Traveller’s Information
Price Guarantee
The prices in this brochure are up-to-date at the time of going to press. In order to protect you as far as possible, we extend to all our clients our guarantee whereby the price we quote for your chosen arrangements at the time of booking is the price that we guarantee. Currency exchange rates are unpredictable but to counter this we buy forward our main currencies (US dollars and Euros), thus giving you a further degree of price stability. However, airfares and fuel costs continue to be volatile so some rises in brochure prices may be anticipated and therefore early booking is recommended.
The Benefit of Early Booking
The airline business has changed immeasurably over the past few years and there is now a distinct advantage for clients who are able to book their arrangements early with us. We are only able to hold a limited number of seats at an agreed favourable rate and once these have gone additional space may cost more to secure. Late bookings may therefore now cost more, rather than less.
Groups
We offer a discount of 3% for groups of 8 or more passengers travelling together, rising to 5% for groups of 15 or more. In addition, we can create a bespoke itinerary for larger groups of at least 10 passengers, subject to flight availability. For more information or to book, simply call 0845 166 7008 or 020 7616 1000.
Itinerary Options
For further independent exploration, perhaps complementing one of our arrangements with a few days’ extension of your choice, we offer a pre and post-tour bespoke service for many of our destinations. Please call our experienced sales staff on 0845 166 7008 or 020 7616 1000 to discuss your requirements.
Ancillary Services
For a trouble-free start to your journey, we offer a number of additional services, including reservations at UK airport hotels and airport parking with BCP (call 0871 360 1013). Contact us for further details or visit our website www.vjv.com for information on these services and further useful advice, including currency and weather information and Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) recommendations.
Upgrading your Air Travel
A feature of travel in airlines’ ‘Business Class’ cabins is more leg room and a wider seat that reclines considerably as well as, in many cases, separate check-in desks, a ‘fast track’ route through the airport and access to private lounges. British Airways also offer a World Traveller Plus service providing a small separate cabin with 4-6 rows (8 abreast seating) and more leg room with a 38” seat pitch.
Regional Flights
We are aware that London’s airports do not suit everyone so, where practical, we have included options to fly from regional airports, sometimes with the ‘no frills’ airlines. Connecting flights via London are available on the majority of our tours at a small supplement. In Europe, Egypt and India (Kolkata and Chennai), we offer the option to travel direct from selected local airports. To Tanzania we offer KLM flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow via Amsterdam.
Ryanair and easyJet offer excellent value but early booking is recommended as fares invariably increase closer to the date of travel. They have also implemented luggage charges and restrictions, so where this applies, one piece has been included. In-flight meals are not generally included on these flights and this is also the case on some scheduled short-haul flights.
Independent Arrival
We recognise that, thanks to an increase in regional flight availability, in some cases it may be preferable to book your own transport to your selected destination and arrive independently. For your convenience, we are now offering this option on many of our arrangements with appropriate price reductions shown on the brochure page. Where travel to your destination is booked independently, arrival and departure transfers will not be included.
Optional Excursions
Where optional excursions are shown (with costs in Sterling) prebooking is recommended to avoid disappointment. Due to changing exchange rates, fuel and economic factors, the price of locally purchased optional excursions may vary. Depending on the season and local circumstances, additional sightseeing may be arranged locally.
Hotel Ratings
Hotel ratings vary worldwide and although we always include the official local star rating, standards in some countries may not reflect those in the UK.
Single Rooms
The reason for supplements for single rooms is that our contract with the hoteliers is commonly based on a price per room while our holidays are sold per person including flights and other elements. Therefore, the per person price for a lone traveller normally includes the entire room cost. We do not make additional or excessive profits from these sales. The prices charged merely reflect the real cost to us. In some hotels there are rooms that are designed for single occupancy only. In this instance there will normally be a supplement but usually less than when a single person occupies a double room. These single rooms are often smaller and sometimes less well-appointed. We do not know which room you will be allocated as your hotel will usually decide this shortly before you arrive. We have been able to negotiate a number of departures (with limited availability) where no single supplement is payable and these can be found here.
Journey Times
Many of our touring arrangements, by necessity, include some long overland journeys by coach. In many cases, especially in India, the experience delivered by travelling at ‘ground level’ is an intrinsic part of the journey. Distances however do not always tell the whole story so to help you appreciate the tour logistics, where a journey time is three hours or more, we have indicated the duration in the itinerary. This duration takes into account any comfort stops en route. For journeys split by an extended stop such as sightseeing or lunch we have treated those as two separate journeys.
Local Guides & Tour Managers
In most cases, we will arrange for sightseeing to be undertaken with expert local guides and escorts who we consider to be the best source of information to the sites visited. On occasion, subject to minimum numbers, a Tour Manager may also accompany the group from the UK.
