Chilterns
The Hidden Gem - A Walkers Delight
Photo: Jeff Griffiths
DISCOVER EXPLORE DO MORE
WALK IN THE CHILTERNS with Walkfree Breakfree & De Vere Venues
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welcome “Our objective is to deliver great walks and enjoy some magical miles together where at walks end you fondly remember the people, the places and the fun together. As a walking business delivering walks throughout the UK and further afield based in the Chilterns. We are particularly proud to be a member of the Chilterns Tourism Network delivering walking breaks and holidays in the Chilterns our home base - for us a very special place� Iain Thomson - Founder Walkfree Breakfree
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OURTEAM
W
elcome to Walkfree Breakfree and thank you for your interest in our Chiltern walking weekends and holidays and I do look forward to helping you discover and explore inspirational places and walks in the Chilterns. During my thirty year university career as a volunteer it was my pleasure to organise and lead staff and student groups on walks throughout the UK and further afield. I have developed Walkfree Breakfree as I believe a business founded on the ethos of a university outdoor club has much to offer including the friendships, lasting memories and fun that can be enjoyed by one and all. Inspiration, motivation, encouraging participation and developing short breaks and holidays offering excellent value, opportunities to visit outstanding locations to enjoy great walks and a fabulous group experience is our aim. As a very experienced and qualified walking group organiser I seek to share my passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors with you, and look forward to motivating and inspiring you on our walks here in the Chilterns.
Iain For more information, check out our website or get in touch: Website: www.walkfreebreakfree.co.uk Email: iain@walkfreebreakfree.co.uk Tel: 0844 357 2505 Address: Walkfree Breakfree Ltd, 34 Sunnybank, Widmer End, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP15 6PA
OURVALUES Our values are important to us and these are shown below. • A total commitment to providing our customers with memorable and quality experiences delivered in a style that differentiates us from our competitors. • A focus on delivering services that meet the highest quality standards. • In all our dealings and relationships we aim to achieve total integrity. • Inspiring our staff and partners to be of service to each and every customer at all times. • To be unique by constant research and response to customer needs and to be the best at what we do for our customers. Responding to their individual needs by providing the best options, supported by wide ranging research of the opportunities available. • Working effectively together with our customers to define their needs, to meet aspirations and surpass expectations. • To provide leaders, learning guides and hosts who are flexible and responsive to customer needs. • Our staff will be professional, responsible and safe, knowledgeable and fun to be with, and at all times customer minded. • Our staff will be the best and we will cherish them. • We will appreciate diversity and culture and promote our company ethos which emphasises our social responsibility and a determination to promote inclusiveness. • Remaining true to the ethos of our university background by fully embracing community, encouraging engagement, and always striving to enhance quality and value for money. • Ensuring at all times when working with groups that we balance the needs of one and all and encourage personal achievement and attainment. • A commitment to invest in effective staff training and customer care and product knowledge.
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The
Chiltern HILLS
SUPERB ESCAPES - DISCOVER MORE - DO MORE
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FEELTHEVIEWS
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alk in the Chilterns Hills of England with Walkfree Breakfree to discover ancient and beautiful countryside and woodlands set in a unique landscape of a region recognised since Anglo-Saxon times. Like us you will soon love walking in the Chiltern Hills, so close to London yet far from madding crowds. With its small and delicate fields and golden beech woods, its quaint hamlets, flint cottages, small and beautiful churches, drovers trails and tales of old. Nearby on its boundaries we can discover the winding river Thames, the royal and mighty castle of Windsor and the ancient university town of Oxford. The beautiful Chiltern Hills is one of the UK’s best and most outstanding Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB) and this lovely countryside, its maze of hundreds and indeed thousands of miles of well kept footpaths is one of England’s best kept walking secrets, which offers excellent walks in every season. The Chilterns are renowned for its sweeping chalk grasslands and wild flowers including the marvellous spring blanket of Bluebells in its ancient woodland and its glorious autumn colours. The Chilterns Hills will truly delight walkers with its superb views, historic hamlets, stately homes, heritage and culture as it offers Walkfree Breakfree a fabulous opportunity to develop unique walking short breaks and holidays for singles, couples and groups. In the Chilterns you will not be walking alone - but in the footsteps of some of England’s most famous, including poets and authors galore. Rupert Brooke was a poet who celebrated England and the English countryside and his visits to the Chilterns inspired him to write the poem called The Chilterns which includes the evocative verse:
“I shall desire and I shall find The best of my desires; The autumn road, the mellow wind That soothes the darkening shires. And laughter, and inn-fires.”
