Important Information

General Health & Safety

When travelling to any foreign country it is important to respect the fact that we need to be conscious of our own safety and the following information will help you avoid any potential dangers or problems and here we give you some essential information about Greece and our holidays. We have taken reasonable care to see that the services we are providing are by reputable businesses and that they follow local and national laws and regulations of Greece.

The most important realisation when travelling is that health & safety standards are usually different in foreign countries to those you have accustomed to in your home country. For example even in Europe the most Hotels DO NOT meet EC fire safety recommendations. The Hotels we use will always conform to Greek Health & Safety regulations, but these may be different to your country, particularly from the UK & the USA whom have some of the highest standards in the world. It is vitally important to consider your holiday options when travelling with young children. Please bare in mind the following guidelines whilst travelling with GreekPaths:

Water

Whilst the tap water is considered safe to drink in Greece and most people do drink the water, please remember that any change in the water you drink can have adverse affects on your body and some people may suffer from stomach upsets. So it is advisable to but bottled water which is readily available in Hotels and Supermarkets.

Hotels

The Hotels we use all adhere to Greek Standards but things to be aware of are Balconies or drops guarded by rails or other barriers, Glass doors or windows which are sometimes difficult to notice due to the bright sunshine, Marble floors that may be slippery particularly when wet and Hotels with un- guarded or un-gated swimming pools.

Insects & other animals

Warmer climates bring mosquitoes, ants and other flying and crawling insects which can potentially be a nuisance to your holiday if you are not prepared for them. It is essential to either bring with you or buy here a good mosquito repellent and use it regularly particularly in the evenings. You may also encounter stray dogs which is a normal occurrence in Greece.

If you are in the slightest bit concerned about any aspect of Health & Safety whilst on holiday with us, it is vital that you let your representative in the resort know immediately.

Accuracy of information

Changes may occur in Resorts once we have published brochures or on-line details which are beyond our control. At the time of booking if such changes affect you, you will be notified. If you have already booked we will do all we can to inform you of any changes before you leave the UK (time allowing).

Please take special note with regard to the provision of information for the following:

Meal Service - The Hotels may change from buffet style to waiter service or vice versa at anytime.

Sea Views – The views from your hotel may be partly blocked by trees.

Hotel Facilities – If the Hotels supply beauty treatments, there will be a limit to the number of sessions a guest is able to take.

Baths & Showers – These facilities are usually showers over the baths, however some Hotels offer a separate shower cubicle, and we can give you this information upon request. Most Greek Hotels use Solar Power to heat the water so please be aware that hot water may be limited in the morning and evening, however most Hotels can use an electric back up system. We also advise you to bring your own bath towels as the Greek Hotels often use thin cotton ones which may not be adequate for you. Also you may be asked to put toilet papers in the bin provided as Greek plumbing is not that reliable.

Family Rooms/4 beds – These rooms may not necessarily be larger than standard rooms.

Arriving & Departing Accommodation

We will book your hotel for the number of nights your holiday is booked for, for example if your holiday length is 14 days then we will book 14 nights in your accommodation for you. If your arrival at your hotel is before 12 noon the rooms may not be ready for you to check in as the staff will not have had time to clean the rooms after the previous guests have left and you may have to wait in the lounges. However if your flight departs at night and you arrive in the early hours of the morning your room will be ready for you and this will count as your first night.

Checking out time for the Hotels must be by noon so it can be prepared for the next guests. If your flight is not until late at night that day there will usually be facilities available at the Hotel to leave your luggage or if you have a group booking we will of course look after your suitcases either on the coach or mini-bus.

However you may book with us a Late Check Out Room which may be available up to 6pm on the evening of your departure, if your flight leaves after midnight, this means up to 6pm on the evening of departure.

Journey times to and from Hotels to Airports are an approximation and the departure times from Hotel to Airport on the day you leave will be given to the Hoteliers and the representatives who will advise you. You must check in with the coach or mini bus one hour prior to departure time for loading and the departure time is designed to give you at least one hour check-in at the airport.

Building work

Although we do not usually operate in large resorts where building work may be taking place, we can not guarantee that there will not be any building within the vicinity of your accommodation. However we will if possible notify you of any such building prior to your departure.

