We hope the following information proves useful and helps you get the most out of your Vitalise Holiday. If you have any further queries that are not answered here or in our Frequently Asked Questions then please don't hesitate to get in touch.
 

Guide dog advice and information

Should you wish to bring your guide dog on a Vitalise Holiday, any conditions or exclusions that apply are stated with the holiday details. We provide this information for reasons of clarity and to ensure that everyone enjoys their holiday.

It is important that guide dog owners ensure that their guide dog is well controlled and take full responsibility for the guide dog for the duration of the holiday. Guide dog owners travelling overseas will need to ensure that they comply with the relevant government legislation regarding taking a guide dog abroad.

Vitalise Holidays reserves the right to refuse to accept reservations from guests who have failed to adhere to these conditions.

If you wish to bring your guide dog on a Vitalise Holiday please indicate this on the Booking Form at the time of booking. This is particularly important if you wish to bring your guide dog overseas.

Please be aware that laws regarding access to services overseas may differ from those in the UK. On those overseas holidays where the airline or route used by Vitalise Holidays is not suitable for guide dogs, it may be possible for guide dogs and their owners to travel to this destination via an alternate route or airline. Any arrangements will be subject to additional cost and organisation by the guide dog owner. Please refer to the Pet Travel Scheme information provided for further details.

Restrictions

For UK and some overseas holidays, the transport provided is via our minibuses and due to the number of holidaymakers and luggage capacity we may need to restrict the number of guide dogs that we can accept.

Further information on these restrictions will be provided in the holiday Information Sheet or you can ask a member of the Vitalise Holidays Team at the time of booking. On any holidays where the number of guide dogs needs to be limited due to restricted space, places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Preparing your dog for a holiday

For some dogs, travelling to a foreign or unfamiliar environment will be a stressful experience and any dog’s capacity to safely and effectively guide its owner in completely new circumstances may be limited. Each dog will behave differently when it is taken to a completely new environment and, if a dog is unused to such experiences, its reactions may prove difficult for the owner to manage.

If you are considering taking your guide dog on holiday we recommend that you contact your local Guide Dog’s District Team to discuss your dog’s individual needs. You are strongly advised to do this if you wish to take your guide dog overseas.

Pet Travel Scheme

Please note that the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are currently updating their work in expanding approved guide dog assistance routes under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). Although the information provided in this brochure was correct at the time of printing you are advised to contact DEFRA for up to date information on airline routes and regulations.

Information and advice about PETS, taking your guide dog overseas and up to date details on approved airlines and routes can be found on the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website or you can telephone their helpline 0870 24 11 710 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday (except on Bank Holidays).
 

Your fellow holidaymakers

Vitalise Holidays are not only for visually impaired people. There will also be a number of sighted people on holiday with you, who have a number of different roles and aim to help you get the most from your holiday.

Holiday Representative

Each holiday has a Representative employed by Vitalise Holidays specifically to co-ordinate the group and act as the first point of contact. Their job is to ensure that you have an enjoyable time by piloting the group through the holiday and keeping members informed of all arrangements, excursions and changes to the itinerary.

Your Representative will liaise with the resort tour representative, hotelier and any local suppliers; any queries concerning these areas can be directed to your Representative. All our Representatives have First Aid training and are responsible for the group’s safety throughout the holiday. They will also deal with any problems encountered during the holiday, including medical emergencies.

Deputy Representative

Occasionally, there may be a Deputy Representative who might be another employee of Vitalise, or a sighted guide with the required experience. Their role varies, but, generally, it is to assist the Representative where and when required.

Sighted Guides

Every holiday group is made up of both visually impaired people and sighted guides. All sighted guides are given information on basic guiding techniques by Vitalise Holidays. The guides have volunteered to come, have paid a reduced cost, and in many cases are using their annual holiday from work to assist on our holidays.

Holidays are generally run on equal numbers of sighted and visually impaired people, however sometimes, a visually impaired person may be happy to participate with the group without specific assistance from a guide; in this case there may be one less sighted guide on the holiday. The ratio of sighted to visually impaired people will never be less than 4:5.

On some holidays such as skiing, we aim to provide extra sighted guides to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the group and allow for a range in abilities.

The Representative and Deputy are usually in excess of minimum guiding numbers, however on rare occasions it may be necessary for them to act as a guide on non activity holidays.

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for further information on sighted guides.
 

Holiday accommodation

Most of the accommodation on Vitalise Holidays is in twin rooms, and you will usually share a room with a sighted guide. However, if you have a partner or friend you would like to share with, or if you need to have a single room, please let us know at the time of booking as we may be able to assist.

On arrival at your accommodation, your Representative will arrange for all visually impaired guests to be given guidance on the layout of the building and arrange for one of the sighted guides to show you the fire safety procedure.
 

Mobility and Medical Requirements

Many of our holidays require you to have a certain degree of mobility, and we provide a grading system to help you decide which holidays will suit your level of fitness and mobility.

If you have limited mobility or use a walking aid or wheelchair, it is important to inform us when you are making a booking, so that we can let you know if the holiday itinerary and accommodation will be suitable for you.

It may be possible to request an accessible room at the accommodation. Please ask us for further information when booking, so we can check the availability of this for you.

If you require assistance with your mobility, taking medication or with any personal care, it is important that you bring your own carer with you on the holiday. Our sighted guides are not medically trained and will not be able to assist with any such aspects of care during your holiday, or with lifting, pushing or carrying any item that is needed to aid your mobility.

If you have any doubts as to your ability to participate on a holiday due to a medical issue or lack of mobility, please speak to the Vitalise Holidays Team who will be happy to advise you further or suggest an appropriate alternative to your chosen holiday.
 

Other useful information

Service enhancement

All sighted guides participating in Vitalise Holidays undergo a check from the Criminal Records Bureau. This is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy their holiday in a safe environment.

Group holidays

Are you a member of a group that wants to go on holiday together? If so, Vitalise Holidays would love to hear from you. We have years of experience in group travel and are able to arrange bespoke holidays for groups of eight people or more anywhere in the world. Please get in touch with the Vitalise Holidays Team to discuss your group’s needs.

Independent holidays

Are you looking for a sighted guide buddy to go on an independent holiday with you? Vitalise Holidays is always looking for ways to help visually impaired people have greater choice in the types of holidays they take. If you are an individual who has a specific type of holiday in mind and just need a sighted companion to join you, please get in touch.