Travel to the EU from 1 January 2021
Here is a summary of the details you need to be aware of. These are not huge changes for leisure travellers. These details can also be found on the FCDO page for the country you intend to visit which should be checked before you book your holiday.
Here are links for passport checker and for travel to the EU
Summary:
- Visa free travel for UK nationals will be limited to the Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180 day period. This includes most EU nations and Iceland, Norway, Switzerland & Liechtenstein.
- Travellers must have at least 6 months left on their passports except for Ireland (use passport checker tool)
- EHIC cards are valid until their expiration date. A Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is being planned to cover chronic or existing illnesses and routine maternity care as well as emergencies - details to be released. Travel insurance with healthcare is still the best way to be covered.
- Roaming charges for mobiles should be checked with the provider s the guarantee of free roaming will end.
- The Pet Passport scheme no longer applies. An animal health certificate from a vet will be needed, issued at least 10 days in advance.
- Be prepared to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens at border controls
- International Driving Permits may be required in some EU countries and Norway if you have a paper driving licence or a licence issued in Guernsey, Gibraltar, Jersey, and the Isle of Man. Check with the embassy of the country you will be driving in. You must have Green Card and use GB sticker(s).
- Duty free shopping is available if travelling to the EU and the return of limits to the amount of duty free you can bring in from the EU.
Our descriptions
The details provided on this website are to our knowledge correct at the time the copy is written and information about local events, local sports facilities etc is usually based on information supplied by the hotel. Changes can take place in the course of the year and it is our intention to provide you with the most comprehensive information possible and as and when we are advised of changes we do our best to update the details in this website.
Hotel details
Hotel opening and closing dates
Hotels do change their opening and closing dates as well as the closing day of their restaurant at short notice.
Categories of hotels
Hotels are classified officially by local government and they conform to the standards required by their particular class of hotel. The ‘star rating’ we state is the official rating of the hotel; it is not our own classification. Even so, you may find that the electric fittings, plumbing, bath and shower units and door locks etc are unfamiliar. Staircases too can be steep particularly in old buildings and smaller hotels. Family rooms sometimes consist of a room with a mezzanine level for the children reached by a staircase, which can be steep and unprotected. Hotels of the same star rating can vary in quality from country to country, region to region and even within the same star rating in the same region.
Hotel facilities
Seasonal closing times can change and certain facilities are subject to mechanical problems, changes in the weather or require cleaning and can therefore be withdrawn at short notice without notification to us. If we know in advance we do our best to advise you in turn. Pools can vary in size. Seasonal variations in climate will mean that pools at European hotels are not always suitable for use in the winter months. Also, pools do not usually have lifeguards present and children are requested not to use them without an adult present. You should not dive into pools if you are unaware of their depth. Outdoor swimming pools in Europe are usually operational from May until October but it does vary according to the weather. Seasonal closing times can change and certain facilities are subject to mechanical problems or changes in the weather. Maintenance work may have to take place in the course of the season. Again, if we are notified in advance, we will pass this information on to you. If sports facilities are mentioned as being ‘nearby’, this usually means in the case of tennis courts or cycle hire, in the nearest village or town and with golf, riding and water-sports usually within driving distance.
Meals
When breakfast is included it can be either Continental or Buffet or American. This will vary from country to country. Where possible we will specify which type of breakfast is included. Where dinner is included it is usually a fixed menu with choice that changes daily.
Drinks at hotels
Where you are booked on a fully inclusive basic or an all inclusive basis this usually means all drinks by the glass (house brands only) with bottled wine, alcoholic cocktails, premium brand spirits, imported mineral water being paid for as extras. Otherwise all drinks should be settled direct for with the hotel. Some arrangements might include afternoon tea.
Dietary requirements
If you are a vegetarian, for example, or have any other dietary requirements, you should let us know at the time of booking and we will advise the hotels accordingly.
Extras
You must pay direct to the hotel before departure for any items of personal expenditure, including drinks, telephone, meals, garage costs etc other than the items that are included in the price of your holiday.
Check-in and check-out
Rooms will not usually be ready for you until after 3pm and most hotels require you to leave your room before 11am. We advise that you should aim to arrive at the hotel no later than 6pm to allow time to settle in before dinner. If you are going to be late unexpectedly you should phone the hotel direct en route to advise them. If you do not check-out in time, hotels may charge you for an extra day. If you have a flight that arrives early or departs late in the day, hotels often have a room you can use or you can ask us to book an early check-in or a late check-out but this is usually charged as an extra night. We would always try to negotiate a good rate for you for this, but it often depends on the occupancy level of the hotel.
