Update from our MD, Kevin O'Regan
(18/05/2021)
As we move further into 2021, and with the gradual introduction of travel and overseas holidays, we thought this would be a good time to update you on our current plans.
What is clear is that the recovery of international travel will not only be a phased event but is also still very much subject to change, depending on not only our own government’s rules and guidelines but also that of the host country. The vaccination programme, local restrictions, quarantine periods, significant testing procedures and the possibility of free travel is currently still very difficult to predict overseas. Our main concern is, of course, not only for your safety, but for you to have an enjoyable stress free holiday when we know a little more about the local circumstances.
Our partners overseas are keen to welcome you as soon as they can, and we are constantly working with our hotels, airlines, transfer companies and local agents to ensure we have all the protocols in place to operate safely and to return to providing great walking holidays in Europe and further afield. For now though, we ALL want to put our customers first and to be realistic about providing you with the very best experience we can, rather than the earliest!
We have received such amazing support from our customers over this past year and we are absolutely raring to go, as we know you are, but for now we have made a temporary decision to continue to operate a superb and expanded selection of UK holidays, but to delay our return to overseas travel until the situation is a little more certain. Our overseas holidays are currently withdrawn until 31st August 2021.
Our planning and travel teams are continuing to work extremely hard in the background and we have lots of ideas for exciting, new, and also much loved favourites to return to our portfolio as soon as possible. However, in the immediate future for September 2021 and beyond, we have also had to consider the impact of the incomplete Brexit negotiations, and their effect of increased obligations in travelling to the EU and operating small group guided holidays. In addition, many destinations further afield are still on the government’s red travel list with an increased and ongoing level of uncertainty, and together this has led us to the very difficult decision of reducing our collection of overseas holidays available. Our goal is to offer a smaller but carefully managed and researched selection from autumn 2021, with the intention of returning to a full operation from 2022. Planned holidays for autumn/winter 2021 can be found here.
We would like to thank you once again for your continued patience. And thanks to your ongoing and much valued support, we are confident that as overseas travel returns, we are in a great place to be able to welcome you on our much loved walking holidays. Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out our excellent UK range and if you would like to chat about your future travel plans, do not hesitate to get in touch as we love to talk about our holidays!
All the very best to you all,
As advice is changing daily please do check our website for further updates.
New Covid-19 Safety Guidelines We have developed new health & safety guidelines so we can be confident your well-being is being considered throughout your holiday with us. | Monitoring of Advice as it Develops We are continuously monitoring UK government, public health and industry advice as well as information from our destinations on how they’re keeping travellers safe and able to enjoy their holiday. |
Smaller Group Sizes We’ve assessed the group sizes our hotels, transport companies and activity providers can cope with in order to maintain safe distancing between guests and carry out the enhanced new cleaning measures to minimise risks. | Our own Tour Leaders You will be looked after by our own trained tour leaders who’ll have your best interests at heart, can monitor local safety and hygiene arrangements - and have the authority to make on the spot decisions to protect your well-being. |
Additional Flexibility We are assisting those who’ve been identified as being medically vulnerable, with underlying conditions or who may be experiencing symptoms of Covid-19. Please get in touch if you have any concerns. | Keeping you informed We will be keeping you informed through our website and pre-departure information as well as throughout your holiday too. If there’s anything you need to know, we’ll keep you updated. |
Read More about our Covid-19 Safety Guidelines
Book with us and travel with confidence
Current Holiday Cancellations
The safety of all our customers, leaders and staff are, as ever, our primary priority and, as such, we have now made the decision to cancel the following:
Most Short Haul holidays up to and including 31 August 2021 All Long Haul holidays up to and including 31 October 2021 |
Balance Due Dates & Advice for Future Holidays
We have updated our booking conditions and have introduced a Covid-19 Refund Promise. You can read more about this policy here.
We have reviewed our balance due dates for Short Haul holidays - departing up to and including 30 Sept 2021 - balances are now due 8 weeks prior to departure. UK holidays, Cruise & Walk and Long Haul holidays balance due dates are as per our booking conditions. Will will review these on an ongoing basis and will keep you updated.
Please note for as long as the Foreign Office continues to advise against all but essential travel and you bought your travel insurance before the coronavirus became a ‘known event’, you may be able to make a claim against your insurance company for costs relating to a cancelled holiday.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our team via [email protected] and we will be happy to help.
In the meantime, we are very much looking forward to welcoming you back on one of our holidays in the not too distant future and we thank you so much for your patience, understanding and loyalty during these times.
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