Your Holiday Contract
When you make a booking you guarantee that you have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your party the terms of these booking conditions. A contract will exist as soon as we issue our confirmation invoice. This contract is made on the terms of these booking conditions, which are governed by English Law, and the jurisdiction of the English Courts. Please read conditions carefully. They are important.
Palmers Travel Ltd is a member of ABTA with membership number W3654. ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. For further information about ABTA, the code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA Ltd, 68-71 Newman Street London W1T 3AH Tel: 020 7637 2444 or www.abta.com
The above applies only to services supplied by Palmers Travel Ltd and does not apply to services featured in this brochure that are provided by any other company.

1. Booking the Holiday
On receipt of your enquiry we will reserve a holiday for seven days (or three days if your booking is within 6 weeks of departure date). If you wish to confirm the booking you must forward a deposit of £30 per person (plus insurance premium) for holidays up to 4 days or £60 per person, £100 per person on continental air tours (plus insurance premium) for holidays over 4 days duration together with completed booking form within that seven day period.
On receipt of your deposit, together with insurance premium, a confirmation of reservation and invoice advising date for final payment, will be sent to you within seven days together with departure details, full itinerary and hotel information etc.
You must then pay the balance due by the date specified, unless otherwise stipulated. (6 weeks on tours up to 4 days duration, 8 weeks for 5 days or more.) NO REMINDER WILL BE SENT. If full payment has not been received by then, we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled, in which case you are liable to cancellation charges. If you book your holiday within 6 weeks of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking. Tickets for train/aircraft/ship services are issued subject to the conditions set out by the Conditions of Carrier in question, copies of which are available on request
Arrangements in the event of delay will be the responsibility of the carrier.
Holiday price includes coach travel, hotel accommodation and visits to locations listed in each tour itinerary. Our price includes VAT at 17.5%, ferry charges, road tolls and local taxes as appropriate, but does NOT include porterage and admission charges (unless specifically stated).

Data Protection Policy
Please be assured that we have measures in place to protect the personal booking information held by us. This information will be passed on to the principal and to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements. The information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. Certain information may also be passed on to security or credit checking companies. If you travel outside the European Economic Area, controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. We will only pass your information on to persons responsible for your travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/religious requirements. (If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EEA or not, we will be unable to provide your booking. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons.). Your data controller is: Palmers Travel Limited. You are entitled to a copy of your information held by us. If you would like to see this please contact us. We may make a small charge for providing this to you.

2. Insurance
It is a condition of the acceptance of the booking by Palmers Travel (hereafter ‘The Company)’ that all passengers on non UK tours are insured either through the Company’s scheme or some equivalent travel policy. In order to obtain the maximum benefit insurance must be taken out at the time of booking. If you wish to insure through another company the insurer’s name and emergency contact number must be provided.

3. Room Allocation and Special Requests
All rooms will have their own private facilities, including bath or shower & W.C. Our prices are based on two people sharing twin/double room. Single room supplements are only payable on tours when charged by hotels and these are shown for each tour. Every effort will be made to provide the exact accommodation booked and to convey special needs to the hotelier(s). However, the Company accepts no liability for any failure to provide a special request for which no payment is made. Where a payment is made for additional facilities, the Company’s liability shall be limited to the brochure price of that supplement. Bookings for rooms with bath or shower shall be deemed to be fulfilled by the provision of either facility and requests for one or the other will be treated as requests only. When booking a double room, requests for a double or twin beds must be made clearly, otherwise it will be assumed either is acceptable.

4. Alterations/Changes to Holiday detail
If we change your holiday - holidays are planned many months ahead. Sometimes minor changes such as alternative hotels of similar rating in same resort area are necessary and we will let you know of these as soon as possible, at which time you will be able to accept the change or the offer of an alternative holiday if one is available. If in such circumstances these options are unacceptable to you, a full refund of all monies paid will be made.

