Surrey Travel Experts - A Franchise by Hays Travel

22/04/2026

✈️ Travelling to Europe soon? Read this before you go…

There’s been a lot of talk about the EU introducing new biometric border checks (fingerprints + facial recognition), and while the full rollout is still ongoing, one thing is clear:

👉 Border control is taking longer than usual in some places

If you’ve got a Europe trip booked in the next few weeks, here’s what will actually help you avoid stress 👇

⏰ Arrive earlier than you think you need to
For flights leaving the Schengen Area, aim for at least 3 hours before departure
Busy airports? Play it safe and go even earlier.

📱 Be prepared for new border processes
Your first trip using the new system may take longer while your details are registered. After that, future trips should be much quicker.

🛂 Use eGates where possible
If you’ve got a biometric passport (look for the little camera symbol 📸), automated gates are usually much faster than manual desks.

⚠️ Important to know
If you miss your flight due to long border queues, airlines are not obligated to compensate or rebook you, as this is outside their control.

💡 The good news?
Once you’re registered, travel into Europe should become smoother for the next few years.

✨ My advice? Don’t panic - but plan ahead, allow extra time, and travel smart.

If you’re thinking about booking a holiday and want help planning the smoothest journey possible, please do just get in touch… I’d be delighted to help!

[email protected]
01428 550011
Surreytravelexperts.co.uk

21/04/2026

🇬🇷 Fantastic news if you are planning a holiday to Greece… 🇬🇷

UK passport holders will be exempt from the EU’s new biometric entry checks when arriving in Greece. That means no fingerprints, no facial scans, and faster, smoother arrivals- while other EU destinations introduce longer processes.

With Greece welcoming millions of UK visitors each year, this change will help keep travel simple and stress-free - just in time for summer bookings!

Eleni Skarveli, Director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation UK, said the move will “ensure a smoother, more efficient arrival experience, significantly reducing waiting times and easing airport congestion.”

So if you’re looking to book a holiday to Greece, or anywhere else and you’d like some advice or help planning, please do
let me know.

[email protected]
01428 550011
Surreytravelexperts.co.uk

29/03/2026

🌸 Japan with children — yes, it absolutely works!

Japan is often assumed to be a destination for couples or solo travellers.

It is, in fact, one of the most extraordinary family holidays on earth - if you plan it right.

Here's why I love booking families into Japan:

🍜 The food - ramen, sushi, tempura, and familiar options for reluctant eaters
🚅 The bullet train - one of the most exciting things a child can experience
🎮 Tokyo's gaming and technology districts - teenage heaven
🌸 The culture - gentle, respectful, and genuinely welcoming to children
🗺️ The organisation - Japan runs like clockwork, which makes travelling with kids far less stressful than you'd expect

The key is knowing which cities to combine, where to stay for space and comfort, and how to pace the itinerary so it's exciting rather than exhausting.

A two-week Japan trip for a family of four typically sits between £12,000 and £18,000 depending on timing and standard - and it is worth every single penny.

If Japan has been on your family's wish list, let's talk. 📩

Natasha - Surrey Travel Experts
📞 01428 550011
✉️ [email protected]

26/03/2026

💡 5 things to always check before booking a family resort -

After years of booking family holidays, here are 5 things I always check that the brochure/internet rarely tells you:

1️⃣ The actual age ranges and hours for kids' clubs
Many resorts say "kids' club from age 4" - but don't mention it runs 10am–1pm only, or closes on Sundays. I always check the hours AND the staffing ratios.

2️⃣ Whether "family room" means two connected rooms or one large room
These are very different things when you have teenagers and toddlers. Always clarify the actual layout.

3️⃣ How far the beach is from the pool
At some resorts, the beach and the pool are 10 minutes apart. With young children, this matters enormously.

4️⃣ Whether your room category has a sea view or a car park view
Even at luxury resorts, not all rooms are created equal. Room category matters far more than most people realise.

5️⃣ What "all-inclusive" actually includes
Snacks? Premium spirits? Watersports? Dining at all restaurants or just one? The difference can be huge - and it changes the real cost significantly.

These are the kinds of questions I ask on your behalf, every single time.

💬 What's caught you out on holiday before? Drop it in the comments - I'd love to know!

Natasha - Surrey Travel Experts
📞 01428 550011
✉️ [email protected]

Surrey Travel Experts is a Franchise of Hays Travel, the largest independent travel agency in the UK. This means we have access to the widest range of Tour Operators, commercial deals, and exclusive travel offers. We are proud to provide an independent and impartial travel service tailored to your i...

24/03/2026

🏖️The holiday that nearly didn't happen - and why I do what I do...

A family came to me last year with a folder of saved browser tabs, three conflicting TripAdvisor reviews, and two very different ideas of what their holiday should look like.

Dad wanted adventure. Mum wanted a spa. Their two teenagers wanted independence. Their youngest just needed a good pool.

They'd been trying to plan it themselves for six weeks. They were exhausted before the holiday had even started.

