AA Events & Travel, Your Independent Specialist in Holidays, Cruises, Destination Weddings, Honeymoons, Business Travel, Meetings & Events

With so much online nowadays, many people assume booking direct is always easier or cheaper – but that’s not always the case.

Using a travel agent is about far more than just booking a holiday. It’s about:

• Saving time and stress
• Expert knowledge and advice
• ABTA & ATOL protection
• Support if things go wrong
• Personal service
• Access to trusted suppliers and great value packages

Whether it’s a honeymoon, cruise, family holiday, wedding abroad, business trip or group booking, a travel agent helps guide you through the process and takes away the overwhelm of trying to organise everything yourself.

And if flights change, delays happen or problems arise, you have somebody there to help — not just a chatbot or automated email.

Travel should be exciting, not stressful.

You may have seen a lot in the news recently about the new EES (Entry/Exit System) being introduced for travel into Europe, and understandably many people are starting to worry about what it means.

The good news is that for most travellers, it simply means allowing a little more time and being prepared for some additional border checks when entering or leaving certain European countries.

The best advice I can give:

Allow extra time at airports and borders – Especially during busy travel periods as queues may initially be longer whilst the new system settles in.

Make sure your passport is valid and travel documents are correct – Many countries now have stricter passport validity requirements, so always check before travelling.

Do your research – Entry requirements, border systems and travel rules can change, which is where using a travel agent can really help. Having someone there to guide you through the process can remove a lot of unnecessary stress and confusion.

Be prepared for a more digital process – The new system is designed to electronically track entry and exit into the Schengen Area and may involve biometric checks such as fingerprints or facial recognition.

Most importantly, don’t panic.

Travel is absolutely continuing as normal, and millions of people will continue travelling across Europe without issue. Like any new system, there may be a settling-in period, but with a little preparation and planning, it should not stop people enjoying their holidays.

Sometimes having somebody there to help guide you through the changing travel landscape can make all the difference.

Travel insurance is one of the most important parts of any trip, yet it’s often the thing people leave until last or try to cut costs on.

The reality is, travel plans can change unexpectedly. Flight delays, cancellations, lost luggage, illness or medical emergencies can happen whether you’re travelling in the UK or overseas.

Having the right insurance in place can help give valuable peace of mind before you travel.

The best advice I can give:

Arrange travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, not the week before you travel.

Make sure your policy covers the full value of your holiday, including flights, accommodation, cruises and excursions.

Declare any pre-existing medical conditions properly to ensure you are fully covered.

If travelling on a cruise, always check that cruise cover is included.

Read what is and isn’t covered rather than simply choosing the cheapest policy.

Ensure you have cover for cancellations, delays, medical expenses and personal belongings.

Travel should be exciting and enjoyable, and having the right protection in place helps you travel with far greater confidence and reassurance should the unexpected happen.