11 minute read
Introduction
You’re in the Safest of Hands
Our Story
Newmarket Holidays is a British multiaward winning, independently owned tour operator, providing a portfolio of escorted trips, resort-centred stays, and event-focused tours throughout the world. Founded in 1983 Newmarket Holidays has steadily grown and expanded to become one of the UK’s leading and most respected travel companies. Value for money and high standards of customer care are integral to our operations, and this is reflected in the meticulously designed details of each tour, encompassing everything from accommodation to on-the-ground experiences. We operate a vast selection of escorted, air-inclusive tours within the UK, Europe, the Americas, India and Southeast Asia. But where and how did it all begin?
On a Bank Holiday Weekend in May 1983 Newmarket Holidays began its tour-operating life, when a group of excited travellers journeyed by coach and crossChannel ferry to Paris, to discover and explore the sights and sounds of the French capital. Breaks to London, Amsterdam and the Yorkshire Dales quickly followed, and a year later, longer tours to Austria, Switzerland and France were introduced, as more and more happy customers discovered the Newmarket Holidays blend of great value, excellent standards and destinations brought to life by our team of friendly, professional tour managers. Holidays by air were added in the late 1980s, alongside cruise and river-cruise holidays, as farther-flung corners of Europe were explored. Beautiful Italy, from sun-baked Sicily at its southern foot, to the glorious Neapolitan Riviera, to its historic cities, and to its stunning northern lakes, became a muchloved favourite, as did the breathtaking fjordland of Western Norway. As Newmarket Holidays’ reputation grew, so did the number of destinations offered, and the 21st century has seen North and South America, India, Africa and Southeast Asia all play host to tens of thousands of Newmarket Holidays customers, all enjoying the same mix of quality, value and above all friendly service that have been hallmarks of Newmarket Holidays since our earliest days. Amongst the company’s proudest moments, apart from the daily privilege of being able to share our wonderful world with our customers, have been the garnering of many industry honours, including those voted for by the British public at the prestigious British Travel Awards.
The Global Pandemic brought operations to a shuddering halt in early 2020, and the last two years, as has been the case for millions across the world, have been the most difficult in Newmarket Holidays’ long history. Happily, however, we have continued to operate tours at home and abroad, where possible, in both 2020 and 2021, and as we look forward with our customers to reconnecting with the world in 2022 and 2023, we do so with renewed optimism and excitement.
At the heart of the Newmarket Holidays story have been the millions of customers we have had the pleasure to have served. We thank you for your support and look forward to looking after you again in the very near future.
Umbria, Italy
Peace of Mind Pledge
With nearly four decades’ experience of operating tours, together with our excellent supplier and partnership relationships, you can rest assured that we are well-prepared to ensure your safety and wellbeing. Our experience and expertise enable you to travel safely in the knowledge that we have robust plans in place for your welfare, and that these practices will be continually monitored.
Many countries are opening up and travel to and from your favourite destinations is much simpler. However, we recognise that some customers feel a little uncertain, want to feel secure and understand your flexible booking options prior to booking and in advance of their departure. We have an eight-point Peace of Mind Pledge. For full terms and conditions please see our website.
1. Flexible Booking Protection
If you need to change your booking due to illness (including Covid-19), you can do at any point up until your departure.* 2. Updated Covid-19 Cover Travel Insurance
Our travel insurance partner, Holiday Extras, has put together a policy which means that you will have comprehensive support if the need arises to amend your booking due to illness or if you are unable to travel due to a Covid-19 related event. 3. Customer-focussed action
Listening to and responding to customer feedback. We are rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot. Take a look online to see what our customers are saying. 4. Health and safety guidelines for our tours
Our tour managers and local guides will be supported 24/7 by our specially trained operations team, who are well-equipped to help you safely navigate wherever you may be travelling and access local services if required.
5. Enhanced cleaning programmes
Regular sanitisation and extra cleaning steps are taken across all our partner airlines, hotels, cruise ships and coach operators. 6. Clear customer communication
We will help you to understand any testing or entry requirements needed for your destination and returning home. All the details are updated on our testing requirements page. 7. Pre-tour health declaration
We are currently asking that all our customers are fully vaccinated (unless exempt). Any pretour health declarations for the countries you are visiting will be sent to you in your final travel documents and on our testing requirements page. 8. Government guidance
We will follow the UK government and destination government advice. If the rules change and we have to cancel, we will offer you a refund or credit note.
*Providing you have taken the Holiday Extras travel insurance featured, at the point that your final balance is due (between 12-15 weeks before your departure date).
