Customer support

It is not possible to detail in this booklet all the information relating to various practical aspects of your holiday. A fact sheet on your chosen holiday destination will therefore be sent with the confirmation invoice. This will provide further information on customs requirements, visas, currency, medical services, and local shopping, details of optional excursions, information concerning climate and recommended clothing, etc.

Should you require any further information before making your holiday decision, our Holiday Advisors will be happy to answer your queries.

The following climate and visa information is for customers travelling to the USA and Canada

The following climate information has temperatures supplied in Fahrenheit. Please use the approximate conversions below as your guide to Centigrade:

America

Our departures have been carefully planned at a time when the weather is ideal for touring the Western States, Florida, the Eastern Seaboard and the Southern States. You will naturally encounter some differences in climate, depending on location.

San Francisco is cool throughout the year – hence the glorious mists across the bay! Daytime temperatures are approximately 55°F. The Grand Canyon can also be cool, as the south rim is approximately 6,000 ft. above sea level. Lake Tahoe is at a similar height above sea level, with warm days and cool evenings. In Los Angeles temperatures should be in the low 70s, and in Las Vegas and Scottsdale average daytime temperatures may well reach 85°F. Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Scottsdale offer a clean, dry warmth, whereas Los Angeles can often be a little muggy.

Florida and the Bahamas are wonderfully warm in Spring and Autumn, with average daily temperatures around 70°F.

Average temperatures in Boston, Washington, New York and the New England area will range from 50°F in March and November to 70°F in June and September, whilst Georgia and the Deep South states are warmer, but more humid.

In the national parks in northern Wyoming it will be sunny, but chilly. By contrast the parks in southern Utah (Bryce, Zion, etc.) will be hot and dry.

Spring and autumn in Colorado bring warm and generally sunny days with temperatures in the 70s. Evenings can be quite cool due to the clear skies. The temperatures in the mountains can be several degrees cooler due to the altitude.

In Hawaii, the average temperature remains in the 70s throughout the year, with cooling ocean breezes.

Our holidays to Alaska and The Yukon operate between May and September. Average temperatures range from 45°F-65°F. The climate during the short summer is helped by the long hours of daylight.

Along the Alaskan coastline, the climate is surprisingly temperate.

Throughout the USA, virtually all public buildings, shops, restaurants, etc. have air-conditioning.

Canada

Canada is the world’s second largest country and as such has a very varied climate. British Columbia is relatively warm year-round due to its location close to the Pacific Ocean. The Rockies tend to have very mixed weather but generally in the summer it can be warm and sunny. It is not, however, unusual for temperatures to change quickly. Spring and autumn are quite pleasant with mild temperatures. The temperatures in the Rockies in winter tend not to rise above freezing. The area around St. Lawrence, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec is warm in the summer months, although temperatures can be variable at all times of the year.

Winters in Manitoba can be long and harsh, and summers short and warm. We recommend warm clothing for our special ‘Polar Bear’ departures in October and November. Nova Scotia has cold winters and changeable summers. We travel in the summer months when temperatures are higher, averaging 60°F-75°F.

The following climate and visa information is for customers travelling to destinations in our Far Away Places brochure

The following climate information has temperatures supplied in Fahrenheit. Please use the approximate conversions below as your guide to Centigrade:

Kenya

The climate is mainly tropical with an average of eight hours of sunshine. The warmer months are between December and March with temperatures reaching 90°F. Rain is likely between March to December but is usually followed by sunshine as the humidity is high.

Morocco

Southern desert regions are hot and dry, with cold nights. Morocco’s coastline borders both the Mediterranean and Atlantic which means daily temperatures are tempered by sea breezes, with the Atlantic coast being cooler than the Mediterranean. Sunshine hours average about nine to ten hours on the coast. Average daily temperatures in Marrakech in the winter months are between 40-70°F, while summer temperatures can reach the 100s.

Namibia

The coast of the Namibia desert is kept cool and free of rain by the Benguela current. Inland, all the rain falls in their summer (November to April). Temperatures are high in the summer and warm during the winter. Temperatures are cool at high altitudes. Average year round temperature is 70°F.

South Africa

The climate is temperate and agreeable with hot summers, and winters which compare favourably with our summer. The seasons are reversed so departures from January to June enjoy the delights of summer and early autumn. The departures from August to November will enjoy spring and summer conditions. Average daily temperatures are around 60-70°F with a little humidity on the Natal Coast.

Tanzania & Zanzibar

The climate is tropical with an average of seven to ten hours of sunshine a day. There is rainfall in the areas we visit to a minor extent (‘the short rains’) in November and December; and to a more significent extent (‘the long rains’) from February to May. Average temperatures thoughout the year are around 80°F.

Tunisia

Tunisia has a warm climate all year. Best periods are spring and autumn. Temperatures can be extremely high inland. Winter is mild and has the highest rainfall. Lightweights are worn in summer and mediumweights or rainwear in winter. Sunglasses are advised.

Zambia

There are three seasons in Zambia. The dry, cool winter season is from May to September. October and November are the dry season, and the rainy season which is the hottest part of the year is from December to April. The average maximum temperature year-round is about 80°F. Please note the water levels are at their lowest between September and October and at their highest April to May.

Asia

Borneo

Temperatures vary little from month to month, with an average of 85°F year round. Rainfall is to be expected from April to November but is usually followed by brilliant sunshine. Humidity is high.

Cambodia

Cambodia has a tropical climate. The rainy season extends from May until November but rainfall tends to be sporadic, usually in the afternoon, and is then followed by brilliant sunshine. From November to April, the weather is hot and sunny with temperatures averaging 80°F.