BIRMINGHAM STRATFORD UPON AVON M40
OXFORD
CAMBRIDGE M1 M11
MILTON KEYNES
Luton Stansted
Bicester Village
S
N ER
ILT
CH M4
Our walks in the Chilterns have been developed to show you the very best of this lovely and unique landscape and to make the most of our proximity to London, Windsor and Oxford with opportunities to visit the ancient coaching inns that were once the haunt of highwaymen. Our Chiltern walks gallery on our website features a number of the many excellent walks that are available in the area.
Windsor Castle and Legoland M3
A1(M) Warner Bros Harry Potter Tour
LONDON
Heathrow M25
Gatwick
As a business we believe group companionship on walks is a wonderful ingredient and our walking guides have a simple philosophy - “of being here for you” and they look forward to spending time with you during the walks and helping to make your visit to the Chilterns a memorable one. We promise our walks in the beautiful Chiltern Hills and its stunning countryside will enchant and enthral; it is a wonderful four-season walking destination and with its proximity to London, Windsor, Oxford and the Thames has much more than just walks to offer.
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OURVENUES access to the beautiful Chiltern Hills and stunning countryside, and I promise you will not fail to be enchanted and enthralled. Our venues themselves offer some magical qualities; a service delivery style that focuses on our group needs, charm, history, culture, peace, comfort or excitement are all at hand and of course locations to deliver unique and flexible walking itineraries that can take you from ancient churches and traditional English pubs, to forests and rivers, hamlet and stately homes, mystery and myths and on to London should you wish!
We are delighted to be working with De Vere Venues who have a number of delightful and historic properties in and around the Chilterns which are ideal bases to deliver our walking breaks and holidays in the Chilterns. These venues allow us the flexibility over the year to develop affordable, quality walking holidays and accommodate singles, couples and groups according to your budget and needs. From your first steps our venues offer you wonderful
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We offer guided and themed walking weekends and holidays, self guided/independent walking weekends and holidays and Chiltern day walks. Our walking short breaks and holidays in the Chilterns are available throughout the year as the Chilterns are a lovely and easily accessible destination in every season. We aim to deliver very sociable guided
The De Vere Venues Latimer House, Uplands. Milton Hill House offering a high standard of hospitality. We believe De Vere and Walkfree Breakfree share an ethos that make us determined to deliver both value and a truly memorable experience in the Chilterns.
walking short breaks and holidays in the Chilterns that allow you to enjoy the countryside, heritage and nature. A number of our weekends and holidays are themed and ideal for combining a walk and a special interest. If you prefer self-guided, independent walking holidays we offer our Breakfree in the Chilterns package. We prefer to base you in one location but will offer you a number of circular and linear walking routes to ensure you make the most of your visit to the Chilterns. We prefer to transport walkers to and from start points and not luggage as we believe that makes for a friendly and relaxing holiday. With detailed maps, our route guides and general information of the walks we are confident breaking free in the Chilterns will be a delightful experience. Generally our guided Chiltern walking weekends are usually offered as two or three night breaks starting on a Friday evening. Our holiday packages usually start on a Friday evening to fit with venue availability but this may be adjusted if required. Our packages are designed to be fully inclusive and costs will include all meals, transport and walking guides. Our partnership with De Vere Venues offers you
excellent accommodation and an opportunity for Walkfree Breakfree to deliver an affordable and memorable Chiltern walking experience. Remember if booking as a group we may be able to offer you an inclusive door to door service, and collect you direct from airport or railway stations. Our Chiltern walking holiday options will make the most of our proximity to London, giving opportunities to dip in and out of programmes and indeed be independent if that is your wish. As a company we seek to add value, for us group companionship is a wonderful ingredient and our walking guides have a simple philosophy - “being here for you” and they look forward to spending time with you during the walks and socially too. Together our objective is to deliver great walks and above all a fantastic holiday experience where you remember the people and places, the fun and fond memories that last. Live life - let’s go to the Chilterns, Thames and Oxford with Walkfree Breakfree and enjoy some magical miles together!
