Checklist  

Make a list of what to pack and what to do before you leave.

If you are travelling internationally, it is a good idea to see if your passport is still valid before you get to the airport.

Ask around to get an idea of what type of clothing would be appropriate for your trip. Also, find out what the weather is like so you will be dressed comfortably. This way you know exactly what you need to pack. If travelling internationally, you should research the customs of the country you will be visiting. You do not want to accidentally offend anyone.

If you don't have an International Certificate of Vaccination, get one!

Arrange for someone to take care of your home (including clearing your mail). Give them contacts for emergencies involving plumbing, heating, electrical, and insurance, and give them appropriate ID numbers for the various agencies. Give them your itinerary, including telephone numbers of where you can be reached, or where urgent messages can be left. Arrange for care of your children and/or parents living with you (if they are not travelling with you). Arrange for care of your pets and plants. Cancel the delivery of milk and newspapers.

If you will be away for more than 2-3 weeks, arrange for bills to be paid.

Purchase traveller’s health insurance, as well as any other travel insurance you think you need.

Ensure there are sufficient funds in your bank account to cover any pre-authorized payments (mortgages, credit cards, utilities, etc).

Travel Information

Documentation required
If you are a British citizen and wish to travel to any of the destinations shown on this website you must hold a full ten-year passport, even for a day trip. All infants or children under 16 must hold a 5-year passport. It is your responsibility to be in possession of a valid passport to travel; otherwise you will not be allowed to travel.

Check out the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for visa and health information at http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel, or the Passport Office website http://www.passport.gov.uk for passport information. Also make sure you take your insurance documentation with you and a note of the emergency contact number of your insurance provider in case you need this when you are away. If your holiday includes car hire or you're planning to hire a car, please remember driving licences for all those planning to drive.

Visas
If you plan to travel outside the UK you may require a visa to enter the country you are going to. Follow our simple guide for a stress-free trip.

For all visa enquiries contact the consulate or embassy of the country your plan to visit as soon as possible.

If you a British Dependent Territories citizen, British Overseas citizen, British subject, British national overseas, or a British protected person, you may need a visa that is not required by British Citizens.

Always pack your visa in your hand luggage.

It is your responsibility to have the appropriate visa for travelling otherwise you will not be allowed to travel.

Vaccinations
If you are travelling within the EU, obtain form E111 from the Post Office for reduced or free emergency care. But remember you still need travel insurance. As a result of recent changes to European law a new E111 form has been introduced to replace the old one. The new form of E111 is available from your post office or can be downloaded from the Department of Health website.

Credit Cards
Purchase sufficient funds in either traveller’s cheques or cash. If you purchase traveller’s cheques, you should also purchase some cash. If you will be carrying credit cards, there will be less of a need for cash, however do not rely on using credit cards. Many locations still do not take credit cards, and those that do often have strange rules or special prices or surcharges which you may want to avoid.

Have sufficient funds available in a bank account to cope with overseas emergencies. Take the bank account number, bank name, address and telephone number. Take two or three cheques for this account, and fold them up and put them away in your wallet.

Keep in mind, some overseas medical facilities will not bill your travel health insurance directly. You must pay them and claim later. In other words, you may need access to sufficient funds to receive medical treatment.

Credit card accounts should be paid down to zero balance before leaving. You may need these lines of credit in an emergency.

If you are planning to use credit cards while on vacation, be aware that some countries have different security systems than those we are used to in North America. For instance, in some European countries, the credit card approval process for retail purchases often requires that you enter a PIN into the system. If you don't know your PIN for your VISA or MasterCard, go to your bank and get one before you leave.

Check credit / debit card expiry dates before you travel
Only take the cards on holiday that you are likely to use - leave store cards, company credit cards, and any other cards you won't use in a safe place at home - and be 100% positive you know which cards you have with you.

When your payment, consider making an advance payment if it falls due during your holiday. You don't want your card to be put on stop when you might need to use it.

