Terms & conditions

Booking Conditions

Your holiday is operated by Archipelago Choice Limited trading as Archipelago Choice – Azores, Archipelago Choice – Cape Verde, Archipelago Choice – Madeira, Archipelago Choice – Sao Tome, Archipelago Choice and Portugal Choice of 1b Museum Square, Keswick, CA12 5DZ, which is registered in England under company number 3633568. The following booking conditions, together with the information set out in the relevant brochure, website and confirmation invoice will form part of your contract with us. The pre-departure mini guide does not form part of the contract.

 

By asking us to confirm your booking, we are entitled to assume that you have had the opportunity to read and have read these booking conditions and agree to them.

 

In these booking conditions, “you” and “your” means all persons named on the booking (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date) or any of them, as the context requires.  “We”, “us” and “our” means Archipelago Choice Limited. References to “departure” are to the start date of the arrangements we have contracted to provide.

 

Any reference to an EU regulation in these booking conditions should be taken to mean the UK legislation which replaces (or has replaced) that EU regulation and/or any EU regulation which continues to have effect in the UK as a result of being incorporated into UK law (in all cases referred to as ‘retained EU law’). Changes to retained EU law are likely to be made over time. Reference to any EU regulation in these booking conditions is intended to refer to the relevant retained EU law at the applicable time.

 

The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 will apply to your contract. For more information on your rights under these regulations please see the link https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2018/9780111168479/contents.

 

  1. Making your booking: The first named person on the booking (“party leader”) must initially complete a booking enquiry. The party leader must be at least 18 when the booking is made and is responsible for making all payments due to us. This individual must be authorised to make the booking on the basis of these booking conditions by all persons named on the booking and by their parent or guardian for all party members who are under 18 when the booking is made.  By making the booking enquiry, the party leader confirms that he or she is so authorised.  We will provide a quotation in response to your enquiry and should you wish to proceed with the booking you must pay a deposit as set out below.

 

If you wish to, you may contact us by e-mail for any of the reasons mentioned in these booking conditions (for example, to request an amendment) providing you do so to info@archipelagochoice.com.  Any authorised travel agent of ours through whom you make a booking will relay information from you to us and vice versa. For the purposes of compliance with time limits or limitation periods as set out or referred to in these booking conditions, receipt by such an authorised travel agent of messages, requests or complaints intended for us will be treated as receipt by us. However, we are not responsible for any advice given to you by your travel agent that did not originate from us

 

  1. Deposit: To secure your booking, please send us a deposit of £250 per person along with all the information we request to enable us to provide your holiday. Your deposit may be higher if your flight requires immediate payment of the full flight cost, or if the accommodation you have chosen requires a pre-payment in order to guarantee the reservation.  We will notify you at the time of booking if this applies along with the actual amount of deposit that is required to secure the booking. If you book 70 days or less before departure you must send us the full cost of your holiday. Please note that if you subsequently cancel, you will incur the cancellation charges set out in clause 12A below.  It is a condition of booking that you obtain adequate travel insurance at the time of booking as per clause 16 below.

 

  1. Confirmation invoice:Within 14 days of receipt of your deposit and the requested information we will send our confirmation invoice to the party leader or your travel agent. The confirmation invoice is our acceptance of your booking in accordance with these booking conditions. Please check this invoice carefully as soon as you receive it.  Contact us immediately if any information which appears on the confirmation or any other document appears to be incorrect or incomplete as it may not be possible to make changes later.  We regret we cannot accept any liability if we are not notified of any inaccuracies (for which we are responsible) in any document within 10 days of our sending it out. We will do our best to rectify any mistake notified to us outside these time limits but you must meet any costs involved in doing so.

 

  1. Contract: A binding contract will come into force between us at the time we send out our confirmation invoice.  We both agree that English law (and no other) will apply to your contract and to any dispute, claim or other matter of any description which arises between us (“claim”) except as set out below. We both also agree that any claim (and whether or not involving any personal injury) must be dealt with by the courts of England and Wales only unless, in the case of court proceedings, you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland. In this case, proceedings must either be brought in the courts of your home country or those of England and Wales. If proceedings are brought in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you may choose to have your contract and claim governed by the law of Scotland/Northern Ireland as applicable (but if you do not so choose, English law will apply).

 

  1. Final balance:The final balance must be received at our offices at least 70 days before the departure date. This payment date will be clearly stated on the confirmation invoice. If payment of the balance is not received in full, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled in accordance with the clause 12 below.

 

  1. Special requests and medical conditions / disabilities / reduced mobility / allergies / special dietary requirements: If you have any special request, you should advise us in writing at the time of booking. Although we will endeavour to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier, we regret we cannot guarantee any request will be met. Failure to meet any special request will not be a breach of contract on our part. Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of the special request on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. For your own protection, you should obtain confirmation in writing that a special request will be complied with (where it is possible to give this) if it is important to you. Any special request which we have accepted will be specifically confirmed as accepted on your confirmation invoice.

