Amy's blog posts
At Artisan Travel, we love working with Travel Partners from all over the world. If you would like to apply to work with us, then please click here to answer some simple questions and one of our team will be in touch very soon.
We are also members of AITO and ABTA and adhere to their code of conduct and guidelines. Finally, we are also fully ATOL protected.

If you already work with us, then please click here to access our resource library. We have some stock images to use (please take note of any image credits), some videos and also some PDF pages for our most popular holidays. If there is anything else you think would be useful to assist in your sales, please do not hesitate to get in touch by our designated priority agent email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or give us a call on +44 (0) 1670 330 733. We highly value our travel partners and always prioritise these emails and calls.
If you would like any specialised training, then we would be happy to provide this either via video link or we can arrange a visit to your offices. We would also be thrilled to host any joint events for prospective clients, again either in person at your offices or online. Please just get in touch and we will discuss the options in more detail.

Artisan Travel is all about dream fulfilment and ticking off those must-do bucket list experiences and must-see destinations. Since we originally started operating the Artisan Travel Company in 2002, we know our clients pretty well and have a very good idea of what it is that they want from a holiday. Also since this time, we have developed an enviable network of local suppliers and tourism experts who know their own countries far, far better than we ever could. Essentially, we have taken what we know about our clients' holiday wishes and, in close consultation with our local partners, we have handcrafted itineraries that we believe illustrate the very best of any particular destination.
We also have a great section on our website about preparing for your holiday which will hold some useful information for clients and also our frequently asked questions which cover everything from how fit you need to be to do an activity through to what kind of plug adaptor you need to take with you.
UPDATED: 13 MAY 2022
FUTURE BOOKINGS AND HOLIDAYS
All our destinations are open to fully vaccinated travellers. We are constantly monitoring the advice provided by the UK Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as well as the guidance provided by the governments in the destinations we feature. We will keep our clients updated with any changes to specific entry requirements.
Finland update
We are in contact with the Communications team of Visit Finland that aligns with the Finnish Embassy and Foreign ministry and they have provided the following, 'Travelling to and in Finland is safe - everyday life runs normally and we warmly welcome travellers to Finland'.
Frequently asked questions
- WHAT HAPPENS IF THE COUNTRY I AM TRAVELLING TO REQUIRES VISITORS TO QUARANTINE UPON ARRIVAL
If a country requires testing at the border which takes up to a few hours to return results, then we would not cancel your holiday in this instance. Instead, we would work with the local partners to ensure you had everything you need to be comfortable including snacks and meals etc. If you were required to quarantine for any longer than a few hours, we would cancel your holiday and offer either re-booking or a refund.
- WHAT HAPPENS IF THE FCDO ADVICE CHANGES FOR MY DESTINATION AFTER I HAVE BOOKED?
If the FCDO advice changes to advising against all but essential travel then we will cancel your holiday and assist you with rebooking to an alternative date, a different destination or issue you with a full refund.
- WHAT HAPPENS IF MY TRIP IS CANCELLED?
If you are booked onto a trip that we must cancel, then we will get in touch with you immediately. If we are forced to cancel your holiday, then there will be several options available to you:
1 – Consider an alternative destination
As we have such a fantastic network of partners across Scandinavia, we will do everything we can to propose alternative holiday options for you to consider. If you do decide to go for one of these options, we will transfer the money you have already paid us to your new booking and, if it is cheaper, refund you the difference. If it is more expensive you will need to top this amount up to match the new price.
2 – Postpone your holiday
We think it is more important than ever to have something special to look forward to as the world hopefully gets back to “normal”. If we are forced to cancel your holiday, then we will work with our local partners on your behalf to minimise any increase in costs to your holiday price and if they do increase or we are forced to make any changes to the holiday package which you don’t like – you can cancel and receive a full refund.
3 – A full refund
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your cancellation we may request that you contact your Travel Insurance company in the first instance. Should that claim be unsuccessful then we will refund you in full. We will advise you of the relevant processing times at that stage.
