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Originally born and bred in Kent, Jono studied at Newcastle University and now lives in Northumberland. Jono started working here in early 2014, within the Product and Operations Department and is responsible for sourcing new holiday products and managing existing ones.

Amy originally grew up in the Lake District in a whirlwind of kayaking, climbing, hiking and sailing with her family. She was very lucky to travel extensively as a child and discovered a love of snow at a very young age skiing in the Italian Alps. Amy is very proud that she could 'ski before she could walk'!

Dawn grew up in a very small village in Warwickshire and came to the travel industry in a bit of a roundabout way after studying a degree in History. After moving north to Newcastle, she started working for the company in June 2012 and has recently become our Office Manager.

Passports and Visas

British Passport holders can find full details regarding passport validity and visa requirements for UK citizens on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website where they offer full Travel Advice by Country. The Entry Requirements section covers all you need to know about the country (countries) you are visiting.

If you or any member of your party is a not a British passport holder then you or they must check the requirements with the embassy or consulate of the relevant country or countries which you are intending to travel to or with your own foreign office.

Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are resident outside of the UK, then you can find some helpful links below:

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/

The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

It is your own responsibility to ensure that you have all visas, paperwork and travel documents in place prior to travel. You must also ensure that this covers any countries in which you may be transiting. Please ensure you keep checking this information for updates.

All costs incurred in obtaining this documentation must be paid by you. We sadly cannot accept any responsibility if you are refused entry into any country or onto any transportation due to your failure to carry the correct documentation. We will not be responsible for providing a refund of any costs or arrangements which are missed in this situation.

If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents results in fines, surcharges or other financial penalty being imposed on us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly.

Passport validity – Information for British Citizens

It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport validity meets the entry requirements for the EU destination you are travelling to. See here for the links for passport checker and for information on travel to the EU. Please also check with your mobile provider for data roaming charges and see here for details on the GHIC card. There have been some changes since Brexit and passport validity is now determined by the issue date rather than the printed expiry date. You can find more information on the web links provided.  

If you are travelling from outside the EU and have any questions at all then our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. team will be happy to assist.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Medical History and Advice

We want everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy our experiences and we will always do all that we can to accommodate any special requests and requirements. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our Travel Experts will help find the best holiday for you.

In order to give us the best possible chance to do this, we ask that if you or any member of your party is pregnant or has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if you become pregnant or any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.

Our destinations can be remote, and the nature of our holidays and the activities are specialised so please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions regarding the suitability of any holiday.

Travel Health and Immunisations:

Country specific information is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide which can be found on their Travel Health Pro website by clicking here. This is relevant to British Passport Holders.

You should contact your GP at least 8 weeks prior to departure to confirm whether you need any preventative measures or vaccinations. A medical professional is the only person who can provide you with the most up to date advice.

Please ensure that you always carry your certificate of vaccination with you when you travel so that you have proof that you have received the necessary vaccinations.

EHIC and GHIC cards

If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires or when it is about to, you will need to apply for a GHIC to replace it.

The EHIC entitles you to state-provided medical treatment if you fall ill or have an accident in any EU country. The same applies to EU citizens who are in the UK.

The cards cover pre-existing medical conditions and routine maternity care, as well as emergency care. Individuals with chronic illnesses, for example, those who require dialysis, can travel knowing they will receive treatment on the same terms as the citizens of the country they are visiting. The cards are valid until they expire.

If you don’t have your EHIC with you or you’ve lost it, you can call the Department of Health Overseas Healthcare Team (+44 191 218 1999) to get a Provisional Replacement Certificate.

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. The GHIC will cover chronic or existing illnesses and routine maternity care as well as emergencies, but treatments such as dialysis or chemotherapy will have to be pre-arranged to ensure they are available at your destination. For further information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/global-health-insurance-card.

The GHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. Travel insurance is a pre-requisite to travelling with us and you can see details of our preferred provider (which covers European residents only) by clicking here.

You cannot use an existing EHIC or the new GHIC in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. You will require travel insurance with healthcare cover. You may not have access to free emergency medical treatment and could be charged for your healthcare if you do not get health cover with your travel insurance.

You can use a UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare in Norway.

First Aid Kits and Medication:

You should always ensure that you carry a basic first-aid kit when you travel.

It is also important that if you have any medication you require that it is carried in your hand luggage in case of any hold luggage delays.

You will, however, need to make sure that you have all of the relevant documents which accompany the medication and that its transportation complies with all of the rules and regulations regarding the items that you are allowed to carry onboard an aircraft. These may vary depending on the airline in question.

Travel Policy and Coronavirus:

For our most up to date travel policy, please click here.