Building work
If building work is to take place at the hotel during your stay we do ask the hotels to advise us in advance so that we can warn you. Sometimes work extends beyond the expected timescale for completion. Obviously, things do go wrong with buildings in the course of the year and emergency repairs sometimes have to be done without notice. This sort of work is of course unavoidable and would probably cause more inconvenience if not dealt with. If building work is taking place nearby (perhaps even next door or in the street outside) but not actually on the hotel’s own property, it is beyond their and our control and the hotel is not obliged to advise us in advance (although many do).
Hotel bedrooms
Hotels have rooms with queen size, king size and twin beds. Twins can sometimes be two queen size beds or two halves of a king size bed, made up with separate sheets but joined together. We can request for you but cannot guarantee a particular type of bed. Bathrooms sometimes contain shower and WC rather than bath and WC, some hotels have bathrooms with bathtub and a separate show. Extra beds are often sofa beds and existing bedding in the room is utilised. This if often the setup when children are free of charge in the room. If extra beds are added they are usually small beds suited for a child. Please note that hotel rooms in most countries do not have tea/coffee making facilities.
Room descriptions
When we refer to a superior room, a deluxe room, a suite or junior suite in this brochure, it is usually the exact way the hotel describes the room. It is not our interpretation of the rooms. In some countries a suite is not necessarily a suite of rooms separated by doors but is more often a large bedroom with a sitting area, sometimes through an alcove but not always. A junior suite is usually a large bedroom with a sitting area.
Views
When a client requests a ‘view’, this can lead to difficulties. Unless a ‘view’ is qualified such as sea view, garden view, courtyard view etc, a ‘view’ as in ‘pretty view’ is subjective and we cannot request this for you.
Bathrooms
In some countries showers rather than bath are quite common even in a 4- or 5-star hotel. Hotels sometimes have a mixture of rooms with bath or shower or both. Sometimes the bathtub is only a small tub or a half-sized bath. If you have a preference, then this must be communicated to us at the time of booking and we will advise the hotel (although we will not be able to reconfirm it before the departure of your holiday and you should expect either type).
Air-conditioning
If we state that an hotel has air-conditioning, this can be a fully integrated unit or sometimes just a portable unit placed in your room. Air-conditioning is sometimes only in use from June to September.
Street life, local events, weddings and banquets
The way of life in countries we operate to, is different in that, because of the climate, work can start early in the morning, stop over the lunch-time and afternoon period and restart in the evening. Italians tend to dine late and stay up quite late. This can result in a different pattern of local noise from the pattern you’re used to at home. In towns and cities traffic can be noisy. Even in the country, animals and agricultural machinery can be noisy. Local events such as processions, fairs and festivals take place throughout Italy in towns and villages. Such events are integral to local life and do provide local colour. Weddings and banquets can be held at our hotels, especially as so many are held in such high esteem by the hotels. Some of our hotels do hold conferences, particularly out of high season. It is possible that you can be staying at an hotel when they’re hosting such a party. Some hotels do advise us at the time of booking if they know at that point what’s been planned. Others don’t necessarily advise us. Even though you are on holiday, local life has
to continue and therefore rubbish must be collected and deliveries have to be made. These things may take place early in the morning.
Parking
Most of our hotels have a car park of their own. Most do not charge for use of an open-air car park but if they have a garage or a secure car park they will probably charge for it. Charges can vary from about Euro 10 to Euro 40 per day. Charges are highest in the cities. Charges for parking are not included in the price of your holiday unless specifically stated as such.
Credit cards
Credit cards are widely accepted, from hotels to petrol stations, motorway tolls and supermarkets. Mastercard and Visa are accepted almost without exception with American Express less readily welcomed. However, some places locally may not accept credit cards.
Dress code
The watchword is generally elegantly casual. Our hotels require long trousers and shirts with a collar to be worn in the evenings at dinner. Black tie is normal in many hotels for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve - please consult us at the time of booking for further information.
Housekeeping
All hotels in this holiday guide provide you with towels for use by the pool or on the beach in addition to bathroom towels. You might want to take your own beach towels if you intend visiting other beaches on the island or if you want to sail. Towels are usually changed twice a day and most hotels operate an evening turn-down service.