If you intend to spend heavily on your card, especially if this is outside your normal spending pattern, let your card issuer know before you travel. Your spending might be picked up by the card issuer's automated fraud programs, which also put your card on stop!

Make sure the card is accepted in the country you are visiting, especially if you plan to draw cash on them. Check sales vouchers carefully before signing - especially the number of zeros. Put a line through any blank space and always keep a copy of the sales voucher.

Whilst on holiday don't carry all of your cards with you - leave at least one in the hotel safe.

Don't lose sight of your cards in shops or restaurants - dishonest merchants only need a few seconds and one swipe of your card to get all of the information they need to make a copy of it.

Report lost or stolen cards to your card issuer immediately - quick reporting limits your responsibility for unauthorised use. Make a note of debit and credit card company emergency telephone numbers, or photocopy both sides. Keep the list separate from your cards.

Currency and Traveller's Cheques
It’s a good idea to take your spending money partly in foreign currency and partly in traveller’s cheques. Traveller’s cheques are the safest way to carry money as they are easily cashed for a small service charge and you are covered if you lose them. Otherwise you’ll find MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club credit cards are widely accepted.

Please note: All EU countries use the Euro currency, and have withdrawn their old national currencies.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Travel Unit may have issued information about your holiday destination.

Make sure you have enough to cover emergencies. Don't rely on one thing - take a mixture of cash, travellers cheques and credit / debit cards. Keep a record of your travellers' cheque numbers in a different place to your traveller’s cheques.

Travel insurance policies only pay out for stolen cash if is taken from a safe. We suggest that you rent the safe in your room or use the hotel safe. The small cost is worth the additional security.

Take sensible precautions - don't carry all of your cards, traveller’s cheques and cash with you - you'll be stuck if you do and they're stolen. Carry only as much money as you need for the day, plus a little extra for emergencies.

In most of Europe you now need euros. For the US always take dollar denominated travellers cheques, which are accepted in most stores and restaurants.

Customs
Be as cooperative as possible - you're liable to face strict penalties if you don't and your experience is far less likely to be harrowing.

Make sure you leave ample time for your journey through customs - they won't care if you're late, and if anything you'll look more suspicious if you try to hurry through at the last minute!

Find out about the regulations/restrictions for taking pets, plants and food through customs, and also any taxes you may be liable to pay. You will probably be able find out about these via the embassies, or they will at least be able to point you in the right direction.

Log any expensive or foreign items you are taking away with you, with customs, so as you can prove you didn't buy them abroad. This will prevent any misunderstandings that could otherwise result in you being charged a taxation fee! Find out about any details you may require registering your items before you arrive in customs.

To ensure you are charged the correct amount if your purchases extend into the taxable bracket, keep all the receipts and present them in an easily accessible manner.

If you disagree with the duty you are assessed to be liable for, appeal. Ask to speak to a supervisor first and then write to the proper authorities. This is also the route to take if you feel your journey through customs was inappropriately dealt with - make sure you take the inspectors badge number.

Health & Safety

Safety
Hoteliers and suppliers should meet local and national safety standards, however these vary widely across the programme and rarely match those standards that we enjoy in the UK, only a minority of hotels and apartments meet European Commission recommendations on fire safety. We nevertheless seek to raise standards in all of our destinations. You will receive a Safety First leaflet on arrival in resort, please take a few minutes of your time to familiarise yourself with the information that it contains.

Health and Hygiene
Good hygiene is practiced within hotels, but the hygiene standards in some foreign countries, particularly developing destinations, are generally much lower than in the UK. Care should be taken to minimise the risk of holiday sickness, especially among pregnant women, infants and the elderly. Your GP can provide you with up-to-date health advice and we recommend that you consult your doctor well in advance before travelling. It is extremely unlikely that the pool in your holiday accommodation will have a lifeguard. It is therefore important to remember, especially when travelling with children, to take a few minutes to familiarise yourself and your party with the pool area on arrival. Children must always be accompanied by an adult in the pool, including children's pools and surrounding areas, and at all other times. Familiarise yourself with any flag warning systems that may be in operation on local beaches, and take into account local conditions.

