My clients went for a little 4 night half term break, at least that was the original idea. I called them on Thursday morning to let them know that their flights had been cancelled. I rebooked them for Saturday and arranged last minute hotel bookings for them and let the car hire company know the car would be late. I kept in touch constantly by text.

Unfortunately the Saturday flight was also cancelled with no possible alternative. I wasn’t able to organise their trains as Italy doesn’t have a prepaid ticket machine system so it could only be done at the station, but I made sure I knew where they were at all times, giving driving instructions and telephone numbers for their new hotels.

In some ways the Northern France bit was the trickiest as French Rail was still on strike and Eurostar, Eurolines and Rail Europe systems had all crashed over the weekend. One of my fellow Travel Counsellors actually drove to Rail Europe on Monday to organise tickets for all Travel Counsellors in similar situations looking to book Eurostar tickets. My clients arrived home on Tuesday after a long journey from Italy via Paris and Calais involving 4 trains and a ferry, very tired but also relieved.

I’m really pleased that I could be there for my clients and the fact that I kept in contact with them meant they were reassured I would do everything I could to get them home.

Cathie ODea, Travel Agent London