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Insight Vacations >> Previous >> |
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European Winter 2009/10
Booking Conditions & Other Important Information |
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WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE |
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Inter-city travel :
By private motor coach, trains and ferries (
see itineraries )
Touring :
By air-conditioned luxury motor coaches with on - board washroom and
reclining seats for maximum comfort.
• Insight's
premium touring coaches are configured with 40 or 41seats for just 40
guests. However, due to recent changes in EC regulations on drivers
hours, replacement coaches may be required to be used once per touring
week on certain selective itineraries. When this occurs the replacement
coach may have in excess of 40 seats. also, transfer coaches,
sightseeing vehicles, or, in the event of a mechanical breakdown, relief
coaches may feature 49 or 53 seats.
•
In
the Eastern Mediterranean and Morocco smaller motor coaches without
toilet facilities may be used.
•
If,
due to circumstances beyond our control, coaches are used on tours
otherwise than advertised, a refund of US$10 per person will made.
Air
Transportation : Internal air flights are
included in the land price only when indicated in the 'Included Features'
panel on specific itineraries.
•
Reservations for our
Egyptian airline are given well in advance, however actual flight timings
cannot be confirmed prior to departure. Internal flights in Egypt may
involve very early or very late departures and arrivals.
Hotel
Accommodation : Prices per person are based
on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room with private bath or shower.
•
When booking triple rooms please note that the third bed may be a
‘roll-away’. Availability of triple rooms is limited.
• Please note that single rooms in Europe will generally
be smaller than twin-bedded rooms.
• Please note European hotel standards & services
provided may vary from those in other parts of the world and are often in
the local style.
• Passengers who are members of Hotel Frequent Traveller
programmes are not entitled to earn points with any of the hotels featured
on an Insight Vacations tour.
• Any special room request will be made on a REQUEST
basis only. Insight cannot guarantee special room request although every
effort will be made to request from respective hotels.
Cruise :
Per person prices are based on two persons sharing a cabin with two berths,
private shower and toilet. A limited number of single cabins are available
on request at extra cost.
• Single Traveller Savings do not apply to tours
featuring cruises.
• Triples are not available on Nile cruises.
Tour Director :
Escorted tours are conducted in English only by a professional multi-lingual
Tour Director.
•
In Egypt and Greece only tours
of 10 people or more will be escorted by an Insight Tour Director.
•
Hosted service is provided in
London on Easy Pace London & Countryside and Easy Pace London & Paris.
Meals :
Continental or buffet breakfasts in the local style are included as
indicated on all tours except in provincial Britain, where full national
style breakfasts are served. Dinners are included as detailed in
itineraries. All meals are included on cruises. In-flight meals and snacks
are served according to airline policy.
• Any special meal requirements will be made on a REQUEST
basis only. Insight can not guarantee special meal requests nor will it
assume any responsibility or liability if clients’ special meal requests are
not fulfilled.
Sightseeing :
Excursions and entrance fees to places of interest as detailed on each
itinerary with an English-speaking guide where necessary. Headphones will be
provided as advertised on the itinerary pages. No refund will be made if
they cannot be provided for operational reasons.
Premium Highlights :
Featured sightseeing is
integral to our tours, therefore no refund will be given (or value attached)
if not used or operated for any reason.
London Airport Transfer :
Can be purchased through Insight providing the following conditions have
been met:
1. Your Travel Agent
provides detailed flight information to Insight no less than 21 days prior
to departure.
2.
You must stay at a London Hotel booked by Insight on the night of your
arrival and the night prior to your departure date.
3.
In the event of flight delays outside of Insight’s control, the transfer
will be deemed to be cancelled.
4.
All transfers are based on group shuttle. No refund is therefore available
for missed transfers.
5.
In the event of unforeseen events Insight will not be responsible for
delayed or cancelled transfers.
6.
For passengers flying into London’s Gatwick Airport, Insight recommends the
Gatwick Express see website at www.gatwickexpress.com.
Continental Europe Airport Transfer :
Passengers will only be
entitled to transfers to and from European Gateway Airports providing the
following conditions have been met:
1.
Coach transfers only operate at the scheduled times and days specified for
each tour departure. Passengers arriving or departing outside these times
may purchase a transfer through Insight or make their own way to/from the
tour hotel.
2.
For those who choose to make their own flight arrangements, flight details
must be provided to Insight by the Travel Agent not less than 21 days before
the flight departure.
