How do I choose between tour operators?

It's the time of year when the school tour brochures start arriving, and to be sure many of the offerings look inviting.


It is tempting to look for the lowest prices, but this is not necessarily the best solution, as often they are achieved by including as little as possible in the quoted price - possibly no lunches or evening meals included.


I have always felt that it is best to have totally inclusive prices for travel, accommodation and meals together with all visits, entrance fees and guiding included in the tour.  This way, you will not be going to parents some way through the process to ask for more than originally budgeted.


That said, of course, if you are travelling with senior pupils, you might well decide that allowing them to purchase their own lunch might be preferable to an included packed lunch, but I would certainly expect to have a substantial breakfast and an evening meal included each day.

Do we need insurance even for trips in UK?

I have been asked this question, and my answer is an emphatic "YES".


At first, you may wonder why - wherever you are in UK, you will have full access to the NHS, and all the usual services are familiar to you.


But consider the possibility of a pupil being hospitalised with an illness or after an accident, even for just a few days.


Somebody will have to stay with them, with extra hotel costs incurred, or perhaps parents will need to travel to be with them.


For the few pence a day premium that will be charged, which is a tiny amount set against the price of the trip, I think the peace of mind you will get will prove well worth it.