Holiday Essentials – Worldwide

Newmarket staff photo taken on Classic South Africa Tour May 2017

Essential Information for customers travelling Worldwide Before you go

Passports & Visas

Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to the following countries and must be applied for prior to departure. The charges shown below are current costs for British Citizens and can change at any time. Citizens of other countries must also check for up to date requirements and costs may vary. We will send you details of how to apply for your visa about eight weeks prior to travel. If you prefer to use the services of a visa agency, who will help you complete forms and deal directly with the embassies for you, we can recommend CIBT. Note that they will make additional charges for their services dependent on the country and type of visa required. Look online at www.cibtvisas.co.uk/newmarketholidays Newmarket cannot accept responsibility for entry or travel being refused due to the failure on the part of the passenger to produce correct documentation. Cambodia

The current cost is £30. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date to the UK and contain one blank page for the visa. British Citizens travelling in this region do not require a visa for Thailand. China

The current cost is £151. Passports must be valid for six months from the date of application and contain two blank pages for the visa. As part of the China visa process you must appear in person at one of the China visa centres in London, Manchester or Edinburgh as part of the process.

Egypt

The current cost is US$25 (approx £19). You can obtain your visa on arrival and should make payment in Sterling, US Dollars or Euros. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date to the UK and contain one blank page for the visa.

India

The current cost of an e-Visa, valid for 30 days from issue, varies between $10 and $25 (approx £7.50 to £19) dependent on the time of travel. Passports must be valid for 180 days beyond the date of the return flight and contain two blank pages for the visa. Jordan

British Citizens require a visa which can be purchased on arrival in Jordan. The currect cost is approximately £42.

Kenya

The current cost is US$59 (approx. £47). Passports must be valid for six months beyond the date of the return flight and contain two blank pages for the visa.

Laos

The current cost is US$35 and you can obtain your visa on arrival and should make payment in US Dollars or Thai Baht. You will also need to bring one passport photo. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date to the UK. Malaysia

A visa is not required but your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry to Malaysia and have one blank visa page. Namibia

A visa is not required but your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry to Namibia and have one blank visa page. Nepal

The current cost is £20. Passports must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry to Nepal and contain one blank page for the visa. South Africa & Eswatini

A visa is not required but your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry to South Africa and have three blank pages. Special entry rules apply for children under 18 years which are shown at www.southafricahouseuk.com

Sri Lanka

The current cost is US$35. British Citizens use an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country which should be applied for online before travel, visit www.eta.gov.lk. Your ETA is valid for 30 days from your date of entry and your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the date of the return flight with one blank page for the visa. Vietnam

Single entry visits to Vietnam may require a visa; this requirement was previously waived and, at the time of writing, no further definite information was available. If you are entering Vietnam more than once during your tour a visa is required. The current cost of a visa is £104 and your passport must be valid for one month beyond the visa expiry date. Zambia

The current cost is £35. Passports must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry into Zambia and contain two blank pages for the visa. Please note: If you are applying for any of the above visas an additional charge will apply if you use the services of a courier agency.

Health & holiday insurance

Your doctor will advise you on appropriate precautions and any recommended vaccinations. It is suggested that you consult your GP about 12 weeks prior to travel. Sensible prevention measures, such as high-factor sun protection, insect-repellent sprays and drinking bottled mineral water are also advised. We recommend leaving contact lenses at home and using glasses due to increased dust in the air in some areas, and on flights.

Money Matters

All required currency can be readily purchased at UK banks and airports, with the exception of the Chinese Yuan, Indian Rupee and Cambodian Riel which should be purchased upon arrival at your destination. Hotels and airports all generally have exchange facilities. Some people ask how much currency they’ll need. That depends on you! How much do you eat and where do you want to eat; how many souvenirs or presents do you wish to bring back? Our suggestion is to change a little at a time. You can use cash machines and banks to withdraw cash now generally anywhere in the world although our experience says this is more likely to work in larger cities! Credit cards too are widely accepted, again in the major cities.

Flexible arrangements

On some tours we’re able to offer upgrades and flexible flight arrangements should you wish to stay on for a few days of relaxation after your tour or maybe visit friends and family. Let us know what your plans are and we’d be happy to quote. Alternatively some holidays can be arranged without flights provided you join and leave the tour at a pre-agreed point, usually the first and last hotels, and within the time restraints of the main group. We’re unable to tailor make other land arrangements before and after the tour for you. Our tour arrangements are made well in advance and in rare circumstances, contractual reasons or simple demand means we may have to make changes or even cancel specific departure dates. We cannot be responsible for costs for any additional items like flights or hotels you may have booked yourself in conjunction with the tour.