China

In the winter months in Beijing, the days will be sunny, but cold and crisp, and warm clothing is necessary. Further south, in the central region of China, winters are much milder. For example, average daily temperatures in Xian, Chongqing and the Yangtze Gorges are 50-60°F. April, early May, September and October are beautifully warm and sunny in Beijing, Xian, Nanjing and Shanghai with daytime temperatures reaching the upper 60s. Late May to August will be quite hot, with daytime temperatures reaching the upper 80s especially in Xian and Nanjing, which can be quite humid, as can Chongqing and the Yangtze Gorges.

If you are taking the ‘add-on’ to the Ice Festival in Harbin, especially warm clothing should be worn. Average daily temperatures are well below freezing point. A warm hat and gloves are essential, and we recommend thermal underwear. For more advice see our fact sheet.

Kunming enjoys a year-round temperature above 60°F, whilst the higher region of Yunnan Province has cooler summers (average 65°F) and cold winters.

The warmer, dry season with an average temperature of 25°C is from November to March. The rainy season is from May to October with an average temperature of 29°C.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong can have the occasional cold spell during the winter, but in general is warmer than most of China due to its southerly situation. Average temperatures range between 70-80°F throughout the year. There may also be occasional rain showers, which tend to be torrential but brief, and are usually followed by brilliant sunshine. Snow and frost are virtually unknown.

India

The Indian climate is generally tropical with average daily temperatures of 85°F. Rain showers can be expected between May and October. Winter months can be cold. India is a vast continent so temperatures will vary.

Japan

A very similar climate to Britain, with four distinct seasons coinciding with our own. Overall Japan is a few degrees warmer.

Laos

Laos has a tropical climate. The rainy season extends from May until October, but rainfall tends to be sporadic, usually falls in the afternoon, and is then followed by brilliant sunshine. From November to April, the weather is hot and sunny with temperatures averaging 80°F.

Malaysia

Temperatures vary little from month to month in Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Penang at 85°F year round. Humidity is high and there is the chance that thunderstorms will accompany rainfall.

Nepal

Nepal generally enjoys warm and settled weather with average daily temperatures ranging from 65-75°F. Sudden drops in temperature can occur in the evening. Rain showers can be expected from May to September. Winter months can drop to freezing.

Singapore

The weather will be hot and humid, with as much as nine hours of sunshine each day with an average daily temperature of 80°F.

Sri Lanka

A tropical climate with relatively high temperatures and humidity. The temperatures on the coast are reduced slightly by the sea breezes and in the area of Nuwara Eliya it is slightly cooler due to the altitude. Torrential rain showers are to be expected from May to July and December to January. These tend to be brief and are usually followed by brilliant sunshine.

Thailand

Thailand is a great winter sun destination. The south of Thailand experiences an equatorial climate with an average temperature in Bangkok and Pattaya of 83°F. Humidity is high with the occasional rain shower between June and October, usually followed by brilliant sunshine. The area of Chiang Mai, in the north, enjoys slightly cooler temperatures.

Tibet

Cold winters, cool summers and generally dry. The most pleasant months for visitors are from April to October.

Vietnam

The climate during winter in the North can be cold, average temperature is about 50°F-60°F. In the South the climate is more consistent year round with a average temperature of 84°F. For our Vietnam for Christmas & New Year tour and winter departures we advise a mixture of warm and light summer clothes.

Australia

The seasons are reversed in Australia. Our departures in the winter months enjoy the delights of summer. Departures from May to July will experience the autumn. Those in October and November will enjoy spring/summer conditions. Average daytime temperatures in Perth and Sydney will be very similar (around 75°F) whilst the climate at the Great Barrier Reef is on average some 10°F hotter and you may also encounter occasional rain showers. These tend to be torrential but are usually followed by brilliant sunshine. Virtually all public buildings, shops, restaurants, etc. have air-conditioning.

Fiji

Average daytime temperatures will remain in the 80s throughout the year with at least six hours of sunshine every day. Rain showers can be expected between December and May but are usually followed by brilliant sunshine.

New Zealand

The seasons are reversed in New Zealand but it has a very similar climate to Britain, so rain clouds will appear from time to time. There are no extreme hot conditions; the winter months in the South Island can be very cold with snow in the mountains. The west side of the islands receives more rain than anywhere else. The average temperature will be about 55°F.

Egypt

Egypt generally enjoys warm winters but sudden drops in temperature can occur in the evenings. Spring and summer daytime temperatures, especially in Luxor, can be extremely high and most sightseeing is done in the cool of the early morning, in order to avoid the midday heat. Average daily temperatures in Cairo are 65-85°F.

Israel

Israel can be visited at any time of year, but the best time is April to May or September to October when the temperatures are milder. The climate is Mediterranean with average summer temperatures of 75°F and average winter temperatures of 55°F.

Jordan

Spring and autumn average daily temperatures vary from 70-80°F and some days can be very hot, especially in Aqaba. The summer months of June, August and early September tend to be very hot. Rain falls between November and March, while colder weather conditions occur in December/January.

Syria

The dry season in Syria is July to September, with an average of less than 1mm of rain, and the rainy season is November to February, when the average rainfall is 73mm. Temperatures in the ancient city of Damascus range from an average of 35°F in January to 81°F in August.

Turkey

Coastal Turkey enjoys an enviable Mediterranean climate with hot sunny days and cooler evenings. We avoid the stifling heat in the very hot summer. Average daytime temperatures in spring and autumn are 60-70°F.

Uzbekistan

The climate in Uzbekistan can be described as extreme continental. There is little rainfall during the year and temperatures can average 18°F in the winter and 113°F in the summer. For this reason it is best to visit in the spring and autumn.

Argentina

Argentina’s climate in the central zone is temperate, with mild winters and warm, wet summers. Departures from January to May will enjoy the delights of summer and early autumn with temperatures in the mid 70s. From June to November temperatures are on average 60°F. Our holidays to Patagonia will operate between October and April with average daily temperatures between 60-75°F. It is not, however, unusual for temperatures to change quickly.

