Travelling with children: Teletext Holidays customers’ top tips

by Teletext Holidays on May 22, 2013

We love family holidays, but we know that travelling with children can be a difficult and stressful experience. So we asked the advice of the people who know best – the Teletext Holidays customers who have been holidaying with their families for years.

Thanks so much to everyone who shared their family holiday tips on our Facebook page. It was great reading them and hearing how you turn family holidays into fun adventures! Here are our favourite ideas. See what you think of them and tell us in the comments if you have any more.

And if you know a parent who’s getting stressed over holiday planning, why not share this post with them to put their mind at rest?

Susan Mawhood starts at the beginning, with an idea for getting to the airport: “If there is to be a long drive try to do it over night”

Danielle Sheerin has heard of this lovely way to occupy little ones on long journeys: “A friend just told me about a twelve hour flight she did with a two year old – she took a bag of small wrapped presents containing little things to keep him entertained and let him open one every hour – it worked like a charm apparently!”

Many of you had ideas for entertainment, on the plane, or in resort:

Denise Petch-ghuman recommends taking either a portable DVD player or tablet loaded with children’s favourite tv and films – “Especially handy when you are trying to enjoy an evening meal and they are finished”.

Rosemary Davis and Tracy Swift also recommend DVD players or DS consoles – “fully charged, of course!”

Sarah Neale agrees: “I have 3 boys, go away every year, would not survive without a couple of portable DVD players:-) and we go with friends and their kids so they’re amused always x”

Zoe Ciereszko Varga keeps it traditional: “New toys and new books and stickers
Colouring and nice snacks!”

Kay Hudson Leaper combines sun safety tips with the fun ideas we heard earlier: “Total sunblock, hat, Sunglasses, DS, Colouring books, Puzzle books and inflatables xxx”

Howard Turner has a fun idea: “Take some balloons – light as anything and can be loads of fun for small kids…”

Carol Prior keeps it simple: “Give them a game to play and they will be happy”

Ann Abernethy says “Have fun together, take a few games or toys for them, colouring book, inflatable….and join in!!”

Jackie Gray believes in choosing the right place to stay: “Make sure there’s a playground at the hotel”

And Joey Kempster also feels this is very important: “Go somewhere where there is plenty to do for the little ones and have fun with them remember it’s the best times of there life and they will always have fond memories of that special time with you.”

Several of you pointed out how important it is to be careful in the sun:

Isabell Lodge says “Just be aware how hot the sun can be. Sun block and hats are a must.”

Paul Carter has some wise words on safety and security on the beach: “Don’t forget to put sun lotion on toes nose and ears and the soles of feet if toddlers in pushchair, and hide valuables if on the beach. Do not be tempted to bury any one up to the head in sand as the sand moves and can take them down, and the person cannot move hands to dig self out.”

Diane Sulak is also thinking of safety: “Don’t keep them in the sun and don’t take your eyes off them!”

Debz Rumbles is someone else who reminded us to keep children safe in the sun: “Remember they burn quickly, so keep a good supply of sunfactor for them with you, also get them to wear t shirts in the pool as water reflects the sun and although feeling cool, they can still burn swimming.”

Denise Petch-ghuman has a wealth of wisdom on food, entertainment and behaviour: “No caffeine based treats before or on flight ie chocolate. Give pasta, bread or rice before flight as naturally chills them out. Remind them its rude to kick the seat in front. Take either a portable DVD player or tablet loaded with their favourite tv and films…especially handy when you are trying to enjoy an evening meal and they are finished. Take a pushchair for as long as you can…invaluable for loading all the hand luggage onto and for little ones to rest in after dinner. Don’t forget mosquito cover for said pushchair.”

Debbie Walsh’s tips include bedtime reading: “A cover up to wear in the pool, plenty of things to do packed in hand luggage, colouring in, books, magazine etc and also for the evenings in the hotel/appts before bed time!!!”

And maybe Kevin Warren has the smartest idea for evenings: “Take the grandparents as sitters”

Linda Berry seems to sum it all up, combining practical tips with a reminder of why we go on family holidays: “Make it memorable for you and kids by considering you all as one big happy family mosquito repellant sun cream and plenty of water. You’ll be fine.”

