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Expert Answers to Your Holiday Queries

Each week THG Holidays Managing Director answers questions put forward to him from readers from the Western Mail

9th December 2010
Question: I'm looking for a 25th anniversary holiday. As someone who has travelled a lot where would you recommend? Any hotel suggestions would be great!
Answer: I really need a bit more information to provide the best advice. What budget do you have? What do you like to do? What type of place would you prefer and what time of year do you wish to go? If you’re going for a really special trip then places I have visited with the wow factor include:
City: New York and Hong Kong.
Beach: Langkawi (in Malaysia), Mauritius (west coast), Santorini and the Phi Phi Islands
Glitz: Dubai, Las Vegas, Monte Carlo.
Romantic: Venice, Paris, St Lucia.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

2nd December 2010
Question: I'm looking at gites and other options in France. What’s the difference between self-catering properties and serviced apartments? Some seem more expensive so I'm wondering what the extra is for?
Answer: There’s a wide range of accommodation and it can be confusing. The only real difference between gites and cottages in France is that gites are French-owned, with the owner often living nearby. Cottages often belong to UK residents and may have décor and fittings that reflect this. Gite owners are required to sign the official Gites de France charter and to maintain the high standards that it demands. Serviced apartments are self-catering facilities within a managed complex and as such should have a greater range of facilities on offer which is likely to drive the additional cost.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

25th November 2010
Question: I'm hoping to save enough for a trip to New Zealand to see the 2011 Rugby World Cup. I'd like to stop off in Singapore for a couple of days and do a week in Australia. Is this realistic or should I stick to the organised trips?
Answer: This can be done - and given the cost of this type of trip it’s worth trying to do all you want to in one trip. The flight routing required to do this is reasonably straightforward but the problem you face is the flight availability. I have just looked at the availability for you and it’s very limited already so my advice is to get this booked as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Organised trips are very well run and cater for those who enjoy group travel and often have celebrity tour guides. Tickets will also be one of the major benefits of the organised trips are the tickets are included in the package and are guaranteed. Some operators will offer add-on packages and it is well worth looking at these before making a final decision. I suggest you get a price from someone like Gullivers for an organised tour and then compare it to offers from a long-haul specialist. Make a decision as to which offers the best value for what you want. You will need to move quickly on this one so good luck.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

18th November 2010
Question: We’re looking at fly-drives in the USA next summer. Is it cheaper and better to book something as a package or should we just hire a car out there? Also, do fly-drives have hidden costs like parking?
Answer: In general terms, I’d always recommend that you book the car before you travel. The reason for this is to ensure you have the correct car type and size and to ensure that you only pay for what you need in respect of insurance. Most people who book car hire in the US will experience some of the sales tactics used in resort to insist that you need several different forms of insurance and after a long flight it is easy to just agree to these terms. They nearly always try to sell you policies that you do not need so having a firm booking with all necessary insurances paid before going is clearly attractive. You do have to be careful in the US in respect of parking charges as these can vary significantly between resorts and hotels. It depends where you’re thinking of going and so you should do some further research on this point. I know, for example, that Miami can be very expensive as car parking charges are levied in most hotels at $20-$30 per day. One further point to note is that if you’re flying in and out of different airports you need to be careful as there can be additional drop-off charges at your departure airport. When all things are considered I suggest that getting a good deal from a trusted source in the UK before you travel will give you the best result. If you do want to look into putting this together yourself then please be careful and make sure you fully understand what you are - and aren’t - paying for.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

16th November 2010
Question: I'm looking to take a rugby tour to Japan next June. Do I need to look for any special considerations when arranging travel?
Answer:Japan is a wonderful country and a great venue for a rugby tour. My advice is really to plan what it is you want to do and see whilst there and do your research beforehand. The main issue would be on any stays in Tokyo – this is a huge city so the location of the hotel would be very important. I’d recommend using local agents to organise the ground arrangements as the language barrier should not be underestimated. In the major cities English will be understood but elsewhere it will be a problem. UK nationals do not require a visa to travel to Japan for stays of under 90 days. I recommend that you use a trusted travel company to assist with the arrangements of any group.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

