EURO PE - Thompsons Holidays

Transcription

With us you’re just a phone call away from a great holiday.
Your approved Thompsons agent is:
A division of Cullinan Holdings LTD (Reg No 1902/001808/06)
ALL OFFICES: Website: http://www.thompsons.co.za
CAPE TOWN: 15th Floor, Main Tower, Standard Bank Centre, Hertzog Boulevard,
Foreshore, South Africa. P.O. Box 382, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa.
Tel: (27) (21) 408-9500; Fax: (27) (21) 408-9596
Docex 145, Cape Town.
DURBAN: 20 The Boulevard, West End Office Park, Spine Road, Westville, South Africa
P.O. Box 51041, Musgrave Road, 4062, Durban, South Africa.
Tel: (27) (31) 275-3500; Fax: (27) (31) 275-3990
Docex 238, Durban.
JOHANNESBURG: 6 Hood Ave, Rosebank, South Africa.
P.O. Box 41032, Craighall, 2024, South Africa.
Tel: (27) (11) 770-7700; Fax: (27) (11) 325-2840
Docex 270, Randburg.
Switzerland - Germany - Netherlands
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France - Italy - Spain - Portugal - Austria
2007
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Europe
Trust Thompsons with all your travels.
Trust Thompsons
• Our staff must experience the product so that
they can promote it.
• We go out of our way to describe our products accurately
(we tell it like it is).
• Once we have made a commitment, we deliver the goods,
no matter what. Therefore, our slogan:
The Thompsons business philosophy is built on 3 major premises:
Trust Thompsons
Once full payment is received from you, the price paid is
guaranteed, irrespective of any subsequent changes in airfare
or fluctuations in the exchange rate.
Price guarantee
Thompsons Tours deals with more than 1 500 travel agencies
across South Africa so you’ll have no difficulty booking the holiday
you deserve. Just pop into a travel agency near you and request a
Thompsons package.
Your Link to Thompsons
When you book with Thompsons, you know you are in good hands.
Our carefully selected Ground Operators will be available to you
throughout your trip and where transfers, tours and excursions are
arranged. You will be issued with contact numbers prior to your
trip in the event of an emergency. Our Ground Operators are a very
important part of the quality packages offered by Thompsons.
Experienced Ground Operators
Thompsons’ mission is to make your holiday dreams a reality. We
tailor-make each package to your exact specifications: the dates
and duration of travel, standard and type of accommodation, airline
preference, sightseeing excursions - all as you require. There will of
course be occasions where set departures are specified for certain
events, products or seasons. In cases such as these, Thompsons’
quality products will be combined into one hassle-free package to
make your travel planning infinitely easier. In addition, our knowledgeable travel consultants are always on hand to offer expert
advice and ensure your travel experience is a memorable one.
Tailor-Made Packages
At Thompsons, we pride ourselves on the quality of our holiday
packages. Each offer is put together with great care and includes
as much detail as possible to help you limit any additional costs on
arrival at your destination - a factor that’s especially important when
holidaying on a budget. Read on to see why Thompsons Tours is
the way to go …
Why you should insist on a Thompsons holiday
This Thompsons brochure has been designed especially for you,
our valued client. We have gone the extra mile to ensure that all
your travel needs are covered and are confident that after reading
the brochure, you’ll insist on a Thompsons package for your next
holiday.
For your convenience, the full range of Thompsons brochures is
available on our website, so why not download them at home
and browse at leisure, without pressure. The Thompsons site is a
one-stop shop, for great package deals, to a variety of exciting and
enticing destinations. Simply log onto www.thompsons.co.za and
discover a wealth of affordable travel opportunities for you and
your family.
Awards Speak Volumes
At Thompsons, we continually strive to provide our clients with
holidays of the highest quality. With 29 years experience in
the travel industry, we have built a reputation on providing
excellent service, specialist knowledge and value for money
tailor-made packages. Our efforts have not gone unnoticed, as for
four consecutive years, Thompsons Tours has been voted Best
International Tour Operator and Best African Tour Operator in the
Diners Club ASATA Travel Awards.
Getting to know Thompsons
Welcome to the World of Thompsons
Visit www.thompsons.co.za or your nearest ASATA travel agent and Insist on a Thompsons holiday.
• Thompsons Top-Ups, unless specified in the quote
or advertisement
• Travel insurance
• Visas
• Direct charges such as tipping & porterage
• Meals not specified in the quote or advertisement
• Car hire delivery or collection charges
• Supplements for various room or board types
Your Thompsons Package Excludes:
• Return flights
• Return airport / hotel transfers if selected
• Accommodation as specified on the quote
or advertisement, and as confirmed on your invoice
• All airport taxes, fuel surcharges and levies
• Thompsons Travel Bag
Your Thompsons Package Includes:
Prior to departure, your travel documents will be presented to you
in a durable Thompsons travel wallet. Each pack contains valuable
information, as well as re-usable luggage labels and other surprises, depending on your destination. In the event of an emergency, a
Thompsons staff member is contactable by phone, 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
Travel Pack
All hotels featured in our brochures have been personally inspected
by a Thompsons staff member and given the Thompsons’ stamp of
approval. This means that wherever you choose to stay, you have
our personal guarantee of comfort and service.
Hand Picked Hotels
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Europe
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Europe
Thompsons offers you the added value and convenience of being
able to book personal transfers to or from the airport. With your
needs in mind, Avis Point2Point offer an Inner City transfer service
from point of collection to point of drop off. This service operates
on a ‘zone’ grid – the further you need to go from the collection
point, the greater the zone, the more expensive the transfer.
Avis Point2Point - Added Value
Europe is suitable for the whole family, with attractions and
excursions for everyone.
Something for the whole family
We at Thompsons maintain the highest standards, with regular
visits to our preferred hotels, by either our own staff, or representatives of our ground operators, to inspect the standards and facilities
of the hotels. Our preferred hotels are carefully selected and the
quality of accommodation in terms of their star grading is high.
They are clean and comfortable, offer good food and the service
is friendly.
What to expect
As one of the largest Tour Operators selling Europe, Thompsons
Tours enjoys excellent rates and booking conditions with our
partner airlines, hotels, transfers, sightseeing tours, excursion and
attraction suppliers. This translates into the best possible value for
you, our valued customer.
Thompsons Value for Money
Fria in Lisbon, the Church of Santa Clara and the Se Cathedral
in Oporto, Largo de Se and the Chapel Pe da Cruz in Faro, the
Chapel Santo Antonia and Ponte da Piedade near Lagos, the
Coimbra’s Cathedral and the Church & Monastry of Santa Cruz
in Coimbra
• Experience Portugal as you visit Casa dos Bicos and Estufa
and the Barrio de la Moreira in Madrid, Costa Brava, Pyrenees
and the formations of the Montserrat in Catalonia, The Gothic
Quarter in Barcelona, in Seville the Torre de Ore and Giralda,
the Moorish Jewel in Granada and the Moorish Alcazaba in
Malaga
• In Spain you can enjoy the Habsburg Empire, the Prado Museum
Rome, the Peninsula of Sirmione in Milan, the Leaning Tower of
Pisa and the Royal Palace of Caserta
• Italy brings you the Roman Forum and Cathedral of St. Peter in
• France offers the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre and the Champs
Elysees in Paris, Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux,
Monastere de Cimiez in Nice, Chateau de Verseilles and
Cathedral Notre-Dame in Paris
You’ll never be bored in Europe
Thompsons Tours has secured excellent fares into Europe, either
directly to your chosen destination, or via an alternative hub.
Airlines that fly into Europe include Air France, Iberia, Gulf Air,
Qatar, SAA, Olympic Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa. A direct flight
into Europe is approximately 11 hours, where the flights via other
cities will take longer.
How to Get There
Each European country offers its own rich culture, beautiful
scenery, history and charm, but all offer a host of sightseeing,
excellent shopping and local cuisine.
Whether you are visiting France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland,
Germany, Spain, Portugal or the rest of Europe, Thompsons Tours
will assist you in packaging your dream holiday.
Thompsons Top-Up
Top-Up your Thompsons package with additional attractions and
excursions to enhance your holiday experience. You will be spoilt
for choice when you see Thompsons huge range of quality Top-Ups
to choose from in every destination. Our extensive range includes
sightseeing tours, excursions, attractions, lunch & dinner cruises to
name just a few.
Why Europe?
Discover Europe with Thompsons
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Thompsons Booking Conditions
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Thompsons Choice of Hotels in Europe 24-25
Netherlands
Introduction & Sightseeing Options
Germany
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Austria
Switzerland
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Where sweet dreams come true in the very heart of the magic.
Imagine you are here...In a Resort as big as your imagination.
Welcome to Disneyland® Resort Paris. A holiday destination like
no other. Look out for our dedicated Disney Brochure in 2007!
Disneyland® Resort Paris
Amsterdam Diamond City Tour, the Beguine in the Gutter, the
Royal Palace and United Europe in Zuiderkerk
• The Netherlands is famous for the Heinecken Experience, the
Castle in Ludwigsburg, the Hofbraeuhaus in Munich,
Brandenburger Tor in Berlin and the Imperial Cathedral in
Frankfurt
• Germany boasts the Sanssouci Castle in Berlin, Ludwigsburg
Montreux, the Old Town Berne (Capital of Berne) and La Maison
du Gruyere.
• Switzerland will enchant you with the Chateau de Chillon in
• Austria, famous for the Ambras Castle in Tirol, Landesmuseum
Johanneum and the Schlossberg with its Clock Tower in Graz,
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Spain
Sightseeing Options
Coach Tour and Self-drive options
Portugal
Sightseeing Options
Coach Tour and Self-drive Options
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Italy
Thompsons Choice of Hotels in Italy
Sightseeing Options
Selfdrive and Train Options
Thompsons Choice of Hotels in Paris
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Sightseeing & Transport Options in Paris 8
Barging in Europe
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Self-drive suggested itinerary
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Renault Eurodrive
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Contents & Map
France
PAGE
CONTENTS
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Europe
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France
Price
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Venture east and you will be enchanted by
the uniqueness of the Lorraine region.
Metz is the capital of this region, a city with
wonderful treasures sheltered by the
Relax on a sunny terrace of the Grand’ Palace
in Versailles, enjoying one of the many local
beers. Experience the world of champagne
with the 250km of cellars and crayères,
available through the network of major
Champagne Houses, estates and cellars along
the Route Touristique du Champagne.
This extremely beautiful and romantic
country is full of towns and villages that are
both modern and historic. One thing you'll
experience when you visit France, is “Joie de
Vivre” - a zest for life - in French, everyday
things like eating and drinking, talking,
dressing and shopping, are an art form. Paris
is the heart of this romantic country and has
a magical and unique atmosphere. Take a
cruise along the Seine, followed by dinner
and a show at the world famous Moulin
Rouge.
Joie de Vivre!
Mediterranean climate with mild winters and
very hot summers in the south of France.
Intermediate climate with cold winters and
hot summers in the north, including Paris and
central regions;
Semi-continental climate with harsh winters
and hot summers in Alsace, Lorraine, along the
Rhône corridor and in the mountainous massifs
(Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central);
Oceanic and humid climate with often cool
summers to the west of a line from Bayonne
to Lille;
Continental France is divided into 4 climatic zones:
B ES T T I M E T O T R AV E L
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
These prices are an average price and may vary
according to hotels and seasons. (Euro)
W H AT T H I N G S C O ST
TIME DIFFERENCE:
Apr - Oct: Same as SA time.
Nov - Mar: 1 hour behind SA time
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
None required at present
CAPITAL CITY:
Paris
LANGUAGE:
French. English is spoken.
CURRENCY:
Euro
VISA:
SA passport holders require a Schengen Visa
AIRPORT TAX:
All taxes included in the ticket
AREA: 547 030 km2
L
France
Bordeaux, which in addition to the wine, the
river and the arts, offers numerous museums
and cultural sites. Nantes, with 15 000 hectares
of vineyards, ideally situated at the mouth of
the Loire Valley, offers a range of wines including the famous Muscadet. Rouen, the historic
capital of Normandy, is an inspiration to great
writers and artists alike.
Lyons, in the south, hosts France’s largest
single fabric of Renaissance buildings.
Marseilles, a holiday resort in its own right,
is the ideal starting-point from which to discover the beautiful villages and historic traditions of Provence.
Museums la Cour d’Or, archaeology, fine arts
and architecture. Strasbourg is one of the
rare cities where the entire centre is classified
as a World Heritage site. Dijon, the capital of
Burgundy, is an historical cradle of art and
international gastronomy.
+++PARIS BASTILLE HOTEL
A comfortable hotel with 37 well sized, soundproofed rooms, all equipped with satellite TV,
room safe, mini bar, hairdryer and air-conditioning. Located in front of the Opera Bastille
and Bastille square, the hotel is superbly located on subway line 1 (direct to the Louvre,
Tuileries, Concorde, Champs-Elysees and Arch of Triumph). Just steps away, is the historical Marais quarter and Parisian nightlife location of rue de Lappe, known for its restaurants,
bars and clubs.
+++HOTEL OPERA LAFAYETTE
In a refined setting, the Opera Lafayette hotel offers you 54 renovated rooms with direct
telephone, satellite TV, mini bar, private bar and conference room. The hotel is situated in
the heart of Paris, in close proximity to the Opera House, museums, the Sacré Coeur, and
the main department stores (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps etc). The closest metro, Cadet
or Poissonnière will give you access to the rest of Paris.
+++FERTEL ETOILE HOTEL
Located 5 minutes from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées Avenue, this elegant
and refined hotel presents a cosy, warm atmosphere of comfort. Enjoy the lounge area
or have a drink at the private bar. Fertel Etoile also offers conference facilities suitable for
seminars or meetings. The closest metro station, Argentine, will take you to the heart of the
city via the Champs-Elysées, Concorde or Châtelet in no time.
+++ MERCURE RONCERAY HOTEL
The Mercure Paris Ronceray Opera Hotel is set in a building from the early 19th century
and still reflects the style of this period. There are 5 floors and a total of 130 rooms, all
equipped with modern facilities and decorated with wooden details and red fabrics. Six
spacious and bright conference rooms are available for events, with maximum capacity of
90 seats theatre style.
++++SAINT JAMES & ALBANY
Built in the heart of Paris, enjoying the advantages of its exceptional location in the business district and at the centre of the cultural activity, the hotel offers 184 rooms – including
9 luxury executive rooms – and 11 sumptuous suites. Arranged around an enclosed garden
and a series of interior courtyards, the rooms and suites offer high-quality comfort that
combines refinement with contemporary design.
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Thompsons offers a special airport transfer
to and from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris
at an excellent price. The Air City Service
offers a great alternative to taking a taxi to
the airport, or booking a private transfer, both
of which can be extremely expensive. The
Air City Service takes passengers to and from
2 terminals at Charles de Gaulle Airport and
Paris hotels. This service must be booked in
conjunction with hotel accommodation.
The Airport Transfer
Versailles & Les Trainons:(Full Day)
Versailles is not just a palace surrounded
by beautiful gardens, but also a huge park
where one will find two small chateaux
named Grand and Petit Trianons. The guided
visit to the State Apartments includes the
Hall of Mirrors and Queen’s Bedroom with
free time to walk in the French style gardens.
Visit the two Trianons and stroll in the park
up to Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet.
Landing beaches of Normandy:(Full Day)
Cross the western districts of Paris as
far as the Porte d’Auteuil and take the
motorway to Caen. Stop at the Caen Memorial
Museum (known as the Peace Museum) for a
commented visit with film and lunch. Depart
for the landing beaches with a stop at
both the Pointe du Hoc and the American
cemetary Saint-Laurent at Omaha Beach.
Continue with a visit to the German battery
of artillery and make a stop at Arromanches.
The visit to the landing beaches includes
Gold, Juno and Sword (where the Canadians,
French and British landed)
Fontainebleau & Barbizon:(Half Day)
The Fontainebleau Palace, lavishly adorned
and furnished in Renaissance period style,
was a favourite hunting residence of the
French kings. The apartments, occupied by
Napoleon, were recently restored and are
included in the tour. Barbizon has been
known as an artistic centre since the l9th
century.
Versailles Apartments:(Half Day)
Versailles represents a reminder of the
grandeur of classical French architecture. In
the beautifully decorated State Apartments,
your guide will tell you about the lives of
Kings.
Tours outside Paris
Cruise & Moulin Rouge:(Full Evening)
Discover the beauty of Paris’s monuments
and bridges by night on a River Seine
cruise, followed by the amazing Moulin
Rouge show, “FORMIDABLE”, with can-can
dancing among the echoes of ToulouseLautrec. (Summer only).
Dinner at the Eiffel Tower &
a Seine Cruise:(Full Evening)
Discover Paris from the first floor of the
Eiffel Tower during a lovely dinner at the
restaurant “Altitude 95” after which you
will cruise on the Seine River to admire the
monuments and the bridges of the “City of
Lights”.
Cityrama Paris Tour:(11/2 hours)
Discover the beauty of Paris in the comfort
of a famous yellow double decker bus: visit
Grand Louvre - Ile de la Cité - Notre-Dame
Cathedral - Hôtel de Ville - Bastille Square
Sorbonne - Latin Quarter - St-Germain-desPres - Champs-Elysées - Arc de Triomphe
- Eiffel Tower - Invalides - Concorde Square
- Madeleine Church - Opera Square - Place
des Pyramides.
Historic Paris & Seinorama Tour:(Full Day)
This tour is dedicated to the history of
Paris from the Roman time to present days.
A river cruise from the Marina de Bercy
gives access to the City Island for a visit of
Notre-Dame. A bus drive through the old
districts of Paris, such as the Marais and
Saint Germain. From the Eiffel Tower, enjoy a
panoramic 360 degree view of the capital.
Paris Tours
The best way to explore Paris is either
by Metro (Underground) or bus. With
a Paris Visite Metro and Bus Pass, you
can enjoy unlimited travel on the Paris
Metro & bus system within the Paris city
limits. This convenient and excellent
value pass must be purchased before you
leave South Africa. Thompsons Tours
introduces the Musees Monument Card,
giving access to 63 museums and
monuments, with no queuing on a 1 day or 3
day pass option.
