ASMALLWORLD Travel - Booking Conditions

By booking travel services through our website or travel designers, you agree to the terms and conditions set forth in these booking conditions, our privacy policy, our website terms and conditions of use, and any other written information we provided to you before confirming your booking. These documents constitute the agreement between you and ASW Travel AG and ASMALLWORLD, registered office: Seidengasse 20, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland ("we," "us," "our," “ourselves”).

Please read them carefully, as they set out our respective rights and obligations. In these Booking Conditions, references to "you" and "your" include the first named person on the booking and all persons on whose behalf a booking is made or any other person to whom a booking is added or transferred.

By making a booking, the first named person on the booking (the lead name) agrees on behalf of all persons detailed on the booking that:

  • 1. He/she has read these terms and conditions and has the authority to and agrees to be bound by them.
  • 2. He/she agrees to provide accurate and full information to the remainder of the traveling party in relation to the booking, including any changes thereto.
  • 3. He/she consents to our use of information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
  • 4. He/she is over 18 years of age and where placing an order for services with age restrictions declares that he/she and all members of the party are of the appropriate age to purchase those services.
  • 5. He/she accepts financial responsibility for payment of the booking on behalf of all persons detailed on the booking.

Our obligations to you will vary depending upon whether we act as a Package Organizer in the sale of a Package Holiday or as a Principal in the sale of single-element bookings (such as accommodation or flight-only bookings); our differing obligations are set out below, in four separate sections:

  • - Section A contains the conditions which will apply to all bookings made with us.
  • - Section B contains the conditions which apply to hotel bookings made through the ASMALLWORLD Collection, where we act as the agent.
  • - Section C contains the conditions which apply to bookings made through ASMALLWORLD Private, where we act as the Package Organizer.

The remaining sections focus on important information that could be useful for travellers, and it is advised that travellers review such content to ensure a seamless and comfortable trip.

Table of Contents

1. SECTION A - APPLICABLE TO ALL BOOKINGS

1.1. Booking and Paying for Your Arrangements

The ASMALLWORLD Collection and ASMALLWORLD Private websites and phone services allow you to review the available accommodations and products/services offered by us and our partners, as reported to us, and then make reservation requests through our online or phone booking system. Some travel and accommodation arrangements are only available on a request basis - where this is the case, you will be advised at the time you make your inquiry, and details of the arrangements on request will be shown on any documentation we issue. Any arrangements that we propose to you are on request are not confirmed or guaranteed and are subject to change until we receive confirmation from our supplier.

A booking is made with us when either one of the following three events occurs:

  • a) You tell us that you would like to accept our written or verbal quotation;
  • b) You pay us either a deposit or the full amount of your chosen arrangements; we will advise you at the time of booking as to whether full payment or a deposit is required (if you pay a deposit at the time of booking, full payment is required 10 weeks prior to departure, or 12 weeks prior if you are booking a villa); and/or
  • c) We issue you with a booking confirmation.

We reserve the right to return your deposit and decline to issue a confirmation at our absolute discretion.

A binding contract will come into existence between the client and ASMALLWORLD as soon as we have received your booking request and/or deposit and issued you with a booking confirmation.

The balance of the cost of your arrangements (including any applicable surcharge) is due not less than 70 days prior to scheduled departure or 95 days prior to your departure if you booked a cruise. If we do not receive this balance in full and on time, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you, in which case the cancellation charges set out in the relevant section of these Booking Terms and Conditions will become payable.

Please Note: We accept payment via Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. All credit and debit card payments are processed by Stripe, and a 2.5% credit card administration fee will apply.

1.2. Accuracy

We endeavour to ensure that all the information and prices both on our website and in any advertising material that we issue are accurate; however, occasionally changes and errors occur, and we reserve the right to correct prices and other details in such circumstances. You must check the current price and all other details relating to the arrangements that you wish to book before your booking is confirmed.

1.3. Insurance 

Adequate travel insurance is a condition of your contract with us. You must be satisfied that your insurance fully covers all your personal requirements, including cancellation charges, medical repatriation in the event of an accident or illness. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.

1.4. Special Requests

If you have a special request for anything that is not automatically part of the travel arrangements you book through us, please advise us when you book, and we will pass this information on to the suppliers we work with. Our note of your request on your invoice/receipt confirms we have received it; however, it does not guarantee that we or the relevant supplier can meet your request. We must emphasize that verbal confirmations of special requests cannot be taken as a guarantee that they will be met, e.g., special meal types on flights.

1.5. Cutting Your Holiday Short

If you are forced to return home early, we cannot refund the cost of any services you have not used. If you cut short your holiday and return home early in circumstances where you have no reasonable cause for complaint about the standard of accommodation and services provided, we will not offer you any refund for that part of your holiday not completed nor will be liable for any associated costs you may incur. Depending on the circumstances, your travel insurance may offer cover for curtailment, and we suggest that any claim is made directly with them.

1.6. Fitness to Travel and Medical Conditions

We are not a specialist disabled holiday company, but we will do our utmost to cater for any special requirements you may have. If you or any member of your party has any medical problem or disability that may affect your stay, please provide us with full details before we confirm your booking so that we can try to advise you as to the suitability of your chosen arrangements.

We may require you to produce a doctor's certificate certifying that you are fit to participate in a tour (ASMALLWORLD Private). Acting reasonably, if we are unable to properly accommodate the needs of the person(s) concerned, we will not confirm your booking, or if you did not give us full details at the time of booking, we will cancel it and impose applicable cancellation charges when we become aware of these details.

1.7. Behaviour

All guests staying at our locations are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and acceptable manner and not to disrupt the enjoyment of other guests. If, in our opinion or in the opinion of any hotel manager or any other person in authority, your behaviour or that of any member of your party is causing or is likely to cause distress, danger, or annoyance to any of our other guests or any third party or damage to property, or to cause a delay or diversion to transportation, we reserve the right to terminate your booking arrangements with us immediately. In the event of such termination, our liability to you and/or your party will cease, and you and/or your party will be required to leave your accommodation or other service immediately. We will have no further obligations to you and/or your party. No refunds for lost accommodation or any other service will be made, and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of termination.

You and/or your party may also be required to pay for loss and/or damage caused by your actions, and we will hold you and each member of your party jointly and individually liable for any damage or losses caused by you or any member of your party. Full payment for any such damage or losses must be paid directly to the hotel manager or other supplier prior to departure from the hotel. If you fail to make payment, you will be responsible for meeting any claims (including legal costs) subsequently made against us as a result of your actions together with all costs we incur in pursuing any claim against you. We cannot be held responsible for the actions or behaviour of other guests or individuals who have no connection with your booking arrangements or with us.

1.8. Excursions

Excursions or other tours that you may choose to book or pay for prior to travel or whilst you are on holiday are not part of your contracted arrangements with us. For any excursion or other tour that you book, your contract will be with the operator of the excursion or tour and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of the excursion or tour or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by the operator.

1.9. Passport, Visa and Immigration Requirements and Health Formalities

Please be aware, although we can provide general information, you will need to personally check and fulfil the passport and visa requirements applicable to your itinerary. You must check requirements for your specific circumstances with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates at the earliest point possible, as visas can take a considerable amount of time to process. Requirements do change, and you must check the up-to-date position in good time before departure.

It is important that you ensure your passport has a minimum of 6 months' validity after your return date. If your passport is in its final year, you should check with the Embassy of the country you are visiting. Please note most countries now require 2-3 facing blank pages at the end of your passport. For travel within the EU, our advice remains the same; please visit your country’s passport authority website for information on passport validity. Special conditions apply for travel to the USA, and all passengers must have the appropriate visa and individual machine-readable passports. Please note you are strongly advised against scuba diving for 24-hours before traveling by air.

Clients traveling to worldwide destinations are recommended to seek advice from the sources mentioned above and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio, Typhoid, and COVID-19. Many COVID-19 travel protections and inoculation requirements are still in place. To ensure you meet these requirements, we recommend that you inform yourself by visiting your destination's government website regarding travel requirements or by visiting.

The EHIC can be obtained free of charge by completing an application form available from main Post Offices and from https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559 (by searching for your national health insurance provider). Please note, the EHIC is in addition to Travel Insurance, not instead of it. We would also like to draw your attention to DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and ask that for further details you consult with your doctor before traveling.

1.10. Complaints 

We make every effort to ensure that your holiday arrangements run smoothly but if you do have a problem during your holiday, please inform the relevant supplier (e.g. your hotelier) immediately who will endeavour to put things right. If this does not solve the problem, please email us at support@asw.com. If the problem cannot be resolved and you wish to complain further, you must send formal written notice of your complaint to us at our office within 28 days of the end of your stay, giving your booking reference and all other relevant information.

The address to send correspondence to is: Client Support Services, ASW Travel AG, Seidengasse 20, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland. Please keep your letter concise and to the point. This will assist us in quickly identifying your concerns and will speed up our response to you. Failure to follow the procedure set out in this clause may affect ours and the applicable supplier's ability to investigate your complaint and will affect your rights under this contract.

1.11. Swiss Travel Security

We are a member of Swiss Travel Security (STS), registered as “ASW Travel AG”. Our membership provides assurances to our customers, including protection against insolvency and damage regarding ourselves and our service providers. It also signals that ASW Travel AG is a serious and reliable contractual partner. If we can't resolve your complaint, go to www.swisstravelsecurity.ch/en to use STS’ simple procedure. Further information and STS’ assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.swisstravelsecurity.ch/en, or on our STS page www.swisstravelsecurity.ch/en/find-sts-member/710.

1.12. Delays, Missed Transport Arrangements and other Travel Information 

If you or any member of your party miss your flight or other transport arrangement, it is cancelled, or you are subject to a delay of over 3 hours for any reason, you must contact us, and the airline or other transport supplier concerned immediately.

Under EU Law, you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from the airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation, or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicized at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. More information can be found here: https://commission.europa.eu/live-work-travel-eu/consumer-rights-and-complaints/enforcement-consumer-protection/coordinated-actions/air-travel_en. Reimbursement in such cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday price from us. If, for any reason, you do not claim against the airline and make a claim for compensation from us, you must, at the time of payment of any compensation to you, make a complete assignment to us of the rights you have against the airline in relation to the claim that gives rise to that compensation payment. A delay or cancellation to your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any other arrangements even where those arrangements have been made in conjunction with your fligh

We cannot accept liability for any delay that is due to any of the reasons set out in these booking conditions (which includes the behaviour of any passenger(s) on any flight who, for example, fails to check in or board on time).

The carrier(s), flight timings, and types of aircraft shown in this brochure or on our website and detailed on your confirmation invoice are for guidance only and are subject to alteration and confirmation. We shall inform you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of it. The latest flight timings will be shown on your tickets which will be dispatched to you approximately two weeks before departure. You should check your tickets very carefully immediately on receipt to ensure you have the correct flight times. If flight times change after tickets have been dispatched, we will contact you as soon as we can to let you know.

