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Details about the USA VISA WAIVER program
INFORMATION TAKEN FROM www.usembassy.org.uk WEB SITE DATED 17 MARCH 2008.

Most visitors to the United States enter the country as tourists. With the introduction of visa free travel to citizens of 27 countries, it is now possible for many travellers, including British citizens, to enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (WVP). Visa free travel is also available to qualified travellers who enter the United States on business or in transit.

Citizens of the following countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom may travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program if they meet ALL of the following requirements:

- The traveller is a citizen of one of the countries named above, travelling on a valid, machine readable or e-passport with an electronic chip.
- Travelling for business, pleasure or transit only;
- Staying in the United States for 90 days or less;
- Holding a return or onward ticket. If travelling on an electronic ticket, a copy of the itinerary must be carried for presentation to U.S. immigration at the port of entry.
- In possession of a completed form I-94W, obtainable from airline.

Note: A passport indicating that the bearer is a British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British National (Overseas) Citizen, or British Protected Person does not qualify for travel without a visa. A passport which states holder has Right of Abode or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom does not qualify for visa free travel;

 
We are a member of ABTA, our membership number is W9311. ABTA regulated travel agents and tour operators must comply with ABTA's strict financial rules and Code of Conduct which ensures that our customs receive the best possible service. These rules are to protect your money and to allow ABTA to make sure that claims are paid in the event of company failure. You will get your money back in the event of a company failure or be given help to make alternative arrangements for the holiday to proceed. If an ABTA tour operator fails while the consumer is in resort, ABTA will ensure that the customer gets back home.

Coach and rail based packages (eg Eurostar) are covered by our ABTA bonding.

If you decided to book airline, hotel or other services direct and not via an ABTA bonded tour operator, there is no legal requirement for them to provide any security against insolvency and you could lose your money.

 
The air package holidays shown on this website and in our brochure are ATOL protected as we hold an Air Travel Organisers Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 9206.

ATOL protects you from losing money or being stranded abroad when a tour operator goes out of business. All licensed firms have to lodge bonds with the CAA so that if they go out of business, the CAA can give refunds to people who can't travel and arrange for people abroad to finish their holidays and fly home.

 
Please note that all travellers should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC replaces Form E111, from 1 January 2006. The EHIC holds no electronic or clinical data, just your name, data of birth and has a personal identification number. The EHIC is available free of charge through most United Kingdom post offices or through the UK Department of Health via their website at: www.dh.gov.uk or by telephoning 0800 555 7777 and obtaining their leaflet "Health Advice for Travellers". The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.

 
The leaflet"Health Advice for Travellors" gives advice as to required and recommended immunisations for the areas you intend to visit or travel throught. Information is also available on the Department of Health's website at www.dh.gov.uk/traveladvice/ or from you GP or school nurse. Please remember to leave sufficient time to obtain the necessary vaccinations before your due departure date.

 
FRANCE New legislation was passed in France on 09/07/03 concerning the wearing of seat belts on coaches travelling within France.

Decree 2003- 637 requires that a coach driver is obliged to wear his or her seat belt at all times whilst driving in France. Any driver caught not wearing a seat belt is subject to €135 fine and penalty points on their licence.

Individual coach passengers, including children, are also required to use seat belts and can also be fined €135 for non-compliance when seats have belts fitted and they are not being worn. In the case of school parties it is the teacher who would be fined.

The new legislation applies both to French coaches and those from other countries. Coach drivers and party leaders are required to remind passengers of their legal obligation to use seat belts where fitted.

BELGIUM Passengers must wear seat belts if the vehicle is thus equipped. Criminal liability for wearing the belt lies with the passenger. Civil law makes the parents or accompanying persons responsible for the behaviour of the children.

NETHERLANDS Passengers are obliged to wear seatbelts and are held fully responsible.

ITALY Passengers and drivers are only obliged to wear safety belts in vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.

GERMANY Passengers are obliged and fully responsible for wearing seat belts.

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