Thanks again to everyone who shared their tips with us. If you’d like help choosing the best location for your family holiday, why not like our Facebook page, where we’re ready to help you with destination ideas and great deals.

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Barry’s Blog – Methods of payment and charges

by Teletext Holidays on April 12, 2013

When you make a payment by credit, debit or charge cards you may be charged a fee, or surcharge, on top of the transaction.  It is common with contracts made online for a charge to be applied.  But how much can the trader charge you?

WHAT ARE PAYMENT METHODS?

Payment methods are the various ways available to the consumer to pay for a service or product.  Payment methods include any of the following:

  • Cash,
  • Charge Cards,
  • Cheque,
  • Credit Cards,
  • Debit Cards,
  • Store Cards, and
  • Moneygrams.

GENERAL LAW

There are laws in place to prevent a trader discriminating against, or in favour, of certain payment methods.

Since The Credit Card (Price Discrimination) Order 1990 came into force there has been a ‘no discrimination’ rule prohibiting the charging of different prices to those who pay by credit card rather than by another methods of payment.  The Order does allow the passing on to the consumer of a surcharge for use of a payment card.

LAW AGAINST EXCESSIVE SURCHARGES

On the 6th of April 2013 The Consumer Protection (Payment Surcharges) Regulations 2012 came into force across the EU. These Regulations control payment surcharges and, in effect, state that the trader can only pass on the actual costs incurred by them of operating that particular payment method.  In other words the trader is not able to add a profit into the payment surcharge.

Existing micro-businesses and new businesses are exempted from the regulations until June 2014, whilst contracts for social services, health services, and services like banking or insurance are exempted altogether.  All other organisations and contracts are caught by the legislation.

The card surcharge a trader passes on to the consumer is likely to be higher than the charge the bank makes to it as there are other costs involved in operating a card scheme.  The Government guidance allows traders to factor in such things as:

  1. The merchant service charge from the card scheme.
  2. Direct IT and equipment costs for processing the card.
  3. Processing fees such as charges for reversing of refunding a payment.
  4. Any costs associated with risk management relation to fraud detection and prevention.
  5. Any operational costs arising from activities dedicated to card payments.

However the trader cannot add indirect costs such as staff overheads into the surcharge.

WHAT IS AN EXCESSIVE SURCHARGE

The legislation does not set a level for what could be considered excessive, however there has been some suggestion that a consumer can expect to pay a fee of around 2% on a credit card transaction.  However this is not set in law and the situation will vary between traders and transactions as every card scheme has its own rules and charges.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT THE CHARGE WILL BE?

The trader should make clear for each payment method that they intend to levy a surcharge the amount for the surcharge in the advertisement.

WHO DO I COMPLAIN TO IF THE SURCHARGE IS NOT CORRECT?

If the advert is on the Teletext Holidays website you can complain to compliance@teletext.co.uk where you think then card charge is excessive, or  the company has miscalculated the surcharge.  We will then check the charge for you and help resolve the matter.

In all other cases complain to the Advertising Standards Authority or via telephone on 020 7492 2222.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO PAY?

To help you work out whether you are paying the correct amount, use our handy ready reckoner.

PAYMENT CHARGE READY RECKONER
 

Cost of Holiday

1%

1.5%

2%

2.5%

3%

£100

£1.00

£1.50

£2.00

£2.50

£3.00

£150

£1.50

£2.25

£3.00

£3.75

£4.50

£200

£2.00

£3.00

£4.00

£5.00

£6.00

£250

£2.50

£3.75

£5.00

£6.25

£7.50

£300

£3.00

£4.50

£6.00

£7.50

£9.00

£350

£3.50

£5.25

£7.00

£8.75

£10.50

£400

£4.00

£6.00

£8.00

£10.00

£12.00

£450

£4.50

£6.75

£9.00

£11.25

£13.50

£500

£5.00

£7.50

£10.00

£12.50

£15.00

£550

£5.50

£8.25

£11.00

£13.75

£16.50

£600

£6.00

£9.00

£12.00

£15.00

£18.00

£650

£6.50

£9.75

£13.00

£16.25

£19.50

£700

£7.00

£10.50

£14.00

£17.50

£21.00

£750

£7.50

£11.25

£15.00

£18.75

£22.50

£800

£8.00

£12.00

£16.00

£20.00

£24.00

 

