GBP 2026 Brochure - Flipbook - Page 93
CURRENCY
We strongly recommend arranging your currency before the tour.
Exchange facilities and ATMs can be limited, and card payments are
not always accepted. Small amounts of Euro change are especially
useful for toilets and minor purchases. Most of Europe accepts
Euros, but Swiss francs are essential for Switzerland. For UK tours,
pounds sterling are required. Star Tours cannot be held responsible if
passengers are unable to make payments or access facilities due to
lack of local currency.
CHILDREN & YOUNG INFANTS
Infants under two years old will be charged an infant fare, with an
additional supplement on flight tours. For safety reasons, we strongly
recommend that parents bring a coach-compatible booster seat for their
child. Star Tours does not supply booster seats, and it is the parent
or guardian’s responsibility to provide, fit, and use one if they wish.
Choosing not to use a booster seat may reduce your child’s comfort
and safety, and Star Tours accepts no liability for this decision.
We recommend parents carry ready-to-use baby food and milk, as
these are not available at hotels or restaurants during the tour. Since
not all hotels provide kettles, bringing a bottle warmer or travel kettle
is advisable. Pushchairs and strollers must be foldable to fit into the
coach luggage compartment.
For safety reasons, children are not permitted to sit in the front rows
of the coach.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one suitcase (up to 23 kg, maximum size
90 x 75 x 43 cm) and one piece of hand luggage (up to 5 kg,
maximum size 20 x 20 x 48 cm). The driver will assist with loading
and unloading, but you are responsible for carrying your luggage to
and from your hotel room. Some hotels may not have lifts.
Luggage stored in the coach lockers can only be accessed at hotels or
the final stop, not during the journey. Any items exceeding the allowance
will be charged at £10 /$15 per bag, per day (subject to availability).
All luggage is carried at the owner’s risk. Star Tours is not responsible
for loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings. We strongly
recommend adequate travel insurance.
WEATHER
Weather across Western Europe is changeable, much like the UK.
Always pack a small umbrella and check average temperatures for
your destinations before you travel. Evening sightseeing can be cooler,
so bring something warm.
CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES & HEALTH
Pack light, comfortable clothing with a jacket or sweater for cooler
evenings. A waterproof jacket or umbrella is essential for sudden
showers. For warmer days, bring sun hats, sunscreen and comfortable
walking shoes. We also suggest carrying a travel adapter, as plug types
vary across Europe. Some passengers find it useful to bring a small hair
dryer, travel iron, or kettle, since not all hotels provide these.
Tours involve long journeys, sightseeing on foot, and varying weather
conditions. Please bring sufficient prescription medication for the
duration of your holiday, as access abroad may be limited. Passengers
with health concerns should consult their doctor before travelling to
ensure the tour is suitable. Tours involve a moderate level of walking,
sometimes on uneven surfaces or uphill. Passengers should ensure
they are physically able to participate in the planned itinerary.
LOST PROPERTY & THEFTS
Passengers are solely responsible for their belongings at all times.
Star Tours cannot retrieve, store, or transport items left behind,
including across international borders, even if authorised.
In the event of theft, you must report the incident immediately to
the local police and obtain a crime reference number. Your tour
representative can assist by pointing you to the nearest police station
but cannot file reports on your behalf.
To minimise risk, avoid carrying unnecessary valuables and remain
vigilant in crowded tourist areas where pickpocketing is common.
Comprehensive travel insurance that covers loss or theft is strongly
recommended, even for EU citizens.
WHEELCHAIRS
Drivers will help with loading and unloading, but passengers must be
able to board and leave the coach on their own. Many hotels on our
tours may not have lifts, so please consider this when deciding if the
tour is suitable for you.
SEATING ALLOCATION
Seat allocation is managed solely by Star Tours. Requests for specific
seats, whether for personal, medical, or other reasons, cannot be
accepted. Allocations are based on booking numbers, group size,
coach layout and safety regulations, and may be adjusted at any time.
Seat numbers are provided only on the day of departure by the Tour
Representative. Please note that our sales and contact centre teams
cannot advise or confirm seat numbers in advance.
Families with children will not be seated at the very front of the
coach, regardless of early booking. Passengers travelling on different
booking references who wish to sit together must inform us at the
time of booking. Once seats are allocated, they cannot be changed.
EARLY BIRD OFFERS
Early Bird Offers apply only when the required deposit is paid at the time
of booking. These offers cannot be combined with other promotions,
discounts or vouchers and are not available for infant travellers.
If an Early Bird Offer includes complimentary hotel accommodation,
this will be at a minimum 3-star property in the Wembley/Heathrow
area (or nearby). Hotel allocations may vary, and there is no guarantee
that passengers travelling together will be placed in the same hotel.
Rooming will follow the arrangements stated on your booking.
Early Bird Offers do not apply where a surcharge is added to the
brochure price or where the tour itinerary has been changed.
FOOD
Food is an important part of the tour, and many of our passengers
enjoy the comfort of having familiar Indian meals while abroad.
Breakfast is usually continental and may include breads, cereals,
fruits, juices, hot drinks, and milk.
For lunch and dinner, the menu is mainly Indian, with vegetarian
dishes always available and non-vegetarian options (such as chicken
or fish) regularly included, especially at dinner. A typical meal will
include items such as naan or chapati, curry, dal, rice, and salad. Jain
meals can also be requested in advance.
