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Frequently Asked Questions – Covid 19

Testing Vaccinations and Quarantine

Will I need to have had the COVID-19 vaccination to be allowed to travel with Quo Vadis Holidays?

 

All guests travelling with Quo Vadis Holidays from January 01 2022 will need to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of a current and valid COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose given at least 14 days prior to the start of the tour, to your Travel Director or Wellbeing Director upon arrival.

Please note that guests will also need to comply with specific requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, which may be more restrictive than above.

This policy is subject to change at any time, without notice.

How much time will be taken out of my holiday for required Covid testing?

Your Tour Director will be on hand to help facilitate any required testing whilst on your trip, with as minimal inconvenience as possible. Test requirements vary by destination; you will be informed with the latest updates on country requirements prior to and during the trip. It is important to note that any testing will be at the expense of the guest.

How will Quo Vadis Holidays be assisting with any mandatory testing required pre, during and post travel?

Any testing that is required pre travel will be the responsibility of the guest to organise, as these requirements will be in accordance with airline policies, and the entry requirements of the destination you are travelling to. During your tour, your  Tour Director will facilitate any mandatory testing and this will be done with as little impact as possible to your experience. This testing will be at the expense of the guest. Any testing required post travel will again be the responsibility of the guest to organise.

How can I show you that I have been vaccinated?

You may be asked to show an authentic COVID-19 vaccination certificate (electronic or paper showing date and time of the vaccination(s)) with the final dose given at least 14 days before the start of your tour, to your Tour Director upon arrival and before joining the tour. We recommend taking a picture of any paper vaccination certificates in case of loss of the original. Certain destinations may also require you to fill out additional forms online which we shall advise of beforehand if required.

If someone in my group tests positive for Covid-19, who pays for the 14 days of quarantine in a hotel and the associated additional expenses like food, etc?

Quo Vadis Holidays highly recommends you obtain travel insurance to cover situations such as these. Unexpected events can happen when you travel, like an accident or illness during your trip (such as Covid-19), which can bring additional personal risks and costs. We offer several insurance plans, or you can choose to buy travel insurance from another provider. If you choose the latter, please be sure you are covered for the complete dates of your tour and please validate that you have the appropriate level of coverage in the currency for your country of origin, in the following categories: Trip interruption; (to cover the cost of your trip, including air); Trip Delay; Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation; Medical Expenses from illness (covering individual or pandemic event; etc.)

I have already received my vaccination, will I still need to comply with testing?

Depending on the airline you travel with, you may be required to show proof of vaccination and/or testing, and similarly the destination you are travelling to may have specific requirements with regards to the vaccine and / or testing.

Is there a specific brand of vaccine that I would need to take in order to be considered vaccinated by Quo Vadis Holidays, or in a specific destination?

No. Airlines and destinations are not specifying that passengers / visitors must have a specific brand of vaccine, if they have a vaccination policy in place.

What extra steps do I need to take prior to traveling, and how much more will it cost me?

In terms of travelling with Quo Vadis Holidays, we highly recommend you purchase travel insurance ahead of your tour that covers you for unexpected events including accident and illness (such as Covid-19). You will also need to fill out our pre-travel Travel Declaration. In terms of testing requirements, vaccine passports etc, most countries are still evolving what their requirements will be, and within the next 90 days there will be significantly more information available. The cost will depend on the country you are travelling to and their specific testing requirements.

Will there be any intermittent testing on longer or multi-country trips?

Your  Tour Director will facilitate any testing requirements while you are on tour. Currently testing requirements differ from country to country so the situation is still unclear. Rest assured, your Tour Director will clearly communicate what is required and what you need to do while you are on tour, and as policies are confirmed we will of course keep guests informed and up to date.

What happens if I test positive before flying home, or upon re-entering my home country?

If you test positive for Covid-19 prior to flying home, you will need to quarantine in that country for the required number of days as stipulated by your local government. In this situation, your Tour Director will defer to the advice of the local authorities, but please be assured we will be able to make necessary arrangements for your accommodations, keep in touch with you and support you until you are able to return home. Any costs incurred for having to quarantine will be your and/or your insurance provider’s responsibility, which is why we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before your tour begins. 