Please note the existence of a "Community list" (available for inspection at https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/safety/air-ban/search_en) detailing air carriers that are subject to an operating ban with the EU Community.

Our website and advertising material are our responsibility. It is not issued on behalf of and does not commit the airlines mentioned herein or any airline whose services are used in the course of your travel arrangements.

1.13. Advance Passenger Information

Governments may require Advance Passenger Information for travel into or out of a country. For instance, the UK government requires Advance Passenger Information from all passengers traveling internationally into and out of the UK. Advance Passenger Information means your passport/identity card details and in some instances, your contact information is provided to the authorities before you travel. The airlines will only provide each country's customs and Immigration Authorities with the required relevant information. Some governments also require airlines to provide them with direct access to airline passenger bookings which may contain other passenger data.

It is important that the information provided is accurate, so you pass through Immigration on arrival without delay. You must provide this information when you check in, and we strongly recommend that you do so in advance of going to the airport. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry to a country. Neither we nor the airline will accept liability if this happens.

1.14. Force Majeure

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we will not be liable or pay you compensation if our contractual obligations to you are affected by “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances,” meaning any event beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.

Examples include warfare and acts of terrorism (and threat thereof), civil strife, significant risks to human health such as the outbreak of a serious disease at the travel destination or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, or weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely to the travel destination or remain at the travel destination, the act of any government or other national or local authority including port or river authorities, industrial dispute, lock closure, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, chemical or biological disaster, and all similar events outside our or the supplier(s) concerned control.

1.15. Baggage

There are occasions when your baggage may be delayed. A charge will be made if your hold baggage exceeds the allowance stated on your ticket. Baggage allowances vary from 8kg to 50kg according to the airline, so always check before you travel. Individual items of luggage must not exceed 30kg for lifting purposes.

Remember to pack any medication, valuable items, and photographic film in your hand luggage and not in your suitcase. Items such as knives, scissors, tweezers, and laser pointers must not be carried in your hand luggage, so remember to pack them in your suitcase. Any such items or sharp objects will be confiscated if packed in your hand luggage. For full details of items permitted on board, please check with the airline you are flying with.

1.16. Pets

If you plan to travel with a pet, we advise that you confirm directly with the accommodation if they do, in fact, accept pets. We are not liable for the pet policy of any specific Property. The Property's specific pet policy may necessitate a damage/cleaning deposit during check-in, which may be non-refundable.

1.17. Data Protection

By making a booking with us, you agree that we may use and disclose the information you provide for the following purposes: to enable us to process your booking (which will include passing your information to third party suppliers, such as hoteliers and airlines, and may involve sending your information to countries that do not have an equal level of privacy legislation to that of the EU/EFTA); for improving customer service; for the detection and prevention of fraud or other crime (which may include providing your information to organisations such as banks and credit card companies); for compliance with legal requirements (which will include passing your information to public authorities such as customs and immigration) and for marketing contact by means of post or telephone to provide you with offers, products, and services. Telephone calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes and for preventing/detecting crime. If you have specified that we contact you via e-mail, we will communicate with you using the e-mail address you have provided to supply you with your travel documentation.

We are entitled to assume that the e-mail address you have provided is correct and that you understand and accept the risks associated with using this form of communication. Please note that you may still need to contact us by post or via one of our employees as required by our booking conditions. If you wish to access a copy of any personal data that we hold of you, please write to: ASW Travel AG, Seidengasse 20, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland. If you wish to opt out of receiving marketing communications from us, please advise one of our employees or make the appropriate opt-out choices on our website.

1.18. Intellectual Property Rights

Copying, downloading, or emulating any material found on the ASMALLWORLD Collection and/or ASMALLWORLD Private websites is strictly permitted for private use, and is otherwise restricted without the express written consent of ASMALLWORLD.

1.19. Conditions of Suppliers

Many of the services which make up your holiday are provided by independent suppliers. Those suppliers provide these services in accordance with their own terms and conditions which will form part of your contract with us. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier's liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable International Conventions. Copies of the relevant parts of these terms and conditions are available on request from us or the supplier concerned.

1.20. Law and Jurisdiction

These terms and conditions are governed by Swiss law and any dispute arising between the parties is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Switzerland.

1.21. DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ARBITRATION

  • a) Informal Resolution: In the event of any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to your use of our services or these Terms and Conditions ("Dispute"), you agree to first attempt to resolve the Dispute informally by contacting our customer support team at support@asw.com. We will make good faith efforts to resolve the Dispute informally.
  • b) Mediation: If the Dispute cannot be resolved informally within a reasonable time, you and ASMALLWORLD agree to attempt mediation before pursuing arbitration. Mediation shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of The Swiss Chamber of Commercial Mediation (SCCM). The mediator's decision shall be binding on both parties.
  • c) Binding Arbitration: If mediation is unsuccessful or either party chooses not to engage in mediation, any Dispute shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration of the Swiss Chambers' Arbitration Institution in force on the date of commencement of the arbitration. The arbitration shall be conducted in Zurich, Switzerland.
  • d) Arbitrator's Authority: The arbitrator appointed in accordance with the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration shall have the authority to award monetary damages and to grant any non-monetary remedy or relief available under Swiss law.
  • e) Language of Arbitration: The arbitration shall be conducted in English, and all documents, testimony, and proceedings shall be in English. The costs of translation, if necessary, shall be borne by the party requesting translation.
  • f) Waiver of Class Action: You and ASMALLWORLD Collection agree that any Dispute resolved through arbitration shall be conducted on an individual basis and not as a class, consolidated, or representative action. This means that you and ASMALLWORLD waive the right to participate in a class action, class arbitration, or any other proceeding where someone acts on behalf of others.
  • g) Governing Law: This arbitration section is governed by Swiss law, excluding its conflicts of laws principles.
  • h) Opt-Out: You have the right to opt-out of this arbitration provision within thirty (30) days of your first use of our services. To exercise the right to opt-out, you must send written notice to Seidengasse 20, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland with the subject line: "ARBITRATION OPT-OUT." The notice must include your full name, address, and a clear statement indicating your intent to opt-out of binding arbitration.
  • i) Survival: This dispute resolution and arbitration section shall survive the termination of these Terms and Conditions.

1.22. Contact Details

ASMALLWORLD Travel AG, Seidengasse 20, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

For any queries that may arise from the Booking Terms and Conditions, please contact: support@asw.com.

2. SECTION B: ASMALLWORLD COLLECTION

When you book a hotel room through the ASMALLWORLD Collection with an affiliate hotel, you will be bound by the following Reservation Terms and Conditions, as well as the aforementioned Terms and Conditions stated for all booking types. By making a reservation, whether through telephone or online, you are acknowledging that you have read, comprehended, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.

Should you choose to book your reservation through a different travel agent or third-party, please note that you are entering into a distinct legal arrangement with that entity. We bear no responsibility/liability for any actions or inactions by said party.

Our member hotels and resorts are all distinct and exceptional in their own ways, which means their rates, packages, special promotions, and policies may differ. To ensure accuracy, we kindly request that our guests confirm these particulars when making a reservation at one of our member hotels and resorts.

Please read this section in conjunction with Section A of these Booking Conditions.

2.1. Scope of Service

We employ this Site as an online platform where Properties can advertise their temporary accommodations for reservation, and where you can make bookings. A direct, legally binding relationship is created with whichever property is reserved through this Site. After you complete the reservation process, we serve only as an intermediary between yourself and the Property, conveying the reservation particulars to the applicable Property and transmitting a confirmation email to the User on the Property's behalf.

2.2. Pricing

Your payment will be made directly with the Property. Price increases may occur at any time prior to departure. You will be liable to pay any such increases in full. If, before you book, we know of circumstances that may cause an increase in the price of your booking after you have paid, we will endeavour to provide details to you.

ASMALLWORLD is committed to ensuring the accuracy of prices listed for our partner hotels. While we make every effort to provide reliable pricing information on the ASMALLWORLD Collection website, there may be rare instances where the displayed prices do not accurately reflect the final costs. In such cases, if there is a discrepancy between the quoted price by ASMALLWORLD and the actual charges assessed by the hotel for accommodation, ASMALLWORLD cannot be held liable for the pricing disparity.

This policy also extends to booking errors, where the room category booked by the customer does not align with the room assigned by the hotel for the duration of the stay. If you observe a rate listed on the ASMALLWORLD Collection that you are uncertain of its accuracy, please contact support@asw.com.

The rates displayed for ASMALLWORLD Collection hotel rooms, products, and services on the ASMALLWORLD Collection website are contingent upon availability.

2.3. Exchange Rate

At the time of booking, reservations will be billed in the hotel's local currency. The price displayed is calculated based on the present-day exchange rate, and any currency conversion is purely for guidance. Your card issuer may levy a foreign currency transaction fee. Any initial payments or deposits will be deducted from the final invoice in the hotel's local currency.

In the event of a refund for a deposit or prepayment, the reimbursement amount will be influenced by the exchange rate administered by your payment card provider at the time of the refund and may not match the exchange rate applied when the initial deposit or prepayment was made.

2.4. Reservation Validity

We, as well as their partner hotels, maintain official records of reservation transactions, encompassing dates of stay, room details, and rates for products and services. Confirmations of these details are given to you for the sole purpose of convenience. In the case that discrepancies exist between the reservation official records and confirmations, our (along with their hotel partners) records have priority. Tampering of confirmation details is prohibited and is subject to legal consequences if undertaken.

2.5. Changes Made by You

If you wish to change any part of your booking arrangements after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you must inform us in writing as soon as possible. This should be done by the first named person on the booking. Whilst we will do our best to assist, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your requested change. Where we can meet a request, all changes will be subject to payment of an administration fee as well as any applicable rate changes or extra costs incurred as well as any costs incurred by ourselves, and any costs or charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers.

You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made, so it is important to contact us as soon as possible. Where we are unable to assist you and you do not wish to proceed with the original booking, we will treat this as a cancellation by you.

Reimbursement is dependent on the initial booking conditions stated in the room rates.

Please note: Certain arrangements may not be amended, even to change a name, after they have been confirmed and any alteration could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

2.6. If You Cancel Your Booking

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel your confirmed booking, your reimbursement entitlement varies according to the booking terms upon which you agreed to from your initial purchase. These can be found under the “see full conditions” button on the room rate.

Changes: If we make an insignificant change to your holiday, we will make reasonable efforts to inform you or your travel agent as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before your departure but we will have no liability to you.

Please note: Certain arrangements, once confirmed, may incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements when cancelled

2.7. If We Change or Cancel Your Booking 

We may, in exceptional circumstances, be required to cancel your booking in which case a full refund of all money paid will be made to you. We regret to inform that we cannot meet any further expenses or losses that you may incur as a result of change or cancellation.

