Tangney Tours

BOOKING YOUR PILGRIMAGE
Read through the brochure and choose the hotel of your liking. When you are ready to reserve your pilgrimage give us a call. Our reservations staff will be pleased to confirm availability. We will then ask you to complete a booking form which will need to be sent to us within 5 days to ensure your booking is confirmed.
A confirmation invoice will be sent to you by return post to the first named person on the booking form.
The notes below will help answer most of your questions.

PASSPORTS & VISAS
A valid Passport is required for all pilgrimages in this brochure. Please ensure yours is valid until at least 3 months (6 months for non E.U. residents) after your return. Please note that everybody, including babies, needs their own passport.

Visit the UK passport service website on www.ukpa.gov.uk

Pilgrims arriving in England from abroad and who need UK entry visas must obtain a UK multi-entry visa in their home country before arriving in the UK. You must also obtain visas for the countries to be visited on pilgrimage before arriving in the UK. Non EU passport holders resident in the UK will also probably require a visa and must apply for this at the relevant embassy. The application process could take 2 months or more. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any Passport, Visa, Immigration or other legal requirement.

FLIGHTS TO LOURDES
Our chartered flights are direct to Lourdes airport. Our staff are at Lourdes to receive all arrivals and oversee departures. Transport is provided to the town, just a few minutes away. Standard published fare is £240 including taxes. Other offers may be available. Check our website. Scheduled flights operate from various UK airports to Toulouse, Pau and Biarritz on a daily basis. We can book these flights for you and arrange transfer to Lourdes to join our pilgrimages.

LOW COST FLIGHT OPERATORS
Where Tangney Tours use low cost operators such as Ryanair we will always advise pilgrims that facilities do not match schedule carriers or our charters. Low cost airlines do not use walkways to the aircraft and only offer a restricted service to less abled passengers. Seats are generally more cramped and all food must be paid for. Pilgrims booking with Tangney Tours will be met at their destination airport. Please note that costs to travel to Lourdes from low cost destination airports can be very expensive.

WHEELCHAIRS
Wheelchair passengers are welcome. It is however imperative that we are told of all requirements. We cannot accept wheelchair or disabled passengers without an able bodied helper and without being advised at the time of booking of physical infirmities. Wheelchairs not pre-advised may be refused. Maximum weight 60kgs per wheelchair due to health and safety regulations. Any heavier item please ask Tangney Tours for advice.
(We have a limited supply of wheelchairs in Lourdes for the occasional user.)

GUIDE DOGS
We welcome guide/assistance dogs and will where possible carry such dogs in the cabin of the aircraft. Please ask us for details. Two months notice is usually required.

IF YOU OR ANY OF YOUR PARTY ARE DISABLED, VEGETARIAN OR HAVE SPECIAL DIET REQUIREMENTS
We welcome the less able pilgrim. To ensure you receive the support required, include full details of disabilities and clearly explain any special help, assistance, room requirements or diet that may be needed.

HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION
Our hotels are carefully selected. Accommodation is usually based on shared rooms. For large groups we will arrange for passengers to share with the same sex and, as far as possible, age group. If we are unable to do this we will accommodate you in a single room and reserve the right to make an additional charge of half the quoted single room supplement.
A single room supplement is for a single room and not necessarily single occupancy of a twin or double room. Single rooms are of limited availability. All rooms offered by Tangney Tours have private bath and/or shower plus WC. All hotels have lifts.
Hotel check-in time is 15.00 and check-out time is 09.00. The standard check-in time may be earlier and the check-out time may be later depending on room availability.

DOCUMENTATION
All your travel documents will be sent approximately 2 weeks before your departure and include badge and luggage labels.

GROUPS AND PRIVATE PARTIES
We are always happy to arrange special itineraries for groups. Free places will normally be offered to group organisers or spiritual leaders.

CHILD DISCOUNTS
Normally 10% for under 12 years old sharing a room with 2 full fare paying pilgrims. Under 2 years old pay a £50 charge to cover taxes and fees. Please ask our office to confirm discounts.

FLIGHT TIMINGS
Flight timings will be given at time of booking but may be subject to change. Final timings are sent with your tickets. Delays are rare but we cannot be held responsible for any delays howsoever caused. We will however always try to minimise any inconvenience.

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
On our charter flights the baggage allowance is normally 25 kgs. Please check your ticket for final information. Scheduled flights vary between 15 & 20 kgs per person.