Customs

A guide to customs for travellers is available from Customs & Excise National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000 or on www.hmce.gov.uk Please make sure that you are aware of what you can bring into and take out of Greece before travelling with us.

Data Protection – Privacy Policy

GreekPaths is fully committed to ensuring your privacy is respected and protected and our policy will show you about the information we collect and what we do with it.

Information about you:

Your Name, contact details, travel preferences, special needs, disabilities, dietary requirements that is supplied by you or supplied to us is referred to as “your information” and includes all those individuals on your booking form. Your information is collected when you request information from us, or us from you or you make a booking with us. It is your responsibity to ensure all those in your party are aware of and consent to our Privacy policy. It is important that they consent to you acting on their behalf when you are dealing with GreekPaths. We will update your information and keep it current, accurate and complete whenever we can.

Our use of your information

1. We may disclose your information to our service providers, who may be located outside the UK/EEA for the purposes of providing you with services, including flights, insurance etc. We will only provide the necessary information for the purpose of your services to be provided. It may be a mandatory requirement of governments when booking air travel to provide your information for the purpose of security and anti-terrorism measures or any other purposes which they determine necessary.

2. Your information may be used by us for the purposes set out in our data protection registration with the Office of the Information Commissioner. We may also supply your information to those companies acting as “data processors” on our behalf or to service providers operating systems or outside the UK/EEA. These purposes may include administration, providing services (and contacting you where necessary), customer care, improving our service, business, management and operation, re-organising/structuring of our business, risk assessment, security and crime prevention/detection, research and analysis, marketing, monitoring, assessing customer purchasing preferences, dispute resolution, credit checking and debt collection. If we were to search against the files or credit reference agencies then they would record the search and therefore the way in which you conduct your account with us may be shared with other lenders and credit agencies.

3. Some of your information can be considered “sensitive personal data” under the Data Protection Act 1998. An example being information about religion or health. We collect such data in order to take care of your needs or act in your interest, this will be done on the condition that we have your positive consent, we will do all that is reasonably possible to draw your attention to this when you first supply such information or at the next possible chance. When you book with us you are agreeing also for your insurers, their agents and medical staff to disclose relevant information which should be considered sensitive personal data to us in such circumstances where we would need to act on your behalf or for the interest of your group travelling with us. For example if you had an illness in the resort that was considered infectious to others, we may need to make special arrangements for you to ensure the safety of yourself and others and that you do not return immediately with the rest of your group.

If you do not accept and agree to our use of your information then we are unable to do business with you or accept your booking.

Direct Marketing Material

1. From time to time we may contact you through the post with information on offers of services, brochures, new products, forthcoming events or competitions from GreekPaths.

2. You can tell us that you want to receive the above information and direct marketing material via telephone, sms or e-mail by our website forms or to our staff at time of booking or when you first supplied us with information. You may also let us know that you want to cancel such communications at anytime.

3. You may also indicate to receive our third party direct marketing material by post.

4. Please refer to pint 2 if you do not wish to receive such information or wish to cancel or change your preferences.

Your Rights

1. At any time you have the right to ask in writing for a copy of the information we hold about you (for which we are entitle to charge a fee) and correct any inaccuracies in your details.

2. You have the right to ask in writing not to receive any Direct Marketing Material about our services. Once we are properly notified by you we will stop sending you any information.

Foreign controls

Outside of the EEA the controls on Data Protection may not be as strong as they are in the UK.

Use of “Cookies” and links to other websites

Contact with you via our websites means that we may use “cookies”, which is a small piece of information or data sent from our web server to your computer and stored in a text file on your hard drive. This means cookies allow us to identify your computer but not you personally. It is possible to set your computer to refuse “cookies”. We use “cookies” to measure website usage and related information. We may also use “cookies” to keep track of transactions from one webpage to another when you are making a purchase. Our website may also contain links to other sites which are not controlled by us. These sites may send you “cookies” and collect data and personal information. We are not responsible for the actions, content or privacy policies of such websites to which we are linked.

