Travel

Unless otherwise stated in an individual holiday description, travel includes any necessary transportation to and from the start and finish of the walks. On holidays including prebooked UK flights, transfers between the airport and hotel are included. Transfers are usually not included for those making their own flight or ferry arrangements.

Making Independent Travel Arrangements

Flight changes do occur and our holidays are dependent on a minimum number of participants. We strongly recommend that you do not finalise any connecting flight or other travel arrangements before you have checked with us and especially not earlier than eight weeks before your intended date of travel. The may be onerous cancellation terms on pre-booked connecting flights, ferry crossings or hotel bookings and we cannot accept liability for these if they become unusable due to changes in flight schedules or holiday itineraries. Nor can we accept liability for the consequences of any delay or cancellation of independently booked flight or ferry arrangements.

See paragraph 17 of our Terms & Conditions >

Optional Excursions

During your holiday should you decide to book an excursion or activity through a local operator, your contract will be with the supplier and although we cannot accept responsibility for their acts or omissions, we will always offer assistance to a client in difficulty.

Local Costs

Local transportation costs involved with the walking programme are usually included in the holiday charge unless otherwise stated in the individual holiday description, however entrance fees to any sites visited are not. An indication of any expected costs will be given in the Holiday Information Sheets sent to you prior to departure.

Car Parking

Details of car parking facilities either at or near the hotel are detailed on the appropriate Holiday Information Sheet which will be sent to you with your confirmation of booking. Unfortunately we are unable to guarantee that car parking facilities either at or near the hotel will always meet the demands of all of our customers. Further to this, we cannot accept responsibility for any charges that you may incur for parking. Nor can we accept responsibility for loss of or damage to your motor vehicle and/or its contents whilst parked at your accommodation.

Arrival and Departure

You may check-in after 2pm (3pm at the Abbey Hotel in Tintern) on your selected arrival date. You are responsible for ensuring that you reach your holiday destination at a suitable time, and we cannot be held liable for any loss or expense suffered if you are not. On the morning of departure, you are requested to vacate your room by 10am.

Tailor Made Extensions

Many of our clients like to 'bolt-on' a mini independent package to their holiday with an extra stay at our hotel(s) at the start or end of the stated holiday dates. This is a great way to take advantage of the area for your independent exploration, visiting relatives or simply just to relax. We can usually offer extra hotel nights at an advantageous rate, and the airlines (if appropriate) we use allow some flexibility if arranged more than three months before departure, enabling us to change flights for a small charge. Please call us for details.

HOLIDAYS WITH FLIGHTS

Flights are included for our holidays to the Orkney Islands, Jersey and Guernsey.

Travel Authorities

We are also bonded with a number of travel authorities ensuring you get a service you can trust.

Read more about licensing and bonding >

Flight times

All provisional outward departure and homeward return flight times featured are correct at this time, but they can change. Please do not finalise any connecting domestic travel arrangements before you have checked with us, and certainly not earlier than eight weeks before your intended date of travel. On occasions there may be onerous cancellation terms on pre-booked domestic travel and hotels for which we cannot accept responsibility, and you are advised to check on these carefully before finalising arrangements.

Also see Making Independent Travel Arrangements >

In Flight Catering

Many scheduled and charter airlines now charge for on-board food and beverages. The latest information relating to the airline used for your holiday (on flight inclusive holidays) will be sent with your travel documents.

Departure Schedules

Please report to the airport or cruise terminal or other pick-up point at the time and place shown in the joining instructions sent to you with your travel documents. We regret that neither aircraft nor our transfer coaches can be delayed for late independent arrivals.

Extended Travel Delays

Flights can be delayed – it’s beyond our control – but we and the airlines concerned make every effort to provide refreshments and, when necessary, accommodation.

Joining and Leaving From Abroad

If you wish to organise your own flights (for a flight inclusive holiday) or travel from a non-UK or provincial airport, or travel by rail or car to the holiday centre, ‘no-travel’ reductions are usually available. We regret that a change from a booking including flights to a 'No Travel' booking without flights within 14 weeks of departure is NOT available without penalty due to our commitment with the airlines. Please call for details.

Also see Making Independent Travel Arrangements >

Airport transfers

Please note that unless otherwise specified airport transfers are not included for those opting to make their own flight arrangements. Should you wish to travel with the main party either from or back to the overseas airport, please contact us.