 

Our holidays may not be suitable for people with certain disabilities, medical conditions or significantly reduced mobility. Before you make your booking, we will advise you as to whether the proposed holiday arrangements are generally suitable for someone with reduced mobility.  However, reduced mobility of course means different things to different individuals as we fully appreciate that individual capabilities, restrictions and requirements are likely to vary considerably. When we refer to reduced mobility, this means any material reduction in mobility whether this is permanent or temporary and whether caused by age or by physical or mental disability or impairment or other cause of disability.

 

Should you suffer from any medical condition, disability, significant reduction in mobility or significant allergy which may affect your holiday (including any which affect the booking process) or have any special requirements as a result, please tell us before you confirm your booking so that we can assist you in considering the suitability of the arrangements and/or making the booking. We will also notify our suppliers so that they can advise if they can meet your needs. In any event, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking and whenever any material change in your condition, disability or mobility occurs. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition, disability, reduced mobility or significant allergy which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed.

 

If we, or our suppliers, are unable to properly accommodate the needs of the person concerned, we will not confirm your booking, or if you did not give us full detail at the time of booking, we will cancel it and impose the applicable cancellation charges.

 

We will advise our suppliers of any allergy information you provide us with. However, you must take appropriate precautions to protect yourself whilst on holiday.  Without limitation, it is your responsibility to ensure that any food you are intending to consume does not include anything to which you are allergic at the time you order or purchase this.

 

  1. Consumer protection:We hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 6059). All flights and flight inclusive holidays we offer are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive package 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.

 

We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (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 may provide you with 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 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. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable). If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit, you assign absolutely to those Trustees 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 ATOL scheme.

 

The Civil Aviation Authority can be contacted at Aviation House, Beehive Ringroad, Crawley, West Sussex, RH6 0YR, UK tel +44 (0)333 103 6350 e-mail claims@caa.co.uk www.caa.co.uk

 

In the event of our insolvency we, or any appointed insolvency practitioner, may disclose your personal information to the CAA, and/or any insurers so that they can assess the status of your booking and advise you on the appropriate course of action under any scheme of financial protection. The CAA’s General Privacy Notice is at https://www.caa.co.uk/Our-work/About-us/General-privacy-notice/ 

 

For holidays that do not include flights, or where flights originate outside the UK, you are protected by our insurance policy with IPP Ltd. and its panel of insurers.

 

In accordance with the UK Package Travel & Linked Travel Regulations 2018, Directive (EU) 2015/2302 or the local applicable law in the country of residence of the passenger(s) booking with Archipelago Choice Ltd are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies received by us, including repatriation costs and arrangements, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Archipelago Choice Ltd.

 

The respective laws accordingly to the country of residence of the passenger(s) usually only requires us to provide cover for Package & Linked Travel Arrangements, there is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips or single elements, and none is provided unless the local law requires such. If you have questions on this, then please contact Archipelago Choice Ltd.

 

Archipelago Choice Ltd has taken out an insurance provided by International Passenger Protection Ltd (IPP) with Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE (LMIE) trading as Liberty Specialty Markets, a member of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Group. LMIE’s registered office: 5-7 rue Leon Laval, L-3372, Leudelange, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Registered Number B232280 (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés).  LMIE is a European public limited liability company and is supervised by the Commissariat aux Assurances and licensed by the Luxembourg Minister of Finance as an insurance and reinsurance company. This insurance is only valid for passengers who book and pay directly with/to Archipelago Choice Ltd.

 

In the event of our insolvency please make contact as soon as practically possible giving full details of what has happened quoting the name of your Travel Operator:

 

For UK & Worldwide excluding EU Passengers

 

IPP Claims at Sedgwick

Telephone: +44 (0)345 266 1872

Email: Insolvency-claims@ipplondon.co.uk

or online at http://www.ipplondon.co.uk/claims.asp

 

For EU Passengers

 

IPP Claims at Sedgwick

Telephone: +31 103120666

Email: ippclaims@nl.sedgwick.com

or online at https://www.ipplondon.co.uk/claims.asp

 

  1. Price variation:We reserve the right to increase or decrease the prices of unsold holidays at any time. We also reserve the right to increase or decrease and correct errors in advertised prices at any time before your holiday is confirmed.

 

Once the price of your chosen holiday has been confirmed at the time of booking, we will only increase or decrease the price in the following circumstances.  Price increases after booking will be passed on by way of a surcharge. A surcharge will be payable, subject to the conditions set out in this clause, if our costs increase as a direct consequence of a change in (i) the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from the cost of fuel or other power sources or (ii) the level of taxes or fees on the travel services included in the contract imposed by third parties not directly involved in the performance of the package including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports or (iii) the exchange rates relevant to the package.