The Paris Metro
Travel to the heart and soul of Europe.
Explore glamorous Paris, discover the hip
London bar scene and enjoy gourmet fare in
Brussels. Eurostar offers a fast, frequent and
efficient service. Whether you’re travelling
for pleasure or business, Eurostar will take
you there quickly, efficiently and in style.
Eurostar, a modern, high-speed international
passenger train which travels at speeds of
up to 298km per hour, runs up to 24 trains
a day to Paris and 10 to Brussels. One can
travel from London to Paris or vice-versa
on the Eurostar - it takes just 2 and a half
hours from London’s Waterloo International
Terminal to Gare du Nord Station in Paris,
with no lengthy transfers on either side! The
Eurostar also connects Disneyland® Resort
Paris with London and Paris. From late 2007,
The Eurostar will operate from London's St
Pancras, reducing travelling time a further
15 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes from
London to Paris. Trains offer seating areas for
families, facilities for babies, plus designated
seats and assistance for passengers with
special needs.
The Eurostar Train
Sightseeing & Transport in Paris
Situated in north east Germany, the
Prussian regions of Mecklenburg and
Brandenburg are a patchwork of lakes, forests and pastures. The Muritz Lake is the
largest in Germany and makes up part
of the Muritz National Park. There are numerous hiking and cycling trails ashore.
For city lovers, cruise along the river to
Berlin and discover the magnificent historic
monuments and museums.
Germany:
Enjoy a boating holiday cruising through the
dramatic scenery of the river Lot. Wide gorges and towering limestone cliffs frame your
journey to famous spots such as the medieval town of Cahors and the fascinating Pech
Merle caves. Midi, Europe’s oldest waterway
is unique due to its sheer size and the
cleverness of its design and is an ideal
location for your boating holidays.
From St. Gilles, the gateway to the Camargue,
you can discover one of France’s most
remarkable cruising regions. Described by
King Francois I as the loveliest river in his
kingdom, the Charente snakes through
a region famed for its fine brandy. The
Nivernais-Loire is situated at the very heart
of France and is renowned for its superb
gastronomy.
Dijon was home to the Dukes of Burgundy
and has inherited a wealth of architecture,
fine paintings and objets d’art.
Holland:
NEW
Wherever you cruise in Belgium, you can
be sure of a warm welcome. Famous for
its hand made chocolates, delicious beers
and delicate lace, Belgium offers a peaceful
countryside, with ancient towns and cities,
linked by the country’s rich cultural and historic past. The network of beautiful canals,
rivers and the close proximity of places to
visit, allows you to tailor your cruise to take
in as much or as little and you want.
Belgium:
Cruise on the famous Lagoon of Venice
and the Brenta Canal and revel in the
romance and culture of Italy’s most
celebrated province. The timeless city of
Venice is built on 118 tiny islands and
is uniquely road free, with only gondolas and boats providing transport. Boat
rental enables you to explore the lagoon,
stopping off at various islands.
Italy:
Boating is a way of life in Holland, so
cast off and enjoy an authentic Dutch
experience! Cool off with a refreshing beer
beside the great lock in Muiden or take to
the water at Sneek for some watersports.
Coloured bulb fields and slender town houses lead you to the cosmopolitan city of
Amsterdam.
Aquitaine, situated in the South West
of France, takes you along the Garonne
valley, the Baise River or the downstream
area of the river Lot. Brittany has over
600km of waterways just waiting to be
explored. The Celtic charm and natural
beauty of Brittany make it one of France’s
best kept secrets.
Food and wine
enthusiasts are sure to find themselves in
paradise when visiting Burgundy!
France offers a host of options with
barging opportunities in Alsace-Lorraine,
France’s smallest province, allowing you
to cruise on the rivers of three countries
through France, Luxembourg and Germany.
France:
Experience the Freedom & Fun of a Boating
Holiday. Easy... Safe... Comfortable... Fun.
Many clients have never handled a boat
before. Mastering the controls of your
cruiser and understanding the navigation
is easy and fun to learn. Experience is not
necessary and no licence is required.
Training will be provided by experienced
staff and you will receive all the information
you need to know before leaving your base.
Barging is an incredible way of discovering
and exploring your selected European
destination. Travelling the calm waterways
of the countryside, surrounded by the
beauty of nature, coupled with the
freedom to dock and visit the towns and
villages on the banks of the river, will
provide a true experience of the culture of
the country.
No licence required...
No experience required...Easy...
Safe... Comfortable... Fun...!
Barging in Europe
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France
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France
Day 1 Paris:
Arrive in Paris and spend the day exploring
this romantic city. Cruise the Seine, stroll
along Champs Elysees Avenue and take in
the breathtaking views of Paris from the
Eiffel Tower. Overnight in Paris.
Day 2 Reims:
Reims the Sacred Triangle of Champagne:
The Champagne Tourist route is over 600km
long and is diverse enough to include all the
riches that are the charm of the Champagne
region. Forming the perimeter of the most
prestigious vineyards in the world, the
Sacred Triangle of Champagne is bordered
by an imaginary line between the towns
of Reims, Epernay and Chalons-sur-Marne.
Enthusiasts will appreciate the traditional
regional specialities and prestigious cuisine
developed around the unique ingredient
of champagne. Visit Champagne cellars
and enjoy Champagne in world famous
Champagne Houses. Overnight in Reims.
Day 3 Reims:
The City of Art & History – discover the NotreDame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic art.
Champagne Houses include Lanson or Veuve
Clicquot, Pommery, Mumm, Piper Heidieck
and Taittinger. Overnight in Reims.
Day 4 Strasbourg:
Stop en route at Metz, taking in the SaintEtienne Cathedral, place d’Armes, place de
la Comédie, the Citadelle district, place Sanit
Louis and the German district before you
continue to Strasbourg. Strasbourg boasts
Feuillate - Notre-Dame Cathedral - Lanson
- Veuve Clicquot - Pommery - Mumm Cathedral & Rohan Palace - Little France
- National Automobile Museum - Dijon
Mustard and Pain d’epice (gingerbread) Palace of Dukes - Renaissance Saint-Michael
Church - Musée Magnin - Rue Verrerie
- Côte de Beaune - Côte de Nuits - Museum
of Burgundy Wine - Nuits-St-Georges Chassagne Montrachet.
Highlights:
Châlons en Champagne - Ganrielle Dorziat
Theatre - Rown Hall - Maison Gallice Chàteau Perrier - Villa Rosa - Champagne de
Castellane - Champagne Moet & Chandon
- Champagne Mercier - Champagne Nicolas
Self-drive suggested itinerary:
The Wine Regions
Thompsons offers a choice of two voucher
options Pre-Booked or Go-As-You-Please.
Pre-Booked ensures that your accommodation is confirmed at a specific establishment
prior to departure and therefore requires for
you to make your way to that specific town
for your overnight stay. Go-As-You-Please
offers complete flexibility, allowing you to
plan your holiday as you travel, with the
peace of mind that you will be staying at a 2
star or 3 star hotel or B&B when you arrive
at your final destination for the day. The
Dial-A-Bed facility will assist you in finding
alternative accommodation should your first
choice be unavailable.
Please take note that we do not advise the
Go-As-You-Please voucher scheme during
peak periods, as you may battle to find a
hotel that can accommodate you.
Discover France offers a network of
carefully selected quality hotels throughout
France, located in the most scenic areas.
From bustling cities and towns, to small
villages and coastal retreats, you have a
selection of over 120 hotels to choose
from. The properties are predominantly
2 and 3 star family owned and run hotels,
each with their own distinctive character
and charm. You will be greeted by warm
hospitality, excellent cuisine and comfortable
accommodation. Before you leave, you will
receive a full colour directory of all hotels
in each region to allow an element of
planning.
the Cathedral, a marvel of inspired majesty which took over four centuries to build.
Little France is a modern, dynamic city with
an array of parks & gardens for you to laze in
or enjoy shopping in the pedestrian sector.
Overnight in Strasbourg.
Day 5 Saverne:
Continue to explore Strasbourg. You could
take an afternoon guided tour to Saverne,
to visit Rohan Palace which replaced
Furstenberg Castle in 1790. Overnight in
Strasbourg.
Day 6 Alsace Wine Route:
Discover the charm and treasures of the
wine growing villages of the “Alsace Wine
Route”, with flower-decked streets, historic
houses, Roman churches and fountains.
Visit the wine cellars and taste the famous
Alsacian wines of Obernai, Barr, Andlau,
Dambach-la-ville & Haut Koeningsbourg.
Day 7 and 8 Dijon:
Stop en route in Mulhouse, a true
cross road of Europe, housing the world’s
greatest car collections at the National
Automobile Museum and is also known for
the high tower, Tour de l’Europe. Carry on to
Dijon where you will stay overnight.
Famous for mustard and pain d’epice
(gingerbread), Dijon is also rich in art treasures and historic buildings. Visit the Palace
of the Dukes, the Notre-Dame Church, the
Renaissance Saint-Michael Church, the
Musée Magnin and Rue Verrerie. Overnight
in Dijon.
Day 9 the Route des Grands Crus:
Depart on the famous road of the vineyards,
including Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.
Visit the wine cellars of Nuits-St-Georges
and Chassagne Montrachet, just two of the
names that entice wine lovers from around
the world. Overnight in Dijon
Day 10 Paris:
Make your way back to Paris.
Discover France & Self Drive
35 European Locations:
French Locations: (no delivery or pick-up
fees) Airports: Brest, Bordeaux, Geneva
(French side), Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier,
Please be advised that models listed are
subject to availability due to production
demand and supply of the Renault product
range. New models may also be introduced
during the course of the year, so ask your
consultant for the current product breakdown.
Extending Your Stay:
You may extend your contract (within the
validity limitations of the “Temporary Transit
Tax Regime”. Contact the DVSE Special
Export Sales Division at least 8 days before
your contract expires). A new insurance
declaration will be sent to you at the address
that you will have provided.
Unlimited free km:
With no additional payments, which means
that you can travel to as many far away
places as you like!
Comprehensive insurance:
Comprehensive insurance is included at no
additional cost, with no deductibles, and
provides full coverage in cases where you
are immobilized during your trip.
This service is insured by Renault Assistance
within the limits of the territories under
coverage. You can also make personal
belongings insurance part of the coverage.
Roadside Assistance:
In 28 European countries, 7 days a week
and 24 hours a day, you have at your
service a personal road assistance program,
backed by 17,000 Renault point of sale and
repair centres.
RENAULT CLIO
• Clio 1.4 (Petrol - A/C)
• Clio 1.5 (Turbo Diesel)
• Clio 1.5 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
• Clio 1.6 Automatic (Petrol - A/C) New
RENAULT KANGOO
• Kangoo 1.5 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
RENAULT MEGANE
• Megane 1.6 (Petrol - A/C)
• Megane 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
• Megane 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C - GPS)
• Megane 1.9 Automatic (Turbo Diesel - A/C) New
• Megane SW / Estate 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C) New
• Megane CC 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C - GPS)
RENAULT SCENIC
• Scenic 1.6 (Petrol - A/C) New
• Scenic 1.6 (Petrol - A/C -GPS)
• Scenic 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
• Scenic 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C -GPS) New
• Scenic 1.9 Automatic (Turbo Diesel - A/C) New
• Grand Scenic 5 seats 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C) New
• Grand Scenic 7 seats 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
RENAULT ESPACE
• Espace 5 seats 2.0 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
• Espace 5 seats 2.0 (Turbo Diesel - A/C - GPS)
• Espace 5 seats 2.0 Automatic (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
• Grand Espace 7 seats 2.0 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
• Grand Espace 7 seats 2.0 (Turbo Diesel - A/C - GPS) New
RENAULT TRAFIC
• Trafic 7 seats 2.5 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
NISSAN
• Nissan Pathfinder 7 seats 2.5 (Turbo Diesel - A/C - GPS) New
• Nissan Pathfinder 7 seats 2.5 Automatic
(Turbo Diesel - A/C - GPS)
M O D EL O PTIO N S
European Locations: (per delivery or
drop off fee applies) Airports: Amsterdam,
Barcelona, Brussels, Zurich, Frankfurt, Milan,
Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, Malaga, Porto, Rome,
Santiago, Vigo and London.
Nantes, Nice, Paris-Orly, Paris-Charles
de Gaulle, Strasbourg, Bale-Mulhouse,
Toulouse. Cities: Avignon, Biarritz, Paris,
Pau, Perpignan, Rennes.
Ferry Terminal: Calais
offered provides you the maximum
comfort, reliability and security. Whether
you’re looking for a family car, a sports car,
A Brand New Car:
All Renault Eurodrive vehicles are brand
new and are under warranty. Each model
Driver’s License:
A driver’s license that has been valid for at
least one year is required in order to take
advantage of the Renault Eurodrive option.
1. Your normal place of residence is outside
the European Union.
2. You stay in Europe between 21 and 185
days within a 1 year period and do not
practice any profit-seeking activity during
your stay.
3. You are 18 years or older.
4. At the time of delivery, you must present
a valid passport, a valid driver’s license,
and the Renault Eurodrive purchase order.
The tax-free vehicle registered is available
to you if the following conditions occur
simultaneously :
Who benefits from this option?
Renault Eurodrive is a self-drive car
leasing programme, giving you the
opportunity to experience Europe at your
leisure.
Renault Eurodrive is a package
created for all tourists staying in Europe,
from 21 days to 6 months, where you
can take advantage of tax-free services
currently valid in Europe. For the journey
of a lifetime, collect an award winning,
brand new Renault from any of the 35
delivery centres in Europe. New to the
fleet is the Nissan Pathfinder. The lease
process requires that your application
be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to
departure.
or just a practical vehicle, you will always
find what you need for your travels in
Europe.
Renault Eurodrive
11
Renault Eurodrive
12
Italy
Price
½20.00
½4.00
½2.00
½1.50
½2.50
½4.00
½5.00
Visit the romantic Medieval hill towns, such
as San Gimignano in Tuscany, and unspoilt
fishing villages, like the Positano on the
Amalfi coast.
Each with their own identity, experience
the renowned cities of Venice, Genoa and
Naples.
Italy is a combination of art history and
contemporary fashion, with incredible
natural landscapes. The crystal blue waters
of the Costa Smeralda presents one of
Europe’s most beautiful stretches of sand,
sea and sunshine, while the snow-covered
slopes of the Dolomite mountains are a
haven for winter sports enthusiasts.
Imagine waking up in the heart of the Roman
Empire, enjoying lunch in a 16th-century
Renaissance villa, and going to bed in the
capital of 21st-century designer chic? Visit
Italy, taking in Rome, Florence and Milan and
this could be a reality.
Viva Italia!
The summer is hot and dry, but the temperature
is moderated on the coast by sea breezes and in
the Apennines and Alps it is pleasantly cool.
The winter is very cold in the Alps, cold and
foggy in the Po Plain and the central Apennines;
mild and even warm on the Ligurian coast, the
Neapolitan coast and in Sicilia.
The weather varies considerably, depending on
how far you are from the sea or the mountains.
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
TIME DIFFERENCE:
Apr - Oct Same as SA time
Nov - Mar 1 hour behind
CAPITAL CITY:
Rome
LANGUAGE:
Italian - English is widely spoken
CURRENCY:
Euro
VISA:
AIRPORT TAX: All taxes included in the ticket
AREA:
301 230 km2
L
Italy
Besides great cities like Rome, Venice, Milan
and Florence, Italy offers so much more...on
the Amalfi Coast there’s Sorrento, Naples and
Capri and the breathtaking Lake District and
its popular resorts. A blend of art, marvellous food and wine, classic architecture and
stylishness, are the spirit of Italia.
Italy offers great food and wine, fantastic
sightseeing and a history that has been
preserved over the ages in churches
and museums.
Experience the superb
craftsmanship of the Sistine Chapel, the sheer
magnificence of Michelangelo’s “David”,
and the romantic atmosphere of St Mark’s
Square.
Taste the very best regional wines at the
vineyards and cellars of the Veneto, famed
for the sparkling white prosecco, and
Tuscany, home of the highly acclaimed
robust red, Brunello di Montalcino. You could
really get away from it all by taking a boat
to the islands of Sicily or Sardinia, to
experience rural hospitality in the blissful
Mediterranean.
Thompsons Choice of hotels in
Venice include:
*** Rialto Hotel
*** Capri Hotel
*** Antico Panada Hotel
*** Royal San Marco Hotel
*** Bisanzio Hotel
Milan include:
*** San Carlo Hotel
*** Ritter Hotel
*** Mennini Hotel
*** Cervo Hotel
**** Brunelleschi Hotel
Milan is one of Europe’s four
fashion capitals and is famous
for
it’s
churches,
opera,
cuisine and da Vinci's Last
Supper masterpiece. Although
it is a working city and the
country's business and financial centre, visitors come in
droves for the shopping,
eating and nightclubbing. Milan
offers a host of monuments
to explore including the
Alessandro Manzoni in Piazza
San Fedele and the Mazzini's
Monument in Piazza della
Repubblica.
Milan will spoil all visitors with
a shopping and cultural experience, with landmarks such as
the Duoma, art galleries, elegant
shops & boutiques, restaurants,
pubs and clubs.
Milan
Florence
Florence include:
*** San Giorgio Hotel
*** Martelli Hotel
*** Le Due Fontane Hotel
*** Machiavelli Palace Hotel
You need to get lost in the streets
of Florence, to truly become a
part of the multi-faceted spirit of
this city. You need to do more
than just visit the museums, see
the churches, palaces and monuments, you need to take a day
to mingle with the locals and try
to live as they do for a day.
A magical city with orange
rooftops and cobble stoned
streets will leave you enchanted. Home to the best collection of Renaissance art in the
world, as well as the Cathedral
of Santa Maria del Fiore and
Giotto’s 14th Century Bell Tower.
The Cathedral Museum houses Michelangelo’s “Gates of
Paradise” and “David” adorns
the steps of the Palazzo Vecchio,
located in the heart of the city.
