GENERAL INFORMATION – MANTRA HOLIDAYS

 

PRICES

 

Prices mentioned in the brochure are per person and based on a minimum of two adults sharing a room. Child and infant prices are shown separately for each tour. The child rate will be applicable for children aged 11 years and below who are accompanied by two full paying adults. Although infants under 23 months are normally free of charge, a nominal charge will be charged for a seat on the coach, as it is a legal requirement that all person on board a coach are allocated individual seats. Single travellers are required to pay the full adult fare plus single supplement charge. Mantra Holidays cannot allocate or source a sharing basis with another passenger. Ages are calculated on the departure date.

 

PICK UP POINTS

 

Pick up points cannot be changed 7 days or less prior to departure date. However, in case of an emergency if you need to change the pick-up point within a week of travel, please advise our office immediately in writing and we will endeavour to assist. Please note that there will be an administration fee of £10 per person if pick up point changed within 7 days. Timings shown in our brochure and our website are for indication purposes only. All other pick-up points are subject to minimum numbers, and some may incur a supplement charge as specified on our pick-up section. It is imperative that you are at the pick-up point at least 10 minutes before the coach departure time as the coach or pick up vehicle will not wait for passengers coming late. For those who are arriving at the pick-up via taxi, we recommend that you book the taxi the night prior to departure day as trying to get one on the day may be difficult or impossible. If you miss the pick-up at the appointed time, it will be your responsibility to get to the next destination on your itinerary at your own expense. No refund will be allowed in any circumstances if you do not continue with the tour. Please be on time, as Mantra Holidays cannot be held responsible or liable for any loss or expense suffered if you miss the coach or flight.

Note: For logistic reasons Manta Holidays reserves the right to change the timings of any pick-up one day prior to departure and the right to changes coaches during the trip.

 

TRAVEL INSURANCE

 

Because of the importance of having adequate insurance cover, we suggest all our clients to be covered by an insurance policy before travelling on your booked holiday. If you elect not to take out insurance, you agree to indemnify Mantra Holidays Ltd. for any costs that arise which would otherwise have been met if you had your own travel insurance.

 

WHEELCHAIRS

 

Mantra Holidays does not provide a specialist tour for less abled, however every attempt will be made to accommodate you to our best ability. It is possible to bring along a folding type of wheelchair which may be kept in the baggage hold of the coach. The driver will load and unload the wheelchair from the coach for the passenger however, they will need to be physically fit enough to be able to embark and disembark the coach on their own. It is also essential that a capable person is accompanying such a passenger on the tour to push their wheelchair. Mantra Holidays will also request hotels for suitably equipped rooms; however, this is only on a request basis and cannot be guaranteed. All wheelchairs need to be collapsible and electric wheelchairs cannot be stored on any of our coaches.

 

ESSENTIALS TO CARRY WITH YOU

 

Passports with relevant visas, travel insurance policy, appropriate currencies. Long journeys are unavoidable, and we recommend you wear comfortable clothing and carry essentials such as a jacket or jumper, dry snacks, water, tissues, chargers, power bank etc., in your handbag as access to the luggage hold may not be possible until a comfort stop or arrival at your destination. Hot foods are not allowed to

be carried or consumed inside the coach.

 

COACHES

 

All coaches are fitted with armrests, TV, DVD & CD player, and WC facilities. WC facilities on coaches have limited capacities and therefore we advise passengers to use them only on an ‘emergency’ basis as once it is full it will be locked. We will try to make sufficient comfort stops. On rare occasions, your coach may not have a W.C or TV/DVD facility on board. All coaches are either air-conditioned or air-cooled. We have a strict "no smoking" policy on all our coaches. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited on all our coaches. During transfers, we may use an alternative vehicle (smaller coaches) which may not have the above facilities. Your touring coaches will not have a WC facility on your flight tours.

