It has been a good year for the group. All the shows and musicals have been very well attended, we had a brilliant weekend in Rome, the sun shone and we left no stone unturned in the Eternal City. 52 joined us on the Iceland Adventure - what an incredible place. Istanbul was amazing, with all the group wanting to go back again. We have Disneyland Resort Paris imminent, Brussels for the Christmas Markets, not forgetting San Francisco which will be an absolute highlight for me and a brilliantway to end the year.
With our numbers growing by the week, next year will be even more exciting. With such a following I just have to keep “raising the bar”. Please remember everyone is welcome to join in, family and friends. I always use the very best Tour Operators and Coach Companies affordable. I may not always be the cheapest, we don’t do “bargain basement”, but when travelling with a group, you cannot afford to compromise.
My thanks to Angie Cranfield for the artwork, Mel Base for Brussels, Louise and Mandy at Excelsior Coaches, Pam and Beverley at the Mayflower, Chris Berry for the Website, Karen Arthur of Group Line, and Jayne for the great trips.
Many thanks to everyone for your continuing support.
Happy travelling, Sylvia
If your passport gets stolen:
Be prepared. Getting a replacement is a lot easier if you have a photocopy of the relevant page and keep it somewhere safe. You can also scan the page and email yourself a copy. Contact the local police, then report to the British Embassy Consulate or High Commission. To find the nearest one call 0044 207008 1500 or visit www.britishembassy.gov.uk. You will need to fill out a LS01 declaration form.
If the airline loses your luggage:
Again being prepared is the most important thing. Use coloured belts, tags or stickers to make your case stand out on the carousel and prevent other passengers from taking by mistake. Choose a standard shape, odd shapes are more likely to get caught up in the machinery. At check-in ensure you have a baggage receipt for each item, with the correct destination on and keep safe. Always label luggage clearly inside and out with a telephone number, not your address.
. . . and finally a word about Free Seating:
When low cost airlines introduced free seating they tried to convince us it was a benefit, sit where you like, now the scrums are so unseemly the airlines are making money by charging extra to board first, but be warned, even if you pay up, you may still find yourself in a jostling match with the speedy boarders. If there are two of you, it makes sense just to pay for one speedy boarder who can go ahead and save a seat.
Q. What is an e-ticket?
A. This now replaces the paper tickets that you’re probably used to, and there’s nothing to worry about if you are travelling this way. A booking reference will have been given to you and, along with your passport,it’s all you need now to check-in. Ticket details are held and stored electronically rather than being printed on paper - tickets are now a thing of the past!
Q. When travelling by air is it okay to take my medication with me?
A. If you are carrying prescribed medicines with you, it is important that they’re contained in their originalpackaging, so that security and customs staff can easilyidentify the contents. It may be helpful to carry a copyof your prescription with you, and always carry medsin your hand luggage.
Q. Should I lock my luggage?
A. It is best to lock luggage to avoid items being stolen, but if you are fl ying to the US remember security advisesall passengers to leave baggage unlocked for security reasons. If you don’t, airport staff may force open the lock to inspect your luggage without checking with you. No compensation will be available if your luggageis damaged.
Please note that once we pay deposits to a Tour Operator we are entering into an Agreement with the company, just as we would if we booked a holiday with a Travel Agent. As such we are governed by their Fair Trading Conditions. For the majority of Operators this means that if you cancel less than 56 days prior to departure, you must pay 50% of the tour cost, less than 28 days you pay the full tour cost. Of course, if someone cannot go on any of my tours I do my best to replace them but with air travel this does mean a cost for a change of name on the ticket.
When sending cheques as payment for shows, day trips, short breaks or long hauls it would be a great help if the show or destination is written on the back.
1. The reason most of my trips/holidays/shows/concerts/short breaks are so reasonably priced and considerably more cheaper, like for like, is due to the fact I am in a very good position to negotiate group discounts. Many tour operators give me a special deal, for example on our most recent visit to India, we were the largest group and became high profile and when possible I always like to report on our adventures. A point in case is "The Russian Experience" this I think will appear in this months Group Leisure Magazine and can also be seen on their website under 'features' - www.groupleisure.com you will be able to read a very honest report of the trip. I should also add, I never book "bargain basement" and only travel with companies that I trust are reliable and of course are fully bonded. When possible I try to avoid lost cost airlines, but sometimes this is not always possible, especially as we all like the convenience of a local airport. I always book a nice standard of hotel and if possible view it first, which I feel is very important, I will never compromise on quality, hence my logo "Only the best is good enough".
2. No you don't have to work for the N.H.S, everyone is welcome.
3. I do always try to escort every trip, I do feel it is important for me to be available at all times.
Some of you may have seen the news or read about the demise of a company called Travelscope who went into Receivership before Christmas. This was a large Tour Operator working with many group organisers. I would like to emphasise that the Tour Operators I use, Travelshpere and The Travel Adventure are strong companies. Under the EC directive, all Tour Operators must protect clients' funds. If the package is air travel then all my Operators have the appropriate ATOL licence. For non air holidays, ABTA or a Trust Account must be in place. With Trust Account the company must have an Independent Trustee, firm of Accountants or Solicitors where all clients' monies are held in Trust and can only be released to the company AFTER the tour has taken place. ABTA can take up to six months to refund clients' monies. With a Trust Account, you receive full monies within a couple of weeks thus enabling you to re book your holiday quickly with another company. As I always say, "Only the best is good enough"!
Email: sylvia.saxon@btinternet.com
Telephone: 01202 740955 (home)
Mobile one: 07889 916450 Mobile two: 07817 707416