Luxury Chicago Holidays

Overview

Travel Gems

Chicago River
Take a sightseeing boat ride along the Chicago River and marvel at the scale of the state-of-the-art, high-rise design that the city encapsulates, as well as the outstanding architecture that the city is known for, with points of interest including Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, Marina City, Trump Tower and Willis Tower. Alternatively, you could head up to The Peninsula Chicago's  Spa which boasts views of Lake Michigan and the Gold Coast.

Sightseeing Tours
A great way to acquaint yourself with the city and take in the sights without doing too much walking is to hop on and off one of the city's classic Green or Red Trolleys or double-decker buses.

Jazz/Blues Festivals
If you love jazz and/or the blues, time your visit to coincide with one of the hundreds of festivals and parades that take place each year - feel free to ask your Travel Consultant for the most up-to-date details.

Climate

Whilst largely undeserving of its nickname, the `Windy City', Chicago is nevertheless rather brisk during the winter months and the gales, snow and low temperatures keep most sensible people indoors. In the summer months, Chicago gets extremely hot, whilst spring can be unpredictable, making autumn (September to November), when it’s sunny and mild, probably the best time to visit.

Flight Information

Flight Information
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and United Airlines direct from London Heathrow. American Airlines direct from London Heathrow and Manchester.

Flight Time
From London Heathrow to O'Hare International, Chicago: 8 hours, 35 minutes.

Documentation

Travelling With Children or Without an Adult

Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.

Visa and Advance Passenger Information

All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.

Health

Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance. In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations i.e, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling. Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.