While Travelling
We strongly recommend that you carry any essential medication and items such as contact lens solution in your hand baggage and keep them with you at all times. Please do not ask or expect your guides or drivers to take responsibility for your money or valuable items as they are not authorised to do so.
Tipping
Tipping, which is not included, is discretionary and varies by country and by tour. We would suggest you budget about £4-£7 per day for porters, guides, drivers and the Tour Manager (cruises £7-£12). On occasion, tips may be collected by the Tour Manager, creating a pool, which is then distributed on your behalf as the tour progresses. Porterage is not included except where stipulated. However, this service can normally be purchased locally; the average tip per bag is £1.
Passports & Visas
You will need to ensure that you have a full passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned return date. It is essential that the exact names on your passport are given to us for your air ticket as any corrections after ticket issue will incur charges so it may help to have your passport to hand when you are making a booking.
Walking Content
In our Key Features panels, we are including advice on the ‘Walking Content’ of each tour and its scheduled excursions. The multi-centre nature of the tours, together with the comprehensive excursion content, makes it important for you to be aware of the amount of walking involved and, by extension, the degree of fitness and mobility necessary in order to undertake the arrangements. The ratings are based on an overall assessment of the tour taking into account that occasionally some elements may overlap into the adjacent categories.
Many of our tours include visits to ancient or historic sites which are simply not suitable for wheelchairs or for travellers with mobility problems. Applying a 1 – 4 rating, ‘content’ takes into consideration both difficulty and amount of walking and is categorised as follows:
1. Relaxed walking, mostly over short distances, generally over easy ground. Possible steps and staircases.
2. A significant amount of walking, necessary to see the sights but mostly on easy terrain, some slopes, occasional steps and uneven ground (cobbles, unmade paths etc). Unsuitable for those with walking difficulties.
3. Longer walking, some over two hours, possibly twice a day, steeper climbs, significant steps or rough terrain. Not manageable for those with walking difficulties.
4. For seasoned walkers, strenuous, rough paths, hills or exposed ground. Walking boots necessary and full physical fitness required.
Fitness to Travel
In making your booking, you confirm that you and all of your party are fit to take this tour, and that you have declared to us any disability or special need which is likely to affect the progress of the tour or the enjoyment of other travellers. If we reasonably feel unable to properly accommodate the particular needs of the person concerned, we must reserve the right to decline their reservation or, if full details are not given at the time of booking, decline the reservation when we become aware of these details. Should you or any of your party require a carer or assistance with mobility, then you accept responsibility for including a suitably qualified person in your booking.
Altitude
Some of our journeys (such as Nepal, Tibet, Himalayan India, Peru, Ecuador etc) will be travelling at altitude. We therefore strongly recommend that anyone, regardless of age, should consult their doctor to ensure that they are fully fit and understand the effects of travelling at altitude. This is absolutely essential if you have any pre-existing heart conditions, anaemia or lung problems.
Health & Vaccinations
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risk vary worldwide. You should take health advice about your specific needs as early as possible and ensure that vaccinations or preventative measures such as anti-Malarial tablets are taken early enough (which may be a month or more prior to departure) to be fully effective at the time of travel. Sources of information include the Department of Health free leaflet ‘Health Advice for Travellers’ (available on request), your GP or local specialist clinic.
Health & Vaccinations
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risk vary worldwide. You should take health advice about your specific needs as early as possible and ensure that vaccinations or preventative measures such as anti-Malarial tablets are taken early enough (which may be a month or more prior to departure) to be fully effective at the time of travel. Sources of information include the Department of Health free leaflet ‘Health Advice for Travellers’ (available on request), your GP or local specialist clinic.
Voyages Jules Verne & the Environment
Our brochures are published on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which promotes the use of sustainable forests and, in partnership with Climate Care, we offer the opportunity to carbon balance your flights. Making a donation via their website (www.climatecare.org/vjv) helps to counteract harmful aircraft gas emissions, a key cause of climate change.
Data Protection Policy
We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper security measures are in place to protect the information you provide us in order to process your booking. We must pass this information on to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements such as airlines, hotels, transport companies etc. Additionally, where your holiday is outside the European Economic Area (EEA), controls on data protection in your destination may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. However, we will not pass on any information to any person not responsible for part of your travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/religious requirements. (If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EEA or not, we cannot provide your booking. In making your booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons).
Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Advice
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office produces up-to-date travel information to help British travellers make informed decisions about travelling abroad. For further information please visit www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or call 0870 606 0290. Alternatively, you can contact ABTA’s Travel Information line on 0901 201 5050 (calls are charged at 50 pence per minute). This line is open from 09.00 hrs to 17.30 hrs Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.
