French Cavalry riding along Mercer’s ridge on the battlefield of Waterloo.

The legal stuff

1. Terms and Conditions

These conditions form part of the contract. By making a booking you agree to these terms and conditions. After you have discussed all the aspects of the tour with us, you will receive confirmation details of the proposed tour including the price per person. Once all the arrangements for the tour have been made, you will receive notification informing you of those arrangements.

2. Payment

Your booking must be accompanied by a 10% deposit, paid by cheque made out to “Frank Toogood “. The booking will be confirmed and you will receive our invoice. The date on the invoice will be the date on which the contract commences. The invoice will indicate any outstanding balance which must be paid in full 42 days before the first day of your tour, or by a date arranged and acknowledged by us in writing. If the balance is not received by the due date we reserve the right to cancel the booking and retain any deposit and apply the cancellation charges set out in sub clause 3.

3. Cancellations

Should you be forced to cancel your booking you are asked to notify us immediately by telephone and subsequently in writing. Any cancellation must be in writing from the person who made the booking and will only take effect once it has been received at our office accordingly.

The period before the first day of your tour and when written instructions are received by us will be subject to the following Cancellation Fee:

• 0 – 7 days = 100% of Tour price
• 8 – 14 days = 75% of Tour price
• 15 – 28 days = 55% of Tour price
• 28 – 42 days = 40% of Tour price
• 42 days = Deposit only

In all cases the deposit will be the minimum charge.

4. Alterations

We will endeavour to ensure that none of the elements of your tour have to be changed. However, there will be occasions when such changes have to be made due to circumstances unforeseen by us. We reserve the right to make any such alterations. You will be made aware of any significant changes prior to the tour. We accept responsibility for ensuring that the services we contract to provide are supplied and to the anticipated satisfactory standard.

5. Force Majeur

Except where otherwise stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented by “force majeur”. This includes war or threat of war, civil disturbance, industrial dispute, unforeseeable terrorist activity or threat thereof, natural disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions and similar problems beyond our control. We will do all that is possible to protect your interest, but we cannot be held responsible for unforeseen delays, industrial disputes, civil riots, accidents and inoperable weather.

6. Pricing Policy

You will have agreed a price for the tour when you booked. This will be an inclusive price, unless otherwise stated, and will contain any extra services/facilities you may have requested. Once booked your tour price can be varied consequent on changes in fuel costs, government action and currency exchange movements.

7. Conditions of Carriage

We only use reputable and bonded coach/bus companies for our tours if required, all of whom have to comply with EU regulations for coaches operating in Europe. You will be subject to the conditions of carriage, which apply to the individual coach company. Copies of their conditions can be made available for you to see.

8. Insurance and Safety

a. It is a condition of booking that all travellers are covered either by their own comprehensive insurance (the policy details of which must be submitted to “The Battlefield Guide” when booking). It is the responsibility of the client to ensure that they have adequate travel insurance, and that they do not travel against medical advice. If you do not take out insurance and provide the requested details we reserve the right to cancel your holiday without compensation. We will not be responsible for any costs that you incur as a consequence of this failure.

b. Battlefields can be dangerous places. All guests on tour are briefed on safety aspects and walking on battle sites accordingly. Whilst we will do everything it can to ensure the safety of our customers, we cannot take responsibility for any injury incurred as a result of failing to heed advice given, or any act of stupidity or wilful act of negligence.

9. Health Regulations

At the time of writing, no vaccinations are required for travel to Europe. However, this situation may change, and you are advised to check with the relevant authorities.

10. Passports and Visas

A full 10 year passport is essential for travel outside the UK. All passports should have at least 3 months left to run from the date of return. Some countries require a greater validity. In all cases it is your responsibility to ensure that your passport meets the requirements of the countries through which you will travel. Currently UK citizens do not need visa to travel to most of the countries we visit, but we will not accept any liability for your failure to be aware of the visa regulations. You must ensure that you bring your valid passport on departure. We will not make any refunds to clients who fail to do this.

11. Rights of refusal and Indemnity

We expect our clients to have consideration for fellow guests. If you behave in a way that is likely in our opinion or that of any person in authority to cause offence, danger, damage or distress to others we reserve the right to terminate your tour. In this event our responsibility for your tour ceases immediately and we will not be liable for any costs or expenses incurred by you as a result. Full cancellation charges will apply and we will be under no obligation for any refund, compensation or cost you may incur. If your actions cause damage to accommodation in which you are staying or to the vehicle, train, vessel, in which you are travelling, or cause delay or diversion to any means of transportation, you agree to fully indemnify us against all claims including legal costs made against us by or on behalf of the owners of such accommodation or transportation. In the case of a client death on tour we will not be liable for repatriation of the deceased or their belongings.

12. Passengers with a Disability

Please note that some people with certain disabilities may have difficulty in getting on and off coaches. On these tours there is a certain amount of walking involved. Should you suffer from a disability that could affect your or other members of the group’s tour, then we must be notified in writing. You should also confirm if you require any assistance. We regret that we must reserve the right to refuse a booking if an individual’s medical condition or disability may, in our opinion, have an adverse effect on the remainder of the group.

13. Tour Information

We always endeavour to give precise, accurate information to telephone enquiries. However, we cannot accept liability for information given orally to customers unless it is confirmed by us in writing.

14. Consistency

In the event of any inconsistency between these Terms and Conditions and the additional general information on the website, then these Terms and Conditions will apply in respect of the inconsistency.

15. Travel arrangements

Smoking is not permitted in our transport. Final timings and hotel arrangements will be advised with your travel documents which are sent approximately 7 days before departure. It is your responsibility to be at the agreed pick up point on time. Failure may result in the tour leaving without you and we will not make any refunds to clients who we leave behind.

16. Accommodation

Unless otherwise stated, our prices are per person based on shared occupancy of a twin bedded room. Single rooms may be available at the supplement shown. Rooms will have en–suite facilities. In general the standard is equal to 2 stars although this does not imply that any particular accommodation has attained that standard. In Europe it is possible that the accommodation and dining areas are separate. The accommodation includes hotels, guest houses, pensions.

17. Complaints Procedure

Should you have a complaint about any aspect of your tour, you should notify the guide or contact us without delay, in order that the complaint can be quickly resolved as soon as possible. If the matter cannot be resolved immediately please ask the guide for a Complaint Form. Please complete it and send one copy to us. Please make your formal complaint in writing within 28 days of your return. If you fail to do this our ability to follow up and investigate may be inhibited and this may affect your rights under the contract.

18. Law

This contract shall be governed by English law and the jurisdiction of the English courts.