TAXES
All current airport taxes, government duties and VAT are included. The price you see is the price you pay.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is compulsory. We have arranged an excellent policy for all our pilgrims with Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd.
A summary of costs and cover offered can be seen on page 16. For groups, one general cover note will be sent to the group organiser/leader. All persons, especially those over 65 years of age, must ensure that they are not travelling against doctors orders as this may invalidate the policy. We are also able to offer regular travellers an annual insurance policy. If you have your own insurance we will need to see proof of that policy prior to departure.

EUROPEAN HEALTH CARE
If you are an EU resident you are entitled to an EHIC card free of charge from the D.S.S.. Please allow 14 days for your application to be processed. In the event that you could become hospitalised in EU countries this covers part of the cost and reduces the health section of the insurance policy excess to nil.
The New EHIC is required for all travellers since 2006.

SPECIAL DIETS
We are able to request special diets from hotels if advised in advance. European hotels are not renowned for offering good vegetarian selections. Special medical diets will not be guaranteed unless pre-booked. On our Lourdes charter flights we offer a vegetarian option if pre-booked. Meal options on scheduled airlines vary. Please ask for details.

JETWAYS
Stansted and Lourdes airports provide ‘jetways’ for passengers on our charter flights. There are no stairs and all access to the terminals and aircraft have ramps for wheelchair users. We cannot confirm jetway operations on scheduled flights operating from and to other airports and other pilgrimage destinations.

AITO Quality Charter

AITO is the Association for independent and
specialist holiday companies. Our member
companies, usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating.

EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP
AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct.

FINANCIAL SECURITY
An AITO member is required to protect money paid by customers to the member for any holiday sold under the AITO logo. This protection applies to customers who are in the UK at the time of booking or to overseas
customers who have booked directly with the member. Members have to comply with the UK Government Regulations in this respect. Members
submit details of their bonding or guarantee arrangements to the Association on a regular basis.

ACCURATE BROCHURES AND WEB SITES
All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other
publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTS
All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in
regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards.

MONITORING STANDARDS
AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a post-holiday questionnaire, the results of which are scrutinised by the Association.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
All members acknowledge the importance of AITO's Responsible Tourism
guidelines, which recognise the social, economic and environmental
responsibilities of tour operating. Those demonstrating their achievements beyond the pure acceptance of this principle are recognised by the award of 2 or 3 star status.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS
All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their
customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO's low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.

Tangney Tours is a member of the Association of Independent
Tour Operators. To contact the Association, visit www.aito.co.uk
or call 0208 744 9280