Rome include:
*** San Remo Hotel
*** Verona Hotel
*** Trevi Hotel
*** Morgana Hotel
**** Gioberti Hotel
Rome is all that it is made out
to be. To see the grandeur of
the Colosseum in a photograph
is one thing, but to stand in the
presence of this it’s glory will
stop you in your tracks. The
Forum and Baths are breathtaking and the Sistine Chapel will
leave you speechless. Make a
wish as you throw your coin in
the Trevi Fountain before relaxing at a sidewalk café, sipping
on traditional Italian Espresso.
A watery maze of Grand Canals
and 177 smaller canals with 400
bridges makes up mesmerizing
Venice. Although quite walkable,
getting around Venice aboard
the public transport boats or on
the traditional gondola is suggested for a more romantic and
unique experience.
There is so much to see and do
in Venice from the traditional
tourist attractions like St. Mark' s
Square, the Canal Grande, the
Basilica of St. Mark, and the
Rialto Bridge. However to truly
experience Venice, you need to
bathe yourself in her culture, get
lost in her streets, dine in tucked
away restaurants and hop from
island to island for a well rounded taste of that Venetian magic
that you always hear about.
Venice
Rome
Most of Rome’s main attractions are located in the heart of
ancient Rome. These include
the Colosseum, the Forum, the
Pantheon, Piazza Navona, St
Peter’s Cathedral, the Spanish
Steps & Villa Borghese. Rome
also boasts the Vatican City,
home to St Peter’s Basilica,
the Vatican Museums and the
Sistine Chapel.
13
Italy
14
Italy
The Sculpture Museum
The fascinating Tapestry Gallery
The Gallery of Maps
The world famous Sistine Chapel,
decorated by Michelangelo. The tour
will then proceed to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Day 1:
Arrive in Rome and take the day to explore
the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon,
Piazza Navona, St. Peter’s Cathedral, the
Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese. Overnight
in Rome.
Day 2 & 3:
You will be transferred from your hotel to
the train station to enjoy the scenic trip
Italy by Train
Day 1,2 & 3:
Start the tour in the fashion capital of Italy.
Depart Milan and visit the Monastery and
the Church of St. Jules before arriving in
Stresa for 3 nights. In Stresa visit the
surrounding lakes, such as Lake Locarno and
be sure to take a train trip to Grimagliera to
visit the Church of Madonna del Sasso. Take
a day trip to the Borrome Islands as well.
Day 4 & 5:
Travel from Stresa to Como where
you have the opportunity to discover
Lake Como. Enjoy the absolute tranquillity
during your 2 night stay.
Day 6:
Leaving the Lakes behind you, start your
journey back to Milan and spend the rest
of the day exploring the Scala Opera, Milan
Cathedral, Santa Maria della Grazie and
Castello Sforzesco.
Italian Lakes
Day 2 & 3:
Leave for a two night stay in Siena, with
a stop at Trasimeno Lake along the way.
Take time to explore Volterra and visit the
Etruscan ruins and San Gimignano.
Day 4 & 5:
Travel on to Florence through the Chianti
area, discovering one of the most
suggestive areas of Tuscany. Spend the rest
of the trip exploring Florence and visiting
surrounding towns such as Pisa and Lucca.
Spend 2 nights in Florence.
Day 1,2 & 3:
Enjoy 3 nights in Rome with a Roman
Promenade hop-on hop-off tour, which will
allow you easy access to the world-renowned
sights of Rome. As one of the most beautiful
and historic cities in the world, explore the
Roman ruins for a day. Go back in time and
imagine what it must have been like to live
in ancient Rome.
Day 4,5 & 6:
Take the train from Rome to Florence
where you will spend 3 nights. Enjoy
a Pisa Excursion, as well as the
wonderful selection of restaurants and well
known attractions. Florence appeals to
travellers of all ages. Discover the sights such
as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore,
Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Palazzo Vecchio, the
Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio bridge.
Rome to Florence by Train
to Florence. Florence is home to Italy’s
incredible art. You have two nights in
Florence which will allow you the time to
discover the Cathedral of Santa Maria del
Fiore and Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Palazzo
Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte
Vecchio Bridge.
Day 4 & 5:
Transfer from the hotel to the train
station and continue to the Romantic
City of Canals, Venice, by train. 2 nights
in Venice allows you to explore the Venetian
islands of Murano, Burano, Torcello and
Chioggia; the canals of the Brenta and the
Veneto villas. You will admire the enchanting and unique lagoon and the majestic
reddish spires of the Dolomites.
Day 6:
Transfer to the train station for a trip to the
fashion capital of Italy. Besides shopping,
visit the Scala Opera, Milan Cathedral, Santa
Maria della Grazie and Castello Sforzesco
and spend one night in magical Milan.
Wonderful Toscana
Day 1:
From Rome, travel to Perugia, passing
through Assisi and visit the Basilica of St.
Francis along the way. Spend one night in
Perugia.
Day 1 & 2:
Arrive in the fashion capital of Italy and
discover new trends and ideas. Spend
two nights in Milan and discover the Scala
Opera, Milan Cathedral, Santa Maria della
Grazie and Castello Sforzesco.
Day 3, 4 & 5:
Just half an hour from noisy, bustling
Milan, Lake Como is a jewel-like oasis of
tranquillity, a magical combination of lush
Mediterranean foliage and snowy alpine
peaks. One of the best vantage points for
this breathtaking view is at Piazza Cavour, on
the banks of the lake in the town of Como.
The cathedral here is often cited as the best
example of transitional architectural styles:
to immediately understand what this means,
compare the stunning gothic façade with the
18th-century dome above it.
Day 6 & 7:
Verona, home to Romeo and Juliet, one of
the prettiest and most historical little cities in
the whole country. Spend 2 days seeing the
Arena of Verona, Castelvecchio, Piazza delle
Erbe and Juliet’s House.
Milan, Lake Como and Verona
Thompsons offer a combination of self-drive and train
options including:
The different cities in Italy are easily
accessible by road or train, however in the
larger cities, parking is a major problem.
We would therefore suggest that you hire
your vehicle for travel between the cities or
use the train option as an alternative.
Venice Gondola Serenade (One Hour)
A flotilla of gondolas gathered around the
barge with musicians and singers floating
along the fascinating Grand Canal, glittering
in the reflection of the illuminated facades
When you visit Milan, you will discover
Italy’s financial centre, offering an array of
businesses, fashion districts and a wealth of
art to explore. Take the time to experience
the variety of monuments, museums, and
churches the city has to offer. Art creations
by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci can
be enjoyed throughout the city or you could
embrace the exciting cultural scene by taking in an opera at La Scala, the numerous
fashion shows, as well as great nightlife
selections.
Milan
City Tour on foot (Half Day)
This tour is a short historical and artistic
introduction to the city. Discover St. Mark’s
Square, ”Golden Basilica”, the Baptistery,
Ducal Palace, residence of the Doges and the
Prisons and Bridge of Sighs.
of the sumptuous “palazzos”. Return in the
dark stillness of the canals. Private Gondola
Serenades available at a premium.
Self drive and Train Options
Venice
Pisa (Half Day)
An excursion through the fertile and
picturesque Tuscan countryside towards the
historic university town of Pisa, famous
for its architectural beauty. Enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful Riversides, then
visit the Piazza dei Cavalieri on foot. The
tour proceeds to Piazza dei Miracoli to the
famous Leaning Tower and the Cathedral,
an unequalled masterpiece of Romanesque
art, carried out between the 11th & 12th
centuries. Discover the Baptistery and other
important monuments as well.
Siena and San Gimignano (Full Day)
Enjoy an interesting excursion through the
Chianti countryside with delightful hills and
ever changing scenery of vineyards & olive
trees. Visit San Gimignano, a tiny city situated on the top of a hill, kept intact through
the centuries. San Gimignano is famous for
its numerous towers, the frescoes and other
art treasures. Enjoy a guided visit of the
magnificent medieval city, Siena. Admire
the Cathedral, Piazza del Campo, one of the
most beautiful squares in Europe, the Town
Hall, and San Domenico with its host of
Italian paintings. On the way back discover
the old medieval village of Monteriggioni,
enclosed by its famous walls.
Florence
•
•
•
•
City Tour (Half Day)
Crossing the Aurelian Walls and the park of
Villa Borghese, your guide will take you to
the Vatican City, the smallest independent
sovereign state in the world, whose origins
date back to the 5th century. In the Vatican
Museum, you’ll be shown a fine collection
of antiquites, including:
The Vatican
Naples and Capri (Two Day)
Leave Rome southbound along the
Autostrada del Sole to arrive in Naples.
Visit the island of Capri. On arrival, weather
permitting, visit the Blue Grotto, then
travel by mini bus to Anacapri for lunch.
Return to Naples by steamer, then coach to
Rome.
Ancient Rome (Half Day)
Visit the Capital Square on foot, designed by
Michelangelo, from which there is a magnificent view of the Roman Forum and Palatine.
Move onto St. Peter’s in Chains, a very old
Basilica where you can admire the statue
of Moses by Michelangelo. After a stop in
front of the Colosseum, from where you can
see the Arches of Costantino & Tito and the
Temple of Venus & Rome. Passing in front of
the Cestia Pyramid, visit the St. Paul’s, where
the “Apostle of the People” is buried.
Monument Tour (Half Day)
Your walk in the historical centre starts with
a visit to the Trevi Fountain. Then move to
the Piazza Navona, located on the ancient
Domitian Stadium with the famous Fountain
of the Four Rivers, Bernini’s masterpiece.
Along the way admire Piazza Colonna and
enjoy a visit to the Pantheon. Continue
by coach to St. Peter’s Square passing
St. Angel’s Castle. Visit the Basilica of St.
Peter to admire, among others, the Pietà by
Michelangelo.
Rome
Sightseeing Tours
15
Italy
16
Spain
Price
½10.00
½2.50
½2.00
½1.50
½2.50
½4.00
½12.00
Montserrat Half Day Tour ex Barcelona
Discover the amazing setting of the
Monastery of Montserrat and visit the
Barcelona Full Day Tour
Visit the Plaza de Cataluna, Via Layetana,
the Cathedral and the Olympic Village.
Also a visit to Paseo de Gracia, Barcelona’s
Monumental Bull Ring and the Picasso
Museum.
Sightseeing Tour Options
Inland Spain holds the promise of
beautiful monuments, delicious food, art and
great natural beauty. Coastal Spain, offers
splendid beaches and watersports.
Spain has been made famous through
traditional characteristics such as Flamenco
music, La Tomatina (throwing of tomatoes
in Buñol) and Bullfighting. Bullfighting is
as Spanish as Spain itself and Sanfermines
or the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona
originated from cow herders who moved the
bulls through the old quarter to the Plaza to
do bull fighting.
Flamenco Fever
Winter (Dec-Mar): Is a good time to visit the
Mediterranean area along the Costa del Sol.
Autumn(Oct-Nov): The best season of the year
to visit the entire country. The climate is excellent, with sunny days and blue skies.
Summer (Jul-Sep): Is a good season to visit
the northern regions. Costa del Sol and Costa
Tropical on the southern coast are much hotter.
Spring (Apr-Jun): Is an ideal time to visit the
central regions of Castile, Andalucia, the
Mediterranean Coast, and the Balearic Islands.
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
TIME DIFFERENCE:
Apr - Oct Same as SA
AREA: 504, 782 km2
VISA:
CURRENCY:
Euro
LANGUAGE:
Spanish
CAPITAL CITY:
Madrid
L
Spain
Costa del Sol
Choose from a variety of full day tours in the
surrounding areas of Spain. Discover places
like Ronda, Marbella, Granada, Seville,
Cordoba, Gibraltar and Tanger in one day
and take the opportunity to explore their
monuments, churches and culture.
Panoramic Madrid & Bullfight (Full Day)
Travel through the quarters and sections of
Madrid that are most representative of this
beautiful country. Discover the most important details of a bullfight during your tour
and have the chance to admire the most
famous bullring in the world, the Spanish
Fiesta!
Panoramic Madrid Half Day Tour
Experience the famous squares of Plaza de
Espana, de Oriente, Mayor and Puerta del
Sol. Take in the famous del Oeste and Retiro
Parks as well as the commercial areas of
Madrid, the University Campus, the Bull
Ring and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium,
home of the famous Real Madrid football
club.
Full Day Toledo Tour including Lunch
Toledo is a national monument with its
many churches, medieval castle, synagogue,
stunning El Greco paintings and of course
its amazing 13th-century cathedral.
famous Royal Basilica, which holds the
famous “Black Virgin”.
in Oviedo.
Day 4: Santander - Oviedo
Travel to the capital of Asturias, Oviedo,
an historic town with an outstanding
12th-century Gothic Cathedral. The Camara
Santa has some impressive Romanesque
wall paintings and other artistic treasures.
Asturias has a remarkably rich legacy of
Romanesque churches. San Julian de
los Prados dates from AD 830 and is
decorated with medieval frescoes. Overnight
Day 3: Santander
Discover Santander, set in a bay, framing
one of Spain’s loveliest panorama’s with
wide curving beaches and romantic sea side
views. Overnight in Santander.
Day 2: San Sebastián – Colombres Santander
Leave San Sebastián, visiting Colombres en
route, where you will find the caves of Tito
Bustillo, El Pindal, Candamoand El Buxu,
all fine examples of Palaeolithic Art and
ancient Celtic settlements (castros). Continue
onto Santander where you will spend the
next two nights.
Day 1: San Sebastián
Begin your journey with a night in San
Sebastián, the true gem of Basque resorts,
with its blend of cosmopolitan chic and
delightful old-world feel. This is the quintessential summer getaway.
North of Spain 8 Day Self-drive
suggestion
Day 7: Lugo
Spend the last day in Lugo before you start
your homeward journey.
Day 6: Oviedo – Lugo
Travel to Lugo for two nights - the city that
is dominated by city walls. Sights to be seen
include Diocesan Museum, City Hall, San
Pedro Church and Plaza del Campo.
was also built in the 9th-century for Ramiro
I as a hunting lodge.
The chapel of San Miguel de Lillo is nearby.
There are many good beaches along the
coast, especially around the large fishing
villages of Ribadesella and Lastres. Other
sights to see include Old Quarter, Cathedral
and Historic Quarter. Overnight in Oviedo.
Another day to discover Oviedo, with the
Palacio de Santa Maria del Naranco, which
Day 5: Oviedo
Day 4: Seville – Ronda – Costa del Sol
After breakfast, leave Seville through the
route of the White Villages for Ronda. Enjoy
your free time in Ronda before you continue
to Costa del Sol.
Day 3: Seville
Enjoy the morning city tour of Seville as
you visit the Park of Maria Luisa, Plaza de
España and the Santa Cruz Quarter. Your
afternoon is at leisure as you overnight in
Seville again.
Day 2: Cordoba – Seville
After breakfast enjoy a morning tour of the
Cathedral, Arab Mosque and Jewish Quarter
before continuing to Seville for lunch. Your
afternoon will be at leisure to explore Seville,
where you will overnight.
Day 1: Madrid – Merida – Cordoba
Depart from the bus terminal passing
Extremadura on your way to Merida, where
you will have lunch. Continue to Cordoba
for dinner and overnight stay.
Andalucia: 4 Days - 3 Nights
Coach Tour
coach tour from 37 itineraries with 3 & 4 star
accommodation options.
and include breakfast and most lunches
and dinners as well. You can select your
Join a coach tour of Spain for anything from
3 days to 10 days with Thompsons Tours.
Tours are based on travel in a deluxe, airconditioned coach with a multilingual guide
Coach Tours and Self drive Ideas
17
Spain
18
Portugal
Price
½10.00
½2.50
½2.00
½1.50
½2.50
½4.00
½12.00
Touristic Lisbon (Half Day)
Visit the Coach Museum, Jerónimos
Monastery, Tower of Belém, Monument to
the Discoveries, as well as Alfama for walking
or wine tasting. Continue to Rossio Square
and Marques De Pombal Square.
Sightseeing Tours
If it’s a beach holiday you are after, find a
secluded beach, spread your towel and soak
up the sun. From the Algarve in the south, to
the idyllic 9km Porto Santo beach, there is a
stretch of beach to suit everyone.
Magnificent architecture, pristine beaches,
beautiful landscapes, cosmopolitan cities,
vibrant nightlife and the welcome of the
locals are all characteristic of what you will
experience when you visit Portugal. Portugal
boasts a rich array of visual art, with a superb
range of European, Portuguese, Oriental and
African art, however the greatest cultural
heritage lies in it's architecture.
Architectural wonderland
Winters (Dec-Mar) are moderately cool and are
the rainiest time of year, except in subtropical
Madeira, where there is little rain. Mid-Summer
temperatures range in the mid 200C, while
Winter temperatures range from 100C - 150C.
Portugal’s climate is mild all year round.
Summers (July-September) are dry and clear,
with warm sunshine extending long into Autumn
(Oct-Nov).
B EST T I M E T O T R AV E L
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
W HAT T H I N G S C O ST
TIME DIFFERENCE:
Apr - Oct 1 hour behind
Nov - Mar 2 hours behind
CAPITAL CITY:
Lisbon
LANGUAGE:
Portuguese - English is widely spoken
CURRENCY:
Euro
VISA:
AREA:
92, 391km2
L
Portugal
Fátima (Half Day)
One of the most important Marian centres of
pilgrimage in the catholic world.
Discover the tombstone of Jacinta and
Fransisco, Chapel of Apparitions, the heart
of the shrine. Also visit the place where our
Lady of Fátima appeared.
Estoril Coast, Cascais and Sintra (Half Day)
Enjoy a visit to the various Palaces in Sintra
and to Cabo da Roca, the western most point
of Europe. Continue to the Boca do Inferno,
Guincho and then onto the fishing port of
Cascais, before experiencing the Casino and
Gardens of Estoril.
Lisbon by Night (Evening)
Visit the Jerónimos Monastery, Tower of
Belém, Monument to the Discoveries,
Marques De Pombal Square, Av. Da
Liberdade, Rossio Square, Terreiro do Paco,
Lisbon Bridge and Alcantara. Later enjoy a
meal at a typical Portuguese restaurant and
attend the Fado and Folk Dances show.