9th November 2010
Question: In your opinion is there much difference between airlines? You always hear that BA are the best to fly with, but is that just the marketing speaking? Also, how much difference can an airline make to your experience?
Answer: There are real differences in airlines that should be considered and I do believe that the right airline will add to the holiday experience. You should treat them as any other product/service; there are a number of brands to choose from and different price points. The real question is whether or not you believe the differences warrant a price differential. We have to put this in context. The impact the airline will have depends on the length of the journey; the greater the distance the more impact the airline can have. Areas where the airline can make a difference include:
Seat pitch – the distance between rows in the plane. The greater the seat pitch the more legroom you’ll have. Not such an issue if you are 5’7” but can make a big difference if you’re 6’3”.
In-flight entertainment - Seat back TVs are a real bonus and a choice of films, TV shows and games can make a big difference when you have young children on a long flight.
Cabin service- The level of attention given to the customers and the service you are given during a flight.
Meal options - The range of food and drink options available during a flight and whether drinks are included or are charged extra.
People - will attribute different values to these points but in my view the greatest impact will be length of journey. The longer the journey the greater the impact on the holiday experience.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

2nd November 2010
Question: Following the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, I'm thinking of taking the family to China next year. Is China as difficult to travel around as people say?
Answer: China is a difficult place to travel around due to its size, language and infrastructure in many provinces. The difficulties vary depending on what you’re thinking of doing and how much of the country you want to see. As you’d expect, the main tourist areas are much better serviced and do not present as many problems. However, it’s a country worth considering for an organised tour – these can be escorted as part of a large group or done on a private basis at competitive rates. I would not recommend trying to organise your own travel arrangements throughout China – there’s very little (if anything)to gain and an awful lot that can go wrong. You’ll also need to organise visa’s before travelling.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

26th October 2010
Question: I’ll be travelling to San Francisco next March and would like to book a hotel to stay in the centre. When would be the best time to book accommodation to get the best possible price – as early as possible or closer to my departure date? Can you recommend a good hotel close to the main sites and in a safe location?
Answer: I recommend you stay in the Union Square area of the city. Hotels I’d recommend include Nikko, Sir Francis Drake or the Handlery which we have sent many guests to in the past and received good feedback. The best time to book is very difficult to gauge these days as there’s no clear pattern. It often depends on the time of year you want to travel – if you plan to travel in the high season then booking early is normally the best plan as it is unlikely the hotels will release special offers. If you are thinking of travelling in the low or shoulder seasons then there is a greater chance of special offers being available and so waiting a while may prove to be effective. I would suggest that you select the hotel and area that suits you best and speak to your travel agent or preferred tour operator for further advice.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

25th October 2010
Question: If I specifically ask for air conditioning in my room when booking and it is not provided when I get to the hotel, what are my options? And what comeback do I have on my travel agent, hotel and insurance?
Answer: This is not a straightforward question as you’re really talking about a legal issue. The key here is that you have paperwork which clearly states that you have purchased a room with air-conditioning; a contract is formed on that basis. You need to be clear on who you are booking with, that is the hotel directly or an agent acting on behalf of the hotel. At the end of the day your comeback would be with the booking agent who issued you paperwork that expressly states you have booked a room with air-conditioning. If you merely request air-conditioning and it’s not reflected in any paperwork then this is unlikely to be a basis for a contract and any recourse may be limited as a result.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

19th October 2010
Question: I am flying to Cyprus next week and would like advice on what to expect from average evening temperatures.
Answer: For October the average temperatures are around 22-24 deg C. In the evening the temperature will drop to 16-20 deg C but I should point out that these are based on past seasons and must be taken as a guide only.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

18th October 2010
Question: I'm flying from Bristol next week and notice that there are loads of small companies offering parking and transfers at lower rates than those offered at the airport. Any horror stories?
Answer: You’re right – we’ve seen a large number of new companies start up, offering airport parking services at Bristol. I’m afraid that we’ve had some negative feedback from some customers who’ve booked direct with them; there have been issues over reliability and poor customer service. I can only advise you to do your own research and - for those companies you have not booked with previously - to book by phone as most issues we’ve been made aware of are with some companies that offer online booking only.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