If you test positive upon re-entering your home country once your trip is complete, you will need to follow the guidelines as stipulated by your local government.

What does ’fully vaccinated’ actually mean?

Fully vaccinated means that you have had a complete course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days. The day you had your final dose does not count as one of the 14 days. In the future, this may also include any booster shots to keep the vaccine current and valid.

Different countries only accept certain types of vaccines so please ensure you check the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to.

What happens if I test positive on my pre-travel PCR test?

We highly recommend you obtain travel insurance to cover situations such as this. If you test positive on your pre-travel PCR test, you should self-isolate and delay travel as symptoms may well develop, or until you have recovered from COVID-19. You will be unable to join your tour with a positive PCR test and we recommend you contact your local health department and health care provider. Please also contact your Travel Insurer for further details in this situation.

Will the Tour Director be vaccinated?

Yes. Our Travel Directors will be fully vaccinated when you travel with them.

Payments/Monies

If I book my trip and I then need to change my booking, will my money be safe?

Absolutely. Thanks to our risk free and flexible booking conditions, you are free to change your travel plans up to 100 days before your trip is due to depart with a full refund, transfer to another trip or delay until the following year. You can choose new dates and / or a new destination without penalty on the land portion of your trip. Quo Vadis Holidays is a stable and solvent private company despite the difficult circumstances caused by the pandemic.

If I rebook for 2022 and am still unable to travel then, can I get a refund?

You can change your trip and/or departure date up to 100 days before your trip is due to depart without incurring any fees. If you are unable to select a trip, you will receive a credit to be used on a future trip or a full refund. 

If I don’t want to travel by 31 Dec 2022, can I roll my travel credit/booking over to a later date?

If you are unable to travel before 31 December 2022 then yes, you may transfer monies paid to another trip or receive a full refund if you cancelled 100 days or more prior to the tour departure date.

What happens if I purchase a tour but then when I am due to travel, the region or country I am due to visit still has restrictions, or my trip is cancelled due to lockdown?

Thanks to our flexible booking terms, you can secure your dream trip with a fully-refundable deposit (for up to 100 prior to departure) without incurring fees. 

Will we be refunded for missed inclusions?

Please be assured that we are a responsible and conscientious tour operator with a reputation for providing incredible value to our guests. While some inclusions may be subject to change or closures, wherever possible we will find alternative solutions to ensure your experience is still a remarkable one. If there are no appropriate alternatives, we will provide a refund for the cost of that inclusion.

Whilst on Tour

How will Quo Vadis Holidays take care of my health and wellbeing?

When you travel with us, you can rest assured your health and wellbeing are our top priority. Each of our tours is limited to a maximum of just 20-21 guests (or to a maximum of just 25 on “Arctic Circle and Auroras”). Your Tour Director will ensure that all protocols are adhered to, and will provide support and guidance to our guests whilst on tour with us.

Will an entire tour group be considered a pod, or will we all have to distance from each other?

If you travel on one of our small group tours, please note that the number of guests will always adhere to the local guidelines of the places we travel, and we will continue to adapt to regulation changes from health authorities and local governments. 

Trips will always operate with a number of empty seats to allow for extra physical distancing. Adapting to the right size groups, based on government distancing requirements, you can rest assured that you will travel with the comfort of your own personal space. Have peace of mind that all of the experiences, hotels, and restaurants you’ll enjoy on your trip, have been vetted to ensure they adhere to social distancing and hygiene guidelines.

How are the coaches cleaned and maintained to ensure they are germ free?

We continue to follow government guidelines regarding our coaches. Face coverings will be required where mandated, otherwise it is the choice of our guests if they wish to wear face coverings when travelling on the coach. Additionally, all surfaces will be disinfected multiple times per day, and due to our high performing air filters the air within the coach will be completely filtered and changed every 2-3 minutes (faster than most hospital operating theatres).

Will I need to wear a mask the entire time on the tour?

As our first trip for 2022 will not be until August, we do not expect mask mandates to be too common except in very busy areas. You will need to wear a mask whenever your Tour Director advises it is mandatory to do so, and as you wish to do so for your own peace of mind and assurance. Please note that airlines and other establishments may not accept washable cloth masks but only medical masks. All tour groups will be required to comply with local travel requirements, which your Tour Director will clearly explain to you.