Walkfree Breakfree Chiltern guided walking Breaks. Our offer includes: • Quality Hotel or Conference Centre accommodation • Dinners each night • Packed Lunch • Personal service • Excellent guiding • Transport to walk start points when required • A social, relaxed approach and an opportunity to visit at least one of the local, traditional English pubs for which the Chilterns is renowned • ABTOT bonding in place
Walking - Grades and difficulty Our walks vary according to specific programme but are usually between 8/9 or 10/11 miles per day and we walk at a steady pace so you have ample time to enjoy your walk in our beautiful Chilterns with its rich natural landscape and heritage.
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THEMED WALKS & HOLIDAYS in the Chilterns
Themed Chiltern walking weekend breaks from range below are available on the following dates (these weekends are also ideal for groups):
Introduction to Navigation NNAS Bronze Date: Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd February 2014 Number of Nights: 2
Introduction to Navigation NNAS Bronze Date: Friday 11th - Sunday 13th April 2014 Number of Nights: 2
WFBF Walk Leaders Course Date: Friday 9th - Sunday 11th May 2014 Number of Nights: 2
Chiltern Walking Weekend Date: Friday 16th - Sunday 18th May 2014 Number of Nights: 2
Chiltern Walking Weekend Date: Friday 6th - Sunday 8th June 2014 Number of Nights: 2
Chiltern Walking Weekend Date: Friday 25th - Sunday 27th July 2014 Number of Nights: 2
Chiltern Walking Weekend Date: Friday 17th - Sunday 19th October 2014 Number of Nights: 2
If of interest, please contact iain@walkfreebreakfree.co.uk or ring 01889 165278.
The Chilterns, River Thames & Royal Windsor During this weekend you will enjoy walks along some of the beautiful Chiltern village’s valleys and ridges that connect with the River Thames. We will walk in Windsor Great Park and Runnymede taking some of the famous monuments. Number of Nights: 2 Location: Windsor Accommodation: Latimer Place Trip Type: Walking Price: from £255
The Chilterns Churches & Village Heritage Weekend The Chilterns offer exceptional walks and an incredibly delightful network of footpaths that take you through some of England’s most delightful countryside and villages. During this walking weekend we will select routes that allow you to view some of our delightful churches and heritage. Number of Nights: 2 Location: Various Chilterns locations Accommodation: Latimer Place Trip Type: Walking Price: from £255
Chiltern Red Kite Trails Our walking routes during this weekend will be selected to maximise our opportunity of spotting the magnificent Chiltern Red Kites that swoop and swirl in the skies above. Number of Nights: 2 Location: Chilterns Accommodation: Latimer Place Trip Type: Walking Price: from £255
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Chiltern Summer Holidays Our all inclusive Summer holiday package offers incredible value, with five days of guided walks and meals included it is not to be missed. Number of Nights: 6 Location: Chilterns Accommodation: Latimer Place Trip Type: Holiday Price: from ÂŁ555
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Midsomer Murder Trails and Chiltern Villages The Chilterns villages and churches are key locations for the Midsomer Murder TV series. During this weekend of walks we will use the Chilterns famed footpath network to inter-link a number of the famous villages, churches and pubs - count you out and count you back! Number of Nights: 2 Location: Chilterns Accommodation: Latimer Place Trip Type: Walks Price: from ÂŁ255
The Chilterns Pubs and Brewery Weekend During this weekend we shall enjoy several walks in the beautiful Chiltern Hills, stopping en route at some of the areas historic public houses. On Saturday our walk also encompasses a stop and tour of the excellent local brewery. Number of Nights: 2 Location: Chilterns Area Accommodation: Latimer Place Trip Type: Walking Price: from ÂŁ255
Chiltern Autumn Colours The Chilterns with its beautiful beech forests and mixed woodland offers some of the best autumn walks in England. During this weekend we will combine forest, countryside and heritage to offer you an autumn spectacular. Number of Nights: 2 Location: Chilterns Accommodation: Latimer Place Trip Type: Walks Price: from ÂŁ255
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Introduction to Navigation Weekend Bronze NNAS Course
Walks and Yoga Chilterns Self Discovery Weekend
Join us in the beautiful Chilterns for a NNAS Navigation Course where you will learn the skills necessary to help you Breakfree and roam free independently in the great world outdoors.