- I MADE A BOOKING WITH YOU, BUT I NO LONGER WISH TO TRAVEL, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
This will depend on when your booking was made and the specific terms relating to your holiday and flight booking if applicable. The Artisan Travel Company are happy to postpone all transferable and flexible elements of your trip to either an alternative holiday or departure date. For any non-transferable elements, we will do our best to minimise these costs but unfortunately, these decisions are normally out of our hands. Naturally, we promise to do our best to negotiate on your behalf.
Another option would be to transfer your booking to another passenger (subject to terms and conditions and introduced by yourselves) and we can normally facilitate this until 10 days prior to departure.
Finally, depending on the reason you no longer wish to travel, you may be able to claim on your travel insurance.
- WHAT HAPPENS IF I TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID AND CAN NO LONGER TRAVEL?
Your first port of call would be your travel insurance policy. Like with any other illness or accident which would prevent you from going on your holiday as planned this is the very reason for travel insurance policies. Please check your policy to ensure that you would be covered in this instance. If you do not have travel insurance (please be aware it is a prerequisite to travelling with us) or it fails to cover you, we will negotiate with our local partners to offer you re-booking for an alternative date or a refund, but it is likely that there will be some substantial unrecoverable costs, so it is much better to have comprehensive travel insurance than to rely on this option.
- I’M TRAVELLING FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY OUTSIDE OF THE UK – WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M NOT ABLE TO TRAVEL?
The Artisan Travel Company is based in the UK, and we take all our guidance from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and other UK government bodies. Depending on whether you have booked a flight inclusive or land-only package your contract with us either starts at your UK departure airport (if we have booked your flights) or, if you have booked a land only package, the agreed meeting point in the destination country (usually an airport).
If no national UK border restrictions are preventing us from operating the holiday (i.e., unless the FCDO advise against all but essential travel to Finland, Sweden, Iceland or Norway) OR the destination government prevent all arrivals from the UK then we will continue to run the holiday as planned. For anyone who is prevented from joining the trip as planned due to medical reasons or government advice changing from a country other than the UK or the destination of your holiday, then this cancellation by you would be dealt with as per our booking terms and conditions. As such, any loss would need to be reclaimed from your travel insurance policy so please check the wording carefully and ensure you are satisfied with the level of cover.
- WHAT TYPE OF TRAVEL INSURANCE SHOULD I LOOK FOR?
Travel insurance has always been a prerequisite for travelling with us and investing in a comprehensive travel insurance policy should be the first thing you do after booking your holiday.
If you, or any member of your party, are diagnosed with COVID whilst you are on holiday then you need to be satisfied that your insurance policy will cover any medical costs incurred including testing, self-isolation and treatment. We would also suggest choosing a policy which would allow you to claim for any elements of the holiday you were not able to take part in.
Further advice for UK travellers
Though we endeavour to inform our customers of any significant changes, this is a fast-moving situation and therefore we also ask for our travellers to keep up-to-date with the relevant travel advice.
Here are some useful links:
UK health authorities: www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
FCDO travel advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) TravelHealthPro website: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/news/499/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-general-advice-for-travellers
The NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
ABTA: www.abta.com/coronavirus
Contact us
If you have any questions or concerns, then please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or, call 01670 785 085.
Thank you for visiting Artisan Travel.
Don't worry - we'll be back soon, we are just doing some essential maintenance on our server. Please check back in 60 minutes, or feel free to call the office.
The Artisan Travel Team
- When you use an offer, you accept our terms and conditions relating to that offer (in legal terms you are deemed to have accepted them and agree to be bound by them).
- Unless the offer states otherwise, the offer can only be applied once and is valid for single use only on one booking. Offers cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or discounts.
- The offer will only be available when booking directly with The Artisan Travel Company and cannot be used by customers booking indirectly through travel agencies or by customers who reach us via a third-party referral website, such as Responsible Travel. For offers listed on third party websites, please refer to their terms and conditions.
- Bookings must be made on or before the dates specified on the applicable offer.
- All discounts are valid on selected dates, as specified on the applicable offer.
- All offers are subject to promotional availability, dates and accommodation. Depending on popularity or availability offers may be amended, extended or withdrawn.
