These Terms and Conditions, along with any other written marketing information received by you before we confirmed your booking, constitute a contract with Alex Witcomb Travel Ltd. (registered address: 1 Lowther Road, London, E17 6AP, UK). Company No. 15538278 (referenced below as “we”, “us”, “our”). Please read these terms and conditions carefully; they set forth our respective rights and obligations in respect of your booking. In these Terms and Conditions, references to “you” and “your” include any participants named on the registration form. The travel arrangements for your trip have been organised by Alex Witcomb Travel Limited, working with /// Museum Client /// who act as our agent for promotion of this trip to their members. The trip is based on a minimum number of xx participants.
In order for us to confirm your booking, you agree on behalf of all persons named on the booking that:
• You have read these Terms and Conditions and you agree to be bound by them.
• You consent to the use of your personal data and consent that all persons named on this booking have agreed to to disclose their personal details to us, including, where applicable, personal specifics such as health conditions, disabilities and dietary requirements.
• You accept financial responsibility for payment of the booking on behalf of all persons named on the booking.
• You consent to the use of your personal data and consent that all persons named on this booking have agreed to to disclose their personal details to us, including, where applicable, personal specifics such as health conditions, disabilities and dietary requirements.
• You accept financial responsibility for payment of the booking on behalf of all persons named on the booking.
1. Bookings & Payments
The booking is confirmed with us when you complete the relevant registration form, pay the full deposit amount and we issue you with a confirmation of booking. A binding contract will come into existence between you and us as soon as we have issued you with a booking confirmation, which will confirm the details of your booking and monies paid.
The balance of the cost of your trip is due on the date stated on the first page of the registration form. If we do not receive this balance in full and on time, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you, in which case your deposit will be retained.
2. Insurance
Adequate travel insurance is a condition of your contract with us. You must be satisfied that your insurance fully covers all your personal requirements for any loss, damage or claim pre-travel, during travel or following travel, as well as pre-existing medical conditions; cancellation and curtailment charges; medical expenses and repatriation in the event of accident or illness. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses arising from your cancellation on the trip.
4. Jurisdiction and Applicable Law
These Terms and Conditions and any agreement to which they apply are governed in all respects by English law. We both agree that any dispute, claim or other matter which arises between us out of or in connection with your contract or booking will be dealt with by the Courts of England and Wales only.
5. Changes to Bookings & Transfers of Bookings
If you wish to change any part of your booking after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you must inform us in writing as soon as possible. Whilst we will do our best to assist, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your requested change. If you are unable to travel on the trip, you may transfer your place to someone else if the transferee agrees to these Terms and Conditions and if the transferee is deemed suitable to join the trip in question. You and the transferee remain jointly and severally liable for full payment of the services. If you are unable to find a replacement, cancellation charges as per clause 6 will apply.
6. Cancellations
If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel your confirmed booking, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing and will be effective from the date on which it is received.
Since we incur costs in cancelling your arrangements, you will need to pay the cancellation charges as follows:
Since we incur costs in cancelling your arrangements, you will need to pay the cancellation charges as follows:
Period before departure in which you notify us Cancellation Charge
More than 70 days Deposit is refundable minus an administration fee of £200 per person
Between 69 – 30 days 80% of tour cost
Between 30 – 14 days 90% of tour cost
Less than 14 days 100% of tour cost
Between 69 – 30 days 80% of tour cost
Between 30 – 14 days 90% of tour cost
Less than 14 days 100% of tour cost
If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.
7. Changes by Us
As we plan your tour arrangements many months in advance, we may occasionally have to make changes or cancel your booking and we reserve the right to do so at any time.
If we make a minor change to your trip, we will make reasonable efforts to inform you as soon as reasonably possible. Examples of minor changes include alteration of your outward/return flights by less than 12 hours, change of accommodation to another of the same or higher standard, or a change of airline carrier.
Occasionally we may have to make a significant change to your trip arrangements. Examples of significant changes may include the following:
• A change of accommodation to that of a lower standard or classification for the whole or part of your trip.
• A change of outward or return departure time by more than 12 hours.
• A change of UK departure airport.
• A significant change to your itinerary, missing out one or more destination if impossible to include.
• A change of outward or return departure time by more than 12 hours.
• A change of UK departure airport.
• A significant change to your itinerary, missing out one or more destination if impossible to include.