Very rarely, we may be forced by "force majeure" to change or terminate all or some of your arrangements after departure. If this situation does occur, we regret to inform we will be unable to make any refunds, pay you compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result.

2.8. Our Responsibilities

1. Subject to the remainder of this clause, we have a duty to select the suppliers of the services making up your booking with us with reasonable skill and care. We have no liability to you for the actual provision of the services, except in cases where it is proved that we have breached that duty and damage to you has been caused. Therefore, providing we have selected the suppliers/subcontractors with reasonable skill and care, we will have no liability to you for anything that happens during the service in question or any acts or omissions of the supplier, its employees, or agents.

2. We will not be responsible or pay you compensation for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, expense, cost, or other claim of any description if it results from:

  • a) The act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected; or
  • b) The act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party unconnected with the provision of the services contracted for and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable; or
  • c) Unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond ours or our supplier(s) control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised; or
  • d) An event which either ourselves or suppliers could not, even with all due care, have foreseen or forestalled.

3. We limit the amount of compensation we may have to pay you if we are found liable under this clause:

  • a) Loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal possessions and money.
  • b) Claims not falling under (a) above and which don't involve injury, illness, or death.

4. It is a condition of our acceptance of liability under this clause that you notify any claim to ourselves and our supplier(s) strictly in accordance with the complaint’s procedure set out in these conditions.

5. Where any payment is made, the person(s) receiving it (and their parent or guardian if under 18 years) must also assign to ourselves or our insurers any rights they may have to pursue any third party and must provide ourselves and our insurers with all assistance we may reasonably require.

6. Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss or expense or other sum(s) of any description: (a) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you; or (b) relate to any business.

7. We will not accept responsibility for services or facilities which do not form part of our agreement or where they are not advertised in our brochure. For example, any excursion you book whilst away, or any service or facility which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you.

2.9. Our Holidays

Our hotels cater for the most discerning of travellers and the hotels/resorts/spas/villas we have selected rank amongst the finest in the world. Each one offers the highest standards of accommodation, cuisine, and service available. However, they are all very individual and do cater for - and satisfy - different requirements. In the case of our hotels/resorts/spas/villas, standards differ from country to country, and not all properties are necessarily highly sophisticated - some have been selected for the natural beauty of their location rather than their amenities, and the properties will reflect this. In general, the properties we feature are well-equipped with most of the basic equipment and 'home comforts' you'd expect. Most are privately-owned, and as such, it should be noted that these usually reflect the owner's personal tastes. In addition, guests are asked to respect any personal possessions left by the owner for their enjoyment during their stay. Please also note that while many of our properties are located in quiet grounds or in countryside areas, each location experiences different types of noise and at different times of the day - anything from agricultural sounds to traffic and roadwork's. As everyone has their own idea of what constitutes 'noise', we will assist in advising you, should you have any concerns, however, we cannot be held responsible for noise or disturbance originating from in or beyond the boundaries of the property.

Whilst we appreciate the importance of value for money, we also understand there is a healthy demand for the best - whether this is the choice of accommodation or the flight. This is why we only work with hotels and villas offering the highest standards. These enhancements, even if they do cost a little extra, all contribute to the kind of individual first-class holiday we know our guests expect. For those traveling with children, some hotels do not accept youngsters at certain times of the year. Other hotels, meanwhile, welcome children and have some especially attractive offers. Whilst we attempt to give as much advice as possible through our website, if you are still finding it difficult to make your choice, please do not hesitate to contact our team for further guidance. We do know (to the best of our ability) the strengths and weaknesses of the individual hotels/villas, and it would be our pleasure to help you decide between them.

2.10. Limitations

The Reservations Facility provided by us, and our affiliated hotels, cannot be held responsible for any communication issues. These issues may include failures, malfunctions, or difficulties in transmissions, as well as any misdirected, lost, or stolen transmissions. Additionally, we cannot be held responsible for the security of such communications, as permitted by applicable laws. Moreover, the aforementioned parties cannot be held responsible for any incorrect entry information, regardless of whether it is the result of the user, the programming, or the equipment associated with the Reservations Facility. Accordingly, as permitted by applicable laws, we (and our affiliated hotels) cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from the previously mentioned issues.

We (and our affiliated hotels) reserve the right to modify or cancel reservations upon detection of inappropriate or fraudulent transactions, or if the reservations contain or resulted from an error.

3. SECTION C - ASMALLWORLD PRIVATE

This section generally applies to Package Holidays booked with us as Organiser, with limited coverage in the case of ASMALLWORLD Private acting as Principle in the sale of single-element bookings (e.g., jet bookings).

When you book a travel package or single element product from ASMALLWORLD Private, you will be bound by the following Booking Terms and Conditions, as well as the aforementioned Terms and Conditions stated for all booking types. By making a booking, whether through telephone or online, you are acknowledging that you have read, comprehended, and agreed to these Booking Terms and Conditions.

Should you choose to book your reservation through a third-party, please note that you are entering into a distinct legal arrangement with that entity. We bear no responsibility/liability for any actions or inactions by said party.

Please read this section in conjunction with Section A of these Booking Conditions.

3.1. Scope of Service

We employ this Site as an online platform where we provide basic information and contact information for personalised travel curation services. A direct, legally binding relationship with ASMALLWORLD Private is created upon acceptance of service for travel package curation.

Our service is only offered for travel arrangements with a combined value of EUR 5,000 or higher.

3.2. Package Bookings 

A “Package Holiday” exists if you book a combination of two of the following travel services:

  • a) Transport
  • b) Accommodation
  • c) Rental of cars, motor vehicles or motorcycles (in certain circumstances)
  • d) Any other tourist service not intrinsically part of one of the above travel services

This applies on the condition that you purchase these travel services through ASMALLWORLD Private and make your selection prior to payment for your chosen services.

If you have reserved a Package Holiday with us, where we serve as the Package Organiser, we shall assume responsibility for it in compliance with these Booking Conditions, operating as an "Organiser" in accordance with the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

3.3. Non-Package Bookings

A non-package booking exists if you book one of the following travel services:

  • a) Transport
  • b) Accommodation
  • c) Rental of cars, motor vehicles or motorcycles (in certain circumstances)
  • d) Any other tourist service not intrinsically part of one of the above travel services

If you decide to book additional travel services through us after paying for one travel service, you will NOT be entitled to the rights that apply to packages under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

3.4. Pricing

The local price of your travel arrangements has been calculated using exchange rates quoted by WISE Financial Services and subsequently provided to you in the form of a quotation for your proposed travel arrangements.

We reserve the right to amend the price of unsold holidays at any time and correct errors in the prices of confirmed holidays.

I. Price Guaranteed - if you pay in full when you book.

Ask ASMALLWORLD Travel for a confirmation of the current price at the time you make your booking. When full payment of the price is received by ASMALLWORLD Travel within three (3) business days of the date shown on our Confirmation Invoice, we will guarantee your holiday price will not change.

II. Payment of Deposit Only - at the time of booking.

We also maintain the right to increase the price of confirmed arrangements, where full payment is not received by ASMALLWORLD Travel within seven days of the date shown on our Confirmation Invoice, solely to allow for increases which are a direct consequence of changes in:

  • a) the price of the carriage of passengers, resulting from the cost of fuel or other power sources; or
  • b) the level of taxes or fees applicable to the holiday imposed by third parties not directly involved in the performance of the holiday, including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports; and
  • c) the exchange rates relevant to the package.

You will be charged for the amount of any increase in accordance with this clause. However, if this means that you have to pay an increase of more than 10% of the price of your confirmed holiday (excluding any insurance premiums, amendment charges and/or additional services or travel arrangements), you will have the option of accepting a change to another holiday if we are able to offer one (if this is of equivalent or higher quality you will not have to pay more but if it is of lower quality you will be refunded the difference in price), or cancelling and receiving a full refund of all monies paid to us, except for any insurance premiums and any amendment charges and/or additional services or travel arrangements. Should you decide to cancel for this reason, you must exercise your right to do so within 7 days from the issue date printed on your final invoice. We will consider an appropriate refund of insurance premiums paid if you could show that you are unable to transfer or reuse your policy.

Should the price of your holiday go down due to the changes mentioned above, then any refund due will be paid to you, less an administration fee per person per change. However, please note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your travel due to contractual and other protection in place.

There will be no change made to the price of your confirmed holiday within 20 days of your departure nor will refunds be paid during this period.

3.5. Changes by You to Your Package Holiday & Transfers of Your Package Holiday

If you wish to change any part of your booked arrangements after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you must inform us in writing as soon as possible. Whilst we will do our best to assist, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your requested change. Where we can meet a request, all changes will be subject to payment of an administration fee as well as any applicable rate changes or extra costs incurred as well as any costs incurred by ourselves, and any costs or charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers.

You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made, and you should contact us as soon as possible. Where we are unable to assist you and you do not wish to proceed with the original booking, we will treat this as a cancellation by you. A cancellation fee may be payable. If you are prevented from travelling it may be possible to transfer your booking to another suitable person provided that written notice is given. An administration fee will be charged, details available upon request.

Transfer of Booking:

If you or any member of your party is prevented from travelling, that person(s) may transfer their place to someone else, subject to the following conditions:

  • a) That person is introduced by you and satisfies all the conditions applicable to the holiday.
  • b) We are notified not less than 7 days before departure.
  • c) You pay any outstanding balance payment, an amendment fee, as well as any additional fees, charges or other costs arising from the transfer.
  • d) The transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us.
  • e) The travel suppliers on your booking agree to the transfer which is effectively a name change.
  • f) If your booking includes air travel, then the airline/s must agree to the name change.

You and the transferee remain jointly and severally liable for payment of all sums. If you are unable to find a replacement, cancellation charges will apply in order to cover our estimated costs. Otherwise, no refunds will be given for passengers not travelling or for unused services.

Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed and any alteration could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

3.6. If You Cancel Your Package Holiday Before Departure

If you decide to cancel your confirmed booking, you must notify us in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by us at our offices and will be effective from the date on which we receive it. We recommend that you use recorded delivery.

Since we incur costs in cancelling your arrangements, you will have to pay the applicable cancellation charges up to the maximum shown below. The cancellation charge detailed is calculated on the basis of the total cost payable by the person(s) cancelling excluding insurance premiums and amendment charges which are not refundable in the event of the person(s) to whom they apply cancelling:

Cancellation Notice Period Before Departure Amount of Cancellation Charge
More than 90 days Loss of deposit
90-60 days 50% of total holiday cost (or loss of deposit if greater) + any supplier-imposed charges
60-22 days 75% of total holiday cost + any supplier-imposed charges
21-0 days 100% of total holiday cost

If you booked a cruise holiday and you cancel within 90 days prior to the departure of your cruise, there will be a 100% cancellation charge.

