Booking Information
How to Book
Please do not hesitate to call to talk about any tour that you are interested in and to check there are places available. Between us in the office, we set up every detail of our programme and can answer all your questions.
Step 1 - Booking
You may book either by:
1) Going to your chosen tour on our website, scrolling down to the dates and prices box and clicking on ‘Book’. (This is via a secure web payment system.)
2) Call us (0044 (0)1730 263111) to confirm your places and provide us with your debit or credit card details for your deposit. Then download the booking form to send to us by fax (0044 (0)1730 711295), email (sales@winetours.co.uk) or post.
3) Download the booking form and complete it with your credit or debit card details for your deposit and send it to us by fax or post to confirm your places. Note: We do not recommend sending card details by email.
4) If you need a few days to discuss the tour with your travelling companion(s) or you prefer to pay by cheque, please call us to check availability and if we have sufficient space we will hold your place(s) for you for up to 5 days to give you time to forward your booking confirmation to us.
5) By Mail – we can also post a hard copy of the booking form to you for you to return with your cheque or debit/credit card details.
It is essential that you complete all sections, including dietary requirements. Dietary requirements (except for new medical conditions) not advised to us at least 28 days before departure will incur an amendment fee of £50 to cover the extra administration time and phone calls involved.
We are unable to process bookings without the booking form.
We accept payment by ACCESS, VISA & AMEX Credit Cards, and CONNECT, DELTA and SWITCH Debit Cards.
There is a 1.5% charge to cover the cost of Credit Cards, but no charge for Debit Cards.
Step 2 - Booking Confirmation
We acknowledge your booking with a confirmation invoice and mail or email you hotel and parking details for your joining point.
Step 3 - Paying the balance
Your final balance is due no later than 8 weeks before departure (12 weeks for the cruise). The date will show on your confirmation invoice.
(When you book a holiday within 8 weeks of departure full payment is due on booking).
No reminder letter is sent, so please note the due date and if you are likely to be away at this time make arrangements for payment to reach us before you leave, or your holiday may be cancelled (with cancellation terms as in clause 5 of the booking conditions being applied).
If you pay the deposit by credit/debit card but intend paying the balance by cheque, please ensure that the cheque reaches us by no later than the balance due date, as the balance plus 1.5% will be, if applicable, charged to your credit card on the due date and cannot be subsequently refunded.
If payment is not received in our offices 8 weeks before the date of travel, we may offer these places to clients on our wait-list and your deposits would be forfeit.
Step 4 - Pre-trip documents
We will send you a receipt after we have received the final balance usually 8 weeks before departure. All pre-trip information can be found on Useful Travel Information:/useful-travel-info at any time.
Step 5 - Tickets & final timings
8 - 10 days before departure you receive the final itinerary, joining instructions, final timings and necessary travel documents such as restaurant lists by email or mail.
The AITO Quality Charter
AITO is an association of companies independent from the large vertically integrated firms specialising in particular areas or types of holiday and sharing a common dedication to high standards of quality and personal service. AITO defines "quality" as
"providing a level of satisfaction which, based upon the holiday information provided by the tour operator, aims to meet or exceed a customer's reasonable expectations, regardless of the type of holiday or the price paid"
This is how we aim to achieve it:
ACCURATE BROCHURES - AITO members ensure that their brochures clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE - AITO members are committed to high standards of personal service maintained by the thorough training of employees.
FINANCIAL SECURITY - AITO takes care that all members comply with the current Government Regulations regarding the protection of clients' money.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT - AITO members listen to their customers and welcome suggestions for improving standards. All customers receive a post-holiday questionnaire.
EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP - AITO has strict membership criteria which must be satisfied before new companies are allowed to join. All members must adhere to a rigorous Code of Business Practice which governs their operational conduct.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - AlTO is committed to raising the level of environmental awareness within the travel industry.
If you have a dispute with Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours, which you are unable to resolve, you may refer the matter to a court of law or call upon the low cost AITO Independent Dispute Settlement Service. (UK Only).
THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT TOUR OPERATORS
THE QUALITY ALTERNATIVE. For further information call AITO on 0208 7449280
Cedar Court, 5 College Street, Petersfield, Hampshire, England
GU31 4AE
Enquiries: sales@winetours.co.uk
Telephone: 0044 (0) 1730 263111..... Fax: 01730 711295
Click to read our booking conditions.