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‘You’re a wizard Harry!’

by Teletext Holidays on April 11, 2013

Over the Easter break, many of our customers took the chance to go for a special day out. One Teletext Holidays customer, Mark, visited The Making of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Leavesden. We asked Mark to tell us what he thought of his day out:

“The overall experience was a great one and being a Harry Potter fan, it was great to see what goes into the making of the movies. The attention to detail is just phenomenal and my wife and I personally did not know how many real life sets they used instead of computer animation!  You get taken on a journey through the world of Harry Potter, seeing the amount of time and effort that goes into the creation of each set, such as The Gryffindor common room, Hagrid’s Hut and the famous Great Hall! The staff at the studios are brilliant and really enhance your experience throughout the tour. Offering to take photographs or just sharing their facts on the films as some of them were involved as extras or behind the scenes.

“The merchandise is amazing, however very expensive! Items for sale there include wands, chocolate frogs, remembralls and shirts with all manner of designs — and that’s just scratching the surface. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to buy a whole lot more than your budget will allow. The food court area is slightly overpriced as I expected, however the famous Butterbeers are amazing!!

“My only criticism is that it’s too small, so enjoy Potter fans!”

Whether you’re looking for a family day out or a special treat for the Harry Potter fan in your life or even keep your kids entertained. This Easter, the next school holidays or at the weekend visit our UK Attraction Tickets and Days out page to book today.

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Barry’s Blog – The development of “No Frills” or Low Cost Carriers (LCC)

by Teletext Holidays on March 26, 2013

In 1997 the Irish airline Ryanair began to offer connections from Dublin to London and several airports in continental Europe for low fares. In 2001 Ryanair and Easyjet began also to establish connections between two airports both in another country than their home country and to install parts of their aircraft fleet on key airports of their network in third countries. This was only possible due to a political decision which led to airline deregulation across Europe allowing private companies to operate in a free market.

Why are they successful?

The concept of low cost carriers is successful for two reasons. They stimulate an additional demand in air traffic which was not there before and they save costs wherever possible in order to offer the transport for very low rates.
Low cost airlines usually pay for the available seat kilometre (ASK) about half the price than full cost carriers. This is possible for several reasons:

Low Cost Carriers pay lower prices at the airports because they often operate between remote places and achieve favourable conditions for airport services. These are sometimes indirectly sponsored by the local administration, which would like to win job opportunities for the inhabitants.
Low Cost Carriers travel several times a day the same relative short route (about 900 km in average). Therefore no additional staff training for other routes is necessary, there are no additional costs for staff accommodation and there are a greater number of flights in any given time.
Low Cost Carriers carry out point-to-point flights. Consequently there are no costs to the airline for baggage administration and direction to connecting flights. Traditional airlines offer a so called hub and spoke concept which facilitates connecting flights but is more costly for the airline.

The time between landing and the next start is minimized.

Services to the passenger are reduced to the minimum (no food, drinks, newspapers; Internet booking for the flight, etc.)

At the moment the Low Cost Carriers own aircraft of the newest generation which have higher fuel efficiency and lower repair costs. Often they use only one type of aircraft which makes the maintenance cheaper.

Airport fees

Ryanair serves nearly exclusively small airports with very low fees and the potential for negotiating subsidies, while easyJet serves both small and primary airports. The airport costs make up for a high proportion of the total costs of an airline so this is significant.

Personal costs

Personal costs are low and the amount of passengers transported per airline employee is high.

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Facebook Ski Competition winner

by Teletext Holidays on March 21, 2013

Congratulations once again to winner of our Facebook ski competition Aimee Hearn, who won a 4* Ski Holiday to Austria along with some Antler luggage. Here she shares her experience of her prize including some great snaps. Enjoy!

“When I received the email saying I had won a competition on Facebook and that I had won a skiing holiday to Austria plus Antler luggage I could not believe it!

A few days after that initial email the holiday was booked for four weeks later. I was so excited, especially as I had never been skiing before.

When the Antler luggage arrived I knew it would be perfect for this skiing holiday. I loved how many different sections were in both the suitcase and the backpack – just what I needed to organise everything I needed to take with me.