Aggregated Customer Information

We also collect information concerning customer trends and patterns and is often used in an aggregated form. GreekPaths may disclose such information and statistics about enquiries made into our company, visitors, customers and sales so that we can describe our services to prospective partners, purchasers, advertisers and other reputable third parties and for other lawful purposes. However under no circumstances will information be given that enables others to identify someone personally.

Monitoring

In order to improve our services and carry out your instructions accurately and in the interest of security we may monitor or record your telephone calls, transactions and activities on our websites and all recordings are and will remain our sole property.

Security Statement

We are constantly striving to take all possible security measures to protect your information.

Changes to this policy

Any changes to this policy will be stated on our website and/or brochure and available upon request.

Events Beyond our Control

It is of great importance to us that we take every possible step to ensure your health & safety whilst you are on holiday with us, but sometimes events happen that are beyond our control. Such events may lead us decide that it is best to either change or cancel your holiday either before your departure or while you are travelling with us. You will find these events in the agreement with us in section 4 and we reserve the right to do this under these terms. Any such decisions will be taken after seeking the advice from authorities available to us and we are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. If your holiday is cancelled before departure you will receive a refund, however, if the holiday is shortened, changed or cancelled while you are on holiday, no refund will be paid. In either cases we are not liable to pay refunds but we will refund the difference on a replacement holiday you choose if it is of a lower standard or price. Please remember that by signing our agreement then you are agreeing to co-operate with us and in the unlikely event that we are forced to repatriate you it will be for the best interests of your welfare.

Extra Local charges

Please be aware that you may have to pay for services such as sun beds, towels, umbrellas, private beaches water sports & games and any sports equipment that may be necessary. You may also be charged for saunas, steam baths and beauty treatments if your hotel offers these services, gym use, safety deposit boxes, minibars, satellite and pay TV, fridges, kettles, toasters, entry to any clubs, air conditioning, infant cots & food, laundry.

Deposits - You may be asked by the hotel to provide a deposit in case of any accidental damage or extra cleaning to your room and this will be on arrival in local currency. This will be returned to you on departure less any appropriate charges.

Local Taxes

Some countries/islands are introducing charges to visitors and tourists which can be payable to the Hotelier or the local airport. The charges are different in each country and changing continually, however at present there are no charges in Greece but we can not guarantee this at your time of travelling, but we will do our best to inform you before you travel if there will be a tourist charge.

Resort Admin Charges

If you want to make some changes to your holiday whilst you are in the resort with us such as changes to your flight, issuing of new tickets there will be an admin charge of £25 per person, per change which can be paid to us in cash in the resort and will be in addition to any costs due to the changes.

Ferry Transfers

If part or all of your holiday includes visiting the Island of Thassos the journey is a pleasant 30 – 40 minute crossing where a representative from GreekPaths will accompany you and ensure your arrival to your Hotel, unless you are travelling independently of a GreekPaths representative.

Fitness to Travel

You should be aware that flying can cause certain individuals health issues such as bronchial or circulatory problems, like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and in such an event or if you are in the least bit concerned you should consult your GP. If you have any other conditions that may require you to need assistance whilst flying, please ensure you let the air staff know of this before you fly with them.

How to Book with GreekPaths

We offer totally flexible holidays and therefore will try to accommodate your every need. If you would like to discuss any of the tours, excursions, areas, lessons or activities or which Hotel is suitable for your chosen tours then please call or email us and we will be pleased to discuss these with you and try to guide you to making a holiday choice that will be right for you. Once you have chosen which areas you want to discover, the excursions you want, the activities and any dance, cookery or Greek lessons you can either email or call us with the details and from there we will try to arrange every detail for you as near as possible to what you have chosen. We will then quote you a price which will be dependent upon the number travelling in your party, your choice of Hotel and number of activities and excursion you have booked with us. Once you agree to the holiday choice we will send you an invoice.

How to pay for your holiday

Payment is due no later than 8 weeks before your departure. Although unlikely, we may have to pass on to you any changes in costs which is set out in our agreement and we will send you a Final Invoice about 10 weeks before you are due to depart and this will show you the amount payable.

Late Bookings

If there is availability and we are able to arrange all the excursions in time, you can book a holiday with GreekPaths up to the day you travel. Any holidays booked within 8 weeks of departure date will need to paid for in full at the time of booking.

