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Vacations to America
If you are looking for information on booking a holiday to the USA, travel tips, or general information about holidays to America please read our Frequently Asked Questions below...
Contact your travel agent or call us between 9am and 5.30pm Monday to Saturday. Credit cards may be used for the deposit (which is typically 20% of the total) or for the total amount if you are travelling within 9 weeks (1.5% charge applies except for deposit payments).
Generally we are able to confirm within 24 hours, however, some vacations require more time to organise, particularly if you are having a multi-centre holiday or travelling in a busy holiday period.
All 'Vacationers' receive a confirmation/invoice together with general information to assist in planning your holiday, within 14 days. Tickets and travel documents including maps and directions to your accommodation will be sent to you approximately 3 weeks prior to departure.
Will the price be cheaper if I book nearer the time? 'Late bookings' rarely save money, particularly as availability will be more limited for example cheaper apex flight seats and standard rooms in Inns and hotels book first, leaving only the more expensive options.
We are able to make reservations 11 months ahead for flights and further ahead for accommodation. Many of our properties fill up well in advance, particularly our individual homes, so it is advisable to secure these properties early. However, booking at any time up to a few days before travel is always a possibility, so do not hesitate to call us.
All passengers wishing to travel into the USA without a Visa must either have a Machine Readable Passport or if your passport was issued on/after 26 October 2006, an "e-Passport" (biometric passport) which contains an integrated chip. All travellers must obtain authorisation - known as ESTA - to ensure you are able to travel into the USA.
The USA have recently made changes to their entry requirements for those who have a dual nationality passport with a country which is eligible under the U.S. visa waiver programme and a passport issued by IRAN, IRAQ, SUDAN or SYRIA. These customers will no longer be able to enter the US under the ESTA visa waiver programme. In addition those who have visited these countries since 1 March 2011 will not be able to use an ESTA. Instead please contact yoru local US Embassy to apply for a visa.
To complete your ESTA application, go to the official website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. There is a fee of $14 for your ESTA. If you use an unofficial website the charge may be significantly more. Your ESTA application can be done at any time but no less than 72 hours prior to travel. Once granted authorisation is valid for 2 years. For further information regarding ESTA as well as details about Visa requirements go to ttp://www.usembassy.org.uk/ or contact the American Embassy on 09068 200290 (60p/min).
All Visa Waiver Passengers will be finger scanned and their pictures taken upon arrival in the USA. This will take place during the inspection with US Customs & Border Protection who will use an inkless digital finger scanner to electronically capture the left & right index fingers of the traveller. A digital photograph of the traveller will also be taken. The process usually takes an average of 15 seconds and should not inconvenience or delay arrival into the USA.
Screening of passenger’s baggage includes opening luggage after check in and therefore leaving bags unlocked will avoid the potential need for them to be opened forcibly. However travellers may be provided with free, padlock-like seals that screeners can snip open if a search is necessary but, if unavailable, travellers are advised to use cable or zip ties as an alternative to baggage locks. If a checked bag is searched, a statement to that effect will be inserted in the bag to notify the owner and the bag will be re-sealed. Travellers are advised to check with their baggage insurance provider to ensure that such measures do not affect their policy.
The following packing tips are advisable but for other tips, check out www.tsatraveltips.us:
Visa and security requirements are subject to frequent and sudden change. It is therefore important that you check the Embassy’s public information regularly and well in advance of your planned travel date.
This information is for general guidance only. Travellers requiring further specific information or clarification are advised to call the US Embassy’s Live Operator Information Service 09055 444546 (calls charged at £1.30 per minute) or visit the US Embassy website on www.usembassy.org.uk
No, a valid UK driving licence is required for car rental. Minimum driver age is 20 years.
We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance that covers you for all the experiences and activities that you plan to do on holiday. For details of our suggested travel insurance offered by Travel & General Insurance Services Limited click here.
All villas and apartments have a living/dining area, one master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a second/guest bathroom, ample wardrobe space usually with “walk-in closets” and a fully equipped American kitchen (except 1 bed apts, studios & suites). Homes will normally accommodate a maximum of 2 people in each bedroom plus possibly a further 2 using a sofabed. Our typical detached villas average around 1400 to 1700 square feet for 3 bedroom homes and 1600 to well over 2000 sq.ft. for 4 bedroom homes. The typical size can be even greater if there is a second living area. These figures exclude pool areas! Our 2 bedroom apartments average over 1000 square feet, 3 bedroom apartments average over 1400 square feet.