On the day of departure we enjoyed complimentary access to an airport lounge where we had breakfast before our flight to Salzburg. When we landed in Salzburg we had a transfer to the ski resort of Zell am See. The rep on the coach gave us our lift passes and told us the hotel we were staying in was the best in the resort! When we arrived at the hotel we were given a tour before being shown to our room. The room was very nice and had a view of the frozen lake and a balcony. Later that day we went to collect our skis and ski boots so we would be ready to ski on Sunday morning.

The ‘gourmet half board’ food at the hotel was amazing. We had a five course meal each night with lots of different things to choose from, all of which were delicious.

During the week we skied in both Zell am See and Kaprun which was a short bus ride away. After skiing we often enjoyed an afternoon snack at the hotel before relaxing the swimming pool and jacuzzi.

We also did a bit of sightseeing in the Salzburg region. We hiked up the Krimml waterfall which was so pretty as it was partly frozen. We also went to the top of the Kitzsteinhorn mountain to the Gipfelwelt 3000 centre. The views from there were amazing as we were higher than the clouds!

Thank you Teletext Holidays for the best holiday ever! Skiing was so much fun and I am now very much looking forward to booking another skiing holiday.”

By Aimee Hearn

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Barry’s blog – Paying for your holiday

by Teletext Holidays on March 19, 2013

When buying a holiday online or over the telephone there are certain rules to follow to avoid problems.

CASH

Unlike when you make travel arrangements through a high street shop; under no circumstances send the online travel company cash, and you should not be asked to visit their offices to pay by cash in person.

CREDIT CARDS

Where possible use your credit card to purchase your holiday from an online supplier.  A credit card automatically gives the owner of the card some protection when they purchase a holiday or travel that is between £100 and £30,000 in value before any processing fees or taxes are added on.  This legal requirement under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (as amended) applies to credit cards but it does not apply to any other method of payment.  Some Visa cards carry similar protection under the Visa terms.

The protection afforded by section 75 even applies to purchases made abroad whilst on your holiday that meet the criteria.

You will not normally be entitled to claim under section 75 if the value is below £100 or above £30,000, or if you have used someone else’s card to pay for the arrangements.

When using a credit card to pay, the online retailer will pass on a charge to you for each transaction this fee should be stated clearly on the website in a position that you can see it before you call to book or enquire about the product you have seen. The charge may be expressed as a percentage or a figure but, according to the Office of Fair Trading, the retailer should not be passing on a charge higher than the cost they themselves incur for the transaction and in any event no higher than £12 per transaction unless there are exceptional business reasons.

How do I make a claim?

If you make a purchase for a holiday that fails to materialise, or is inadequate in some way (for example they have not provided the holiday you purchased) you have the option to place a claim with your credit card provider right away.  However, it is usually best to first approach the retailer or service provider directly (where possible) and ask for a refund. If this proves fruitless you should then do the following:

  • Contact your credit card provider in writing explaining that you’d like to request a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
  • Specify what the problem is (e.g. whether the holiday has not been booked despite me paying for it etc.).
  • Include details such as the date you made the purchase, the retailer or service provider you made the purchase with, the products or services you paid for with credit card and their total value – it can be useful to include copies of any receipts or other paperwork you have relating to the transaction.
  • Explain that you have tried to resolve the issue with the retailer without success and include copies of any correspondence you have with them.
  • Specify a time limit within which you’d like the matter resolved.

Alternatively, you could try calling your credit card provider and request that they send you a Section 75 claims form (offered by some credit card providers) which you should then complete and send back to them with copies of any supporting documents requested.
DEBIT CARDS

Payment by debit card does not provide the same protection as when you purchase your holiday using a credit card.  Retailers will shortly not be allowed to charge a fee for the use of a debit card as theGovernment is in the process of banning these surcharges to reflect the lack of additional costs to the retailer.

CHECK PAYMENT DETAILS

When you buy a holiday the operator should wrap up the call by going over all the details of the holiday you have purchased and itemising all charges.  Make sure you note down on a piece of paper the costs you have agreed to so that you can double check them when you receive the paperwork.  Always make a note of the travel company you booked with and the name of the operator you dealt with.