Brazil

In southern Brazil, the average daily temperature remains constant at around 80°F from December to April, and 70°F for the remainder of the year. Humidity can be high. The rainy season occurs from November to March.

Chile

In the central region of Chile (including Santiago) the climate is Mediterranean. Average daytime temperatures in January can reach 80°F but fall to 60°F in July. Days are usually hot and the nights are cool. The southern region is subject to excessive rainfall and storms.

Costa Rica

In the Central Valley, where the main centres of population are located, the average temperature is 72°F. In the coastal areas the temperature is much hotter. The rainy season starts in May and finishes in November. The ‘warm’ dry season is December to May, though temperature differences between summer and winter are slight.

Cuba

Cuba enjoys a sub-tropical climate all year round with an average daily temperature of 80°F. Most rainfall occurs between May and October. The least rain falls between January and April but the temperature is cooler.

Ecuador

Ecuador is a diverse country ranging from warm coastal areas to the cooler Andes Mountains which will become quite cold at night. Rainfall is always higher in the coastal and jungle areas.

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands experience very little rainfall and average temperatures of 70-85°F.

Mexico

Mexico enjoys warm, sunny weather for most of the year with some rain between May and October.

Nicaragua

Most of Nicaragua has a tropical climate. The rainy season is between June and November. The average daily temperature is around 80°F.

Peru

Peru enjoys a varied climate with an average daily temperature of around 70°F in the cities of Lima and Cuzco. Temperatures drop dramatically at night so warm clothing is essential.

In the Amazon region high humidity is to be expected, with temperatures of approximately 85°F. Showers are generally torrential but brief.

Information regarding passport, visa and health requirements applicable to British Citizens for the holidays we offer are shown in our brochure. Requirements may change and you must check the up-to-date position in good time before departure.

All British Citizens need a full ten year passport for all holidays in this brochure. To comply with certain countries’ regulations, it must be valid for at least six months after the date of your return. If your passport expires earlier, it may still be valid for travel to some countries, but you should contact your local passport office, or the consulate or embassy of the country to be visited for advice.

If you do not hold a British Citizen’s passport, check with the consulate or embassy of the country to be visited for further information. Please note that it is the responsibility of the traveller to ensure that all passport and visa requirements are met and are in order before they travel.

We recommend that you apply for a passport at least eight weeks before departure. You can either pick up a Passport Application Form at selected Post Office branches and Worldchoice travel agents or call the Application Form Request line on 0901 4700 110 (calls charged at 60p per minute and should not normally exceed 90p). Alternatively, visit www.passport.gov.uk.

Please note: If you are 16 or over and have not yet got a passport, our recommendation is that you should apply for one at least twelve weeks before your holiday. The UK Passport Service has to confirm your identity before issuing your first passport and will ask you to attend an interview in order to do this.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept liability if you are refused entry on to any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry correct documentation. If you or any member of your party is not a British Citizen or holds a non-British passport, you must check passport and visa requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country(ies) to or through which you are intending to travel. If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents results in fines, surcharges or other financial penalty being imposed on us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly. Information on health is contained in the Department of Health leaflet T6 (Health Advice for Travellers) available from your local Department of Health office and most Post Offices. For holidays in the EEA you should obtain an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) prior to departure. NB this card has replaced the E111 form, which is no longer valid.

Please note – Please note the entry requirements for British Citizens may differ to those for British Subjects, British Dependant Territories Citizens, British Nationals (Overseas Citizens), British Protected Persons or any other British passports. Please check your passport carefully and if you are not specifically a British Citizen you must check passport and visa requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country(ies) you are travelling to or through.

Passports

You must have an e-passport or machine readable passport to travel to the US, with a digital photo of the passport holders face on the data page of the passport. It is essential for British Citizens to possess a full ten year passport, valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date for all holidays to America. If you are visiting the Caribbean, then your passport needs to be valid for six months beyond your return date. If you do not have a passport, you should enquire at your local main Post Office or nearest Passport Office at least three months before departure.

If you are 16 or over and haven't yet got a passport, our recommendation is that you should apply for one at least three months before your holiday. The UK Passport Service has to confirm your identity before issuing your first passport and will ask you to attend an interview in order to do this.

Visas

The US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows British Citizens to travel to the US without having to obtain a visa. If you are not a British Citizen please check with the US embassy whether you can travel under the VWP (www.london.usembassy.gov). If you can travel under the VWP, you will also need to obtain, in addition to a passport, a valid ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). We can obtain your ESTA for you, and a charge of £24 will be added to your invoice for this automatically. If you wish to apply for your own ESTA or already have one (they are valid for two years) please let us know straight away.

There are a couple of conditions when travelling with an ESTA which you must comply with - you must stay in the US for less than 90 days; you must hold proof of a confirmed onward or return ticket with you upon your arrival in the US; you must obtain your ESTA least 72 hours before you travel to the US.

In practical terms an ESTA takes the form of a reference number, which the US authorities will have automatically on their system when you arrive. There is no actual physical documentation provided. Once you have an ESTA, it is valid for two years.

If you are not eligible for an ESTA, then you will need to apply for a visa to enter the US.

Please note - obtaining an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the US - that decision rests with the immigration officials at the point you enter the US. If you are refused entry for not having the correct documents this is your responsibility.

If you do not have a machine readable or e-passport then you will need to obtain a visa.

Entering the United States by land

Travellers who make their initial entry into the United States by land from either Canada or Mexico do NOT require travel authorisation through ESTA before travelling.

Possible restrictions or problems

If your passport has ever been reported lost or stolen to the authorities and then recovered, please do not attempt to use it for travel to the United States. If you input the passport details into ESTA, your application will be denied.

