Help & Advice

Useful Tips

Electrical Hook Ups

The mains lead for use on UK sites has a blue three-pin plug and socket. There are many continental sites, particularly in France and Spain, that still use 2-pin plugs. To use the electrical hook-up at 2-pin sites, you will need a short length of lead with a 2-pin plug at one end and a blue socket at the other. All good accessory shops sell continental site hook-up adaptors.

We also recommend that you take a mains polarity tester to determine if you have reversed polarity.

If this is the case, electricity will come into your caravan through the neutral wire and could render appliances live and give you a lethal shock.

To avoid such problems you should also take a polarity reverser connection, which is a continental adaptor with live and neutral wires reversed at one end. You should be aware that the electricity supply in parts of France and other countries is not always constant and this can effect the efficiency of electrical appliances. It is possible that on any site in this brochure you may be up to 25 metres from the electric hook-up point, so we advise you take a good supply of cable.

Gas Supply

Many campers, caravanners and motorhome owners use LPG of which there are two types: butane and propane. Each has broadly similar properties but there are a couple of differences which it is worth being aware of. Butane produces heat more efficiently but its one disadvantage is that it cannot change from liquid to gas when the temperature is around freezing. Propane however is efficient down to -40 degrees C. so is better for winter use. Each type of gas needs a different regulator.

When transporting LPG it is important to keep it in an upright position to avoid the risk of leaks from the valve, and tanks must be less than 80% full.

Pets

In 2000 we saw the launch of a Pets Passport pilot scheme which allows cats and dogs to be taken abroad without requiring a period of quarantine on their return to UK. Costs of the necessary microchip, vaccinations and a blood test are around £150-£200. 

Most of the cross-channel operators will allow passengers to take their pets on board for a small charge. However, the animals are required to stay locked in the vehicles throughout the voyage.

If you are considering taking your pet on holiday with you, we recommend that you consult the DEFRA web site which gives detailed and regular updates as to the latest developments. www.defra.gov.uk

Passports and Visas

Don’t forget to check that your passport is up to date. You’ll need one for all the countries featured in our brochure.

If you need a new one they’re available from your nearest passport office (£51) and take about a month to arrive. If you need your passport in less than 2 weeks you must make an appointment at your local passport office by phoning the UKPS Adviceline on 0870 521 0410. If you’re a non-EC passport holder you may need a visa and the embassies of the countries concerned can advise you on this.

Rules governing children’s passports changed in October 1998. Everyone now needs their own passport to travel abroad, including children, right from birth*. Any child already on a parent’s passport will not be affected until the document needs to be renewed or the child reaches the age of 16.

New regulations in Holland now state that everybody from the age of 14 is required to carry their own valid passport at all times.

*Parents must apply on the child’s behalf for the new passport which will cost £34 and is valid for 5 years. (For more information www.ukpa.gov.uk).

Foreign Currency

The Euro is now legal tender in all the countries in which we operate holidays except to Switzerland.  Pound sterling remains the legal tender in the UK.  It’s worth taking some foreign currency with you for when you first arrive, but large amounts of cash are inadvisable.  Credit cards are useful for payments at supermarkets, petrol stations and restaurants – remember you’ll need to know your pin number!  Switch and Maestro cards are accepted at cash points; there is usually a charge of about £1.50 for withdrawing money.

In case of problems

If you happen to have a problem or a complaint whilst you are on holiday, as a first course of action we advise you to speak to the site reception about it. If you do not feel that they are doing enough to resolve the problem, please phone us during office hours on 08709 040 030. Wherever possible we will always try to resolve a problem immediately so that you are able to continue your holiday without disruption.

Gas Powered Cars

Please note that some cross channel operators refuse to carry gas powered cars. Please phone for details if required.

Health and Requirements

At the time of going to press, there were no specific health requirements for the countries in which we operate. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office produces up-to-date travel information to help British travellers make informed decisions about travelling abroad. For further information please visit www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or telephone 0870 606 0290.