Travel Update Archives - BEL-AIR GÎTES Charente-Maritime

Travel Advice – Government Sites

Patricia Mc Cartney Bel-Air Gites, Book Now 2021, Confinement in France, Covid-19 safety measures, Safety of our guests, Travel Update, Wish you were here 15th January 202115th January 2021Bel-Air Gites, coronavirus restrictions, covid-19 safety, EHIC and GHIC, Essential Insurance, Safe and Secure, Travel Insurance 0 Comment

Updated Travel Advice – UK, Ireland and France

At Bel-Air Gites we care a great deal about all our family, friends and guests who come out to visit us every year. And we understand that the ongoing press reports and COVID-19 variations are a cause for concern which is why we want to keep you up to date with the latest travel advice. We are closely monitoring the coronavirus situation across various websites for advice on travelling in and around Europe.

Travel advice - Family of frogs in a caravan

Travel restrictions

Since the beginning of the year the UK is no longer a member of the European Union (EU) which means that, even without the Covid issues, there would be different rules for travelling. In addition, because of the rising number of cases of COVID particularly across Europe, all countries have imposed stricter travel restrictions to try and contain the spread of the virus.

Holiday Insurance

We would like to reassure everyone that’s already booked their summer holidays with Bel-Air Gites, and all those who have made enquiries, that we are still open for business and taking bookings for summer 2021. Obviously if the situation changes then we will contact all concerned parties to discuss any new or existing bookings. We encourage all our guests to purchase the necessary insurance when they make any arrangements for travelling. This year it is vitally important that your travel insurance covers you for cancellations. And your car insurance also needs to cover European travel for the full period that you are staying and travelling in Europe.

Remember to bring your driving licence, log book (V5C) and valid insurance documents if you are taking your own car. You will need to contact your insurer six weeks before you travel to get a green card that will prove you have insurance.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are planning a holiday in a country in the European Union (EU), and you already have a valid EHIC, then the card can still be used until it’s expiry date. The EHIC covers you for medical treatment if you fall ill or have an accident in any EU country where the scheme is accepted.

What is the GHIC?

If you don’t have a valid EHIC card then you can apply for the new Global Heath Insurance Card (GHIC). This replaces the EHIC for the majority of UK citizens. Only apply for the card on official government sites. It’s free but some unofficial sites may charge you. The GHIC can take a couple of weeks to come through so make sure you apply in plenty of time.

Passports

Your current passport will be valid as long as it is less than 10 years old and has six months left before it runs out. If your passport is due to run out then make sure you apply in plenty of time before your holiday start date.

If you are travelling from the UK then sadly you can no longer use EU fast-track passport control and customs lanes. Also, when you arrive in an EU country you should be prepared to show your return ticket. So keep all your documents close at hand.

Travel Advice in Europe - Taking care of teddy with face mask — Keep Safe

Safety of our guests

The health and safety of our guests has always been – and always will be – one of our highest priorities. At Bel-Air Gites we want you and your family to enjoy your holiday. We also want you feel safe whilst you are here. This is why we provide lots of Covid-19 travel advice and information when you make a booking. There is also detailed information about the French COVID-19 rules in all our gites. And in addition we have implemented some changes of our own, including flexible check-in dates, and allocated areas.

If you have any concerns about travelling this summer, please get in touch with us. Alternatively, you can go to the following websites for up-to-date travel advice.

Safety of our guests at Bel-Air Gites

Patricia Mc Cartney Bel-Air Gites, Covid-19 safety measures, Everything you need, Safety of our guests, Travel Update, Wish you were here 20th August 202026th August 2020Bel-Air Gites, Booking your family holiday, Safety Measures, Safety of our guests 0 Comment

New measures in place for the safety of our guests

Wherever you go on holiday you want it to be relaxing and safe. In France the government, health organisation and tourism departments are continually updating the information and advice for businesses in all areas. But for the hospitality sector, there are specific measures that must be in place to ensure the safety of our guests.

At present hotels, gites, campsites and other types of accommodation are open without restriction across France. However, all accommodation must adhere to the strict health guidelines issued by the government.

Our priority

The health and safety of our guests has always been – and always will be – one of our highest priorities. At Bel-Air Gites we want you and your family to enjoy your holiday, and we also want you feel safe whilst you are here. This is why we provide lots of Covid-19 travel advice and information when you make a booking, and in all our gites. And it’s the reason why we have implemented some changes of our own.