 

BAGGAGE ON COACH

 

Each Passengers occupying a seat is allowed to carry one piece of luggage whose maximum weight should not be more than 20kg and not exceeding dimensions of 90 x 75 x 43cm / 35 x 29 x 16 inches and one piece of hand luggage whose weight should not be more than 8kg and not exceeding dimensions of 20 x 20 x 48 cm / 8 x 8 x 19 inches which can fit under their seat or in the overhead compartment. The above dimensions differ from Airline luggage allowance due to the difference in stowaway compartment sizes of standard European Coaches. The main luggage will be placed inside the coach locker and the passenger will only get access to the same when we reach the hotel in the night. The driver will load & unload one piece of luggage per person from the coach. Since there is no porter service provided, passengers will be required to carry their own luggage from the coach to the hotel rooms and therefore one piece of main luggage and one small hand luggage is recommended. We also recommend that children or family members not sharing a room have separate luggage as rooms cannot be guaranteed adjoining or nearby. It is advisable to put your name and address on each piece of luggage as many passengers have similar bags and this avoids confusion. If for any reasons your baggage or personal valuable is lost or stolen, you must report it to the tour manager, or in the absence of a tour manager to the local police or hotel. Mantra Holidays cannot accept any responsibility for your personal belongings. If your baggage is over and above, the limits mentioned here or if you arrive with extra luggage an additional fee of £10 per bag per day will apply (subject to availability). All baggage is placed at the owner's risk, and Mantra Holidays or its suppliers accept no liability for loss or damage to bags caused anyhow.

 

CHILDREN & YOUNG INFANTS

 

Children and young infants are welcome to travel on our holidays. Children under the age of 23 months will be charged an infant fare on all holidays. Car/booster seats are not provided on coaches by Mantra Holidays, and it is strongly recommend carrying your own which can fit within the coach seats. Coaches will not provide any cold or hot water to heat up or cool milk bottles. It is passengers’ responsibility to make sure of necessary arrangements for any children in their group. Restaurants or hotels will not provide any milk or baby food and passengers are advised to carry prepared baby milk cartons/powder and baby foods whilst on tour. Please also note that not all hotels provide a kettle so if hot water is required for warming milk etc. in the hotel, then it is advisable to carry a bottle warmer / kettle (do not forget your adapter). Pushchairs should be foldable and will be kept in the luggage compartment of the coach. Children’s or infants will not be seated at the front of the coach.

 

TOUR MANAGER

 

Professional tour manager/Driver or local guides throughout your itinerary accompany all our escorted Holidays. On rare occasions, your tour manager may not meet you at your dedicated pick-up point but at a later stage; the driver will be there to take care of your needs. On rare occasions, a tour manager will not be available to accompany you; this would be due to unavoidable operational issues, or we will be utilising local guides for their wealth of experience. On rare occasion on some of our holidyas, there will be no accompanying tour manager and our expert driver or local tour guide will conduct the tour.

 

WEATHER, CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

 

It is recommended to always carry an umbrella and a jacket. We recommend that you visit www.weather.com to ensure you have an idea of the weather at the time of the year you want to travel and can be well prepared by ensuring that you are carrying appropriate clothing, footwear, and accessories. Passengers should also be aware that some sightseeing would be done after dusk. During summer months, it is advisable to wear light garments during the day but keep a light jacket or sweater in your hand luggage for the evening, as it can get quite chilly. Also, few other items which are highly recommended are a family sized umbrella, rain wear, pair of sunglasses, pair of trainers or comfortable walking shoes especially for certain excursions that involve a considerable amount of walking. We also recommend passengers to carry a small travel iron, hairdryer, kettle etc. as not all hotels may provide the same in the rooms. You may also be required to be ‘covered’ up when visiting certain places, if you are unsure what to take then please do discuss with us and we will be happy to assist.

 

HOTELS

 

The hotels on our holidays are selected carefully to ensure that a minimum 3* category is provided (overseas ratings are classified by countries own tourist boards) and can be located either close to the city you are visiting or on the outskirts. Facilities vary from hotel to hotel and include en-suite bath or shower and generally a TV and telephone. Some of the rooms may have mini bars and 24-hour room service. You will be charged to use any payable facilities at the hotel to your room and payable on check out. Most hotels may require a credit card to cover your extras or cash deposits. Please remember that most hotels in Europe have small rooms unlike many other countries and not all hotels will have air-conditioning or lift as standard. If you have difficulty with stairs, please advise us so we can try to request a room on a low floor. Rooms are allocated by the hotel so some guests may get larger or different type of rooms to other guests. We do not have control over this. Some hotels may provide with 2 single beds joined together as Double bed.

Note: Mantra Holidays reserves the right to substitute hotels whilst passengers are on tour to a similar standard due to unforeseen circumstances. Please note that hotel’s normal check-in times are from late afternoon, e.g., 3pm, and checkout around 11am, but it does vary from hotel to hotel.

