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.

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

Information and advice about the Pet Travel Scheme (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 Leader

Each holiday has an experienced sighted leader employed by Vitalise Holidays specifically as a Holiday Leader. The Leader is there to ensure 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.

The Leaders liase with the resort tour representative and hotelier and all queries concerning these matters should be channelled through the Leader. The Leader, who is a trained First Aider, is also responsible for the group’s safety and will deal with any problems encountered during the holiday, including medical emergencies.

Deputy Leader

Occasionally, there may be a Deputy Leader 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 Leader where and when required.

Sighted Guides

Holidays are generally run on a 1:1 ratio of sighted to visually impaired but depending on the type of activity the Leader, and sometimes the Deputy, may be included as ‘extras’ in addition to the 1:1 ratio. Other sighted members of the group will consist of relatives or friends of visually impaired people, Vitalise staff, volunteer sighted helpers and experts in a particular activity, e.g. skiing. All guides have volunteered to come, most have paid a reduced cost, and in many cases are using their annual holiday entitlement from work. It should be remembered that the guides have paid towards the holiday and given up their time, so they should not be regarded as personal servants.

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for further information on Sighted Guides

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 wanting 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 are compiling information 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.