Hotels & Accommodation
From major groups to owner-managed, we only use hotels which meet our high value for money standards. All hotel bedrooms have private facilities and many have those 'added luxuries' such as tea & coffee making facilities (except on the continent), TV, and telephone. For overseas holidays please note that star rating standards (hotel classification systems) may vary from country to country, and should not be compared with those awarded in Britain by the AA, RAC or UK Tourist Boards, and in particular general hygiene,safety and plumbing etc in overseas hotels may not be the same standards we are used to at home. 'Twin' rooms on the continent may have a king-size base with two separate mattresses, each with its own bed linen. Requests may be made at time of booking for a double-bedded room in preference to a twin room. Triple rooms are limited and normally consist of a double bed and fold-away bed.We do not advise the reservation of a triple room for three adults. Any accommodation requests must be made at time of booking. Request will be forwarded to the hotel(s). Please note however that room allocation is entirely at the hoteliers' discretion. Units of accommodation with ‘En-suite bathroom/facilities’ may have a shower or a bath. Overnight hotels enroute to our destination are not necessarily in town centre locations, as the overall journey must be taken into account when planning. Please note that due to the nature of short breaks, we cannot guarantee that leisure facilities, restaurants, bars and lifts where advertised will be open during your time of stay. Please also note that some hotels may charge a fee for
use of their leisure facilities.
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Single Rooms
Single people are very important to us, and we offer you a warm welcome on our holidays. Wherever possible we absorb single room supplements up to 4 rooms on all our tours in the UK so book early to avoid disappointment. Any additional single rooms required will incur a supplement charged to us by the hotel. Our booking staff will be happy to assist you with any queries regarding availability. However where large single supplements are charged, in order to keep our prices at a competitive level, the single supplement will be
passed on. In these cases, if a single supplement is to be charged, this will be listed at the base of the 'Departure Dates' panel for each destination. Please note that whilst some single rooms may be slightly smaller, they are generally adequate for one person and contain the same or similar facilities (unless otherwise stated) as twin/double rooms in the same hotel.
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Meals
Meal arrangements are as specified on each itinerary. Half board includes breakfast and evening dinner daily,
commencing with evening dinner on the day of arrival in the hotel, until breakfast on the day of departure, and obviously cuisine varies from country to country. Wherever possible, we have endeavoured to ensure a limited choice of menu, but some may be a buffet-style or set-menu, and beverages are not normally included (except at breakfast). Please note that breakfasts on the continent are usually basic and consist of a roll, preserve and coffee.
It may be necessary, occasionally for Diamond Holidays tour groups to be seated in a private dining room.
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Excursions
Free excursions are included on most Diamond holidays, and they are usually supplemented by optional (no obligation) excursions payable locally to your driver, ensuring you have the opportunity to see the best of the region you visit (NB All optional excursions are subject to conditions and minimum numbers).
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Coaches
All our tour coaches offer a high level of comfort and conform to the strictest safety standards. Each seat reclines and is fitted with a passenger safety belt.The coaches are fitted with pre-set speed limiter and antilock braking system. For your comfort most coaches feature washroom / toilet facilities, forced air ventilation, panoramic windows and air suspension.We reserve the right to sub-contract coaches at any time. When operating low loaded tours it may be necessary to use smaller vehicles or a coach with reduced
seating and tables fitted, in which case some seats will face the rear. Please note that feeder vehicles and transfer coaches to airports and Butlins may not include all of the above facilities.
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Friendly/Driver/Couriers
Throughout all Diamond holidays you are looked after by one of our team of experienced driver couriers or our appointed representative (excepting Butlins). Wherever possible continental holidays of over 5 days will be serviced by two drivers, for your comfort and peace of mind. They are there to ensure your holiday is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible (so in the unlikely event you have a problem, they are there to help you to solve it), and judging by your letters they are successful in doing just that!