- Offer is non-exchangeable.
- All offers are only valid on flight-inclusive holidays.
- There will be no cash alternative.
- If you decide to cancel/amend your holiday and a refund is needed, it'll be for the price you actually paid, taking into account the offer or discount.
- We can decline your booking, if we don't think the promo code or offer used is valid for the product(s) ordered, or if we reasonably suspect fraud.
- The offer must be quoted at the time of booking and cannot be applied retrospectively to existing bookings.
- Customer must be aged 18 or over to place a booking.
- We can change these terms and conditions or withdraw an offer at any time, with reasonable notice.
- Our standard booking conditions and privacy policy apply.
- These terms and conditions are governed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
- The promoter of these offers is Artisan Travel Company: Company registration: No. 04482022. Registered office: Maling Exchange, Hoults Yard, Walker Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE6 1AB. ABTA No. Y6261, ATOL No. 6865, AITO No. 5180.
Current offers:
Repeat Clients – Save 5%
- Save 5% on your next holiday when you book with one of our three brands; The Aurora Zone, Artisan Travel and Activities Abroad.
- Offer is valid when used within 24 months of travel.
Refer a friend (repeat clients)
- Refer a friend to travel with any one of our three brands (The Aurora Zone, Artisan Travel and Activities Abroad) and they’ll receive £50 off their booking.
- Additionally, for every booking that quotes your name and address, you'll also receive £50 towards your next holiday.
- Offer is based on a per booking basis and only valid when used within 24 months of travel.
Free Upgrade to Funken Lodge - Worth £792 Per Couple - Summer Departures Only - Ends 31st July 2023
- Offer applies to the following trip: Summer Arctic Wilderness of Spitsbergen (Trip Code: 5212)
- Valid on departures between 01st June and 31st August 2023 only
- Free upgrade to Funken Lodge (based on two sharing a double room)
- Offer applies to bookings made between 18th April 2023 and 30th June 2023
- This offer must be claimed at the time of booking and not later
- This offer is subject to availability
- This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
- This offer applies to clients travelling from the UK only
- Please quote 'FUNKEN LODGE UPGRADE' at the time of booking
Save up to £100 per person - SELECT SUMMER DEPARTURES ONLY
- Offer is based on a per booking basis
- Valid on the following summer trips: Bergen - Tromsø & Sommarøy - City & Islands Under the Midnight Sun (Trip Code 5225), Tromsø - Midnight Sun City Break (Trip Code 5224)
- Valid on July departures only
- Offer valid on bookings made up to 31 July 2023
- This offer must be claimed at the time of booking and not later
- This offer is subject to availability
- This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
- This offer applies to clients travelling from the UK only
- Please quote 'SUMMER2023' at the time of booking
Save up to £50 per person + 1 x Free Dinner - SELECT SUMMER DEPARTURES ONLY
- Offer is based on a per booking basis
- Valid on the following summer trips: Bergen and Flåm - City Culture and Fantastic Fjords (Trip Code 5226), Bergen - City Break and Fjord Cruise (Trip Code 5220)
- Valid on July departures only
- Offer valid on bookings made up to 31 July 2023
- This offer must be claimed at the time of booking and not later
- This offer is subject to availability
- This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
- This offer applies to clients travelling from the UK only
- Please quote 'DINNER50' at the time of booking
Save up to £50 per person - Gozo Activity Short Break only
- Offer is based on a per booking basis
- Valid on the following summer trip: Activity Short Break (Trip Code 553)
- Valid on July departures only
- Offer valid on bookings made up to 31 July 2023
- This offer must be claimed at the time of booking and not later
- This offer is subject to availability
- This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
- This offer applies to clients travelling from the UK only
- Please quote 'SUMMER2023' at the time of booking
WIN A CASE OF 12 BOTTLES OF RED OR WHITE WINE - BOOKINGS MADE FROM 18TH MAY 2023 - 31ST MAY 2023 - EXPIRED
- Offer applies to all bookings made from 18th May-31st May 2023
- Deposit must be paid
- No cash or non-alcoholic alternative
- Wine case is worth up to £115
- The winner will be announced and contacted in the first of June 2023
- Wine would be posted out to the winner by the 16th June 2023#This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
- This offer applies to clients travelling from the UK only
Free Upgrade to Deluxe Room on all bookings made in April 2023 - EXPIRED
- Offer applies to the following trip: Madeira - Landscapes Forged by Fire
- Valid on bookings made up to the 30th April 2023
- This offer must be claimed at the time of booking and not later
- This offer is subject to availability
- This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
- This offer applies to clients travelling from the UK only
- Please quote 'MADEIRA UPGRADE' at the time of booking
Save £50 per person on the 11th December 2022 departure date - EXPIRED
- Offer applies to the following trip: Ranua - Tailor Made
- Valid on 11th December 2022 departure dates only
- Offer valid on bookings made after 02 November 2022
- Offer includes £50 off per person
- This offer must be claimed at the time of booking and not later
- This offer is subject to availability
- This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
- This offer applies to clients travelling from the UK only
- Please quote 'SAVE50PP' at the time of booking
Free UK Airport Lounge Access – Azores Holiday – AITO Newsbites - EXPIRED
- Offer applies to the following trips - A Volcanic Island Short Break (Brochure Code: 5552).
