I know there are a lot of restrictions on bringing things like Meat, Fruit etc overseas (we are flying into the UK). Since we like our mid afternoon/morning snacks, so we are planning to bring several boxes of Granola Bars/power bars etc (enough for 2 bars per person per day). (Realizing some will say don't do that just buy the food etc). Has anyone else done that? Just curious if that will cause any issues going through customer.

We always take breakfast bars and cheese crackers..Never had a problem

quote:

Originally posted by deepspacedave:
I know there are a lot of restrictions on bringing things like Meat, Fruit etc overseas (we are flying into the UK). Since we like our mid afternoon/morning snacks, so we are planning to bring several boxes of Granola Bars/power bars etc (enough for 2 bars per person per day). (Realizing some will say don't do that just buy the food etc). Has anyone else done that? Just curious if that will cause any issues going through customer.

we also took a box of granola bars along, most went into the trash on our last night before flight home, I think we ate 2 or 3 the whole time....you may not need as many as you think (unless you have lots of time before/after or between tours), but we did take them!

I think as long as it's in a sealed package you should not have any trouble with customs...
You don't have your location listed so be safe, check with your airline and your TA just to be sure

We usually bring a few snack bars, granola, all bran bars etc, since my husband is diabetic and takes insulin and sometimes his sugar levels become low if he has miscalculated his insulin usage.
However, we usually eat very few. The breakfast are often very adequate and there is often plenty of food to eat at rest stops. I enjoy trying foods of the different regions.

Perfect answers, thank you everyone!

I think granola bars would fall in the same realm as chocolate bars in the case that they're sealed and wouldn't usually carry a virus or something contagious.

I'm not sure why you want to bring them with you, though. Unless they're a specific brand that you simply must have. I've often popped into the Newsagents (think convenience store that sells newspapers and magazines) as picked up several granola and meal-replacement bars for around 50p. These places usually also sell bottled water and other soft drinks at reasonable prices.

We brought a few snacks along last year but ended up not eating them. I think we ended up leaving them at a hotel so we'd have more room in our suitcases for the stuff we bought. We found that there were enough stops along the way for us to purchase any snacks.

We did find some problems in buying snacks on our first two trip. The labels were written in the local language and not in English so we got some real surprises- that is why we take our own now.

I always bring some granola bars and some trail mix. I find that I will eat that instead of lunch. Must have time to take pictures during the lunch stops!

I also bring granola bars and almonds to snakc on. Most of the granola bars come back home and I ate a little of the almonds. There is definetly enough food without snacking in between. You can eat the snacks if you want to save money on lunch or you are hungry late at night.

saki

I usually put a packet of dried fruit or a snack bar into my purse each morning before we go on the bus. Yes there is a stop every two or so hrs. but with 35-40 from one bus let alone possibly 2 buses it can be very time comsuming to use the facilities and then get a snack as there are also 40 or more others wanting to be waited on by the salesclerks (usually these stops are for no more than 25mins tops) so if I find it too busy I then munch on what I have. Purvis

Hi Folks, As Hitler said, we in Britain are a nation of shopkeepers, therefore I would suggest that if you bring snacks in to Britain, only bring enough for a few days. There are shops everywhere and they vary from "Mom and Pop", stores to Walmart type superstores, we have Asda and Tescos. All will sell what we call cereal bars, some with nuts, some covered in chocolate, but many just plain. I think taking familar foods is a comfort thing that most of us do when first going abroad until we realise that many brands are the same as back home. We also have Pepsi, SevenUp, and Dr. Pepper which are sold most places. Water all over Britain is drinkable unlike some countries on the European Continent even though bottled water is also readily available. Water in the North is classed as "harder" and better to taste which is why more brewers and distillers are found in the North. Breakfasts in hotels are not as varied as in America but are usually good quality and plentiful. Lunchtime there are Subways, Greggs doing sandwiches, and fast food outlets usually the same as American chains. The British Pubs are too varied to recommend for food, but some are great value for money especially if the food is home made. Evening Meals can be taken at most hotels but restaurants can seem expensive to tourists and food from Pub Chains can look good but be bland like in America.
I hope this little guide to British food has been some help. Regards Sid ( Not to be confused with SiD, Sunny in Dubai )

Sid,

Very interesting information about the water in the North as compared to the South of England. My wife and I have been lucky since we have been able to travel to England 2-3 times a year for business/pleasure. My wife's dream is to live in a house somewhere in the Lake District

By the way where is Grimsby located in England?

quote:

Originally posted by Sid from Grimsby:
Hi Folks, As Hitler said, we in Britain are a nation of shopkeepers, therefore I would suggest that if you bring snacks in to Britain, only bring enough for a few days. There are shops everywhere and they vary from "Mom and Pop", stores to Walmart type superstores, we have Asda and Tescos.

While what you are saying makes good sense, when I am on tour I personally would prefer not to spend time shopping, but rather experiencing things I may never see again. Also as Purvis correctly points out, the comfort stops can be somewhat rushed so it is perhaps a good idea to be prepared.

Just a word of caution to any BBers visiting Australia, our quarantine laws are extremely tough & I would not recommend bringing any food into Australia, & if you do then most certainly declare it before crossing the border. Our rules vary from state to state which makes it difficult even for us to keep, up so declare or beware.

Australian Quarantine & Inspections Service

Australia can be interesting. We travelled by road from the east to the west. In our pantry we had a bottle of honey we purchsed in Woolworthes supermarket before we left. When we crossed into Western Australia we had to surrender it at a quaranteen inspection station as honey was a prohibited import to that state. We then went to the next large town and purchased a very similar bottle from the local Woolworthes there.

We do however value our isolation from exotic diseases and pests and I am sure within an hour after settling into your Australian hotel you could find a local convenience store to supply either the exact or very similar product you crave.