 

ROOM CONFIGURATION

 

Most hotels can only accommodate a maximum of three persons in each room. If you are a family of four, i.e., two adults and two children, (and prefer all to be in one room), then your first child will be given an extra bed, but the second child will be required to share the double bed as no extra bed can be provided. The extra bed provided will be either a sofa bed or rollaway bed. These extra beds may not be full sized as double beds and are usually suitable for one individual only. The cost of the package is based on a minimum of two adults sharing one room. If your group consists of one adult and one child, the child must pay a full adult fare to make up the cost for the room required. Baby cots are not guaranteed. When you opt for two rooms, each room must have an adult accompanying a child as per regulations of the hotel. A child will always have to be accompanied by an adult in a room. We will try our best to get these two rooms next to each other but cannot guarantee the same. Where a quad room is not available for your group, a reduction will be given as stated in the itinerary. Note that quad rooms have limited space and additional beds may not be suitable for tall adults. Any damages within the room or Hotel you are staying in, will be payable at the time of checkout by passenger.

 

MEALS

 

Breakfast is normally continental buffet, which will be served in the hotel that you will be staying. All other pre-booked meals will be either in the hotel’s own restaurant or at an outside restaurant and is not changeable. Passengers may have an option to choose from vegetarian or non-vegetarian (wherever possible Jain/Halal) meals. The meals will only include the food; all extras i.e., alcohol, beverages or any extra items requested by you will need to be settled by you directly with the restaurant. Any meals not taken will not be reimbursed under any circumstances. Lunches are vegetarian only and will be served outdoors at a service station/rest area where limited or no seating is available. Lunch is served in a picnic style buffet arrangement. On some days, you may be provided with packed lunches or dinners to suit the itinerary of a particular tour. We endeavour to book Indian meals wherever possible, however due to local constraints if we are unable to do so, we will offer local vegetarian options. If you have any specific dietary needs or allergies, you must inform us at the time of booking, so we can inform the caterer. However, special arrangements for food cannot be guaranteed for allergies or requests such as Halal or Jain meals. Passengers with severe food allergies are advised to make appropriate arrangements prior to commencing their tour. Mantra Holidays reserves the right to change meal arrangement in circumstances that are beyond our control. If for any reason we are unable to provide the meal, we will refund the passenger with 10 GBP/EURO for lunch and 12 GBP/EURO per dinner.

 

SEATING, DIETARY OR ROOM ALLOCATION AND OTHER REQUESTS

 

Mantra Holidays works at times with intermediary agents (Airlines, Hotels, Transport Companies, Other Suppliers etc.) to arrange your holiday. If passengers have special requirements such as a rooming request, or a special meal request etc., then they should advice Mantra Holidays at the time of booking. Any special requests cannot be guaranteed by Mantra Holidays. Seating requests are not taken under any circumstance. Seating is allocated by booking reference number however, there are some exceptions to this, i.e., group sizes, coach size, promotional seating, H&S Laws, pickups, company discretion etc. We do not, promise or guarantee any specific seat on the coach, and we have the sole right to assign your seats. Any indication is for reference only and is subject to change regardless of whether given in writing or any other means. Seat numbers will be allocated to all passengers on the day of departure. Groups with children will not be seated in the front of the coach even if they have booked very early. Some seats in the coach may not recline. Passengers who do not wish to book together but wish to travel together, they must inform Mantra Holidays at the time of booking so they can be seated next to each other. Any medical, and or personal grounds are not considered when allocating seats, unless explicitly stated by law or governing bodies.

 

CREDIT/DEBIT CARD

 

We recommend that you take a credit or debit card on holiday with you, as it provides extra financial flexibility. Many restaurants, shops and hotels accept major international credit cards, such as Visa or MasterCard. It is also possible to draw cash with your credit or debit card at some banks and cash machines, though this will incur a fee charged by your card provider. Note: Advise your bank which countries you are visiting prior to travel so that you do not run the risk of your card being refused and subsequent expensive phone calls to unlock it.

