Travel safe for your 2022 holiday

We all love to travel for various reasons; seeing historical sights, relaxing on the beach, experiencing new cultures, savouring new cuisines and socialising with the locals. Sometimes the unforgettable trips we take across the world are where we meet like-minded people and make friends for life.

Many of us took advantage of the opportunity to holiday again in 2021 and it’s very clear that the travel industry as a whole has gone to great lengths to ensure we can do so safely.  We expect that even more people will travel again in 2022. We are constantly reviewing and revising all our safety protocols, so when you book your guided holiday with us, you’ll have peace of mind that we are doing everything we can to keep you safe and be able to travel with confidence.

Check out some of the guidelines that have been implemented through the travel sector and our own measures, so you can be prepared for your journey and holiday.

Travel Department protocol for safety

Our priority is to bring you the best experience, safely and we will look after you every step of the way. Some steps we have taken include: smaller group sizes as appropriate, coaches cleaned before each trip and using the same seat on each tour. We’ll avoid big crowds and restricted spaces as much as possible. Where the guided excursions are in busier or more compact locations audio guides will be used so you can maintain social distancing without missing a single word!

During 2021, members of the Travel Department team were out and about joining our tours in Italy, Spain and Ireland to experience the new processes and procedures for themselves. These trips followed a visit our CEO, Sara Zimmerman made to Italy in 2020. 

“My visit to Lake Como and Lake Garda in 2020 was hugely reassuring, and I was delighted that our customers and the members of the Travel Department team who travelled with our groups in 2021 felt the same way. While safety protocols were in place, it was clear that they didn’t have an impact on anyone’s overall enjoyment of their holiday. Instead, the feedback we received was amazing with comments about the stunning scenery, the cultural highlights in each destination, the sense of freedom that comes with being on holiday, and above all, the warmth of the welcome from our guides, from hotel staff and others. I’m hugely grateful to our guides and of course the whole Travel Department team who have looked after our customers so well this last year. We are all passionate about travel and even in uncertain times are eager to share that passion with our customers and to make their travel experience as smooth as possible from start to finish.”

Our guided tours - still delivering the best in quality 

We can still discover some of the best destinations in Europe and across the world whilst adhering to the highest possible safety standards on our guided tours, where we have carefully crafted our itineraries for maximum enjoyment. We’ll experience fantastic excursions in the company of expert local guides and have ample time to unwind. And, of course, flights, accommodation, transfers and excursions are all included in the price.

Pre Departure requirements 

Before you head off on holiday, you will likely need to complete a passenger locator form and may be required to show proof of vaccination and/or a negative test result. We have compiled a useful list of Travel Requirements by Country to ensure you’re fully prepared. 

Safety measures at airports

It’s advised to keep your face-mask on throughout your airport journey and perspex screens have been installed where necessary, such as the check in desk. Hand sanitiser is provided at various points and enhanced cleaning is also taking place. As social distancing will be in place at the airport, it may take slightly longer to go through security so we suggest arriving a bit earlier than usual.

Safety measures on airlines

Aircraft are cleaned very frequently and many have upgraded their cleaning procedures and are using hospital grade disinfectant. Some people are concerned that being in a confined space will lead to transmission, but studies have shown that modern airplanes have very good air filtration. Passengers and cabin crew are required to wear masks at all times, except when consuming food and drink. Food service may not be available, so make sure to pack plenty of food with you as you don’t want to be hungry on the flight!

Safety measures at hotels

We carefully choose our hotels to ensure the best holiday experience for our customers. Our hotels have vigorous cleaning regimes, staff will mostly be wearing face-masks (though usually not those behind perspex screens) and guests in many countries have to wear them in public areas. The beloved buffet may no longer be available  and may be replaced with an à la carte menu. Depending on your destination, local customs and regulations may vary.

General safety tips for travel

If you’re planning on travelling soon, we also suggest you take your own mask; if you can get a reusable one, even better as it’s more sustainable for the environment! Although most places will have hand sanitiser stations, make sure to have your own anti-bacterial hand gel with you at all times.

Although these measures will change the holiday experience you’re used to, they are hopefully temporary and are there to ensure your safety. In an ever-changing world, you can still book and travel with confidence knowing that we’ll take care of you every step of the way. Find your perfect destination and book your next guided 2022 holiday with us.