If you booked a holiday that utilises air travel, then you will be subject to the airline’s cancellation conditions based on the fare rules that govern your ticket.

The cancellation charges above have been calculated as a genuine pre-estimate of the losses we would incur in the event you cancelled your holiday within the stipulated time period, taking into account the charges we will incur from our suppliers (some of which will be up to 100%) and the expected cost savings and income from alternative deployment of the travel services (if possible) calculated as an average charge over a period of time. We will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

Please Note: If any member of your group cancels and you cannot fill that person's place, you may have to pay additional supplements for your accommodation. For example, you may have to pay single or under-occupancy supplements. If you do cancel, you must still pay any insurance premiums and amendment charges, which arose before the cancellation and any deposits paid for any pre-booked items or services.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

3.7. Cancellation by You due to Unavoidable & Extraordinary Circumstances

You have the right to cancel your confirmed holiday before departure without paying a cancellation charge in the event of “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances” occurring at your holiday destination or its immediate vicinity and significantly affecting the performance of the holiday or the transport arrangements to the destination. In these circumstances, we shall provide you with a full refund of the monies you have paid but we will not be liable to pay you any additional compensation.

Please note that your right to cancel in these circumstances will only apply where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel to your destination or its immediate vicinity.

3.8. If We Change or Cancel Your Package Holiday

As we plan your arrangements many months in advance, we may occasionally have to make changes or cancel your booking and we reserve the right to do so at any time.

Changes: If we make an insignificant change to your holiday, we will make reasonable efforts to inform you or your travel agent as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before your departure, but we will have no liability to you. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your outward/return flights by less than 12 hours, changes to aircraft type, change of accommodation to another of the same or higher standard, changes of carriers. Please note that carriers such as airlines used in the brochure may be subject to change.

Occasionally we may have to make a significant change to your confirmed arrangements. Examples of “significant changes” include the following, when made before departure:

  • a) A change of accommodation area for the whole or a significant part of your time away.
  • b) A change of accommodation to that of a lower standard or classification for the whole or a significant part of your time away.
  • c) A change of outward departure time or overall length of your arrangements of twelve or more hours.
  • d) A change of departure airport, as long as that change is the change is not an intra-city change.
  • e) A significant change to your itinerary, missing out on one or more destination entirely.

Cancellation: We will not cancel your travel arrangements less than 70 days before your departure date, except for reasons of force majeure or failure by you to pay the final balance. We may cancel your booking before this date if, e.g., the minimum number of clients required for a particular travel arrangement is not reached.

If we have to make a major change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible and if there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of:

  • a) (for significant changes) accepting the changed arrangements; or
  • b) having a refund of all monies paid; or
  • c) accepting an offer of alternative travel arrangements of comparable or higher standard from us, if available (at no extra cost); or
  • d) if available, accepting an offer of alternative arrangements of a lower standard, with a refund of the price difference between the original arrangements and the alternative arrangements.

You must notify us of your choice within 7 days of our offer. If we do not hear from you within 7 days, we will contact you again to request notification of your choice. If you fail to respond again, we will assume that you have chosen to accept the change or alternative booking arrangements.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We will not pay you compensation in the following circumstances:

  • a) where we make an insignificant change;
  • b) where we make a significant change or cancel your arrangements more than 70 days before departure;
  • c) where we make a significant change and you accept those changed arrangements or you accept an offer of alternative travel arrangements;
  • d) where we have to cancel your arrangements as a result of your failure to make full payment on time;
  • e) where the change or cancellation by us arises out of alterations to the confirmed booking requested by you;
  • f) where we are forced to cancel or change your arrangements due to Force Majeure (see clause 15).

In the event of a change or cancellation, we regrettably cannot reimburse you for any incidental expenses incurred by you such as visas, vaccinations, equipment, transport, insurance or similar costs.

If we become unable to provide a significant proportion of the services that you have booked with us after you have departed, we will, if possible, make alternative arrangements for you at no extra charge and, where those alternative arrangements are of a lower standard, provide you with an appropriate price reduction.

3.9. Our Responsibilities in Respect of Package Holidays

1. We will accept responsibility for the arrangements we agree to provide or arrange for you as an “organiser” under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 as set out below and as such, we are responsible for the proper provision of all travel services included in your package, as set out in your confirmation invoice. Subject to these booking conditions, if we or our suppliers negligently perform or arrange those services and we don’t remedy or resolve your complaint within a reasonable period of time, we will pay you reasonable compensation. The level of such compensation will be calculated taking into consideration all relevant factors such as but not limited to: following the complaints procedure as described in these conditions and the extent to which ours or our employees’ or suppliers’ negligence affected the overall enjoyment of your holiday. Please note that it is your responsibility to show that we or our supplier(s) have been negligent if you wish to make a claim against us.

2. We will not be responsible or pay you compensation for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, expense, cost or other claim of any description if it results from:

  • a. the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected;
  • b. the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party unconnected with the provision of the services contracted for and which were unavoidable and extraordinary; or
  • c. Force Majeure (as defined in clause 14 applicable to all bookings).

3. We limit the amount of compensation we may have to pay you if we are found liable under this clause:

  • a. loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal possessions and money,
    • i. The maximum amount we will have to pay you in respect of these claims is an amount equivalent to the excess on your insurance policy which applies to this type of loss per person in total because you are required to have adequate insurance in place to cover any losses of this kind.
  • b. Claims not falling under (a) above and which don't involve injury, illness or death
    • i. The maximum amount we will have to pay you in respect of these claims is up to three times the price paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in total. This maximum amount will only be payable where everything has gone wrong and you or your party has not received any benefit at all from your booking.
  • c. Claims in respect of international travel by air, sea and rail, or any stay in a hotel
    • i. The extent of our liability will in all cases be limited as if we were carriers under the appropriate Conventions, which include The Warsaw/Montreal Convention (international travel by air); The Athens Convention (with respect to sea travel); The Berne/Cotif Convention (with respect to rail travel) and The Paris Convention (with respect to hotel arrangements). You can ask for copies of these Conventions from our offices. Please contact us. In addition, you agree that the operating carrier or transport company's own 'Conditions of Carriage' will apply to you on that journey. When arranging transportation for you, we rely on the terms and conditions contained within these international conventions and those 'Conditions of Carriage'. You acknowledge that all of the terms and conditions contained in those 'Conditions of Carriage' form part of your contract with us, as well as with the transport company and that those 'Conditions of Carriage' shall be deemed to be included by reference into this contract.
    • ii. In any circumstances in which a carrier is liable to you by virtue of the Denied Boarding Regulation 2004, any liability we may have to you under our contract with you, arising out of the same facts, is limited to the remedies provided under the Regulation as if (for this purpose only) we were a carrier.
    • iii. When making any payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you have received or are entitled to receive from the transport provider or hotelier for the complaint or claim in question.

4. It is a condition of our acceptance of liability under this clause that you notify any claim to ourselves and our supplier(s) strictly in accordance with the complaint’s procedure set out in these conditions.

5. Where any payment is made, the person(s) receiving it (and their parent or guardian if under 18 years) must also assign to ourselves or our insurers any rights they may have to pursue any third party and must provide ourselves and our insurers with all assistance we may reasonably require.

6. Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss or expense or other sum(s) of any description: (a) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you; or (b) relate to any business.

7. We will not accept responsibility for services or facilities which do not form part of our agreement or where they are not advertised in our brochure. For example, any excursion you book whilst away, or any service or facility which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you.

8. Where it is impossible for you to return to your departure point as per the agreed return date of your package, due to “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances”, we shall provide you with any necessary accommodation (where possible, of a comparable standard) for a period not exceeding three nights per person. Please note that the 3-night cap does not apply to persons with reduced mobility, pregnant women or unaccompanied minors, nor to persons needing specific medical assistance, provided we have been notified of these particular needs in advance. For the purposes of this clause, “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances” mean warfare, acts of terrorism, significant risks to human health such as the outbreak of serious disease at the travel destination or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely back to your departure point.

3.10. Prompt Assistance

If, whilst you are on holiday, you find yourself in difficulty for any reason, we will offer you such prompt assistance as is appropriate in the circumstances. In particular, we will provide you with appropriate information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance, and assistance with distance communications and finding alternative travel arrangements. Where you require assistance which is not owing to any failure by us, our employees or sub-contractors, we will not be liable for the costs of any alternative travel arrangements or other such assistance you require. Any supplier, airline or other transport supplier may however pay for or provide refreshments and/or appropriate accommodation and you should make a claim directly to them.

Subject to the other terms of these Booking Conditions, we will not be liable for any costs, fees or charges you incur in the above circumstances, if you fail to obtain our prior authorisation before making your own travel arrangements. Furthermore, we reserve the right to charge you a fee for our assistance in the event that the difficulty is caused intentionally by you or a member of your party, or otherwise through your or your party’s negligence.

3.11. Cruise Packages

The following terms will apply when you book a Cruise with us:

1. Third Party Suppliers & Conditions of Carriage

We sell the Cruise Package to you as principal but third-party Cruise suppliers provide the Cruise, operate the Cruise Ship and act as carrier. The conditions of carriage of the third-party Cruise supplier will also apply when you book a Cruise Package. These are available on request.

2. At the Cruise Terminal - Advance Registration and Check-in

To comply with Government and security requirements, Cruise Ship operators will require you to register your details with them in advance of travel and may also ask you to complete an online check-in process. We will include details of advance registration and online check-in procedures (as applicable to each Cruise operator) on your confirmation invoice or with your tickets where known but it is your responsibility to check the relevant Cruise operator's registration and check in process. Failure to submit the requested information accurately and in full may result in delays at the Cruise terminal and you may be denied boarding onto the Cruise ship. We accept no responsibility for such consequences. Please also carefully note information regarding embarkation times and departure times of your Cruise ship. You are advised to be on-board the ship a minimum of 2 hours before the departure time (in some cases 1 hour before departure time is permitted at ports of call but check with the Cruise operator first). If you do not arrive to embark on time at any port or place, then we shall have no liability in respect of the consequences. In respect of Cruises, the Cruise operators shall not be obliged to delay or deviate from the intended itinerary, and you must bear any and all costs arising as a result. Costs associated with transportation to re-join the Cruise Ship such as, but not limited to, Government fees, visa fees, subsistence, lodging, air fare, launch fare, car hire or agency fees shall be borne by you.

3. Gratuities and Service Charges

The Cruise operators' policies regarding onboard gratuities and/or service charges for the services provided by their staff vary, but you will be required to abide by their gratuity/ service charge policy and must settle your account in full before disembarking the ship at the end of your cruise. Where we are made aware of a Cruise operators' policy on gratuities or service charges, details will be provided either at the time of booking, on our invoices or with the Cruise operators tickets.

