Ciconia Exclusive Journeys

Before your trip
We are closely following the guidance of UK Foreign Office Travel Advice as a British-based operator, as well as the World Health Organization and government authorities. Please make sure to check your government’s travel advisory and the WHO website (www.who.int) for the latest information before travelling and be well-informed about the travel regulations in your country of visit. Our passengersare requested to bring their personal mask/face coverings, gloves, and sanitary products that will be enough to cover the full duration of their trip. These may be required (if not required, strongly recommended) to be used during your travels; before, during and after your trip with us. All our passengers are also required to have personal travel insurance to join the trip and to fill in an online self-declaration form regarding health.
 
This goes through some key points:
- Expert Team available 24/7
- New bookings and change conditions
- More solo rooms available
- New small group tours


Upon Arrival


Our guides will strive to provide a seamless and incredible travel experience while taking any precautions necessary for your wellbeing on the trip, following the official regulations in each country as well as our company guidelines.
 
On Day 1 of your tour, your guide will explain the latest rules and regulations about health & wellbeing. You will be asked to acknowledge these rules once again and provide personal travel insurance details before commencing the tour. Please remember to bring your own mask/face covering, gloves and sanitary products.
 
For tours including arrival airport transfers, we only use private vehicles that are regularly deep-cleaned and ventilated, and disinfected after each guest use. Our representative will be waiting for you with a Travel Talk sign at the arrivals hall of the airport, well-informed of the latest health regulations in transport.


Throughout Your Trip


During your tour, your guide and driver will strive to maintain a high standard of hygiene for the group, making sure that the required protocols are followed. Our guests also have a duty of care to themselves, other group members and communities visited.
 
All our guests are expected to adhere to the advice of their guide throughout the trip for the wellbeing everyone. This will include regularly washing hands, following physical distancing rules and wearing a mask when required. Our guides have the authority to take preventive measures to ensure regulations are followed. Please familiarise yourself with your government’s travel advisory and the World Health Organization website (www.who.int) about the regulations in your country of visit.
 
Your guide will be well-trained in the latest health & safety protocols, supported by our field and office staff 24/7 in case of emergencies. In case you start feeling unwell, notify your guide immediately. They will provide you with assistance and activate additional protocols if required. They can inform you of the current policies, help find local clinics or hospitals if needed, and respond to any situation in line with the regulations.
 
As locals of the country, they also have unparalleled insight about the best places to see and the best times to visit them without the crowds. They will arrange staggered visiting times if needed, and advise you on the off-peak hours and hidden gems off-the-beaten-track.


Transportation


We only use modern private coaches, minibuses, boats and gullets on our tours. You won’t be sharing rides with anyone else from outside the group. We have also implemented further health & hygiene practices with our partners as we work towards a global standard together:
 
·All surfaces will receive regular deep-cleaning,
·Each passenger will have a daily assigned seat, arranged according to the local physical distancing regulations,
·Facial coverings/masks will be recommended on-board,
·Washing/sanitising hands will be required before boarding,
·Driver/Crew trained in the latest health & safety protocols (including food handling for boat crews),
·Plus, any additional precautions required by local law and regulations.
We are glad to be among the first to receive the Safe Tourism Certification by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism for all our coaches in Turkey, fulfilling the required criteria regarding hygiene, social distancing, employee and passenger wellbeing, and more.


Accommodation


All our hotels are hand-selected with great care. We only work with trusted establishments that are as dedicated to your health & wellbeing as we are. Each of our partners is to fulfil the local requirements per legislation as well as our global standards regarding hygiene and safety. Here are some policies we have so far implemented with our accommodation partners;
·Social distancing & health protocols established according to the local law and regulations.
·Regular deep-cleaning of all surface areas inside rooms, including light switches, door handles, remotes and similar frequently touched surfaces.
·Only one hotel staff to clean your room and no one will enter your room after it has been cleaned.
·Public areas of the hotel will be disinfected more frequently,
·Plus, any additional precautions required by local law and regulations.


Meals
We enjoy our meals only at restaurants, cafes or hotels that meet our health, cleanliness and service standards consistently. We will strive to share the most amazing and exotic culinary adventures as always, while ensuring that enhanced health & hygiene practices are implemented for safe meals;
 
·Sanitising/washing hands required before meals.
·Following local regulations about health and social distancing (e.g. table spacing, seating).
·Regular deep-cleaning of all surfaces, disinfecting tables and chairs after each guest.
·When we are dining at the hotel, we will strive to allocate a private room or separate tables for the group where available.  
·When we are eating out, we will prefer restaurants with open spaces, gardens and separate seating where available.
·Your local guide has vast knowledge about where to have the safest and most delicious meals on your free time.
·Avoiding buffets and reducing human contact for buffet meals per the local legislation,
·Plus, any additional precautions required by local law and regulations.


Optional Activities
There are a myriad of optional activities available at the places we visit, providing you with the flexibility and freedom to pick and choose the activities you love. You will still mostly have the same options, however some activities may not be available or have limited availability due to local health & safety regulations depending on the country. We are working with our recommended providers to ensure a healthy and safe experience for everyone – without missing out on any of the magic.  
 
·Following the local law and regulations about health, safety and social distancing.
·Regular deep-cleaning of all surfaces and/or equipment, disinfecting equipment after each use.
 


Ending Your Trip


For tours including departure airport transfers, we only use private vehicles that are regularly deep-cleaned and ventilated, and disinfected after each guest use. Your transfer will pick you up from the hotel and drop off at the designated area at the airport. Our representative will be well-informed of the latest health & safety regulations in transport.  
 
Please notify your guide if you are feeling unwell at the end of your tour and they will be able to provide assistance and help you find medical care if required. Even if you start feeling unwell days after your trip, please inform our team via email or telephone.
 
Let’s start our travels safely and responsibly!