Road Safety
A high proportion of the accidents that are reported to us are road accidents. In many countries the rules of the road are different from the UK and we ask you to take extra care.

Children's Safety
Naturally the safety of our younger holidaymakers is also of paramount importance. We take advice from leading UK child safety organisations and accident prevention agencies, to ensure that standards are as high as possible. Parents should check that they are happy with hotel operated clubs and children's facilities, including playgrounds.

Excursion Safety
We work with excursion suppliers to ensure that they operate to appropriate safety standards. Whilst every care is taken with those activities that we recommend, should you independently choose to use an alternative supplier we advise that you should satisfy yourself that your insurance and the insurance, legal cover and safety standards of the company you are choosing to use is adequate.

Personal Safety
Watch handbags and cameras when you are out and about in resort. Only take with you the cash that you will need for that day, and leave valuables in a safety deposit box.

If you have anything stolen whilst on holiday report it to the local police and obtain a statement from them about the loss. This is not always easy, but you will need a police report if you want to claim on your travel insurance.

If you have a card protection policy, phone them immediately and they'll help you cancel your credit / debit cards and your mobile phone, and provide assistance in replacing tickets and passports.

If you don't have a card protection policy, you'll need to phone your bank and card issuers to stop your cards and phone your mobile phone company to stop your account. Your travel insurer will tell you how and where you can get a replacement passport from (they won't cover the cost though) and your tour rep, airline or travel agent will help you replace tickets.

No Smoking
Charter airlines operate a no smoking policy.

Deep Vein Thrombosis
Lengthy periods of immobility can increase the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), but there are simple steps that you can take to reduce susceptibility. Take plenty of non-alcoholic drinks; get up and move about whenever possible, do some simple foot and leg exercises. Your airline may demonstrate the type of exercise or get yourself a copy of “Health Advice for Travellers” free by calling 0800 555 777. Also see the DoH website www.doh.gov.uk/hat.

Customer Information
Read the Health Advice for Travellers (T5) available from your travel agent, local Department of Health office or the Health Literature Line on 0800 555 777. Guidebooks are another useful source of information. The latest Foreign Office Advice notifications are also available on CEEFAX - BBC2, pages 470 onwards or on the Internet at this address http://www.fco.gov.uk/. You can contact the ABTA Information Department on 0901 201 5050). Please also look out for additional Safety First information provided either in-flight, or on your arrival in resort.

Fear of Flying
If you look at what we do when we fly, it's not surprising that it frightens a lot of us. After all we are sitting in an enclosed tube travelling at hundreds of miles an hour, completely dependent on the engineering of the machine and the training, and mental and physical states of the pilots. We have no control over our fate. On the face of it we are taking a big risk with our lives.

Every day, over 3 million people are in the air, having made the decision to trust their planes, pilots and traffic controllers. Over a year that's about one and a half billion people on nearly 20 million flights. Yet there are only about ten accidents a year. Your odds of dying in a car crash are around one in 5,000. Your odds of dying in a plane crash are around one in ten million - two thousand times less.

People are scared of flying for a variety of reasons:

- They feel the claustrophobia as they enter the cabin.
- They hate the fact that they have no influence on what will happen - that they have no control over their fate in the next few hours.
- The slightest turbulence or change in the pitch of the engines immediately convinces them that they are about to crash. They will be among the one in ten million who are going to die.

So how can we assuage these fears? It isn't easy, especially since the tragedies of September 11th.
Terrorism is seen as yet another possible reason for the plane to crash, even though security against hijack, always higher in Britain than in most other countries (because of possible IRA threats), has been stepped up worldwide since then.