Day 3: Lisbon – Beja
Today takes you to Beja, the ancient Roman
town which was a Muslim cultural centre.
Visit the churches of Santo António and
Santa Maria, convent and castle of São
Francisco and the chapel of Santo André.
Overnight in Beja.
Day 4: Beja – Faro
Day 1 & 2: Lisbon
Spend two nights in Lisbon, the dazzling city
that stretches along the banks of the Tagus,
is an enchanting capital. Lisbon provides
the opportunity to discover the famous
monuments, churches and culture. Spend
your two days discovering the surrounding
towns and villages such as Sintra, Cascais
and Seisambra before returning to Lisbon.
The South of Portugal
6 Day Selfdrive suggestion:
will have lunch and time to visit the Roman
Theatre before continuing to Madrid where
the tour terminates.
Day 5: Lisbon – Merida - Madrid
After breakfast depart for Merida where you
Visit our website www.visitportugal.com
or contact:
Portuguese Trade & Tourism Office
Tel.: 011 302 0404
Fax.: 011 784 3586
e-mail: [email protected]
Day 6: Albufeira – Lisbon
Make your way back to Lisbon for your
homeward journey.
Day 5: Faro – Albufeira
Make your way to Albufeira, where the
population of the many bars, restaurants
and clubs overflow onto the narrow streets.
Home to the Virtual Archaeological Museum
and 15th and 17th-century Ming ceramics,
there is something for everyone in Albufeira.
Take a day trip to Lagos, a city rich with
the magnificent churches of São Sebastião,
Santa Maria or Misericórdia, Santo António
and the very old São João. Overnight in
Albufeira.
Move onto Faro for 1 night, the capital of
the district, with a medieval wall and a large
number of monuments. Visit the Cathedral,
Nossa Senhora da Assunção Convent and
San Francisco Church. Overnight in Faro.
Day 4: Lisbon
Enjoy a morning tour that includes the
Tower of Belém, the Jerónimos Monestary
to name a few. The afternoon is at leisure
– you will overnight in Lisbon.
Day 3: Coimbra – Fátima - Lisbon
Travel to Lisbon via Fátima after breakfast.
Overnight in Lisbon
Day 2: Salamanca - Coimbra
After breakfast depart for Coimbra, stopping
in at Ciudad Rodrigo and Guarda en route.
Enjoy dinner and overnight in Coimbra.
Day 1: Madrid – Avila - Salamanca
Depart the bus terminal for Avila where you
will have free time to explore before proceeding to Salamanca for dinner. Overnight
in Salamanca.
Castilla: Portugal 5 Day 4 Night Coach Tour
well with an option of 3 or 4 star accommodation.
coach with a multilingual guide and include
breakfast and most lunches and dinners as
Join a coach tour of Portugal, combining
Spain & Portugal for anything from 3 days
to 9 days with Thompsons Tours. Tours are
based on travel in a deluxe, air-conditioned
19
Portugal
20
Austria
Price
½15.00
½3.00
½2.50
½3.00
½4.00
½5.00
½8.00
Historical City Tour &
Schonbrunn Palace (3Hrs)
This tour will give you an overall
impression of the most significant sights of
Vienna. You will see the Ringstrasse with its
magnificent buildings, such as the Museum of
Applied Arts, the State Opera House and the
Museum of Natural History, the Hofburg,
Sightseeing Tours
Austria’s capital, Vienna, is both the hub
of the country’s musical life, as well as
a testament to the countries beautiful
buildings. Music, art and architecture
peak to perfection in Salzburg, Mozart’s
birthplace and Innsbruck’s snow-capped
peaks form a backdrop to the fascinating
historic buildings. Austria boasts a wealth
of remarkable buildings, with historic
value, including churches, monasteries,
fortresses, castles, palaces, museums, and
burgher houses to name but a few. Immerse
yourself in the beauty of snow-capped peaks,
roaring waterfalls, secluded nature parks and
emerald-green lakes or indulge in the world
of wellness and beauty.
Rich Historical Cities
Snow on the mountains in spring and autumn is
not uncommon. In Vienna itself you can enjoy
the very mild climate, a gentle breeze and fresh
air produced by the surrounding Wienerwald.
Summer can be hot and long with average
summer temperatures that range from 20°C
to 30°C. The average winter temperatures are
around 0°.
Austria’s climate is generally moderate and mild
but varies from the Alpine region to the eastern
plain.
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
CAPITAL CITY:
Vienna
LANGUAGE:
German with the Austrian dialect - English is
widely spoken
CURRENCY:
Euro
VISA:
AREA:
83,858 km2
TIME DIFFERENCE:
Apr - Oct: Same as SA time
Nov - Mar: 1 hour behind
L
Salzburg City Tour (1Hr)
This tour will take you on a brief city tour
that allows you to see the major sights in
Salzburg. The original wealth of Salzburg
and the province was based on the salt trade,
and the mines and the Celtic Museum of
Hallein are well worth a visit. Badgastein is
a popular spa and winter resort, with a large
casino, whilst Kaprun offers glacier skiing
even in the summer. The Zell-am-See skiing
area has an active nightlife. The Open-Air
Folklife Museum at Grossgmain is also worth
visiting, as are the Eisriesenwelt (ice caves,
with wonderful ice sculptures) near Werfen.
Kremsmünster Monastery is one of the
country’s oldest; founded in 1877, full of
paintings, frescos and Renaissance statues.
The monastery is also famous for its white
wines.
Vienna Woods – Meyerling (4 Hrs)
Passing the Roman City of Baden, famous
for its thermal springs, you will proceed
through the romantic valley of Helenental to
the former Meyerling hunting lodge, today a
commemorative chapel where the Crown
Prince Rudolph committed suicide with
Baronesse Vetsera in 1889. In the Cistercian
Abbey of Heiligenkreuz (1133) you will
visit the medieval cloister, which houses
the remains of the last Badenberger. Later
you will drive by the Holdrichsmuhle where
Franz Schubert composed his song, The
Lindentree, before you arrive at the Seegrotte.
From there, after a boat ride on the largest
subterranean lake in Europe you leave the
Vienna Woods and return to Vienna, passing
the Liechtenstein Castle. The tour ends at the
State Opera House.
The Parliament, City Hall, the Burgtheater
and on the way to the Prater (the Viennese
amusement park), you will pass by the
Kunsthaus. The highlight of this tour will
be a visit to the showrooms of Schonbrunn
Palace. Also visit the Belvedere Palace, the
former summer residence of Prince Eugen.
Price
CHF 25.00
CHF 4.00
CHF 4.50
CHF 3.50
CHF 3.50
CHF 6.00
CHF 15.00
City Tour on Tramway in Geneva (2 Hrs)
This bus excursion includes the ramble
through Geneva’s past.
Sightseeing Tours
From the lowlands to the highest mountains,
Switzerland is a unique miracle of nature.
The cities are both traditional and trendy,
featuring a unique mix of people, architecture, museums, markets and festivals,
displaying the incredible diversity and charm
of Switzerland.
The Switzerland experience is one of
breathtaking landscapes, magnificent lakes,
snow capped mountains and palm tree
promenades. Incorporated in these are four
distinct cultures of four different languages
- a treasure house of design, perfection and
quality. Immerse yourself in the world of
wellness and beauty or take a trip to a watch
factory, chocolatier or museum - trademarks
of Switzerland.
The home of Swiss Chocolate!
MySwitzerland.com
Our
open-air cinema.
Lucerne Tour (Full Day)
Visit the main sights of Lucerne; the Old
Town, Picasso Museum & surrounding
mountain tops.
Engelberg and the Mountain regions (Full Day)
Engelberg (Angel Mountain) was originally
founded by the Benedictine Monks and the
imposing monastery dominates the centre of
the village.
Zurich
Discover the most important museums, and
see the Fraumünster Church with its famous
Chagall windows.
The only areas in Switzerland with permanent
snow and ice are the high peaks in the Alps.
The Mittelland is often covered by a dense blanket of fog during late autumn.
Switzerland’s climate varies according to altitude. Ticino in the south has a Mediterranean
climate, but most of the country has a central
European climate, with warm summers and
cold winters.
B EST T IM E T O T R AVEL
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
according to hotels and seasons. (Swiss Franc)
WH AT T H INGS COS T
CAPITAL CITY:
Bern
LANGUAGE:
German, French, Italian, Rheto-Romanisch English is widely spoken
CURRENCY:
Swiss Franc (CHF)
VISA:
No visa required
AIRPORT TAX:
AREA: 41,290 km2
TIME DIFFERENCE:
L
Switzerland
Lake Stelli with a view of the Matterhorn, Valais
Austria
21
Switzerland
22
Germany
Price
½15.00
½3.00
½2.50
½3.00
½4.00
½5.00
½8.00
Big Berlin Tour (3Hrs)
The tour will show the Kaiser-Wilhelm
Memorial Church, Bauhaus Museum, New
National Gallery, Philharmonic Hall, Potsdame
Square/Sony Center, Jewish Museum,
Gendarmenmarkt, Alexander Square, St.Nikolai-Quarter, City Hall of Berlin, TV Tower,
the Berlin Cathedral, Zeughaus, State Opera,
Boulevard Unter den Linden, Brandenburg
City Circle Tour - Berlin (2Hrs)
Experience Berlin at your own pace with a
City Circle Tour, which includes 15 different
stops all around the city on a hop-on hop-off
basis or stay on the bus and do a two hour
tour.
Sightseeing Tours
Germany will captivate you with its bigcity charm, small picture perfect towns and
villages, a wealth of art, culture, history,
harvest festivals, and the pleasures of
delightful castles, fine wine and beer.
The home of the “Beerfest”
Summer temperatures are typically between
20°C and 30°C, with most of the rainfall during
the summer. To be on the safe side, take a
sweater or weather protection jacket with you.
Winter temperatures vary from west to east,
with around freezing tempertures in the west
and well below freezing in eastern Germany.
Germany’s climate is quite varied.
B E ST T I M E T O T R AV EL
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
CAPITAL CITY:
Berlin
LANGUAGE:
German - English is widely spoken
CURRENCY:
Euro
VISA:
AREA:
357, 030 km2
TIME DIFFERENCE:
L
Germany
Munich Highlights (1Hr)
Cross the Konigsplatz and pass the renowned
art galleries. The tour includes a visit to the
former artists quarters of Schwabing, the
magnificent Ludwig Castle and Prinzregenten
street and the Theatiner Church, Hall of
Generals (Feldherrnhalle), House of Arts,
Bavarian National Museum and the Angel of
Peace. Drive along Maximilian Street to view
the Bavarian Parliament, Deutches Museum,
Royal Palace and the Opera House.
The Riverside Tour - Hamburg (2Hr30)
The tour will take you through the
romantic Blakensee, where you will walk
through the unique labyrinth of steps. Cross
the River Elbe and discover the fruit growing
area of Altes Land.
Hamburg Hummeltrain Tour (1Hr45)
Hop-on and off the train at different places
and continue the tour later.
Day Tour to the Rhine Valley (Full Day)
Pass Wiesbaden while heading towards
Rudesheim, the most famous of all wine
villages. During this boat ride enjoy the
unique view of hills and vineyards,
medieval castles and the famous Loreley
Rock. Includes lunch and a visit to a local
winery for wine tasting.
Frankfurt City Tour (2Hrs)
Visit St. Paul's Church, the Imperial Cathedral,
Romer (the city hall), Goethe-House (birthplace
of Germany's famous poet), the International
Fairgrounds, the Old Opera, Banking District,
Hauptwache and St. Katharine's Church. Also
visit "Zeil", the Museum Section, the Old
Towers of the former city defences, and the
amusement quarter "Sachsenhausen".
Gate, Reichstag, Haus der Kulturen (former
Congress Hall), Tiergarten, Bellevue Palace,
Siegessaule, Grunewald Forest, Radio Tower,
ICC and Kurfurstendamm.
Price
½25.00
½3.00
½2.50
½3.00
½3.50
½5.00
½8.00
Amsterdam City Tour and
Canal Cruise (2Hr30)
Through this city tour, you will see both
old and new parts of the city, with many
historical buildings and sites including the
Royal Palace and National Monument.
Sightseeing Tours
The Netherlands produced six masters of art
including Van Gogh & Rembrandt, and their
works are available to be viewed in galleries
around the country.
Otherwise known as Holland, the “land of
windmills”, the Netherlands is a country
where bikes, windmills and blazing flower
fields are pretty much the order of the day
outside the major cities. Amsterdam is one
of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities.
Bicycling is part of the Dutch culture and you
can pedal to anywhere in the country’s towns
or villages, along any number of safe and
well-maintained bicycle lanes.
Cheese, clogs and windmills
Candlelight Cruise (2Hrs)
This candlelit tour will allow you to enjoy
a glass of red or white wine with a cheese
platter as you take in Amsterdam on a guided
evening cruise of the canals.
Grand Holland Tour (Full Day)
A great impression of Holland with its many
cities and rural landscapes. First to the
largest flower auction in the world at
Aalsmeer, then continue towards Delft,
where you will see the making of the
famous Delft Blue Pottery. See Rotterdam,
with its modern architecture and part
of its port, enjoy The Hague with its
Parliament and The Peace Palace. Stop
at Scheveningen, one of Holland's major
beach resorts.
Afterwards visit the
Madurodam (Holland in miniature).
Volendam and Marken (Half Day)
See the typical Dutch countryside of polders
and little canals, as well as a well known
windmill village where you can visit a
wooden shoe maker. Then onto the famous
fishing villages of Volendam and Marken,
where you will experience wooden houses
and locals wearing traditional dress. A stop
is also made at a traditional cheese farm.
On the boat tour, you will also visit a
windmill along the river Amstel and a stop
will be made at the Diamond Factory, where
you can see the traditional way of polishing
diamonds. Along the canals, you will see
17th century merchant houses and churches
with bell towers as well as the old harbour.
Spring is the best time of year to visit the
Netherlands with fields of flowers in full bloom.
Winter is relatively mild, however temperatures
do drop around the freezing mark.
Autumn is a beautiful time of year in the
Netherlands, however is the rainiest of the
seasons.
The summer months are very popular, especially
for barging and the coastal resorts, with temperatures averaging in the mid 20ºC.
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
TIME DIFFERENCE:
CAPITAL CITY:
Amsterdam
LANGUAGE:
Dutch - English is widely spoken
CURRENCY:
Euro
VISA:
AIRPORT TAX:
AREA:
41,526 km2
L
Netherlands
23
Netherlands
24
Europe
HOLIDAY INN BRUSSELS
PRESIDENT NORD
MOEVENPICK
IBIS PRAHA SMICHOV
IBIS PRAHA CITY
CROWNE PLAZA PRAGUE
IBIS PRAHA KARLIN
FIRST VESTERBRO
MERCURE RICHMOND
ROSSINI APS
ADMIRAL
RADISSON SAS PLAZA HELSIN
HILTON HELSINKI STRAND
SWISSOTEL BERLIN
ATRIUM MUNICH
CONTINENTAL FRANKFURT
LEONET HOTEL
HOLIDAY INN DUSSELDORF
INTER-CONTINENTAL
HOLIDAY INN BUDAPEST
MERCURE BUDA
MERCURE METROPOL
BELGIUM
BELGIUM
CZECH REP.
CZECH REP.
CZECH REP.
CZECH REP.
CZECH REP.