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Special Needs
The holidays in this brochure have been carefully planned to include as much of interest as possible. Inevitably some of the holidays include lengthy periods of travel and some walking on sightseeing excursions. Additionally, many of the hotels will have steps to contend with and although we try our best to look after passengers with special needs, it is important that you provide us with a brief description of your requirements at time of booking. We will make every endeavour to minimise the discomfort and inconvenience, but for obvious reasons we are unable to make any guarantees.
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Travel Documents
Luggage labels and tour information will be sent approximately 10 days prior to travel (subject to the receipt
of payment of your final balance). Certain documents such as ferry or theatre tickets may be retained and issued to you by your driver/courier.
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Theatre Ticket Allocation
Passengers should note that we have no direct control over Theatre Ticket allocation. Theatre seating cannot be preselected or guaranteed.
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Luggage Allowances
For all Diamond holidays we ask you to bring only one medium sized suitcase per person plus one small piece of hand luggage. Passengers are responsible for their own luggage and must ensure all items are loaded onto their vehicles at point of departure. Please note that although porterage is NOT normally included at hotels our drivers will be on hand to help in extreme cases. All luggage should be taken with you on overnight stops as we cannot accept responsibility for items left on board the coach.
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Passports & Visas
All continental holidays in this brochure, and those that involve a day trip to France, require a full British Passport (if you need to apply for a new passport you must do so as early as possible, allowing at least 12 weeks before your date of travel - application forms and details are available from your Post Office). Non-British citizens must check with their relevant Embassies for details of their passport and visa requirements. Diamond Holidays will not accept responsibility for any passenger refused entry by immigration authorities for incorrect passports/visas, or any other reason.
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Passports for children & young people
All children who are not already included on a valid British passport will need to hold their own passport if they travel abroad. Children who were included on a passport before 5 October 1998 may continue to travel with the passport holder until: The child reaches the age of 16; or the passport on which the
child is included expires; or the passport on which the child is included is replaced; or an amendment results in the issue of a new passport.
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Brochure & Website Descriptions
The itinerary for your chosen tour is summarised on the appropriate brochure page. However, we reserve the right to vary the days of excursions where unforeseen circumstances or conditions such as inclement weather may adversely affect the operation of the excursions. Please note, that unless otherwise stated, excursions to cities and attractions DO NOT include guided tours or admissions. Hotel and resort facility information is correct at the time of going to print. Please bear in mind that facilities require attention (for
example cleaning of swimming pools) and resorts and holiday areas may be quieter in the early and late season. In most cases Tourist Board accommodation categories or star ratings are shown against hotels and are given as a guide only. Diamond Holidays cannot be held liable if any hotel subsequent to this brochure being published withdraws from the grading system or fails to conform with the criteria laid down by the grading authority. Flight holidays are subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant carrier. Details available on request.
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Child Reductions / Free Places
Some Diamond Holidays are not suitable for young children (5 years and under) due to the long periods of travel by coach, especially Irish or Continental holidays of 5 days or over (excluding Disneyland® Paris). On these holidays we offer a discount of 10% for children between the ages 5-11 inclusive. On all other holidays (unless specified in the price panel) the 10% discount applies to children of between 3-11 years inclusive.All Diamond Disneyland® Paris On Site breaks feature FREE CHILD PLACES for 3-11 year olds. All reduced/free child places are subject to sharing a room with a minimum 2 full paying adults and are applicable to the basic cost only (insurance and supplements apply in full).
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Currency Guidelines
For continental tours staying in overnight hotels en-route you are advised to have some local currency to cover personal expenditure such as drinks and evening meals where not included (see individual price panels). Local currency is also recommended for lunch stops as detailed. A small amount of currency is advisable for the main country you are visiting as banks may not be open on arrival - otherwise, for security
reasons we recommend the remainder of your money in travellers cheques, although major credit cards and/or Eurocheques are also widely accepted.
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Gratuities
Gratuities to drivers and couriers are not included in the tour cost, as we consider this a personal way of saying thank you. We suggest that any such gratuities are made upon leaving the coach at the end of the tour. Gratuities to hotel staff are not included in the cost of the tour. However, if you receive good
service from waiters, it is usual to give a small gratuity upon leaving.
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