3. Your
flights should be timed to allow you to clear customs in good time for the
scheduled transfers – your travel agent will advise you of the most
appropriate arrangement.
4.
As these are group transfers, in the unlikely event of a missed transfer
through flight delays outside Insight’s control, passengers will need to
make their own alternative transfer arrangements at their own expense.
5.
Passengers who have booked pre tour or post tour accommodation with Insight,
will NOT be entitled to be transferred to or from the Airport and transfers
will be at the clients expense. These can also be purchased through Insight.
Airport Transfers in Cairo & Athens :
Transfers operate at all times, between the airport and the tour hotel on
the first and last day of the tour and also in conjunction with pre and post
tour accommodation booked through Insight. The following conditions apply:
•
For those who choose to make
their own flight arrangements, flight details must be provided to Insight by
the Travel Agent not less than 21 days before the flight departure for
entitlement to the transfers.
• You must be staying at the Insight tour hotel, booked
by Insight, on the night of your arrival and the night before the date of
your departure flight.
• Only one arrival and one departure transfer per person
is included.
• As these are group transfers, in the unlikely event of
a missed transfer through flight delays outside Insight’s control,
passengers will need to make their own alternative transfer arrangements at
their own expense.
• Transfers cannot be routed to other pick-up points or
destinations other than those booked.
• Transfers are non-transferable to other people.
Baggage Allowance & Porterage :
Porterage for one suitcase on tour is included and at arrival or departure
from each tour hotel. Due to limited coach capacity this single bag should
have a weight not exceeding 30kg (66lbs) and dimensions not exceeding 77.5cm
(30.5in) x 56cm (22in) x 32cm (12.5in). Charges will be levied in the event
these limits are exceeded and our promise to transport you as indicated may
be invalidated.
•
Note :
Airlines may restrict check-in baggage to 20kgs per person.
Tips & Taxes :
All tips are included for services on tour
provided by dining-room waiters, chambermaids and porters at hotels,
airports, docks and stations and to the crew on Nile cruises. |
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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE
Airfares to and from Europe, airport taxes and charges
imposed by third parties, passport and visa fees, insurance, laundry, phone
calls, beverages, meals not detailed in the itinerary, tips to Tour
Directors, motor coach drivers and local city guides, items of a personal
nature, excess baggage, optional excursions. TRAVEL INSURANCE IS HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED
Note that in Egypt, service charges (of up to 33%) will be levied on
all additional services, meals, beverages etc not included in the tour
price. This service charge will be applied on your hotel bill at time of
checkout. |
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PAYMENTS
Deposit : US$200 per person per tour.
Final Payment : 45 days prior to departure.
1. Your land reservation will be confirmed on receipt of a
non refundable deposit of US$200 per person, per tour which is required
within 7 days of booking, (except on some departures where space is limited
and your deposit may be required sooner. You will be advised at time of
booking.) Your reservation will automatically be cancelled if the deposit is
not received within the specified period.
2. Payment in full is required at time of booking for reservations
made less than 45 days before departure.
3. Insight reserves the right to cancel the reservation and apply
cancellation charges should payments not be received within the above
specified periods.
4. Some tours offer add-on flights from London to European Gateways.
This supplement must be paid in full within 7 days of booking and is
nonrefundable.
5. Your agent shall, on the receipt of any monies, hold such monies
for each and every person named in the booking until the booking is
confirmed at which times those monies shall be remitted promptly by your
agent to us. All such monies received by us will be deposited as required by
law. We will be entitled to keep for each account any interest earned on
such monies. It is a condition of our confirmation of your booking and
acceptance of your deposit in respect of your tour, that all monies paid by
you to us through your agent, whether by way of deposit or otherwise in
respect of your tour, may be disbursed by us as and when we see fit or in
respect of the services to be provided or fees payable under the tour programme, and the payment of a deposit or otherwise for your tour shall be
deemed to be a direction to disburse such monies as aforesaid.
6. Travel documents and instructions for joining your tour can be
collected from your Agent approximately 14 days before departure (provided
full payment has been received). |
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CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS & BOOKING
CHANGES
1. Notice of cancellation must be made in
writing either directly to Insight or through your Travel Agent.
2. A fee of US$30 per
person will be charged for any revision or alteration made to a
reservation after the booking is confirmed unless the change increases the
value of the booking. A change of tour date or tour itinerary within 45
days of tour departure will be treated as a cancellation, and normal
cancellation fees will apply except when the change is to an earlier tour
departure of equivalent value or greater value in which case a US$30 per
person amendment fee will be charged.