Tipping
Local taxes (equivalent of VAT) and a service charge are included in the room rates we pay on your behalf to the hotels. However, it is usual to give a small tip to drivers and porters.
Check-in and check-out
Rooms will normally be ready for you by 3pm on the day of arrival and you will be required to check-out of your room by 11 am or midday. Hotels may have a room available where you can change if you have a late departure or they may let you keep your room until later in the day. It will depend on the hotel and their availability and they will make a charge for this. If you do have a late departure and want to keep your room (at an additional charge), please let us know at the time of booking so that we can arrange it for you. If arriving very early in the morning after a long international flight it is recommended that you reserve your hotel room for the night before arrival (extra night charge made for this).
Minimum stays
Some hotels have a minimum stay over the Christmas and New Year period.
Special offers
All special offers are for new bookings only and cannot be applied to existing bookings. Offers are not combinable and can be withdrawn at any time. Offers may be subject to conditions that are not mentioned on the website.
Travel details
Long haul flights
We book flights as they exist at the time of booking your holiday. The exact flight numbers and times are confirmed to you in writing at this point. Sometimes scheduled airlines do change their timetables after you have booked. This can mean that the departure day and even the duration of your holiday can change. These changes are outside our control, but we notify you as soon as we are made aware of any such changes and then rearrange your holiday for you.
Direct flights
On long-haul journeys it is common for a flight to be billed as a direct flight even though it touches down en-route. Sometimes you will be required to vacate the aircraft.
Seats in premium cabins
Please bear in mind that the very advantageous supplements we charge for club, first, premium economy, upper class, business class etc with the different airlines allows for the full range of check-in and on-board facilities but does not allow for the usual associations in terms of flexibility for changes and cancellations. In this respect our standard booking conditions apply.
Seat reservations
On some flights we can request seat reservations at the time of booking and with other airlines you have to pay to request a seat and even then, it can only be done after we have issued tickets in accordance with the rules given to us by the airline. Usually this seat number remains allocated to you until your check-in. However, the airlines reserve the right to change seat numbers without notifying us if they feel they need to for any reason. Therefore, a seat number is not guaranteed as such but in most cases it will not change.
Names on flight tickets
The name in your passport is the name that must appear on the flight ticket. (We need your surname, full first name and title). The names you provide us with at the initial time of taking your booking are the names that will appear on your ticket. You cannot change the name the reservation has been made in without incurring cancellation charges. The airlines are very strict about this. (This is particularly important for honeymoon clients). With some airlines we will also need your passport details to enter into the airline booking, either at the time of making the booking or certainly in order for you to actually travel.
Executive club numbers
If you have an executive club number for an airline or an Avis membership number, we are happy to advise the supplier at the time of making the booking. However, the acceptance of the number in connection with an Expressions holiday is at the discretion of the suppliers concerned.
Local flights
Please bear in mind that if you are travelling on a local flight, the weight limit is sometimes only 15 or 20 kilos, even if you have travelled in a premium cabin on the international flight, which would allow a greater baggage allowance. This will be the case unless we have been able to issue all journeys on the same ticket.
Airport departure tax
Countries sometimes have their own departure tax which you have to pay locally in cash, usually the equivalent of about £25 per person.
Check-in times
For flights you should check-in at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time of your flight. For ferries and Eurotunnel, we are advised about 20 minutes at least for Dover or Folkestone with the other ports requiring 45 minutes to one hour.
UK airport hotels and parking
Details of hotels at UK airports are available from us on request as are details of car parking arrangements.
Driving licences
If you are to hire a car overseas you are responsible for being in possession of the right type of driving licence. In Europe it is advisable to have the European Community model driving licence. If you do not have this type of licence, then you should take an International Driving permit to use in conjunction with the licence. In non-European countries you may have to pay for a locally issued driving permit but for this you do need to take your current full driving licence. If you have a certain number of points on your licence you will probably not be allowed to hire a car. If in doubt, ask us in advance to check for you.
Other details
Your holiday documentation
We aim to send you your holiday documentation about 3 weeks before the departure date of your holiday. It may be the case that, for administration purposes, your flight tickets will be sent to you after the rest of your holiday documentation.