If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime at any time in the past, you will not be able to travel under the VWP, and will need to apply for a visa. This applies to convictions which you may feel are spent, but does not apply to minor traffic offences which did not result in conviction. If you suffer from a mental illness, are a drug abuser or have been affected by a disease of public health significance, you also will not be able to travel under the VWP. If you are unsure about your personal circumstances, the only way to find what documents you need is to apply for a visa.

IMPORTANT - please note that all the above conditions and restrictions apply to customers who are travelling through, via and to the US. Even if your flight only touches down in the US for a short time and you don't get off the plane, the rules above still apply.

It is your responsibility to have the correct travel documents, including a passport, ESTA or a visa. If you do not, then we cannot be held responsible for any difficulties you may encounter.

Please note that the entry requirements for British Citizens may differ to those for British Subjects, British Dependant Territories Citizens, British Nationals (Overseas Citizens), British Protected Persons or any other British passports. Please check your passport carefully and if you are not a British Citizen you must check passport and visa requirements with the Canadian High Commission.

British citizens who hold a British passport need a visa to visit the countries we’ve listed below. In most cases, we’re able to arrange this for you. We’ll add the cost of the visa, plus a small handling fee, to your confirmation/invoice. If you hold any other type of passport, it’s your responsibility to check passport and visa requirements with the embassy of the country you’re visiting. We’re unable to accept any responsibility if you can’t travel because you’re not granted a visa.

Where it is necessary for you to send us your passport, we will normally need this about eight weeks before you go away. Expect to be without your passport for up to a fortnight before you travel. If you need your passport during this time please contact us for advice. Extra charges may apply for early or late applications.

Australia - £15

To enter Australia, you need an ETA (electronic travel authority). We will obtain this for you, using information that we will ask you to supply at the time of booking. The cost of the ETA will be added to your confirmation invoice.

Cambodia - £48

We will obtain a Cambodian visa for you. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation invoice, and send you all of the information and applications forms that you will need. You will need to send us your passport as part of the application process.

China - £90

We will obtain a group China visa for you using the information supplied at the time of booking. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation invoice. Please note in certain cases it may be necessary for us to obtain an individual visa. As part of this application process we will require your passport.

Cuba - £40

We will obtain a Cuban visa for you. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation invoice. We will obtain this for you using information that we will ask you to supply at the time of booking.

Egypt - £45

We will obtain an Egyptian visa for you. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation/invoice. We will obtain this for you using information that we will ask you to supply at the time of booking.

India - £89

We will obtain an Indian visa for you. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation invoice. We will send you a Visa pack 15 weeks before you travel.

Jordan - £30

We will obtain a Jordanian visa for you. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation/invoice. We will obtain this for you using information that we will ask you to supply at the time of booking.

Kenya - £53

We will obtain a Kenyan visa for you. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation/invoice, and send you all of the information and applications forms that you will need. You will need to send us your passport as part of the application process.

Laos - £74

We will send you the application forms that you will need to obtain your visa. When you arrive in Laos, you will need to submit these forms. The cost of the visa will be added to your confirmation/invoice and paid for by us.

Mongolia - £72.50

We will obtain a Mongolian visa for you. We will add the charge to your confirmation/invoice, and send you all of the information and application forms that you will need. You will need to send us your passport as part of the application process.

Nepal - £53

We will obtain a Nepalese visa for you. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation/invoice, and send you all of the information that you will need. You will need to send us your passport as part of the application process.

Russia - £127

You will need to apply for your own Russian visa online and submit your application form, passport and ‘letter of invitation’ to the application centre. A further charge will be made. Using information we ask you to supply at the time of booking we will send you the ‘letter of invitation’ together with all the information you will need for this process.

Russia & Belarus - £187.50

If you are taking our Back in the USSR tour, you will need a Russian and a Belarus visa. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation/invoice. We will send you the information and Belarus application form that you will need 10 weeks before you travel. You will also need to complete an online Russian visa form and send them together with your passport as part of the application process.

Syria - £30

We will obtain a Syria visa for you. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation/invoice. We will obtain this for you using information that we will ask you to supply at the time of booking.

Israeli Entry Stamp Problem

If you have an Israeli entry stamp or visa in your passport Syria will not issue you a visa or allow you to enter Syria. So if you have been to Israel at any time during the term of your passport and you have an Israeli entry stamp you will need to obtain a replacement passport. If this is your situation you should request the replacement passport soon.

Tanzania - £71

We will obtain a Tanzanian visa for you. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation/invoice, and send you all of the information and applications forms that you will need. You will need to send us your passport as part of the application process.

Tibet - £30

We will obtain a Tibet visa for you. We will add the charge to your confirmation invoice. We will obtain this using information you supply to us at the time of booking. If you are taking the combined China and Tibet tour the charge is included in the China visa fee.

Turkey - £10

Your Turkish visa will be issued on arrival. There are no forms to complete, but you will need to pay £10 per person in cash on arrival. We recommend that you have one £10 note per person.

Uzbekistan - £40

We will obtain a Uzbekistan visa for you. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation invoice and send you all of the information and application forms that you will need.

Vietnam - £76.50

We will obtain a Vietnamese visa for you. We will add the visa charge to your confirmation/invoice, and send you all of the information and applications forms that you will need. You will need to send us your passport as part of the application process.

If you take the Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia Special Departure, you will need a multiple entry visa. This costs £129.

Zambia - US$50

Your Zambian visa will be issued on arrival. There are no forms to complete but you will need to pay US$50 per person in cash.

