Essential Information

ABOUT US

We have been operating holidays since 1974 and at one time had offices in Plymouth, Exeter,Bristol and Portsmouth. Times change and we have changed with them. However, we have always had a first class reputation for honesty and integrity and that has never changed.
We are totally independent, don't belong to any associations or have any connection with any other company or organisation.
We have no debt.We don't borrow and have neither the need nor the intention to do so in future.

THE COACHES

Our tours will be in modern vehicles fitted with reclining seats, toilet and drinks machines. The coaches have seat belts and most are air conditioned. The coach travels all the way. We operate a non smoking policy on board the coach.

SEAT ALLOCATION

This is made at the time of booking. We will try and satisfy specific requests but ordinarily you will be seated in order of acceptance of booking from front to rear. We never place anyone in the back seats unless they have requested them or without notifying you that they are all that remain.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Sadly we have no control over this and usually we subsidise the rate charged to us. If you pay the single supplement you will always have a room to yourself and where applicable, a cabin to yourself. You will never be required to share.

TOUR ESCORT

On most tours we will have a Tour Escort . Their prime function is to ensure that the trip runs smoothly, they are not employed as local historical experts.

THE SAILING TO SANTANDER

Our "Cruise" designated holidays are based on sailings on the flagship cruise-ferry "Pont Aven" and a 2-berth cabin with shower and WC is provided.
On board this excellent 40,000 tonne vessel are many facilities to enhance your journey – swimming pool, live music, live cabaret, fine dining, self-service restaurant, coffee shop, two cinemas showing the latest films, shops, piano bar and sun deck.
We include full breakfast and dinner on all sailings in the silver service restaurant "Le Flora" for all our groups.
The other cruise-ferry "Cap Finistere" is used for many sailings to Portsmouth. It is similar to the "Pont Aven" but slightly smaller and we can't pre-book meals on board.
Alternative cabin options:
A 4-berth cabin for exclusive use of 2 persons costs an extra £70 per cabin, return.
If you'd like an outside 4-berth cabin it can be arranged for an extra charge of £40 per cabin return (i.e. a total of £110 return).
There are NO 2-bedded cabins on the ship i.e. cabins with 2 ground berths.
If you need ground berths you have to request a 4-berth cabin for 2 persons and pay the supplement shown above.
All Single Supplements include sole use of a 2- berth cabin.
There are NO 2-berth outside cabins available.
We cannot obtain Club Class, De Luxe or Commodore Class cabins at all. If there are any vacant you may be able to upgrade on the ship.

THE HOTELS AND CATERING

All rooms will have private facilities ie. toilet and bath/shower. Generally, buffet breakfast is always provided and on tours with half board, dinner is also provided usually with wine included. The wine is not unlimited!
On the vast majority of coach holidays dinner is normally a set meal for the group but dietary variations can usually be accommodated within reason. You should note that in countries bordered by the Atlantic, fish is commonly served .We limit any fish dinners to a maximum of two per tour. If you find the meals are totally unacceptable you can switch to B & B and we'll make an allowance for dinners not taken. You will then need to make your own arrangements for dinner either in the hotel or elsewhere.
Other dinners reflect the country in which we travel and we ensure that no bizarre local tastes (snails, razor shells etc etc) are served.

THE EXCURSIONS

All the excursions described in the brochure are completely free of charge.

VEGETARIANS

Despite our best efforts we cannot guarantee quality vegetarian cuisine at any of the hotels we use. They'll do their best but we know from experience that it won't be memorable!
If you eat fish there will be no problem as all the destinations we feature are renowned for their sea food.
Please indicate so in the Remarks column of the Booking Form if you are Vegetarian but also note if you eat fish.

PASSPORTS

You will need a passport for all trips abroad. At the time of going to print, no other visas for any of the destinations featured in this brochure are required.

INSURANCE

We recommend that you take out holiday insurance but Government legislation means that we can no longer sell you insurance. However, our previous Brokers are offering a very good service and attractive rates and when we send out final itineraries we will add details on how to acquire this insurance.
We suggest that you do not take out insurance unless you receive confirmation that the tour is actually going ahead in view of the possible cancellation of poorly supported tours.

THE PICK-UP POINTS

These are our main picking up points for our longer holidays. Under each holiday we state the pick-up points for that tour and you'll see that on the short weekend trips there are additional pick up points around Devon only. We are willing to consider any en route pick up points.

BATH Avon Street
BRIDPORT Bus Station
BRISTOL
TAUNTON Deane Services or Coach Station
EXETER Moto Services or Belgrave rd/Paris Street (dependent upon tour)
NEWTON ABBOT Railway Station
TORQUAY Lymington Road Bus Station
PAIGNTON Garfield Road Coach Halt
IVYBRIDGE Centre
PLYMOUTH Millbay Docks

Pick Up Concession
We would like to encourage bookings from towns outside the pick up route so we are offering a £25 per person reduction off the cost of any holiday of more than 4 days for travellers who live more than 20 miles from any indicated pick up point.
This reduction should help towards the cost of a taxi to the nearest pick up point or for parking at, and fuel costs to, Millbay Docks or Portsmouth Ferryport.
Car parking at Plymouth's Millbay Docks is available and costs £7.50 per day (at time of writing).

PRIVATE GROUPS

FINALLY

Please be aware that at some time this year, all travellers will have to give us their passport number; expiry date; age and nationality in order to comply with yet more EU regulation.

Wessex Continental Travel