You will also be entitled to a price reduction where there is a decrease in our costs as a result of a decrease in the costs referred to in this paragraph which occurs between confirmation of your booking and the start of your holiday.

Any increase equivalent to 8% of the price of your holiday arrangements, which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges, will be charged to you. If any surcharge is greater than 8% of the total holiday cost, clause 12B will apply on the basis the surcharge is a significant change. You will be notified of any price increase or reduction applied in accordance with this clause together with the justification for and calculation of this not less than 20 days before departure. Where a reduction is applicable, we are entitled to deduct our administrative expenses from the refund. Any surcharge must be paid with the balance of the holiday cost or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the invoice, whichever is the later.

Please note that arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your holiday due to contractual and other protection in place.

 

  1. Delay and Denied Boarding Regulations: In the event of any flight delay or cancellation at your UK or overseas point of departure, the airline is responsible for providing such assistance as is legally required by the UK Denied Boarding Regulations (see below). The ferry, tunnel or rail operator is similarly responsible in relation to any delayed or cancelled sea crossing or international rail departure. Except where otherwise stated in our brochure or on our website, we regret we cannot provide any assistance in such circumstances other than information and advice to the extent we are in a position to do so.

 

We regret we are not in a position to offer you any assistance in the event of delay at your outward or homeward point of departure.  Any airline concerned may however provide refreshments etc. We cannot accept liability for any delay which is due to any of the reasons set out in clause 17(ii) of these booking conditions (which includes the behaviour of any passenger(s) on the flight who, for example, fails to check in or board on time).  In addition, we will not be liable for any delay unless it has a significant effect on your holiday arrangements.

 

If your flight is cancelled or delayed, your flight ticket is downgraded or boarding is denied by your airline, depending on the circumstances (including the airport of departure and/or return of the flight and whether you are flying with a UK or EU airline), the airline may be required to pay you compensation, refund the cost of your flight and/or provide you with accommodation and/or refreshments under Regulation EC 261/2004(as amended by The Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (Amendment)(EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (‘UK Denied Boarding Regulations’). You must pursue the airline for the compensation or other payment due to you. All sums you receive or are entitled to receive from the airline concerned by virtue of these Regulations represent the full amount of your entitlement to compensation and/or any other payment due to you where applicable.  This includes any disappointment, distress, inconvenience or effect on any other arrangements.  The fact a delay may entitle you to cancel your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any other arrangements even where those arrangements have been made in conjunction with your flight.  We have no liability to make any payment to you in relation to the UK Denied Boarding Regulations or in respect of any flight cancellation or delay, downgrading of any flight ticket or denial of any boarding as the full amount of your entitlement to any compensation or other payment (as dealt with above) is covered by the airline’s obligations under the UK Denied Boarding Regulations. If, for any reason, we make any payment to you or a third party which the airline is responsible for in accordance with the UK Denied Boarding Regulations, you must, when requested, assign to us the rights you have or had to claim the payment in question from the airline. If your airline does not comply with its obligations under the UK Denied Boarding Regulations, where applicable, you may use the CAA Passenger Advice and Complaints Service. See www.caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems for further details.

 

 

  1. Flights: In accordance with EU regulation (EC) No 2111/2005 as incorporated into UK law and amended, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a UK Air Safety List which contains details of air carriers who are subject to an operating ban in the UK.  The UK Air Safety List (which is updated from time to time) can be found on the UK CAA’s website caa.co.uk.

 

We will advise you of the actual carrier(s) (or, if the actual carrier(s) is not known, the likely carrier(s)) that will operate your flight(s) at the time of booking.  Where we are only able to inform you of the likely carrier(s) at the time of booking, we will advise you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of this. Any change to the operating carrier(s) after your booking has been confirmed will be notified to you as soon as possible.

 

If the carrier with whom you have a confirmed reservation becomes subject to a UK operating ban and we/ the carrier are unable to offer you a suitable alternative the provisions of clause 12B will apply.  We are not always in a position at the time of booking to confirm the flight timings which will be used in connection with your flight. The flight timings shown in our brochure, on our website and/or detailed on your confirmation invoice are for guidance only and are subject to alteration and confirmation.  Flight timings are outside our control. They are set by airlines and are subject to various factors including air traffic control restrictions, weather conditions, potential technical problems and the ability of passengers to check in on time.

 

Specific instructions relating to departure and travel arrangements will be sent with your air or other travel tickets approximately 2 weeks before departure. You must check your tickets very carefully immediately on receipt to ensure you have the correct flight times and other up to date travel information.  It is possible that flight times may be changed even after tickets have been despatched. We will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs.

