Holiday Information

Preparing for your holiday is all part of the fun, but nonetheless life is infinitely easier when you have a helping hand. So, for this reason, we've compiled some information to help you on your way. Much of it is drawn from our own experience of travelling in Europe so, hopefully, it will assist your preparations and ensure a relaxed, enjoyable holiday.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran of travelling in Europe or this is your first trip, have a great holiday and enjoy your travels, wherever you may be heading!

Passports

You will need a full ten year passport (5 years for infants) for every member of the party travelling to France or Italy. All children who are not included on a valid British passport will need to hold their own passport.

Children who were included on a passport before 5 October 1998 may continue to travel with the passport holder until:
i) the child reaches the age of 16
ii) Or The passport on which the child is included expires

iii) Or The passport on which the child is included is replaced

iv) Or An amendment results in the issue of a new passport

For further information:
Telephone - 0870 521 0410
Faxback infoline - 0901 4700 130
www.passport.gov.uk

Don't leave applications for a new passport until the last minute - allow plenty of time to avoid unnecessary worry. Forms and contact numbers for information are available at most post offices. In Ireland passports are available from the Passport Office, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 and further information is available on:(01) 679 7600.

NB: If you are a non-EU passport holder a visa may be required and it would be advisable to check with the relevant consulate.

Vehicle Documentation

You should take your current certificate of insurance (and, where full European cover is not included as part of your motor insurance, a Green Card as well - see further details below). You should also have your registration document and driving licence. If driving a company or leased vehicle you should take a letter of authorisation too. The law requires a GB or IRL sticker to be prominently displayed on the rear of the vehicle (an Ecosse or Cymru sticker is not itself recognised and should be shown in conjunction with a GB sticker).

Confirmation of Booking

If you have booked with the Alan Rogers Travel Service you'll need the campsite accommodation voucher that we'll send out to you - this is presented to the site reception on arrival. Also, and it may sound obvious, don't forget ferry vouchers/tickets.

Customs Receipts

If travelling with an expensive item made on the continent (eg camera or watch) take a purchase receipt to ensure avoidance of import duty on your return.

Insurance

If you have arranged travel insurance through the Alan Rogers Travel Service make sure you read the insurance policy and be sure to take a copy with you as proof of cover. If you have not yet thought about personal insurance and car breakdown insurance it's not too late to arrange it through us - call us on 0870 405 4059 for an instant quote and instant cover.

You may find our specially priced Annual multi-trip policies offer the best value if planning more than one trip over the next 12 months. Ask us for a quote! Our policies offer exactly the right cover for this type of holiday - at exceptionally low rates. You'll find that our prices are exceptionally competitive: we have taken a conscious decision to offer heavily discounted rates whilst maintaining the high levels of cover that these specially tailored policies provide.

Green Card

Minimum Third Party risks are automatically covered under EU regulations. Check with your insurance company whether you require a Green Card to extend your cover – a small charge may be made. This is not a substitute for proper vehicle breakdown insurance. (Should you need to hire a car in Europe, for whatever reason, Green Card cover is compulsory).

Camping Carnet (or camping indemnity card)

This is recommended as a useful document which can be left with the campsite reception instead of your passport as proof of identity. Please note that you will not need a carnet for any campsites booked through the Alan Rogers Travel Service.

If you don't have one we can supply one completely free of charge when you take out our special Premier Plus insurance and arrange immediate delivery to your door - please call us on 0870 405 4059.

Health Advice

EHIC

This allows you to receive certain free or reduced cost medical treatment under a reciprocal EU agreement. Forms are available from post offices. EHIC is not mandatory and is NOT a substitute for proper insurance. However you might be saved from paying a large, unplanned medical bill while away.

Money

Be sure to always have a back-up source of funds. Taking cash in large amounts is unnecessary though, clearly, some Euros will be essential. You can change money on ferries and at ports but the exchange rates are not usually the best. Banks are usually better and opening times in most countries are generally similar to the UK but they often shut over lunch. Most campsites will change cash and travellers cheques at reception - check for the latest rates.

Credit Cards

Credit cards like Access (Eurocard/Mastercard), Visa, Diner’s Club and American Express are widely accepted. A transaction charge of around 2.50% will be built in to the exchange rate shown on the statement.

Debit Cards

Debit cards are very useful for the UK holidaymaker and are now readily available throughout Europe. Although Switch cards (with the Cirrus/Maestro symbol) and Connect cards (with the Delta symbol) are enjoying wider acceptance across Europe, you should not rely solely on these cards as they may be accepted less readily than credit cards. Cash point machines accepting these cards, as well as Mastercard and Visa, will often feature English-language instructions on screen. A transaction charge of around 1.5% (minimum charge £1.50) is made. Don’t forget your PIN number!

Travellers’ Cheques

It’s worth ordering these in advance, though they may be supplied over the counter at some banks. A passport or other photographic ID is required to cash these. Most banks will accept these and many campsites will too, but the rate of commission will vary. Euro traveller’s cheques are available and mean that your holiday is not at the mercy of the fluctuating pound.

See also: First Time Touring | View the Guides | About Alan Rogers