3. There are no refunds for any unused services
including unused London airport transfers.
4. The following scale of charges will apply when cancellation is
notified.
|
No. of days prior to tour commencement |
Cancellation fee as % of total price |
| 45 Days or more |
US$200 p.p per tour |
| 44 - 22 Days |
25% |
| 21 - 08 Days |
30% |
| 07 - 01 Days |
50% |
| Day of Departure |
100% |
| * The following scale of
charges apply when cancellation is notified for additional
accommodation. |
| No. of days prior to tour commencement |
Cancellation fee as % of total price |
| 45 Days or more |
US$30 per person |
| 44 - 22 Days |
25% |
| 21 - 15 Days |
30% |
| 14 Days or Less |
100% |
5. Airlines & Airfares: If a promotional airfare contained in this
brochure is broken or extended for any reason, an additional cost may be
payable.
6. In the event of any cancellation which does not incur any "
Insight Vacation Related " cancellation charges, MISA Travel deserves the
right to charge an administration fee of SGD30 per person.
Cancellation
Fee Waiver US$89 per person, per tour :
In the event
that one or more European / Mediterranean countries should not grant you a
visa, we have devised this unique scheme to protect you against the
necessary cancellation fees detailed above.
Waiver fee is payable at the time of booking and is non-refundable. It does
not apply to cancellations due to changes of mind or for medical reasons. To
protect yourself against these and other eventualities, you should ask your
Travel Agent about a suitable insurance policy. N.B. This scheme is
applicable only in the event that you provide documentary proof of having a
visa application refused by the embassy. It is not applicable to bookings
made within 14 days prior to tour departure date and does not apply for
bookings with 5 or more passengers.
This
Cancellation fees
are in addition to any cancellation fees that may be levied by your Travel
Agent.
Illness or Absenteeism
:
In case you have to withdraw from a tour after it has begun for reasons such
as illness, be sure to obtain a medical certificate in support of any
insurance claim. We regret that we are not able to make refunds for absences
from a tour, including but not limited to missed meals or sightseeing.
Please ensure you consult your Travel Agent for an appropriate travel
insurance policy.
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GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS
Tour Prices :
Are based on
costs, charges, tariffs, rates, prices, taxes, levies and exchange rates as
at 16th April 2009. Should any of these costs change a surcharge may be made
on the price of your vacation. If the total tour price increases by more
than 10%, passengers will have the right to cancel within 7 days of
notification of the surcharge without penalty. No surcharges in respect of
cost or currency fluctuations will be made once payment for the deposit of
your land tour is received. This guarantee does not apply to pre-registered
bookings, or departures where prices are still subject to confirmation. This
guarantee also excludes fuel surcharges and does not apply to any taxes,
charges or levies imposed by any government or its agencies. (See page 4) In
exchange for these guarantees no refund will be made if costs are reduced.
All prices are in US$ unless otherwise specified.
Pre-registered
Bookings -
As the published price for subsequent
years may vary depending on a number of factors including, but not limited
to, international exchange rates, possible changes to the itinerary or
different product content, the final price may need to be adjusted.
Tour
Membership :
1. Children under 5 years of age are
ineligible.
2. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Insight’s
tours providing they are accompanied by a person capable of providing
all assistance required, and do not require special assistance from
Insight personnel. Insight reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone
it felt cannot cope with the requirements of coach tour travel and who
may require services and facilities that Insight cannot guarantee will
be available. You agree to not hold the Insight group of companies
responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider
to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you
or to provide any services to you. Please note that wheelchair access on
Nile Cruise boats is limited, please check with your travel agent for
details.
Itinerary Variations :
Insight constantly strives to improve tour itineraries and features. If
such improvements can be made, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our
control make changes necessary, we reserve the right to vary itineraries
and to substitute hotels. At certain peak periods duplicate departures
may operate, sometimes in reverse, in which case hotels will probably
vary from those listed in this brochure. Trade fairs (e.g. IBC congress
in Amsterdam) and other events (e.g. Venice film festival on Lido)
occasionally cause changes from scheduled hotels. In these and in other
cases substitute hotels may be used and will be of a similar standard
and location whenever possible.
