Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

We are on hand to answer all of your questions about Across the Pond Vacation’s services and about travel in the UK and Ireland so please don’t hesitate to contact us. But since we get many questions again and again, we figured we might be able to save you a call with this list of Frequently Asked Questions.

We certainly appreciate how much is done online these days. But if you are seeking an immersive experience, a thoughtful journey, and memories to last a lifetime, then Across the Pond Vacations is for you. Did you know that the average amount of time it takes to organize a vacation is anywhere from 30 to 60 hours? We take all that work off your hands, from beginning to end. From the moment we begin to discuss your trip until you return and share your feedback, Across the Pond Vacations handles every detail. We walk beside you each step of the way ensuring you have everything you need, from all travel arrangements to minute details and helpful tips once you arrive. We begin by discussing with you the type of tour you wish to have, where you want to go, what you would like to see, and how you prefer to travel. From there, we begin to design, mold, and sculpt the ideal itinerary, tailor-made just for you. We then work closely with our local, overseas providers who will be personally selected as the best fit for you and your trip. Our goal is to go above and beyond for each and every guest. This personalization and service is not something that can be found online. We take care of all the details… you enjoy the experience. The result is a journey of discovery, relaxation, and adventure. 

It is always a good time to visit the UK and Ireland. But there are certain benefits of traveling at different times. Summer months will likely have the best weather, but they will also likely have the most crowds (and higher prices). Shoulder months are particularly good to reduce the number of children traveling (as they’re in school) and still have quite nice weather. Winter months may be colder, but you will likely find better prices and less crowding during these months. Balancing better weather, fewer crowds, and fair prices can be tricky, so please speak to one of our Destination Specialists for more information. 

When you are ready to move forward with confirming your trip, we will require a signed Contract, Terms & Conditions, and a 30% deposit (if your trip departure date is more than 90 days away). If your trip departure falls within 90 days of signing your paperwork, full payment will be due.

Final balance payments are due no less than 90 days from your date of departure.

Toggle ContentIf you prefer to pay via credit card, we accept VISA, MasterCard, or Discover. (We can take American Express, but an additional merchant fee will be added to the cost.) We also accept personal checks and (EFT) electronic fund transfers. For more information, please reference our Terms & Conditions or ask one of our Destination Specialists.

Unfortunately, we cannot work with mileage or points. However, in some cases, points or mileage may be earned. Please ask one of our Destination Specialists for more details. 

Absolutely! In fact, we are happy to specifically custom design your tour to provide both amusement and education (for all ages). There are some attractions which may not be suitable for younger children. Just let us know if you plan on traveling with children, their ages, their interests, and we’ll tailor a tour that will ensure everybody is happy.

Definitely. In fact, sometimes the best journeys we take are taken alone. These experiences can be  very rewarding. (We ask that you please keep in mind that the prices quoted on our website are per person and are based on double occupancy.) Your customized itinerary will be tailored for a solo traveler.

Yes! In fact, if you’re interested in flying Premium, Business, or First Class, we can often provide you with a better rate than you might find online. Simply ask your Destination Specialist.

We can for our American clients and are happy to provide you with a quotation. We typically work with TravelGuard, Travelex, or Allianz. For our international clients (e.g., Canada, etc.) wherever you call home, we recommend the purchase of travel insurance for your trip. (Be sure to purchase a policy within 14 days of your first trip payment – be it your land tour or airfare.)

Yes and no. While the U.K. and Ireland are our primary destinations, we can also include travel to and around Paris, France. Paris is a popular location to visit from London via the “chunnel.” If you wish to add-on a different location (Iceland, Germany, etc.), just let us know and we’d be happy to recommend a great Destination Specialist for any of those countries. 

Quite likely, yes. Some of the finer hotels are now offering American/Canadian outlets, but you are well-advised to bring a small electricity outlet converter. 

We cannot, but we do have recommendations of how to go about doing so. Please visit our Helpful Information page for more information.

If you’ve never done it before, driving on the left side of the road can feel a bit awkward at first. But we’ll do everything we can to ease you in. We will ensure that you have a car with an automatic shift. We also provide a Driving Infographic and Rules of the Road (which we recommend you study before departure). Most of our clients who drive for the first time in Ireland or Great Britain say they acclimate within about an hour. (We also ensure you have Collision/Damage Waiver insurance included with your car rental for when those side mirrors “go missing.”)

Ireland and the United Kingdom are both known for having beautiful, lush, green scenery. The reason for this… rain! These are island nations, and therefore are subject to varying temperatures, often within a short time span. Please reference our Helpful Information page for weather information. But keep in mind that some areas within the U.K. and Ireland can experience four seasons in a day. For clothing, we recommend dressing in layers as the safest bet. And, without question, bring an umbrella. Also, you may also wish to invest in a quality pair of rainboots (a.k.a. Wellington’s or Wellies) to weather muddy terrain, especially if you’re in the countryside. For those dining in finer restaurants, ask us about dress codes. 

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