Tag: Switzerland

Rabbie’s kicks off first tours on the European continent

Edinburgh coach tour operator officially adds Europe tours to its portfolio

Small group tour operator Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com) has ramped up its operations with the official launch of its coach tours in Europe.

Today, the first tours have departed on the continent marking the momentous occasion for the Scottish company. The first tours to set off are the six-day South of Spain & Treasures of Andalucía from Madrid and the six-day Cinque Terre, Florence & the Flavours of Tuscany from Milan.

Rabbie’s will operate 20 new itineraries in Europe this year, each six or 13 days in duration, taking guests across Italy, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland.

Similar to the company’s popular UK trips, guests travelling on Rabbie’s European tours will travel in comfortable mini-coaches, with a maximum group size of just 16, allowing them to reach less-touristed destinations.

Each tour includes the expert services of a driver and English-speaking guide, providing insider local knowledge and entertainment along the way.

Tours available include:

South of Spain & the Treasures of Andalucía

This six-day tour travels from Madrid to Lisbon, taking in Spain’s former capital Toledo, Córdoba, Granada including Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada National Park, dramatic Ronda, Seville and the charming Algarve town of Tavira en route.

Travellers will visit a Spanish olive oil production site for a lesson in olive oil-making, be entranced by the ornamentation of the Alhambra Palace and delve into the rugged landscapes of the Cumbres Verdes mountains on the forefront of the Sierra Nevada. Stroll the city walls and picturesque plazas of cliff-top Ronda and join a half-day tour to Jerez de la Frontera – the heartland of sherry and Spanish brandy. Prices start from €1,185 per person based on 4 July 2022 departure.

Cinque Terre, Florence & the Flavours of Tuscany

Over six-days, this tour takes guests on a journey exploring renaissance art, quaint coastal villages and world-famous wines.

Holidaymakers will travel from Milan to Rome by way of Parma, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Siena and Montepulciano. Uncover the terraced cliffs and clear deep blue water of the Cinque Terre, admire the famed leaning tower in Pisa before wandering the cobbled streets and picturesque piazzas of Lucca.

Marvel at the finest collection of Italian Renaissance art and architecture in Florence before journeying to the stunning hill town of San Gimignano and the Tuscan hills of Va d’Orcia. Prices start from €1,519 per person based on 1 August 2022 departure.

Rabbie’s European tour prices include transport in an air conditioned mini-coach with a local driver, the stories and services of an English-speaking guide, accommodation in 3-4 star hotels with continental breakfast and selected excursions.

For more information and to book, please visit www.rabbies.com

Foreign travel health rules extended

Quarantine measures for more countries

A significant rise in the number of cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Austria, Croatia, Switzerland and Trinidad and Tobago means travellers from these countries will have to self-isolate at home or another specified address for 14 days on arrival in Scotland from 4am this Saturday.

At the same time Portugal will be added to the list of destinations where travellers will be exempt from the requirement to quarantine.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We cannot emphasise enough that if people choose to travel abroad, they must be aware that quarantine requirements may change while they are away.

“The same can be said for the rules within the country or territory people are travelling to. If people do travel from any country that is not exempt from the requirements, they will be required to quarantine for 14 days on return, please check the Scottish Government website for more information on what this means.

“Indeed, wherever people have travelled from – an exempt country or not – they must complete a Passenger Locator Form and provide it to Border Force officials. Failure to do so can also result in a fine since this, along with any failure to self-isolate where required, poses a significant risk to wider public health across Scotland.

“We continue to closely monitor the situation in all parts of the world and assess the scientific evidence. We remain in regular discussions with the other three governments in the UK and base decisions on a shared understanding of the available data.

“However, we will not hesitate to take the action we consider necessary to safeguard public health in Scotland recognising, that the level of risk across the four nations may lead to different decisions.

“As I have said previously, we do not make these decisions lightly, but suppressing the virus and protecting public health is vital.”

All international travellers arriving into Scotland, apart from a very limited number of individual exemptions, must complete a passenger locator form and provide evidence that they have done so on arrival in the UK if requested to do so by a Border Force official.

This includes people arriving from countries where quarantine is subsequently not required. Individuals who do not complete the form and present it when asked on arrival may be fined £60. The fine can be doubled for each subsequent offence up to a maximum of £480.

Failure to comply with the requirement to quarantine may result in a fine of £480.

Those travelling abroad should check in advance for any local requirements to quarantine on arrival at their destination. The existing list of overseas destinations where those arriving in Scotland are exempt from self-isolation can be found on the Scottish Government website

Kevin takes message of freedom from Leith to Basel

Leith based singer/songwriter Kevin Gore, a regular performer at the Edinburgh Fringe and  a well know figure in the Capital’s folk music scene, has displayed  his talents in far flung places all over the world – but his most recent overseas excursion to Switzerland came about through particularly unusual circumstances. Continue reading Kevin takes message of freedom from Leith to Basel