Your flight & airline

Our flights are with some of the world’s most reputable airlines and all flights include spacious, ergonomic seating in the economy cabin, usually two complimentary meals en route and appropriate to the time of day as well as soft and alcoholic drinks throughout the flight. You’ll find seatback video with a choice of films, TV and music channels to help keep you entertained throughout the flight. Your seats on the flight will usually be allocated by the airline who will make every effort to ensure you are seated with your travelling companions. Some airlines now charge for allocated seating in economy class and, as you’re travelling on a group booking, this cannot be actioned more than three weeks prior to travel. Where available, details explaining how to book your seating directly with the airline will be sent with your final paperwork. Internal & regional flights Your holiday Service with a smile The majority of our friendly, experienced tour managers are local to the destination and are on hand to ensure you make the very best of your time away. They will meet you in the arrivals area of the airport and show you to your transport. All our tour managers have a genuine interest in the country they are showing you and will be able to assist you with any questions you have.

Internal and regional flights in India, Africa, South Africa, China and Latin America which, on the tours shown in this brochure, are operated by state regulated private airlines. The on-board service is similar to European short-haul flights and all airlines operate modern, western type aircraft usually built by Airbus, Embraer or Boeing. Airports throughout India and China are usually modern with all of the usual facilities.

Luggage

We ask that you do not exceed one suitcase per person (with a maximum weight of 20kgs) as space on the coach when you arrive at your destination will be limited. Keep your passport, important documents and any important medication in your hand luggage and, for your own comfort, do try to minimise the amount you take into the aircraft cabin. We will send you up to date information about your luggage allowance and what you can and can’t carry in it just prior to departure.

Avoiding jet lag

Importantly, drink plenty of water prior to and during your flight. If necessary buy it after airport security and take it with you. We’d also recommend a good night’s sleep prior to your flight! On board, avoid too much alcohol and caffeine and do try to rest. We recommend taking an easy walk or a swim on arrival and avoiding sleep prior to night time in the country you’ve arrived in. The next morning, do your best to rise at a time appropriate to the locality. Avoid sleeping in as it will take your body longer to adjust to the difference in time. On the return, it is generally easier to adjust as you will be naturally tired by the reverse time difference. Try to sleep at normal UK bed time and by the following morning it’s likely you will be back in your own time zone.

Hotels

There is no doubt, especially on holiday that involves travelling and sightseeing, that a good quality hotel is important, which is why we spend so much time carefully selecting the places you’ll stay – even if it’s only for one night! Chosen for a combination of location, welcome, comfort and the opportunity to rest and relax, our city-based hotels and touring and resort-based hotels are of an excellent standard and offer a range of modern conveniences and usually a choice of regional and international cuisine. Please let us know of any special requests, such as adjoining rooms, high or low floor, at time of booking, and we’ll do our best to oblige, although no guarantee can be made. Note too that some facilities advertised at the hotels may not be available at certain times. Sometimes local conditions or volume of tours means that we may have to use alternative properties, where possible of the very same standard and in similar, convenient locations. When travelling overseas it’s always wise to take simple and sensible precautions. Never drink water that is not bottled. Even then, make sure the seal is intact. Try to always eat cooked food, served hot and avoid salad or cold food. Eat fruit which has to be peeled first. Take a hand sanitiser to use frequently and before you eat. Take sun block if you’re travelling to a hot destination. Mosquito bites are common, especially after dark and can make a trip miserable. Cover up and use a readily available repellent spray or cream. Also, we recommend you take your favourite brands of medication for general ailments such as headache, stomach upset etc and some sticking plasters just in case. After all, holiday time is precious!

Tipping

A gratuity is an accepted form of appreciation and works differently from country to country. At the end of the day do use your own discretion to tip for good service and do rely on the tour manager for advice. It’s also customary to tip your tour manager and drivers if service is good! In China and India we now include some tips to cover the services of railway station, airport, restaurant and hotel bell staff. In South Africa and Costa Rica it is customary to tip around 10% when paying in restaurants and do check as, in some cases, it may have been added to the bill already!

Smoking

As is the case at home, smoking is pretty much outlawed in any public areas or on transport, including all flights. Regular stops will be made for your comfort en route. The vast majority of hotels now have no or very few smoking rooms. In general, smoking outside is acceptable. Please note that e-cigarettes cannot be purchased in or taken into India.