Travel documents and baggage labels

These will be sent to you about 14 days before departure. If you have paid in full but not received your travel documents seven days before departure, please telephone us urgently on 01707 386732, or of course fax or e-mail us at flights@ramblerscountrywide.co.uk When you receive your tickets, it is important to check that all details are correct and as expected. Please contact us immediately if there are any errors or if you are unsure about anything. Ticket details must reflect your name as printed in your passport or the airline or other carrier may refuse to allow you to board your flight or cruise ship. It is also a good idea to put some form of identification inside your luggage.

Surcharge Policy

All prices are guaranteed against surcharges except airline costs and fuel. Before making a surcharge we will absorb an amount equivalent to 2% of the holiday charge. See paragraph 8 of booking conditions.

Baggage Allowance

On most flights the baggage allowance is 44lb/20kg. Baggage allowances relevant to your holiday are shown in the travel notes sent with your tickets. On many holidays you may have to carry your own baggage between transfer vehicles, on and off boats, trains and to your hotel room. Please only pack what you can comfortably handle yourself. Should you choose to travel with excess baggage you will need to pay the necessary extra charge - please contact the airline for further advice. The Department of Transport has recommended a ban on oversized hand baggage. The recommended maximum size of items of hand baggage is 22in x 18in x 25in (56cm x 45cm x 25cm). However these recommended limits are subject to change by individual airlines at short notice. Passengers will be asked to check-in as hold baggage all bags that exceed the permitted hand baggage size or weight requirements for your particular airline.

Hand Baggage Restrictions

At present (October 2007), restrictions are in place and each passenger is permitted to carry only one item of hand baggage through the airport security search point. The dimensions of this item must not exceed 22in x 18in x 25in (56cm x 45cm x 25cm). Liquids (Including gels, creams, toothpaste and other cosmetics) in containers not exceeding 100ml each and a maximum of 1 litre in total for all containers must be places in a separate clear re-sealable bag not to exceed 20cm x 20cm. These items must fit inside the single item of hand baggage. The restrictions are likely to be reviewed in the near future and we will send details of the latest regulations with your travel documents.

Packing Recommendations

Ensure that you are able to confirm to security personnel that you have packed your own bags and have kept them under your supervision at all times. It is a good idea to label your luggage inside as well as on the outside. Keep all travel documentation, other important paperwork and any medical supplies in your hand baggage. It is a good idea to take a photocopy of your passport with you together with an alternative form of identification as well as details of your debit cards, credit cards and travellers' cheques - these should be carried separately from the originals and will help you to obtain replacements in case of loss. If you are taking any electrical appliances on a cruise holiday, you may need to take an adaptor.

Important Note

If you are taking a pocket or picnic knife or any other sharp object such as a trekking pole, scissors, nail file, tweezers or a corkscrew on a flight with you, please make sure that you pack it in your suitcase and not in your hand baggage. Please also ensure that you have packed no other items prohibited due to security concerns in your hand baggage. We also recommend that you pack a change of clothes in your hand baggage. This might be useful should your main luggage be mislaid en route.

Security Arrangements

Never carry items on behalf of other people or leave bags unattended. Please note that a false declaration could result in a refusal to carry you or your baggage. You should be aware that you will be asked a series of questions when checking in for a flight regarding the contents of your bag. All hold baggage will be subjected to x-ray screening and in some instances, searched by a qualified security agent in the presence of the owner.

Security Screening of Checked-In Baggage

In some cases, security screening procedures may require your bag to be opened whilst in transit and not in your possession. If your baggage is unlocked, screeners are likely to close your bag with a tamper evident seal and place a notice inside alerting you to the fact that your bag has been opened for inspection. If locked, screeners may have to break the locks on your baggage to carry out the screening process. It is unlikely that you will be able to claim for any damage caused to locked bags which need to be opened for security purposes. You may wish to consider closing your baggage with 'cable ties', available at DIY shops, which can be cut and replaced during the screening process.

Travelling to the Airport or Cruise Terminal

Make a careful note of your check-in time (airport check-in desks usually open at least three hours before take-off) and decide how you're going to travel to the airport well in advance. It's important to allow extra time for roadworks, traffic delays (which you can check with the AA or RAC www.theaa.com or www.rac.co.uk), parking your car, and getting to and from the bus or rail terminal. Build in extra time too for security checks, check-in and passport control, especially during busy holiday periods such as bank holiday weekends and school holiday periods. Please also check that the day you plan to travel coincides with the date of your holiday..

