With news changing daily at the moment, it’s easy to think it’s a big bad world out there. It feels like we wake up to tragedies and monstrosities, deals being brokered while others simply feel broken. We’re not using this as a sales tool to say ‘go find the good stuff’, because we aren’t the type of company that just wants to put a sticking plaster over the reality of world travel right now. What we want to do is reassure you we’ve got your back in these uncertain times. If travel is your way of switching off from the daily news onslaught for a while, so that you can seek mindfulness in peaceful places, here are ways in which we can protect you, respect you and in so doing, gently encourage you to shut out the noise for a while.
No question is too stupid
One of the most important aspects of taking on one of our self-guided holidays is that, although you may feel like it’s just you travelling, there’s an invisible hand guiding you throughout. From the moment you engage one of our adventure specialists, and they are accessible to you in office hours, you’ll see that no question is ever too stupid, especially when it comes to safety concerns. Even though, when you get there, you will still have that feeling of independent travel. We are all travellers at The Natural Adventure, and we recognise that people can feel vulnerable about all sorts of different aspects. Please be patient and polite with our team and rest assured, we hear you, and we’re here for you.
On the ground support
As well as our office experts, we have partners on the ground who offer 24/7 support from the moment you arrive. As well as handling your luggage, providing trip notes and GPX tech wonders, they are there to listen, advise and act immediately in the event of an emergency. At the same time, we have plenty of advice on how to adventure safely and responsibly, both in our blogs and in our trip notes that you receive a few weeks before departure. For example, check out our blogs on Safety tips while hiking in the mountains, Tips on walking responsibly and Safety tips for winter walking.
Keeping your money protected
In uncertain times, we also know that travel companies can flounder under pressure. We’ve no intention of going anywhere, however, having survived the pandemic and other world events that hit the travel industry. We are a small company without vast assets, and so we’re standing strong. We know how to climb mountains after all. You can take our word for it, but of course you also want to know about the legal protection stuff. The Natural Adventure is a registered Tour Operator and Tour Agent, European Union license No. PK-01-7935, bonded by mandatory Public/Product Liability Insurance (also known as Tour Operator insurance), policy No. 13160190900000001 issued by Allianz Insurance. We fully comply with the EU Package Travel Directive (2015/2302/EU). In accordance with these regulations, all clients booking with us are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequent prepayments, including repatriation if required arising from cancellation or curtailment of your holiday due to our insolvency.
Comprehensive insurance for uncertain times
We’re not catastrophising in any way but, during uncertain times such as we are witnessing, it’s a good reminder to always read your travel insurance small print. And not leave it until the last minute. A comprehensive and reputable travel insurance policy is essential to your enjoyment and peace of mind while on an adventure holiday, in good times and not so good. When travelling with us, all group members and solo travellers should have valid travel insurance, including cover for all activities on your trip. In particular, you want to check the wording regarding civil unrest or terrorist acts, especially if there has been any such activity in recent times.
You can choose whichever insurance company you want, of course. However, we do recommend Signature Travel Insurance, which allows you to insure against a wide array of issues. For complete peace of mind, we also recommend combining it with Global Rescue, the worldwide leader in field rescue, evacuation and security extraction services. It has impressive in-app communications, geo-located check-ins, and immediate access to emergency assistance. Read more about both of these here and get a quote online.
If you’re travelling from the UK or Europe, please note that an EHIC and GHIC are not alternatives to travel insurance as they do not cover any private medical healthcare costs, repatriation or additional costs such as mountain rescue. The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth give detailed guidance on travel insurance here.
Keeping things flexible
If something comes up in the news which makes you think that you should postpone your holiday, talk with us first, and then also check with your foreign advice centre, such as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. However, we also have pretty flexible booking terms and conditions. If we have to change or cancel your trip, you have various options, including an immediate full refund in case you are not happy with a material change that we have made to the trip. Such as cancelling trips to a certain destination. Whatever the issue, you can change or cancel your trip for any reason and, in this case, our Booking Terms & Conditions apply – but they are pretty flexible. For most trips there is a cancellation fee, which varies depending on how close to your travel time you have to cancel.
It’s also a good idea to buy your travel insurance as soon as you have booked, as many policies will reimburse you if you need to cancel. However, this insurance policy should have a specific clause for cancelling for any reason before departure, as standard travel insurance doesn’t always have this. Please note that if there has been a travel ban on a destination, or a serious event that can impact on our customers, we will review all trips to that place and make a call on refunds or credit notes, depending on the event.
Perceptions of American citizens
We have been greatly saddened recently when chatting with many of our American customers who are wary of travelling to Europe, because of what they believe to be negative perceptions of American nationals. We’re not talking a handful, but this is a serious concern for many. We want to assure all our customers that everyone is welcome to the adventure party, and if our American friends are heading from home to other parts of the world, the likelihood is that they’re outward-looking people seeking peace in nature. We will do everything we can to support that, and we are confident that other non-US adventurers will do the same when meeting them. Staying clear of US politics is a good way to let them enjoy their escape.
Protests and civil unrest
Political protests are more and more prolific which, as long as they’re peaceful of course, is always a good thing. However, in some countries they can become violent whether that’s by the protesters or by authorities trying to stop them. Protests are often a lot more isolated than they might come across on the news, however, and so it’s always important to check foreign office advice and see if your journey will pass through any affected areas.
For more information, we can’t stress enough that safety is always our number one priority for travellers, and our team members are here to help. We’re not bots, we’re humans who can assuage your fear from the get go, or advise you to time your trip in a way that may be more comfortable for you. So don’t hesitate to contact us, and let’s also not let the baddies stop us travelling. As proponents of responsible travel, we fundamentally believe that travel is a global movement that promotes peace. You may also enjoy our blogs, Overcoming the fear of solo travel and Top tips for achieving mindfulness on holiday.