This fee is for a single entry visa. Anyone leaving Zambia and then entering the country again on the same day you will need to pay US$80 in cash. So if, for example, you take an optional excursion to Botswana, you’ll have to pay US$10. to enter Botswana and obtain a double entry visa at US$80. Payment must be made in US$ cash and no small denomination notes are accepted.

Please note, if you have chosen one of our Egypt tours or Dubai add-on in September and October you will be there when the month-long Ramadan festival is celebrated from 12th September (or a day or two either side). This will not affect your holiday arrangements in any way, but we ask that you be considerate to your local representatives and local people at this time.

Road conditions in some countries can sometimes make for a long day. Whilst these instances may be tiring, they can be extremely rewarding and part of the holiday experience.

On certain tours in the Far Away Places brochure you will travel to high altitude. This should not be a problem, although everyone should take it easy at first. If you suffer from heart or respiratory conditions or have any other concerns please consult your doctor.

The following Essential Information is for customers travelling to ALL destinations

If you choose to extend your stay at the end of your holiday we can help you with your arrangements. An administration fee of £45 is payable. This does not include any accommodation or transportation. All individual extended stays are unescorted.

No compulsory immunisation is required by UK residents for any of the countries featured in our brochures. However, voluntary immunisation may be recommended from time to time in certain countries, and your Doctor or Local Health Authority will be able to give you up-to-date information. We would also draw your attention to the T6 booklet (Health Advice for Travellers) available from main Post Offices or by telephoning freephone 0800 555 777.

With immediate effect, the Ecuadorian authorities require all visitors to be vaccinated against yellow fever, and to be in possession of a certificate to confirm that they’ve been vaccinated. Please consult with your GP for further advice, and to arrange to be vaccinated.

Should this requirement change at any time between now and when you go on holiday, we will let you know.

Holidays by air

Children aged 2-15 years inclusive, travelling on a resort based holiday, will receive the following reductions:

1. When one or two children share a room with two adults there is a 10% reduction for each child.
2. When one or two children share a room with one adult, there is a 10% reduction for each child.
3. When two children share a twin bedded room there is a 10% reduction for each child.

Holidays by train

Our holidays by train are not suitable for children under 12, and there are no reductions for those aged 12 or over.

Children under two (infants)

Coach holidays

As our coaching holidays involve lengthy coach journeys, we don’t accept bookings for children under 2.

We will accept bookings for children under 2 on some of our European air holidays. Please ask your Holiday Advisor for infant prices when booking.

If you need a cot please request one at the time of booking. Cots are subject to availability and local charges may apply which will need to be paid directly to the hotel.

We also suggest you take any baby food with you as this may not be available locally.

Children’s excursions

We are pleased to offer 50% reductions (unless stated otherwise) on the cost of most optional excursions, for children aged 5 to 15 inclusive. Certain exceptions apply on some holidays and your Tour Manager or local representative will give further details.

Children under 5 are free of charge on most optional excursions and activities.

These reductions may not apply to activities such as boat trips, cable car rides, train rides, folklore evenings, etc.

Baggage handling is included for one piece of luggage per person both on arrival and departure from hotels. For security reasons, baggage handling is not included at airports. The baggage allowance for most holidays in our brochures is 44lb (20kg) per person, plus hand luggage, although this varies with the airline. Details can be found with your final information. For coach tours, we recommend you limit your baggage to one suitcase and one piece of hand luggage per person. During the tour you are responsible for all your own luggage.

We are unable to take golf bags, bicycles, etc. We can carry folding wheelchairs and skis, but please tell us in advance. It’s sometimes possible to carry an electric wheelchair – please consult one of our Holiday Advisors.

On our holidays by air, the baggage allowance is normally 20kgs (44lbs). Everything that you take (except one small piece of cabin baggage) must be included within this allowance. If you want to take any unusual items, e.g. wheelchairs, please call us for advice.

On our holidays by train, there is no official limit to the amount of luggage that you can take with you. That said, room for storing luggage is limited (luggage cars are rare these days and bear in mind that you will have to carry your luggage along platforms, etc.) so please keep your luggage to a minimum and suitcases with wheels are recommended.

On our cruises there are no restrictions on the amount of baggage that you may bring on board. As there are no baggage room facilities, however, all luggage must be stored within the cabin. Airline restrictions, however, do apply on fly cruises. Details can be found in your Holiday Handbook.

Porterage is not included unless indicated in the holiday description.

You will sometimes find porters to help you at airports and railway stations, but a charge may be made.

The hotels we use don’t normally have porters. If they do, a charge may be payable.

When packing your luggage, please remember that it is you who will have to carry it.

At the time of writing, there are no restrictions on the amount of currency you can take abroad with you, either in cash or travellers’ cheques. However, there may be some restrictions on local currencies for certain long haul destinations.

Further information about currencies will be included in your Fact Sheet.

On touring holidays, you will normally meet up with your Tour Manager at the port, the first night hotel, or at the arrival airport. On single centre holidays, the Tour Manager will normally travel with you, or meet you when you arrive in your resort.

The prices in our brochures are based on the occupancy of a twin or double-bedded room/cabin by two persons. Our reference to ‘Hotel’ covers all accommodation and does not necessarily distinguish between local classifications such as ‘Motel’ or ‘Inn’. It may occasionally be necessary to accommodate you in a different, but equal standard of hotel to that featured in the brochure. If this is known before departure, we will, of course, advise you.

Our prices are calculated on the basis that two people will share a room.

It is not unusual to find a continental style twin bed. This is a double bed frame, with two separate mattresses.

In some parts of Europe, you may find a shower in the bathroom without a base or curtain.

Single Rooms

A limited number of rooms are available for most holidays. Do note, however, that often these single rooms are not as large as twin-bedded rooms. For single room supplements please refer to the price tables in your brochure.