3.12. Transfers of Flight Bookings

In the case of a scheduled flight-only booking, transfer to another person will involve cancelling the original booking, thereby incurring any relevant cancellation charges and then making a new booking, which will be subject to availability and any additional price increase. Transfer of any other type of booking is subject to the supplier's own terms and conditions and the applicable amendment or cancellation charges as stated below.

4. BEFORE YOU TRAVEL 

4.1. Weather & Natural Disasters 

Some of the destinations featured in our portfolio may be affected by weather patterns such as tropical storms, monsoons, hurricanes, tornadoes, cyclones, typhoons, flooding and also seismic activity causing earthquakes and tidal waves. It's not possible for us to publish detailed information on weather patterns for each destination as weather advice can frequently change, we recommend you check the latest Travel Advice for your destination at www.fco.gov.uk or equivalent resource from your home country. When a storm or natural disaster occurs, travel and accommodation arrangements may be significantly disrupted. It is extremely difficult to predict with accuracy the actual path, duration or effect severe weather patterns and seismic activity may have and the effects of actual or threatened bad weather and natural disasters are beyond our control.

If a storm or natural disaster is forecast to affect one of our destinations, we work with local and international authorities, our Health and Safety/resort teams and local agents to try to minimise disruption and keep you well informed. It may be that an evacuation of your resort, or a delay or cancellation of your flight to or from the resort may be necessary. In the event of changes to your holiday due to actual or threatened bad weather, we are not able to offer any compensation.

4.2. Travel Advice 

Your respective national government usually provides and regularly updates travel advice for its citizens traveling abroad. For instance, in the United Kingdom, the Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit issues and frequently updates travel advice for UK citizens traveling abroad. This advice encompasses general cautions and specific details intended to assist travellers. When booking your holiday, you can obtain information about the current advice for the country or countries you intend to visit by contacting us or your travel agent. It is also advisable to review this information before your departure by accessing the latest Travel Advice on your national government's website dedicated to travel or a relevant platform.

4.3. COVID-19 Information

Travel during the COVID pandemic may require PCR or similar testing to allow you to enter your destination and return to your point of origin. It is your sole responsibility to ensure you meet all testing requirements for your destination and return to your point of origin as well as any transit points you may have on your journey. ASW Travel AG do not accept any responsibility whatsoever regarding required testing, related costs, cancellation costs and any and all other costs, in any way related to your responsibilities in regard to required COVID regulations or testing. We strongly recommend that you hold appropriate travel insurance.

5. TRAVELLERS WITH REDUCED MOBILITY, MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS OR TRAVELLING WHEN PREGNANT

5.1. Overseas Accommodation and Overseas Transport Arrangements 

The majority of overseas accommodation, overseas transport (including transfers) and other holiday services provided overseas are not equipped to cater for the needs of many disabled holidaymakers. Furthermore, the natural terrain and the layout of some resorts can sometimes make life difficult for wheelchair users. It is important, if you have any disability that the appropriate enquiries are made about the suitability of particular overseas accommodation, resorts, overseas transport and services, and that you are fully satisfied you have made the correct choice before you book and confirm your holiday.

Please note: if special arrangements need to be made for you an extra charge may have to be levied, this may be the case either before you go or when you arrive in resort. We cannot be held responsible if you fail to tell us about special needs/requirements that will affect your holiday experience and this means we will not compensate you. Prior to booking, please speak to one of our employees.

5.2. At the Airport and Onboard Your Flight

Please let us know if you need any assistance at the airport or on-board the flight, such as, if you use a wheelchair, if you are visually impaired or require use of oxygen or if you have a pre-existing medical condition or recent injury, so that we can answer any questions and ensure there are no concerns about your fitness to fly.

5.3. Fitness to Travel

You may need permission from your doctor to fly if you suffer from certain medical conditions, which may mean you also require assistance from the airline. Should you have any concerns about your fitness to fly, please consult with your general practitioner.

Cruise suppliers reserve the right to require you to produce medical evidence of fitness to travel on their Cruises, as medical care while on a cruise ship may be limited and that the ship may travel to destinations where medical care is unavailable.

If you (or a member of your party) have severely impaired sight, physical or mental disability or any other condition which may require special treatment or assistance (including those who use wheelchairs) you must advise us in writing before you make a booking. If you (or any member of your party) use a wheelchair, you must furnish your own standard size wheelchair (collapsible wheelchairs are strongly recommended) and you must be accompanied by a travelling companion fit and able to assist you. Cruise Ships' wheelchairs are for emergency use only.

5.4. Pregnancy 

Regulations vary from airline to airline, but some will refuse to carry women who will be 28 weeks pregnant or more on the date of return travel. If you are in doubt, please check with the airline concerned. We recommend that you also consult your own doctor.

Cruise ships do not have adequate medical facilities for childbirth on-board. Cruise Ships will not carry you if you have entered or passed your 24th - 28th week of pregnancy at any point in your Cruise - the exact timing depends upon the Cruise Ship operator. You must, therefore, check with us at the time of booking.

All pregnant women should produce a doctor's or midwife's letter stating that mother and baby are in good health, fit to travel and that the pregnancy is not high-risk. The letter must also include the estimated date of delivery (EDD) as calculated from both the last menstrual period (LMP) and ultrasound if this has been performed.

5.5. Wheelchair Users

We recommend you contact us at the earliest opportunity as we need information regarding your need for airport or onboard assistance no later than 48-hours before departure, so we can inform the responsible Managing Body at the airport(s) and your airline. If your booking is made later, the airport/airline will make all reasonable efforts to provide the service required but cannot guarantee that this service will be available, as there is a limit on the number of passengers with reduced mobility and the number of wheelchairs the airline is able to assist on the day. If you have your own wheelchair, this will be carried free of charge in addition to your normal baggage allowance.

Since a wheelchair is carried in the hold and collected in the baggage reclaim area, we advise that it is adequately insured against loss or damage since the airline liability is limited. Electronically powered wheelchairs will be accepted for travel, providing that the general conditions for their carriage, as outlined in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, are met. These relate to the batteries used to power wheelchairs. Since the batteries will remain attached to the wheelchair, it is important that the wheelchair can be easily stored in an upright position when collapsed for carriage. Batteries must be disconnected, and the battery terminals insulated to prevent accidental shorting.

5.6. Accompanying Companion for Reduced Mobility Passengers 

A carer must travel with any passenger who does not meet the DFT (Department for Transport) code of practice definition of self-reliance. In establishing whether someone is "self-reliant" the DFT stipulate that the passenger should be independent in the following areas:

  • a. Feeding - the passenger should be capable of feeding themselves. Cabin crew could still expect to assist with opening food containers and describing catering arrangements to blind people.
  • b. Lifting - the passenger should be capable of moving from a passenger seat to an on-board wheelchair.
  • c. Toileting - the passenger should be capable of using the toilet facilities unaided.
  • d. Communicating - the passenger should be able to communicate with cabin crew and understand their advice/instructions.
  • e. Medicating - the passenger should be capable of administering their own medicines and medical procedures.
  • f. Breathing - the passenger should not be reliant on supplementary oxygen, if supplementary oxygen is required, please let us know and we will pass on details of your requirements to the airline.

If you are not self-reliant (capable of taking care of all your physical needs independently in-flight) a carer is required for travel to take care of these needs.

The carer must purchase a ticket at the same time. A carer can travel with a maximum of 2 passengers requiring additional assistance as outlined above. Due to CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) regulations, any persons with reduced mobility or any physical disability or intellectual impairment cannot be allocated seats adjacent to the emergency exits.

5.7. Visually Impaired Passengers & Guide Dogs 

Passengers who are blind or visually impaired should also contact us prior to making a booking. Most airlines are able to carry guide dogs on many routes, but please advise the airline that you will be accompanied by your guide dog, as airlines do usually require 7 days’ notice. Please note: We cannot be responsible for you if you fail to tell the airline about special needs/requirements that will affect your travel arrangements, and this means we will not compensate you.

5.8. Medical Equipment

If you are carrying medical/mobility equipment, you must ensure that you have adequate insurance to cover the items for possible loss or damage.

6. PASSPORTS & VISAS 

6.1. Travelling with Children or Children Travelling without an Adult

Parents traveling with children under the age of 18 or children traveling without both parents should be aware that some countries, including Portugal, Mexico, and South Africa, may require documentary evidence of parental responsibility. This requirement is typically necessary for lone parents to enter the country or, in certain cases, for children to exit the country. To obtain precise information on the specific documentation required at immigration, we recommend checking the official website of the relevant country's government or contacting the embassy or consulate of the destination country you plan to visit. Additionally, it's advisable to consult your home country's foreign office for any travel advisories or guidelines related to your trip, such as the FCO website www.gov.uk/fco for UK residents.

6.2. Important Information for all Passengers Travelling to the Unites States of America and Canada

For the most up to date advice and full details on the passport, visa and documentation required for entry into the USA and Canada please visit www.usembassy.org.uk, https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit, or https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html. Please read all sections carefully to ensure you comply with US and Canadian entry requirements.

7. YOUR FLIGHT 

7.1. Our Flights 

Although our prices are based on economy class air travel, a large percentage of our clients prefer to travel in business or First class. For business and First-class clients, specific seat numbers confirmed at the time of booking are subject to change by the airline for operational reasons and are never guaranteed. Whenever we are informed of a change of seat number by the airline, we shall advise you as soon as possible.

7.2. Flight Reconfirmation

It is your responsibility to ensure that you reconfirm the departure date and times of all your travel at least 72 hours prior to departure. This is particularly important in respect of subsequent journeys after you have left your country of origin.

7.3. Ticketing

Your tickets and any other documents relating to your booking will be sent to the address which you give us at the time of booking or may be delivered by e-mail in the form of an e-ticket if you supplied an e-mail address at the time of booking. Provided you have paid the total cost of the travel arrangements, we will endeavour to dispatch your tickets to you at least two weeks prior to departure. It is important you check all details of your travel documents before leaving.

If there are any inaccuracies or you have any other queries, please contact us immediately. For bookings made within seven days of departure, it is necessary for us to use a courier company which guarantees next day delivery, and any charges will be passed on to you at the time of booking. Please note that the delivery charge is non-refundable.

7.4. Lost/Stolen Flight Tickets 

If you lose your ticket or it is stolen before you leave, certain airlines will not authorise us to issue a replacement. You would then be requested to purchase a new ticket and there may be a delay of up to twelve months before we receive authority from the airline to make any refund to you. If the airline concerned does allow us to issue a replacement ticket, we will require payment of an administration fee from you.

It is most important that you contact us as soon as you realise that your ticket is missing. If your ticket is lost or stolen after you have left, you can apply to us for a refund on your lost ticket, but any refund will be entirely at the discretion of the airline, and it can take up to twelve months before we receive authority from the airline to make any refund.