Covid-19 Cover Travel Insurance
Our recommended partner Holiday Extras provides travel insurance that insures you against aspects of your trip that have the potential to be disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, at no extra cost to the original insurance. Key features of the policy include:
• Cover if you have to cancel or cut short your trip in the event that the insured is quarantined before or during the tour • Cover if you have to cancel your trip owing to the serious illness of the insured, a travelling companion or close relative • Cover if you have to cut short your trip because you fall ill • Essential emergency medical treatment if the insured becomes unwell during the trip Benefits include:
• Cancel your holiday with a full refund up to the day of travel if you or any of your party are diagnosed with Covid-19 within 12 days of the start of your holiday • Amend or cancel with a full refund of your holiday, up to the day of departure if impacted by Covid-19 through a lockdown where you are not allowed to travel outside of your area during the dates that your holiday will be occurring. • Amend or cancel with a full refund of your holiday, up to the day of departure if we are unable to fulfil your holiday for any reason. • No administration fees applied for amends or cancellations as a result of Covid-19 • Compensation if your holiday itinerary is materially affected, after departure For for full terms and conditions, please see www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/wellbeing Where your refund is provided directly by Newmarket Holidays we will action within 14 days as per the Package Travel Regulations.
Portofino, Italy
Reconnect.
As we all begin to recover from the devastation of the last two years, there is a great sense that it is time to reconnect, with each other, with friends and family, and with the wider world beyond. At Newmarket Holidays, we have been waiting to share once again the wonders and the glories of our planet with our customers. It is the comments from our customers, like these shared here, some from folk who have travelled with us during the past couple of years, that make tour-operating worthwhile, even during the most difficult of times. To be able to help our customers realise their long-held travel dreams is the greatest pleasure for every member of the Newmarket Holidays team, and as the world begins to open again, and our customers begin to travel once more, we know that the wait, for all of us, will have been worthwhile. Here are a few excerpts of comments from customers who were able to join us following our recommencement of touring, for full quotes and customer stories please go to uk.trustpilot.com/review/ Excellent newmarketholidays.co.uk
Wow! We have just returned from the most amazing trip of a lifetime! We were the first group to travel long haul since the beginning of the pandemic, and we felt very privileged to be able to take this journey. We felt completely safe... and we are still on cloud nine after this wonderful trip.
They were an amazing company from booking to going and being cared for. I’m single and went alone and felt totally safe. Hotel Tulip fab. Excursions were all on time and great and reasonable. A wonderful memory
Justean Davies – The Spirit of Kraków – September 2020
A spectacular visit… We wanted to say a huge thank you to our guide Arthur and driver Charlie, for their incredible knowledge, friendliness and professionalism... This was my fifth trip with Newmarket Holidays and was once again well organised and excellent value for money, and with exceptional customer service even in these unusual and uncertain of times. We are so looking forward to our next adventure!
Florella Woods – Donegal & the Giants Causeway – September 2021
Everything went very smoothly, three included excursions to Pompeii, Naples, the Amalfi Coast (which was brilliant) and a fantastic day to Capri... The guides were very knowledgeable and fun, the driver Pepe was excellent too... a fantastic holiday, I would definitely use Newmarket Holidays again. A very happy customer!
Carol – Capri, Pompeii & the Amalfi Coast – September 2020
4.4 out of 5 based on 1,468 reviews
Kathy Vigalo and cutomers in front of the Fairmont Hotel, Lake Louise, Canada Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara Toronto, Canada
Making Maple syrup Lollies
Banff, Canada Grizzly bear, Grouse Mountain Customers at Lake Moraine, Banff, Canada
Reimagine.
As the following pages will show, the world is once again full of exciting possibilities, with a host of fascinating destinations once again opening to travel and exploration. Look forward to new sights, new experiences and new adventures, and to meeting new friends, as you once again plan ahead to discover more of our beautiful world.
On every tour, you will be in the capable hands of one of a team of friendly, professional tour managers, who will ensure that all arrangements operate smoothly, that your safety and wellbeing are taken care of every step of the way, and above all, will bring your chosen destination to life. Time after time, from our very first tour and throughout the past near four decades, our customers have gone out of their way to let us know just how important our tour managers are to the enjoyment of their Newmarket holiday.
After pausing our popular long-haul programme for more than 18 months, it was an absolute delight to accompany our first groups to Canada. To see the pure joy on the customer’s faces, after putting their travel plans on hold, was wonderful. So many of the customers found the experience really invigorating and were able to reconnect with each other and the world.
Kathy Vigalo (Newmarket Holidays Senior Product Manager) – Canada – Niagara Falls to the Rockies – October 2021
It’s so nice to be back again after a year and a half of being away from tourism. It’s such a pleasure to show clients the beautiful spots we have here in eastern Canada!
Jeff – Canadian Tour Manager, Newmarket Holidays – June 2021
The tour guide John was the best guide we’ve had, what he didn’t know about the IOM wasn’t worth knowing
Bill Davies – Historic Railways of the Isle of Man – September 2021
The organisation, the hotels, the trips, in fact everything was fabulous. We would like particularly to recommend Sinead who was our tour guide ….through the Rockies. Very knowledgeable, informative and nothing was too much trouble whilst being professional and friendly. I felt very safe Covid wise, so thanks to Newmarket…
…best of all was our guide, Angie. Nothing was too much trouble and she helped to make it a stress-free, much-needed break. I will certainly be returning to Newmarket Hols!
Christine de Souza – Jersey, The Sun-Kissed Channel Isle – June 2021
