Please take a few minutes to read the following information that we have provided relevant to your forthcoming holiday.
Important Information from the Foreign Office before you book and travel.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) issues travel advice on destinations, which includes information on passports, visas, health, safety and security and much more.
Take the time to access and read their advice before making and completing your holiday plans. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
IMPORTANT
Any information that we show relating to passports and visas relates to British Citizen passport holders only. If you hold any other nationality passport or a British Subject passport it is your responsibility to check the entry requirements for your destination.
Travel tickets and packages are generally non-refundable. It is advisable to obtain any visa or electronic travel authorities issued by your selected country of arrival prior to booking your holiday. A visa refusal does not allow for a refund of monies of holiday arrangements booked.
Passports
Ensure your passport is valid for your trip. Most destinations insist that your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after your return date.
It is important that you check both your issue date and expiry date on your passport. If you have renewed your passport early in the past, the passport office could have added these extra months to your expiry date. Some countries, particularly in the EU, do not recognise these extra months. You should assume that your passport validity is 10 years from the date of issue.
Health & Visa Information
The following links provide useful information on health and visa requirements. It is the client’s responsibility to verify what, if any, health or visa requirements may be applicable. Be aware they change from time to time.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office for advice on travelling abroad
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Department of Health for information on health requirements and vaccinations.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad
Travel Guide for information on passport & visa requirements.
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides
Information on visa requirements for UK passport holders, plus fast-track visa and passport service.
https://visacentral.co.uk
Holiday Payment
Our holidays/itineraries are tailor-made, and web prices are low season examples. You will be advised of the current price of the holiday that you wish to book at the time of booking. Holiday prices are guaranteed against currency fluctuations once booked.
Do be aware that we incur charges from the moment you book your holiday with us. The non-refundable deposit is intended to protect us from such charges. Our standard deposit is £70 per person but this may be higher for selected holidays (i.e. more expensive/exclusive holidays). This will be detailed at the time of booking.
Holidays made within 10 weeks of departure will require full payment. Balance due dates are clearly detailed on your confirmation/invoice. If the balance is not paid in time, we reserve the right to cancel your travel arrangements and retain your deposit.
Payment reminders are not issued prior to the balance due date.
Payments can be made by MasterCard & Visa credit/debit cards, cheques, and direct bank payments. If you wish to pay by Bank Transfer, please contact us for details.
Personal Insurance
Clients should ensure they buy a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as they make a booking. Insurance should offer comprehensive cover and should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
For a bespoke insurance quote call Spire Insurance, Chesterfield. Telephone: 01246 551457. Alternatively call 0800 0833 551 quoting A0340.
Arrival Days
Hotels, guesthouses and B&B accommodations are usually available for arrival on any day. Self-catering is generally Saturday-to-Saturday (Holland is usually Friday-to-Friday but some centres are flexible).
In most cases electricity and heating are payable locally. Arrival time is usually after 15:00 hours and departure prior to 10:00 hours. Check with your host if it is possible to vary these times.
Airline Baggage Allowance
This varies from airline to airline and you should either contact our staff at Martins World Travel (01246 220020) or check the appropriate airlines websites.
Fishing rods with most airlines attract a surcharge (as outsize baggage) that is payable at the airport. We suggest the use of travel rods that fit in your suitcase where possible.
Hand luggage, 1 piece, is generally free but there are sensible size limits.
No sharp objects knives, hooks, lures, reels with line etc. must be packed in hand luggage – these should be packed in your hold luggage along with any liquids over 100ml.
Tickets/Final Documentation
Your tickets will normally be issued 2–3 weeks before departure and are sent by email, provided we have a valid email address on file. If you need your tickets posting or sending earlier for any reason, please let our office know.
Travel – Ferry information
Check in closes from 30 to 90 minutes before departure. It’s strongly recommended to arrive well before these closing times to allow time for passport/identity checks and security – ideally at least two hours before departure time, especially if travelling with a car. Always double-check the exact sailing times on your e-ticket.
Minibuses and vans must be declared at the time of booking, as they usually need to be placed into a special vehicle category. Failure to do so may cause issues at the port. For Hull–Rotterdam sailings, vans must be declared when booking and are subject to a supplement. If this is not done in advance, you may be refused boarding or charged a significantly higher fee at the port.
Driving licence
You need to take your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence with you to drive abroad. Check yours is still valid and renew your driving licence online if it has expired or is about to expire. You will need to apply to renew your licence at least a week before you travel. If you are taking your own vehicle, you also need to take your logbook (V5C) and your insurance certificate. If you are taking a vehicle abroad that you have hired or leased in the UK, you will need a VE103 certificate.
You might need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some countries. Check online if this is required at https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit
You can buy IDPs over the counter at the Post Office. You might need one for each country you are visiting.