7.5. At the Airport

The following information is designed to help you complete the check-in process as quickly as possible: You are advised to check-in approximately 3 hours prior to the departure time on your flight tickets, but in all cases, you must have checked-in at least 1 hour prior to departure, failure to do so could result in you being denied travel. Remember no calls will be made for your flight so please make sure that you are at the departure gate no later than 45 minutes before your departure time (60 minutes for some destinations). Passengers that are refused travel will be responsible for arranging alternative transportation at their own expense. If you fail to check-in on time, the transport provider is entitled to refuse to allow you to board the flight.

We cannot accept responsibility if such a situation arises and, whilst we endeavour to assist in making alternative travel arrangements to your resort, any cost or loss incurred as a result will be your responsibility. If you fail to check-in at all for your departure, we retain the right to cancel any other arrangements you have booked with us, and you will be unable to use your return transport. No refund can be made for any unused arrangements. When you arrive at the check-in desk, you will be asked for your ticket, passport and baggage. Once you have checked in, you can move through to the departure lounge where you will find further information, including your departure gate number.

7.6. Code Sharing 

Some airlines now work in partnership with one another and sell seats on each other's planes to enable more choices and better onward connections. This means that your flight may be with a different company to the one you expect.

7.7. Airport Security

Nowadays, there are much tighter security measures at all airports. To make your travel experience as pleasant as possible, we suggest you allow extra time for checking-in. Full details of suggested check-in times will be highlighted on your itinerary. May we also remind you that certain items are not allowed to be carried in your hand luggage and must be checked-in and placed in the aircraft hold.

For full details of items permitted on board, please check with the airline you are flying with.

7.8. Safety

The safety and welfare of passengers is of paramount importance. You will be denied boarding or have imposed additional conditions of carriage if any passenger:

  • a. Is intoxicated and or disruptive.
  • b. Found to be smoking on board the aircraft.
  • c. Makes an inappropriate remark; inappropriate remarks are considered as any comment or statement made by a person, which indicates they may be carrying a bomb (or other such explosive device), a firearm or weapon regardless of that person's intent or reason for making the comment or statement.

Passengers that are refused travel will be responsible for arranging alternative transportation at their own expense. We realise that some passengers, may find that aircraft seat width is insufficient for their needs.

For your own safety and comfort and that of other passengers, you must advise us or your Travel Agent at the time of booking if you know or are unsure as to whether the seat size on the aircraft will be sufficient for your needs. If you do require additional space, then subject to availability, you can purchase more than one seat located side by side or if you prefer a wider seat, in an upgraded class (where applicable). We regret however, that due to additional costs incurred by us, you will have to pay the full cost of all seats required by you, plus any upgrade supplement per seat.

7.9. Smoking

Please note that whatever airline you fly with, all airlines have a strict no-smoking policy throughout the aircraft.

7.10. Sporting Equipment

Most Airlines charge for the carriage of sports equipment (this includes and is not limited to golf clubs, scuba diving, surfboards, windsurf and bikes). This equipment is not included as part of your baggage allowance. Charges may be payable either at the time of booking, or at the airport prior to departure. If you are planning to take sports equipment, please ask your Travel Agent to contact the relevant airline at the time of booking, and they will be able to provide details of prices.

You or your Travel Agent must also give details of your request to take the sporting equipment to us. If sports equipment is not pre-booked, excess baggage charges will apply. Sports equipment must usually be packed separately from other baggage, as these may need to be checked at check-in. We recommend that all your sporting equipment be insured separately, since more valuable or fragile items may not be covered by your insurance.

7.11. Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition where blood clots develop in the deep veins of the legs. Prolonged immobility is generally thought to be the common underlying risk factor, and thus any travel involving prolonged immobility can result in developing a DVT. A wide range of advice is available on DVT - you are strongly recommended to obtain advice that will include information on those people most at risk of DVT and how to reduce risks when flying. Most passengers can reduce risks through keeping circulation active by practicing in-seat exercises, especially leg exercises, and walking around the aircraft whenever possible.

Most airlines provide details of suitable exercises you can do and other measures you can take to reduce risks within their in-flight magazines or during in-flight videos. More comprehensive advice can be found on the World Health Organization (WHO) website at www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/air-travel-advice. If you believe you are at a higher risk or have any concerns about the risks or doubts about flying, you must consult a healthcare professional before you travel.

7.12. Seat Pitch

We advise that the distance between the back support cushion of your flight seat and the back of the seat or other fixed structure in front of your seat will not be less than the minimum stated in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 16, Volume I, Chapter 2, Section 2.6.5 (66 centimetres).

7.13. Airport Transfers

Unless otherwise stated, our featured hotel prices do not include transfers to your chosen destination. Helicopter transfers and car hire are available on request.

8. YOUR RESORT

8.1. Resort Development

Some of the destinations in our brochures and on our website are still being developed and even in more established resorts there is often a possibility of building work taking place. If in our opinion this is likely to affect your booked accommodation, we will tell you at the time of booking or, if you have already booked, you will be contacted before departure if there is time. Please refer to the Booking Conditions, section 'Circumstances Beyond our Control' for more information.

8.2. Local Information

Local events, religious festivities, and public holidays are likely to influence the provision of services and facilities within hotels and around holiday resorts at certain times. This is true all over the world, but it is especially important to be aware of in Muslim countries, where religious holidays are determined by the lunar calendar and cannot be predicted in advance.

Here are some tips for planning your international travel around religious holidays and public events:

  • a) Do your research. Before you book your trip, check the dates of any major religious holidays or public events that may be taking place in the country you are visiting. You can find this information on the websites of the country's government or tourism board.
  • b) Be prepared for changes. It is important to be flexible with your plans, as religious holidays and public events can sometimes lead to changes in transportation schedules, hotel availability, and the operation of businesses and attractions.
  • c) Be respectful. When visiting a country during a religious holiday or public event, it is important to be respectful of the local customs and traditions. This may include dressing modestly, avoiding public displays of affection, and abstaining from alcohol and food during certain times.

More international resources: Check out the FCO travel advice on www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for more information on specific countries and the possible impact of holidays and events. You will also find information on the website of the relevant British Embassy.

You can also find information on religious holidays and public events in specific countries by searching online or contacting the country's embassy or consulate.

8.3. Driving & Rental cars

Laws, licensing requirements and age limits vary throughout the world. We recommend you check with one of our employees, or the relevant embassy or consulate. Hiring a car will enhance any holiday and this can be easily arranged through us. Please ensure you take your driving licence with you (paper and photo card). Car costs vary considerably depending on the country and it is important to note that during the high season you should reserve your car at the time of booking to avoid disappointment.

When hiring a villa, we strongly recommend that you consult the villa management agents prior to booking rental cars in resort, as many popular rental agents provide vehicles with registrations or window stickers identifying them as rental vehicles which can attract unwanted attention from criminals, which could put both clients and the properties at risk.

8.4. Watersports & Sporting Activities

We refer to a number of watersports and other sporting activities on our website, most of these are neither owned nor operated by ASMALLWORLD Travel and we cannot guarantee that they are maintained or operated with the customer's safety in mind. We would ask that you take all reasonable precautions to protect yourself and your party whilst on holiday and would recommend that you only use companies who demonstrate good safety practices.

You should ensure watersports and other similar sporting activities you wish to take part in are covered by your own holiday insurance. Some activities/watersports may be considered to be hazardous pursuits by some insurance companies.

8.5. Electricity

Depending on your location, there may be blackouts. Please be patient whilst the property rectifies the situation.

8.6. Smoking

Restrictive legislation against smoking is increasingly common in destinations worldwide. You may find that your villa, hotel, cruise or areas within your holiday resort or ship operate enforced smoking and vaping restrictions; smoking is often only permitted in designated areas. To find out more about destination restrictions, visit the website of the country's foreign or commonwealth office. For example, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides information on smoking restrictions in all countries, which can be found here: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

9. SAFETY & HYGIENE

Your health and safety are of paramount concern to us, especially if children are involved. In addition to monitoring the hygiene and safety standards in all the hotels that we use, it is appropriate that we bring to your attention the need for you to be careful and to take necessary precautions whilst overseas and we need your help and cooperation with this. We would ask you to pay close attention to the following information, together with any other information we, our agents, or suppliers, provide to you before you go, during your flight and when you arrive in your destination and at your hotel. It is most important that you familiarise yourself with this information and any other information you are given or on display, because not only do we want you to have a great holiday, but we want you to have a safe holiday.

9.1. Swimming Pools and Water Features

Every pool is different, and most hotels /private islands do not employ lifeguards, so you are strongly recommended to familiarise yourself with the pool layout, identifying the deep and shallow ends before using. Do not use the pool after dark or when the pool is closed, even if the pool has underwater lights. You should never swim when you have been drinking alcohol. Please do not run around the pool area or take breakables close to the pool area. Please do not enter the pool with copious amounts of sun creams or oils on.

For your safety, please do not remove or lift pool filter covers - if something appears to be broken, please report this to the staff and do not attempt to fix this yourself. Few private villa pools have warning notices, covers or fencing around the pool so children must be supervised by an adult at all times in or around the pool and ensure they have suitable buoyancy aids and are aware of the depths. In addition, where the swimming pool at your property is an infinity pool, please do not stand on the edge or use inflatables such as rings or lilos.

9.2. Glass Door Safety

Please take care when using glass doors, as it can be difficult to tell if they are open or closed when bright sunlight is shining on them. They are not necessarily fitted with toughened glass or have eye level marking, particularly in private villas.

9.3. Fire Safety

On arrival, take time to familiarise yourself with the emergency exits, the locations of fire extinguishers and emergency contacts. During your stay, ensure that any fires are protected by guards and candles are extinguished when not attended. In the event of a fire, proceed to the nearest fire exit without stopping for any belongings and close the door behind you. If in doubt, ask your representative or an appropriate member of staff.

9.4. Jacuzzi, Steam Room and Sauna Safety

Please be aware that these facilities should not be used if you have heart disease or circulatory problems, have an infectious skin disease or open wound, are using certain medication or are pregnant - please seek an expert medical opinion if unsure. We also advise that it is best to avoid using these facilities if you have consumed a heavy meal or alcohol in the past hour and a half, if you are feeling unwell or if you have just been exercising. Children under 16 years old should not use these facilities. In addition, to use them comfortably and safely please ensure they are set to a suitable temperature and not too hot.

Remove contact lenses, glasses, make-up and jewellery. Use for periods of 8 to 10 minutes at a time and do not exceed 30 minutes in total. Be careful when you add water to the rocks in the steam room. When you have finished, relax until your body temperature has returned to normal and ensure you consume water to replace any lost fluids.

9.5. Animals

Do not feed, pet, or play with any wild or domesticated animals and do not allow children to play near them. Please use litter bins to discourage wasps and vermin.

9.6. Overseas Safety Standards

Regrettably the safety standards and regulations overseas may not be of the same level that you may enjoy in your home country, for instance the design and height of balconies may differ. The setting and enforcement of local regulations is a matter for the authorities of the country and the foreign supplier of the services concerned. We are working to improve standards wherever possible.