Location representation
We employ local representatives in Mauritius, the Seychelles, Barbados, Grenada, Tobago, St Lucia, Antigua, Nevis and Anguilla. They will meet you at the airport and show you to your taxi. They will also arrange to meet you during your stay at the hotel if you wish. However, we do not employ anyone to represent our company personally and therefore in the event of any problem of any sort you should address yourself to the Management of the hotel or phone us so that we can lend immediate assistance. Local representatives are not the employees of our company. Please note that sales of local excursions are not endorsed by this company and we do not derive any financial benefit from them. We are not responsible or liable for any excursions that you purchase locally. In other countries, there may be a representative of the transfer company who meets you at the airport, but they will not arrange to visit you during your stay.
Baggage handling
Porters will present themselves to you at most of the airports if you want a hand with your luggage. They will merely convey it from the belt to your taxi. The charge is usually a couple of dollars but if you really don’t want to use their services, a polite ‘No thanks’ will suffice.
Changes to your booking
We work very hard to arrange your holiday. If, once we have made the arrangements, you want to make changes, then we will of course do our best to accommodate you. However, changes do cost time and money and therefore charges do have to be made. The level of charges is detailed in our booking conditions.
Insurance
We stress most strongly that all our clients should be adequately insured (in case of illness abroad or cancellation or curtailment due to unforeseen circumstances). Please remember that we cannot be liable for any costs, losses and liabilities which may be incurred and which are not our liability under the terms of the contract governing these holidays if you have not taken out adequate insurance. Additional requirements are needed for scuba diving, such as a doctor’s certificate. You should also ensure that your insurance does cover you for any activities you might wish to undertake whilst abroad.
Government information
We strongly advise that before you book your holiday you check with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/ from which you can obtain up-to-date information about worldwide destinations. This site gives details about trouble spots as well as general advice about most countries e.g. passport and visa rules, safety and security and health advice. We advise most strongly that you visit the site to check notices about your intended destination before you book your holiday and travel.
Health
You should check with your doctor at the time of booking for information on any obligatory vaccinations that are required for the countries you are visiting as requirements do change. A leaflet is available from the Department of Health called ‘Health Advice to Travellers’, by telephoning 0800 555777. If you are suffering from any disability or illness, this should be communicated to us at the time of booking. Please note that pregnant passengers are not accepted by airlines usually after about 28 weeks into the pregnancy. You should check this with us before you make a booking.
Passports and visas
A full British passport is required for travel to all countries in this brochure. Please bear in mind that it is your responsibility to ensure that your passport is valid and still has six months validity before you book your holiday and it can take some time to obtain a new one. Each individual needs his or her own passport so if you are thinking about taking an infant, allow plenty of time to get a passport. You must check the FCO website to see if a visa is required for your destination as rules can change from time to time. Visitors may enter the USA under the visa waiver scheme so long as you are in possession of a machine-readable passport. Details should be obtained from www.usembassy.org.uk
Insects and creepy crawlies in hot and tropical countries
Mosquitoes are a fact of life not only in the tropics but in Mediterranean countries too in the summer months. It is advisable to take your own anti-mosquito creams and lotions with you. Other insects (large beetles, cockroaches, sand flies etc) and some rodents are also common in tropical places. We cannot prevent these creatures from entering your room and if you are too worried about the possibility then perhaps a holiday to such destinations is not for you.
Climate
Please bear in mind that the countries featured in this brochure do have very hot seasons when the sun is very strong. You should ensure that you have adequate sun lotions and creams with you for all members of the family and obviously keep children out of the sun at times of day when it is strongest. Adequate headwear and cover-ups should be taken with you.
Security and personal safety
You must take care not to be lulled into a false sense of security when on holiday and you must only undertake to do what you are comfortable with, especially with regard to your children and their care. You should be aware that you are still always responsible for them ultimately even if you ask a hotel to book a babysitter for you etc. When travelling you should take sensible precautions wherever you are and take care of money and personal valuables when passing through crowded public places and in cities in particular.
Getting around
If driving abroad you should take extra care in unfamiliar surroundings and be careful of the condition of local roads and local driving habits.
Crime
Precautions to prevent crime are often a matter of common sense. We would like to remind you when on holiday to take care, remember to lock possessions away from sight, be careful of handbags, wallets and purses in public and especially in crowded places, keep car doors locked, keep valuables out of sight even when you’re in the car, use the room or hotel safe for valuables. These are just a few examples.