Make sure you follow overseas driving rules, including local speed limits and drink driving laws. You may be breaking the law and get a fine if you do not. Depending on the country you are visiting, you may need
- extra equipment – for example, you need a reflective jacket and a warning triangle in many countries
- emission stickers (permits) in some European cities – you may need to buy these weeks before you go abroad
- headlight converter stickers
- UK sticker. From 28 September 2021, you need a UK sticker instead of a GB sticker
Check out rules for driving in the EU at
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu
Car Insurance
Check with your own vehicle insurer what cover your policy offers when you are driving abroad and whether you require a Green Card.
Driving Licences – Car Hire
Since the paper licence has been abolished your car hire company may ask you to provide evidence of your driving record. You will be able to do so by accessing the Share Driving Licence service via the DVLA online for free.
To view on-line and print an up-to-date paper copy of your driving record go to www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
Please note you will need the following information to access the website
1. Driving Licence Number
2. National Insurance Number
3. Post code of the address your driving licence is registered at
You can also request a unique code from GOV.UK which allows you to share your driving licence details.
The check code will be valid for 21 days and will allow the hire companies to make any necessary checks.
Car hire companies also require a valid driving licence and a credit card for security purposes (not a debit card). Without both car rentals will be refused even on pre-paid vouchers.
Country Specific Information
Ireland
Passport – If travelling by ferry from the UK a passport is not legally required under the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements. However, you must be able to prove your identity and nationality if asked by authorities. Airlines and ferry companies usually require some form of photo ID before letting you board. This can include a valid passport, a UK driving licence or another acceptable government-issued photo ID. Some carriers (e.g. Ryanair) insist on a passport even if it’s not legally required.
Visa – Not required
Fishing licence – Fishing in Ireland is generally free of charge with no licence requirements. There are a couple of exceptions such as on the River Lee and Inniscarra Reservoir in Cork and parts of the middle Shannon, River Inny and Suck for which Permits are required. Please check with local tackle shops to confirm what permits are required for the areas you plan to fish.
Fishing rod licences are needed on all waters in Northern Ireland and are available from tackle shops and most accommodations or you can purchase them online in advance on the following website: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/outdoor-recreation/angling
Bait –There are no current bait restrictions in place for coarse fishing.
If you wish to pre-order bait, we suggest that you visit the following website for Irish Bait and Tackle: www.irishbaitandtackle.ie
Holland
Passport – A valid passport is required
Visa – Not required
Check the following website for passport validity and entry requirements
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/netherlands
Fishing Licence /Permits – You will need to buy a one-year licence for the whole of Holland. You will also require a permit (these are regional). Do not fish without a licence and relevant permit. Some accommodations also sell licence/permits. In your final documents we supply you with a list of tackle shops where it is easy to buy your fishing licence and permits, plus bait and tackle as required.
Norway
Passport – A valid passport is required
Visa – Not required
Check the following website for passport validity and entry requirements
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/norway
Fishing Licence- For Sea fishing in Norway you don’t need any permits, not even the state fishing licence. Permits are required for Trout and Salmon fishing.
Boat Licence – At least one person in the group must have boat operation experience. If born after 1/1/1980 and operating a boat of 25hp and above he/she will be requested to supply an ICC, International Certificate of Competence. This must include coastal navigation to be valid in Norway. Excellent courses are operated by www.RYA.org.uk. They have centres throughout the UK.
Canada
Passport – A valid passport is required
Visa – To enter or transit through Canada, most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) – not both. If you do not need a visa to enter Canada, you will need to apply for an ETA prior to travel. You can check if you need a visa or ETA on the following website.
www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada.html?outside
The earlier travellers get their ETA, the sooner they will benefit from knowing they have been pre-screened to enter Canada. The Canadian authorities have launched a website for purchasing an ETA: www.Canada.ca/eta
Check the following website for passport validity and entry requirements
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/canada
Canada Fishing Licences on-line
British Columbia – Anglers must purchase their fishing licence online. Fill your details and pay by secure credit card payment. www.fishingbc.com/licences
Ontario – A Fishing Card and Licence are required, and these should be purchased online before arrival via the following link. www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-non-residents-canada
Yukon – The licence can be purchased locally at Kluane Lodge.
USA
Passport – A valid passport is required
Visa – Esta Required
Ensure that you have a valid ESTA visa waiver application confirmed online at least 72 hours prior to travel. It is valid for 2 years. Only use the official website via the link https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/
Application charge is $40.27, payable by credit card. With effect from 1 April 2016 all travellers entering USA under the Visa Waiver Programme will need to hold a passport with an integrated chip.
Please note if you have ever been arrested, cautioned or convicted you may not be eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Check with the US Embassy. You cannot normally apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you were in the following countries on or after March 2011: Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen.
You cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you travelled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021.
Florida Fishing Licence – All anglers should pre purchase a state fishing licence in advance on-line. Follow the link below and print off the licence data after completion and take with you. https://myfwc.com/license
We do hope that you have found this information useful but if you have any other queries, please do not hesitate to contact our office on 01246 221717.