Single Cabins

Please note the single supplement for the Galapagos Cruise Add-on and Special Departure applies to the main land-based itinerary only. There are no single cabins available on the cruise section of these holidays and single travellers will be allocated a twin cabin to share.

The matching up process will take place six weeks before the holiday departs. If the option to share is available, we’ll contact you then to let you know.

Triple rooms

A triple room is normally a twin/double bedded room with an extra bed (which may be of the folding type). Putting an extra bed in a room may make things rather cramped.

Smoking Rooms

If a smoking room is specifically requested we will try to book one for you, but cannot guarantee that one will be available. Many hotels are non-smoking therefore smoking rooms may be unavailable.

Every effort has been made to provide as much information as possible about your holiday, especially regarding accommodation and excursions. All the information has been carefully checked and is correct at the time of going to press. Please bear in mind, however, that from time to time certain facilities, excursions and entertainments may be altered or withdrawn due to lack of demand, weather conditions, essential maintenance work or other circumstances beyond our control.

Ships’ cabins are really hotel rooms in miniature, providing more or less the same facilities with one main difference – space! Ships have space limitations so therefore tend to utilise every inch efficiently.

All cabins are air-conditioned. The main difference between OUTSIDE and INSIDE cabins is that OUTSIDE cabins have natural daylight. A BED refers to a lower berth while BERTHS mean lower/upper berth combinations.

Our holiday prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a double or twin cabin or room (for overnight accommodation, cruise & stay and extensions only). Where alternative accommodation is available, supplements are shown in the price panel or with the individual holiday details.

Disembarkation usually takes place after 9am on the day of departure.

Optional excursions operate subject to minimum numbers for each excursion. Changes to the advertised optional excursion programme are rare, but the cruise line reserves the right to amend the programme at any time. The order in which optional excursions operate may vary according to local circumstances. Prices and details of our excursions will be sent to you prior to departure. Your joining instructions will be sent approximately 7 days prior to departure.

During the day, attitudes are very relaxed and informality is the norm aboard ship. Resort casual clothing is sufficient during the day whilst at sea and for time spent ashore. In the evenings, men generally wear lounge suits and ladies look informally smart. For formal evenings, men are requested to wear a jacket and tie or dinner jacket and ladies may like to take a cocktail dress or evening dress. Remember to take warmer clothing for cooler days at sea and evenings and low-heeled comfortable shoes for deck activities and shore excursions.

All prices quoted on board are usually in Sterling, US Dollars or Euros and a cashless system is operated for your on-board account. The account is then settled at the end of your cruise. Travellers’ Cheques, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted and there will be a facility on board to buy the relevant currencies.

The cruises featured in this brochure are offered subject to the conditions of carriage of the individual cruise lines. Please note that in exceptional circumstances the cruise company reserves the absolute right to change the advertised routings or timings to maintain safe navigation of the ship.

While our river cruises normally operate as scheduled, please note that changes to itineraries are sometimes necessary at short notice due to adverse weather conditions or unusually high or low water levels on rivers.

Please note that in the interests of all passengers, there is no smoking allowed in the restaurants, as well as other designated areas aboard ships.

Where gratuities are included in the fare, these are indicated on the relevant holiday page.

It is a condition of booking that you are adequately insured. We offer an excellent, fully comprehensive insurance policy, details of which can be found at travelsphere.co.uk

Delay Insurance

In the unlikely event of a serious flight delay, it goes without saying that Travelsphere will make every effort to take care of you by providing meals at mealtimes and even overnight accommodation if necessary.

In addition, our insurance policy includes special delayed departure benefit if there is a long delay on your outward flight. The benefit will be £20 for the first eight hours and £20 for each full 12 hours thereafter to maximum £100 OR reimbursement of the total holiday cost up to £5000 if the insured should decide to cancel after eight hours delay and you have not left the UK.

There is no extra premium for this cover. It is included in the insurance cover described at travelsphere.co.uk

Smoking isn’t allowed on our coaches or on flights and it is increasingly common in Europe to find smoking banned in public places. Smoking is normally allowed during the stops made during the journey.

When travelling by train, smoking is not allowed on Eurostar services. It’s sometimes possible to smoke on other trains (in designated carriages) in Europe.

Most of our hoteliers serve simple, but good quality food because this suits the majority of palates. You will, however, find that the hotelier may serve dishes which are typical of the region.

Breakfast on the continent usually consists of rolls, butter and jam, with a choice of tea or coffee. The majority of our hotels will also include extra items such as juice, ham and cheese.

On half board holidays, dinner is normally at one sitting, with a three course set menu or a buffet. Many of our hotels will also offer a choice of menu.

If you arrive late at the hotel or depart early, meal arrangements may be adjusted.

Some hotels may allocate tables on a shared basis, and in Italy, it is still quite common for individual table napkins to be reused if clean, and re-presented in a personalised envelope.

Note: It is not customary in most European countries to serve tap water at the restaurant table and many hotels will only offer water with meals if other drinks have been purchased.

European Holidays: On Christmas Day we feature a special meal or a turkey Christmas meal and ask you to bear in mind that our European hotels may not be able to produce everything as you would expect at home. However, they will endeavour to ensure you have a super meal and a memorable day.

Special diets

The hotels and restaurants that we use can normally provide simple vegetarian meals. Diets in many of the countries featured are more meat orientated and restaurants are not as familiar with vegetarian dishes as in the UK and you are likely to be served an omelette or salad as an alternative dish. If you follow a vegetarian diet please let us know at the time of booking.

We regret we cannot cater for other dietary needs, e.g. low fat, sugar-free, etc.

Money and other valuables shouldn’t be left unattended in hotel rooms. We recommend the use of safety deposit boxes, if they’re available.

