Travel Updates for Fall 2024 Updates on the latest events that might impact our tours around the world.

view of the front of Notre Dame cathedral

Notre Dame Reopening

The Notre Dame is set to reopen on the weekend of December 7th-8th, 2024. While Context is closely following the reopening process, there has been no official update on the availability of guided tours inside the cathedral. It is unlikely that any news will be available before spring 2025. The Context team plans to reintroduce interior tours as soon as they are permitted.

Our Île de la Cité Tour will continue to highlight the exterior of Notre Dame and its significance in Gothic architecture.

For clients wishing to visit Notre Dame independently after their Context tour, a free online reservation system will be introduced following the reopening. Visitors will need to book a timeslot in advance, with tickets available for booking 24 to 48 hours before their visit. Due to high demand, securing a spot may be challenging, especially during the busy Christmas holiday period.

Learn more about visiting Notre Dame on our website and please reach out to us at info@contexttravel.com if you have any questions or concerns about your upcoming tour.

See Notre Dame with Context

New Entry Requirements for US Citizens to the UK

Prepare for your trip to the UK by applying for your ETA

As of January 8, 2025, US citizens and other eligible non-Europeans will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to travel to the UK, unless they have a UK visitor visa. The ETA is a digital permit to travel to the UK that's similar to the US's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

Application dates: US citizens can apply for an ETA starting November 27, 2024.
Cost: The ETA costs £10.
Validity: The ETA allows for multiple trips to the UK for up to six months at a time over two years, or until the passport expires.
Application process: To apply for an ETA, you'll need to upload or take photos of your passport and your face. You'll also need to provide your travel itinerary and a payment method for the application fee.
Passport changes: If you get a new passport, you'll need to reapply for the ETA.

View more details and apply on the gov.uk website here.

London Tours

image of a united states passport lying on a map

Pickpocketing Advisory

Pickpocketing is a common occurrence in many cities

Pickpocketing is a common occurrence in many travel destinations. Avoid this happening to you and disrupting your vacation by following these steps:

Be aware
- Stay alert and be mindful of your surroundings. Pickpockets may work in pairs, with one person distracting you while the other steals.
Keep your belongings secure
- Don't show off your belongings. Keep your bags in front of you, either on you or at your feet, when using escalators. You can also try using pick-pocket proof supplies, like a money belt or tamper-proof bag. Keep your phone and wallet in your front pocket, and avoid putting things in your back pocket.
Avoid scams
- Don't take out money in public, and treat any unusual event as a potential pickpocketing attempt. If you feel like you're being scammed, politely but firmly ask people to move aside.
Make copies of your passport and other important documents
- Leave your passport in your hotel safe, and carry photocopies for cases when you'll need identification
Know where your local embassy is!
- You can consult the Official List of US Embassies here - https://www.usembassy.gov/
Was your passport lost or stolen?
- Follow this list of instructions from the US State Department
  - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/lost-stolen-passport-abroad.html

If you have any questions for us about tips while travelling, or anything else regarding an existing order please contact our Client Experience team at info@contexttravel.com

Carrying Identification While on Tour

Be prepared for ID checks, especially at major venues

Context's Client Experience team frequently receives the question, "Do I need to bring my passport with me on tour?" If you are travelling to Europe, the simple answer is yes. Police and other security personnel can carry out security and identification checks at their discretion. We highly recommend that you always carry a copy of your passport while on tour.

While it's unlikely that you'll be asked for ID while exploring a neighbourhood or casually walking down the street, there are specific situations where you may need to present legal identification. This includes entering major venues, cultural heritage sites, or areas near highly guarded buildings. Venues such as the Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Last Supper Museum in Italy all require proof of legal ID. In Paris, where the Olympics and Paralympics are taking place in July and August, venues such as Sainte Chapelle, the Louvre, and Versailles may also require legal ID to enter.

The safety of our clients and experts is Context's highest priority. As such, we abide by all local laws and venue requirements to deliver our tours and cannot provide refunds or credits if a client is denied entry to a venue due to a lack of proper ID. Your confirmation email will indicate whether a valid ID is required for the tour. Please reach out to us at info@contexttravel.com if you have any questions or concerns about your upcoming tour.

two hands holding american passports with a European plaza in the background

Image of Sagrada Familia from the front looking upwards

Sagrada Familia Ticket Shortages

Sagrada Familia tickets are particularly difficult to secure this season

Once a tour is purchased by a client, our fulfillment teams work right away to secure tickets. In some cases, as with the Sagrada Familia, tickets are not released for a certain month until a specific date in advance. This 2024 season, due to incredibly high demand, some time slots are sold out within seconds of becoming available.

Our team is working as hard as possible to ensure every tour is fulfilled. If your tour is impacted by limited ticket availability our Client Experience team will be in touch as soon as possible to offer different options or solutions, such as a reschedule to a new date or an alternative tour in its place.

We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this difficult situation with this venue. Please reach out to us at info@contexttravel.com if you have any questions or concerns about your upcoming tour.

Sagrada Familia Tour