 

Any change in the identity of the carrier, flight timings, and/or aircraft type (if advised) will not entitle you to cancel or change to other arrangements without paying our normal charges except where specified in these conditions.

 

  1. Brochure information:The information contained in our brochure, on our website and in our other advertising material is believed to be correct to the best of our knowledge that the time of printing or publication.  Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website, brochures, quotations and prices at the time of publication/printing or when they are given to you, regrettably errors may occasionally occur and information may subsequently change. If we receive prior notification of alterations to any accommodation, services or facilities we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible. It should be noted that destination information is for guidance purposes only and that the photographs printed in the brochure and on the website are used to give an impression of the accommodation and services offered.

 

 

  1. Amendments, transfers or cancellation:

 

(A) By you.  If you wish to change the details of your booking, let us know in writing as soon as possible and we will endeavour to assist, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet any such request which is always subject to availability. If the changes are possible, we will let you know and you will be responsible for any extra costs charged or imposed by any of our suppliers.

 

You may transfer your booking or your place on the booking to someone else (introduced by you) without payment of our cancellation charges provding the request for the transfer is made in writing not less than 7 days before departure. The person(s) to whom you wish to make the transfer must also satisfy all conditions which form part of your contract with us. Requests for transfer must be accompanied by the name and other applicable details of the replacement person(s). Where a transfer to a person of your choice can be made, all costs and charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers must be paid before the transfer can be effected.

 

You should note that airlines and any pre-paid accommodation may treat a change to a booking, including a change of name, as a cancellation and new booking and therefore charge a 100% cancellation fee.  Airlines are very strict and do not allow name changes to be made. If an incorrect name is given at the time of booking by you, 100% cancellation charges may apply and a new flight may need to be purchased by you (which may be at an increased rate).

 

After departure, no refund for any unused portion or part of the holiday or services will be given. If you alter or cancel any part of the holiday post departure, this will be at your own expense.

 

You can cancel your booking at any time prior to departure by notifying us in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective when it is received in writing by us at our offices. We will ask you to pay cancellation charges on the scale shown below based on your original booking departure date. In calculating these cancellation charges, we have taken account of possible cost savings, including the refund of airline passenger duty, and the generation of income from other bookings which may be able to utilise cancelled services to the extent this is likely to be achievable. Cancellation charges are calculated on the basis of the total cost payable by the person(s) cancelling, excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges (which are not refundable in the event of cancellation).

 

Date of written notification before departure                        Cancellation charge

From booking to 70 days prior to departure                        Deposit forfeit (£250.00 per person + pre-paid flights and pre-paid accommodation, where applicable)

69-35 days prior to departure                                               40% of total holiday cost (+ pre-paid f    lights and pre-paid accommodation (where applicable)

34-0 days prior to departure                                                 100% of total holiday cost

 

Please note that if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to claim these charges from your insurer.

 

(B) By Us.

(i) Changes to confirmed bookings sometimes have to be made and we reserve the right to do so in accordance with this clause.  Most changes will be insignificant and we have the right to make these. Where an insignificant change is made before departure, we will notify you in writing. No compensation is payable for insignificant changes. Occasionally, before departure, we may be constrained by circumstances beyond our control to make a significant alteration to any of the main characteristics of the travel services which form part of your confirmed booking or to any special requirements which we have accepted as referred to in clause 6. Where we have to do so, clauses 12B(v) and 12B(vi) will apply.

 

(ii) All alterations which are not significant in accordance with clause 12B(i) will be treated as insignificant changes. Please refer to clause 19 on the nature of our holidays. Carriers such as airlines may be subject to change. Any such change will not be significant. A change of flight time of less than 12 hours, airline, departure airport between airports in the same geographical area, type of aircraft (if advised), destination airport or accommodation to another of a similar standard and with similar facilities will also all be treated as insignificant changes.

 

(iii) All group holidays require a minimum number of bookings to enable us to operate them and we reserve the right to cancel any such holiday where this minimum number is not achieved. You will be advised before your booking is accepted of the minimum number applicable to your holiday. Failure to achieve this minimum number does not, however, oblige us to cancel. We will notify you of cancellation for this reason not later than 20 days before departure.

 

(iv) In the event we have to significantly alter any of the main characteristics of your confirmed arrangements or accepted special requirements, we will provide you with the following information in writing as soon as possible: (i) the proposed alteration and any impact this has on the price; (ii) in the event that you do not wish to accept the alteration, details of any alternative holiday arrangements we are able to offer (including the applicable price); (iii) your entitlement to cancel your booking and receive a full refund if you do not want to accept the alteration or any alternative holiday arrangements offered; and (iv) the period within which you must inform us of your decision and what will happen if you don’t do so.