Reassure
The phobic person about the aircraft's safety. Many people's biggest fear is that turbulence will make the wings fall off. Of course it can't - the wings are an integral part of the aircraft's structure, not just tacked on to the sides of the fuselage. And they are built to be flexible, not rigid, so don't worry when you look out of the window and see them moving up and down. Aircraft survive through the worst turbulence, and are built with a wide safety margin to do so. The second fear is what may happen when engines fail. Will the plane plummet to the earth? Well, no. Commercial aircraft can glide for an hour or more with no engine power and still land safely, on the sea, as well as on land.

Forget the Tranquilisers and Alcohol
Even frequent flyers can develop flying phobia after years of trouble free travel. Sufferers range in age from their teens to their nineties. Because men (unlike women, who show their fear more openly) tend to be ashamed of their fears, they try to hide them. To bolster their underlying lack of confidence they often take too much alcohol or swallow tranquillisers beforehand. Each is bad enough on its own because it may lead to loss of mental control, and at best `uninhibited' behaviour. But taking the two together can be disastrous: their combined actions on the brain are multiplied. Being both drunk and drugged has led to air rage or even stupor - neither of which makes you popular with the airline or other passengers.

Concentrate on your breathing
If you concentrate on the physical symptoms of your fear, you can often control your emotions, too. So rule one is to focus on your breathing: make yourself take deep slow breaths, rather than shallow fast ones. When your muscles begin to tense, relax them. That is particularly important for the two large muscles in the back of your neck. Close your eyes and relax against the headrest, then relax all the other muscles of your trunk and limbs, in turn. The next step is to rise from your seat. Most flying phobias are rooted in their seats, as if their getting up will somehow unbalances the plane. Prove to yourself that this is not so by walking around the plane. Look out of the window often: you may start to enjoy the view around you, even if it does consist only of cloud.

Repeat breathing exercise
Don't worry if, after you have stopped panicking and are settled, the anxiety starts up again. Just repeat the exercise. The wave of worry is just another rush of anxiety-producing chemical substances in your brain - it will go away in a few minutes. The body’s factory for producing them will soon run out, and you will return to normal.

Congratulate yourself
Once the flight is over, congratulate yourself. Jot down a few pointers about what went well and what went wrong - and resolve to correct the problems next time you fly. You never know, you may get to like flying.

Prices

Holiday cost
This varies by tour operator, however as a general rule, the holidays include return flights (and airport taxes), the stipulated accommodation and transfers. If transfers are not included in the holiday price, you will be informed during the booking process and given the option to add on car hire or transfers as extras. For more information, check the relevant tour operator information about the holiday and read the booking conditions.

Prices shown reflect the base price for your chosen holiday, plus any extra charges affected by your choice of airport, flight, type of room and type of booking. Starting guide prices are shown in the search results screen, which may not include room, occupancy or flight supplements. Some tour operators charge for accommodation-only bookings, late departure ticketing, itinerary alterations and ticket amendments. Please note, insurance, visas, departure taxes from certain foreign airports and excess baggage charges are payable by the customer. A final costing will be shown once you have entered all customer details and selected the options you require to add onto your holiday; but before any payment is collected, so you can see the exact cost breakdown of your holiday.

Supplements
Supplements may apply where the maximum room occupancy levels are not met (for example 2 people staying in a room which sleeps 4). Room supplements may also apply if you wish to upgrade your room selection (for example to include a sea view or balcony). Where board basis upgrades are available (for example to upgrade from half board to full board) these are subject to the payment of a supplement. Single person supplements can vary by tour operator, time of year and holiday. Supplements are calculated on a per person per night basis.

