L'Étape du Tour terms and conditions of booking

Payment terms

On confirmation of packages once the route and packages have been announced, payment will be as follows:

On confirmation of packages, a deposit of £250 is payable immediately (less pre-registration deposit if applicable). A second payment being half of the balance is payable by 31stJanuary 2011, and the remaining balance is payable 7th May 2011.

For example, on a £625 package, payments would be as follows:

£50 on pre-registration
£200 on confirmation
£187.50 on January 31 2011
£187.50 10 weeks before holiday (usually early May)

FAILURE TO MEET THESE PAYMENT DEADLINES WILL RESULT IN THE HOLIDAY BEING DEEMED CANCELLED WITHOUT REFUND.

Confirmation of bookings

Confirmation of pre-registered bookings and take up of places will be required within 21 days of the announcement of our packages. Failure to do so will be deemed to imply giving up of the entry. The pre-registration fee is not refundable.

Changes to bookings and refunds

Due to the conditions imposed by the organisers of the event, no changes to persons taking part in the Etape du Tour will be possible after 28th February 2011. In respect to accompanying persons and other non-participants, bookings may be transfered to another person if desired, and the new booking will be confirmed on receipt of a completed booking form and an administration charge of £25. If, after the start of the holiday (which for this purpose means the point of collection by French Cycling Holidays Limited staff) you wish to change the itinerary, accommodation, duration or any other material aspect of your holiday, French Cycling Holidays Limited cannot accept liability for any loss, damage or additional expense that you may incur and no refunds will be made.

Cancellations

If you need to cancel a booking for whatever reason once it has been confirmed, cancellation will become effective upon receipt of written notification from you, and the following cancellation charges will be due:

• More than 10 weeks before start of the holiday : deposit and second payment only
• Between 4 and 10 weeks before the start of the holiday : 33% of the final payment plus the deposit and second payment
• Between 2 and 4 weeks before the start of the holiday : 50% of the final payment plus the deposit and second payment
• Between 1 week and 2 weeks before departure date 75% of the final payment plus the deposit and second payment
• If you cancel your holiday on or after one week before the commencement date, 100% of the cost will be payable and no refund will be made.

Changes to holidays

If we need to make material changes to the content or terms of the holiday as published before the start of the holiday we will notify you as soon as is practicable. If you are not happy with the changed holiday details you may transfer to another trip without charge if space is available. Alternatively, you may cancel your booking and we will refund in full any moneys already paid, as a full settlement.

If we cancel your booking

If we have to cancel a booking we will refund in full any moneys already paid, as a full settlement. We will endeavour to notify you of any cancellation at least 5 weeks before the holiday start date; if notification takes place after this date we will pay an additional £15 per person in compensation for your inconvenience.

If a customer fails to make payment, or if by his or her behaviour necessitates the termination of the holiday, French Cycling Holidays Limited reserves the right to cancel the booking, without any obligation to refund or make alternative arrangements. French Cycling Holidays Limited reserves the right to refuse a booking from, or to continue to provide services to any person if by their conduct or actions they adversely affect the enjoyment of the holiday by other persons, and will be under no liability for any costs incurred as a result.

Accommodation

The cost of each trip is based on accommodation in twin- or double- bedded rooms. Those requesting single rooms will be charged a single room supplement. Whilst we will endeavour to find suitable room-mates for single travellers wishing to share, we cannot guarantee that a suitable share will be available, and if this is the case the supplement will be payable.

Currency fluctuations

The price of the holiday will not be subject to any surcharges once a booking has been confirmed except in the event of a material worsening of the exchange rate of Sterling against the Euro, which will mean a devaluation of 10% or more. In the case of such a devaluation, we reserve the right to levy a surcharge equivalent to one half of the devaluation percentage applied to the cost of the holiday (eg if there were a devaluation of 10% we would levy a 5% surcharge). We will notify in writing any surcharges. Should the surcharge be 10% or more you will be entitled to cancel your holiday and receive a full refund of all monies paid. This cancellation right must be exercised in writing within 14 days of receipt of the surcharge notification.

Physical Health

Clients taking part in French Cycling Holidays Limited tours do so at their own risk, and if there is any doubt about their fitness or ability to take part in an activity based holiday they should consult their physician.

It is a requirement of entry into the Etape du Tour that participants produce a letter from their physician stating that they are in a suitable state of health to take part in a competitive cycling event.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN SUCH A LETTER OR CERTIFICATE BY THE DUE DATE REQUIRED THEN YOUR HOLIDAY WILL BE DEEMED TO BE CANCELLED. NO REFUND OF MONEYS ALREADY PAID WILL BE PAYABLE.

Insurance

It is a requirement of taking part in packages that the participant has travel insurance that covers cycling in France. We cannot arrange travel insurance but we can offer advice as to suitable policies. Participants to packages will asked to provide policy numbers and contact details of the insurance provider before starting the tour.

Bicycle transport

For those requiring bicycle transport from the UK, bicycles will be transported from our offices in Watford and Harrow and returned to the same location after the event. The bicycles are covered by transit insurance only, ie from leaving our offices to the hotel and for the return journey. You should ensure that your bicycle has insurance cover adequate to your requirements at other times. We recommend that bicycles be packed in rigid cases; French Cycling Holidays can take no responsibility for any damage to bicycles that are not suitably packed.

Passport Requirements

A full British passport is required for British citizens visiting France. Citizens of other countries should contact their French embassy or consulate.

Your financial protection

In accordance with “The Package Travel, Package Tours Regulations 1992” all passengers booking with French Cycling Holidays Limited are fully Insured for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including repatriation if required, arising from the cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of French Cycling Holidays Limited.

A certificate detailing this cover will be given to each and every passenger as evidence of cover. Please ensure that you have been given the appropriate certificate(s) at the time of booking.

This insurance has been arranged by Towergate Chapman Stevens through igi Insurance Company Limited.

Complaints

Any complaints should be communicated to the French Cycling Holidays Limited representative as soon as it arises. Failure to notify our representative at the time, providing the company with an opportunity to rectify the cause of the complaint, may result in your loss of any legal rights in respect of the particular matter. If the issue is not resolved, then the complaint should be made in writing to French Cycling Holidays Limited at the company address within 28 days of the end of your trip. This contract is governed by English law.

French Cycling Holidays Limited, 73 High Road Leavesden, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 7AL. Telephone +44 (0)20 8861 5888 Fax +44 (0) 208 357 8934. Registered in England and Wales, No 04618021.