Your comfort and safety are important to us, so the coaches we use are:

• modern with the latest safety features, including seatbelts
• fitted with comfortable and relaxing seats which recline (except back row)
• most are equipped with toilet facilities
• fitted with wide, panoramic windows
• supplied with air-conditioning on the majority of our tours

The coach drivers we use are experienced at driving on the European road system. We insist that regulations which govern speed and driving hours are adhered to.

We don’t play videos on coaches, because we know that some people find them annoying.

Seat allocation

On our holidays by coach, you will be allocated the same seat number throughout the continental part of your journey. The earlier you book, the closer to the front of the coach you will sit. Seat numbers will be confirmed with your final information.

Schedules

We schedule coaches to allow enough time to connect with your Channel crossing. It isn’t possible to include timings in this brochure. Approximate departure and return times can be obtained from our Holiday Advisors. We don’t guarantee these timings, which are subject to change.

To offer you the widest choice of departure points, we operate a coach interchange system on many of our holidays. If you need to change coaches, we will have people there to help you.

We plan journeys to include stops for meals and refreshments. However, it’s always a good idea to take a small snack and a drink with you, in case of delays.

Channel Crossings

The majority of our Channel crossings use the services of P&O Ferries and Seafrance between Dover and Calais or Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais as indicated on the brochure page. This will be confirmed in your final travel details.

We will state at the time of booking the planned method of crossing the channel, by either ferry or Eurotunnel. Due to circumstances beyond our control (such as, but not limited to, bad weather or strike action) how you cross the channel may change, and no refund or compensation will be due if we do this.

Note

Every now and then, something may happen which makes it necessary to replace the coach at the last minute. This may result, for example, in us having to use a coach without a toilet, or with different seating arrangements. We cannot be responsible for things like this, when caused by circumstances outside of our control.

Subject to demand, certain local departure points may not be available on all holidays. Your Holiday Advisor will inform you of alternatives in this case.

All prices in our brochures are based on air travel in economy class. Passenger travel on scheduled airlines is provided under the conditions of the airline concerned as printed on the air ticket. The aircraft used on our tours will include Boeing 727, 737, 747, 767, 777; Airbus; DC-10, MD-11, MD-80, or any other aircraft types at the discretion of the relevant airline. We reserve the right to substitute an alternative airline or aircraft type if required to do so for reasons beyond our control.

These brochures are issued on the sole responsibility of the tour operator. They are not issued on behalf of the airlines whose services are used in the course of the tour. Our airline holiday tour number is IT2 NW6 BMR8.

We have included flight timings and routes to help you plan your holiday. These are based on current or anticipated schedules and may change as the brochure is printed up to a year in advance of some departure dates. Final timings will be sent about 10 days before you travel. Please refer to our booking conditions.

Many airlines will offer you a light meal or snack during the flight. An increasing number of airlines, particularly low cost airlines, do not include meals, but have a range of drinks and snacks available for purchase on board. We are unable to accept any responsibility when airlines change their onboard catering policy.

On flights where meals are provided, it is normally possible to request a special meal if you need one for dietary reasons. Please request this when booking your holiday.

Any airport taxes and security charges which are payable in advance and therefore form part of the scheduled air ticket have been calculated at the time of printing and included in the price of your holiday. These include the UK Government Airline Passenger Duty (£40) and various overseas airport airline charges where applicable. At some airports, there are also passenger charges which are payable locally. For your convenience, these will be paid by us on your behalf and included on your invoice. Details of which airport taxes are included and which will be charged out are given in the price tables in your brochure.

Where your holiday includes rail travel, it is in standard class, unless otherwise stated. Please note that we are unable to provide porterage at stations and you will be required to handle your luggage when getting on/off and changing trains.

We will do all we can to look after you if you are delayed. This includes providing you with meals, refreshments and overnight accommodation, if necessary.

We do not offer compensation if you are delayed, but you may be able to claim from your holiday insurance policy.

Routes & timings

We have planned our holidays on the basis of known rail schedules. These are subject to alteration, due to schedule changes, engineering work, traffic delays or weather conditions. It might be necessary to take a different route from that featured.

Train times in the brochure are for guidance only.

Seating

Where possible, we will reserve seats for your journeys, but we cannot always guarantee that seats will be together, or in the direction of travel.

Reserved seating will be in non-smoking Standard class carriages unless otherwise stated.

Please note that we are unable to provide porterage at stations and you will be required to handle your luggage when getting on/off and changing trains.

We have taken great care to ensure that the details in there brochures are correct at the time of publication. Please bear in mind, however, that the availability of certain services may vary, particularly outside the high season period. This may be for a variety of reasons. For example, lifts need servicing, swimming pools must be cleaned, and outdoor amenities such as chairlifts and cable cars can be affected by weather or lack of demand. Any optional excursions will, of course, operate subject to demand and weather conditions.

It should be noted that our itineraries in China have been designed in close collaboration with the Chinese State Tourist Authorities, who do reserve the right to occasionally make changes to the accommodation, sequence in which cities are visited, duration of time spent in each city, and mode of transport, due to local conditions. Travelsphere cannot be held responsible for any such alteration, although you can rest assured that we would handle any such amendments in your best interests.

Some beaches are privately owned, and there is a charge for using them. Public beaches, that you do not have to pay for, are also available.

We recommend that you take a swimming cap and flip flops with you as many pools in the continent stipulate that these must be worn.

Please refer to the panel on each page which details the items included in the price of each particular holiday.

We want to give you the opportunity to see as much as possible of the countries you are visiting, so there will nearly always be a selection of optional excursions.

Entrance fees are not included in excursion prices, unless otherwise stated.

On most of our holidays, there’s a discount if you book a number of excursions together. This is known as an excursion package.

You can pay your Tour Manager with cash for excursions. It’s also normally possible to pay with travellers’ cheques. We do not accept credit/debit card payments, or payment by cheque.