 

CURRENCIES

 

Currency of the EU Countries is Euros. Some countries use their own currency along with Euros e.g in Switzerland the currency is Swiss Francs. We recommend all our passengers to convert any spending money they need before their travel, as we will not be able to take you to a money exchange place. If you need more local currency when abroad, we recommend that you exchange money at a bank rather than at hotels, as they will charge high commission rates. You may also need your passport for identification as you would for travellers’ cheques. Even though in Europe credit and debit cards are widely accepted, keep in mind the exchange rate may be poor and commission will be charged. Always carry some EURO coins whilst on tour as you may need to pay for toilets in many parts of Europe.

 

PASSPORTS & VISAS

 

All passengers require a passport for travel outside the UK. It is the responsibility of passenger to have a passport that is valid for 6 months from the date of completing the tour. Mantra Holidays will attempt to supply passengers with the most up to date information regarding the visa requirements for the destinations that they will travel. However, as visa stipulations change frequently, we advise passengers to inquire with the relevant consulate as to the exact requirements, which they must fulfil in good time prior to their travel date. Mantra Holidays cannot take responsibility of cancellation due to lack of correct visa requirements, as it is the passenger's responsibility to ensure that these requirements are fulfilled prior to their tour departure. For further information on visas please contact Mantra Holidays or visit www.mantraholidays.co.uk

 

LOST PROPERTY & THEFT

 

It is passenger’s responsibility to ensure that your property and valuables are always safe. If an item has been left in a hotel, restaurant, coach etc. you will need to call the respective supplier and arrange with them directly for the return of your item. Mantra Holidays will not carry anyone's left property across international borders whether it is authorized in writing or by any other means. In case of theft, you will need to advise your Tour Manager immediately and report the theft to the nearest police personnel who will provide you with a police report or crime reference number. You are advised not to carry unnecessary valuables and to be always vigilant, as tourist spots are well known targets for pickpockets. Mantra Holidays recommends all passengers to have valid travel insurance, including EU citizens.

 

TIPPING

 

Tips for all our coach holidays for the driver and tour leader are included. However, should you wish to tip separately, you are welcome to do so at your discretion. For Customised holidays and Cruises, tips are NOT included, and will need to be paid locally and vary from country to country.

 

PHONE CARDS & VOLTAGE

 

All phone calls made from your hotel room phone are chargeable. This charge can be high, especially for international calls. It is always cheaper to use public telephones. If using your mobile phone during tour, we suggest that you check with your service provider if it will incur any charges. Electrical currents vary between Britain, the European continent, and North America. We suggest you carry a converter for your electric shaver, travelling iron, hair dryer, and other small appliances. We recommend that you purchase a universal travel adapter before travel to charge all your gadgets.

 

LONG DISTANCE JOURNEYS

 

As the distance in Europe is vast, some journeys will be long, and they are unavoidable when travelling from one city to another. Hence, Mantra Holidays recommend on such long journey days to wear comfortable clothes. As most part of these days will be spent inside the coach, we advise passengers to carry all necessities that they may need for the day such as water, dry snacks, tissues, medication, power bank, chargers etc. with them in their hand luggage.

 

EXCURSIONS

 

Due to many visitors, there may be waiting times and queuing times involved, which can be anything up to 4 hours. These times may be modified without notice by the management due to exceptional events, unfavourable weather conditions, large numbers of visitors, or a Force Majeure event. Access to the excursions/monuments depends on the type of ticket purchased, and all exits are final no re-entries are permitted. No refunds will be made if access is restricted due to poor weather conditions or a decision by the Public Authorities. Tickets issued are for immediate entry. In the case of loss or theft, the tickets cannot be reimbursed. Certain excursions may restrict access due to saturation.

 

ITINERARY & TIME KEEPING

 

The tour manager reserves the right to modify the itinerary during the tour. These changes may occur due to unexpected delays, major local events that can often arise or a Force Majeure event. Time keeping is the most important aspect of a group tour and all passengers must adhere to the timings given by their tour manager. All our holiday packages are subject to governance by DVSA for driving hours hence it is the passenger's responsibility to ensure all departure times are respected. Mantra Holidays will not take responsibility for passengers left behind due to not adhering to itineraries and times stated by the tour manager for whatsoever reason, and any subsequent impact this may cause financially or non-financially. It is a passenger's responsibility to ensure that they are clear in understanding of the departure time from any given point. If in any doubt, please make sure that you recheck the departure timings again with your tour manager and follow the same.

 

PORTERAGE

 

Since there is NO porter service provided on any of our holidays, passengers will be required to carry their own luggage throughout their entire holiday. If local porter service is available and if you use this service, then tips for this will need to be settled directly.

