PLEASE NOTE all bookings are subject
to the terms and conditions that follow AND to the terms and conditions
set out below headed "How to Book & Additional information" and the
section on "Insurance" (where you take insurance arranged by The Sicilian
Experience).
PLEASE READ THESE SECTIONS AS
CAREFULLY AS THE FOLLOWING:
If you book through an ABTA Travel Agent all
monies you pay to them will be held by them on our behalf until they are
paid to us or refunded to you.
Website descriptions
Throughout our website we have
sought to give you the fullest and most accurate information on the
features and facilities of each hotel, apartment, tour, location and
service, to assist you in making the choice of holiday best suited to your
personal needs. However, as all these details have to be prepared as much
as a year in advance of when you may be travelling, there may be occasions
when an advertised item is not, in the event, available on your journey or
during your particular stay. For example, outdoor activities such as
terrace bars, beach sports and barbecues can be subject to weather
conditions and lack of demand, particularly in early or late season
therefore may only be operational during high season (usually 1st July –
31st August). Similarly hotels may occasionally have to amend or curtain
certain facilities such as entertainments, courtesy buses etc due to local
factors such as licensings laws, religious holidays, government
restrictions, or other unforeseen circumstances. Swimming pools have
occasionally to be emptied for cleaning or repairs. In some hotels
air-conditioning is often only operated at certain times of the day even
in hot weather. Flight schedules and routes (including arrival and
departure points) may have to be altered, for example because of change of
scheduling. We will advise you if we become aware of a major change, but
cannot accept liability for the loss of or alteration in an advertised
amenity in such circumstances.
Hotel facilities
Certain hotel and apartment
facilities such as private beaches, swimming pools, poolside bars and air
conditioning are operational at the owner’s discretion and may not be
available outside the high season (July & August).
Price Guarantee & Surcharges
All the prices shown in this
brochure have taken into account air fares, fuel costs and taxes and the
currency exchange rates as of 25 July 2005. However, in view of the
unsettled situation we reserve the right to charge you any increase due to
fluctuations in the cost on which the prices in this brochure were based.
If there should be an increase in transportation costs e.g. scheduled air
fares, fuel and other airline surcharges or currency exchange rates or
government VAT then such increases will be made where they are necessary
for reasons beyond our control. If we have to make such increases we shall
give you written notice of the additional charge and of its main cost
heads, and shall have available to provide on request a written
explanation of the reasons for the additional charge by reference to each
main head cost. Our guarantee to you is that if prices (excluding
insurance and any amendments charges) increase by up to 2% we will absorb
these increases. If prices increase beyond 2 % up to a maximum of 10% of
the total holiday price (excluding insurance and any amendment charges) we
reserve the right to levy a surcharge. We guarantee that no increase will
be passed on to you less than 35 clear days before departure of your
holiday providing the full balance has been paid to The Sicilian
Experience, except that in the case of late bookings made during that
period such an additional charge may be made up to and including the date
on which the invoice is issued. If the prices increase beyond 10% of the
holiday cost (excluding insurance and any amendments fees) you have the
right to cancel and receive a full refund of all monies paid except for
any amendments charges. We will consider an appropriate refund of
insurance premiums paid if you can show that you are unable to transfer or
reuse your policy. Should you decide to cancel for this reason you must
exercise your right to do so within 14 days from the issue date of the
final invoice. Whether you cancel or not you will also be entitled, on the
terms set out in section "Alterations by us or third parties" to accept an
offer of alternative travel arrangements from us and compensation as
stated therein.
Cancellation by us
Holidays can only be provided at the
advertised price if a satisfactory number of bookings are made. If there
are insufficient numbers or we have to cancel your holiday for some other
reason beyond our control (see the section "Our Liability- Limitations" we
will notify you immediately, and endeavour to give you not less that eight
weeks notice before departure. We will, when possible, offer alternative
arrangements, or if these are not acceptable, we will refund any money you
have already paid to us but we will be under no further liability. The
Sicilian Experience will not materially modify or cancel the holiday
within eight weeks of the date of departure unless compelled to do so
because of circumstances beyond its reasonable control or if you default
in payment of the balance due.