During the weekend you are going to take a break... one that combines Yoga and the time to enjoy a walk, to interact with the world around you and the people you are with. To use your senses to enjoy and connect with your surroundings, the wildlife and natural beauty all around us, and come to appreciate the inner smile a simple walk and yoga session can deliver.
Number of Nights: 2 Location: Chilterns Accommodation: Latimer Place Trip Type: Navigation Course Price: from ÂŁ325
Number of Nights: 2 Location: Chilterns Area Accommodation: Latimer Place Trip Type: Walking and Yoga Price: from ÂŁ275
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FREE
CHILTERN DAY WALKS
Festive Steps: In the Chilterns and Royal Windsor Forget the hustle and bustle of Christmas and enjoy a short festive steps walking break with us. During the weekend we will enjoy a few festive walks with mince pies and mulled wines and visit Windsor to enjoy its festive spirit and lights. An active but totally relaxing weekend for sure Number of Nights: 2 Location: Chilterns Accommodation: Latimer Place Trip Type: Walks and visit to Windsor Price: from ÂŁ255
Our Walkfree Breakfree ethos is simple - we want to encourage participation by one and all so please do take this opportunity to join one of our Chiltern Day Walks - 100% free if it is your first Chiltern walk with Walkfree Breakfree. Do get the Chiltern day walk dates into your diary now and do remember you do need to join our mailing list. This enables us to send you full details of the walks which can change during the year at short notice and new dates added. We look forward to seeing you soon on one of our Chiltern Day walks soon. January 26th - Annual Burns Walk February 22nd - Midsomer Murder Trail March 22nd - Spring Steps April 13th - Chiltern Blue Bell Walk April 26th - Quaker Villages May 17th - The Walkers Town June 8th - A Seaside Walk - A Bus Day Escape July 20th - A Summer Stroll August 9th - A Summer Stroll September 29th - A Suffragette Trail October 19th - Autumn Colours November 16th - Perfect Peace December 14th - Festive Steps For full details of our day walk programme and to join our mailing list, please visit our website, www.walkfreebreakfree.co.uk.
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NEW 2013
gentle walking and discovery tours 16 | walkfreebreakfree.co.uk
O
ur Active Tours - Discovery Walks are ideal for those who enjoy making the most of their time, preferring a little more physical activity and exercise than that offered on traditional coach tours. Our objective is to combine a pleasant three hour walk (5-7 miles depending on terrain and gradient) with an excursion tour to some of the most inspiring and interesting destinations here in the UK and across the channel. Here in our delightful Chiltern Hills we are pleased to offer two interesting and Active Tours and Discovery Walks that will enthral.