If we have to make a significant change to the trip we will tell you as soon as possible and if there is adequate time before departure, we will offer you the choice of:
• Accepting the changed arrangements.
• A refund of all monies paid.
• A refund of all monies paid.
You must notify us of your choice within 7 days of our offer. If we do not hear from you within 7 days, it will be assumed that you have chosen to accept the change.
8. Cancellations by Us:
We will not cancel your travel arrangements less than 45 days before your departure date, except for reasons of Force Majeure (please see clause 8) or if you fail to pay the final balance. It may be necessary to cancel the trip if the minimum number of participants required for the trip is not reached. In the case of the minimum number not being reached and the trip being cancelled by us, all monies paid will be refunded to you.
8. Force Majeure
We will not be liable or be able to pay you compensation if your trip arrangements are affected by “Force Majeure”. Force Majeure means any event beyond our or our suppliers’ control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Examples include warfare and acts of terrorism (and threat thereof), civil strife, significant risks to human health such as the outbreak of serious disease at the travel destination, epidemics or pandemics (including the potential re-emergence of Covid-19) or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely to the travel destination, industrial disputes, labour strikes, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, chemical or biological disaster or unavoidable technical problems with transportation.
9. Special Requests
You must advise us of any special requests at the time of booking. Examples include dietary requirements, accommodation requirements such as shower or bath facilities, or the specific requirement of a facility at the accommodation. These requests must be confirmed to us in writing at least 7 days before the trip begins. We will always endeavour to confirm your special requests. However, we cannot guarantee that they will be possible for your specific trip. We are not able to accept bookings that are conditional upon any special request being met.
10. Disabilities and Medical Problems
You must advise us of any disability or medical problem which may impact your participation on the trip at the time of booking. It may be necessary for you to submit a doctor’s certificate certifying that you are fit to participate on the trip. If we are unable to reasonably accommodate your needs, we will not be able to confirm your booking. If you did not provide full details of your disability or problem at the time of booking and we only become aware of this problem at a later stage, we may have to cancel your booking and cancellation charges may apply.
11. Complaints
We strive to ensure that every trip runs without any problems. If you do have a complaint during a trip, then you must inform the trip director immediately who will do their utmost to resolve your issue. If your complaint cannot be resolved on the ground, please contact us on 07766 900 916 to discuss the matter further.
Any formal written complaints must be sent to us in writing within 28 days of the end of yor trip. Please provide a clear description of your complaint to allow us to deal with it properly. If you fail to follow this procedure, it may affect our contractual rights to you in respect of the complaint.
If, despite our best efforts and having followed the above procedure for reporting and resolving your complaint, you feel that it has not been satisfactorily settled, we recommend that it is referred for arbitration under the ABTOT Travel Industry Arbitration Service. An Independent Arbitrator will review the documents relating to any complaint and deliver a binding decision to bring the matter to a close. A fee is payable by each party when an application for arbitration is submitted.
Any formal written complaints must be sent to us in writing within 28 days of the end of yor trip. Please provide a clear description of your complaint to allow us to deal with it properly. If you fail to follow this procedure, it may affect our contractual rights to you in respect of the complaint.
If, despite our best efforts and having followed the above procedure for reporting and resolving your complaint, you feel that it has not been satisfactorily settled, we recommend that it is referred for arbitration under the ABTOT Travel Industry Arbitration Service. An Independent Arbitrator will review the documents relating to any complaint and deliver a binding decision to bring the matter to a close. A fee is payable by each party when an application for arbitration is submitted.
Details of this scheme are available from The Travel Industry Arbitration Service, administered by:
Dispute Settlement Services, 9 Savill Road, Lindfield, West Sussex, RH16 2NY, United Kingdom
E-mail: admin@disputesettlementservices.co.uk
This scheme cannot however decide in cases where the sums claimed exceed £5,000 per person or £10,000 per booking form, or not solely or mainly in respect of physical injury or illness or the consequences of such injury or illness, or solely or mainly in respect of a discrimination claim or any claim under the Equality Act.
12. Our Responsibility to You
We are responsible for the proper provision of all travel services included in your package under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
Subject to these Terms and Conditions, if we or our suppliers negligently perform or arrange the services for you and we do not resolve your complaint within a reasonable period of time, you may be entitled to compensation. You must inform us within 14 days of any failure to perform the services as per these Terms and Conditions. Any such compensation will be calculated according to the extent to by which ours’ or our suppliers’ negligence affected the success of the trip and your enjoyment of the trip.