Our Liability – Limitations
The Sicilian Experience only accepts
liability for any loss or damage sustained by you as a result of our
negligence or breach on contract. We exercise care and control in our
choice of hotels, apartments, airlines, tour operators, restaurants and
other organisations involved in the planning and provision of your holiday
but as we have no direct control over them we cannot accept liability for
acts or omissions whether negligent or otherwise of any of these
organisations or their employees. In particular we have no control over
the management of the hotels and in the case of overbooking by a hotel, of
which we are not aware before your departure, you will be offered
alternative accommodation on arrival. Reasonable compensation for the
inconvenience will be offered where the location and/or facilities of the
alternative accommodation are reasonably regarded as inferior to that
originally booked. Please note we will of course try to give such
reasonable help as we can in the case of a dispute arising between one of
our clients and a company, authority of personnel that are neither agents
for employees of The Sicilian Experience. We do not have and cannot accept
any liability for any loss or damage caused by force majeure events
including (without limitation) fire, flood, civil disturbance, industrial
action, terrorist activities, technical problems with transport, closure
of airports or bad weather, and compensation cannot be paid in these
circumstances if there are cancellations or rearrangements. Any refund
will be subject to the deduction of reasonable expenses. You may be
covered under our insurance scheme or your own policy. Please refer to the
insurance section or to your policy. See also the Cancellation sections,
Complaints and Arbitration section and Airline Conditions section below.
Payment – Deposit A singed booking form listing each client’s name must be
accompanied by a deposit of £100 per person plus the relevant insurance
premium which will be automatically added unless you have signed that this
is not required. Upon receipt of your booking form and deposit The
Sicilian Experience will confirm the booking in writing to you or your
travel agent and also send an invoice for the balance of payment.
Final Payment
The balance quoted on the final
invoice must be paid at least eight weeks before departure date. If the
balance is not paid eight weeks before and if no written cancellation has
been received by us we reserve the right to cancel the booking and you may
find that you are liable for cancellation charges (see below). If your
book less that ten weeks before the date of departure full payment is
required immediately upon confirmation from The Sicilian Experience.
Travel documents will normally be despatched to reach you two weeks before
departure.
Cancellation by you
If, once a reservation has been
made, you are obliged to cancel it, either wholly or in part, a written
instruction must be received by The Sicilian Experience, signed either by
you or, in the case of a reservation made through a travel agent, by the
agent. To compensate The Sicilian Experience for the time and cost of
reservation processing, and for the possibility of its not being able to
resell the vacated places, cancellation charges will be levied as follows:
interest and ours, you should address any compliant in the first instance
to the local representative or agent who may well be able to remedy
matters on the spot. If this is not possible, or if you remain
dissatisfied, a letter of complaint should be sent to The Sicilian
Experience’s offices within 30 days after the end of the holiday
concerned.
Airline conditions
Airline tickets are issued subject
to the airline’s Condition of Carriage. These conditions, some of which
limit and exclude liability are, of course, subject to international
agreements between governments. You can ask to view an airline’s
Conditions of Carriage. Airline tickets are strictly non transferable and
any costs or consequences arising from on-compliance with this condition
are entirely the responsibility of the client.
Representation
No travel agent or employee of The
Sicilian Experience is authorised to vary or waive these terms unless
written confirmation is obtained from a Director of the Company.
Your Contract
Your contract with us is subject to English Section
5 and jurisdiction.
How to book and additional
information
The Sicilian Experience’s
reservations department is open from 9.30am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday and
from 10.00am to 1.00pm on Saturday. When a provisional telephone
reservation is made The Sicilian Experience will quote a reference number
for the booking. To enable you to confirm details with family and friends
an provisional reservation will be held until close of business the
following day and then automatically cancelled, unless it has been made
firm.
What the price includes
-
Airport taxes and passenger charges
in England and country of destination if
flights are included in the holiday (see our price list
for full details of what is included).
-
Transfer to and from the resort
airport and your hotel or apartment if transfers are
included in the holiday (see our price list for full
details of what is included)
-
Accommodation with room
facilities as confirmed for the duration of the
holiday booked.
-
The services of a Sicilian
experience representative or agent if included in the holiday (see our
price list for full details of what is included).
What the price excludes
-
Transport to and from you UK
departure airport.
-
Any supplements indicated on the
price panels for extras you wish to reserve.
-
Meals en route between the
overseas airport and your hotel and return.
-
Surcharges if applicable. See
"Price Guarantee & Increases".
-
Holiday Insurance
-
Car Parking costs
-
Any charges made by hotels &
apartments for cots.
Baggage allowance
Most flights have
a maximum of 20kg (44lb) luggage allowance. Details of the maximum
allowance on your flight will be shown on your travel documents. Only
small piece of hand luggage is allowed in the cabin.