ACTIVE TOUR & DISCOVERY WALKS:
The Chiltern Hills, Explore and Discover our Midsomer Murder Villages and trails if you Dare! The Chilterns villages and hamlets are often used as locations for the Midsomer Murder TV series. We will tour and enjoy walks in a number of the locations used for filming. The famed Chiltern network of footpaths will offer us ample opportunity inter-link a number of the famous villages, churches and pubs – and we promise to count you out and count you back! Number of Nights: 2 or 3 Location: Chilterns Accommodation: De Vere Venues Trip Type: Active Tour & Discovery Walks Price: from £255 or £295 Ideal for groups - contact us for more information
SELF GUIDED
WALKING HOLIDAYS
Independent walking holidays in the Chilterns Break Free in the Chilterns For those who prefer the freedom of independent walking we are pleased of offer packages designed for your exclusive needs. Just let us know your preferred number of nights and preferred daily walking distance (7/8, 9/11 miles or 14/15) and we develop a customised routes package for you direct from your accommodation base. These routes will be our favourites and depending on the number of nights booked they may include linear or a-b routes to ensure you make the most of your visit to the Chilterns. Transport costs will be on us! Your costs will include maps, route instructions, help/advice and local support, accommodation B&B and usually dinner and packed lunch. Date: Throughout the Year Number of Nights: 2, 3, 5 or 7 nights Location: Chilterns Accommodation: De Vere Venues or Hotel/Inn/ quality guest house Trip Type: Independent Walks Price: 2 nights £195 3 nights £245 6 nights £455
ACTIVE TOUR & DISCOVERY WALKS:
The Chiltern Churches & Village Heritage Trail A walking weekend when we use the fabulous footpaths of the Chilterns to link together a number of the lovely and quaint churches and villages. Walks and heritage a lovely combination that will delight and surprise. Number of Nights: 2 or 3 Location: Chilterns Accommodation: De Vere Venues Trip Type: Active Tour & Discovery Walk Price: from £255 or £295 Ideal for groups - contact us for more information
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Booking Conditions Walk Free Break Free Ltd: Booking conditions Please read through our booking conditions carefully. The person making the booking form accepts the terms of these booking conditions on behalf of everyone named in the booking. 1. Making your booking To make a booking, please email or telephone us to check availability and we will hold your place for 7 days. To confirm the booking, please return to us a completed booking form with the required a deposit per person as stipulated on the form. Full payment must be made at time of booking if 6 weeks before your trip starts (unless otherwise stated on booking form). The deposit paid in respect of each break or holiday is accepted as a first instalment of the charge. The receipt or banking of a deposit or the making of a provisional reservation does not imply final acceptance of the booking; neither is a verbal quotation confirmation of final cost. If a booking cannot be accepted, notification and refund of any deposit will be sent as soon as possible. If accepted a confirmation invoice will be forwarded to you normally within 2 weeks of receipt of your signed booking form. The contract is made between us when we send this confirmation. 2. Changing your booking If after your booking has been confirmed you wish to transfer to a different break or holiday or departure date, we will make every effort to satisfy your requirements provided that written notification is received at our offices from the person who signed the booking form, not later than the date on which balance of the original holiday price is due for payment. Alterations made within the balance due period will be regarded as a cancellation by you of the original holiday and a new booking for a different holiday, and the cancellation charges set out below [para 6] will apply. If after your booking has been confirmed you are unavoidably prevented from proceeding and wish to transfer your confirmed booking to another person, you can do so, provided that this is not later than 30 days before departure. You, as transferor of the holiday, and the transferee shall be jointly and severally liable to us for the payment of the balance due, together with all additional charges of whatever sort imposed by the suppliers providing component parts of your holiday. In all cases, you will be required to pay an administration fee of up to £20 per person. 3. Making payment We will send you an invoice for the balance, due 6 weeks before the break or holiday starts. Should the balance not be received by the due date, your place may be released, and our cancellation policy will apply. We guarantee that the price of your holiday will not be subject to alterations or surcharges once the booking has been confirmed. 4. If we have to alter your break or holiday The itineraries and schedules are put forward as a statement of our intention only and are not representations or undertakings that they will be carried out. In rare circumstances we may have to make alterations to ensure your safety or to respond to unplanned events outside our control. If we have to alter your break or holiday before departure, any alteration will either be major or minor. Where an alteration is minor, we will, if practicable, advise you before departure, but we are not obliged to do so or to pay you compensation. A minor alteration is any alteration apart from a major alteration as defined below. When an alteration is a major alteration (and a major alteration is an alteration which for instance involves changing your accommodation), we will advise you as soon as is reasonably possible. You will then have the choice of accepting the alteration, taking an alternative holiday (and where this is of a lower price, we will refund the difference), or withdrawing from the contract and accepting a full refund of all monies paid. In addition, in appropriate cases, we will pay you (which in this circumstance means we will pay each individual in the tour party) compensation on the scale shown below (on the assumption that the full balance has been paid). More than 29 days nil 28 - 15 days before departure £15 14 - 0 days before departure £20 5. If we have to cancel your holiday If we have to cancel your break or holiday for example due to lack of numbers or events beyond our control before the date of departure, you will have the choice of taking an alternative break or holiday (and where this is of a lower price we will refund the difference) or withdrawing from the contract and accepting a full refund of all monies paid. We shall not cancel a break or holiday after the date when the payment of the balance becomes due, unless you default in payment of an outstanding balance or unless it is necessary for us to do so as a result of force majeure. Force majeure means unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which neither we nor our suppliers could avoid, and specifically relates to the illness or injury of either of us since we are integral to the holiday (and particularly guided tours) but also includes war or threat of war, riots, civil strife, terrorist activities, industrial disputes, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, level of water in rivers or other similar events beyond our control.