Insurance

It is a condition of booking that you have holiday insurance at the time of travelling with GreekPaths. You may choose to take out insurance with our recommended insurers and the premium will be added to your Invoice or you can give us the details of your alternative insurance company so that we can keep a record of the policy number. We must have such information before we can confirm your booking.

Maid Service

Generally you can expect Maid Service once a day in Greek Hotels, however if you do not leave your room until after midday it may not be possible to clean the room on such days. Also there may not be Maid Service on Public Holidays. If you require more information about Maid Service please contact us and we will happily inform you about your chosen accommodation.

Major Changes to your Holiday

It may from time to time be necessary to make a major change to your holiday, such as flight times or accommodation arrangements and are explained in our agreement.

Meals

If you have booked one of our suggested Hotels then Breakfast will be included, however, breakfast in Greece is a simple light snack usually bread with honey or jam or cheese and ham, tea and coffee.

If you decide to book one of our suggested Itinerary’s or a similar holiday with excursions we will provide you with a traditional Greek snack style meal which may be Tyropita (pies) or bougutsha………and will either be for lunch or in the evening depending on when you take your main meal.

If you choose to take part in our excursions that involve eating in Greek Tavernas either with or without cookery or dance lessons then you will choose from the menu individually and pay individually. However, in traditional Greece it is custom to eat in a Meze style which means each table will have bowls of salads, vegetables, cheeses etc rather separate plates with just a few vegetables on. Then you can either choose individual meat or fish dishes or again have a selection on a plate to choose form. Wine in traditional Tavenas is often best if you choose the house wines which are made locally, but most places will also be able to give you bottled wine if you prefer. Because you are travelling to traditional and unspoilt places you may find that the Staff do not speak English, therefore a representative from GreekPaths will be on hand to help translate the foods for you. A good meal including wine will cost around 15 – 20 Euros per person which will be about £10 - £15 with the current exchange rate.

Passports & Visas

If you need details of any travel restrictions, entry and stay requirements, you must check at the Foreign office website www.fco.gov.uk/travel and for the passport office website www.passport.gov.uk. It is your responsibility to make sure your passport is valid and up to date and that you bring it with you when travelling with us.

New Passports - Many countries require a passport to be 3 – 6 months beyond your intended travel date and it must be a full, ten year passport. If you require a new passport, make sure that you leave enough time to order one especially at peak travel times as there can be delays in processing passports. For information on processing times call the UK Passport Office on 0870 521 0410. If you have a commonwealth or other passport, you should call the Consulate of Greece before you travel.

Names - The name on your passport must match the name on the ticket or you may not be able to travel and insurances will be invalid If you or someone ion your party changes their name after booking, you must inform us immediately so that a new ticket can be issued in the new name. An amendment fee may be applicable.

Families & Minors - Since the 5th October 1998 children under 16 years are required to hold their own passports but if they are already on their parents’ passports they can continue to travel on that passport until they reach 16 or the parent’s passport is amended or renewed. Although family passports are still valid, a spouse must have their own passport with them. For a minor (under 18) there may be specific requirements when visiting a country and you must check with that Consulate. If a minor is not travelling with both parents they may require an affidavit but this does not apply to all countries.

Passport Security – In the unlikely event that you lose or have your passport stolen it is helpful if you have kept the number on your passport separate to the passport. If you have your number it will be easier and quicker for the British Consulate to issue you a temporary passport.

Special Rules – Please note that some countries and charter flights have special rules for some passports and visas and it is important to check that you do not require special permission to travel.

Scuba Diving

We strongly recommend anyone considering taking Scuba Diving Training to have a full medical check in the resort, which may be an additional cost and check with your GP before leaving that they believe it is safe for you to take part in Scuba Diving. It is especially important to take advice from your GP if you have asthma or other breathing conditions before you leave the UK. Due to changes in pressure which may occur after Scuba Diving it is dangerous to fly 48 hours before or after Diving as this may result in ‘The Bends’ or in severe cases, paralysis.

You must ensure that you have adequate insurance cover for Scuba Diving.