Menus are designed to offer comfort and familiarity while abroad.
While some repetition is unavoidable when providing Indian meals
across multiple countries, we aim to keep a balance of variety in
curries, dals, and non-vegetarian options.
Meals are usually buffet style, served in hotels or restaurants,
with tap water included. Other drinks can be purchased separately.
Depending on the itinerary, meals may sometimes be served outdoors
at service stations or rest areas, or provided as packed meals. Dinner
is normally arranged in a designated dining area within the hotel or
restaurant, with assigned seating.
Passengers with strict dietary needs or allergies should make
independent arrangements before travel, as we cannot guarantee
allergen-free or highly specialised meals. If a meal cannot be provided,
you will receive a reimbursement of £10 for lunch and £15 for dinner.
EXCURSIONS
At popular sites, waiting times can be lengthy due to high visitor
numbers, weather, or local events. Entry is subject to the ticket type
purchased, and once you exit, re-entry is not permitted. Refunds are
not issued for delays, closures, or restrictions beyond our control,
including those imposed by public authorities. Lost or stolen tickets
cannot be replaced.
Some excursions may have capacity limits. For example, Eiffel Tower
tickets cannot be pre-purchased by us, so extremely long queues are
to be expected.
ADDITIONAL EXCURSIONS
Our itineraries are designed to include the main highlights at a
competitive price. On some tours, the Tour Representative or driver
may offer optional excursions to complement the experience. These
are separate from the tour package, subject to availability and must
be paid for in cash before departure. Participation is voluntary and
we cannot guarantee that every optional excursion will be offered
on every departure.
Our tours are not specifically designed for passengers with mobility
challenges. Itineraries often involve walking, steps, and long coach
journeys. Manually collapsible wheelchairs and walking aids can
be stored in the coach luggage compartment. Non-folding electric
wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.
PICK–UP AND DROP–OFF POINTS & TIMES
The times shown in our brochure and on our website are indicative and
may change. Some pick-up points may carry a supplement charge if
minimum numbers are not met. Passengers should arrive at the pick-up
point 15 minutes before the stated time. Late arrivals must make their
own arrangements to rejoin the tour, and no refunds are given for
missed connections. If you are arranging independent travel to or from
the pick-up or drop-off points, please allow for potential delays, as Star
Tours cannot be held responsible for missed onward connections.
Return journeys from the continent usually arrive in Dover between
20:00 and 22:00. Coaches then proceed to the original London pick-up
points, with arrival expected between 22:45 and 02:00 (next day).
All timings are approximate and subject to traffic, border checks and
road conditions. The order of pick-up and drop-off may vary.
DIETARY, ROOM ALLOCATION & OTHER
REQUESTS
If you have special request (rooms on the same floor, particular meal
types, or seating), please let us know at the time of booking. We will
pass these on to the relevant supplier, but they cannot be guaranteed.
Many requests, such as early check-in, late check-out, or packed
meals from hotels, are at the hotel’s discretion and may carry an
extra charge. If something is essential to your holiday, we recommend
confirming it directly with the supplier before travel.
Passengers with dietary needs should also carry suitable snacks or
alternatives, as local availability cannot always be guaranteed.
FARAWAY TOURS
Our Faraway Tours are run by trusted local ground operators who
manage the day-to-day arrangements. These tours may run with small
groups (sometimes as few as two to four travellers) and may not
always have a dedicated Star Tours representative. Instead, you will
have local contacts for emergencies and assistance.
Sightseeing is usually led by local guides, though some free time is included for independent exploration. Transport is arranged locally and
does not have assigned seating. You may share excursions with other
travellers who have booked through different companies.
Meals are provided at selected restaurants or during excursions,
usually within walking distance of your hotel. On these tours,
you have greater flexibility but should be prepared for variations
compared with our escorted European coach tours.
CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION DELAYS / ENQUIRIES
Star Tours cannot assume responsibility if passengers encounter
delays or are detained by government departments such as the Police,
Customs, Immigration, or other authorities in the destination country.
It is the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that passports, visas,
ETIAS approvals, and any other required travel documents are valid for
the full duration of the trip. Star Tours cannot accept responsibility if
boarding or entry is denied due to incomplete documentation.
EUROPEAN TRAVEL INFORMATION &
AUTHORISATION SYSTEM (ETIAS)
Travellers from visa-exempt countries such as the UK, USA, Canada
and Australia must apply for ETIAS authorisation to enter the
Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days). The application is
completed online with personal and travel details and should be done
well in advance of travel. ETIAS approval is valid for three years or
until your passport expires, and allows multiple short-stay entries.
Always carry a copy of your approved ETIAS when travelling.
ATOL
Your financial security is protected under the Package Travel
Regulations 2018. Star Tours holds ATOL licence number 5639,
which covers our air holiday packages and flights. This ensures
your money is safeguarded and you will be repatriated if we become
insolvent. Please note that not all services in this brochure are
covered by ATOL – check with us if you are unsure.
ABTA
Star Tours is a member of ABTA (membership W8770). This means
you benefit from ABTA’s support and Code of Conduct, which
includes clear standards for service and protection if things go wrong.
If a dispute cannot be resolved with us directly, you have access
to ABTA’s approved arbitration scheme. Full details can be found at
www.abta.com
ABTA No.W8770
Call us 24 hours or WhatsApp
+44 (0) 208 900 2323 I Book Online: www.star.tours
93
