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About our flights/trains
FLIGHT INCLUSIVE TOURS The guide prices for the 'Flight Inclusive' tours in this brochure are based on the planned group flights from London, as described below. The actual selling price may vary from that published due to additional taxes or fuel surcharges being introduced, the airline only allowing us to hold a limited number of seats at the group rate, or because alternative flights are being used. LAND ONLY TOURS Land Only tours start at the joining point overseas and do not include any connecting flights from or back to London. If you are planning to book Land Only please note that we strongly recommend that you only purchase flights (or train/bus tickets) that are totally flexible and refundable. Due to the nature of adventure holidays, days of operation and itineraries can change. It is important that all customers are able to amend their connecting travel arrangements should the need arise. Also, in the event of a tour being cancelled (for whatever reason), it is important that customers are able to get refunds if they no longer wish to use the flight/bus/train. GROUP FLIGHTS A group flight is one where we hold a block (allocation) of seats with a given airline for a specific tour departure date. All Explore group flights depart from London. Please see the table (right). for details of the planned group flights for each tour. DOES THE WHOLE GROUP TRAVEL ON THE GROUP FLIGHT? Not necessarily.There are a number of reasons that you could end up on different flights such as: "Own arrangements some passengers may well book Land Only and arrange their own flights from the UK.Those coming from outside the UK will generally make their own way to the tour joining point. "Regional airports you may choose to fly directly from UK airports outside the London area. "Seat allocation issues airlines are increasingly unwilling to offer tour operators such as Explore full allocations (blocks) of seats on flights. Where there is a limited allocation on the group flight we may have to source alternatives for some customers. "Late bookings any flight seats held within a group allocation which are not sold by a given date (usually 4 to 7 weeks prior to departure) have to be given back (released) to the airline at that stage.Thus group flights are rarely available after this release date. BOOK EARLY By booking early you maximise your chances of getting on the group flight, which reduces the chance of having to pay a flight supplement or other additional costs. ALTERNATIVE (NON-GROUP) FLIGHTS If you would like to travel from a London airport, but we are no longer holding an allocation of seats on the group flight, our Customer Sales team will search for alternatives. It may be that we can still book you onto the group flight on an ad-hoc basis, or we may have to look at an alternative airline, date or time. If you would like to travel from an airport outside of the London area, see below. FLIGHTS FROM REGIONAL AIRPORTS Explore can offer 2 alternatives for those wishing to fly from a non-London airport. We can arrange domestic flights from many regional airports to connect with most international flights booked by Explore from London.These are competitively priced and are generally booked through the airline being used for your international flight.This means the flights are fully flexible so if the international flight changes, your regional flight will also be changed at no extra cost. It also usually allows you to check your luggage in at your local airport for the whole journey. In some cases Explore can offer international flights departing from airports across the UK. Often this will involve paying a flight supplement, although sometimes our arrangement with the airline means that the price is the same as or very similar to flying from London. Please call our Customer Sales team and ask them to look into the best option for you. It is important to book any domestic regional flights with us at the time of booking your Explore tour. Please be aware that many of our special fares are not available within 6 weeks of travel. Due to the number of flight schedule changes that now occur, Explore does not book domestic flights that are non-refundable or nontransferable. You may find cheaper connecting flights available, but we would recommend ensuring that they are fully flexible and refundable before you go ahead and book. FLIGHT SUPPLEMENTS Where an alternative (non-group) international flight is booked or where the group flight is booked in a different class, any difference in price between the flight booked and that of the group flight will be passed on to the customer in the form of a flight supplement.This is one reason that the prices in this brochure should be regarded as guide-prices only. FUEL SURCHARGES Airlines generally pass any aviation fuel price increases on to their customers, as and when they occur, in the form of fuel surcharges.This they do either directly or through tour operators. Due to the volume and magnitude of these surcharges, Explore has been forced to pass on any fuel surcharges directly to customers. You will be informed of any surcharges and taxes in place at the time of booking, or you can check the latest tour selling prices and fuel surcharges on our website: www.explore.co.uk Where fuel surcharges are imposed by the airline after you have booked your holiday, these will again be passed on along with any other government taxes or dues relating to embarkation, disembarkation or security. However, as per our booking conditions, an amount equal to the first 2% of the total invoiced holiday cost (excluding insurance and amendment fees) will be absorbed by Explore (see booking condition clause 11 Surcharges p50).This calculation will be shown clearly on the Final Invoice. TRANSFERS All customers on the group flight will be met at the destination airport and transferred to the starting point of the tour abroad and back to the airport at the end. If you are booked on an alternative (non-group) flight by Explore or have made your own flight arrangements, a transfer will not be included. However, we are able to pre-book transfers (and additional accommodation if required) for you on some tours. Please ask our Customer Sales team for details. BOOKING CLASSES All scheduled flights used by Explore are booked in economy class unless specified otherwise. If you are interested in upgrading to Premium Economy, Business, Club or First Class please call our Customer Sales team. FLIGHT ROUTINGS Explore uses a number of indirect flights which may require you to change aircraft en route. This may be because we cannot obtain a block (allocation) of seats with a direct flight carrier, it could be to keep the tour cost competitive or it may be the only option. If you are interested in booking a direct flight, please call our
