and luggage. All items of hand luggage may be checked to ensure they comply with size and weight limitations.
- Once you have booked in your luggage you will be given receipts for each item. You should then make your way to the departure lounge where further security checks will be carried out and your hand luggage will be screened. At some airports, clothing may be searched. Please allow plenty of time to go through to the departure lounge.
- Check monitors in the departure lounge for latest flight and boarding information, including your departure gate.
- At the departure gate you again have to show your passport together with your boarding card.
- Once on board the aircraft the security procedures will be explained to you.
In-Flight Meals
Most airlines have now stopped supplying in-flight meals. You may wish to consider bringing sandwiches with you or buying at the airport. Some airlines sell sandwiches but these tend to be expensive and supplies sometimes sell out quickly.
Travelling by Eurostar
- Make a careful note of your check-in time and remember that the check-in opens one and a half hours before the scheduled departure time. Allow time for traffic hold-ups, connecting train delays, parking your car, etc...
- Dependent upon where you are joining there are slight variations in the procedure, but all involve using your ticket to gain access via the automatic barriers, having your passport checked and your luggage being security-checked. Only 2 pieces of luggage per person are permitted on Eurostar.
- Once in the departure lounge it is important that you check the train number on your ticket against the information given on the screen. In this way you can be certain of joining the correct train.
Arrival
Meeting the Tour Manager
Travelling by air or Eurostar it is important to follow the instructions shown in the itinerary. Please bear in mind that your tour manager may be travelling on the same flight or train as you and there could be a short delay before contact is made with the group. Please wait with the other members of the group in the Arrivals area, as requested in your itinerary.
During the Tour
Tour Managers
They will escort the tour pointing out areas of interest. There will be occasions when, because of local circumstances, we may have to use local guides. Tour managers will be able to advise you about such issues including:-
- Local customs and events
- Food and drink
- Changing money
- Tipping
- Any other information concerning your holiday
Security at Hotels
The tour managers or staff at hotel receptions can advise you about security boxes where you can lock valuables, cash etc. Some hotels provide security boxes in the room, others have boxes in the reception area, some charge for use and/or a deposit for security box keys, and some don’t. We strongly recommend that you use the facilities available and take advice from your tour manager.