Will I be provided with PPE?

Extra masks, hand sanitiser and gloves will be freely available to all guests, at all times. We also advise all guests to bring their own masks to ensure their comfort, and any PPE they require to feel confident and assured.

Will my trip be cancelled if someone in my tour group gets sick?

If someone gets sick while travelling, we are not expecting the tour to be cancelled, however it will depend on the specific situation as we will need to follow the advice of local government and health authorities. Your Tour Director will be on hand to facilitate any required distancing or testing and ultimately, we will take care of you and be with you every step of the way until you are on your flight home.

Will I be provided with a listening device for walking tours and how will these be cleaned after each use?

Where provided, each guest will be provided with their own personal VOX (or similar) head set for the duration or a section of their tour. These are fully sanitized between tours and come prepared in a sealed package, so they cannot be tampered with. Each guest will also receive their own brand new set of ear phones.

Certain attractions will be crowded, how are you going to minimise contact with other travellers who are not part of our group?

Currently many attractions have reduced visitor numbers to allow for appropriate physical distancing and to avoid overcrowding. Should these measures not be in place, your Tour Director will ensure appropriate distancing is maintained.

Will you be adjusting the time spent onboard the coach, or in between rest stops?

It is possible that there will be amends to the days’ timings and itinerary, taking into account new wellbeing protocols and distancing. Rest assured however, that this will not deter from the enjoyment of your tour as Quo Vadis Holidays trips are already designed to have later starts, shorter drives and longer stays, all part of our major points of difference! In the event that we may have to make amends to any planned activities or site visits, we will always provide an alternative that is as good as, if not better, than the original.

How will the Tour Director practice social distancing on the coach?

Our Tour Director will have undergone Covid-19 preparedness training, including the importance of managing physical distancing. For example in Europe/Scandinavia, our Tour Director will be seated at the front of the coach.

What happens if I am in a foreign country and that country then closes their borders due to an outbreak of COVID-19?

If a country closes their borders due to an outbreak while you are travelling with us, your Tour Director will assist every guest to return home safely. If required, they will arrange extra hotel nights for guests who are unable to fly out the same day. 

If your flights were booked independently of us, we can assist you with booking a one-way ticket to return home. Upon your return you would then need to reach out to your insurance company. Any fees incurred would need to be paid by the guest while in destination.

Will you be sharing my contact information with anyone else, such as local health authorities?

Your Travel Director will help make sure all necessary protocols are followed to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our guests. This includes our enhanced screening and hygiene protocols, complying with distancing and other requirements set by government authorities. They are also there to support our guests, answer any questions you may have and to give you peace of mind while travelling in these new times.

What happens if any of the sights or inclusions my group is due to visit are affected by closures while I am on tour?

Because you have chosen to travel with an experienced guided touring company, managing these kinds of scenarios is what we do best. We can assure you that we will adjust your itinerary while still making sure that you have an unforgettable travel experience, that still provides the incredible value we aim for. You will be updated of these changes (if required) as soon as possible, and your Tour Director will also keep you well informed while on tour.

How will the buffet style breakfasts be arranged in light of Covid?

The breakfast set up will vary with each hotel but will always adhere to hygiene protocols and procedures. Some hotels will provide table service while others will provide served buffets (these are not self-service). In all of the hotels we visit, you can be assured that hygiene protocols and procedures have been thoroughly vetted by our team to meet our high levels of satisfaction.

If I book my trip and then certain sites or experiences are suddenly required to close, how will you ensure my experience is not impacted?

Of course. The protocols we have put in place are there to protect you, but we can assure you that you will still have the same incredible Quo Vadis Holidays travel experience as before. Every single itinerary we run is perfectly planned to ensure that you can travel with total ease, combining the perfect blend of must see sites and authentic local experiences. Every aspect of your tour will have been vetted and approved by us, and your Tour Director will be on hand with their personalised approach to ensure that you are well looked after.

Will I need to wear a mask on my flight?

Whether or not you will be required to wear a mask on your flight will depend on the policy of the airline you are flying with. We highly recommend you check the airline’s policies before travelling to ensure you are prepared.