5. Cancellation or Changes by Us
Whilst every effort will be made by the Company to operate all holidays as advertised, the Company reserves the right at its discretion to cancel any tour due to operational circumstances or insufficient bookings. In this event all monies paid by the customer will be refunded in full. We do not intend to cancel a holiday, or any other travel arrangements, after the date when payment of the balance of the price becomes due, (7 days in the case of Day Tours) unless it is necessary to do so as a result of hostilities, political unrest or other circumstances amounting to force majeure, or unless you default in paying of said balance. PLEASE NOTE THAT TIMES ARE GIVEN FOR GUIDANCE ONLY AND MAY ALTER.
Please note that our obligations to you in respect of any major changes do not apply if such change or cancellation is brought about by war, or threat of war, riots, civil strife, industrial action, natural disaster, fire, epidemics, bad weather, technical problems with transport, closure of ports, terrorist activity, governmental action or other events where our obligation to carry out our promise is frustrated by events outside our control.
However, if it is necessary to make a material alteration (of significant inconvenience to yourself) to a holiday, or any other travel arrangements, after the date when payment of the balance of the price becomes due (other than for reasons such as hostilities, political unrest or other circumstances amounting to force majeure) compensation amounting to £10 per person will be either credited against your holiday costs, or if you cancel, you will receive a credit note for £10 per person to be used on a future Palmers Travel holiday taken within 12 months of the date of the credit note.
If we have to notify you of a material alteration within 14 days of the departure date (other than for reasons such as hostilities, political unrest or other circumstances amounting to force majeure) you will receive compensation amounting to £20 per person.

6. Cancellation by the Passenger.
If you, or any member of your party, cancel your holiday - cancellations must be notified in writing and they come into effect on the day such written notification is received by us. Charges for cancelled holidays will be made in accordance with the following scale. As this incurs expenses we will retain your deposit and, in addition, apply charges up to the maximum shown below.

Period before departure within which written cancellation is received.
Days notice of written cancellation before departure with cancellation charge as percentage of holiday:

If you have taken out holiday insurance your reason for cancellation may well be included in the cover. The insurance premium is not transferable or refundable.

7. Alterations / Transfers
If you change your booking - if, after we have accepted your booking you wish to make any alterations to the booking, every effort will be made to satisfy your requirements. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of £10, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration.

8. Luggage
An allowance of one medium size suitcase per person, plus reasonable hand luggage, is acceptable on all tours. Special advice will be given on those tours departing by air. Passengers’ luggage and personal property taken on all tours remains at all times and in all circumstances passengers’ responsibility, and it is at passengers’ sole risk. The company shall not be liable for loss or damage howsoever caused.

9. Passport/Travel documents
It is the responsibility of the passenger to ensure that he or she has the required passport (and visas) to enter the countries on the holiday itinerary. If in doubt contact the FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit) 0870 6060290 or www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo for up to date information.

Visas 0845 010 5555. Passport Advice line 0870 521 0410

10. Late Arrival
It is the responsibility of the passenger to be at the required embarkation point as stipulated on the final joining instructions. The coach cannot wait for latecomers, and no refund will be offered.

11. Door to Door
Palmers Travel reserve the right to decide where the Door to Door service will meet the coach, the type of vehicle and the taxi company who will transport you.

12. Excursions
Excursions you may choose to book or pay for whilst on holiday are not part of your package and no liability is accepted by us.

13. Hotel Amenities
Please remember that some facilities (e.g. lifts) are not always operational due to sudden breakdowns or the need to service them. Other facilities (e.g. outdoor swimming pools) are only available when weather permits. The nature and frequency of entertainment is also subject to demand and is at the discretion of the hotel.

14. Seat Allocation
You keep the same seat(s) throughout your tour and, since allocations are made on a first come first served basis on receipt of deposit, early booking is advised. We reserve the right to alter seat and allocate you a different one for operational reasons but this will happen very rarely. On single bookings we reserve the right to alter your seat to maximise seating availability, this also will happen very rarely. We accept no liability in the event of any such change. Specific seats will not be allocated on feeder coaches and where the coach is not the main form of transport i.e. rail tours.

15. Coaches
Coaches feature adjustable seating, tea coffee facilities and full air conditioning, toilet and washroom. No guarantee can be given with regard to circumstances that prevent us from providing these facilities. The Company accepts no liability or claim for compensation for loss of these facilities that are beyond their control.