 

CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATIONS DELAYS / ENQUIRES

 

Mantra Holidays will not be held responsible if passengers are stopped or held by any government departments, e.g., Police, Customs, Immigrations, or any other authorities of the destination country. The tour will continue and no financial or any other kind of responsibility will be accepted by Mantra Holidays.

 

HEALTH

 

All UK and EU Citizens will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive free of concession health care that may become necessary during your visit to an EEA Country or Switzerland. Please note that it is advised that you should still obtain travel insurance as a precaution. Information on health is available from the Department of Health website www.dh.gov.uk and from most Post Offices. Recommendations and requirements may change, and you should check the up-to-date position with your GP or travel clinic in good time before departure.

 

CHANNEL CROSSING

 

We have designed all our coach holiday packages based on channel crossing from Dover, Calais or Dunkirk. We do use Eurotunnel services from Folkestone for many of our departures. Mantra Holidays reserves the right to direct holidays to alternative ports if necessary.

 

EARLY BIRD OFFERS

 

Early Bird Offers are only applicable when you book by paying a minimum deposit. Early Bird Offers do not apply to any booking where a surcharge is applied on top of the listed brochure/website price, or there is a modification to the holiday. Early Bird Offers are not applicable to infant travellers. Early bird offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or vouchers. Mantra Holidays reserve the right to amend or withdraw any early bird offer at any time without prior notice.

 

ADDITIONAL EXCURSIONS

 

We design our itineraries so that all the necessary excursions and places of interest are included to give the passengers the best possible holiday at an affordable price. However, often, the tour manager and driver will offer passengers additional excursions that are planned to enhance their holiday experience and are not included in the holiday cost. Solely the driver and tour manager at an additional cost operate these excursions. However, Mantra Holidays have set the individual prices to ensure consistency in the pricing. Not all additional excursions are pre-bookable and must be paid by cash to the Tour manager prior to the excursion being conducted. Passengers are entitled to refuse any additional excursions. The operation of additional excursions is subject to availability, logistics, and feasibility, and is not guaranteed.

 

BOOKING YOUR OWN FLIGHTS

 

If you book ground arrangements with Mantra Holidays, but make your own airline reservation, then all flight bookings will be your own responsibility and are subject to the terms and conditions of the airline involved. In the unlikely event of your flight being cancelled or schedule changed by your airline, no refunds will be given for your holiday element booked with Mantra Holidays. Any extra costs incurred to alter your booking with us will be your responsibility. If you wish to make use of our airport transfers, please advise us. However, should your flight be delayed on arrival, and you miss the transfer, then any costs incurred in getting to the hotel will be your responsibility. Only book your own flights after we have confirmed your tour. We will advise you the timings you need to book the flight too, so you don’t miss any part of your tour.

Note: Booking specific seats on the flights are your responsibility and when you can book is different to each carrier, please check at time of booking the earliest that you can reserve your seats. Certain no-frill airlines have no facility for booking seats and only have a first come first serve option.

 

HOLIDAYS OUTSIDE EUROPE

 

Local ground operators operate our Holidays outside Europe and UK. Most of the time, we will be able to arrange a tour on minimal group sizes of two to four confirmed travellers and as such you may not necessarily be accompanied by a tour manager from Mantra Holidays. You will be assisted by a local contact during your tour for emergencies and enquiries. Your local ground agent may not be always present with you. Many of your sightseeing excursions will be conducted by a local agent, however at times you will be given free time to explore the destinations on your own. Your sightseeing excursions and tours will be conducted within a coach or minibus. There is no seat allocation on these tours and travellers will be accommodated within the vehicle based on the seats available. Sightseeing tours may be combined with groups not booked through Mantra Holidays. Your meals will be served at selected restaurants or during excursions. Restaurants will be located within walking distance from your hotels and passengers will be requested to attend meals at their leisure.

 

PROTECTING YOUR MONEY

 

We provide full financial protection for our package holidays by way of Financial Failure Insurance, provided by Evolution Insurance Solutions Ltd.

 

ABTA

 

We are a Member of ABTA, membership number Y6783. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. We can also offer you ABTA’s scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If we can’t resolve your complaint, go to www.abta.com to use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com.

Check our ABTA membership on https://www.abta.com/abta-member-search