Children reductions
Children under 2 years of age on the date of return travel are considered as 'infants'. Infants do not qualify for a separate seat on the flight, have no baggage allowance or in-flight meal and must sit on a parent's lap during take-off and landing. You will be notified of any charges for infants during the booking process. Child ages vary according to the accommodation you are booking. As a general rule passengers between 2-12 on the date of return travel are classed as 'children' when staying in hotel accommodation; and between 2-16 when staying in self-catering apartment accommodation. As such reduced child prices (or free child places where applicable) may apply and these will be notified to you at the time of booking. For insurance purposes passengers between 2-15 are classed as 'children' and pay children's premium prices; passengers 16 and over are classed as adults.

Discounts
Discounts vary according to the holiday, and can include child discounts, early booking discounts, last minute holiday offers, group deals, free insurance and extra nights among others.

Travel insurance
Travel insurance is essential and most leading tour operators will only accept your booking if you are adequately covered. We strongly recommend you take out insurance. If you choose not to purchase insurance, you will need to let them know the name of the company that you are insured with, and a policy number. They will also ask you to agree to indemnify against any losses incurred by you as a result of being inadequately insured. Please check your policy carefully and ensure that it covers the holiday you have chosen. Some activities such as hot air ballooning, scuba diving and some mountain sports may be excluded. If your cover is insufficient for your needs, you travel at your own risk.

Bookings and Payments

Paying a deposit
Deposits are applicable for most holidays except late deals where full payment is due immediately. If you are booking within 10 weeks of your departure date, you must pay us the entire cost of your holiday. If you are booking more than 10 weeks in advance of your departure date you can choose to pay a deposit as shown on the Personal Details and Payment screen of the booking process. We will also tell you when the balance of the payment is due.

Balance of my holiday
The due date for the full balance will be shown before you confirm your booking; on the confirmation screen after you have booked; and on the confirmation email you will receive after you've booked. As a general rule, full payment is required at least 10 weeks before your departure date but dates can vary according to tour operator. You can of course pay at any time earlier than this if you want to.

Payments accepted
Most online books will accept Visa, MasterCard, Solo, Switch and Delta cards online. In all cases the cards must be issued in the UK. In general, handling fees are charged on credit card transactions to cover the costs imposed by credit card companies.

Secure Transactions
All transactions are completely safe and secure. Personal information and payment details entered into the site are automatically encrypted.

Personal information
Please read the Privacy Policy for details on how they use your personal information. Rest assured that unless you agree to it, they will not use your information for marketing purposes.

Booking Confirmation
Once you complete the online booking process and confirm your booking, you will receive a confirmation email to the address you entered on the Personal Details screen. This will contain your holiday details, costs and reference number. If you don't receive this confirmation please call the call centre. You will also receive written confirmation within 2 weeks of booking. If you have purchased travel insurance your policy documentation will be sent to you within a few working days of making your booking.

Tickets delivery
Tickets for advance bookings will normally be despatched by post, to arrive around 14 days ahead of departure. If you don't receive your tickets, please call your tour operator. Tickets for later bookings may be collectable at the airport and if this is the case, you will receive a reference number with notification of the pick-up point. If you are booking very close to your departure date, it may not be possible to notify you of where to pick up your tickets and in this case, you should contact the tour operator by phone, or go to the tour operator's information desk on arrival at the airport.

Ticket details
In the case of ticket errors please contact the call centre as soon as you receive your tickets. Alterations to tickets may incur charges dependent on the tour operator or airline. To avoid misspellings and incorrect dates, please double-check your booking correspondence and tickets when they arrive.

Booking amendments
You can amend your booking at any time. Please note however that most operators charge an 'amendment fee' for each person named on the booking and for each details of the booking which you change. Please refer to the operator's booking terms and conditions for more information and charges. Itinerary changes (to departure date, airport, flight time, duration, destination or accommodation) are subject to the availability status at the time you amend your booking.

Holiday cancellation
If you need to cancel your holiday booking, you must call your tour operator. Tour operator cancellation charges will apply and are normally calculated on a sliding scale; with the charge increasing the closer you are to your departure date. Please refer to the operator's booking conditions for more details of charges.

Ticket Collection
When you book online your tickets will be delivered to the address at the time of booking.