 

(v) If you choose to cancel your booking in accordance with clause 12B (iv), we will refund all payments you have made to us within 14 days of the date the cancellation takes effect and terminates your contract (which is usually the date we or the travel agent through whom you made your booking send you a cancellation invoice following receipt of your written cancellation notification). If we do not hear from you with your decision within the specified period (having provided you with the above mentioned information for a second time), we will cancel your booking and refund all payments made to us within 14 days of the effective date of cancellation (see above). No compensation will be payable or other liability accepted where a change results from unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (see clause 13).

 

(vi) Occasionally, it may be necessary to cancel a confirmed booking. We have the right to terminate your contract in the event (i) we are prevented from performing your contracted holiday arrangements as a result of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (see clause 13) and we notify you of this as soon as reasonably possible or (ii) (where applicable) we have to cancel because the minimum number of bookings necessary for us to operate your group holiday has not been achieved and we notify you of cancellation for this reason as referred to in clause 12B (iii). Where we have to cancel your booking in these circumstances, we will refund all monies you have paid to us within 14 days of the effective date of cancellation (see clause 12B(v)) but will have no further or other liability to you including in respect of compensation or any costs or expenses you incur or have incurred as a result. We will of course endeavour to offer you alternative holiday arrangements where possible which you may choose to book (at the applicable price) in place of those cancelled. We also have the right to cancel if you fail to make payment in accordance with the terms of your contract in which case clause 12A will apply.

 

(viii) Please note, a full refund entitlement only arises where we are prevented from performing your contracted holiday arrangements as a result of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances in accordance with clause 12B(vi) and we exercise our right to cancel as a result. Without limitation, you will not be entitled to a full refund and cancellation charges are likely to apply where such circumstances affect your ability to travel on your holiday rather than our ability to perform or provide the contracted arrangements. This may be the case, for example, where measures applied by the UK or any other government or public authorities (such as locally applicable restrictions) mean you are unable to leave your home/local area and/or travel to or gain entry into the country(ies) where your holiday is due to take place. The issue of advice or recommendations against travel by public authorities (such as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) does not automatically mean we are prevented from performing your holiday arrangements but may instead affect your ability to travel. Any obligation to quarantine or self-isolate on your return to your country of residence does not affect our ability to provide your holiday and will not entitle you to cancel without paying our usual cancellation charges.

 

(ix) In the event that unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (see clause 13) occur in the place of destination of your holiday or its immediate vicinity and significantly affect the performance of the contracted arrangements or the carriage of passengers to that destination, you will be entitled to cancel prior to departure without payment of cancellation charges and receive a full refund of all monies you have paid to us (except for any previously incurred cancellation or amendment charges). Where applicable, you must notify us of your wish to cancel for this reason in writing. Providing we are in agreement that you are entitled to do so in accordance with this clause, we will send you a cancellation invoice to confirm the cancellation. Any refund then due will be paid in accordance with clause 12B(v) above. We will notify you as soon as practicable should this situation occur. You will not be entitled to any compensation. Please note, certain situations arising from or in connection with the covid-19 pandemic may constitute unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances.  However, this does not mean they will entitle you to cancel and receive a full refund as set out in this clause or in regulation 12(7) of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

 

  1. Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances: Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our obligations under our contract with you is prevented or affected by, or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of, unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. In these booking conditions, unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances means a situation which is beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Such situations are likely to include (whether actual or threatened) war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, flood, an outbreak of a serious illness at your holiday destination, closure, restriction or congestion of airports, other transport hubs or airspace, flight restrictions imposed by any regulatory authority or other third party and volcanic activity. Unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances also include the covid-19 pandemic, any future pandemic and the impact of any such pandemic on travel.

 

  1. Your responsibilities:When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss you cause. Full payment for any such damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely known) must be made direct to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier or to us as soon as possible. If the actual cost of the loss or damage exceeds the amount paid where estimated, you must pay the difference once known. If the actual cost is less than the amount paid, the difference will be refunded. You will also be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us and all costs incurred by us (including our own and the other party’s full legal costs) as a result of your actions. You should ensure you have appropriate travel insurance to protect you if this situation arises.

 

We expect all clients to have consideration for other people.  If in our reasonable opinion or in the reasonable opinion of any other person in authority, you behave in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party or damage to property, we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate the holiday of the person(s) concerned.  In this situation, the person(s) concerned will be required to cease all use of the holiday services including leaving any accommodation.  We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s) including any return travel arrangements.  No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses, costs or loss incurred as a result of the termination.