- Valid on all bookings made after 21st March 2022.
- Offer expires Friday 8th April 2022.
- This offer must be claimed at the time of booking and not at a later date
- Quote: 'FREE-LOUNGE-ACCESS' when booking.
- This offer is subject to availability.
- This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
- This offer is valid for the first 10 people to claim the offer.
- This offer provides one complimentary visit to a UK airport departure lounge for each person listed on the booking.
- This offer is valid for passengers travelling from the UK only.
Quality Charter
AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Our member companies, usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating.
EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP
AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct.
FINANCIAL SECURITY
An AITO member is required to arrange financial protection for all holidays and other arrangements (including accommodation only) booked by customers with the member under the AITO logo. This financial protection applies to customers who are resident in the UK at the time of booking and to most overseas customers who have booked directly with the member. In doing so, the member must comply with UK Government regulations. Members are required to submit details of their financial protection arrangements to AITO on a regular basis.
ACCURATE BROCHURES AND WEBSITES
All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTS
All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards.
MONITORING STANDARDS
AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a post-holiday questionnaire, the results of which are scrutinised by the Association.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Members acknowledge the importance of AITOs Sustainable Tourism ethos, which recognises the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating.
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO's low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.
Congratulations on making your preliminary booking with Artisan Travel.
Once your Travel Expert has finalised all the details and emailed you with a formal quote, they will then give you a call in order to take your deposit. Our standard deposit amount is £400 per person and the final balance is payable within nine weeks of departure.
All bookings are subject to availability and are not finalised until you have received final confirmation from our team. Please do not make any additional travel arrangements until informed that you are able to do so.
We aim to contact you within two working days. If you have any questions in the meantime please contact us on 01670 785 085. Our opening hours can be found here.
Please note we are receiving an unprecedented number of enquiries at the moment and so please do bear with us if it takes us a little longer than normal to respond to your request. One of our experts will be in touch as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your booking!
Congratulations on making your preliminary booking with Artisan Travel.
Once your Travel Expert has finalised all the details and emailed you with a formal quote, they will then give you a call in order to take your deposit. Our standard deposit amount is £400 per person and the final balance is payable within nine weeks of departure.
All bookings are subject to availability and are not finalised until you have received final confirmation from our team. Please do not make any additional travel arrangements until informed that you are able to do so.
We aim to contact you within two working days. If you have any questions in the meantime please contact us on 01670 785 085. Our opening hours can be found here.
Please note we are receiving an unprecedented number of enquiries at the moment and so please do bear with us if it takes us a little longer than normal to respond to your request. One of our experts will be in touch as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your booking!
Thank you for contacting Artisan Travel. Your enquiry form has been submitted and one of our Artisan Travel Experts will get back to you shortly. We aim to answer all enquiries within two working days.
If the matter is urgent then please call us on 01670 785 085. Please click here for details of our opening hours.
Travel Website Development