I'm already looking forward to my next holiday! I have just received my holiday info pack for this TS departure on 13 Sept and I see that there are many different currencies involved for this epic six country tour! My question is this - as I live in Ireland, these currencies (obviously apart from the euro!) will not be available to me to purchase before I go as the banks do not stock them here (not enough demand in a small country), so if I bring euro with me, will it be easy enough to change money as needed? Do any of the hotels offer money changing facilities? Alternatively, will I have access to ATMs on the tour to withdraw money that way? I won't need much cash as nearly all dinners are included, but I will need some for lunches/drinks and don't want to be stuck.

Finally can I ask how many are now booked and of these how many are single travellers? As far as I remember when I asked a few months back, there were two other solo travellers and it would be interesting to know if this has changed. Has a tour manager been appointed yet?

Best wishes,

Bob

I have just been given the following information from my colleague in the overseas department...

There are banks and exchange offices in all resorts but please bear in mind that Eastern European countries charge a high commission when exchanging Travellers Cheques.

Please note that in this part of Europe, it's best to have a Maestro bank card, a Master Card, or a Visa card. Certain cards like Switch do not usually correspond with the local bank systems. Cash machines are widely available in the major cities on this tour.

Major credit cards are accepted in hotels, larger shops and restaurants. We also recommend that you inform your bank/card company of your trip in order to avoid any problems when withdrawing cash from ATM’s; as a security method on your behalf, banks occasionally stop withdrawals in the event that they are being used fraudulently abroad.

In terms of numbers there are 26 travellers booked and there are now 4 single travellers listed. At the moment, the Tour Manager for this tour has not yet been allocated.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Many thanks for the info - I will alert the TM on arrival that I will need to change some money in each country and I am sure that s/he will do their best to facilitate me! I am sure I will not be the only one needing to change money, especially on such a multi-country tour. I have a visa debit card, so it should be able to be used in ATMs but I will, of course, notify my bank before I go.

Best wishes,

Bob

According to the Lonely Planet web site Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia accept Euros and of course Montenegro. In Serbia it is easy to change Euros, £s and $s to local currency. In Croatia there is a fixed rate to the Euro which is better between mid Sept. and mid June. Although you should be able to purchase Kuna in Eire.

Regards,

Roger.

Best wishes,

Bob

I have now got the TS brochure and your Balkans tour looks good. I saw that TS offers a holiday to Tanzania and Zanzibar. It does say that there is a supplement for single travellers and if this is the case then I may go on this tour in 2017 if it is still on offer. Not sure when I am going to get to China, Vietnam and Cambodia!!

Jaya

Best wishes,

Bob

Jaya

Unfortunately I think the Tanzania trip which is offered by Travelsphere is nowhere near as good as the one offered by the opposition - both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater are unmissable. Fingers crossed JY tweaks it a bit before introducing it.

Sally

Best wishes,

Bob

Hi Sally, thanks for your comments - that's what I was thinking myself. I'm not too concerned at the moment as I have tentative holiday plans mapped out for the next two or three years so wouldn't want to be doing Tanzania for a couple of years in any case. I wonder what new destinations JY will have for us in the Sept brochure??!!

Best wishes,

Bob

It's about time JY started teasing us with clues about new destinations in the September brochure , don't you think !

I happen to know there is a list floating about upstairs, I just haven't managed to get my hands on it yet... Leave it with me 😉

Kindest regards,

Julia

Welcome back hope I you had a good time away.

I feel so lost not having a tour to look forward to this year, and most probably next as well

I did have a good time thank you, always helped by having a great group to share the experience with!

So you're not away this year or possibly next, where could we tempt you to travel in 2017?

Julia

Once again for some reason only half the message is showing, how weird...

The other half went along the lines of...

The reason being my younger son is getting married 2016 so finances have gone his way LOL!!!!

Best wishes,

Bob

Not at the moment - give me a nudge in a few weeks and I'll take another look for you.

Kindest regards,

Julia

All the best,

Bob