Departure Procedure

On arrival at the airport, check your flight number, check-in area and expected departure time - all of which will be displayed on monitors or information boards around the airport lounge and check-in areas. Please also listen out for announcements on the public address system. We normally have a representative at several of our UK departure airports and we recommend that upon arrival at the airport you report to the representative so that we can ensure that everyone has arrived safely for their flight; by doing this, we hope to avoid any unnecessary delays at the overseas airport before departing for your hotel.

Many airlines are also introducing facilities to enable passengers to check-in on-line before traveling to the airport. Details are available from our flight department, tel 01707 386732.

For a relaxed departure you are advised to check-in at least two hours before scheduled take off time. See your Travel Note, sent with your travel documents, for further details. The earlier you check-in, the wider the choice of seating available to you. All members of your party must be present at the check-in desk and you will need to present your flight tickets, luggage and passports to the appropriate check-in area where you'll be asked standard security questions concerning the contents of your baggage. Any item of hand baggage you wish to take into the aircraft cabin will be checked to ensure it complies with size and weight limitations. If you have exceeded your luggage allowance, excess baggage charges may be levied. Once your checked-in luggage has been cleared, you'll be given receipts for each item, and a boarding card with your seat number. Before leaving the check-in desk it's wise to confirm that your baggage-check stub is correctly marked with your destination airport.

You should proceed to the departure lounge via passport control as soon as possible after check-in as further security checks will occur during which your hand luggage will be screened. At some airports, clothing may be searched and any dangerous items removed. Check the monitors in the departure lounge for latest flight and boarding details, including the number of your departure gate. Due to the size of some airports the amount of time it can take to walk from the departure lounge to the departure gate, can vary between five minutes and twenty-five minutes. Please check these times before your flight is called in the departure lounge. At the departure gate you'll need to present both your passport and boarding card. Aircraft safety procedures will be fully explained once you're on board.

Once you have gone through Passport/Security Control you may meet your travelling companions in the departure lounge.

Disorderly Passengers

The aircraft captain has a legal authority to refuse boarding to any passenger who is considered to be unfit to travel, and to anyone whose behaviour or condition is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or may be a threat to the safety of the aircraft, passengers or crew. In the interests of safety, it is illegal to be drunk on board an aircraft. Regulations forbid the consumption of any alcohol not supplied by the cabin crew. The crew are authorised to confiscate alcohol from passengers believed to be drinking from their own supplies.

Airlines may also deny boarding to any passenger whose presentation and dress may cause offence to people of other religions or cultures. If a passenger becomes disorderly during a flight, the captain is entitled to land at the nearest airport and have the passenger removed from the aircraft. Any passenger who is removed, or refused permission to board the aircraft, must make their own onward travel arrangements, at their own expense. If this happens, we'll treat your booking as cancelled from that moment, and you'll be liable for full cancellation charges. In addition the airline may seek reimbursement of any additional costs incurred. Under these circumstances, no refund of the holiday cost will be made.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

You may be aware of press reports concerning the causes of deep vein thrombosis, which can be caused by immobility. One of the recommended measures for reducing the risk whilst flying is to wear compression hosiery. Flight socks are available from most chemists and are proven to help with blood circulation and reducing the build up of fluid that can cause this condition.

Exercise during the flight and limiting your consumption of dehydrating drinks, such as alcohol and coffee, may also help reduce any risk.

Some people are more susceptible to DVT, including those having undergone recent surgery, with a family history of DVT, undergoing hormone treatment, suffering from varicose veins or with blood clotting abnormalities. If you are concerned or feel that you might fall into a higher risk group we recommend that you discuss your travel plans with your doctor. More general information can be found on the Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk (then just type 'DVT' into the search field).

Most insurance policies include DVT cover provided that you are not travelling against medical advice and have disclosed any pre-existing condition. Check your policy documents for details.

Your Ramblers Countrywide Holidays tour leader

Where your leader does not travel with you, you will be met on arrival at the overseas airport. If your leader is travelling on the same flight as you, he or she will make him/herself known and provide assistance when transiting en route airports and on arrival at your overseas destination airport. On occasion where flights from UK regional airports arrive at similar times at two overseas destination airports, you may be met on arrival by someone other than your tour leader.

Travel Authorities

We are also bonded with a number of travel authorities ensuring you get a service you can trust.

Read more about Licensing and Bonding >

Read more about our holidays for Private Groups >

Read about ‘Before you Go’ >

Read our FAQs >