We are happy to offer advice on all the above.  

OVERSEAS TRAVEL

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website offers British travellers advice aimed at preparing themselves before going overseas.  You should check this site regularly.   www.FCO.gov.uk

Minors travelling to Brazil and Portugal must have a letter signed by their parent or guardian giving permission for them to travel.  

VISAS

Few countries require visas for British passport holders, but you will be advised if this is the case.  You must tell us in advance about any tourist who is not a British Citizen and who does not have a British passport.  We will then provide details of additional documentation that may be required.  British residents may be classified as different.  Please also tell us of all non-EU passport holders. 

For general advice on visas, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office offers advice.  www.FCO.gov.uk.  For specific visa requirements, you are advised to contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country to which you are travelling.

PASSPORT

Please refer to the UK Passport Service www.ukps.gov.uk.  We recommend all our tours that they have at least two photocopies or scanned copies of every passport, visa and other important travel documentation.  These should be kept by the home base.

HEALTH

Please refer to the Department of Health websites: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers or www.ehic.org.uk

UK residents may be entitled to free medical treatment or at a reduced cost when temporarily visiting an European Union (EU) country, Iceland, Liechenstein, Norway or Switzerland.  Only treatment provided under the state scheme is covered.  To obtain treatment, you require a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).  To obtain one of these, either see the external link above, telephone 0845 606 2030, or get an application form from the Post Office.

From 1st June 2007, any young person who has not previously held their own passport as a child will be affected by the New Passport regulations being introduced over the coming months.  Young people over the age of 16 who are applying for an individual passport for the first time will have to be interviewed at one of the Identity and Passport Service offices situated at various locations around the country.  It is important that sufficient time is allowed for the application to be processed, and current advice is that applicants may have to wait an average of six weeks to receive their new passport.  The interview process will be gradually phased in over the coming months.

Further details can be found on the UK Passport office website.  You will find a link to this site by clicking on Links on the left-hand menu.  

We will inform you well in advance of travel should you require any vaccinations for your tour.  If you are in any doubt, consult a GP at least six weeks before you travel.

Few countries require Visas for British Passport holders, but you will be advised if this is the case.  You must tell us in advance about any tourist who does not have a British Passport, and we will then provide details of additional documentation that may be required.

However, a visa is required for tours to Australia and we can organise these for you.

Most definitely, yes, travel insurance is required for all visits abroad, and you have two options.  You can either purchase insurance from us or arrange it yourself.  Please see the next question below for details.

If you already have your own travel insurance, please read 'the small print'.

RECIPROCAL EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE

Insurance is available at extra cost.  You will be given details of cover and premiums before you book your tour.  You may either extend the insurance policy offered by the school or we are able to arrange a specific sports travel insurance for you.  We are fully qualified to sell insurance.

With our constant discussions with Local Education Authorities, we keep ourselves completely up to date with their requirements.  This is why we have £5 million public liability insurance to cover you.

From my first overseas rugby tour to George Heriots in November 1962, I have been billeted. It is the most fantastic way of meeting people and making lifelong friends. That is why we are particularly keen for our schools to learn about real local life by staying in opposition homes.

A list of all the tourists is sent by us to the host school. Invariably, the Tour Manager will have been sent the tour brochure as well, which acts as excellent back up information in the matching of hosts to guests, e.g. playing positions, interests etc. In this way, we try to ensure that the stay is as enjoyable as possible.

Parent’s houses vary in size which is why we can never guarantee the exact composition of billets. Sometimes, you can get four guests to a billet but more often than not, it is a single guest to a single host. Children then have to use their social skills.

Our experience shows us that every now and again, an 'interesting' billet occurs. Normally, this is associated with host’s religious beliefs where they go to church three times on a Sunday. If you have ever been on a tour when this happens, it is surprising how much fun the tourists have over such an incident.