Check your bank or credit card statement to make sure the travel company only took the total amount of money that you agreed to at the time of booking.  If there is a discrepancy the make contact with the travel company immediately to resolve the discrepancy.

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Your Holiday Capsule Wardrobe

by Teletext Holidays on March 4, 2013

It might still be all grey skies and arctic conditions over here in the UK, but many of us have already booked and are looking forward to some hot hot heat; be it your annual summer holiday or a much needed mid-season break to a tropical, far-flung destination.

But what to pack? We all know that choosing what to take with you on holiday can be a nightmare – many of us are guilty of over-packing, meaning that we don’t wear half of what we take whilst under-packing can also prove a problem if you don’t have the right clothes for the occasion. But don’t panic! Today holiday gurus Swimwear365 are here to offer their advice on the ultimate capsule wardrobe for your holiday.

Swimwear

When you’re going on holiday, swimwear is arguably the most important element to your capsule wardrobe. To get on board with the latest swimwear trends and styles for SS13, you should check out the swimsuits from Swimwear365. There are hundreds of looks to suit everybody. Naturally, the number of swimsuits you take will depend on how long you’re holidaying for. As a rule, two a week works well. If you’re going away for two weeks, this gives you four gorgeous ensembles to choose from – opt for a variety of styles from bandeau bikinis to monokinis in different prints for a great variety – just be mindful of the different tan marks you’re likely to pick up!

Maxi Dress

The maxi dress is an absolute must have for a summer holiday. Take a plain black maxi that can be worn on the beach over your bikini for a gorgeous day time feel. This can double up as a stunning outfit for a big night out – team with platform wedges and some red lipstick for a flawless appeal. For your next maxi, opt for a striking pattern or print. This can be worn both during the day shopping and going for brunch, but would also look phenomenal as that special outfit for a nice evening meal.

Shoes

Sandals are an absolute must. Pick a pair of strappy tan leather sandals that will go with everything from your maxi to denim shorts and everything in between. For something a little dressier, wedge sandals are the ultimate holiday party heel.

The Accessories

Sunglasses are your number one holiday accessory – take a couple of pairs; try one square and one round lens pair to mix up your look. A wide-brimmed floppy hat is the ultimate way to protect your face from the sun’s harmful rays whilst looking effortlessly glamorous. Don’t forget your oversized tote bag – this can be used for all your essential hand-luggage items as well as your beach bag.

Packing doesn’t have to be a chore with this easy guide to creating your holiday capsule wardrobe!

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5 of the Best Places in the World to Propose

by Teletext Holidays on February 13, 2013

With Valentine’s Day approaching the thoughts of romantics the world over will be turning to how to propose to their loved ones. Asking for a person’s hand in marriage is one of the most memorable things you can ever do and it is little surprise that people want to make it as special as possible. Here at Chillisauce, we talk to excited brides and grooms-to-be every day and hear all sorts of stories behind the proposals, from the cute and quirky to the luxuriously romantic. We’ve picked out some of our favourite places in the world to pop the question:

Las Vegas, USA

First-time visitors to Vegas are often spellbound by the sensory overload, but the stunning sights, luxurious restaurants and high class hotels make it a wonderfully romantic destination too if you’re visiting with your other half. You’re sure to get treated like VIPs if you flash your newly-acquired engagement ring at every opportunity, while it’s also one of the few places on the planet where it’s acceptable to pop the question in one instant and then get married by a man dressed as Elvis an hour later.

Top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney, Australia

No room for shaky hands during this proposal so you’d better leave the nerves behind. The nerve-wracking Bridge Climb over the top of this great engineering icon gives breathtaking views of the city and the harbour and you’re sure of a big cheer from your fellow climbers. Plus, the climb guides can even discreetly help you out with a special safety attachment to make sure the ring stays secure. And if it’s a good enough spot for David Hasselhoff to get down on one knee then you know you’re in good company.

Palolem Beach, Goa, India

The ‘Princess Diana bench’ at the Taj Mahal may be India’s most famous spot for proposing, but if you don’t fancy queuing up to get down on one knee and want something a little more remote, then head out to the bohemian beauty spot of Palolem Beach in Goa. Hammocks and cosy huts line the stunning beach where you’ll enjoy incredible sunsets every evening. Grab a picnic and a bottle of fizz and jump on board your own boat before paddling out around Monkey Island to look for dolphins, breaking out the ring as the setting sun casts a warm, orange glow across the water.

