Survival Guide - Wales - page 655

Holidays
Most banks and businesses and a few museums and attractions are closed on public holidays. A 'bank holiday' is a
weekday closure of major businesses and tends to fall on the first or last Monday of particular months. These are popu-
lar times for British weekend trips, so be sure to book accommodation ahead.
Wales' official public holidays:
New Year's Day 1 January
Good Friday March/April
Easter Monday March/April
May Day Bank Holiday First Monday in May
Spring Bank Holiday Last Monday in May
Summer Bank Holiday Last Monday in August
Christmas Day 25 December
Boxing Day/St Stephen's Day 26 December
If New Year's Day, Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, the following Monday is also a bank holiday.
Most museums and attractions in Wales close on Christmas and Boxing Day but stay open for the other holidays. Excep-
tions are those that normally close on Sunday. Some smaller museums close on Monday and/or Tuesday.
Peak holiday times in Wales coincide with the school holidays, notably Christmas and New Year, Easter, six weeks in
July and August, and two midterm breaks of a week each (one in February and one in October). During these times it's
essential to book transport and accommodation in advance, and be prepared for larger crowds at the major attractions. In
particular, for B&B accommodation during the August school holidays start looking for vacancies a good six months in
advance. You'll be amazed just how fast things get booked up.
Insurance
However you're travelling, make sure you take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers you for medical
expenses, luggage theft or loss, and cancellation of (or delays in) your travel arrangements. When choosing a policy,
check whether the insurance company will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas
health expenditures.
The National Health Service (NHS) provides free treatment across the UK, including Wales, and foreign nationals are
entitled to register with a local doctor if staying in the UK for an extended period. EU nationals carrying the European
Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may receive free treatment. However, the UK notified all European member states in
2008 that their citizens will be expected to show an EHIC in order to access necessary hospital treatment without
charge. If overseas visitors are not able to do this, they will be liable for NHS charges. Any prescriptions issued will still
be chargeable unless the patient is covered by one of the NHS exemptions. For more details of the scheme and how to
apply for an EHIC card, visit www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC .
Paying for your flight tickets with a credit card often provides limited travel-accident insurance (ie it covers accident-
al death, loss of limbs or permanent total disablement). You may be able to reclaim the payment if the operator doesn't
deliver the service, but this should not be relied upon instead of a full travel insurance policy.