12th October 2010
Question: I am interested in a family holiday for five to Florida. I went there in 2002 with Travelcitydirect. Why has this holiday become so difficult to book and expensive?
Answer: I can see no reason as to why this holiday should be difficult to book as your requirements seem fairly straightforward. I’d hope that any travel agent would be able to provide assistance. Alternatively, please feel free to ring one of our Florida experts at THG Holidays. Commenting on the price issue is a little more difficult as it is fair to say that Travel City used to provide some great value holidays to Florida. However, if you are comparing 2002 prices with this year then there will be a marked increase as we’ve seen dramatic increases in fuel surcharges and airline taxes. From 1 November 2010 the UK taxes on longhaul flights will increase by a further £40. You will always get the best prices in Florida if you are able to travel in the shoulder seasons; May and June will have the lowest prices.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

15th September 2010
Question: We were planning on booking a late, last minute deal in October, but with holiday companies sometimes going but we’d like to know whether or not there’s a way of checking who to book with and who to avoid. We don't mind where we go. Also, do holidays tend to become cheaper when holiday companies are either failing or suffering from cancellations?
Answer: Summer 2010 was a bad one for the travel industry - there were many reported company failures that had a big impact on holidaymakers. The best action is to ensure that you book a package holiday with a reputable tour operator that holds an Air Travel Organisers License (ATOL). If you book through a travel agent then make sure that they’re members of ABTA. Both organisations will ensure that you have full financial protection when you book a package holiday. In terms of cheap holidays then we saw a number of companies reduce their prices as the broad difficulties hit so there can be some very good deals. I suggest you speak to a travel agent or do some research online to find the best deals available over the period you are able to travel.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

8th September 2010
Question: We're looking to take the children to Lapland for Christmas to see Santa. Do you have to book this as a package or can you create the holiday at lower cost by purchasing different parts separately?
Answer: It’s true that there’s no real need to book any holiday as a package; many people prefer to create their own holiday arrangements. The choice is yours but it’s really important to be made aware of the risks of “going it alone.” The potential upside is a saving in price but be careful that this saving is real as many customers believe they are booking cheaper holidays themselves without fully appreciating what they are getting. For example, when you book hotels online you need to ensure there are no hidden charges – local taxes, breakfast, booking fees and so on. We have to remember that in the vast majority of cases tour operators can book hotels at a cheaper rate than an individual and also that they often have access to better rooms. If you book a package with a fully bonded tour operator then you have financial protection if things go wrong and have access to support if you encounter problems whilst away. If you do things yourself then you’re on your own, with limited protection. Summer 2010 was full of problems experienced by holidaymakers when companies went bust - and it was clear that those who had made their own arrangements had been most affected. Making your own arrangements for specialist areas such as Lapland is fraught with real danger. I suggest you find a travel agent or tour operator that you trust; work with them to find the right holiday for you. The market leader in Lapland is a company called Canterbury Travel so I suggest you look at their website – www.santa-holidays.com.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

1st September 2010
Question: I'm thinking of travelling to Athens in October. I've been told it's quite a dirty city, with some spectacular sights. Are there nicer parts of the city – and are there parts to avoid?
Answer: Athens is not a huge city but it’s quite sprawling with several distinct areas. There have been considerable improvements as a direct result of the Olympic Games hosted there in 2004 but it still suffers from heavy traffic and pollution. As a result of the traffic problems, the location of the hotel you select is important. Areas to consider include Plaka and Syntagma Square.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

19th August 2010
Question: Why do so many campsites force you to join the Caravan Club?
Answer:There are two possible reasons for this. The first is that some sites are deemed as certified locations and only available to Caravan Club members. This is a condition of becoming a certified (and therefore a recommended camp site). The second reason is that special rates are sometimes offered to Caravan Club members and it may be a cheaper option to join the club and take advantage of the lower rates. In this instance it should be a suggestion rather than a mandatory requirement.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

18th August 2010
Question: Every newspaper and TV programme seems to tell me that people are staying at home this year because it’s cheaper. Can you point me in the direction of these cheaper holidays? By the time I've found a hotel - at roughly £65 a night – and paid for petrol and food it seems cheaper to go abroad. Am I using the right websites or am I missing something?
Answer: There has been a fair amount of comment on this topic in the press and some sweeping statements have been made. Much of the comment has been based on a weak pound and considering the total spending money over a two-week period. Over recent weeks the pound has rallied somewhat against the euro and so the overall holiday costs have been reduced. Many of the comments on cheaper UK holidays were looking at some of the popular holiday villages such as Butlins or Haven rather than hotels. There would also appear to have been an increase in the number of people taking camping holidays this year either in the UK or France as people seek cheaper alternatives due to the general economic conditions we find ourselves in. I feel that sweeping statements can be very misleading and are not used to compare like-for-like holidays. They are used for impact and in some cases to suit an argument. What will always be important is to decide on the type of holiday you want, do your research and seek advice and to try to get the best price you can.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