Overlooking Big Sur, California, USA

Staring out to sea from California’s incredible road trip destination Highway One, it is easy to imagine you are standing on the edge of the world. Stretching out across 90 miles, the route is long enough to find your own little spot for that special moment. Find one of the many viewing points to do it in rustic style overlooking the ocean, head out to Point Sur Lighthouse or splash out on a window table at one of the many luxurious restaurants that line the route.

Above the Masai Mara, Kenya

Another stunning spot for a lofty proposal, soaring high above the Masai Mara is bound to be an unforgettable experience anyway, but it makes a breathtaking place for a betrothal as well. Floating silently above the plains in the early morning gives you a great chance to see wild animals below and the colourful landscape is a wonder to behold. And you don’t need to worry about the pilot feeling like an awkward third wheel during your special moment, they’re bound to be used to it.

Written by Michael Chidzey. Mike is the Head of Digital Marketing at Chillisauce which is famous for organising stag dos and hen parties. When he’s not doing geeky tech stuff, Michael writes for Chillisauce’s adventure blog and eventjuice.co.uk.

 

 

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Holiday Protection. What the different licences mean and what they cover

by Teletext Holidays on February 11, 2013

 

  • ABTA The Association of British Travel Agents styling themselves ‘The Travel Association’ since 2007 to reflect their wider industry membership.
    ABTA is a trade body that runs a number of member services for the organisations that it represents around 5000 travel agents and 900 tour operators.
    ABTA operates a customer protection scheme for its membership which is there to assist if the ABTA member you book with ceases operation.  In many cases the customer protection will either allow the customer a full refund or repatriation if they are abroad at the time of the failure.  ABTA members lodge a bond with ABTA to cover the scheme in the vent of their own failure.
    However customers need to check carefully to ensure they are covered as the ABTA scheme does not cover all situations, for example if the company collapses due to fraud ABTA may choose to not cover it.
    ABTA member operate under  a comprehensive code of conduct and can be penalised if they do not adhere to this.   In addition ABTA operates a complaints services and arbitration scheme for consumers in the event that they have problems with an ABTA member.
    ABTA Consumer Helpline 0901 201 5050 (UK calls only). Calls are charged at 51.062p per minute, plus any network charges. This line is open from 9.00-17.00 Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
  • ATOL Air Travel Organisers’ License which is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority.
    The Civil Aviation Authority is a branch of government that regulates all aspects of the UK aerospace industry and operations including aircraft safety.
    The CAA operates the ATOL scheme that ensures every company selling a holiday with a flight element is financially sound, and in return should the company cease to operate the CAA will use the levy charged to passengers when they book to refund the customer or repatriate them.  Usually ABTA and the TTA rely on the CAA stepping in to carry out the actual repatriation service for stranded passengers.
    The ATOL scheme does not cover passengers money until it is paid into the bank of the travel company nor non-ATOL holding company’s passengers.  The CAA may choose not to cover situations where the travel company that ceases to trade has committed a fraud. Airlines are not required to sell flights or holidays under the protection of an ATOL.
    The CAA also operates a Passenger Advice and Complaints Team
    Phone: 020 7453 6888 (Consumer advice line Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 2.30pm)
    Fax: 020 7453 6754
    Email: passengercomplaints@caa.co.uk
    Write: Passenger Advice and Complaints Team, 4th Floor, CAA House, 45-59 Kingsway, London  WC2B 6TE. 
  • TTA The Travel Trust Association is a trade body that has about 800 members.  The TTA runs a number of members services for the companies that are in the scheme.
    The TTA scheme is the only customer protection scheme that always protects the customer and will refund or repatriate them regardless of the circumstances.  It is based on a trust fund that sits behind the travel company where all the customers’ money is processed.  The funds are held on trust until the customer has safely returned back to the UK when they are released to pay suppliers.  This is the money that helps the consumer in the event of problems.
    The TTA deal with consumer complaints about members if they write to:
    Travel Trust Association 3rd Floor, Albion House. High Street, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6BD. 
  • IPP International Passenger Protection is an insurance policy sold to customers by a firm based in Jersey.   IPP should not be described as customer protection.
    IPP offers the industry protection directly through Supplier Failure Insurance and Scheduled airline Failure Insurance which compensate the travel company in the event that a supplier has ceased to operate.  IPP also act as a bond obligor for ABTA members seeking bonding for their ABTA membership.
    Recently IPP have been offering policies that are being sold by travel companies to consumers.  Travel insurance is sensible for consumers to purchase but it is not a compulsory item and the travel company cannot insist the customer buys a policy or makes a contribution towards a policy automatically.
    Some insurance polices do not refund the passenger but actually pay the travel company so the customer will get nothing if there are major problems.  Many insurance policies specifically exclude natural events such volcanic as ash clouds.  All insurance policies do not make provision to repatriate the passenger if they are stranded abroad.  The passenger is expected to make their own way home and then make a claim.  
  • TGTG The Global Travel Group is a consortium for travel companies that provide a source of bonding for ABTA membership.  All TGTG members are ABTA members.  Global Travel group do not operate any customer protection arrangements.  Similar groups include Advantage Travel Group, Hays Travel Group (IG members), Preston Travel Group etc.