16. General
Tour managers will be provided on most tours but cannot be guaranteed.

17. Health
Under normal circumstances most Western European Countries do not require visitors to be vaccinated. Travelling outside Europe you are advised to consult your own doctor. Advice on vaccinations and medication is contained in a booklet ‘Health advice for travellers’ published by the department of Health. This can be obtained from your doctor or freephone 0800 555777.
Smoking is not permitted whilst on board our vehicles.

18. Complaints and Disputes
If you have a complaint during your holiday please immediately inform the driver or Tour Manager who will do their best to rectify the problem. If the matter cannot be put right on the spot you must record the details of your complaint in writing with our driver or Tour Manager. We cannot consider any claims unless you adhere to this procedure.
We can normally agree an amicable settlement with the very few complaints we receive.
Disputes arising out of, or in connection with, this contract which cannot be amicably settled may be referred to arbitration, if you so wish, under a special Scheme arranged by ABTA, and administered independently by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
The scheme provides for a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on the customer in respect of costs. Full details will be provided on request or can be obtained from the ABTA website (www.abta.com). The Scheme does not apply to claims for an amount greater than £5,000 per person. There is also a limit of £25,000 per booking form. Neither does it apply to claims, which are solely in respect of physical injury or illness or their consequences. The Scheme can however deal with compensation claims which include an element of minor injury or illness subject to a limit of £1,000 on the amount the arbitrator can award per person in respect of this element. The application for arbitration and Statement of Claim must be received by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators within nine months of the date of return from the holiday. Outside this time limit arbitration under the Scheme may still be available if the company agrees, but the ABTA Code does not require such agreement.
Full details of the scheme are available from the ABTA at 68-71 Newman Street, London W1T 3AH

19. Can we change the price of your holiday?
Yes, but only in very limited circumstances. Changes in transportation costs, including the cost of fuel, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as embarkation or disembarkation at ports and exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked. However there will be no change within 30 days of your departure. Even in these cases we will absorb an amount equivalent to 2% of the holiday price which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges. Only amounts in excess of this 2% will be surcharged. If this means paying more than 10% on the holiday price, you will be entitled to cancel your holiday with a full refund of all money paid, except for any premium paid to us for holiday insurance. 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. For your help and information the exchange rates used in the pricing of our overseas holidays are as follows: Rates published in The Financial Times ‘Guide to World Currencies’ on 10th September 2007. Euro 1.4714 Switzerland (Sw.Fr) 2.4087

20. Financial Protection
“The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 require us to provide security for the monies that you pay for the package holidays booked from this brochure and for your repatriation in the event of our insolvency. We provide this security by way of a bond held by ABTA.”

21. Our Liability to You
If the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly performed by us or our suppliers we will pay you appropriate compensation if this has affected the enjoyment of your travel arrangements.
However we will not be liable where any failure in the performance of the contract is due to: you; or a third party unconnected with the provision of the travel arrangements and where the failure is unforeseeable or unavoidable; or unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised; or an event which we or our suppliers, even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall.
Our liability, except in cases involving death, injury or illness, shall be limited to a maximum of three times the cost of your travel arrangements. Our liability will also be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to
a) The contractual terms of the companies that provide the transportation for your travel arrangements. These terms are incorporated into this contract; and
b) Any relevant international convention, for example the Montreal Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation, which limit the amount of compensation that you can claim for death, injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of compensation contained in these or any conventions.
You can ask for copies of the transport companies’ contractual terms, or the international conventions, from our offices (Kings Lodge, London Road, West Kingsdown, TN15 6AR tel: 01474 853111 or 0845 029 1909
Under EU law you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. However reimbursement in such cases will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in clause 6. If any payments to you are due from us, any payment made to you by the airline will be deducted from this amount. If your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Air Transport Users’ Council on 020 7240 6061 www.auc.org.uk

22. Publication Date
The website was published in the United Kingdom by Palmers Travel, Kings Lodge, London Road, West Kingsdown, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 6AR. Information therein is published in good faith and believed to be accurate at the time of going to press - October 2007. PLEASE NOTE: Any government VAT changes made after October 2007 will be charged accordingly.

23. Links to Third Party Sites
Palmers Travel Site contains links to other web sites which are beyond its control. Palmers Travel is not responsible for content on the Internet or World Wide Web pages on any site outside the Palmers Travel Site.