DENMARK
DENMARK
DENMARK
DENMARK
FINLAND
FINLAND
GERMANY
GERMANY
GERMANY
GERMANY
GERMANY
HUNGARY
HUNGARY
HUNGARY
HUNGARY
4*
3*
5*
4*
5*
4*
3*
4*
4*
5*
5*
4*
3*
3*
4*
3*
4*
2*
3*
4*
3*
4*
RATING
4*
4*
4*
4*
HOTEL
BELLEVUE
HOLIDAY INN CITY
AUSTROTEL
EUROPA HOTEL
COUNTRY
AUSTRIA
AUSTRIA
AUSTRIA
AUSTRIA
Budapest
Budapest
Budapest
Budapest
Berlin
Munich
Frankfurt
Cologne
Düsseldorf
Helsinki
Helsinki
Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Prague
Prague
Prague
Prague
Prague
Brussels
Brussels
LOCATION
Vienna
Vienna
Innsbruck
Salzburg
Cited as the best location in town
Located in the western gate of Budapest, with regular shuttle bus
to the city centre
25km from Airport, modern room facilities with compact bathrooms
Downtown hotel in Pest, medium sized with modern facilities,
good access to transport
Situated in the famous shopping district which is centrally located
Within walking distance of all attractions, close to city centre
Conveniently located, close to main station, main attractions
Located in the old town west, surrounded by bars & restaurants
Located in the city centre, 200m from the main station,
with restaurant, bar & wellness centre
World class hotel which lies in the heart of Helsinki, 301 rooms
Located by the sea, newly refurbished with modern facilities
1st newly built hotel in Copenhagen, 403 rooms
Traditional Danish hospitality, 127 modern rooms
Close to shopping area, drugstore and bowling centre in hotel
Situated in the centre of Copenhagen, close to harbour promenade
Located on the left bank of the river Vlatava, opposite the Mozart
Museum
Just a few minutes from the heart of the city, the hotel offers
standard amenities with a restaurant and bar
New Hotel situated in the city centre, indoor swimming pool,
fitness & business centre
Close to the city centre of Prague, easy accessible,
underground parking
Deluxe Hotel, situated in one of the quietest parts, 243 rooms
Close to Grand' Place and the centre of Brussels shopping &
business areas, includes traditional restaurant & brasserie
City centre, close to Grand Place, cosy atmosphere
DESCRIPTION
An historical four star hotel, located close to the city centre,
Located In the heart of the city's tourist & shopping district
Located in the city centre with excellent amenities
Centrally located, close to railway and bus stations
Thompsons Choice of Hotels in Europe
TRYP MACARENA
SENATOR HOTEL ZURICH
ASTOR HOTEL
SPAIN
SWITZERLAND
SWIZTERLAND
MONTANA HOTEL
3*
Zurich
Zurich
Zurich
Zurich
Zurich
Seville
Malaga
Madrid
Barcelona
Ibiza
Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon
Warsaw
Oslo
Oslo
Oslo
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
In Zurich’s old town close to shopping street and attractions
New and friendly hotel, comfortable, modern rooms, swimming
pool and fitness room
Fantastic views across Lake Lucerne, toward the Swiss Alps,
this peaceful hotel is minutes away from Lucerne's old town
Centre of Zurich, medium sized, modern rooms
In the heart of Zurich, close to the main railway station
Situated close to Puerto del Sol, 142 completely renovated rooms
Opposite the Ramblas, 142 rooms with air-con and satellite TV
Close to the city centre next to the sea, the 147 rooms are equipped
with modern facilities
Located close to the harbour, the historical centre and the
commercial & business districts of Malaga
Located alongside the Guadalguivir River, within close proximity
to the historical city centre, the isle of la Cartuja & the airport
Located in the highly rated district of Avenida de Roma, with
indoor pool, sauna, jacuzzi & gym
Ideal location to get to attractions. In the financial city centre
Located in the city centre, spacious rooms with all modern facilities
Situated in the city centre, with all modern facilities and amenities
Situated In the heart of Warsaw, within the central business district
with standard amenities plus a health centre
Centrally located, rooms with bath and shower and air-conditioning
300m from central station, modern hotel
Central Oslo, large rooms, modern facilities, close to Royal Palace
DESCRIPTION
Close to Dam square, rooms with bath and shower
Centrally located, 5 min walk from central station and
24hr reception
Located in the southern part of Amsterdam city, close to rail,
tram and metro
Located on Dam Square, recently renovated rooms with
modern new facilities
Situated in the heart of the city centre overlooking the river,
new modern facilities
SWITZERLAND
3*
3*
4*
4*
3*
3*
4*
4*
4*
3*
3*
3*
SCHEUBLE HOTEL
3*
NOVOTEL ZURICH CITY WEST 3*
TRYP ALAMEDA
SPAIN
REGINA HOTEL
ORIENTE HOTEL
LOS MOLINOS HOTEL
SPAIN
SPAIN
SPAIN
ROMA HOTEL
HOLIDAY INN WARSAW
HOLIDAY INN CONTINENTAL
MUNDIAL HOTEL
HOLIDAY INN LISBON
SWITZERLAND
SWITZERLAND
3*
4*
4*
RATING LOCATION
3*
Amsterdam
3*
Amsterdam
COMFORT BORSPARKEN
4*
THON ASTORIA OSLO
4*
RADISSON SAS SCANDINAVIA 5*
EDEN AMSTERDAM
PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL
POLAND
NORWAY
NORWAY
NORWAY
NETHERLANDS
DIE PORT VAN CLEVE
NOVOTEL AMSTERDAM
NETHERLANDS
NETHERLANDS
HOTEL
REMBRANDT RESIDENCE
AVENUE HOTEL
COUNTRY
NETHERLANDS
NETHERLANDS
25
Europe
26
Booking Conditions
Price Changes
The costs associated with travel arrangements are not always stable, and
currency movements can fluctuate sharply. It is impossible to predict these
movements in advance. When you book a package through us, we reserve
the right to pass on any surcharges to you. Surcharges may be imposed
to cover increases in transportation costs, including the costs of fuel and
security charges, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as landing taxes
or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates
applied to the particular package.
Thompsons guarantees the price of land arrangements, only once full payment
is received.
Airfares are subject to the prices and conditions quoted by the particular
airlines and cannot be guaranteed by Thompsons. The onus is on the agent &
the passenger to check that there have been no changes in these prices before
making final payment thereof.
3)
a)
Flight and Other Travel Timings
Flight timings are provided by airlines and are subject to Air Traffic Control
restrictions. All means of transportation are subject to weather conditions,
the need for constant maintenance, and the ability of passengers to check-in
on time. There is no guarantee that flights, ferries, ships, trains or coaches
will depart at the times stated on any itinerary or tickets which you receive.
All timings are estimates only, and we do not accept any liability for any delay,
however arising, or for any schedule alterations.
Flight Reconfirmation
It is your responsibility to ensure that you reconfirm the departure date and
times of all your flights at least 72 hours prior to departure. This is particularly
important in respect of subsequent journeys once leaving South Africa and
Thompsons hereby specifically excludes any liability for any delay and /or loss
as a result of your failure to reconfirm any flight and/or connecting flight.
Documents
Documents: (vouchers, itineraries, etc.) are only prepared on receipt of full
payment of the package price, and signed conditions of contract (i.e. our
booking form) and will be ready 24 hours after payment has been received.
Normally your travel agent will arrange collection of your documents.
Should you require your documents and air tickets to be forwarded to either
yourself or the departure airport this may be arranged by your agent with us.
However, the courier costs in respect thereof will be for your own account.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU CHECK ALL DETAILS OF YOUR TRAVEL
DOCUMENTS BEFORE LEAVING SOUTH AFRICA. IF THERE ARE ANY
INACCURANCIES ON ANY OF YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, OR SHOULD YOU
HAVE ANY FURTHER QUERIES, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT
IMMEDIATELY. THOMPSONS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DELAY AND/OR
LOSS OCCASIONED AS A RESULT OF ANY INACCURANCIES ON ANY TRAVEL
DOCUMENTS ONCE YOU ARE IN RECEIPT THEREOF AND YOU HAVE LEFT
SOUTH AFRICA.
Unscheduled Extensions
In the unlikely event of there being an unscheduled extension to the holiday
caused by flight delays, bad weather, strikes, or any other cause which is
beyond the control of Thompsons, it is understood that the expenses relating
to these unscheduled extensions, (hotel accommodation etc.), will be for
the account of the passenger. Thompsons accepts no liability for changes,
omissions or delays before or during the course of any holiday occasioned
by technical difficulties, weather conditions, strikes or communication breakdowns or the like.
6)
7)
8)
a)
9)
c)
b)
15) Complaints
a) In the event that you have any reason to complain, or experience any problems
with your holiday whilst away, you must immediately inform the supplier of
the services in question. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and
given to the supplier as soon as possible.
b) If you are still dissatisfied, you must notify us at the earliest opportunity - until
we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot begin to resolve it. Failure
to give us the opportunity to resolve any problem at the time it occurs will
result in either a reduction, or complete extinction, of any rights which you
may have, to claim compensation from us.
c) If you remain dissatisfied, you must write to our Customer Service Manager
within 28 days of the end of the trip you have purchased from us, giving
your booking reference and full details of your complaint on clientservices@
thompsons.co.za or fax to 011-770-7498.
d) Whilst every effort will be made by Thompsons to resolve your complaint to
your satisfaction it is specifically recorded that Thompsons in no way accepts
liability for any claim that you may have in respect of your complaint.
14) Airline Refund Procedures
a) Refund policies operated by the various airlines vary greatly. You must return
your unused ticket to Thompsons who will present it to the relevant airline
for assessment as to whether the airline will agree to issue a refund or not.
Should a refund be authorised by the airline such refund will be made to you,
less any cancellation or administration charges.
b) If payment for the ticket was made to Thompsons by credit card, the refund,
should one be granted, will be made to your credit card otherwise the refund
will be made by EFT.
c) Any refund which is authorised for part used or return halves of tickets will be
less than the pro rata rate on the face value of such ticket.
d) Refunds may take up to 12 weeks to process although this time frame cannot
be guaranteed by Thompsons
e) Tickets returned to Thompsons for a refund older than one year from the date
of issue will be regarded as expired by the airline and have no refund value.
13) Lost/Stolen Flight Tickets
a) The loss or theft of a ticket must be reported to Thompsons immediately.
Certain airlines will not authorise Thompsons to issue a replacement ticket if
such ticket is lost or stolen before the passenger leaves South Africa. In the
latter instance you will be required to purchase a new ticket, at your own cost,
until such time as Thompsons receives authority from the airline to make any
refund to you, which authority could take up to 12 months to receive. Should
the airline authorise Thompsons to issue a replacement ticket Thompsons will
do so and a re-issue fee, per ticket, will be for your own account.
b) Should your ticket be lost or stolen abroad it should be noted that certain
airlines will not issue a duplicate ticket and it will be your responsibility to
purchase a new ticket aboard at the local fare. Upon your return to South
Africa you may make application to Thompsons for a refund of the amount
spent by yourself on the lost or stolen ticket, but it is specifically recorded that
any refund will be entirely at the discretion of the airline concerned which may
take up to 12 months to authorise.
c) It is your responsibility to report the lost or stolen ticket to the police and to
provide Thompsons with the proof of such report if required.
22) ASATA
Thompsons is a registered member of the Association of South African Travel
Agents (ASATA) and the South African Tour Operators Association (SATOA).
21) Legal
This document together with Thompsons’ standard booking form and
Thompsons invoice / itinerary constitutes the sole record of the agreement
between the parties. No party shall be bound by any representation, warranty,
and promise of the like not recorded herein. No addition to the Thompsons
standard booking conditions shall be of any force or effect unless in writing
and signed by or on behalf of the parties. No indulgence which Thompsons,
(“the grantor”), may grant to the passenger (“the grantee”), shall constitute a
waiver of any of the rights of the grantor, who shall not thereby be precluded
from exercising any rights against the grantee which may have arisen in the
past or which might arise in the future. All costs and disbursements, including
legal costs on the attorney and client scale incurred by Thompsons in recovering any damages and payments payable by the passenger to Thompsons
shall be for the passengers’ account. This agreement shall in all respects
be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic
of South Africa. The passenger hereby consents to the jurisdiction of the
Magistrates Court having jurisdiction over its person in respect of all proceedings in connection with this agreement. The parties hereby respectively
choose domicilium citandi et executandi for all notices and processes to be
given and served in pursuance of this agreement at their respective addresses
as given on Thompsons’ standard booking form. Either party may change its
domicilium by written notice delivered by hand or sent by prepaid registered
post to the other party. In this agreement an expression which denotes a
gender includes the other genders, a natural person includes an artificial
person and vice versa, the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
20) Jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court
Thompsons Tours, a Division of Cullinan Holdings Ltd, shall be entitled, at its
option to institute any legal proceedings arising out of or in connection with
this contract in any Magistrate’s Court having jurisdiction in terms of Section
29 of the Magistrate’s Court Act No 32/1944 as amended, notwithstanding
that the amount in issue may exceed the limits of such jurisdiction.
19) Responsibility And Liability
Thompsons act as agents only for local and international ground operators and
airlines and accordingly accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, damage,
injury, accident, delay, or any other irregularity howsoever arising. Thompsons
makes every effort to ensure that all the arrangements and services connected
with a passenger’s itinerary will be carried out as specified in the most efficient and effective way possible. However, we do not have direct control over
the provision of services by suppliers and, whilst they are in all cases selected
with the utmost care, we do not accept liability for error and omissions of such
suppliers
18) Force Majeure
Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we
regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or
affected, or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss, as a result of “force
majeure”. In these Booking Conditions, “force majeure” means any event
which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all
due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include war or threat of war, riot,
civil strife, terrorist activity or actual threatened terrorist activity, industrial
dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and all
similar events outside our control.
17) General Information
a) Taxes: We will advise you of all mandatory taxes, which you must pay before
departure. However, many countries charge departure taxes that can only be
paid locally. It is therefore recommended that you retain sufficient local currency to meet such charges. Details of departure taxes can be obtained from
the relevant airline when you reconfirm your flight details.
Special requests: We can pass on any special requests that you may wish
to make at the time of booking, but acceptance of such requests is at the
discretion of the airline or other supplier and in no circumstances are special
requests guaranteed. Confirmation that a special request has been noted
or passed on to the supplier, or the inclusion of the special request on your
confirmation invoice or any other documentation, is not confirmation that the
request will be met.
b) Medical Problems: If you or any member of your party has any medical
problem or disability which may affect your holiday, you need to give us
full details in writing at the time of booking. If we reasonably feel unable
to properly accommodate the particular needs of the person concerned, we
reserve the right to decline their reservation or, if full details are not given at
the time of booking, cancel when we become aware of these details
c) Renovations: Please be aware that hotels undergo renovations from time to
time. Hotels take all possible steps to limit disruption to their guests. We
will not entertain complaints or requests for refunds if a hotel is carrying
out renovations whilst a guest is resident. If we are specifically advised of
renovation work, dates may be provided, but it is important to remember that
these are subject to change and we are not always notified.
d) Refunds and Unused Services: No refunds will be made for any unused
services.
e) Charges to your credit card: Any charges made to your credit card whilst
away are your responsibility. Thompsons Tours will not be responsible, nor
accept responsibility for having these charges reversed or corrected upon
return to South Africa.
11) Cancellation by You
If you wish to cancel your booking you must advise your agent immediately,
who will in turn advise us. You will be liable to pay the following cancellation
charges:
a) Where your booking includes a special fare, the relevant charges are levied
by the airline. In some circumstances this may be 100% of the total fare,
regardless of when cancellation is effected.
b) Where your booking is for a package, you will be responsible for all cancellation charges, of whatsoever nature, imposed by the suppliers providing the
component parts of such travel arrangements.
c) Thompsons charges a cancellation fee equal to 10% of the package price on
any finalised booking. However, Thompsons reserves the right to charge a
cancellation fee of up to 100% of the total package, in its sole discretion, in
particular circumstances. Any monies, which you have already paid to us, will
be taken by us as payment or part payment of any cancellation charges.
12) Our Right To Change Your Travel Arrangements
a) A significant change to your travel arrangements would include a change in
the departure date from South Africa; where the flight times are changed by
more than 12 hours or a change to a lower standard of accommodation to
that which is booked. In these instances of significant changes to your travel
arrangements Thompsons undertakes to advise you thereof as soon as reasonably possible before your departure date to obtain your further instructions in
this regard.
b) All other changes are minor changes. A minor change can be made at any
time and, if practicable, we will advise you of any such change prior to
departure but we are not obliged to do so. Such minor changes may be made
by Thompsons, in its discretion, who will not be responsible or liable for the
payment of compensation to you as a result of such minor changes.
c) Every effort is made by Thompsons to adhere to confirmed itineraries; however, we reserve the right to make changes to your travel arrangements when
it becomes necessary to do so. Travel arrangements are made in advance
but due to the fact that Thompsons is reliant upon suppliers such as airlines,
hotels and/or other supply companies, changes to travel arrangements and
cancellations thereof may occasionally become necessary.
d) Should any travel component be confirmed by Thompsons and this component
is cancelled by the supplier for whatsoever reason, then in such instances
Thompsons will accept no liability for the cancellation thereof.
16) Passports, Visas, Vaccinations and Inoculations
a) It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all those travelling with you
have a valid passport and any necessary visas, and that you have obtained any
necessary inoculations to gain entry to any country you are visiting and to reenter South Africa. Passport and visa regulations and health requirements can
change at any time, therefore, we recommend that you check passport/visa
requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country you intend to visit
and that you consult your GP or the Department of Health regarding health
requirements.
b) Thompsons accepts no liability whatsoever should you, or any member of your
party, travel without the correct passport, visas or necessary vaccinations. As
a guideline, passports should be valid for 6 months after your scheduled return
to South Africa.
10) Changes by You
a) If you wish to make a change to your booking we will endeavour to assist
you to make the change wherever this is possible. You will have to pay all
charges, whatever kind, imposed by the suppliers providing that component
part of your travel arrangements when amending a booking any time prior to
departure. Fares will be re-quoted at the time of amendment.
b) An administration fee of R100 per person will be charged for each amendment
and / or cancellation.
c) After departure it is understood that extra expenses incurred as a result of any
change will be for the passenger’s account, and any unused service will not be
refunded.
d) Amendments and cancellations en route must be made with our operators
directly.
Insurance
We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. All premiums must be
paid at the time of booking, as cover will not be effective until then. Please
ask your travel agent for insurance options. Thompsons will not be liable if
anyone should fail to take adequate insurance cover.
5)
c)
b)
Methods of Payment
Credit Cards: In accordance with International Airline Travel Association
(IATA) bulletin # A1/00 we need a signed and validated Standard Credit Card
Charge Form. The agent acknowledges that s/he has seen the card and that
the signature on the card is the same as that on the Credit Card Charge Form.
A signed and validated Standard Credit Card Charge Form (SCCCF) or payment
through our Virtual Card Services system, are the only recognised forms of
payment for credit cards. If the card is a foreign credit card then you may be
requested to supply various other details.
Cheques: Bank issued cheques or travel agency cheques only (accredited
agencies only). Please note we require 7 working days to clear all cheques
before documents can be issued.
Cash or EFT Transfers: We accept EFT transfers, or cash deposited into one
of our bank accounts, subject to condition that the EFT transmission report
or the cash deposit slip is provided to ourselves and such payment has been
confirmed as received by ourselves.
4)
a)
c)
b)
Late Booking Fee & Communication Expenses (Telephone Calls) In the event
of a booking (except South Africa bookings) being made less than 7 days prior
to the date of departure, Thompsons reserves the right to charge for any extra
communication expenses. Full payment is due immediately on confirmation
and is non-refundable on all late bookings. Some bookings require full payment at the time of booking i.e. prior to confirmation. If we are unable to
secure confirmation you will be refunded in full.
2)
1)
Please read the following booking conditions carefully, as they set out the
terms and conditions of the contract between you and Thompsons. We act
as booking agents for the suppliers of the component parts of the holiday we
organise, and as such, bookings for their services will form a direct contract
between you and the relevant supplier, and will be subject to that supplier’s
standard terms and conditions.
Bookings
Bookings save for late bookings as referred to hereunder, are confirmed on
the condition that a non-refundable deposit, of a minimum of 25% of the
total package price, is paid to Thompsons within 72 hours of confirmation
of your bookings. You will be advised at the time of booking what payment
is required for your particular arrangements. The balance of the cost of your
travel arrangements must be paid no less than six weeks prior to departure. If
your booking is made within 6 weeks of departure, the total cost of your travel
arrangements must be paid at the time of booking. Please note: FAILURE TO
PAY ON TIME WILL RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC CANCELLATION OF YOUR
BOOKING.