The Sicilian Experience is confident
that in the few instances of clients complaining, an amicable settlement
can be reached. If, however, such a settlement cannot be reached, the
dispute may be referred to arbitration under a special scheme devised for
the travel industry by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators by
arrangement with the Association of British Travel Agents. The scheme
provides for a single and inexpensive method of arbitration on documents
alone with restricted liability on the client in respect of costs. The
scheme does not apply to claims for an amount greater than £5,000 per
person or £25,000 per booking form or to claims which are solely or mainly
in respect of physical injury or illness or the consequences of such
injury or illness. Details or the scheme will be supplied on request.
On schedule airline tickets once
issued cancellation charge is 100% Note: Cancellation charges may be covered by
holiday insurances and you should make your claims directly to you
insurance insurance company. NB insurance premiums are always forfeit.
Alterations by us or third parties
As holiday arrangements are
necessarily planned a long time in advance, alterations may sometimes be
necessary. These will always be advised at the earliest possible date and
we undertake to keep the inconvenience to a minimum. In rare instances of
having to make a significant alteration to your holiday arrangements we
shall always explain the reason to you. A significant alteration is one
made prior to your departure involving a change of outbound airport or
time of departure by more than 12 hours, or a change of accommodation to a
lower standard. In such circumstances you may either accept the alteration
or we will offer you:
-
A credit of £10 towards the cost
of any other holiday you may desire from our Brochure (subject to
availability)
-
A full refund of all money paid
to us (less reasonable expenses when the alteration is due to force majeure)
Alterations by you
Should you, after a reservation has
been made and confirmed, amend the booking The Sicilian Experience will,
if possible, accept the alteration, but an amendment charge of £20 per
booking will be levied for administration costs. This applies to transfer
to a different holiday, hotel or departure date. Alterations made within
six weeks of departure will normally be subject to cancellation charges
(see above)
Complaints and Arbitration
The Sicilian Experience emphasises
that, in your interest and ours, you should address any compliant in the
first instance to the local representative or agent who may well be able
to remedy matters on the spot. If this is not possible, or if you remain
dissatisfied, a letter of complaint should be sent to The Sicilian
Experience’s offices within 30 days after the end of the holiday
concerned. The Sicilian Experience is confident that in the few instances
of clients complaining, an amicable settlement can be reached. If,
however, such a settlement cannot be reached, the dispute may be referred
to arbitration under a special scheme devised for the travel industry by
the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators by arrangement with the Association
of British Travel Agents. The scheme provides for a single and inexpensive
method of arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on the
client in respect of costs. The scheme does not apply to claims for an
amount greater than £5,000 per person or £25,000 per booking form or to
claims which are solely or mainly in respect of physical injury or illness
or the consequences of such injury or illness. Details or the scheme will
be ensure that you meet all check-in deadlines. No responsibility will be
taken by The Sicilian Experience if you are late and miss your flight.
Travel documents
You are responsible for ensuring
that all necessary travel documents e.g passports, visas, vaccination
certificates etc are valid and effective (see also Car Hire section).
Travel times
It is essential for you to check
your own travel arrangements to the airport and in particular ensure that
you meet all check-in deadlines. No responsibility will be taken by The
Sicilian Experience if you are late and miss your flight.
Foreign & Commonwealth
In conjunction with the Foreign &
Commonwealth Office (FCO) we wish to ensure your safety whilst on holiday
overseas. Therefore before travelling we recommend you visit the FCO
website
www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or ABTA information line Tel. 0901 201
5050 (calls are charged at 50p per minute).
Data Protection
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 details on our data protection policy are
available upon request. by law. Certain information may also be passed on
to security or credit checking companies. We will only pass your
information on to persons responsible for your travel arrangements. This
applies to any sensitive information that you give t us such as details of
any disabilities, or dietary/religious requirements. (If we cannot pass
this information to the relevant suppliers, we will be unable to provide
your booking. In making this booking, you consent to this information
being passed on to the relevant persons). Full details on our data
protection policy are available upon request.
Special Requests
We are always willing to pass on to
an hotelier or an airline a request for a particular type of room,
adjoining rooms, special diets, etc, but is must be clearly understood
that the ability to meet such requests rests with the hotelier, apartments
owner or airline because we do not have exclusive rights. Any additional
charges for such arrangements must be paid directly to the supplier and
any failure to supply such arrangements is not our responsibility provided
we have passed on the request. Please see the "Our Liability Limitations"
section of the booking conditions.