6. Should you need to cancel Because of our intimate size, any cancellation affects us significantly and we adhere to a strict cancellation policy. Please tell us about your cancellation in writing. From the date when we receive written cancellation from you the following policy will apply; Table below confirms retention from total holiday value Notice Received
UK individual Bookings or groups less than 4
Non UK or Group Bookings (groups of 5 or more)
More than 42 days
Deposit
Deposit
42-29 days
50%
75%
28-15 days
75%
100%
14 days of less
100%
100%
We recommend that you are fully covered by a comprehensive insurance policy. 7. Safety • In the interest of safety you must undertake to: • follow the instructions or guidance of your tour guide; • Fully understand the basis of participation and your personal responsibility to yourself and duty of care to others in the group; • Follow the advice or warning or advisory notices encountered on your walk; • Follow the countryside code and act sensibly and prudently at all times. You should advise us at the time of booking if you have any medical condition or are taking medication that may affect your walking ability. We reserve the right to ask you for a medical certificate to confirm that you are physically able to cope with the tour. 8. Parental responsibility Parents or guardians undertake to accept full responsibility and supervision of and for their children at all times. Under the provisions of the Young Persons Safety Act and Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 1995, some walking in upland areas in the UK may require all children under 18 to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 9. Insurance We strongly advise you to arrange insurance to cover personal accident, cancellation of your holiday by yourselves for loss of personal effects and personal liability. 10. Catering You should be aware that no guarantee can be given that food served is completely free from nuts and peanuts or is completely safe for those with other food allergies. If requested we can make every effort to minimise risk but contamination may occur. The fact is that nut and pea nut containing products are processed in the same production areas as non nut and peanut products, consequently be aware that all menus “may contain traces of nuts”. Should clients have specific dietary requirements or special diets we will be pleased to discuss individual needs with clients and deliver suitable options where reasonably practical. Please note our menus may be subject to change without notice as they are dependent on product availability and seasonality 11. Participation statement: Please note all participants are participating in activities on the basis of a participating adult with Parents/guardians being responsible for children at all times. To make your participation easy you will be asked to sign a disclaimer to ensure you and your party members understand your relationship with Walkfree Breakfree Ltd. Without this we would be reluctant to let you join our organised walks and activities - or indeed, pass on information and opinions to you. By signing the disclaimer, you agree you do not hold Walkfree Breakfree Ltd responsible for any information or opinions it offers and that you do everything at your own risk. We will always endeavour to give accurate and appropriate information, but we do not take responsibility for them and they are acted upon by you at your own risk. We would draw your attention to The British Mountaineering Council (BMC ) statement below offers information on a responsible adult : “The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering/walking or cycling are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement”. 12. Health & Fitness Bookings are accepted on the understanding that all persons participating are normally in good health and physically equally to the minimum demands of the chosen trip. If this is in doubt the Booking Form must be accompanied by a doctor’s certificate stating that it is entirely safe for you to go on the particular trip you have chosen. 13. Your Financial Protection Your deposit and payments are protected to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holiday and Package Tours Regulations 1992. 14. Complaints Should you wish to make a complaint during your holiday, you should contact your tour guide or leader as soon as practical and we will do our best to resolve the problem straight away. If the problem cannot be resolved on the spot, please write to us at our office within 14 days with full details.