Booking Conditions
BOOKING CONDITIONS OF THOMPSONS TOURS,
A DIVISION OF CULLINAN HOLDINGS LTD
(Hereinafter referred to as “Thompsons”)
Ski Holidays
Russian Cruising
Africa
Far East
Romantic Holidays
Australia
African City
Stopovers
UK
& Ireland
Greek Island
Cruising
Europe
Trust
Thompsons
North & Central
America
Mauritius
Namibia
Family Holidays
South America
Middle East
Beaches
Disney
Star Cruises
Egypt Stopover
South Africa
Mediterranean
A World of Choice for 2007 from Thompsons
27
With us you’re just a phone call away from a great holiday.
Your approved Thompsons agent is:
A division of Cullinan Holdings LTD (Reg No 1902/001808/06)
ALL OFFICES: Website: http://www.thompsons.co.za
CAPE TOWN: 15th Floor, Main Tower, Standard Bank Centre, Hertzog Boulevard,
Foreshore, South Africa. P.O. Box 382, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa.
Tel: (27) (21) 408-9500; Fax: (27) (21) 408-9596
Docex 145, Cape Town.
DURBAN: 20 The Boulevard, West End Office Park, Spine Road, Westville, South Africa
P.O. Box 51041, Musgrave Road, 4062, Durban, South Africa.
Tel: (27) (31) 275-3500; Fax: (27) (31) 275-3990
Docex 238, Durban.
JOHANNESBURG: 6 Hood Ave, Rosebank, South Africa.
P.O. Box 41032, Craighall, 2024, South Africa.
Tel: (27) (11) 770-7700; Fax: (27) (11) 325-2840
Docex 270, Randburg.
Switzerland - Germany - Netherlands
E
U
R
O
P
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France - Italy - Spain - Portugal - Austria
2007
2
Europe
Trust Thompsons
• Our staff must experience the product so that
they can promote it.
• We go out of our way to describe our products accurately
(we tell it like it is).
• Once we have made a commitment, we deliver the goods,
no matter what. Therefore, our slogan:
The Thompsons business philosophy is built on 3 major premises:
Trust Thompsons
Once full payment is received from you, the price paid is
guaranteed, irrespective of any subsequent changes in airfare
or fluctuations in the exchange rate.
Price guarantee
Thompsons Tours deals with more than 1 500 travel agencies
across South Africa so you’ll have no difficulty booking the holiday
you deserve. Just pop into a travel agency near you and request a
Thompsons package.
Your Link to Thompsons
When you book with Thompsons, you know you are in good hands.
Our carefully selected Ground Operators will be available to you
throughout your trip and where transfers, tours and excursions are
arranged. You will be issued with contact numbers prior to your
trip in the event of an emergency. Our Ground Operators are a very
important part of the quality packages offered by Thompsons.
Experienced Ground Operators
Thompsons’ mission is to make your holiday dreams a reality. We
tailor-make each package to your exact specifications: the dates
and duration of travel, standard and type of accommodation, airline
preference, sightseeing excursions - all as you require. There will of
course be occasions where set departures are specified for certain
events, products or seasons. In cases such as these, Thompsons’
quality products will be combined into one hassle-free package to
make your travel planning infinitely easier. In addition, our knowledgeable travel consultants are always on hand to offer expert
advice and ensure your travel experience is a memorable one.
Tailor-Made Packages
At Thompsons, we pride ourselves on the quality of our holiday
packages. Each offer is put together with great care and includes
as much detail as possible to help you limit any additional costs on
arrival at your destination - a factor that’s especially important when
holidaying on a budget. Read on to see why Thompsons Tours is
the way to go …
Why you should insist on a Thompsons holiday
This Thompsons brochure has been designed especially for you,
our valued client. We have gone the extra mile to ensure that all
your travel needs are covered and are confident that after reading
the brochure, you’ll insist on a Thompsons package for your next
holiday.
For your convenience, the full range of Thompsons brochures is
available on our website, so why not download them at home
and browse at leisure, without pressure. The Thompsons site is a
one-stop shop, for great package deals, to a variety of exciting and
enticing destinations. Simply log onto www.thompsons.co.za and
discover a wealth of affordable travel opportunities for you and
your family.
Awards Speak Volumes
At Thompsons, we continually strive to provide our clients with
holidays of the highest quality. With 29 years experience in
the travel industry, we have built a reputation on providing
excellent service, specialist knowledge and value for money
tailor-made packages. Our efforts have not gone unnoticed, as for
four consecutive years, Thompsons Tours has been voted Best
International Tour Operator and Best African Tour Operator in the
Diners Club ASATA Travel Awards.
Getting to know Thompsons
• Thompsons Top-Ups, unless specified in the quote
or advertisement
• Travel insurance
• Visas
• Direct charges such as tipping & porterage
• Meals not specified in the quote or advertisement
• Car hire delivery or collection charges
• Supplements for various room or board types
Your Thompsons Package Excludes:
• Return flights
• Return airport / hotel transfers if selected
• Accommodation as specified on the quote
or advertisement, and as confirmed on your invoice
• All airport taxes, fuel surcharges and levies
• Thompsons Travel Bag
Your Thompsons Package Includes:
Prior to departure, your travel documents will be presented to you
in a durable Thompsons travel wallet. Each pack contains valuable
information, as well as re-usable luggage labels and other surprises, depending on your destination. In the event of an emergency, a
Thompsons staff member is contactable by phone, 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
Travel Pack
All hotels featured in our brochures have been personally inspected
by a Thompsons staff member and given the Thompsons’ stamp of
approval. This means that wherever you choose to stay, you have
our personal guarantee of comfort and service.
Hand Picked Hotels
3
Europe
4
Europe
Thompsons offers you the added value and convenience of being
able to book personal transfers to or from the airport. With your
needs in mind, Avis Point2Point offer an Inner City transfer service
from point of collection to point of drop off. This service operates
on a ‘zone’ grid – the further you need to go from the collection
point, the greater the zone, the more expensive the transfer.
Avis Point2Point - Added Value
Europe is suitable for the whole family, with attractions and
excursions for everyone.
Something for the whole family
We at Thompsons maintain the highest standards, with regular
visits to our preferred hotels, by either our own staff, or representatives of our ground operators, to inspect the standards and facilities
of the hotels. Our preferred hotels are carefully selected and the
quality of accommodation in terms of their star grading is high.
They are clean and comfortable, offer good food and the service
is friendly.
What to expect
As one of the largest Tour Operators selling Europe, Thompsons
Tours enjoys excellent rates and booking conditions with our
partner airlines, hotels, transfers, sightseeing tours, excursion and
attraction suppliers. This translates into the best possible value for
you, our valued customer.
Thompsons Value for Money
Fria in Lisbon, the Church of Santa Clara and the Se Cathedral
in Oporto, Largo de Se and the Chapel Pe da Cruz in Faro, the
Chapel Santo Antonia and Ponte da Piedade near Lagos, the
Coimbra’s Cathedral and the Church & Monastry of Santa Cruz
in Coimbra
• Experience Portugal as you visit Casa dos Bicos and Estufa
and the Barrio de la Moreira in Madrid, Costa Brava, Pyrenees
and the formations of the Montserrat in Catalonia, The Gothic
Quarter in Barcelona, in Seville the Torre de Ore and Giralda,
the Moorish Jewel in Granada and the Moorish Alcazaba in
Malaga
• In Spain you can enjoy the Habsburg Empire, the Prado Museum
Rome, the Peninsula of Sirmione in Milan, the Leaning Tower of
Pisa and the Royal Palace of Caserta
• Italy brings you the Roman Forum and Cathedral of St. Peter in
• France offers the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre and the Champs
Elysees in Paris, Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux,
Monastere de Cimiez in Nice, Chateau de Verseilles and
Cathedral Notre-Dame in Paris
You’ll never be bored in Europe
Thompsons Tours has secured excellent fares into Europe, either
directly to your chosen destination, or via an alternative hub.
Airlines that fly into Europe include Air France, Iberia, Gulf Air,
Qatar, SAA, Olympic Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa. A direct flight
into Europe is approximately 11 hours, where the flights via other
cities will take longer.
How to Get There
Each European country offers its own rich culture, beautiful
scenery, history and charm, but all offer a host of sightseeing,
excellent shopping and local cuisine.
Whether you are visiting France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland,
Germany, Spain, Portugal or the rest of Europe, Thompsons Tours
will assist you in packaging your dream holiday.
Thompsons Top-Up
Top-Up your Thompsons package with additional attractions and
excursions to enhance your holiday experience. You will be spoilt
for choice when you see Thompsons huge range of quality Top-Ups
to choose from in every destination. Our extensive range includes
sightseeing tours, excursions, attractions, lunch & dinner cruises to
name just a few.
Why Europe?
23
22
Thompsons Booking Conditions
26
Thompsons Choice of Hotels in Europe 24-25
Netherlands
Germany
21
20
Austria
Switzerland
18
19
Where sweet dreams come true in the very heart of the magic.
Imagine you are here...In a Resort as big as your imagination.
Welcome to Disneyland® Resort Paris. A holiday destination like
no other. Look out for our dedicated Disney Brochure in 2007!
Disneyland® Resort Paris
Amsterdam Diamond City Tour, the Beguine in the Gutter, the
Royal Palace and United Europe in Zuiderkerk
• The Netherlands is famous for the Heinecken Experience, the
Castle in Ludwigsburg, the Hofbraeuhaus in Munich,
Brandenburger Tor in Berlin and the Imperial Cathedral in
Frankfurt
• Germany boasts the Sanssouci Castle in Berlin, Ludwigsburg
Montreux, the Old Town Berne (Capital of Berne) and La Maison
du Gruyere.
• Switzerland will enchant you with the Chateau de Chillon in
• Austria, famous for the Ambras Castle in Tirol, Landesmuseum
Johanneum and the Schlossberg with its Clock Tower in Graz,
16
17
Spain
Sightseeing Options
Coach Tour and Self-drive options
Portugal
Sightseeing Options
Coach Tour and Self-drive Options
12
13
14
15
Italy
Sightseeing Options
Selfdrive and Train Options
7
Sightseeing & Transport Options in Paris 8
Barging in Europe
9
Self-drive suggested itinerary
10
Renault Eurodrive
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6
2-3
4
5
Contents & Map
France
PAGE
CONTENTS
5
Europe
6
France
Price
½30.00
½5.50
½3.00
½4.50
½4.00
½5.00
½15.00
Venture east and you will be enchanted by
the uniqueness of the Lorraine region.
Metz is the capital of this region, a city with
wonderful treasures sheltered by the
Relax on a sunny terrace of the Grand’ Palace
in Versailles, enjoying one of the many local
beers. Experience the world of champagne
with the 250km of cellars and crayères,
available through the network of major
Champagne Houses, estates and cellars along
the Route Touristique du Champagne.
This extremely beautiful and romantic
country is full of towns and villages that are
both modern and historic. One thing you'll
experience when you visit France, is “Joie de
Vivre” - a zest for life - in French, everyday
things like eating and drinking, talking,
dressing and shopping, are an art form. Paris
is the heart of this romantic country and has
a magical and unique atmosphere. Take a
cruise along the Seine, followed by dinner
and a show at the world famous Moulin
Rouge.
Joie de Vivre!
Mediterranean climate with mild winters and
very hot summers in the south of France.
Intermediate climate with cold winters and
hot summers in the north, including Paris and
central regions;
Semi-continental climate with harsh winters
and hot summers in Alsace, Lorraine, along the
Rhône corridor and in the mountainous massifs
(Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central);
Oceanic and humid climate with often cool
summers to the west of a line from Bayonne
to Lille;
Continental France is divided into 4 climatic zones:
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
TIME DIFFERENCE:
Apr - Oct: Same as SA time.
Nov - Mar: 1 hour behind SA time
CAPITAL CITY:
Paris
LANGUAGE:
French. English is spoken.
CURRENCY:
Euro
VISA:
AIRPORT TAX:
AREA: 547 030 km2
L
France
Bordeaux, which in addition to the wine, the
river and the arts, offers numerous museums
and cultural sites. Nantes, with 15 000 hectares
of vineyards, ideally situated at the mouth of
the Loire Valley, offers a range of wines including the famous Muscadet. Rouen, the historic
capital of Normandy, is an inspiration to great
writers and artists alike.
Lyons, in the south, hosts France’s largest
single fabric of Renaissance buildings.
Marseilles, a holiday resort in its own right,
is the ideal starting-point from which to discover the beautiful villages and historic traditions of Provence.
Museums la Cour d’Or, archaeology, fine arts
and architecture. Strasbourg is one of the
rare cities where the entire centre is classified
as a World Heritage site. Dijon, the capital of
Burgundy, is an historical cradle of art and
international gastronomy.
+++PARIS BASTILLE HOTEL
A comfortable hotel with 37 well sized, soundproofed rooms, all equipped with satellite TV,
room safe, mini bar, hairdryer and air-conditioning. Located in front of the Opera Bastille
and Bastille square, the hotel is superbly located on subway line 1 (direct to the Louvre,
Tuileries, Concorde, Champs-Elysees and Arch of Triumph). Just steps away, is the historical Marais quarter and Parisian nightlife location of rue de Lappe, known for its restaurants,
bars and clubs.
+++HOTEL OPERA LAFAYETTE
In a refined setting, the Opera Lafayette hotel offers you 54 renovated rooms with direct
telephone, satellite TV, mini bar, private bar and conference room. The hotel is situated in
the heart of Paris, in close proximity to the Opera House, museums, the Sacré Coeur, and
the main department stores (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps etc). The closest metro, Cadet
or Poissonnière will give you access to the rest of Paris.
+++FERTEL ETOILE HOTEL
Located 5 minutes from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées Avenue, this elegant
and refined hotel presents a cosy, warm atmosphere of comfort. Enjoy the lounge area
or have a drink at the private bar. Fertel Etoile also offers conference facilities suitable for
seminars or meetings. The closest metro station, Argentine, will take you to the heart of the
city via the Champs-Elysées, Concorde or Châtelet in no time.
+++ MERCURE RONCERAY HOTEL
The Mercure Paris Ronceray Opera Hotel is set in a building from the early 19th century
and still reflects the style of this period. There are 5 floors and a total of 130 rooms, all
equipped with modern facilities and decorated with wooden details and red fabrics. Six
spacious and bright conference rooms are available for events, with maximum capacity of
90 seats theatre style.
++++SAINT JAMES & ALBANY
Built in the heart of Paris, enjoying the advantages of its exceptional location in the business district and at the centre of the cultural activity, the hotel offers 184 rooms – including
9 luxury executive rooms – and 11 sumptuous suites. Arranged around an enclosed garden
and a series of interior courtyards, the rooms and suites offer high-quality comfort that
combines refinement with contemporary design.
7
Fracne
8
France
Thompsons offers a special airport transfer
to and from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris
at an excellent price. The Air City Service
offers a great alternative to taking a taxi to
the airport, or booking a private transfer, both
of which can be extremely expensive. The
Air City Service takes passengers to and from
2 terminals at Charles de Gaulle Airport and
Paris hotels. This service must be booked in
conjunction with hotel accommodation.
The Airport Transfer
Versailles & Les Trainons:(Full Day)
Versailles is not just a palace surrounded
by beautiful gardens, but also a huge park
where one will find two small chateaux
named Grand and Petit Trianons. The guided
visit to the State Apartments includes the
Hall of Mirrors and Queen’s Bedroom with
free time to walk in the French style gardens.
Visit the two Trianons and stroll in the park
up to Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet.
Landing beaches of Normandy:(Full Day)
Cross the western districts of Paris as
far as the Porte d’Auteuil and take the
motorway to Caen. Stop at the Caen Memorial
Museum (known as the Peace Museum) for a
commented visit with film and lunch. Depart
for the landing beaches with a stop at
both the Pointe du Hoc and the American
cemetary Saint-Laurent at Omaha Beach.
Continue with a visit to the German battery
of artillery and make a stop at Arromanches.
The visit to the landing beaches includes
Gold, Juno and Sword (where the Canadians,
French and British landed)
Fontainebleau & Barbizon:(Half Day)
The Fontainebleau Palace, lavishly adorned
and furnished in Renaissance period style,
was a favourite hunting residence of the
French kings. The apartments, occupied by
Napoleon, were recently restored and are
included in the tour. Barbizon has been
known as an artistic centre since the l9th
century.
Versailles Apartments:(Half Day)
Versailles represents a reminder of the
grandeur of classical French architecture. In
the beautifully decorated State Apartments,
your guide will tell you about the lives of
Kings.
Tours outside Paris
Cruise & Moulin Rouge:(Full Evening)
Discover the beauty of Paris’s monuments
and bridges by night on a River Seine
cruise, followed by the amazing Moulin
Rouge show, “FORMIDABLE”, with can-can
dancing among the echoes of ToulouseLautrec. (Summer only).
Dinner at the Eiffel Tower &
a Seine Cruise:(Full Evening)
Discover Paris from the first floor of the
Eiffel Tower during a lovely dinner at the
restaurant “Altitude 95” after which you
will cruise on the Seine River to admire the
monuments and the bridges of the “City of
Lights”.
Cityrama Paris Tour:(11/2 hours)
Discover the beauty of Paris in the comfort
of a famous yellow double decker bus: visit
Grand Louvre - Ile de la Cité - Notre-Dame
Cathedral - Hôtel de Ville - Bastille Square
Sorbonne - Latin Quarter - St-Germain-desPres - Champs-Elysées - Arc de Triomphe
- Eiffel Tower - Invalides - Concorde Square
- Madeleine Church - Opera Square - Place
des Pyramides.
Historic Paris & Seinorama Tour:(Full Day)
This tour is dedicated to the history of
Paris from the Roman time to present days.
A river cruise from the Marina de Bercy
gives access to the City Island for a visit of
Notre-Dame. A bus drive through the old
districts of Paris, such as the Marais and
Saint Germain. From the Eiffel Tower, enjoy a
panoramic 360 degree view of the capital.
