As you'll know, in order to try and slow the transmission rate of COVID-19 it is no longer be permitted for more than six people to gather socially. If you are already booked on a UK-based Andante Travels tour that is depart in the next couple of months, or you are keen to travel with us in the near future, you would certainly be forgiven for wondering how this will impact your experience.
We treat guidance from the UK Government, the Foreign Office and the authorities in each of our destinations with the utmost seriousness, and you can be assured that all of our tours have been comprehensively reviewed in order to comply with such guidance. All of our hotels are health and safety checked to the strictest COVID standards and we operate half-capacity coaches to ensure that social distancing can be practiced. We provide face masks for every day of your travels with us and we have sourced
insurance with specific cover for COVID-19 for your peace of mind. Our industry-leading
11-point COVID action plan details the precautionary measures designed to keep you safe on tour with us.
Furthermore, any tours departing during this ‘rule of six’ timeframe, when social gatherings are significantly limited in number, will be operated in mini-groups. Guests will be split into mini-groups of five, each of which will be accompanied by its own expert guide-lecturer. The times for visiting key attractions will be staggered and the mini-group arrangement will remain in place in restaurants and hotels alike. We will, therefore, be following UK government advice to the letter. As you can imagine, we will be absorbing a significant extra cost in sourcing additional experts to accompany you, but it is far more important to me that we do not disappoint you – our valued guests – by cancelling tours, and also that your safety and wellbeing remains our paramount concern.
No other travel company is including more COVID safety measures, and no other travel company has operated more successful tours in the COVID era. This mini-group initiative is just one more reason to book an Andante Travels tour with confidence.
Please keep well, and we look forward to the pleasure of your company again soon.
Jackie Willis, CEO of Specialist Journeys.