•
Holidays & Changes :
During local or national holidays
abroad, certain facilities such as museums, sightseeing tours and
shopping may be limited. In such instances, and whenever possible,
slight itinerary adjustments are made by Insight Vacations to minimize
inconvenience to our passengers. If, however, you feel your enjoyment
might be diminished by such minor limitations please check with the
respective national tourist office before selecting a specific
departure. Similarly, holidays, closing days and other circumstances may
necessitate a change of the day of the week for Highlight Dinners,
sightseeing or other activities.
•
Pre or post tour accommodation is subject to availability :
Is subject to availability. If not available, an alternative may be
offered, however, additional transfers to or from the tour hotel
are not included.
• Note that hotel
information is provided as a guide. Information on facilities has been
provided by the hotels concerned. Whilst every effort has been made to
ensure accuracy, facilities may change without notice.
• Due to religious
festivals or other reasons it will occasionally be necessary to
rearrange some itineraries and hotels. Ports of call on Mediterranean
cruises may sometimes be curtailed if weather conditions do not permit
docking.
• Nile cruises will be
operated by the cruise ships as indicated on the tour pages, however,
due to maintenance and other circumstances beyond our control,
alternative cruise boats of equal standard may be used.
• Tour Cancellation :
Insight reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any tour departure in
accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its
control. At least 30 days notice will be given. Should this occur, we
will offer you an alternative arrangement. If there is a difference in
cost this will be for your account. If you do not accept this
alternative arrangement within 7 days we may treat this contract as at
an end. We will refund all monies and will then be under no further
liability.
•
Christmas Market :
Christmas Markets are organized and
operated by the local towns and villages and Insight cannot be held
responsible if they are closed or curtailed for any reason.
Insight is not responsible
for the costs of any other travel arrangements affected
due to our cancellations or rescheduling of any tour departure.
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RESPONSIBILITY
All British Isles
tours are operated
by: Insight Operations (Bermuda) Ltd. All Continental Europe tours are
operated by: Insight Tours International (Bermuda) Ltd.
Insight Tours International (Bermuda) Ltd and Insight Operations (Bermuda)
Ltd, referred to as the Operators, are agents for Insight Travel Group
Limited who have empowered the Operators on its behalf to undertake the
following duties:
1.
The Operators shall be
responsible to the passenger for supplying the services and accommodations
described in this brochure, except where such services cannot be supplied
or the itinerary used is changed due to delays or other causes of whatever
kind of nature beyond the control of the Operators. In such circumstances,
the Operators will do their best to supply comparable services,
accommodation and itineraries and there shall be no refund in this
connection.
2.
This brochure represents the entire agreement between the passenger and
the Operators.
3. In the absence of their own
negligence, neither the Operators nor their agents or co-operating
organizations shall be responsible for any cancellations, delays,
diversions or substitution of equipment or any act or omission whatsoever
by air carriers, transportation companies, hotels or any other persons
providing any of the services and accommodations to passengers including
any results thereof, such as changes in services or accommodations
necessitated by same. Nor shall they be liable for any loss or damage to
baggage or property, or for injury, illness or death, or for any damages
or claims whatsoever arising from loss, negligence or delay from the act,
error, omission, default or negligence of any person not its direct
employee or under their exclusive control, including any act, error,
omission, default or negligence of any country, government or governmental
authority, officer or employee. All baggage and personal effects are at
all times and in all circumstances at the risk of the tour participant.
Baggage insurance is recommended. The carriers, accommodation and other
suppliers providing services are independent contractors and are not
agents, employees, servants or joint ventures of the operators or their
affiliates. All certificates and other travel documents for services
issued by the operators are subject to the terms and conditions specified
by the carriers and suppliers and to the laws of the countries in which
the services are supplied. Carriage by sea is subject to the Carrier’s
Conditions of Carriage which are expressly incorporated into this
contract, copies of which are available upon request. The Operators are
not responsible for any criminal conduct by third parties.
4. Where the passenger occupies a
motor coach seat fitted with a safety belt, neither the Operators nor
their agents or co-operating organizations will be liable for any injury,
illness or death or for any damages or claims whatsoever arising from any
accident or incident, if the safety belt is not being worn, or the
passenger is not seated when the coach is moving, at the time of such
accident or incident.
5. Transportation companies, airlines
etc. are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during
the time passengers are not on board planes, transportation or
conveyances. We rely on international convention which may apply to the
services provided by us, our suppliers or agents with respect to any claim
of any nature brought by you against us as a result of the provision of
those services. International conventions which apply may include: Warsaw
Convention 1929, (as amended by Hague Protocol and Montreal Protocol) in
relation to air travel, or Montreal Convention; the Berne Convention for
rail travel; Athens Convention 1974 for carriage by sea; the Geneva
Convention for carriage by road and the Paris Convention 1962 for Hotels.