Any optional excursions will of course operate subject to demand, traffic and weather conditions. Changes to the advertised excursions programme are rare, but we do reserve the right to change excursions or amend the prices at any time.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 states:

• “The Act makes it unlawful for a service provider to discriminate against a disabled person by refusing to provide any service which it provides to members of the public.”

(It is our interpretation that) this law applies to services provided in the UK and not those provided overseas. However, we believe in trying to make our holidays as accessible to as many people as possible. If you tell us before you book of any special needs or medical conditions you have, we will do all we can to accommodate you. This includes making any reasonable adjustments to the holiday itself. If your or any member of your party’s situation changes after you have booked you must let us know straight away.

Examples of reasonable adjustments we might make include (but are not limited to):

• Providing relevant sections of our brochures in large print
• Reserving the front seat of the coach for those with specific mobility difficulties
• Providing individual transport for someone with mobility difficulties where a coach cannot reach a hotel

Whilst we will endeavour to make any reasonable adjustments to the holiday itself, sometimes this may not be possible. Examples where we might not be able to make a reasonable adjustment include:

• Providing wheelchair access ramps to overseas hotels in remote locations
• Our staff pushing a customer in a wheelchair throughout the duration of the holiday

It is your responsibility to tell us before you book whether you have any special needs or medical conditions, which might affect your ability to take part on our holidays. A reasonable level of fitness is required for our holidays as some walking can be involved. If you are in any doubt about the suitability of any of our holidays please just ask. Where we can we will make any reasonable adjustments - where we cannot make such adjustments we may have to refuse your booking.

It is our intention to try and make our holidays as accessible to as many people as we can, especially those with disabilities. We cannot do this if you don’t tell us of your needs so please mention any relevant information to us before you book. We will assume, unless you tell us otherwise, that all members of the party are in a good state of health to participate in the holiday.

If you do not tell us about any special needs or medical conditions, and we find ourselves in the position where you are at your UK departure point or on holiday and unable to participate fully, then we reserve the right to:

• Organise extra assistance or make any adjustments so you can continue with the holiday, and pass on the costs of doing this to you.
• Arrange your return to the UK, and pass on the costs of doing this to you.

We very much hope that all our customers will be completely open, honest and upfront with us so the above situation does not occur. However, we do reserve the right to take action in the interests of your health and safety and the health and safety of our staff and other customers should we need to.

Our holidays are designed to offer a combination of interesting walks and relaxing sightseeing. To help you choose which is most suitable for you, we use a grading system as a guideline, based on time spent walking, the degree of ascent and altitude.

These figures show the normal maximum ascent and walking time per day – on many days it will be less than this; occasionally slightly more. Sometimes a combined grade is shown e.g. Grade 1/2 which means some days will be at Grade 1, others Grade 2.

Grade 1

These are for anyone of any age. Plenty of rest stops and time to enjoy the local scenery with up to 4 hours walking a day, mostly on good paths but occasionally rough underfoot. Ascent less than 300m per day. Sturdy walking shoes are advisable.

Grade 2

These are moderate, for anyone who is comfortable walking hills. Still plenty of time to rest and enjoy the scenery, however up to 5 hours walking a day on slightly more rugged terrain. Ascent less than 500m per day. Walking boots with ankle support are recommended.

Grade 3

These are quite strenuous, for the more accomplished hill walker. A larger number of continuous stretches of walking totalling about 5 hours a day, often in mountainous terrain where paths can be steep. Ascent up to 1000m per day. Walking boots with ankle support and trekking poles are recommended.

We are able to offer reductions for groups of 10 or more people on most of the holidays in our brochures. Please ask our Groups Department for details by calling 0845 7585 007.

You will receive your tickets and full travel documents approximately ten days before departure.

Your money and your holiday are fully protected when you book with Travelsphere.

We have a bond lodged with ABTA (The Association of British Travel Agents), which provides you with financial security for all holidays featured using coaches, ferries and the Eurotunnel service.

For holidays by air, your money is protected by a bond lodged with the Civil Aviation Authority. We have held an ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licence) since 1978.

To process your booking we need to collect certain personal details relating to you and the other members of your party. These may include travellers’ names, contact details, payment details and relevant health information.

If you provide us with details of your physical or mental health, or inform us of special requirements (e.g. relating to diet, religion or disability) we will ask for your positive consent to our holding, using and passing on such information.

To provide you with our services we may pass your personal details to third party service providers that need to know them (such as your airline and hotel). These third parties may be outside the EEA where data protection controls may not be as strong as in the UK. We may also need to give your details to the relevant public authorities (e.g. immigration), companies who process data on our behalf, credit checking companies and our professional advisers. We may disclose your details to other companies in our group. If you do not consent to this use of your information we cannot process your booking.

You are responsible for ensuring the other members of your party are aware of this policy and consent to you dealing with us on their behalf in making a booking or enquiry.

We may also use your personal data for the purposes set out below. We will give you the opportunity either to consent or object to us using the data for these purposes on the information we send to you. If you do not wish us to use your data for the purposes set out below, please contact us at Freepost RRLE-YZJG-RBHU, Travelsphere, Compass House, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7QD.

We and the companies in our group may use your details for marketing and customer care purposes, to contact you with details of our products, services, promotions and special offers and for the other purposes set out in our notification to the Information Commissioner’s Office. We may also send you details of carefully selected partners’ products and/or services which we think may be of interest to you. We may pass your details on to carefully selected partners who may contact you with details of their products and/or services which may be of interest to you.

You are entitled (on payment of a small fee) to access the personal data we hold about you. To obtain a copy of this information please write to the address above.

Please note that it is advisable to leave booking travel arrangements to your UK departure point until you have received your final travel documents (except for booking regional connecting flights with us).