Tour Code & Name Ireland EI County Clare Cycling France LV Loire Valley Cycling France BY Backroads of Burgundy France CCM Canal du Midi France CVP Vélo en Provence Switzerland CSW Cycling through Switzerland Italy CTY Tuscan Trails Italy CNI Cycling through Veneto Italy CSD Cycle Sardinia Spain CPM Pyrennees to the Med Spain CSN Backroads of Andalucia Spain CEX Cycling in Extremadura Spain CCS Cycle Camino de Santiago Czech Republic/Germany CCZ Prague, Saxony & the Elbe Poland/Slovakia CPP Pedalling in Poland Poland CBP Bison & Borderland Trails Poland/Slovakia/Hungary CPI Tatras to Tokaj Germany/Austria CBD Along the Blue Danube Austria/Slovenia/Hungary CVS Vineyards & Steppes Slovenia CVV Villages & Vineyards Serbia CSB Cycle Serbia Croatia CDC Cycle & Cruise Croatia Turkey CCF Cappadocia Freewheel Jordan CJD Backroads of Jordan India CRD Rajasthani Trails India CKB Backroads of Kerala Thailand COS Heart of Thailand Vietnam/Cambodia CVE Mekong Delta & Angkor China CHC Great Wall & Guilin Cuba CCC Cycle Cuba! South Africa/Swaziland CZK Transvaal & Game Trails South Africa CTC Cycle the Cape! Morocco CMA High Atlas Traverse Morocco CMB Middle Atlas & Fes Morocco CMC Anti Atlas Adenture Morocco CMD Southern Slopes of the Mgoun Morocco CSO Southern Oasis Cycling NOTES: (1) This flight involves a change of aircraft en-route Airline N/A Eurostar/SNCF Eurostar/SNCF British Airways Eurostar/SNCF Swiss British Airways British Airways British Airways Iberia British Airways Iberia Iberia Czech Airlines LOT Polish LOT Polish Czech Airlines Austrian Austrian Adria Airways JAT Croatia Airways Turkish Airlines Royal Jordanian Jet Airways Gulf Thai Malaysia Airlines Air China Iberia South African South African Royal Air Maroc Royal Air Maroc Royal Air Maroc Royal Air Maroc Royal Air Maroc Airport N/A N/A N/A Gatwick N/A City Gatwick Heathrow(1) Gatwick Heathrow Gatwick Gatwick Heathrow Heathrow Heathrow(1) Heathrow Heathrow(1) Heathrow Heathrow(1) Gatwick Heathrow(1) Gatwick Heathrow(1) Heathrow(1) Heathrow Heathrow(1) Heathrow Heathrow(1) Heathrow Heathrow(1) Heathrow Heathrow Heathrow(1) Heathrow(1) Heathrow(1) Heathrow(1) Heathrow(1)
Customer Sales team. SEATING Although Explore are unable to assign specific flight seats, it is possible to put special requests through to the majority of airlines but these are just requests. If you have specific requirements, please let us know at the time of booking. Please be aware that no guarantees can be made that your request will be actioned.This may sometimes mean your allocated seats are not together with other members of your party.. It is therefore highly recommended that you checkin for your flight as early as possible. FLIGHT MEALS Although meals are still provided on most international flights, you should be aware that there is a trend towards them not being included on shorter flights, and particularly those within Europe. On many routes with connections within Europe, a meal will be provided on the inter-continental sector, but not on the sector between the UK and the connecting European airport. We cannot therefore guarantee that a meal will be provided on all flights. If you have a special dietary requirement, please let us know at the time of booking. We will send an automated request through to the airline. Please be aware that in most cases airlines do not confirm individual meal requests, so it is worth doublechecking that the meal has been ordered at check-in. CHANGE OF AIRLINE Due to the ever-changing nature of the airline business, airlines used for Explore tours can vary from those published, as can flight schedules and timings. Blocks (allocations) of seats sometimes cease to be available.This can be for a number of reasons, including the airline withdrawing the flight or smaller aircraft being used. Where this is the case, we will find an alternative either alternative flights with the same carrier or similar flights with an alternative carrier. If as a result of any changes, flight schedules are significantly different to the original ones, we will of course inform you of this, outlining any implications it may have on the tour itinerary.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
SPECIAL DEALS ON AIRPORT SERVICES When you pre-book your airport services, why not take advantage of Explores special 10% discount offered in association with BCP and Superbreak, providing great value and convenience to get your journey off to a smooth start? AIRPORT PARKING Ensure peace of mind whilst on your holiday with BCPs 24 hour security car parking, available at all major UK airports. Offairport car parks have high security enclosures and full 24 hour surveillance whilst the on-airport car parks are open to the public and have regular security patrols. MEET AND GREET Save time at the Airport Terminal on your departure and return with BCPs Meet and Greet service. Your car will be taken from the Terminal to BCPs secure car park nearby. The professional drivers are, of course, fully insured to drive your car. AIRPORT LOUNGES Relax in an Airport Executive Lounge and start your holiday in comfort.You will enjoy a choice of complimentary soft drinks or tea and coffee, alcoholic beverages, snacks, newspapers and magazines. Also, there are telephone and fax facilities if required - at a small charge. CHAUFFEUR SERVICE ChauffeurDrive Express is ideal for those who wish to arrive at the airport in comfort. With prices often comparable to the cost of a taxi, an executive chauffeured saloon car will collect you from your home and transfer you to the airport in good time for your flight. AIRPORT HOTELS Superbreak offer a choice of over 100 airport hotels at a wide range of airports around the UK including Belfast, Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Birmingham. For more details, visit www.explore.co.uk/airportservices
Full details of Airport Services will also be sent with your final invoice 9-10 weeks before departure.
Essential information about our tours see pages 45-51
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