Flights Information

Check-in
Avoid big queues at the airport and get to the check-in on time. Better still pre-book your seats. You must get to the airport at least 2 hours before your flight is due to leave. If you don’t, the airline could refuse to take you, in which case you will have to pay to get another flight out.

Duty Free
For those passengers, flying to mainland Spain, Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Greece our new Pre-Order service allows you to choose products from the comfort of your seat and pick them up in your Spanish or Greek airport just before your return flight home. What makes this service so great is that we are able to offer you cigarettes, spirits plus some exciting gift items at Spanish / Greek local prices, which saves you having to roam around the shops and allows plenty more time for sunbathing, swimming, eating, drinking. And don't forget, you can now bring home the following: Spirits: 10 litres Wine: 90 litres of still, 60 litres of sparkling, 20 litres of fortified wine (sherry/port) Tobacco: 800 Cigarettes, 200 Cigars If you want to take advantage of our fabulous prices you will be able to place your order when onboard, from the catalogue kept in the seat pocket. Then just relax, have a wonderful holiday and leave the shopping to us. A fabulous range of duty paid spirits (local and branded), wine, sherry, cigars, body products and Spanish/Greek gifts.

Luggage

Luggage limits
In most cases this is 20kgs (44lbs) but please check your travel documents, as it may be lower or higher. If you have baggage in excess of this allowance then you will be liable to pay excess baggage charges at the airport check-in desk.

Extra Luggage
Some items that you want to take on holiday with you may not be included in your baggage allowance and attract a separate charge.

If you want to take golf clubs, bicycles, surfboards, skis, snowboards and excess luggage then please call you tour operator.

X-ray
All baggage will be x-rayed at airports, so if you have any odd shaped items, scissors, penknives or toy guns for example, or any sharp objects such as darts or metal nail files, expect to have your bag examined and those items confiscated. Films and camera equipment is safe in hand luggage, but not in the bags you check in to the hold.

Holiday
Protected if the tour operator goes out of business
The air holidays and flights are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. ATOL Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom.

Checking In
Should your flight to the destination depart at night and arrive in the early hours of the morning your room will be ready on arrival and this counts as your first night in your accommodation.

If your flight departs in the early morning and arrives in resort before midday, your room may not be ready for you when you arrive ready until after 1pm local time.

Checking Out
On the last day of your holiday you may have to vacate your room by mid-morning or noon so that it can be prepared for the next arrival of guests. If your flight is not until midnight you will have to leave your room at midday.

Usually a courtesy room or apartment will be available, free of charge, where you can leave your baggage until the time of departure. In some accommodation late check out rooms are available for a charge.

General

Abbreviations
Abbreviations are often used to describe features of your accommodation. Here's a quick guide to some of the abbreviations you may come across.

TW = Twin Bed
DB = Double Bed
K/SIZE = King-size
SV = Sea View
SSV = Side Sea View
GV = Garden View
MV = Mountain View
PV = Pool View
PB = Private Bathroom
SH = Shower Only
BL/TE = Balcony/Terrace
AC = Air Conditioning

Useful Links

Passports
www.ukpa.gov.uk provides information on passport validity, renewing and applying for passports.
Visa to travel to America
Passenger travelling to the USA whose passport is issued after 25 October 2004 and before the introduction of biometric passports will need to obtain a visa from the United States Embassy in London and Belfast. This must be collected in person.
Driving abroad
Go to www.drivingpermit.co.uk for advice on obtaining International Driving Permits and driving overseas.
Medical advice
www.masta.org and http://www.doh.gov.uk provides online health advice for travellers.
Travel advice
Go to www.fco.gov.uk/travel for current information on safety issues for many countries
Time zones
Use www.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone to check how far ahead or behind your destination country's local time is.
Tourist offices
Discover useful tourist information for you destination at www.tourist-offices.org.uk
Weather
www.wunderground.com allows you to check the weather for your destination.