Quality Holidays For Single Parent Families

Single Parent Holiday - Sample Itinerary

Please note this is only a sample itinerary, flight timings and other itinerary information stated on this page may be subject to change.

Hotel Vila Gale Nautico - Algarve

SAMPLE TRAVEL ITINERARY - Portugal 2007 

Hotel Vila Galé Náutico, Armação de Péra, Algarve, Portugal

TRAVEL ITINERARY

 Your Small Families Host for this holiday is Kam

Your Small Families Hosts, whilst not carers or childminders are friendly, but unobtrusive and mostly work behind the scenes.  They look after any travel arrangements, act as hosts at dinner and activities (where applicable), liaise with local agents/guides regarding any group excursions that may be requested and generally make sure that everything runs as it should.  Your host will of course, also help resolve any problems you may have whilst on holiday.

 TRAVEL ADVICE

LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE
Your luggage allowance for this flight is 20 kg per person (except for infants who do not have an allowance).  You may be charged by the airline for any excess luggage.  Please Note:  Recently a maximum weight restriction has been imposed of 32kg for any one piece of luggage; any piece of luggage in excess of 32kg will not be carried by the airline.

HAND LUGGAGE (Important, please read)
There are strict regulations regarding the size of hand luggage allowed to be carried in the cabin. The maximum dimensions are as follows: 22” (56cm) long, 18” (45cm) wide and 10” (25cm) deep.  All bags larger than this must be checked in. Strict regulations also apply on what can and cannot be carried in hand luggage. As the regulations can change at short notice, we recommend you visit www.baa.com shortly before your holiday to check on any security updates.

Once your luggage is checked in at the airport, you will not have access to it again until you are in Portugal. We therefore recommend that you carry any medication and refreshments that you or your children may need, in your hand luggage. 

IN-FLIGHT MEALS
Please note:  In-flight refreshments are available for purchase on board Monarch scheduled services but they are at extra cost and not included in the cost of your holiday.

LUGGAGE LABELS
Please ensure that the enclosed 'Small Families' luggage labels are clearly visible on each piece of luggage, especially your hand luggage, for easy recognition by Small Families staff and your fellow travellers. Remember that when you arrive at the airport, everyone displaying these labels are your companions for the week so please introduce yourselves.

(IMPORTANT INFORMATION)
AIRCRAFT SEATING: Occasionally a situation occurs where aircraft seating procedures splits up family members, please check the seat allocation on your boarding card when issued at check-in to ensure you and your family members are seated together.  To avoid this risk, please try to arrive for check-in in plenty of time. 

CHECK IN
Check-In is at London Luton and we recommend you do so no less than 2 hours before the published flight departure (please allow for traffic delays).  On arrival at the airport do please check the TV monitors for full and up to date information.

Your Small Families host will already be in Portugal, however you will be met at Check-In by a Small Families Representative.  Monarch Airlines are known for opening check in desks early, so if you arrive and check in over 3 hours before departure time your Small Families host may not yet have arrived.  In case of problems (on day of travel only), please call mobile telephone number -----------------

MEETING POINT IN DEPARTURES
We suggest you meet up with your fellow travellers in the seating area near ‘GameGrid’ in the departure lounge approximately 1 hour before the flight departure time.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid passport.  If you are travelling on a British or Irish passport they must be valid for the duration of your stay.  You will not need a visa, however other passports may be different in which case you should contact the Portuguese Embassy on Tel: 0870 0056970. Children, including babies, who are not already included on a valid 10 year passport will need to hold their own passport to travel abroad.

Where a visa is not required passports must be valid at least for duration of your stay.

If names given to us at time of booking are not the same as your passport (middle names excepting) please advise us immediately, any charges made to us will unfortunately have to be passed on to you.   Note: Airlines use the title Ms for all adult females.

CURRENCY
The official unit of currency in Portugal is the Euro.  Major Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and in some of the larger souvenir shops and Restaurants.

ARRIVAL IN PORTUGAL
On arrival into Faro, you will first have to pass through Passport Control before reaching the Baggage Hall where you can collect your luggage from the carousel (trolleys are available).  Once you have your luggage you should pass through the "Blue - EU" exit. As you enter the Arrivals Hall please turn left where a Small Families local representative will be waiting to direct you to the transport for the 45 minute transfer to the Hotel Vila Galé Náutico.

TIME DIFFERENCE  - Portugal operates on the same time band as the UK.