Flexible check-in dates

You can now check-in on any day of the week. This helps you make travel arrangements which fit in with your busy schedules. So you can travel on dates and times that suit you. It also means that we don’t have all our guests checking-in and out on the same days, which is safer for all our guests. We also have a minimum of 24 hours between check-out and check-in for each gite. This gives us plenty of time to do a thorough clean and change-over, with less risk to ourselves and our guests.

Allocated areas

The safety of our guests and everyone that works at Bel-Air Gites is our priority, and therefore we must impose some restrictions. We have worked extremely hard to try to ensure that the restrictions do not take away from your enjoyment of your holiday.

In the summer months the pool is our guests’ favourite location, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy it. With this in mind, we will now be allocating each gite their own area by the pool, with their own sun loungers. All of the sun loungers will be disinfected every evening, and we will also provide disinfectant for guests to use during the day.

There is a limit of 10 people in the pool area at any one time. So we ask all guests to be mindful of other guests, who might be waiting to use the pool. And please make sure that you take all of your belongings – toys, inflatables and pool towels – back to your gite.

Toys and Games

Unfortunately the Play Barn will remain closed for the foreseeable future. This is because we do not feel that we can guarantee that all games, toys and surfaces can be thoroughly disinfected every night, and during the day. However, each gite will have their own box of DVDs and games which can be used for the duration of the holiday.

The playground and trampoline are still open, and it is up to parents to decide if their children can use them or not. The equipment will be disinfected every evening, and and we will also provide disinfectant for guests to use during the day.

Days out

Obviously there are restrictions in place for all businesses and you need to bear this in mind when you are planning your days out. Cafes, bars and restaurants are open and everybody must comply with the social distancing measures in place. Wearing a mask is compulsory in enclosed public spaces for anyone aged 11 and over. And you must use the hand-gels provided.

If you are planning to travel on public transport you shouldn’t have any problems, as long as you follow the guidelines and wear a mask. Trains, buses, trams and all the stations have safety measures in place to protect members of the public and their staff.

So I’m sure you will agree that wherever you go in France you will be safe. And there is nowhere that you will feel safer than here at Bel-Air Gites in the Charente-Maritime.

Just ask

If you still have questions about your stay here with us then get in touch. Because at Bel-Air Gites we want to assure you that the safety of our guests is really important to us. Just ask. We are here to help.

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Family-friendly holidays in the Charente-Maritime

Our Commitment to you

Patricia Mc Cartney Travel Update, WHO World Health Organization 16th March 202016th March 2020Bel-Air Gites, Our Priority 1 Comment

Bel-Air Gites – Our Commitment

Dear Guests

We are continuously monitoring the ever-changing circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic (coronovirus) and can assure you that our commitment and responsibility to our guests and everyone involved with Bel-Air Gites has never been stronger.

As responsible gites owners, we are following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), and all relevant authorities, for country-specific requirements to ensure the actions we take are comprehensive and suitable.

Your safety as well as the safety of our Bel-Air Gites team members are our highest priority. Please be assured that we are doing our utmost to provide a safe environment for you, your family and friends before, during and after your stay with us. Thank you for your continued loyalty and trust in Bel-Air Gites in these difficult times.

If you have any questions about bookings or travel, please do not hesitate to contact us

Welcome. Bienvenue! Patricia and Paul extend a very warm, Irish welcome to you at Bel-Air gîtes. When we finally made up our minds to make a new life in the sun it wasn’t a difficult decision choosing to live in the Charente-Maritime. We simply loved the climate and the diversity of its culture and landscape. Already a favourite with holiday makers for many years, we took over the well-established Bel-Air gîtes complex in 2010. It already had an excellent reputation for being child-friendly and this was something we could relate to and wanted to continue to be recognised for. Our exciting adventure began at the beginning of July 2010. One summer here at Bel-Air was enough to convince us that we had definitely made the right decision to change our lifestyle and make new friends in this incredibly beautiful region of France. We think you will love it too.

Bel-Air Gites

The Bel-Air gites complex offers four individual gîtes (holiday cottages) and a large farmhouse. Each sleep between 4 and 6 guests and are decorated in a traditional French provincial style. Original stone walls keep the properties cool day and night during the hot summer months and all our accommodation is comfortable, amply furnished and well-equipped - including UK and French TV channels. WiFi is available throughout at no extra cost. Essential baby and toddler equipment is also provided for use during your stay FREE of charge. Each gîte has its own private patio area and BBQ making it the perfect place to wind down, enjoy a glass of wine, or excellent local Cognac, and watch the sun setting across the fields.

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