 

It is your responsibility to meet all applicable entry and other requirements of your destination country (ies) as well as those applicable on your return home. You must ensure that all your travel documents (physical and electronic), including your passport, visas / visa waivers,  evidence of any  health related requirement and currency are in order, meet all applicable requirements and are valid for travel. All costs incurred in meeting all requirements applicable to your holiday must be paid by you. If you attempt to travel without fully complying with all requirements, you are likely to be refused boarding on your flight or other transport or entry into your destination country. We cannot accept any liability and cancellation charges will apply (as set out in clause 12A) if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country, or decide not to travel, due to failure (or inability) on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation or to otherwise comply with all applicable requirements (including health related ones) . You are responsible for checking-in for flights at the correct time and for presenting yourself to take up all pre-booked components of your holiday. We cannot accept responsibility if you miss flights as a result of late check-ins and no credit or refund will be given if you fail to take up any component of your holiday.

 

It is the responsibility of the person who makes the booking to ensure that all persons travelling are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents before departure. If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents results in fines, surcharges, other financial penalty, costs or expenses being incurred by us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly.

 

  1. Passports, visa, health requirements and Foreign Office advice:Passport, visa and health requirements such as immunisations for the destinations featured, (which are current at the time of going to press), are set out in information given to you at the time of booking.

 

You must check entry and other official requirements for all countries to or through which you are travelling as well as any requirements applicable on your return to your home country, at the time of booking, and in good time before, and close to departure. Requirements may change and travel restrictions may be imposed. You must also keep up to date with this information while you are away.

 

A British passport can take up to 10 weeks to obtain, sometimes longer.  If any member of your party (who is a British citizen) is 16 or over and hasn’t got or previously held a British passport, even more time needs to be allowed as the UK Passport Service has to confirm your identity before issuing your first passport. If any person on the booking is not a British citizen or holds a non British passport, you must check the applicable passport and visa requirements with the embassy or consulate of the country(ies) to or through which you are intending to travel. Please ensure that you check the latest position on applying for or renewing a passport at the earliest opportunity.

 

During 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will become effective. In order to travel to or within the Schengen Zone (which is currently 26 EU member states), all non-EU passport holders will require an electronic travel authorisation unless you need a visa. An ETIAS travel authorisation is a visa waiver and, once granted, is valid for 3 years or until your passport expires. It can only be applied for online and a fee will be payable unless an exemption applies. An ETIAS travel authorisation will be required regardless of the length of your visit. If you are unable to travel because you have not obtained an ETIAS travel authorisation, cancellation charges will apply as set out in clause 12A. For more information, see www.etiasvisa.com

 

Please note, where you are booking well in advance of departure or at a time when requirements are changing, or can be expected to change, we may not be in a position to provide you with the relevant information at the time of booking. It is your responsibility to ensure you obtain details of and comply with all recommended and required vaccinations, health precautions and other health related measures in good time before departure. You must also keep up to date with the latest information. Details are available from your GP surgery, local travel clinic and the National Travel Health Network and Centre http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. Vaccination and other health requirements/recommendations are subject to change at any time for any destination, including at short or no notice. Please therefore check with a doctor or clinic or other reliable source of information not less than 6 weeks prior to departure and also closer to departure to ensure that you are aware of and can meet the necessary requirements and have the latest information.

 

Existing issued EHIC (European Health Insurance Cards) remain valid until they expire even though the UK has left the EU. When your EHIC expires, or if you have not had an EHIC, you can apply for a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) providing you are eligible for one. A GHIC provides the same cover as an EHIC. Certain individuals may also be able to apply for a UK issued EHIC after 31 December 2020. EHIC and GHIC are free to apply for. However, both EHIC and GHIC provide only limited access to healthcare whilst you are outside the UK which also varies from country to country. They also provide no cover in the event that you require medical repatriation to the UK. Neither an EHIC nor a GHIC offer comparable protection to travel insurance and are not a substitute for travel insurance. Accordingly, you must purchase appropriate travel insurance. For more information, visit https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/

 

In the event that you have not received any compulsory vaccination, you may be unable to enter your destination country(ies) or to access certain services  and may encounter other difficulties. You will not be entitled to cancel (without payment of cancellation charges) or receive any refund and we will not have any responsibility for any costs or expenses you suffer as a result in any such situation.

 

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes travel advice, which is regularly updated, and which relates to political, economic and other circumstances prevailing in countries throughout the world.  Details are published on its website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk which you are strongly recommended to consult before booking as well as close to and in good time before departure. Up to date UK border control measures are available at www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

 

  1. Insurance:  You accept that it is a condition of booking that all persons travelling have adequate travel insurance at the time of booking. This insurance must include cover for (i) cancellation or curtailment of your holiday as a result of circumstances outside your control (including accident or illness and inability to travel for other reasons), (ii) personal accident, (iii) personal liability, (iv) medical expenses and repatriation in the event of medical need (v) cover for costs and liability arising from any specific activity you intend to participate in. Please note, it is your sole responsibility to ensure that the travel insurance purchased is suitable for your particular needs, including without limitation, in respect of any pre-existing medical condition (which must be disclosed to the insurer prior to purchasing the policy.)