9.7. Security, Health & Safety Overseas

Health and safety is a prime subject for everyone who travels the world today and we would ask that you observe good housekeeping habits and a common-sense approach. Your personal welfare is our priority, and we ask that you are fully aware of security, health & safety whilst overseas. Petty crime, robberies and muggings can occur anywhere in the world, although the chances of anything unpleasant happening will be considerably reduced if you take a few simple precautions. Whilst out and about, try not to carry a lot of cash with you and always leave your passport, unnecessary travellers’ cheques and any expensive jewellery in your safe or a secure place.

9.8. Children

Children must be supervised by you at all times, especially near water, on balconies or in unfamiliar buildings and surroundings.

9.9. Stomach Upsets

It is still a relatively common occurrence to suffer gastric illness when travelling abroad and being exposed to a different environment. There are many ways you can reduce the possibility of being affected, such as, not eating undercooked food, avoiding ice in drinks, ensuring you drink plenty of bottled water and avoid over exposure to the sun.

9.10. Out and About

Due to rough terrain and uneven surfaces, we recommend that you are extra careful and vigilant when visiting temples and other sites of interest and when crossing roads. Crimes against people and property are a fact of life throughout the world and you have the same responsibility for your own safety as you do at home. In some places the local police may not be very cooperative or interested when you report a theft or need insurance confirmation so always take care of your property. It is recommended not to approach cats and dogs and other animals as these may carry the rabies disease which can be passed on through bites and scratches.

Please exercise caution before entering the sea, as the seabed is not even and changes in depth. The sea is capable of springing surprises, and we have not inspected the beach or seabed for its safety. When sea bathing, do be aware of sea urchins - their spikes can be very painful - and, in the Caribbean, watch out for the apples of the Manchineel trees, which are poisonous.

10. YOUR ACCOMMODATION

10.1. Local Charges

At some accommodation certain amenities may carry a local charge. Unless we have stated that a service or facility is 'complimentary' in our accommodation descriptions, you may be asked to pay a charge. Here are a few examples of what you might expect to pay for locally, but always check first as there may be others:

  • a. Poolside and beach cabanas
  • b. Entertainment and activities away from your accommodation
  • c. Hotel operated Children's Clubs and meals for infants
  • d. Meals and beverages from restaurants and bars at your accommodation
  • e. Safety deposit facilities, room service, mini-bar, TV/ satellite TV, telephone calls, air-conditioning and sea view
  • f. Facilities and equipment such as pool towels, spas, whirlpools, indoor pools, sauna, table tennis, billiards and darts and other sporting equipment
  • g. Locally collected taxes - including, for example, airport departure taxes and local city/resort taxes payable at hotels on checkout (such as the European City Tax)

10.2. Special Offers

Any offers we make available are dependent on certain conditions being fulfilled, to gain the best from the offers featured please ask us for full details and offer conditions. Most offers must be booked at the time you make your reservation; others are subject to availability on your arrival at the hotel but must be requested when you book the holiday.

Please note that many offers cannot be combined, stays on free night offers must be consecutive and where applicable and unless otherwise stated, offers of room upgrades shown in our brochures or on our website will be determined by availability when you travel, and your room will be allocated on arrival at the accommodation. If your room is upgraded, please note that this will not necessarily be to the next highest category featured in our brochures or on our website, as we do not sell all room types at all hotels.

10.3. Hotel Run Kids Club

Standards and facilities at kids’ clubs featured in our brochures or on our website may vary. We are unable to accept responsibility for or give any guarantee for the standard of the facilities and qualifications of personnel at hotel run clubs. Kids Club(s) may not meet standards of similar facilities in your country and guests are strongly advised to remember that local standards and requirements in respect of such clubs may differ overseas and so you must ensure that you are completely satisfied with the facilities and staff providing this service before you enrol your child or children into the club and into the clubs' care.

10.4. Groups & Conventions

Some of the larger hotels play host to groups and conventions and we shall do our utmost to let you know at enquiry stage if any of these groups coincide with your chosen holiday. However, sometimes we are not informed and unfortunately, we have no control over the situation whatsoever.

10.5. Early Check In & Late Check Out

At some of our featured destinations, flight arrival times are early in the morning, and you will arrive at your accommodation before the normal check-in time. In these circumstances, it is highly recommended that accommodation is reserved from the night before allowing an immediate check-in. Similarly, many flight departure times are late in the evening, after normal check-out time. In this instance, we recommend accommodation is reserved until the day after departure allowing a late check-out.

10.6. Accommodation Maintenance

From time to time, it will be necessary for certain facilities to be withdrawn for general maintenance purposes. We will do our upmost to advise you at the time of enquiry.

11. YOUR VILLA, YACHT OR PRIVATE ISLAND

The villas, yachts or private islands featured by ASMALLWORLD Travel are not only booked directly with the owners but also via management agents throughout the world who act as agents for the owners of the villas, yachts or private islands "The Owner(s)".

11.1. Minimum Letting Period

During high season, the usual minimum letting periods for all of our featured properties is one week, however this may be more depending on the destination. In most cases the usual changeover day is either a Saturday or Sunday. During other seasons there may be more flexibility, so shorter stays and different start days may be available on request.

11.2. Occupancy

Reservations will only be held for those clients detailed in the original reservation. ASMALLWORLD Travel must be advised of any additional guests not included in the original reservation and these will be charged as extra. Please note that our contracts with our suppliers mean that we will not accept any more clients than the property's maximum occupancy. Only the guests named at the time of booking may occupy the property. If we or the villa supplier are made aware of additional guests occupying the villa, clients will be asked to leave.

Infants (children under 2 years old on date of return) are not usually included in occupancy figures, however the number of infants permitted is usually limited - please ask us for details. Children over 2 years old, (even if staying in a cot), will be counted as part of the villa occupancy. Extra beds are available only if within the property's maximum occupancy, or by prior arrangement with the supplier, and are chargeable. The exception may be when double beds make child occupancy difficult. They may consist of a convertible sofa-style bed.

11.3. Additional Rental Conditions

Parking a caravan or pitching a tent is not allowed. Villas/yachts/private islands are rented for private use only. If you intend to use the property for commercial use (such as a photo shoot) you must inform us at the time of your booking enquiry. We will request permission from the villa/yacht/private island supplier but cannot guarantee it until they have replied to us in writing and informed us of any conditions. Insurance cover is not included for commercial use, and you will be required to sign a disclaimer accepting responsibility for any damage caused. Guests intending to use the villa/yacht/private island for a private party or wedding must inform ASMALLWORLD Travel who will seek any necessary permission required.

Insurance cover is not included for private parties or weddings, and you will be required to sign a disclaimer accepting responsibility for any damage caused. Guests may entertain friends at the villa/yacht/private island during their stay. However, this must be within reason, so as not to cause excessive workload to house staff. Breaking any of these conditions may result in clients being asked to vacate the villa/yacht/private island without refund.

11.4. Check-in and Check-out Times

As with most hotels, villas, yachts and private islands have a standard check-in time (usually from 3pm to 7pm) and check-out time (usually between 10am and 12 noon). However, depending on whether or not the property has been occupied by other guests prior to your stay, an early check-in may be available if required. Similarly, if the property is not expecting guests on the day of your departure, arrangements can be made for a late check-out to accommodate you if your flight isn't until early evening. Usually, extra charges will apply. Alternatively, if the property is located close to one of our featured hotels, we would be more than happy to try and arrange a day room on your behalf.

11.5. Local Representatives

Our local representatives, on the basis that we have them in the area which you are booked, can be contacted throughout your holiday to help, assist and provide you with information.

11.6. Villa Food and Drink Arrival Packs 

When not included in the price, details of food packs can be given, and we highly recommend that you request one to be placed in your villa. A standard arrival pack includes drinks and food items suitable for your first dinner and breakfast, although groceries can easily be provided for weekend and holiday arrivals. Payable locally, prices do vary, and full details will be given to you at the time of booking.

11.7. Meals and Mealtimes

If your property has appropriate resident staff, it is a good idea to discuss your dining preferences, including preferred mealtimes, with either the Housekeeper or the Cook, the morning after your arrival. If you have any particular dietary requirements, such as vegetarian meals, we would ask you to let us know at the time of booking. Most menus tend to be planned around local produce and the staff are best placed to know which shops and markets are suitable for such purchases. In some cases, the Housekeeper or the Cook will do your shopping for you, however, please note that in many cases you will be responsible for their transportation to and from the supermarket.

Food and drink can either be paid for at the end of every shopping expedition, on a weekly basis, or at the end of your stay. To prevent any unwelcome surprises though, it is always a good idea to keep track of the amount. The supermarkets and villa management companies do accept major credit cards, but please note that if you are paying the staff directly, cash is normally required.

11.8. Cooks

'Cook included' means that the services of a non-resident/resident Cook are included in the property rental. Days and hours of availability will vary from property to property, so too will the standard of the Cook who can vary from a local Cook to a fully trained Chef. Alternatively, a Cook or Chef's services may be arranged on request at an extra cost where available. Please note that in some cases the service may be provided by a local Cook who may also double up as the Maid. Please ask your us for more details. Once booked it is not possible to cancel the services of the Cook or Chef, (who may have turned down alternative employment). If your Cook or Chef becomes ill and unable to offer the service, ASMALLWORLD Travel cannot be held responsible.

11.9. Maids

The days and hours worked varies from property to property. Minimum duties include cleaning the kitchen, bathrooms and communal rooms, though not always making the beds, linen is normally changed weekly. Most Maids can be hired for extra hours and for laundry services, payable locally. Generally, Maids do not work on Public Holidays.

11.10. Staff Gratuities

The giving of staff gratuities at the end of your stay is customary, although this would obviously be commensurate with the level of service you have received. Gratuities are normally calculated as a percentage of staff salary. Further details and guidelines on gratuities will be given to you at the time of booking.

11.11. Children Staying in a Villa, Yacht or Private Island

Ourselves, or the property itself, can advise on the suitability of properties for children of different ages to try to meet the needs of your family to the best of their ability. We recommend that you make yourself familiar with potential dangers to curious children - pool areas, balconies, stairs, and hard surfaces in particular - and supervise the children in your travel party accordingly. We will always give you the fullest information we are able to obtain for you, but please let us know if you have any specific concerns or requirements when selecting your villa/yacht/private island.

11.12. Rental of Sundry Items for Infants

Where possible we can arrange rental of cots, high-chairs, car seats, playpens, pushchairs and most other infant equipment. We are usually reliant on the suppliers for this and where available such items may not always conform to your country’s safety standards, therefore we advise that you inspect items before use. You can expect items to be clean and checked for damage. Charges for cots include delivery and collection, but usually exclude bedding. We recommend bringing your own cot linen for your baby's comfort and hygiene and travel cot/s if possible.

