General Health and Travel Advice
Coach travel is safer and more comfortable than any other form of travel, but there are some things you can do to make it even more enjoyable. The following advice applies to everyone but is particularly relevant to those clients who may not be in the best of health.
Before You Go
- If you take medication, we recommend that you take twice the amount you will need for the holiday and keep half in your hand luggage and half in your suitcase. That way you will guard against any loss or delay to your luggage.
- Make sure you notify the hotel of any special dietary requirements. It is best to make contact with the hotel five or six days before your arrival.
- Make a list of your current medication, your GP's name and a person who can be contacted at home
- Wear comfortable clothes and sensible shoes
- Whilst sat in the coach, periodically move your legs and feet in a circular motion in order to keep the blood circulating
- Get off the coach and stretch your legs at every available stop. Human beings are not designed to be sedentary for long periods and a little exercise will keep the blood circulating and make you feel less tired at the end of your journey
- Drink regularly. Many of our vehicles have air conditioning which can lead to mild de-hydration if you do not drink regularly
- We aim to stop after a maximum of 2 1/2 hours
travelling and so most of our vehicles are not fitted with toilets. On Continental
tours, however, we do provide toilets as well as air conditioning.
- Remember to drink plenty of fluids
- Occasional treats are part of the holiday, but if you are on a special diet, do not abandon it!
- It is easy to forget your normal medication routine on holiday
- Older people tend to forget that their skin
dries out more quickly than younger folk and it is vital to use plenty of
sun cream
Passports and Visas
Our clients come from all over the world and those who do not have UK passports need to check carefully whether they need a Visa if travelling on one of our holidays outside the UK. We recommend that they start by checking the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office web site at: www.fco.gov.uk
UK Citizens do not need a Visa for any of our holidays, but they do need a passport for travel to mainland Europe and we recommend the use of a passport when travelling to the Irish Republic. You can now apply for a passport online at the UK Passport Office website: www.ukpa.gov.uk That also has many useful tips and is regularly updated.
Always carry your passport Although the United Kingdom is part of the European Union, you are still required to carry a full 10 year British passport with you every time you travel to a European destination. This includes day trips and travel by Eurostar. Many countries have now abandoned routine passport checks at their land borders but they still expect visitors to be able to produce a valid form of identification. In the case of UK travellers this is the British passport. Remember, your passport will be checked at immigration control on your return to the UK.