 

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Spain, the Balearics and the Canaries

by Teletext Holidays on February 7, 2013

Spain is a holiday destination that’s familiar to most people as it has such a huge variety to offer; golden sandy beaches, international restaurants, bars and nightlife having given the main tourist resorts a bustling appeal that British visitors have enjoyed for a number of years. But to escape the crowds, you don’t need to venture far before you discover an abundance of lush green orchards, hidden inlets, secluded sandy coves, spectacular cliffs and picturesque whitewashed villages, all drenched in the heavy scent of citrus fruit.

Almost constant sunshine, over three hundred beaches, family fun parks, superb watersports and some of Europe’s most challenging golf courses ensure the continuing popularity of Spain’s Costa del Sol with holiday makers. Trendy Puerto Banus is the place to see and be seen where upmarket discos, pubs and clubs sit side by side with the luxurious yachts of the international jet set.

Lying at the heart of Spain’s Costa Blanca, the holiday capital of Benidorm is just 45 minutes from Alicante, its sun bleached sands basking in more than 300 days of sunshine a year. The ever-popular Benidorm hotels are a great base for enjoying the beaches, many of them just steps from the broad golden sands of the resort’s spectacular Levante and Poniente beaches.

Spain’s holiday island of Majorca has something for everyone from summer playgrounds of golden sands to peaceful relaxation in the pine-fringed calas of the east coast.

Holidays on Spain’s peaceful island of Menorca are perfect for those seeking quiet and tranquillity amidst beautiful unspoilt scenery. Menorca is a superb nature lover’s paradise and, with more than a hundred glorious beaches strewn around her 140 miles of idyllic coastline, one of the few places left in the Mediterranean where you can still find a secret cove to call your own – even in the height of summer!

For year round sun, it’s difficult to beat holidays on Spain’s largest Canary Island of Tenerife, dominated by the majestic volcanic peak of Mount Teide rising up to 12,000 feet and featuring a lunar type landscape. Tenerife’s southern strip is a true holiday hotspot, the perpetually sunny climate and sun-drenched Saharan sands caressed by constant warm breezes off the nearby African coast attracting visitors year round to this dramatic island.

Why not enjoy a beach and watersports holiday on Spain’s island of Fuerteventura, basking in the sunshine off the North African coast and where wild, wind lashed sands and the constant warm breezes create perfect conditions that attract windsurfers from around the world, sun worshippers by the score and families eager for relaxation on the endless white sands. For sheer relaxation Fuerteventura’s beaches cannot be bettered with the blinding white sands best seen at Jandia where they stretch unbroken for 32 kilometres.

With the sands of the Sahara desert just sixty miles away, a constant sunny climate and wonderful warm breezes make the island of Lanzarote a holiday heaven. The island’s intriguing volcanic landscape of craters and lava fields contrast with long golden sands and the remote unspoiled beaches of Papagayo.

For much more information about Spain and many of the best destinations around the world for the over 50s visit www.silverhairs.com

 

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