Frequently Asked Questions

Some useful information which will help answer common questions often asked by our customers before travelling to Corsica. 

If you have any other questions that are not covered in this section, please do not hesitate to contact our reservations team on 01489 866992 or email your question to us »

Our A-Z guide of frequently asked questions.

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Q. What is Advance Passenger Information (API)?

All airlines are required to collect Advance Passenger Information from all customers (including infants) travelling to and from the UK by air in advance of issuing your travel documents.

What information is needed per passenger?

Full name, as per your passport including any middle names.

Your date of birth.

The travel document 'type' e.g.passport.

Your nationality.

Passport Country of Issue.

Passport number, issue date and expiry date.

When is the information required by?

If we require this before issuing your travel documents, this will be requested at the time of booking or at least 7 days before travel in order for your travel documents to be processed in time.

If your flight is booked with a thrd party airline, you will be invited to enter this information directly into the airline website in order to complete online check-in and generate boarding passes.  Information on this will be included in your travel documents.

How can I provide this information?

You can enter these securely online under Manage My Booking or call our Admin Team with your passport details.

Q. What time is check-in and departure at my accommodation?

Unfortunately access to self-catering properties is not permitted before 4pm under any circumstances. In addition, you must vacate no later than 10am irrespective of flight departure times.

Owners and cleaners need access to the property without guests being present to ensure it is cleaned, checked and ready for the start of the holiday. If you believe that you may arrive earlier, it may be possible to drop your luggage at the property by prior arrangement.

At hotels, check in times are usually between 2pm and 3pm and check out times are between 10am and 12 noon on the day of departure.

Q. I experienced a delay to my flight, am I entitled to compensation?

Under some circumstances, depending on how long you were delayed and what has caused the delay, you may be entitled to claim compensation from the airline under the EC261/2004 legislation.

For more information on your rights relating to flight delays, please visit the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website. 

Q. Will I get driving directions to my property?

Arrival instructions, which include directions and access to the property and GPS co-ordinates, are included in your online travel guide within your travel documents which will be sent out two weeks prior to your travel date.

Q. I need a cot & highchair, how do I request one?

If you require a cot or a high chair, please request it at the time of booking.  Foldable high chairs and travel costs are provided free of charge in most of our self-catering properties.  For hygiene reasons, cots are supplied without linen.  Cots and high chairs can also be requested for hotel bookings - a small supplement may apply,

Q. Can I make requests on my booking?

If you have any special requests regarding your holiday accommodation or flights, please ensure they are requested at time of booking. Your requests will be passes on to our suppliers but cannot be guaranteed. Please contact our Administration team if you wish to add a request after the booking has been made. Please contact our Admin Team if you wish to add a request after the booking has been made.

Q. What happens if I require assistance whilst on holiday?

On arrival in Corsica, our resort team will send you a welcome text asking how you would like to have an informal meeting with our representative - this can be done by phone, chat, video call or face-to-face.  Please ensure you have provided us with a mobile number in advance of your holiday.

If there is anything about your holiday or property, which you feel unhappy about, it is important that you inform your representative as soon as possible, so they are able to take any action locally that may be necessary.  Your representative's phone number can be located in your online travel guide and you will also have this from their welcome text.  Your representative should always be called in the first instance rather than the UK office.

Q. When will I receive my travel documents?

Your travel documents will be sent by email two weeks prior to your date of travel. Your flight timings will be those shown in your travel documents email, please check them carefully as soon as you receive them as the airline may have changed these since the time of booking.

Q. How do I collect the key to my property?

Key information is included in the arrival instructions section of your online travel guide within your travel documents which will be sent out two weeks prior to your travel date.

Q. I need to amend/cancel my holiday, how do I go about this?

Any amendments will be subject to availability and an amendment fee in addition to any difference in costs. This is in addition to any suppliers' amendment or cancellation fees. Further details can be obtained from our Admin Team on 01489 866933 or via email at admin@corsicanplaces.co.uk.  Amendments within 14 days of travel are not always possible and cancellation charges will apply. Should you need to cancel, please advise our Admin Team as soon as possible, preferably by phone.  We also advise that you let your holiday insurance company know as soon as possible.

Q. Are credit cards and debit cards widely accepted?

Both credit and debit cards are accepted in restaurants, shops and petrol stations, however you may want to check prior to making any purchases in smaller towns or villages. Few banks accept traveller' checks or sterling.

Q. How do I let you know if a UK staff member or my representative has been really helpful?

You can email your comments through to customerrelations@serenityholidays.co.uk or alternatively, there is a section on our holiday questionnaire where you can add additional comments.