Paris Tours
The best way to explore Paris is either
by Metro (Underground) or bus. With
a Paris Visite Metro and Bus Pass, you
can enjoy unlimited travel on the Paris
Metro & bus system within the Paris city
limits. This convenient and excellent
value pass must be purchased before you
leave South Africa. Thompsons Tours
introduces the Musees Monument Card,
giving access to 63 museums and
monuments, with no queuing on a 1 day or 3
day pass option.
The Paris Metro
Travel to the heart and soul of Europe.
Explore glamorous Paris, discover the hip
London bar scene and enjoy gourmet fare in
Brussels. Eurostar offers a fast, frequent and
efficient service. Whether you’re travelling
for pleasure or business, Eurostar will take
you there quickly, efficiently and in style.
Eurostar, a modern, high-speed international
passenger train which travels at speeds of
up to 298km per hour, runs up to 24 trains
a day to Paris and 10 to Brussels. One can
travel from London to Paris or vice-versa
on the Eurostar - it takes just 2 and a half
hours from London’s Waterloo International
Terminal to Gare du Nord Station in Paris,
with no lengthy transfers on either side! The
Eurostar also connects Disneyland® Resort
Paris with London and Paris. From late 2007,
The Eurostar will operate from London's St
Pancras, reducing travelling time a further
15 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes from
London to Paris. Trains offer seating areas for
families, facilities for babies, plus designated
seats and assistance for passengers with
special needs.
The Eurostar Train
Sightseeing & Transport in Paris
Situated in north east Germany, the
Prussian regions of Mecklenburg and
Brandenburg are a patchwork of lakes, forests and pastures. The Muritz Lake is the
largest in Germany and makes up part
of the Muritz National Park. There are numerous hiking and cycling trails ashore.
For city lovers, cruise along the river to
Berlin and discover the magnificent historic
monuments and museums.
Germany:
Enjoy a boating holiday cruising through the
dramatic scenery of the river Lot. Wide gorges and towering limestone cliffs frame your
journey to famous spots such as the medieval town of Cahors and the fascinating Pech
Merle caves. Midi, Europe’s oldest waterway
is unique due to its sheer size and the
cleverness of its design and is an ideal
location for your boating holidays.
From St. Gilles, the gateway to the Camargue,
you can discover one of France’s most
remarkable cruising regions. Described by
King Francois I as the loveliest river in his
kingdom, the Charente snakes through
a region famed for its fine brandy. The
Nivernais-Loire is situated at the very heart
of France and is renowned for its superb
gastronomy.
Dijon was home to the Dukes of Burgundy
and has inherited a wealth of architecture,
fine paintings and objets d’art.
Holland:
NEW
Wherever you cruise in Belgium, you can
be sure of a warm welcome. Famous for
its hand made chocolates, delicious beers
and delicate lace, Belgium offers a peaceful
countryside, with ancient towns and cities,
linked by the country’s rich cultural and historic past. The network of beautiful canals,
rivers and the close proximity of places to
visit, allows you to tailor your cruise to take
in as much or as little and you want.
Belgium:
Cruise on the famous Lagoon of Venice
and the Brenta Canal and revel in the
romance and culture of Italy’s most
celebrated province. The timeless city of
Venice is built on 118 tiny islands and
is uniquely road free, with only gondolas and boats providing transport. Boat
rental enables you to explore the lagoon,
stopping off at various islands.
Italy:
Boating is a way of life in Holland, so
cast off and enjoy an authentic Dutch
experience! Cool off with a refreshing beer
beside the great lock in Muiden or take to
the water at Sneek for some watersports.
Coloured bulb fields and slender town houses lead you to the cosmopolitan city of
Amsterdam.
Aquitaine, situated in the South West
of France, takes you along the Garonne
valley, the Baise River or the downstream
area of the river Lot. Brittany has over
600km of waterways just waiting to be
explored. The Celtic charm and natural
beauty of Brittany make it one of France’s
best kept secrets.
Food and wine
enthusiasts are sure to find themselves in
paradise when visiting Burgundy!
France offers a host of options with
barging opportunities in Alsace-Lorraine,
France’s smallest province, allowing you
to cruise on the rivers of three countries
through France, Luxembourg and Germany.
France:
Experience the Freedom & Fun of a Boating
Holiday. Easy... Safe... Comfortable... Fun.
Many clients have never handled a boat
before. Mastering the controls of your
cruiser and understanding the navigation
is easy and fun to learn. Experience is not
necessary and no licence is required.
Training will be provided by experienced
staff and you will receive all the information
you need to know before leaving your base.
Barging is an incredible way of discovering
and exploring your selected European
destination. Travelling the calm waterways
of the countryside, surrounded by the
beauty of nature, coupled with the
freedom to dock and visit the towns and
villages on the banks of the river, will
provide a true experience of the culture of
the country.
No licence required...
No experience required...Easy...
Safe... Comfortable... Fun...!
Barging in Europe
9
France
10
France
Day 1 Paris:
Arrive in Paris and spend the day exploring
this romantic city. Cruise the Seine, stroll
along Champs Elysees Avenue and take in
the breathtaking views of Paris from the
Eiffel Tower. Overnight in Paris.
Day 2 Reims:
Reims the Sacred Triangle of Champagne:
The Champagne Tourist route is over 600km
long and is diverse enough to include all the
riches that are the charm of the Champagne
region. Forming the perimeter of the most
prestigious vineyards in the world, the
Sacred Triangle of Champagne is bordered
by an imaginary line between the towns
of Reims, Epernay and Chalons-sur-Marne.
Enthusiasts will appreciate the traditional
regional specialities and prestigious cuisine
developed around the unique ingredient
of champagne. Visit Champagne cellars
and enjoy Champagne in world famous
Champagne Houses. Overnight in Reims.
Day 3 Reims:
The City of Art & History – discover the NotreDame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic art.
Champagne Houses include Lanson or Veuve
Clicquot, Pommery, Mumm, Piper Heidieck
and Taittinger. Overnight in Reims.
Day 4 Strasbourg:
Stop en route at Metz, taking in the SaintEtienne Cathedral, place d’Armes, place de
la Comédie, the Citadelle district, place Sanit
Louis and the German district before you
continue to Strasbourg. Strasbourg boasts
Feuillate - Notre-Dame Cathedral - Lanson
- Veuve Clicquot - Pommery - Mumm Cathedral & Rohan Palace - Little France
- National Automobile Museum - Dijon
Mustard and Pain d’epice (gingerbread) Palace of Dukes - Renaissance Saint-Michael
Church - Musée Magnin - Rue Verrerie
- Côte de Beaune - Côte de Nuits - Museum
of Burgundy Wine - Nuits-St-Georges Chassagne Montrachet.
Highlights:
Châlons en Champagne - Ganrielle Dorziat
Theatre - Rown Hall - Maison Gallice Chàteau Perrier - Villa Rosa - Champagne de
Castellane - Champagne Moet & Chandon
- Champagne Mercier - Champagne Nicolas
Self-drive suggested itinerary:
The Wine Regions
Thompsons offers a choice of two voucher
options Pre-Booked or Go-As-You-Please.
Pre-Booked ensures that your accommodation is confirmed at a specific establishment
prior to departure and therefore requires for
you to make your way to that specific town
for your overnight stay. Go-As-You-Please
offers complete flexibility, allowing you to
plan your holiday as you travel, with the
peace of mind that you will be staying at a 2
star or 3 star hotel or B&B when you arrive
at your final destination for the day. The
Dial-A-Bed facility will assist you in finding
alternative accommodation should your first
choice be unavailable.
Please take note that we do not advise the
Go-As-You-Please voucher scheme during
peak periods, as you may battle to find a
hotel that can accommodate you.
Discover France offers a network of
carefully selected quality hotels throughout
France, located in the most scenic areas.
From bustling cities and towns, to small
villages and coastal retreats, you have a
selection of over 120 hotels to choose
from. The properties are predominantly
2 and 3 star family owned and run hotels,
each with their own distinctive character
and charm. You will be greeted by warm
hospitality, excellent cuisine and comfortable
accommodation. Before you leave, you will
receive a full colour directory of all hotels
in each region to allow an element of
planning.
the Cathedral, a marvel of inspired majesty which took over four centuries to build.
Little France is a modern, dynamic city with
an array of parks & gardens for you to laze in
or enjoy shopping in the pedestrian sector.
Day 5 Saverne:
Continue to explore Strasbourg. You could
take an afternoon guided tour to Saverne,
to visit Rohan Palace which replaced
Furstenberg Castle in 1790. Overnight in
Strasbourg.
Day 6 Alsace Wine Route:
Discover the charm and treasures of the
wine growing villages of the “Alsace Wine
Route”, with flower-decked streets, historic
houses, Roman churches and fountains.
Visit the wine cellars and taste the famous
Alsacian wines of Obernai, Barr, Andlau,
Dambach-la-ville & Haut Koeningsbourg.
Day 7 and 8 Dijon:
Stop en route in Mulhouse, a true
cross road of Europe, housing the world’s
greatest car collections at the National
Automobile Museum and is also known for
the high tower, Tour de l’Europe. Carry on to
Dijon where you will stay overnight.
Famous for mustard and pain d’epice
(gingerbread), Dijon is also rich in art treasures and historic buildings. Visit the Palace
of the Dukes, the Notre-Dame Church, the
Renaissance Saint-Michael Church, the
Musée Magnin and Rue Verrerie. Overnight
in Dijon.
Day 9 the Route des Grands Crus:
Depart on the famous road of the vineyards,
including Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.
Visit the wine cellars of Nuits-St-Georges
and Chassagne Montrachet, just two of the
names that entice wine lovers from around
the world. Overnight in Dijon
Day 10 Paris:
Make your way back to Paris.
Discover France & Self Drive
35 European Locations:
French Locations: (no delivery or pick-up
fees) Airports: Brest, Bordeaux, Geneva
(French side), Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier,
Please be advised that models listed are
subject to availability due to production
demand and supply of the Renault product
range. New models may also be introduced
during the course of the year, so ask your
consultant for the current product breakdown.
Extending Your Stay:
You may extend your contract (within the
validity limitations of the “Temporary Transit
Tax Regime”. Contact the DVSE Special
Export Sales Division at least 8 days before
your contract expires). A new insurance
declaration will be sent to you at the address
that you will have provided.
Unlimited free km:
With no additional payments, which means
that you can travel to as many far away
places as you like!
Comprehensive insurance:
Comprehensive insurance is included at no
additional cost, with no deductibles, and
provides full coverage in cases where you
are immobilized during your trip.
This service is insured by Renault Assistance
within the limits of the territories under
coverage. You can also make personal
belongings insurance part of the coverage.
Roadside Assistance:
In 28 European countries, 7 days a week
and 24 hours a day, you have at your
service a personal road assistance program,
backed by 17,000 Renault point of sale and
repair centres.
RENAULT CLIO
• Clio 1.4 (Petrol - A/C)
• Clio 1.5 (Turbo Diesel)
• Clio 1.5 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
• Clio 1.6 Automatic (Petrol - A/C) New
RENAULT KANGOO
• Kangoo 1.5 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
RENAULT MEGANE
• Megane 1.6 (Petrol - A/C)
• Megane 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
• Megane 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C - GPS)
• Megane 1.9 Automatic (Turbo Diesel - A/C) New
• Megane SW / Estate 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C) New
• Megane CC 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C - GPS)
RENAULT SCENIC
• Scenic 1.6 (Petrol - A/C) New
• Scenic 1.6 (Petrol - A/C -GPS)
• Scenic 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
• Scenic 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C -GPS) New
• Scenic 1.9 Automatic (Turbo Diesel - A/C) New
• Grand Scenic 5 seats 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C) New
• Grand Scenic 7 seats 1.9 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
RENAULT ESPACE
• Espace 5 seats 2.0 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
• Espace 5 seats 2.0 (Turbo Diesel - A/C - GPS)
• Espace 5 seats 2.0 Automatic (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
• Grand Espace 7 seats 2.0 (Turbo Diesel - A/C)
• Grand Espace 7 seats 2.0 (Turbo Diesel - A/C - GPS) New
RENAULT TRAFIC
NISSAN
• Nissan Pathfinder 7 seats 2.5 (Turbo Diesel - A/C - GPS) New
• Nissan Pathfinder 7 seats 2.5 Automatic
(Turbo Diesel - A/C - GPS)
M O D EL O PTIO N S
European Locations: (per delivery or
drop off fee applies) Airports: Amsterdam,
Barcelona, Brussels, Zurich, Frankfurt, Milan,
Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, Malaga, Porto, Rome,
Santiago, Vigo and London.
Nantes, Nice, Paris-Orly, Paris-Charles
de Gaulle, Strasbourg, Bale-Mulhouse,
Toulouse. Cities: Avignon, Biarritz, Paris,
Pau, Perpignan, Rennes.
Ferry Terminal: Calais
offered provides you the maximum
comfort, reliability and security. Whether
you’re looking for a family car, a sports car,
A Brand New Car:
All Renault Eurodrive vehicles are brand
new and are under warranty. Each model
Driver’s License:
A driver’s license that has been valid for at
least one year is required in order to take
advantage of the Renault Eurodrive option.
1. Your normal place of residence is outside
the European Union.
2. You stay in Europe between 21 and 185
days within a 1 year period and do not
practice any profit-seeking activity during
your stay.
3. You are 18 years or older.
4. At the time of delivery, you must present
a valid passport, a valid driver’s license,
and the Renault Eurodrive purchase order.
The tax-free vehicle registered is available
to you if the following conditions occur
simultaneously :
Who benefits from this option?
Renault Eurodrive is a self-drive car
leasing programme, giving you the
opportunity to experience Europe at your
leisure.
Renault Eurodrive is a package
created for all tourists staying in Europe,
from 21 days to 6 months, where you
can take advantage of tax-free services
currently valid in Europe. For the journey
of a lifetime, collect an award winning,
brand new Renault from any of the 35
delivery centres in Europe. New to the
fleet is the Nissan Pathfinder. The lease
process requires that your application
be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to
departure.
or just a practical vehicle, you will always
find what you need for your travels in
Europe.
Renault Eurodrive
11
Renault Eurodrive
i
CAPITAL CITY: Rome
LANGUAGE: Italian - English is widely spoken
CURRENCY: Euro
VISA: SA passport holders require a Schengen Visa
AREA: 301 230 km2
TIME DIFFERENCE:
what things cost
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
Price
€20.00
€4.00
€2.00
€1.50
€2.50
€4.00
€5.00
Best time to travel
The weather varies considerably, depending on
how far you are from the sea or the mountains.
The winter is very cold in the Alps, cold and
foggy in the Po Plain and the central Apennines;
mild and even warm on the Ligurian coast, the
Neapolitan coast and in Sicilia. The summer is hot and dry, but the temperature
is moderated on the coast by sea breezes and in
the Apennines and Alps it is pleasantly cool.
12
Viva Italia!
Imagine waking up in the heart of the Roman
Empire, enjoying lunch in a 16th-century
Renaissance villa, and going to bed in the
capital of 21st-century designer chic? Visit
Italy, taking in Rome, Florence and Milan and
this could be a reality.
Italy is a combination of art history and
contemporary fashion, with incredible
natural landscapes. The crystal blue waters
of the Costa Smeralda presents one of
Europe’s most beautiful stretches of sand,
sea and sunshine, while the snow-covered
slopes of the Dolomite mountains are a
haven for winter sports enthusiasts.
Each with their own identity, experience
the renowned cities of Venice, Genoa and
Naples.
Visit the romantic Medieval hill towns, such
as San Gimignano in Tuscany, and unspoilt
fishing villages, like the Positano on the
Amalfi coast.
Taste the very best regional wines at the
vineyards and cellars of the Veneto, famed
for the sparkling white prosecco, and
Tuscany, home of the highly acclaimed
robust red, Brunello di Montalcino. You could
really get away from it all by taking a boat
to the islands of Sicily or Sardinia, to
experience rural hospitality in the blissful
Mediterranean.
Italy offers great food and wine, fantastic
sightseeing and a history that has been
preserved over the ages in churches
and museums.
Experience the superb
craftsmanship of the Sistine Chapel, the sheer
magnificence of Michelangelo’s “David”,
and the romantic atmosphere of St Mark’s
Square.
Rome
Venice
Milan
Florence
Most of Rome’s main attractions are located in the heart of
ancient Rome. These include
the Colosseum, the Forum, the
Pantheon, Piazza Navona, St
Peter’s Cathedral, the Spanish
Steps & Villa Borghese. Rome
also boasts the Vatican City,
home to St Peter’s Basilica,
the Vatican Museums and the
Sistine Chapel.
A watery maze of Grand Canals
and 177 smaller canals with 400
bridges makes up mesmerizing
Venice. Although quite walkable,
getting around Venice aboard
the public transport boats or on
the traditional gondola is suggested for a more romantic and
unique experience.
Milan will spoil all visitors with
a shopping and cultural experience, with landmarks such as
the Duoma, art galleries, elegant
shops & boutiques, restaurants,
pubs and clubs.
A magical city with orange
rooftops and cobble stoned
streets will leave you enchanted. Home to the best collection of Renaissance art in the
world, as well as the Cathedral
of Santa Maria del Fiore and
Giotto’s 14th Century Bell Tower.
The Cathedral Museum houses Michelangelo’s “Gates of
Paradise” and “David” adorns
the steps of the Palazzo Vecchio,
located in the heart of the city.
Rome is all that it is made out
to be. To see the grandeur of
the Colosseum in a photograph
is one thing, but to stand in the
presence of this it’s glory will
stop you in your tracks. The
Forum and Baths are breathtaking and the Sistine Chapel will
leave you speechless. Make a
wish as you throw your coin in
the Trevi Fountain before relaxing at a sidewalk café, sipping
on traditional Italian Espresso.
Rome include:
*** San Remo Hotel
*** Verona Hotel
*** Trevi Hotel
*** Morgana Hotel
**** Gioberti Hotel
There is so much to see and do
in Venice from the traditional
tourist attractions like St. Mark' s
Square, the Canal Grande, the
Basilica of St. Mark, and the
Rialto Bridge. However to truly
experience Venice, you need to
bathe yourself in her culture, get
lost in her streets, dine in tucked
away restaurants and hop from
island to island for a well rounded taste of that Venetian magic
that you always hear about.