 

Please be aware that any advice against non-essential international travel issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (or equivalent authorities outside the UK for citizens of those countries) may have an impact on your travel insurance. You must check the policy terms prior to purchasing your insurance.

 

Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.  It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs.  We do not check alternative insurance policies.

 

We cannot be held responsible or liable in any way if you fail to take out adequate travel insurance. Please note that insurance provided by credit card companies and banks often has limited cover. Please check at the time of booking that the cover provided by such a policy complies with this condition.

 

  1. Our responsibilities:

(i) We promise to make sure that the holiday arrangements we have agreed to make, perform or provide as applicable as part of our contract with you are made, performed or provided with reasonable skill and care.  This means that, subject to these booking conditions, we will accept responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal injury, or your contracted holiday arrangements are not provided as promised or prove deficient as a direct result of the failure of ourselves, our employees, agents or suppliers to use reasonable skill and care in making, performing or providing, as applicable, your contracted holiday arrangements. Please note, it is your responsibility to show that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish to make a claim against us.  In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents and suppliers).

 

 

(ii) We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (for example, loss of enjoyment or loss of possessions), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any nature or description whatsoever which results from any of the following:-

‑ the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected; or

‑ the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable; or

‑ unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances as defined in clause 13 above.

 

(iii) We cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not form part of our contract.  This includes, for example, any additional services or facilities which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you where the services or facilities are not advertised by us in our brochure or on our website and we have not agreed to arrange them as part of our contract and any excursion or activities you purchase during your holiday. Please also see clause 18 “Excursions”. In addition, regardless of any wording used by us on our website, in any advertising material or elsewhere, we only promise to use reasonable skill and care as set out above and we do not have any greater or different liability to you.

 

(iv) The promises we make to you about the services we have agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract, and the laws and applicable standards of the country in which your claim occurred, will be used as the basis for deciding whether the services in question had been properly provided. If the particular services which give rise to the claim were provided in compliance with the applicable local laws and standards, the services will be treated as having been properly provided.  This will be the case even if the services did not comply with the laws and standards of the UK which would have applied had those services been provided in the UK. The exception to this is where the claim concerns the absence of a safety feature which might lead a reasonable holidaymaker to refuse to take the holiday in question. Please note, however, our obligation is to exercise reasonable skill and care as referred to in clause 17(i). We do not make any representation or commitment that all services will comply with applicable local laws and standards and failure to comply does not automatically mean we have not exercised reasonable skill and care.

 

(v) Except as set out in clause 17(vi) or as otherwise permitted by English law, we do not limit the amount of damages you are entitled to claim in respect of personal injury or death which we or our employees have caused intentionally or negligently. For all other claims, if we are found liable to you on any basis, the maximum amount we will have to pay you is three times the total holiday cost (excluding any insurance premiums and amendment charges) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in total, unless a lower limitation applies to your claim under clause 17(vi). This maximum amount will only be payable where everything has gone wrong and you have not received any benefit at all from your holiday.

 

(vi) Where any claim concerns or is based on any travel arrangements (including without limitation, the process of getting on and/or off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea or rail carrier to which any international convention or EU regulation applies where we have arranged that travel as part of our contract, our liability (including the maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay you, the types of claim and the circumstances in which damages / compensation will be payable) will be limited as if we were the carrier in question as referred to in this clause 17(vi). The most we will have to pay you for that claim if we are found liable to you on any basis is the most the carrier concerned would have to pay you under the applicable international convention(s) or EU regulation(s). Such conventions and regulations include the Warsaw Convention as amended or unamended, the Montreal Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air 1999 and for airlines with an operating licence granted by an EU country, the Regulation (EC) No 889/2002 on air carrier liability in the event of accidents, the Athens Convention relating to the carriage of passengers and their luggage by sea 1974 (as amended by the 2002 protocol), and Regulation (EC) No 392/2009 on the liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents, the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims as amended by the 1996 protocol and the Convention of 1980 concerning International Travel by Rail (COTIF) as amended and Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations. You may also have rights under regulation (EU) no 1177/2010 concerning the rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway or regulation (EC) no 1371/2007 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations. Where a carrier would not be obliged to make any payment to you under the applicable international convention or EU regulation (including where any claim is not notified and issued in accordance with the stipulated time limits), we, similarly, are not obliged to make a payment to you for that claim.  When making any payment, we will deduct any money which you have received or are entitled to receive from the carrier for the claim in question. Copies of the applicable international conventions and EU regulations are available from us on request. Please note that strict time limits apply for notifying loss, damage or delay of luggage to the airline or ferry / cruise operator. Any proceedings in respect of any claim (including one for personal injury or death) must be brought within 2 years of the date stipulated in the applicable convention or EU regulation.