We will not be liable to pay you compensation for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage or expense if it results from:
Subject to these Terms and Conditions, if we or our suppliers negligently perform or arrange the services for you and we do not resolve your complaint within a reasonable period of time, you may be entitled to compensation. You must inform us within 14 days of any failure to perform the services as per these Terms and Conditions. Any such compensation will be calculated according to the extent to by which ours’ or our suppliers’ negligence affected the success of the trip and your enjoyment of the trip.
We will not be liable to pay you compensation for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage or expense if it results from:
• your own acts or omissions
• the acts or omissions of a third party not connected with the provision of the services.
• Force Majeure (as defined in clause 8).
• the acts or omissions of a third party not connected with the provision of the services.
• Force Majeure (as defined in clause 8).
When we arrange transportation for you, we rely on the terms and conditions contained within the transport provider’s own ‘Conditions of Carriage’. You acknowledge that all of the terms and conditions contained in those ‘Conditions of Carriage’ form part of your contract with us.
13. Individual arrangements during the Trip
For any excursion or tour which you book separately during the trip and which is not provided by us, your contract will be with the operator of the excursion or tour and not with us. We will not be liable for anything that may happen during the course of the excursion or tour which you book. The operator of the excursion or tour will be responsible and liable.
14. Suppliers
We use independent suppliers to provide services for your trip, who have their own terms and conditions which form part of your contract with us. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier’s liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable International Conventions. The terms and conditions of the suppliers used during your trip are available from us on request.
15. Financial Protection
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under its ATOL Franchise and The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Alex Witcomb Travel Limited, ABTOT number 5556, ATOL number 12625, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following:
1. non-flight packages for UK and EU customers only;
2. flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the UK, which are sold to EU customers only; and
3. ATOL protected flight inclusive packages, flight only and linked travel arrangements (LTAs) sold as a principal under the ABTOT ATOL Franchise.
2. flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the UK, which are sold to EU customers only; and
3. ATOL protected flight inclusive packages, flight only and linked travel arrangements (LTAs) sold as a principal under the ABTOT ATOL Franchise.
ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if you are abroad. Please note that ABTOT protection does not extend to either non-flight packages or non-ATOL flight-inclusive packages sold to customers outside of the UK or the EU.
In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call ABTOT’s 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.
You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made
Only certain flights and flight inclusive holidays are financially protected either by ABTOT or the ATOL scheme. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us, you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.
The price of our ATOL-protected flight inclusive Packages includes the amount of £2.50 per person as part of the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices.
We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate or holiday itinerary, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate or itinerary (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder or supplier may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder or supplier will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder or supplier. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder or supplier, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under ABTOT.
If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate or holiday itinerary, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder, alternative supplier or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, ABTOT Limited may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under its scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to ABTOT Limited any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ABTOT ATOL Franchise scheme.
For further information visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk or the ABTOT website https://www.abtot.com/
16. Passport, Visa and Immigration Requirements & Health Formalities
You are responsible for checking and fulfilling the passport, visa, health and immigration requirements which apply to your trip. We will provide basic information regarding these requirements, but you must check your own specific requirements with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates and with your own doctor. You must check the current requirements before departure, as they can change at short notice.
It is now a standard requirement that passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date. You must check the specific requirements with the Embassy of the country which you are visiting.
Non British passport holders should obtain up to date advice on passport and visa requirements from the Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of the country(ies) to which you are travelling.
For further information contact the Passport Office on 0870 5210410 or visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/passports.
Current travel advice can be obtained from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. Advice from the FCDO to avoid or leave a particular country may constitute Force Majeure (please see clause 8).
We cannot accept responsibility if you cannot travel or if you incur any financial loss because you have not complied with the relevant passport, visa or immigration requirements.
17. Advance Passenger Information
Airlines are now required to submit personal information and passport details in advance to the governments of most countries. Where your booking with us includes a flight, we will submit these details on your behalf and treat them as confidential. Where you have booked your own flight arrangements, you are responsible for submitting these details yourself to the airline, either in advance via their website or at the airport before departure.
Ibn Tulun Mosque, Cairo
Palazzo Borromeo, Italy
LUMA, Arles
Karlskirche, Vienna