One conversation with me. Two days later, they had three tailored options in their inbox - fully costed, compared, and explained in plain English.

They chose a resort in the Algarve that ticked every single box. It was, by their own words, the best family holiday they'd ever had.

This is exactly why I do what I do.

I'm Natasha from Surrey Travel Experts. I specialise in taking the stress out of planning for busy families who want a holiday that's genuinely right for them - not just the first one that came up on Google.

If you've got a trip in mind and haven't started planning it yet, message me. It will never cost you a penny and it might save you weeks of research.

✈️ What's your dream family holiday? Tell me in the comments - I love hearing where people want to go.

📞 01428 550011
✉️ [email protected]

20/03/2026

Helpful information for anyone needing it.

14/03/2026

🦁 Big Five Kruger Safari & 7 nights All Inclusive at Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort! 🦓

Elephant Walk Tented Camp, Protea Hotel by Marriott O.R. Tambo Airport and Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort

Nelspruit(3 Nights), Johannesburg(1 Night) and Mauritius(7 Nights)

11 Nights - 2 Adults

Track the Big Five on a thrilling 3-night safari in the legendary Kruger National Park, then trade the bush for bliss with a 7-night all-inclusive escape on the sun-drenched shores of Mauritius.

The price is based on 2 adults sharing a Deluxe Tent on full board (with game activities) for 3 nights at Elephant Walk Tented Camp, Kruger National Park, followed by 1 night in a Standard Room with breakfast at Protea Hotel by Marriott OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, followed by 7 nights in an Ocean View Room on all inclusive at Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort, Mauritius. The flights are with SWISS from London Heathrow (via Zurich) on 1 May 2026 for 11 nights (plus one night on the plane on the outbound). The price includes private transfers throughout. It includes a 45% reduction on the room rate and a 40% reduction on the all-inclusive supplement in Mauritius. The safari includes all meals, 2 daily game drives and conservation fees.

👍2 thrilling game drives daily tracking Africa's Big Five
👍45% saving off the Mauritius hotel rates
👍45% saving off the All Inclusive Supplement
👍3-night safari offering stunning game viewing from your deck!
👍All-inclusive Mauritius resort offering excellent amenities and dining
👍Unwind watching gentle waves in the turquoise waters of Mauritius
👍Private transfers throughout

Birmingham from £4259pp, Edinburgh from £4135pp and Dublin from £4115pp, all with Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul)

Offer code: 1420490

From £3909pp

Full payment is due at the time of booking.

The price includes all local taxes.

​

Travel: 01MAY26-13MAY26
Book by: 31MAR26

10/03/2026

🦁🇿🇦 On Safari in South Africa - Rhino West Lodge | SAVE up to 15%! 🇿🇦🦁

☀️ 10 days, Full Board
☀️ Staying at 5* Rhino West Lodge
☀️ Fully escorted tour
☀️ Flying from London Heathrow*
☀️ 2nd December 2027
🌍 Tour Highlights 🌍
🐘 Spot the 'Big Five' on open-air game drives through the Kaingo and Welgevonden game reserves
🐘 Enjoy a sundowner on Sunset Rock while watching the sky transform
🐘 Four game drives in the Sebatana Private Reserve & one game drive in the Welgevonden Reserve
🐘 Sample exquisite local wines and refresh yourself after a day's travel with a welcome drink at the lodge
🐘 Witness South Africa's magnificent natural world up close with a fascinating guided bush walk
💸 £395pp deposit
💸 Followed by 19 monthly payments of £108pp
💸 Total price from £2,447pp
💰 Includes local taxes, no additional payment required on arrival
🛡️ Add travel insurance from £71pp
📞 Call us to book on 01428 550011
📲 Or send a DM to our friendly team today!
*Departures available from April 2026 to December 2028 - subject to availability

08/03/2026

Forget the party venue. Forget the expensive gifts. The best way to celebrate your child's milestone is to give them an experience. ✨

Whether it's a 13th birthday, a graduation, or a "we made it through another year" celebration, a luxury family holiday is the gift that creates lasting memories. It's the moment your child feels truly seen and celebrated.

It's the adventure they'll talk about for years.

We specialise in curating milestone holidays that are personalised, memorable, and absolutely unforgettable. From surprise experiences to bespoke itineraries tailored to your child's interests, we make the celebration extraordinary.

This year, celebrate in a way that matters.

07/03/2026

Your child's best education won't happen in a classroom. It'll happen when they're standing in front of an ancient temple, exploring a bustling market in Morocco, or learning to cook from a local chef in Tuscany. 🌍

Travel is the world's best classroom. It teaches resilience, cultural awareness, adaptability, and curiosity. It shows children that the world is bigger and more interesting than their screens. It builds confidence and independence.

When you invest in a luxury family holiday, you're not taking time away from education - you're providing an education that money can't buy in a school.

Let us design an itinerary that educates, inspires, and connects your family to the world.