	BOOKING YOUR PILGRIMAGE Read through the brochure and choose the hotel of your liking. When you are ready to reserve your pilgrimage give us a call. Our reservations staff will be pleased to confirm availability. We will then ask you to complete a booking form which will need to be sent to us within 5 days to ensure your booking is confirmed. A confirmation invoice will be sent to you by return post to the first named person on the booking form. The notes below will help answer most of your questions. PASSPORTS & VISAS A valid Passport is required for all pilgrimages in this brochure. Please ensure yours is valid until at least 3 months (6 months for non E.U. residents) after your return. Please note that everybody, including babies, needs their own passport. Visit the UK passport service website on www.ukpa.gov.uk Pilgrims arriving in England from abroad and who need UK entry visas must obtain a UK multi-entry visa in their home country before arriving in the UK. You must also obtain visas for the countries to be visited on pilgrimage before arriving in the UK. Non EU passport holders resident in the UK will also probably require a visa and must apply for this at the relevant embassy. The application process could take 2 months or more. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any Passport, Visa, Immigration or other legal requirement. FLIGHTS TO LOURDES Our chartered flights are direct to Lourdes airport. Our staff are at Lourdes to receive all arrivals and oversee departures. Transport is provided to the town, just a few minutes away. Standard published fare is £240 including taxes. Other offers may be available. Check our website. Scheduled flights operate from various UK airports to Toulouse, Pau and Biarritz on a daily basis. We can book these flights for you and arrange transfer to Lourdes to join our pilgrimages. LOW COST FLIGHT OPERATORS Where Tangney Tours use low cost operators such as Ryanair we will always advise pilgrims that facilities do not match schedule carriers or our charters. Low cost airlines do not use walkways to the aircraft and only offer a restricted service to less abled passengers. Seats are generally more cramped and all food must be paid for. Pilgrims booking with Tangney Tours will be met at their destination airport. Please note that costs to travel to Lourdes from low cost destination airports can be very expensive. WHEELCHAIRS Wheelchair passengers are welcome. It is however imperative that we are told of all requirements. We cannot accept wheelchair or disabled passengers without an able bodied helper and without being advised at the time of booking of physical infirmities. Wheelchairs not pre-advised may be refused. Maximum weight 60kgs per wheelchair due to health and safety regulations. Any heavier item please ask Tangney Tours for advice. (We have a limited supply of wheelchairs in Lourdes for the occasional user.) GUIDE DOGS We welcome guide/assistance dogs and will where possible carry such dogs in the cabin of the aircraft. Please ask us for details. Two months notice is usually required. IF YOU OR ANY OF YOUR PARTY ARE DISABLED, VEGETARIAN OR HAVE SPECIAL DIET REQUIREMENTS We welcome the less able pilgrim. To ensure you receive the support required, include full details of disabilities and clearly explain any special help, assistance, room requirements or diet that may be needed. HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION Our hotels are carefully selected. Accommodation is usually based on shared rooms. For large groups we will arrange for passengers to share with the same sex and, as far as possible, age group. If we are unable to do this we will accommodate you in a single room and reserve the right to make an additional charge of half the quoted single room supplement. A single room supplement is for a single room and not necessarily single occupancy of a twin or double room. Single rooms are of limited availability. All rooms offered by Tangney Tours have private bath and/or shower plus WC. All hotels have lifts. Hotel check-in time is 15.00 and check-out time is 09.00. The standard check-in time may be earlier and the check-out time may be later depending on room availability. DOCUMENTATION All your travel documents will be sent approximately 2 weeks before your departure and include badge and luggage labels. GROUPS AND PRIVATE PARTIES We are always happy to arrange special itineraries for groups. Free places will normally be offered to group organisers or spiritual leaders. CHILD DISCOUNTS Normally 10% for under 12 years old sharing a room with 2 full fare paying pilgrims. Under 2 years old pay a £50 charge to cover taxes and fees. Please ask our office to confirm discounts. FLIGHT TIMINGS Flight timings will be given at time of booking but may be subject to change. Final timings are sent with your tickets. Delays are rare but we cannot be held responsible for any delays howsoever caused. We will however always try to minimise any inconvenience. BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE On our charter flights the baggage allowance is normally 25 kgs. Please check your ticket for final information. Scheduled flights vary between 15 & 20 kgs per person. TAXES All current airport taxes, government duties and VAT are included. The price you see is the price you pay. TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel insurance is compulsory. We have arranged an excellent policy for all our pilgrims with Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd. A summary of costs and cover offered can be seen on page 16. For groups, one general cover note will be sent to the group organiser/leader. All persons, especially those over 65 years of age, must ensure that they are not travelling against doctors orders as this may invalidate the policy. We are also able to offer regular travellers an annual insurance policy. If you have your own insurance we will need to see proof of that policy prior to departure. EUROPEAN HEALTH CARE If you are an EU resident you are entitled to an EHIC card free of charge from the D.S.S.. Please allow 14 days for your application to be processed. In the event that you could become hospitalised in EU countries this covers part of the cost and reduces the health section of the insurance policy excess to nil. The New EHIC is required for all travellers since 2006. SPECIAL DIETS We are able to request special diets from hotels if advised in advance. European hotels are not renowned for offering good vegetarian selections. Special medical diets will not be guaranteed unless pre-booked. On our Lourdes charter flights we offer a vegetarian option if pre-booked. Meal options on scheduled airlines vary. Please ask for details. JETWAYS Stansted and Lourdes airports provide ‘jetways’ for passengers on our charter flights. There are no stairs and all access to the terminals and aircraft have ramps for wheelchair users. We cannot confirm jetway operations on scheduled flights operating from and to other airports and other pilgrimage destinations. AITO Quality Charter AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Our member companies, usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating. EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct. FINANCIAL SECURITY An AITO member is required to protect money paid by customers to the member for any holiday sold under the AITO logo. This protection applies to customers who are in the UK at the time of booking or to overseas customers who have booked directly with the member. Members have to comply with the UK Government Regulations in this respect. Members submit details of their bonding or guarantee arrangements to the Association on a regular basis. ACCURATE BROCHURES AND WEB SITES All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTS All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards. MONITORING STANDARDS AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a post-holiday questionnaire, the results of which are scrutinised by the Association. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM All members acknowledge the importance of AITO's Responsible Tourism guidelines, which recognise the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating. Those demonstrating their achievements beyond the pure acceptance of this principle are recognised by the award of 2 or 3 star status. CUSTOMER RELATIONS All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO's low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion. Tangney Tours is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. To contact the Association, visit www.aito.co.uk or call 0208 744 9280