Travel Safety

Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do here at Artisan Travel and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice

We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region.

We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health advice.

If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety.

If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.

If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.

If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.

Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are resident outside of the UK, then you can find some helpful links below:

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/

The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

Booking activities locally

Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Booking Conditions’ for further details).

When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.

In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are properly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.

Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.

Activities and Guides

When partaking in any activity, it is imperative that everyone in your group listens very closely to the instructions provided by the guide and that they are abided by at all times. Our guides are experts in their field and no one knows the environment better than these highly knowledgeable and experienced providers.

Prior to starting any activity, please make it clear to your guide if there is any element of the safety briefing you are unsure of or would like to clarify before you set off.

Our guides will always take local conditions into account when considering whether an activity can go ahead. This is, in part, why your itinerary is subject to change at short notice. This rarely happens, however, if it does, we will always endeavour to reschedule the activity for later in your holiday. If this is not possible then the cost of the activity will be refunded to you when you return home.

Our guides' word on activities is always final and your safety is their principal concern at all times; please respect their decisions. By following their instructions, your safety and enjoyment during each activity will be greatly enhanced.

How fit do I need to be for my holiday?

The answer to this question depends on which trip you are considering as, on the vast majority of our holidays, it is not necessary to have had any special training or high fitness levels. Each trip is given a 'pace' rating (relaxed, balanced, active or set your own) so you can be clear of which holiday would be the most suitable for you and our travel experts will be happy to answer any further questions you may have about your fitness level.

If you are unsure about the physical demands of a particular holiday, please get in touch and our team will help accordingly.

If you or any member of your party is pregnant or has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, please tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if you become pregnant or any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.

Below you will find details about how we rate each of our holidays in terms of their pace. This is designed to help our clients chose the most suitable holidays for them. If you have any questions though, just contact one of our travel experts.

Any activities we feature are designed for beginners unless otherwise stated. Full instruction and tuition are provided for all activities and you do not need to have any previous experience.

Relaxed:

Our relaxed itineraries are ideal for those who are looking for a leisurely pace during their holiday. Our relaxed programmes do not compromise on the key experiences a destination offers but you will not be required to participate in any strenuous activity to enjoy them. The holidays will also include more significant periods of downtime. So, whether it is one of our small-ship cruises or a relaxed Icelandic escape which takes your fancy, wonderful experiences await you.

Many of our relaxed pace holidays are designed to offer a lot of flexibility so we can look to really tailor things to your needs.

Balanced:

Our balanced holidays offer the best of both worlds; with a mixture of activities and free time to give you flexibility, alongside some incredible experiences. These holidays typically will include half day activities and, whilst they require a slight sense of adventure, the physical requirements are not too high. They are ideal for those who want to try something different but also have the time to simply relax, unwind and explore in their free time.

You might be out dog sledding in the morning and relaxing in a sauna in the afternoon, whale watching after breakfast and taking in some culture before dinner – whichever you choose, these holidays offer a wonderful mix.

Active:

Our active holidays are fairly self-descriptive. They include activities on most days which are typically of a longer duration than those on the balanced holidays. You will be out enjoying your destination in an active way for fairly long periods of time. If you are travelling on one of our winter holidays, then you do also need to be aware that long days in sub-zero temperatures can be tiring (but exhilarating too!)

For most of the holidays an average fitness level and a sense of real adventure are all you need. For some of the multi-day dog sled and snowmobile safaris, a good level of fitness will greatly enhance your experience.

So, if you fancy a seven-day husky expedition, an adventure sailing weekend in Croatia, a multi-activity holiday in Lapland, or an island adventure in The Azores, then our active holidays are for you.

Set your own:

On many of our holidays you can book a simple base package and then, with the help of our experts, you can tailor the itinerary to completely suit your needs. We give you the chance to book all your accommodation, flights and transfers around your chosen duration (minimum of three nights). You can then choose from a selection of activities and experiences to incorporate into your stay from a weekly schedule.

The beauty of these holidays is that typically each member of a party can tailor their own pace and so, if you are travelling in a group, people can tailor their own time. We can also very easily cater for a group where there are varying levels of fitness.

Insurance

Travel insurance is a pre-requisite to any booking with us and a vital part of any holiday. Travel insurance is not provided as part of any of our holidays and so you will need to ensure that you have cover for all of the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday and that all members of your family are covered.

You must ensure that any insurance provides adequate medical and cancellation cover. Please bear in mind that not all insurance policies may offer cover for the sort of activities you may be taking part in during your holiday. We recommend you run through every activity you will be taking part in with the company in detail to ensure you are fully covered.

Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is adequate for your particular needs. We do not check alternative insurance policies.

Please see our booking conditions for further information.