The following statement is a standard inclusion on our billeting request form:

"Despite the fact that children don’t initially particularly like the idea of being billeted, it is one of the really great highlights on all our long haul tours. We give children opportunities to establish friends for life. After the first nervous introduction, the billeting is incredibly successful. Our experience is that the vast majority of billeting is performed by parents of the host children who are very well known to the teachers/sports coaches. On the very rare occasion where a host is not so well known to the teachers or coaches, we would like this situation to be checked to the host school’s/club’s satisfaction."

It is the Tour Manager's responsibility to establish contact with all schools/clubs who have offered billeting to confirm your specific requirements.  Supervision is not this company's responsibility nor that of the host family nor the host club/school.

The list of guests is sent to each host school to seek parents prepared to billet. The sports organiser makes a list of acceptances. Teachers all over the world know the parents of the children they teach. This is probably the best vetting system you could get.

At the end of every tour, we ask each and every tour manager to report on every aspect of the tour, with particular emphasis being placed on hosts and billeting. I do not believe we have ever had a report which would not recommend being billeted in people’s homes. Being a parent, I know the value we put on our children. That value is a daily part of my life and work.

We arrange in excess of 15,000 billets a year.

Yes, provided there is availability on the chosen return date, it will be possible to make arrangements to stay on or travel elsewhere.  Please let us know your requirements.

They provide valuable and unique experiences.  They develop self esteem, self confidence and independence.  They are team-building exercises to raise people's awareness and skills.  You experience other cultures, maybe languages, develop new friendships, broadening horizons and knowledge. 

Staying with host families gives people an insight into the culture of the host country.  It is important that we challenge and not over protect those for whom we are responsible.

You are asked to give details of your own team's standards on the booking form, but the Operator organising your Tour will discuss standards with you in more detail once the arrangements are under way.  This information is passed on to our representatives abroad in order to match standards.

You will be responsible for all meals other than those included in the Estimate.

Non-liquid medication, i.e. EpiPens, inhalers and anti-cogulants, may be carried as normal in the cabin bag.  Essential liquid medication may also be carried in the cabin bag, however, customers must to carry all liquids in bottles not exceeding 100ml and in clear plastic bags.  If you require more than 100ml of essential liquid medicines during your flight, these may be carried in individual containers in your cabin bag.  Customers may be asked to prove that the medicine is for an individual travelling and is, or may be, required during the flight. 

Customers are permitted to take Insulin in their cabin bag, however it should be noted that the temperature in the hold on a British Airways aircraft does not get cold enough for medications such as Insulin to freeze.  Customers are also able to take walkings aids such as walking sticks and wheelchairs on board, however these must all be X-ray screened.  Special arrangements can be made for people in wheelchairs.

Yes, provided it is for medical reasons.  These and non-medical related drinks preparations may be taken through security in quantities of no more than 100ml and carried in a clear plastic bag.

Babies and children are allowed one bag each, no bigger than the size restriction, i.e. 56cm x 45 cm x 25 cm.

Car seats may be taken on board provided they have purchased a passenger seat on the aircraft and must be x-ray screened.  However customers travelling with infants up to 2 years can request a child seat or cot when the booking is made and up to 24 hours before departure.  These are provided on a first-come-first-served basis.

Pushchairs may be taken on board, but must be x-ray screened.

Other items, such as soft toys, games, activities, spare clothes and nappies may be taken as hand luggage, provided they fit into a bag no larger than the permitted size, and are not prohibited items. 

Baby milk and food may be taken onboard, but must be tasted by the accompanying adult.  If the milk is in a quantity of less than 100ml, we advise it is carried in the clear plastic bag.

You should not expect your bus driver to be able to speak English, although they sometimes have a basic knowledge.  It is always a good idea to have a member of the travelling party who can speak the local language.

If hosted, the host families usually ask what needs to be done as a first question!

If staying in hotels, a quick reccy (usually delegated) on arrival to determine the location of the nearest launderette is how previous tourists have tackled this problem. 

You will be given a list of numbers to call in the case of an emergency, and you should also ensure that we are given your emergency 24-hour telephone numbers.  EDST has procedures in place in case of emergencies.