A Week in Provence - Rail Travel from London

We are committed to running our Guided Walking holidays in a safe manner and your co-operation with this is much appreciated. No outdoor activity can be 100% risk free; however, if you take sensible precautions and adhere to your leaders’ instructions, your holiday will be both safe and enjoyable. On the first evening of your holiday (dependent on arrival time, the leaders will give a short talk about safety on the walks – we would ask everyone to attend.

Walking as a group: Our leaders always consider the safety of the group as a whole and will show more caution over potential risks (such as bad or exceptionally hot weather than an individual or couple might make on a private outing. Walks may be modified or cancelled following the leaders’ assessment of the day-to-day situation. Your leaders will refuse to accept any guest whose clothing, equipment, behaviour or walking ability is considered unsuitable, and where it could affect the safety and enjoyment of other guests on the proposed walk. It is your responsibility to follow the leader’s guidelines, for the benefit and safety of the group as a whole. If you leave the group, then your leader will no longer have responsibility for you. For safety reasons, we stipulate a minimum party size of two guests in addition to the leader.

First aid: In line with current practice, each leader carries a group first aid kit but is not able to supply any ‘medication’, including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines and antiseptic cream.

Hydration: In warm weather it is very important to keep hydrated. You will need to carry water with you on walks, more during hot weather or on more demanding walks. One good way of hydrating is to use a hydration pack which allows drinking without constant stopping. This can then be filled up from water sources as required.

Even with an GHIC card, medicines and outpatient treatment normally have to be paid for at the time and the costs reclaimed afterwards – details are available at dh.gov.uk/travellers. Therefore insurance is extremely important, as is access to emergency money, preferably a credit card.

This information is for those travelling with a full ‘British Citizen’ passport; for all other nationalities or passport holders, please check with your local consulate for advice.

Passport Requirements

Visa Requirements

Visa rules depend on your nationality, destination, length of stay, and purpose of travel, and they can change frequently. It is your responsibility to check whether you require a visa before travelling.
British passport holders should check the latest entry, passport validity and visa requirements for their destination on the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

It's best to be prepared for all weather conditions. To make it easier, here is a list of items you should consider packing.   

Essentials  

• Walking boots 
• Waterproof jacket 
• Waterproof trousers 
• Insulated jacket/top 
• Walking clothing  
• Walking socks (plus spares)  
• Sunhat 
• Gloves/mitts and warm hat
• Water bottle (minimum 2 litre capacity)  
• Headtorch 
• High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)  
• Sunglasses with a dark lens 
• Rucksack (15-30 litres)  
• Mobile phone 
• Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.) 
• Passport 
• Visa (if applicable) 
• Copy of your travel insurance policy 
• UK Global Health Insurance Card (formerly known as EHIC) 

Recommended

• Collapsible walking poles 
• Swimwear and travel towel
• Snacks
• Dry bags
• Rubbish bags
• Insect repellent

Optional extras

• Camera 
• Sit mat
• Flask for hot drinks 
• Durable lunch box
• Gaiters 
• GPS device (excluding Bhutan, Georgia and India)

Book your holiday ‘with rail’ and travel on Eurostar and TGV with the group.

If you choose this option we automatically include return transfers between Aix-en-Provence station and the hotel. The coach transfer takes approx 1 hour.

Notes for rail travellers

Rail travel will be from St Pancras International Station, London to Aix-en-Provence, Provence via Lille.

Your group meeting point at St Pancras will be the Sir John Betjeman statue on the upper level of the station 2 hours before departure time. Here you will join the rest of your group and meet your HF Tour Manager who will guide you throughout your journey. You will then make your way to the ticket gate as a group.

A suitcase with wheels is strongly recommended as you will be responsible for carrying and lifting your luggage on all parts of the journey. All luggage will be scanned at the departure gate and needs to be clearly labelled. You will need to be responsible for your luggage and belongings at all stages of your journey so it’s advisable to have it within eyesight when travelling on the trains and be extra vigilant when moving through busy railway stations.

Please refer to the website below for the latest information on luggage requirements for your journey and trip information: https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en

Alternatively, tailor your journey to suit you by booking your holiday ‘without rail’ allowing you the freedom to book your own travel.

If you choose this option, transfers are not included in the price. 

You can still purchase a seat on our shared group transfer but it is your responsibility to arrive at the railway station prior to the main group. All train times are subject to change and if your arrival and / or departure time changes and no longer fits our shared group transfer, we will be unable to delay departure for you. Should this occur we will refund you the cost of the transfer and you can either make your own way to the hotel or we can book a private taxi transfer for you (at your expense). HF Holidays cannot be held responsible for your onward travel if you are unable to meet the transfer coach.

If you have made your own travel arrangements and have booked a place on the HF Holidays shared group transfer to the hotel, please meet your Tour Manager and fellow travellers at Aix-en-Provence TGV station by ground floor café, next to platform 4.

The local currency is the Euro (€)

220 Volt AC with round two pin plugs; you will need an adaptor for any appliances brought from the UK.

There are several ATM machines in Gréoux-les-Bains where you can obtain money.