03 June 2021 – What a long haul it has been through this pandemic, and of course it is not done yet. However, there are grounds for optimism and renewed hope. We have started reviewing which trips might be able to run in 2021.
As always, our top priority is the safety and health of our guests and our in-country partners. We very much look forward to rowing and travelling together again in beautiful places. We know that all of you feel the same, and some of you are feeling ready to do so in 2021. However, we are proceeding cautiously and carefully in our planning. We have a long-term commitment to you, our guests and partners, and to this business.
Considering Travel This Year?
The pandemic has added an additional complication to travel. Travel advisories and restrictions remain in place at the moment, varying with country of origin and as well as your destination. While there is much talk about those being lifted, it is impossible to be sure when that will happen. We understand that if your country has a level four advisory against non-essential travel, it may not be possible to purchase trip cancellation insurance for our tour package and your flight. You may be required to quarantine upon return. Please be sure that you check when making a decision to travel or not. Avail yourself with the best available information. Government websites are the ultimate source of information, airline websites often provide excellent information and travel agents have current information too. We are fond of the Rome2Rio website for travelling planning generally, and we see that they have added advice based on both your origin and destination.
Registration Processes
Please check our Summary of 2021 Trips regularly for updates. Some of the trips listed there are replacement tours for trips which could not run in 2020. Originally both Austrian Lakes and Dordogne were sold out. However, seats are opening up, as those participants make decisions about whether to travel this year or not. We have added trips to Italy and Greece, which have seats available.
We are currently canvasing guests registered on each of our remaining possible 2021 trips. Top priority for any seats which become available goes to guests who registered for any 2020 trip. We are also in the process of contacting those guests. In addition, we have developed a waiting list for any trips which are full. Seats will be offered based on the order that someone expressed interest. All new registrants will be required to pay the deposit – please review our Terms & Conditions.
Two months before a start date is when final payment is normally due. Our plan is to adhere to that in 2021. We will offer as much flexibility as we can.
Before You Get on the Plane or Train
Each participant is responsible for knowing and meeting all vaccination, testing or other requirements for the destination. These can change rapidly and may vary depending on where you live and where you are arriving from. We will help you as much as we can, but this may be an excellent time to book flights and other arrangements through a travel agency.
It is anticipated that the EU green or vaccination pass will be fully operational by 01 July but details are not yet known. You may still need testing before your flights and at the airport in order to avoid quarantine upon arrival. Not all airports or flights offer this, which could be an important factor in making your travel plans. Please check all arrangements carefully before booking flights.
Protocols on the Tour
If we are fortunate enough to be able to travel and row, we want to do it as safely as possible. Each tour will be run in accordance with local and national regulations or requirements regarding mask wearing, social distancing and cleaning. Rowing and transportation will potentially mean being closer than 2 m to your fellow travellers, but if coxed quads are permitted in a destination, we will run the tour. Further COVID-19 protocols are in development. For example, we may ask you to sign a health waiver on the first day of the tour. Details to come.
In any normal year, we expect our guests to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to changing or unexpected circumstances. This year this is even more necessary. Showing respect, empathy and kindness to each other is even more important.
We fully appreciate how hard it might be to make the decision to travel. We want to do what we love but we want to be safe. We will do our best to answer any questions and provide information, as we navigate this uncertain but increasingly positive times together.
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