Retreat-Holidays
Terms and Conditions
Our prices and the descriptions of the different retreat-holidays are given in good faith. However, they are being published in July/August 2008, long in advance of the trips, when there are many unknowns with regard to 2009: the exchange rate, the cost of fuel, the level of air-fares and even whether the airlines will continue to operate on certain routes. We certainly hope to be able to honour all the published prices and destinations, but please check before you book whether there is any change.
Our costings are based on the following exchange rates:
£1 = 1.25 euros = 2.3 Turkish Lira = 5 Eastern Caribbean dollars
Booking Conditions
1.
2. Booking Form The contract for your retreat-holiday comes into force only when we have accepted a booking by the issue of a written confirmation or invoice. The person signing the booking form warrants that he/she has the authority of all other persons included in the retreat-holiday to make the booking on their behalf.
3. Payment A deposit of £99.00 per person plus the cost of the insurance is payable at time of booking. An invoice for the balance price of your holiday will be sent approximately 10 days after the booking form has been received and must be paid in full at least ten weeks prior to departure. For bookings made within ten weeks prior to departure full payment is due with booking form. If for any reason the balance is not received by us by the due date we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled and levy the applicable cancellation charges. Payment by credit card is subject to a 2.5 % surcharge.
4. Alterations If having booked and paid the deposit for one retreat-holiday you wish to transfer to another retreat-holiday, hotel or departure date or to alter any detail on the booking form, we will do everything possible to meet your requirements. However, a fee to offset the additional administration involved of £25.00 per alteration will be charged, plus any additional costs incurred. Alterations of departure date or retreat-holiday within ten weeks of departure will incur the normal cancellation charges set out in Section 5.
5. Cancellation of Bookings If you are forced to cancel your retreat-holiday, it is important to note that the cancellation of booking is accepted in writing and is not effective until received by The Company. In the event of a cancellation by either one or all named persons in the booking form, we will charge the following scale of cancellation charges:-
Period before departure within Cancellation as a percentage
which notification is received of holiday price to be charged
More than 70 days deposit forfeited
Between 56 and 69 days 50%
Between 29 and 55 days 70%
Between 15 to 28 days 90%
Day of departure—14 days 100%
6. Alterations made to your holiday by the company
(i) The arrangements for retreat-holidays are made months in advance and changes are sometimes necessary, for example as a result of the unexpected closure of a hotel, the withdrawal of facilities or changes in flight times. We reserve the right to make changes or amendments to the retreat-holiday arrangements at our absolute discretion and will do our reasonable best to advise you before departure. If your accommodation has to be changed we will do our best to provide reasonable alternative accommodation.
(ii) The company does not accept any liability for the delay in flight departures. It is the responsibility of the airline to provide meals or accommodation or to make any other suitable arrangements during the period of delay.
7. Force Majeure Your retreat-holiday will not be cancelled after the date your final invoice in due for payment except for circumstances beyond our control. These include weather conditions, fire, flood, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riot, civil commotion, and other circumstances beyond our control. Should cancellations be necessary, however, the choice of an alternative retreat-holiday of comparable standard will be offered if available or a prompt and full refund of all money paid.
8. If you have a complaint Although we do our best to ensure that all the arrangements made for your retreat-holiday are satisfactory, occasionally problems arise. If you have a complaint please explain the problem to our representative in the country you are in. They will do everything to help you there and then. If you feel that the complaint has not been dealt with satisfactorily, please notify us in writing within 28 days of your return from your holiday.
9. Delays Occasionally changes or delays can occur to flights as a result of bad weather, strikes, air traffic control etc. Neither we nor the airlines have control over such eventualities, but we will do everything to ensure your comfort and minimise any inconvenience caused. Flight information may be subject to alteration. You will be advised of any changes at the time of booking, or as soon as possible thereafter.
10. Responsibilities & Liabilities These booking conditions are issued on the sole responsibility of The Company and do not commit the airline(s) mentioned therein, or any airline whose services are used in the course of the tours. The responsibility of I.A.T.A. airlines in connection with the tours in the itineraries is limited to the carriage of passengers and their baggage, in accordance with the Conditions of Carriage of the participating airlines. Travel by scheduled airlines is economy class. Tour booking is also subject to the carriage conditions and contract with airlines, coach operators, and other sub contractors. We will not be entitled to rely on any provision in this contract, which is contrary to the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, or cannot, where required by the act, be shown to be reasonable. We will accept no liability in respect of death or physical injury unless resulting from negligence (as defined in the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977).
(a) The operation of overseas property, transport and other services is regulated and enforced by the local authorities of each country and is subject to the laws, regulations, standards and codes of practice of that country. Both the legal and safety requirements of many foreign countries are different to those applied in the U.K. and it is only to the local standards of each country that foreign suppliers operate.
(b) Our liabilities in the case of any claim shall be limited in any event (except in the respect of personal injury or death resulting from proven negligence of our company) to the actual amount paid by the passenger in respect of the booking and shall not include any consequential or indirect loss or damage. Any claims arising shall be subject to English Law and the jurisdiction of English courts. Local energy conservation measures, and unseasonable weather conditions, can result in disruption to the supply of electricity and particular facilities such as swimming pools may not always be available as described and may be curtailed or withdrawn altogether (often for hygiene & safety reasons).
11. Problems caused by misadventure Every assistance will be offered by us to any client who through misadventure suffers illness, personal injury or death during the period of their retreat-holiday arising out of an activity not forming part of the retreat-holiday agreement. This includes advice, guidance and initial financial assistance where appropriate up to the limit of £5,000 per person.
12. Prices All prices quoted are based on the prevailing rate of exchange.
13. Surcharge policy The price of your retreat-holiday is subject to surcharges on the following items: government action, currency, aircraft fuel, over-flying charges, airport charges and increase in scheduled airfares. Even in this case, we will absorb an amount equivalent to 2% of the retreat-holiday price, which excludes insurance premiums, and any amendment charges. Only the amounts in excess of this 2% will be surcharged but where a surcharge is payable there will be an administration charge of 50p together with an amount to cover agent’s commission. If this means paying more than 10% on the retreat-holiday price, you will be entitled to cancel your retreat-holiday with a full refund of all monies paid except for any premium paid to us for holiday insurance and amendment charges. Should you decide to cancel because of this, you must exercise your right to do so within fourteen days from the issue date printed on the invoice.
Important Notes
It is a requirement that all travellers provide an emergency contact telephone number in the UK and evidence of adequate travel insurance that covers hospitalisation abroad and repatriation to the UK if necessary. Please note that not all credit card or included insurances have full cover.
What is included:
For what is included in the price, see the pages for the relevant destination. There are NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS on any Retreat-Holidays departures.
What is not included:
Anything not specified as included; for example, travel between home and UK airport, lunches on retreat-holidays listed as half-board, drinks, personal expenses, fuel surcharges, taxis, tips, insurance. See the pages for the relevant destination for more detail.
All information is given EAOE (errors and omissions excepted).