 

(vii) We cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any nature or description which (a) on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you or (b) did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by ourselves or our employees or, where we are responsible for them, our suppliers or (c) relates to any business (including without limitation, loss of self employed earnings).

 

  1. Excursions: Our local representatives may, at your request, provide information and recommendations about excursions in resort. However, please note that we have no involvement in any such activities and excursions which are not operated, supervised, controlled or endorsed in any way by us. They are provided by local operators or third parties who are entirely independent of us. They do not form part of your contract with us. The contract for the provision of the excursion will be between you and the supplier of the excursion. We cannot accept any liability on any basis in relation to such activities or excursions and the acceptance of liability contained in clause 17(i) of our booking conditions does not apply to them. We do not however exclude liability for the negligence of ourselves or our employees resulting in your death or personal injury.

 

  1. Acceptance of risk and the nature of our holidays:There may be an element of personal risk attached to the holiday and the activities that you have booked. In making a booking, you consent to these risks.

 

You agree that in visiting remote areas there is an element of flexibility required. Any suggested itinerary is indicative only and not a guarantee. You must acknowledge that delays and alterations and their results, are possible where unforeseen circumstances arise. You must have a level of fitness commensurate with your chosen holiday.

 

If you suffer from any pre-existing injuries that may affect your ability to undertake an activity, please consult your doctor and notify your insurers before you travel. We reserve the right to request a doctor’s certification that you are fit to participate in the holiday. If you are pregnant, please notify us as soon as possible as this may affect your ability to participate in certain activities. For example, whale watching is not permitted if you are pregnant.

 

  1. Pipeline monies:Except for flight inclusive bookings, all monies you pay to one of our authorised travel agents for your holiday with us will be held by the agent on your behalf until a contract between us comes into existence. After that point, your agent will hold the monies on our behalf until they are paid to us. For flight inclusive bookings, all monies paid to any authorised travel agent of ours for your holiday with us will be held on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust subject to the travel agent’s obligation to pay such monies to us in accordance with our trading terms unless we fail. In the unlikely event of our financial failure, all monies then held by the travel agent or subsequently paid by you to the travel agent will be held by the agent on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust without any obligation on the agent to pay such monies to us. Payments must only be made to your travel agent in sufficient time for them to be paid to us by balance due date and not earlier even if your travel agent asks you to do so.

 

  1. Privacy policy: We do not store any credit or debit card details – all card information is destroyed immediately after each transaction. For further information about our privacy policy, please see www.archipelagochoice.com.

 

  1. If you have a complaint:In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain, or may have a basis for making a claim in respect of any aspect of your holiday arrangements, you must immediately tell the supplier who will try and resolve the matter on the spot. If they are unable to sort out the problem, contact us and we will endeavour to do so on your behalf. If there is an emergency, please call the 24 hour contact number provided in your confirmation invoice. Unless we or our suppliers know about a problem we cannot begin to resolve it.  Most issues can be dealt with quickly.  In the event that a complaint or problem is not resolved to your satisfaction locally and you wish to pursue the matter you must notify us in writing within 30 days of your return from holiday.  If you fail to follow this simple procedure, we are unlikely to be in a position to properly investigate the matter and may have been deprived of the opportunity to remedy it during your holiday. Subject to clause 17(v), your right to claim any compensation you may otherwise have been entitled to may be affected or even lost as a result.

 

If you have a dispute with us which you are unable to resolve, you may call upon the low-cost AITO Independent Dispute Settlement Service (details on request). Claims which exceed £2,500 per person or £10,000 per booking form or claims which apply principally or exclusively in respect of (or as a consequence of) illness or physical injury are not admissible for settlement under the service.

 

  1. Assistance whilst you are on holiday: In the event you end up in difficulty (of any sort) during your holiday, we will provide you with appropriate assistance as soon as reasonably possible including by the provision of appropriate information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance and by assisting you to make distance communications and to find alternative travel arrangements as may be applicable. Where you are in difficulty as a result of your negligence, we may charge you a reasonable fee for this assistance which will not exceed the costs we actually incur.

 

  1. Conditions of suppliers: Many of the services which make up your holiday are provided by independent suppliers.  Those suppliers provide these services in accordance with their own terms and conditions.  Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier’s liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable international conventions or EU regulations (see clause 17(vi)).  Copies of the relevant parts of these terms and conditions and of the international conventions / EU regulations are available on request from ourselves or the supplier concerned.