We have a return rate of 85% and we have schools that have been with us for over 15 years. We welcome your contact with Party Leaders from recent tours to gain an objective view of our work. When dealing with Special Connections you will be dealing directly with senior staff right from the start, rather than with a telephone answering service.

Tour organisation
Each tour is allocated a Tour Organiser who will see to the host of arrangements that need to be made. Party Leaders are relieved of this time consuming task.
Your Tour Organiser will prepare a ‘planning data chart.’ As new reservations are made you will be forwarded an updated account. You will have the security of knowing exactly where you stand.
All museum and excursion reservations are made beforehand - we seldom have to queue.

Safety and security
We have over 30 years experience of running study tours for school, college and adult groups and are generally regarded as the safest UK based tour company.
This is in no small part due to the highly professional work of our Tour Directors.
Our tours are accompanied by experienced and knowledgeable Tour Directors who are available to see to the smooth running of a tour throughout.

Tour ‘duty of care.’
As ATOL bonded agents we have a duty of care to all our clients. We take this very seriously and can back this up with many practical examples.
During the recent ash cloud crisis one of our groups was approaching Pisa Airport for their return flight. We placed this group in the four star Hotel Ricasoli in Florence for two nights. In the meantime, we organised a coach from London to drive out to Italy over night. The drivers rested during the next day and then drove the group back via the ferry that we had booked from Calais..

Accompanied Tours
Our Tour Directors see to the organisation of the tour. They are on hand to offer guided tours and commentaries. Their participation means that teachers can concentrate on the care of their students, knowing that the day to day running of their tour is in safe hands.
We bring a detailed knowledge of tour locations and visits. Our specialist local knowledge means that your group's educational needs will be met exactly.
At a time when the pressure on teachers’ time has never been so great, we undertake the time consuming aspects of organisation and preparation.
We are on hand to advise and support staff throughout, from the first contact to the post holiday analysis.

Risk Assessments
At the beginning of the booking process Part Leaders receive an initial safety assessment for their tour. Prior to their departure a detailed risk assessment is prepared covering all aspects of the tour, such as hotel and transport services.

Our Travel Partners
The accommodation that we use is always excellent and sometimes superb.
Student groups are allocated the same standard accommodation as adult groups.
With one exception, New York, we avoid hostels. Hotels are chosen for comfort and security.
Our coach and airline companies follow strict standards.

Financial Security
We have a thirty year proven record of stability.
We are member of ATOL and hold an Air Tours Organiser's Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority.
We also hold public liability insurance to five million pounds.

Did you know?
When the value of the pound fell against sterling ATOL bonded agents were authorised to increase their prices. Special Connections was one, if not the only,company that charged no price increase due to currency fluctuations. We really are fully justified in what we say - ‘What you see is what you pay.’

The price you pay
Yet our prices are reasonable and affordable. The prices that we publish are what you pay – there are no hidden costs and students need only bring pocket money extra. Our prices are clear and inclusive.

In Summary
Soecial Connections makes life easier for Party Leaders, with a full organisation service and tailor made tours. We insist on the highest level of security and this is enhanced through the knowledge and experience of our Tour Directors. We prepare detailed safety assessments and offer financial security. Our standards of accommodation and catering are superior, yet our prices are inclusive, reasonable and affordable.