Seasonal Considerations

If you are booking our Itinerary’s we will design your holiday around national and local holidays. However if you are sight seeing independently of us, please ask us or check with the local tourist office for advice on such holidays as museums, tours and shops are often closed on these days.

Some restaurants, clubs and hotels will re-decorate or clean their pools during early spring or late autumn, but we may be able to advise of this, please see the relevant section on this in the terms & conditions. Some places may offer less services or facilities in off-peak seasons particularly in the beach resorts, however GreekPaths specialises in holidays that are in off-peak times and we often we use hotels that specialise in off-peak seasons. But remember hotel owners may make changes at any time of year.

Special Needs

It is vital that you make us aware of anyone in your party requiring special needs at the time of booking with us as we can not be held responsible if you fail to tell us of special requirements that will affect your holiday experience and this means we can not compensate you. We will try our best to cater for any special needs, for example dietary or assistance needs but can not guarantee to be able to do so.

Supplements & Teductions

Where we can we will try to arrange your hotel rooms on an individual basis to try to minimise single supplements. However if you are travelling alone the Hotel views the use of one room as the same whether it is fully occupied or not.

Supplements from nknown Taxes &Costs.

At present the government are considering charges on aviation such as a replenishment charge for the Air Travel Trust. And it is impossible for us to predict any changes to existing taxes or new taxes being imposed. It is also possible that world events may affect costs or taxes. If you have already booked your holiday with GreekPaths and such laws come into affect then it may result in the price of your holiday being increased, please see our terms & conditions.

Sustainable Tourism

Swimming Pools

Unless otherwise stated the swimming pools at the Hotels are freshwater. If you intend using thermal pools you should check with your Doctor prior to departing especially those guests that are pregnant, suffer from High Blood Pressure or are under 12 years of age.

Team GreekPaths

You will be met by a representative of GreekPaths when you arrive at the airport whether you have chosen a fully guided holiday option or if you are just using us to book your accommodation and give you advice on the area.

What’s included in your holiday

Booking with GreekPaths means that your holiday includes what you want and not we think you want and your details will be set out in your Invoice. However here are some usual services to be included in your holiday.

• If you book your flights with us we include Return flights with Airport Taxes included.
• Coach or taxi transfers to your resort or Car Hire ready at the airport, depending on the type of holiday you have booked with us. We must know before you travel if you will require transfers, for example if there are two passengers we can arrange a taxi for you but luggage allowance may be limited. Transfers must be arranged by us prior to your arrival at the airport.
• Accommodation as shown on your Invoice
• Meals at the Hotel, as described by the hotels. And usually one traditional Greek snack per day provided by GreekPaths
• Services of GreekPaths representatives in resort
• VAT on all holidays in the EU

What’s not included in your holiday

• Holiday Insurance, however you can book through us with our recommended Insurer
• Supplements resulting from Currently Unknown travel Taxes & Costs, if applicable at the time of booking see supplements & reductions in this guide.
• Any supplements for pre-booked extra facilities as described or selected
• Any local taxes, levies, dues or similar required by the local authorities abroad to be paid personally (see Extra Local Charges).
• Charges for optional extras.
• Charges for facilities such as Safety Deposit Boxes, in some cases air-conditioning, saunas, sports equipments, sun beds and kids clubs.
• Deposits that some Hoteliers require on arrival for any possible damage to their property
• Charges for Cots and Baby Food.
• Cost of Visas or Inoculations.
• Extra facilities, food, drinks, laundry not stated as included in your package.
• Charges by your airline on items such as skis, surfboards, golf clubs etc.
• Charges for Private Beaches or sun beds.
• Charges from Airlines to collect tickets at the airport.
• Any increases in charges arising from changes to your holiday as set out in your Holiday Price; see section 2 of the Agreement with us.

General Options

All pre-book able accommodation facilities are subject to availability and all the accommodation we offer are different in services and facilities provided. We can advise you on your accommodation at the time of booking.

All travel options, tours, guides, activities and lessons must be booked in advance to guarantee your options. However once in your resort if you decide you want to take part in extra activities we will try our best to accommodate this but we can not guarantee all activities will be available and the extra activities will be charged for as an extra payable in resort and may also carry an administration charge, please see relevant section in the Agreement.