ASK JOAN:All your travel questions answered
Under the Tuscan sun
My mother-in-law is 70 next year, and her request is for a family holiday in Tuscany for a week. The group would be her eight children, their partners, all eight of them, and also her grandchildren ranging in age from 16 to six months. The timing has to coincide with school holidays, so Easter, June or July would suit. If Tuscany is too hot, my father-in-law will suffer, so another location is a possibility. This family will be travelling from Sweden, Norway, Ireland and France. We are also open to the possibility of a beautiful place elsewhere in the sun.
We have three requests: close to an airport; great local produce, for the three cooks in the family, and good wine as we are all wine lovers. – MH, Dublin
By my estimate, there will be around 30 in this family group: you are right to begin working on this now, as it could be difficult to find a suitable venue for everyone.
Tuscany would be lovely, and Easter will be better value than the summer, though June is not too bad as the British schools do not get holidays until July, so there is some value around. Have a look at Castello di Gargonza (below), gargonza.it. This restored medieval village has a good variety of accommodation from apartments and houses to BBs. It is about 30km (18½ miles) from Arezzo and 110km from Florence airport. There is an Irish company that rents villas in Tuscany. It has a really nice collection of properties, and quite a few big places that would sleep 10-20 people. You may just need two places for the whole family. Have a look at the properties on totuscany.ie, tel: 01-6633939.
In France, I can suggest a place in the Dordogne Valley in the triangle of Sarlat, Beynac and Domme. It is a collection of six old properties that have been renovated by an Irish couple. They range from a studio for two to a six bedroom house, most with pools and are all within a 10 kilometre range. There is plenty to do in this region and you will be sure to find great food and wine. Check out SarlatHolidayHomes.com.
Travel from Canada to the US
We are flying to Vancouver this summer to spend about two weeks in Canada. We will then be travelling from Toronto to New York, where we will spend five nights before heading home. I know that we do not need visas to travel to either country from Ireland, but does this change if one is not travelling directly to the US? The information on the websites I have looked at is confusing. – KM, Cork
If you are travelling overland from Canada to the USA, you do not need an ESTA (electronic system of travel authorisation). However, if you are flying from Toronto to the United States, then you will need one. You can apply online on cbp.gov/esta
Driving in France
I have two questions regarding driving holidays in France. We were in France last year with our camper van and our dog. On our return we had to get the dog injected for ticks and tapeworms in order to re-enter Ireland: we had to get the injection done at least 24 hours before we sailed, but no longer than 48 hours. I was told that this year the regulations were to change. Can you advise if this is correct?
Also, I have been told that this year all motorists in France must carry with them an alcohol breathalyser kit. Can you confirm this? If it is correct, where would one buy the kit and have you any idea of the cost? – RL, Kerry
The regulations have changed regarding travelling with pets: you no longer need to have the dog treated for ticks, but still need to have the tapeworm treatment. Also, the time frame allowed for administering the treatment has been increased to between one and five days.
In answer to your second question – yes, there is a new law in France that makes it compulsory to carry a breathalyser in your car. They are available on board both Irish Ferries and Celtic Link ferries and cost around €3.
Extended travel insurance
Our multi-trip travel insurance has a limit of 30 days on any single trip. We live in France for about 10-12 weeks each summer as we both are retired now. So I presume we are not covered for any of this time. Do other companies have different time allowances? Also does such a long stay outside the country affect our comprehensive car insurance there and also our VHI health insurance? – ER, Dublin
Insurance is always a complicated thing and you will find that terms and conditions vary from company to company. I know some travel insurances will cover you for up to a year, but in some cases that depends on age too.
You should probably ask a broker to look into the various insurances you need. You may find that by using a broker, you can get better value by combining car and travel insurance from the same company.
When it comes to health insurance, you will need to check with VHI on what cover is in place if you are away for 10-12 weeks. As you are going to France, you should also have the European Health Insurance Card, formerly the E111 and you can apply for that online at ehic.ie
Email queries, with your name and address, to jscales@irishtimes.com