11.13. Babysitting

It may be possible to arrange daytime or evening babysitting - please ask your Luxury Travel Specialist who will contact the supplier. However, this cannot always be confirmed prior to your holiday. Costs are normally paid directly to the babysitter. It is normal courtesy for clients to arrange and cover the costs of a taxi for the evening babysitters. Please note that babysitters are not usually trained nannies, and you are advised that on meeting them, you take the opportunity to satisfy yourself that you are happy to leave your child in their care. ASMALLWORLD Travel cannot accept responsibility for unsatisfactory arrangements.

11.14. Damage and Breakages

We appreciate that accidental damage and breakages can happen and request that these are reported to the villa management whilst in resort. Credit card details or a security deposit are taken at the time of booking or on arrival at the property to cover any costs incurred, we will write to you to inform you if this is the case before we deduct monies from your card. The lead client is responsible for the correct and decent behaviour of all members of the party. Clients are expected to behave responsibly and ASMALLWORLD Travel reserves the right to terminate the holiday of any clients who indulge in serious misconduct, including reckless damage to any property or the breaking of any law. In such instances we can have no further liability and we may request compensation for any loss we may suffer, including legal costs.

Where an inventory is provided, it is in your own interest to see that this is accurate so that any loss/damage is not wrongly attributed. Please inform ASMALLWORLD Travel of any discrepancies/malfunctions within 24 hours of arrival, after which time you will be deemed to be responsible. In the unlikely event that any dispute as to the amount of final charges to be deducted from the Security Deposit arises, we will, at your request, intervene with the owners or the Villa management agents to authenticate the claimed damage and mediate the dispute. However, since we have no facility for fact-finding or adjudicating the dispute, in most cases it will accept the owner's or villa management agents’ word as to the fact and the extent of the damage.

11.15. Equipment Failure

If any of the equipment or machinery in your property or property's grounds breaks or stops working during your stay, please report it to your house staff who will take steps to get it repaired or replaced as quickly as possible. However, please be understanding should unavoidable delays arise (for example if replacement parts need to be ordered).

11.16. Security and Valuables

It is rare that you will encounter a break-in or attempted break-in, however, please be vigilant and take the usual precautions - close windows and lock doors, activate burglar alarms if provided - to secure your property at night, when you are out or when leaving the property. Where possible, please use the safes provided to store valuables, documents and money - never leave them on show, (either in your property or in your rental car). If theft or damage to the owner's property occurs through negligence on your part the owner is entitled to seek compensation from you. No refund can be given should you decide to vacate the property as a consequence of a burglary unless it can be proven that the Owner has failed to inform you of anti-burglary systems in the property.

11.17. Air-conditioning and Heating

Where these facilities are available, they may be payable, or when included excessive usage will also be charged at an additional cost, please ask your us at the time of booking. Logs for properties with fireplaces can sometimes be arranged, please ask your us for details.

11.18. Telephones

Most of our properties have telephones and you will be pleased to know on some of the (Caribbean) islands local calls are free of charge. However, some properties have an automatic debar on international calls and you will be advised of this when making your reservation. In general, you will be asked to settle any telephone charges on departure, but if this is not possible, it will be taken out of your security deposit, or a bill will be forwarded on to Switzerland for settlement. We recommend that you bring a GSM telephone; however, we cannot guarantee that your chosen property will receive a signal.

11.19. Internet Access

Many of our villas have internet access, (which can be Wi-Fi, ADSL, broadband) - please ask at the time of booking for up-to-date information. Whilst we try to ensure that many of our properties are equipped with internet access, we cannot be held liable for any malfunctions or technical problems with Internet Service Providers. Please note that in rural areas this can sometimes be unreliable.

11.20. Television/Satellite Television

Channels received will vary and may or may not feature English-speaking programmes. Similarly, satellite and cable television channels will vary. We cannot guarantee the provision of specific channels.

11.21. Gardens and Grounds

These vary from property to property and gardeners are employed to maintain them. A gardener may be present at some point during your stay. New plantings and the frequency with which trees are chopped may mean that descriptions and images on our website differ from the actual gardens.

11.22. Access

The Owner or their representative shall be allowed access to inspect the property prior to your departure. They also have a right to access the property during your stay if urgent maintenance is required. Gardeners and pool maintenance staff may enter the grounds during your stay, normally very early in the morning. Maintenance staff cannot be refused entrance to the villa.

11.23. Swimming Pools

These vary from property to property in terms of size, shape, depth and type of water, but are usually freshwater and unheated and they may not be available all year round. Pools will be cleaned, and every effort will be taken to do this unobtrusively. Certain weather conditions such as high winds can mean that dust or debris can appear, and the villa staff will address this. Where available, pool heating can be provided, which is usually at an extra cost. Costs may be payable locally.

11.24. Tennis Courts

Private tennis courts, where available, vary and may not be considered suitable for expert players. Please check with your accommodation about the provision of racquets and balls.

11.25. Health and Safety 

Your welfare is of utmost importance to us, and we make every effort to ensure that you stay safe and get the most from your ASMALLWORLD Travel holiday. Most of our properties have an information book available on arrival that you can refer to for information including contacts, fire and pool safety and information about the local area. Please familiarise yourself with the properties safety information and ensure all members of the party are made aware of potential risks and use the same care and attention as you would at home.

Please take extra care around potentially hazardous areas including stairs, swimming pools, water features, balconies and low walls and ensure children are supervised at all times. Please also note that traffic may travel in the opposite direction to home and take extra care. The villa management and agents use their knowledge to advice clients about safety and security precautions in each destination and we strongly recommend that you consult them should you have any safety or security concerns whilst at the property.

11.26. Electricity and Gas Safety

Please take care to follow any instructions given for appliances and ensure that they are all switched off at night or when you are out. Do not tamper with any related fittings and ensure that faults are reported to villa staff immediately.

12. SKI ARRANGEMENTS

Lift passes, ski and boot hire within Europe are normally arranged and purchased upon arrival with the help of the hotel's concierge. We do recommend pre-booking lift passes and arranging ski and boot hire where possible to take advantage of early booking discounts. Please let us know prior to travel if you are taking your own skis or snowboards so that we can forward this information on to both the airline and the transfer company. Pre-booking is highly recommended and often essential for tuition (private or group), ski kindergarten and/or crèche reservations.

13. SPECIFIC CRUISE INFORMATION

13.1. Service Charges and Tipping

Service Charges and Tipping vary between cruise operators. Service charges and tips are generally applied in recognition of the service you receive on board from all members of the crew, in a variety of locations. Many more crew behind the scenes support those who serve you directly and for this reason some cruise operators may require payment of service charges of tips in advance of travel. In some cases, these service charges will be payable at the time of booking and shown on your confirmation invoice, in other cases they will automatically be added to your onboard ship account. Where charges are made at the time of booking and shown on our website and included on your confirmation invoices, these charges may range from around $10-13 per person per day (or equivalent currency depending on the cruise ship).

It may be possible to request these charges are removed from your booking and added to your on-board ship account. Please enquire with us at the time of booking. Please note that some cruise operators may leave tips at your discretion on board or may expect you to reward good service in addition to payment of the pre-payable service charge. Where gratuities are payable onboard for e.g., drinks, beauty treatments, it is suggested that the amount of 10-15% is appropriate. For further details please enquire at the time of booking.

13.2. Infant Minimum Age to Travel

The minimum age for infants to travel on a cruise is usually 6 months, however on selected cruises infants must be a minimum age of 12 months.

13.3. Swimming Pool Restrictions 

On certain cruises, children under 2 years are not permitted to use the swimming pools. Due to U.S Public Health Service (USPHS) regulations, young children in nappies/pull ups (including swim safe varieties) may not use the pools or whirlpools. Please check details at the time of booking.

13.4. Laundry Facilities

There will be laundry and dry-cleaning facilities available on the cruise and prices will vary by garment type. On selected cruise ships there may also be a self-service laundry available.

13.5. Dining Times

There are usually two seating times for meals in the main restaurant on an evening, these times will vary for different cruise operators, the times will usually be between 6pm-9pm, although there will be other options available on board the cruise. Some cruise ships may also offer 24-hour room service.

13.6. Voltage

The onboard voltage on the majority of cruises is 110/220AC.

13.7. Payment for Onboard Purchases

On most cruise ships a credit account system will be operated. This usually requires the pre-registering of a credit card. All on board purchases will then be signed to your account which will then be required to be settled at the end of your cruise. If you do not have a credit card to pre-register, you will be required to deposit a minimum amount of cash per passenger per day with the cashier on day 1 of the Cruise. The amount must be replenished during the cruise when expenses exceed the deposit. If all the deposit is not used, then the balance will be returned with the bill. Most of the cruise ship operators will not accept personal cheques and certain bankcards please check before you travel.

13.8. Embarkation

Embarkation at most cruise terminals will commence approximately 2-3 hours prior to sailing with all passengers required to be checked in no later than 1 and half hours before the particular cruise sailing time. Exact details of when/where to check in will be detailed on your cruise tickets/information.

14. THE PRICE

14.1. Our Pricing

All prices and offers shown throughout our brochures (or website) are for guidance only and subject to availability at the time of booking. Our holiday prices are based on specially negotiated airline, hotel and transfer rates, which can increase, decrease or be restricted. Should our special rates not be available, we shall advise you immediately and offer you the option to reserve your holiday at the higher published rates. We reserve the right to change prices. We advise that you contact us for the most up-to-date holiday price. A tailor-made quotation will be provided at the time of your enquiry. Please note that in the case of a villa/yacht/private island, prices should not be taken as an indication of the standard of the villa/yacht/private island, as prices vary according to a variety of factors including amenities, size and location.

14.2. What the Price Includes

Unless otherwise stated, all flight inclusive package prices shown throughout our website include the following:

  • a. All international and internal economy as applicable
  • b. Accommodation (grade as shown) based on two persons sharing
  • c. Private transfers (shared for some destinations)
  • d. Meals as shown (where applicable) *
  • e. Taxes & Charges
  • f. Air Passenger Duty & Security
  • g. Aviation Fuel Costs

*Restrictions may apply at hotel restaurants - e.g., when a price is based on half or full board basis and there is more than one restaurant at the hotel, some of the restaurants may levy an additional supplement or give a credit towards a meal in another restaurant. Unless otherwise stated all extras will be at a charge.

14.3. What the Price Excludes

  • a. Where spa or beauty facilities are listed, treatments will be at an additional cost unless otherwise stated
  • b. Insurance
  • c. Optional excursions
  • d. Charges made by the accommodation - see local charges.
  • e. Excess baggage on aircraft - excess baggage charges will apply if you exceed your allowance and/or you take sports equipment. Please refer to the section titled Carriage of Sports Equipment in the 'Flight' information section for more details.