12th August 2010
Question:I'm looking for a hotel in Italy that is good for children. Lots of companies and brochures say "excellent for children ...” but is there anywhere I can check this out? Do you have any recommendations or does your company keep a log of recommended places?
Answer: The real problem with this issue is that it’s dependent on a subjective opinion. Most holiday companies will offer a view on what is good for children but it’s the criteria they base this on that’s the key issue. Having a hotel that is child friendly is not the same as one that offers a wide range of facilities for children. The main point to focus on is to list what is important to you and your family and match this against the facilities of the hotel. I would recommend you identify a list of those hotels you’re interested in and then track down the hotels’ websites and look at the facilities on offer. Use this information along with tour operator information shown in the brochure to get a more complete picture. Many travel agents carry a book called Gazetteers which gives an independent, expert view on a wide range of hotels. It will be worth calling in to a local agency and asking them to look up some of the hotels you are considering. My company does keep a list of recommendations but only for the USA and Asia. As we don’t specialise in Italy I’m not able to give you a specific recommendation.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

11th August 2010
Question: I am off to Portugal next week. What’s the best way to take my spending money - credit card, debit card, traveller’s cheques, euros bought in the UK or pounds to convert over there?
Answer: In today’s volatile currency markets this is not an easy one to answer. I think it will always be prudent to convert some pounds to euros before you go to ensure you have cash on you at the time of arrival. For your other spending money there is not a vast difference when all things are considered and it comes down to personal choice. The problem with credit card payments is that you don’t know what exchange rate you are getting at the time of the transaction although I often find the rate to be very competitive. In order to budget and know exactly what you are spending you will need to think of taking pounds or sterling traveller cheques and shopping round for the best rates in resort. The advantage of traveller’s cheques over cash is one of security. The debit card option may not be available outside the UK – it depends on who issues the card and even if it does work in ATMs it is unlikely to be accepted in shops and restaurants.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

5th August 2010
Question: Has Cuba been affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill? I was hoping to go in November. I’m trying to decide whether to book now and take a chance that the oil won't have affected Cuba or wait until closer to November to make a decision - or even wait until next year.
Answer: At the moment there has been no impact of the oil spill around Cuba. The impact is currently restricted to the southern states in the US that border the Gulf. How far the oil will disperse over the coming weeks will depend on a number of factors such as wind and ocean currents. These things are very difficult to predict with any accuracy. What we do know is that Cuba is over 1,000km from the coast of Louisiana and at the moment the experts do not believe it will be affected.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

4th August 2010
Question: I'm considering going to Florida in October. Considering the oil disaster, is it a good time to go and are the prices likely to increase or decrease as a result?
Answer: The answer will depend on what you want to do whilst you are in Florida. At the moment the oil disaster in only having an impact in the very north of Florida and the more popular Gulf coast resorts are not impacted at all. This situation will continue to be monitored but during the hurricane season it is possible the oil will be pushed further south and start to have an effect on other resorts. You may want to consider alternative beach destinations for example the Atlantic Coast or Florida Keys. If you are set on going to the Gulf Coast then it may be sensible to consider some of the more southern resorts such as Naples or Fort Myers. Clearly, the vast majority of visitors will spend at least some time in Orlando where there is no impact at all. In terms of price then you must remember that a significant part of the holiday cost is in the airfare which is driven by demand for Orlando rather than the Gulf coast. This year has seen the launch of the Harry Potter World within Universal Studios and this is generating very high demand from the UK. As a result I do not think that there will be any significant changes in the price of flights from the UK as a direct result of the oil disaster. As time goes on and should the oil spread further south then there may be some price reductions in some of the Gulf Coast hotels during the low season, that is until mid October.
Gareth Gronow, THG Holidays

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