First Day – You will arrive at the Hotel at around 11.00 hrs, after allowing time for everyone to freshen-up, we suggest meeting up for lunch, your host will confirm time and venue.

Day One – Breakfast is served in the Restaurant.  Those who wish to breakfast together should meet your Small Families Host at 9.00am, this is by no means obligatory and should you wish to dine earlier or later then that is fine.

Return Travel Day –Your host will inform you of the final day arrangements during the week.

LAST DAY
As a guide, the bus for transfer to the airport will leave the hotel at approx 07.00 but more exact information will be given to you the night before.

IMPORTANT:  To avoid any misplaced or forgotten luggage, please ensure you see your luggage onto the bus before departure.

ALL INCLUSIVE WRIST BAND – On arrival, wrist bands will be placed on you and your children for complete access to the All Inclusive facilities.  This will be removed when you check out of the hotel.

ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE FEATURES: - All meals; drinks and snacks – Unlimited local beers, wines and soft drinks until 11:00 pm – Daily activities program. – Entertainment program featuring local acts and hotel entertainment team. – Sunbeds and sunshades – Kids Club, Activities programme for children (Age 4-12yrs)

OTHER FACILITIES NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGE – Doctor Service – Telephone – Safety Deposit boxes (in room).

NOTE:  Major credit cards accepted: Diner’s club, American Express, Master Card and Visa.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES - These are available in the hotel room at a cost of €2.50 per day.

HAIR DRYERS - These are available in the room.

TOWELS - Are supplied in the rooms.  Pool towels are not supplied.

POSTAGE - You can purchase postcards in the hotel or at local souvenir shops, stamps should be purchased at the same time. Postage for cards back to UK is 55 Cents (39p)

TELEPHONES - There are telephones in each room.  Please note the charges before making international calls.  To call the UK, dial 00 44 (0) 1767 650312 (You miss out the bracketed 0).  The telephone number for the hotel when calling from the UK is 00 351 282 310000

CLIMATE and CLOTHING - Portugal enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.  The coastal resorts are hot and sunny from mid-May to mid-September, though at either end of the season the evenings can be a bit chilly.  The following chart shows the average daily maximum temperatures for the Algarve.

From June to September lightweight cottons are best.  Remember also a long sleeved shirt and sun hat to protect against the strong midday sunshine.

EXCURSIONS – Whilst we do not openly promote excursions we can arrange for our agent Viva Travel to advise you of what is available should you wish to see more of the area.  NOTE: - Should you book excursions independently with outside companies we cannot guarantee the quality of the excursion and this will be at your own risk.

SUNBEDS - You will find plenty of sunloungers around the hotel grounds, which can be used free of charge.

POWER SUPPLY - 200v/50hz is standard.  An adapter for two-pin sockets will be needed.

KIDS CLUB - The club is open daily at 10.30 to 17.30.  Children aged 4 – 12 years.

MEDICAL CARE - Medical Care is available under the EEC) reciprocal agreement EHIC (formally the E111 form). You can apply for EHIC cover at any Post Office or online at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers.  This however does not remove the need for you to be fully insured for medical risks as it only covers some emergency treatments.  You should not leave home without adequate insurance, preferably including cover for an emergency flight home in the event of serious injury or illness.

HEALTH HAZARDS - The main health hazard in Portugal is sunburn.  Take a sun hat, sunglasses, plenty of high-factor sunscreen and drink water regularly. It is advisable to limit your sunbathing sessions to an hour or less until you begin to tan.  Sunburn can seriously ruin your holiday.

HEALTH CLUB – The hotel has a health club with massage, steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi.

And finally…worth remembering

The Tourist's Ten Commandments

• Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou hast left them at home, for thou hast left home to find things different
   
• Thou shalt not take anything too seriously, for a carefree attitude is the basis for a fine holiday.
   
• Thou shalt not allow other tourists to get on thy nerves, for thou art paying good money to enjoy thyself
   
• Remember to take only half the clothes thou thinkest thou needest and twice the money
   
• Know at all times where thy passport is, for a person without a passport is a person without a country.
   
• Remember that if we had been meant to stay in one place, we would have been created with roots.
   
• Thou shalt not worry, for he who worrieth hath no pleasure
   
• When in Portugal thou shalt be prepared to do somewhat as the locals.
   
• Thou shalt not judge the people of a country by one person who hath given thee grief.
   
• Remember, thou art a guest in other lands and he that treateth his host with respect, shall be honoured

We wish you a most enjoyable holiday in Portugal