Q. How do I voice my feedback about my holiday?

To assist us to improve our service and ensure standards are maintained, we will be most grateful if you would take the time to complete your online holiday questionnaire, which will be included in the welcome home email you will recieve from us upon your return home.

Q. Can you drink the tap water?

 

As in most Mediterranean islands, water is in short supply in Corsica, so please use sparingly.  At times, water can be temporarily cut off as a result of high demand in the peak summer months.  Tap water may be perfectly safe to drink, but many of our properties have a private water supply, so we would recommend that you drink bottled water.

Q. Can I have a guest staying locally at my accommodation?

Only guests named on your confirmation are entitled to occupy the accommodation. Please advise us before travel to add guests.

Q. What is a security deposit?

Some property owners require a security deposit to be paid in euros to cover any breakages, damage, losses or extra cleaning which may have incurred during your holiday.  If a deposit is required to be paod for locally, you will be notified at the time of booking.  For other self-catering properties you may be required to pay for a security deposit in the UK.

We ask guests to care for their holiday accommodation as if it were their own and we recommend all clients to purchase travel insurance, which covers for some material damage. 

Q. How does health and safety compare to the UK?

The welfare of our customers is our prime consideration and we are committed to raising the standards of health and safety in our properties and to continue to identify areas where safety can be improved. General safety regulations do vary from country to country and are often less stringent than those that we have come to expect in the UK. It is therefore important to be safety conscious and we suggest that on your arrival you familiarise yourself with your surroundings, read the information file provided, and to speak with your representative if you have any concerns. We hope that by taking these simple steps, this will help to ensure that everybody in your party has a safe and enjoyable holiday.
We are working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to do all that we can to help British Travellers stay safe overseas. Visit Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website » Their website at FCDO Travel Advice Know Before You Go is packed with essential tips, travel advice and up-to-date country specific information.

Q. What is the smoking policy?

Out of respect for our owners and their properties, we ask our guests not to smoke inside our self-catering accommodation.  This also applies to hire cars.  Like the UK, a smoking ban is in place in all public areas across France.

Q. Do I need to take beach towels?

Beach towels are provided in self catering properties.  Hotel bath towels are strictly not permitted for beach or pool use, therefore please take your own.

Q. Can I pre-book or upgrade my seats?

When making your booking, you can ask for your seats to be pre-booked or upgraded, otherwise please call our Admin Team on 01489 866935 to arrange this once your booking is confirmed.

Q. Can I check-in online?

When you recieve your travel documents, it will include details of when and how you can check-in online for your flight.

Q. How can I book assistance at the airport?

Please call our Admin Team on 01489 866935 to arrange airport assistance if required.

Q. I need extra baggage allowance; can you arrange that?

All our holidays include at least 20kgs baggage allowance but this will depend on the airline that you are travelling with.  Please call us on 01489 866959 to arrange extra baggage allowance.  

Q. Do I need travel insurance and when should I take this out?

Travel insurance is a vital aspect to booking a holiday, giving you protection against unforeseen circumstances that could otherwise spoil your holiday.  We strongly recommend that you arrange travel insurance at the time of booking to cover you in case you should need to cancel. 

We have arranged a scheme with specialists Travel & General Insurance Services Limited who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 304788), full details of which can be found on the FCA website: www.fca.org.uk.

Please call Travel & General direclty on 0330 880 3625 for a quote.

Q.What are the new systems known as ETIAS and EES being introduced for travel to and from countries which are part of the Schengen Area?

France follows the Schengen area rules which will soon be introducing new entry requirements. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to start in October 2025. It is not currently in operation. The European Union will inform about the specific start date of the EES before its launch. Read more information on the EU Entry/Exit System.

Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS.  If you are travelling on a UK passport or other non-EU/non-Schengen country passport that are visa exempt this will be a bit like an ESTA that you'd apply for when travelling to the USA.  It's not a visa, but if you are visiting an EU Schengen zone country for a short stay*, you'll need to register your details before you travel via a quick and easy online form - it'll cost just €7 and will be valid for three years.  ETIAS applications aren't open yet, but we'll let you know when the form is live and comes into effect so you can plan ahead.

 

 

Q. Do you offer welcome packs?

All of our self-catering properties include a small  Welcome to Corsica  gift pack for your party. The contents will include: Water, orange juice, wine, beer, Corsican biscuits and crisps...

Q. Is my holiday financially protected?

When you book a holiday with Corsican Places you will benefit from ATOL protection. This ensures that you won’t lose your money or become stranded abroad in the unlikely event of financial failure.