We are to be regarded as having all benefit of these conventions on
limiting our liability in relation to any claim for death, injury, loss,
damage and delay to passengers and luggage. Enrollment in and payment for
a tour shall constitute agreement and acceptance by the passenger of the
terms and conditions set forth in this brochure which cannot be varied
except in writing by an officer of the Company.
6. Insight Vacations (S) Pte
Ltd, is only responsible for the services of reservations and ticketing,
it does not accept any responsibility or liability for any of the acts,
omissions, or defaults, whether negligent or otherwise, of its principal
Insight Travel Group Limited or any of the companies of the Insight group
of companies. All matters arising in relation to the services provided by
Insight Vacations (S) Pte Ltd, but not in respect of other things, are
subject to the Laws of Singapore.
7. Every effort is made to ensure
brochure accuracy at the time of going to press; however Insight cannot be
held responsible for printing or typographical errors, or errors arising
from unforeseen circumstances. All bookings made with any provider of any
transport, facilities, meals, other goods or, of any services, are subject
to terms and conditions imposed by them in relation to matters not covered
particularly and expressly by our agreement with any of the above
mentioned two Operators in the Insight group of companies. |
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DATA PROTECTION STATEMENT
In
order to process your tour booking, Insight Vacations will need to use
personal information for you and other passengers included in your booking.
This personal information may include each passenger’s name, address, phone
number, email address, passport number, credit/debit card number and
sensitive information such as health, medical, dietary, mobility, religious
or other special requirements. This personal information may be passed on to
other suppliers of your travel arrangements in addition to public
authorities such as customs and immigration, security and credit checking
organizations, and otherwise as required by law. Similarly, we may also need
to provide personal information to contractors who provide services to or
for us e.g. sending mail, processing payments, providing marketing
assistance. This may involve sending personal information including
sensitive information to other countries that may not afford the same level
of protection of personal information.
We may also use the personal information you provide us to review and
improve the tours and services that we offer, and to contact you (by post,
email and/or telephone) about other tours and services offered by Insight
Vacations that you may be interested in. If you don’t want to receive this
information, or if you want a copy of the personal information we hold about
you, write to us at info@ insightvacations.com.sg. Insight Vacations may
charge a fee for supplying you with this information as permitted by law. |
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Tour Documents: Your tour documents, travel
literature, wallet and comprehensive pre-departure documentation will be
sent to you prior to departure. Please read this information carefully as it
contains essential information and helpful advice to make your vacation as
enjoyable as possible. Passports & Visas: All passengers require a valid
passport valid for 6 months after their trip return date and may require
visas. Some countries require multiple visas. It is the passengers’
responsibility to ensure he/she travels with the appropriate documents. Your
Travel Agent will advise you of the necessary documents required.
Travel
insurance: Insight recommends that all
passengers purchase comprehensive Travel Insurance. Certain European
countries have a requirement for foreign visitors to have medical insurance
on entry. Insight cannot be held responsible for denied entry should a
passenger be unable to provide details to the authorities of such insurance.
Walking
Tours: Many of Insight Vacations’ tours
feature walking tours and comfortable walking shoes are recommended for
all passengers.. Plan Your Budget: You are advised to do this well in
advance and be sure to allocate funds for special events whilst on tour,
such as theatre, celebration meals, shopping and side trips, and
‘Optional Excursions’.
Optional
Excursions: With Insight Vacations you
will enjoy many of Europe’s famous highlights as included features on
your tour. However, there is an exciting array of additional ‘Optional
Excursions’ available to further enhance your enjoyment. A detailed list
and cost is included in your tour documentation. You can only book and
pay for them through your Tour Director by cash, Visa, MasterCard or
American Express credit cards.
Complaints Procedure: Should you have a
complaint in respect of your holiday, you should inform your Insight
Tour Director or Representative during the course of your holiday. If
the matter cannot be resolved after the representative’s best endeavors
to do so during the holiday, your complaint should be made in writing to
Insight Vacations as soon as possible after the holiday.
Smoking
Policy: There is a No Smoking policy
whilst travelling. However, we make plenty of convenience stops,
allowing you ample opportunity to smoke if you wish, use local restroom
facilities, take a scenic snapshot or just relax and enjoy a cup of
coffee.
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