These terms and conditions apply to all French Cycling Holidays tours except where specific Terms and Conditions apply for holidays involving in Italy , New Zealand or specific events, such as the Etape and the Marmotte.
All bookings are made in accordance with the terms and conditions set out below.
Payment terms
Holidays in France and New Zealand
A provisional booking on any holiday may be made by telephone, fax or e-mail and will be held for 7 days if more than 12 weeks before the start of the holiday. On receipt of a completed web booking or , signed booking form and a non refundable deposit (varies according to holiday) the booking will be confirmed in writing and an invoice issued for the holiday, together with a receipt for the deposit and the payment terms for the balance. If the booking is not possible the deposit will be returned. The balance must be received by French Cycling Holidays at least 12 weeks before the start of the holiday. Where a booking is made within 12 weeks of departure, the full amount of the holiday cost must accompany the completed booking form. Payment should be made credit/debit card or by cheque payable to ‘French Cycling Holidays Limited’ or by bank transfer (ask us for banking details).
Holidays in Italy
A provisional booking on any holiday may be made by telephone, fax or e-mail and will be held for 7 days if more than 1 weeks before the start of the holiday. On receipt of a completed web booking or , signed booking form and a non refundable deposit (varies according to holiday) the booking will be confirmed in writing and an invoice issued for the holiday, together with a receipt for the deposit and the payment terms for the balance. 50% of the total price of the trip is due 6 months before departure & and a payment of the remaining 50% must be received by French Cycling Holidays at least 10 weeks before the start of the holiday. Where a booking is made within 10 weeks of departure, the full amount of the holiday cost must accompany the completed booking form. Payment should be made credit/debit card or by bank transfer (ask us for banking details).
Changes to bookings and refunds
If you need to change your booking after the booking has been confirmed, such as change the date required, the company will do its best to meet with your requirements if you inform us in writing. However, if the alterations requested are not possible, we reserve the right to apply cancellation charges if the change is made within 12 weeks of departure. Bookings may be transferred 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 for scheduled tours
We book accommodations, restaurants, bikes, wine tastings, cultural visits and guides months before each trip in advance of our cycle tours. The costs associated with cancelling bookings and the opportunity cost of not being able to resell empty seats increase substantially the closer we get to your tour.
Holidays in France
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 12 weeks before start of the holiday — deposit only.
Between 8 and 12 weeks before the start of the holiday — 33% of total holiday cost.
Between 4 and 8 weeks before the start of the holiday — 50% of total holiday cost.
Between 2 and 4 weeks before departure date — 75% of total holiday cost.
If you cancel your holiday later than 14 days before the commencement date, 100% of the cost will be payable and no refund will be made.
Holidays In Europe (outside of France)
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 90 days before start of the holiday — deposit
Between 61 and 90 days before the start of the holiday — 50% of tour price
Between 31 and 60 days before departure date — 75% of total holiday cost.
If you cancel your holiday later 0-30 days before the commencement date, 100% of the cost will be payable.
Holidays in New Zealand
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 12 weeks prior to departure - deposit
Between 8 and 12 weeks before the start of the holiday — 33% of total holiday cost.
Between 4 and 8 weeks before the start of the holiday — 50% of total holiday cost.
Between 2 and 4 weeks before departure date — 75% of total holiday cost.
If you cancel your holiday later than 14 days before the commencement date, 100% of the cost will be payable and no refund will be made.
Cancellation for Custom & Private Tours
Once booked private and custom tours require a 50% deposit. Custom or private tours are non-refundable but we still offer to move the reservation for the complete group or issue each traveller 100% credit towards future travel up until 61 days before departure. Please see the tour credit & cancellation fee timeline below. Any credit on your account expires within 24 months.
More than 10 weeks before start of the holiday — 100% tour credit of total holiday cost
Between 6 and 10 weeks before the start of the holiday — 75% tour credit of total holiday cost.
Between 4 and 6 weeks before the start of the holiday — 50% of total holiday cost.
Between 2 and 4 weeks before departure date — 25% of total holiday cost.
If you cancel your holiday later than 30 days before the commencement date, 100% of the cost will be payable and no tour credit will be made.
Custom and private tours are quoted with a minimum group size. In the unlikely event that the minimum group size is not met we reserve the right to update the quoted price per head. Should this not be accepted we will offer tour credits as per the timeline above or, before 75 days to departure, the opportunity to move the trip to dates when everyone can travel.
Operator/s
French Cycling Holidays uses 3rd party operators for tour operations outside of France. French Cycling Holidays reserves the right to use operators to best meet the needs of the stated tour, and this may change from time to time. Tour operators do take bookings from others, so participants need to be aware not all customers on tours will be from French Cycling Holidays.
The operators used by French Cycling Holidays are Escape by Cycle (based in New Zealand)and Eat Sleep Cycle (based in Spain), and may include other operators as and when required.
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 offer an alternative holiday if possible. If this is not possible or acceptable to you 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 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.
It is sometimes necessary to change accommodation for reasons of room availability, minor adjustments to the route or upgrading the hotels. We will always endeavour to use hotels of an equal or higher level of comfort/facilities to those shown – please contact us to check for the most up-to-date information regarding your particular tour.
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 you in writing of 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.
Passport Requirements
A full British passport is required for British citizens visiting France. Citizens of other countries should contact their countries authorities for travel requirements to France.
Travel insurance
It is a requirement of taking part that the participant has travel/medical insurance that covers cycling in France. We cannot arrange insurance. Participants to tours will asked to provide policy numbers and contact details of the insurance provider before starting the tour.
Your financial protection
In accordance with “The Package Travel, Package Tours Regulations 1992” customers of French Cycling Holidays Limited will be indemnified in respect of their net ascertained financial loss sustained arising from the cancellation or curtailment of the declared trip travel arrangements arising solely from the event of the financial failure of French Cycling Holidays Limited.
This insurance has been arranged by Travel & General Insurance Services Limited on behalf of Towergate Chapman Stevens through Hiscox Insurance Company Limited.
Liability
Please note that French Cycling Holidays Limited cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage to your personal property, luggage or other possessions, nor for any other loss, damage, inconvenience, delay, illness, fatal or other injury suffered by you as a result of making a reservation with us, unless it can be shown that the company is in breach of its contractual and legal duty. In the event of you accepting any payment from French Cycling Holidays Limited, where it involves responsibility of a third party, this will be made on condition that you assign to French Cycling Holidays Limited your rights to claim in your place, and that you fully co-operate if we wish to enforce those rights.
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.