Milan is one of Europe’s four
fashion capitals and is famous
for
it’s
churches,
opera,
cuisine and da Vinci's Last
Supper masterpiece. Although
it is a working city and the
country's business and financial centre, visitors come in
droves for the shopping,
eating and nightclubbing. Milan
offers a host of monuments
to explore including the
Alessandro Manzoni in Piazza
San Fedele and the Mazzini's
Monument in Piazza della
Repubblica.
You need to get lost in the streets
of Florence, to truly become a
part of the multi-faceted spirit of
this city. You need to do more
than just visit the museums, see
the churches, palaces and monuments, you need to take a day
to mingle with the locals and try
to live as they do for a day.
Venice include:
*** Rialto Hotel
*** Capri Hotel
*** Antico Panada Hotel
*** Royal San Marco Hotel
*** Bisanzio Hotel
Milan include:
*** San Carlo Hotel
*** Ritter Hotel
*** Mennini Hotel
*** Cervo Hotel
Florence include:
*** San Giorgio Hotel
*** Martelli Hotel
*** Le Due Fontane Hotel
*** Machiavelli Palace Hotel
Italy
Italy
Italy
Besides great cities like Rome, Venice, Milan
and Florence, Italy offers so much more...on
the Amalfi Coast there’s Sorrento, Naples and
Capri and the breathtaking Lake District and
its popular resorts. A blend of art, marvellous food and wine, classic architecture and
stylishness, are the spirit of Italia.
13
Rome
Monument Tour (Half Day)
Your walk in the historical centre starts with
a visit to the Trevi Fountain. Then move to
the Piazza Navona, located on the ancient
Domitian Stadium with the famous Fountain
of the Four Rivers, Bernini’s masterpiece.
Along the way admire Piazza Colonna and
enjoy a visit to the Pantheon. Continue
by coach to St. Peter’s Square passing
St. Angel’s Castle. Visit the Basilica of St.
Peter to admire, among others, the Pietà by
Michelangelo.
Ancient Rome (Half Day)
Visit the Capital Square on foot, designed by
Michelangelo, from which there is a magnificent view of the Roman Forum and Palatine.
Move onto St. Peter’s in Chains, a very old
Basilica where you can admire the statue
of Moses by Michelangelo. After a stop in
front of the Colosseum, from where you can
see the Arches of Costantino & Tito and the
Temple of Venus & Rome. Passing in front of
the Cestia Pyramid, visit the St. Paul’s, where
the “Apostle of the People” is buried.
Naples and Capri (Two Day)
Leave Rome southbound along the
Autostrada del Sole to arrive in Naples.
Visit the island of Capri. On arrival, weather
permitting, visit the Blue Grotto, then
travel by mini bus to Anacapri for lunch.
Return to Naples by steamer, then coach to
Rome.
The Vatican
City Tour (Half Day)
Crossing the Aurelian Walls and the park of
Villa Borghese, your guide will take you to
the Vatican City, the smallest independent
sovereign state in the world, whose origins
date back to the 5th century. In the Vatican
Museum, you’ll be shown a fine collection
of antiquites, including:
14
•
•
•
•
The Sculpture Museum
The fascinating Tapestry Gallery
The Gallery of Maps
The world famous Sistine Chapel,
decorated by Michelangelo. The tour
will then proceed to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Florence
Siena and San Gimignano (Full Day)
Enjoy an interesting excursion through the
Chianti countryside with delightful hills and
ever changing scenery of vineyards & olive
trees. Visit San Gimignano, a tiny city situated on the top of a hill, kept intact through
the centuries. San Gimignano is famous for
its numerous towers, the frescoes and other
art treasures. Enjoy a guided visit of the
magnificent medieval city, Siena. Admire
the Cathedral, Piazza del Campo, one of the
most beautiful squares in Europe, the Town
Hall, and San Domenico with its host of
Italian paintings. On the way back discover
the old medieval village of Monteriggioni,
enclosed by its famous walls.
Pisa (Half Day)
An excursion through the fertile and
picturesque Tuscan countryside towards the
historic university town of Pisa, famous
for its architectural beauty. Enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful Riversides, then
visit the Piazza dei Cavalieri on foot. The
tour proceeds to Piazza dei Miracoli to the
famous Leaning Tower and the Cathedral,
an unequalled masterpiece of Romanesque
art, carried out between the 11th & 12th
centuries. Discover the Baptistery and other
important monuments as well.
Venice
Venice Gondola Serenade (One Hour)
A flotilla of gondolas gathered around the
barge with musicians and singers floating
along the fascinating Grand Canal, glittering
in the reflection of the illuminated facades
Self drive and Train Options
of the sumptuous “palazzos”. Return in the
dark stillness of the canals. Private Gondola
Serenades available at a premium.
City Tour on foot (Half Day)
This tour is a short historical and artistic
introduction to the city. Discover St. Mark’s
Square, ”Golden Basilica”, the Baptistery,
Ducal Palace, residence of the Doges and the
Prisons and Bridge of Sighs.
Milan
When you visit Milan, you will discover
Italy’s financial centre, offering an array of
businesses, fashion districts and a wealth of
art to explore. Take the time to experience
the variety of monuments, museums, and
churches the city has to offer. Art creations
by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci can
be enjoyed throughout the city or you could
embrace the exciting cultural scene by taking in an opera at La Scala, the numerous
fashion shows, as well as great nightlife
selections.
The different cities in Italy are easily
accessible by road or train, however in the
larger cities, parking is a major problem.
We would therefore suggest that you hire
your vehicle for travel between the cities or
use the train option as an alternative.
Thompsons offer a combination of self-drive and train
options including:
Milan, Lake Como and Verona
Day 1 & 2:
Arrive in the fashion capital of Italy and
discover new trends and ideas. Spend
two nights in Milan and discover the Scala
Opera, Milan Cathedral, Santa Maria della
Grazie and Castello Sforzesco.
Day 3, 4 & 5:
Just half an hour from noisy, bustling
Milan, Lake Como is a jewel-like oasis of
tranquillity, a magical combination of lush
Mediterranean foliage and snowy alpine
peaks. One of the best vantage points for
this breathtaking view is at Piazza Cavour, on
the banks of the lake in the town of Como.
The cathedral here is often cited as the best
example of transitional architectural styles:
to immediately understand what this means,
compare the stunning gothic façade with the
18th-century dome above it.
Day 6 & 7:
Verona, home to Romeo and Juliet, one of
the prettiest and most historical little cities in
the whole country. Spend 2 days seeing the
Arena of Verona, Castelvecchio, Piazza delle
Erbe and Juliet’s House.
Wonderful Toscana
Day 1:
From Rome, travel to Perugia, passing
through Assisi and visit the Basilica of St.
Francis along the way. Spend one night in
Perugia.
Day 2 & 3:
Leave for a two night stay in Siena, with
a stop at Trasimeno Lake along the way.
Take time to explore Volterra and visit the
Etruscan ruins and San Gimignano.
Day 4 & 5:
Travel on to Florence through the Chianti
area, discovering one of the most
suggestive areas of Tuscany. Spend the rest
of the trip exploring Florence and visiting
surrounding towns such as Pisa and Lucca.
Spend 2 nights in Florence.
Italian Lakes
Day 1,2 & 3:
Start the tour in the fashion capital of Italy.
Depart Milan and visit the Monastery and
the Church of St. Jules before arriving in
Stresa for 3 nights. In Stresa visit the
surrounding lakes, such as Lake Locarno and
be sure to take a train trip to Grimagliera to
visit the Church of Madonna del Sasso. Take
a day trip to the Borrome Islands as well.
Day 4 & 5:
Travel from Stresa to Como where
you have the opportunity to discover
Lake Como. Enjoy the absolute tranquillity
during your 2 night stay.
Day 6:
Leaving the Lakes behind you, start your
journey back to Milan and spend the rest
of the day exploring the Scala Opera, Milan
Cathedral, Santa Maria della Grazie and
Castello Sforzesco.
Italy by Train
Day 1:
Arrive in Rome and take the day to explore
the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon,
Piazza Navona, St. Peter’s Cathedral, the
Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese. Overnight
in Rome.
Day 2 & 3:
You will be transferred from your hotel to
the train station to enjoy the scenic trip
Italy
Italy
Sightseeing Tours
to Florence. Florence is home to Italy’s
incredible art. You have two nights in
Florence which will allow you the time to
discover the Cathedral of Santa Maria del
Fiore and Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Palazzo
Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte
Vecchio Bridge.
Day 4 & 5:
Transfer from the hotel to the train
station and continue to the Romantic
City of Canals, Venice, by train. 2 nights
in Venice allows you to explore the Venetian
islands of Murano, Burano, Torcello and
Chioggia; the canals of the Brenta and the
Veneto villas. You will admire the enchanting and unique lagoon and the majestic
reddish spires of the Dolomites.
Day 6:
Transfer to the train station for a trip to the
fashion capital of Italy. Besides shopping,
visit the Scala Opera, Milan Cathedral, Santa
Maria della Grazie and Castello Sforzesco
and spend one night in magical Milan.
Rome to Florence by Train
Day 1,2 & 3:
Enjoy 3 nights in Rome with a Roman
Promenade hop-on hop-off tour, which will
allow you easy access to the world-renowned
sights of Rome. As one of the most beautiful
and historic cities in the world, explore the
Roman ruins for a day. Go back in time and
imagine what it must have been like to live
in ancient Rome.
Day 4,5 & 6:
Take the train from Rome to Florence
where you will spend 3 nights. Enjoy
a Pisa Excursion, as well as the
wonderful selection of restaurants and well
known attractions. Florence appeals to
travellers of all ages. Discover the sights such
as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore,
Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Palazzo Vecchio, the
Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio bridge.
15
Join a coach tour of Spain for anything from
i
3 days to 10 days with Thompsons Tours.
Tours are based on travel in a deluxe, airconditioned coach with a multilingual guide
CURRENCY: Euro
Day 1: San Sebastián
AREA: 504, 782 km2
TIME DIFFERENCE:
Apr - Oct Same as SA
Flamenco Fever
what things cost
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
Price
€10.00
€2.50
€2.00
€1.50
€2.50
€4.00
€12.00
Best time to travel
Spring (Apr-Jun): Is an ideal time to visit the
central regions of Castile, Andalucia, the
Mediterranean Coast, and the Balearic Islands.
Summer (Jul-Sep): Is a good season to visit
the northern regions. Costa del Sol and Costa
Tropical on the southern coast are much hotter. Autumn(Oct-Nov): The best season of the year
to visit the entire country. The climate is excellent, with sunny days and blue skies. Winter (Dec-Mar): Is a good time to visit the
Mediterranean area along the Costa del Sol.
Begin your journey with a night in San
Sebastián, the true gem of Basque resorts,
with its blend of cosmopolitan chic and
delightful old-world feel. This is the quintes-
famous Royal Basilica, which holds the
famous “Black Virgin”.
Spain has been made famous through
traditional characteristics such as Flamenco
music, La Tomatina (throwing of tomatoes
in Buñol) and Bullfighting. Bullfighting is
as Spanish as Spain itself and Sanfermines
or the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona
originated from cow herders who moved the
bulls through the old quarter to the Plaza to
do bull fighting.
Inland Spain holds the promise of
beautiful monuments, delicious food, art and
great natural beauty. Coastal Spain, offers
splendid beaches and watersports.
Sightseeing Tour Options
Barcelona Full Day Tour
Visit the Plaza de Cataluna, Via Layetana,
the Cathedral and the Olympic Village.
Also a visit to Paseo de Gracia, Barcelona’s
Monumental Bull Ring and the Picasso
Museum.
Montserrat Half Day Tour ex Barcelona
Discover the amazing setting of the
Monastery of Montserrat and visit the
Full Day Toledo Tour including Lunch
Toledo is a national monument with its
many churches, medieval castle, synagogue,
stunning El Greco paintings and of course
its amazing 13th-century cathedral.
Panoramic Madrid Half Day Tour
Experience the famous squares of Plaza de
Espana, de Oriente, Mayor and Puerta del
Sol. Take in the famous del Oeste and Retiro
Parks as well as the commercial areas of
Madrid, the University Campus, the Bull
Ring and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium,
home of the famous Real Madrid football
club.
Panoramic Madrid & Bullfight (Full Day)
Travel through the quarters and sections of
Madrid that are most representative of this
beautiful country. Discover the most important details of a bullfight during your tour
and have the chance to admire the most
famous bullring in the world, the Spanish
Fiesta!
Costa del Sol
Choose from a variety of full day tours in the
surrounding areas of Spain. Discover places
like Ronda, Marbella, Granada, Seville,
Cordoba, Gibraltar and Tanger in one day
and take the opportunity to explore their
monuments, churches and culture.
Andalucia: 4 Days - 3 Nights
Coach Tour
Day 1: Madrid – Merida – Cordoba
Depart from the bus terminal passing
Extremadura on your way to Merida, where
you will have lunch. Continue to Cordoba
for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Cordoba – Seville
After breakfast enjoy a morning tour of the
Cathedral, Arab Mosque and Jewish Quarter
before continuing to Seville for lunch. Your
afternoon will be at leisure to explore Seville,
where you will overnight.
Day 3: Seville
Enjoy the morning city tour of Seville as
you visit the Park of Maria Luisa, Plaza de
España and the Santa Cruz Quarter. Your
afternoon is at leisure as you overnight in
Seville again.
Day 4: Seville – Ronda – Costa del Sol
After breakfast, leave Seville through the
route of the White Villages for Ronda. Enjoy
your free time in Ronda before you continue
to Costa del Sol.
Another day to discover Oviedo, with the
Palacio de Santa Maria del Naranco, which
The chapel of San Miguel de Lillo is nearby.
There are many good beaches along the
coast, especially around the large fishing
coach tour from 37 itineraries with 3 & 4 star
accommodation options.
LANGUAGE: Spanish
Day 5: Oviedo
was also built in the 9th-century for Ramiro
I as a hunting lodge.
and include breakfast and most lunches
and dinners as well. You can select your
CAPITAL CITY: Madrid
16
North of Spain 8 Day Self-drive
suggestion
Spain
Spain
Spain
sential summer getaway.
Day 2: San Sebastián – Colombres Santander
Leave San Sebastián, visiting Colombres en
route, where you will find the caves of Tito
Bustillo, El Pindal, Candamoand El Buxu,
all fine examples of Palaeolithic Art and
ancient Celtic settlements (castros). Continue
onto Santander where you will spend the
next two nights.
villages of Ribadesella and Lastres. Other
sights to see include Old Quarter, Cathedral
and Historic Quarter. Overnight in Oviedo.
Day 6: Oviedo – Lugo
Travel to Lugo for two nights - the city that
is dominated by city walls. Sights to be seen
include Diocesan Museum, City Hall, San
Pedro Church and Plaza del Campo.
Day 7: Lugo
Spend the last day in Lugo before you start
your homeward journey.
Day 3: Santander
Discover Santander, set in a bay, framing
one of Spain’s loveliest panorama’s with
wide curving beaches and romantic sea side
views. Overnight in Santander.
Day 4: Santander - Oviedo
Travel to the capital of Asturias, Oviedo,
an historic town with an outstanding
12th-century Gothic Cathedral. The Camara
Santa has some impressive Romanesque
wall paintings and other artistic treasures.
Asturias has a remarkably rich legacy of
Romanesque churches. San Julian de
los Prados dates from AD 830 and is
decorated with medieval frescoes. Overnight
in Oviedo.
17
Join a coach tour of Portugal, combining
Spain & Portugal for anything from 3 days
to 9 days with Thompsons Tours. Tours are
based on travel in a deluxe, air-conditioned
i
coach with a multilingual guide and include
breakfast and most lunches and dinners as
well with an option of 3 or 4 star accommodation.
CAPITAL CITY: Lisbon
LANGUAGE: Portuguese - English is widely spoken
CURRENCY: Euro
AREA:
92, 391km2
Day 5: Lisbon – Merida - Madrid
After breakfast depart for Merida where you
will have lunch and time to visit the Roman
Theatre before continuing to Madrid where
the tour terminates.
Castilla: Portugal 5 Day 4 Night Coach Tour
Move onto Faro for 1 night, the capital of
the district, with a medieval wall and a large
number of monuments. Visit the Cathedral,
Nossa Senhora da Assunção Convent and
San Francisco Church. Overnight in Faro.
TIME DIFFERENCE: Apr - Oct 1 hour behind
Nov - Mar 2 hours behind
what things cost
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
Price
€10.00
€2.50
€2.00
€1.50
€2.50
€4.00
€12.00
Best time to travel
Portugal’s climate is mild all year round.
Summers (July-September) are dry and clear,
with warm sunshine extending long into Autumn
(Oct-Nov).
Winters (Dec-Mar) are moderately cool and are
the rainiest time of year, except in subtropical
Madeira, where there is little rain. Mid-Summer
temperatures range in the mid 200C, while
Winter temperatures range from 100C - 150C.
18
Portugal
Portugal
Portugal
Architectural wonderland
Magnificent architecture, pristine beaches,
beautiful landscapes, cosmopolitan cities,
vibrant nightlife and the welcome of the
locals are all characteristic of what you will
experience when you visit Portugal. Portugal
boasts a rich array of visual art, with a superb
range of European, Portuguese, Oriental and
African art, however the greatest cultural
heritage lies in it's architecture.
If it’s a beach holiday you are after, find a
secluded beach, spread your towel and soak
up the sun. From the Algarve in the south, to
the idyllic 9km Porto Santo beach, there is a
stretch of beach to suit everyone.
Sightseeing Tours
Touristic Lisbon (Half Day)
Visit the Coach Museum, Jerónimos
Monastery, Tower of Belém, Monument to
the Discoveries, as well as Alfama for walking
or wine tasting. Continue to Rossio Square
and Marques De Pombal Square.
Lisbon by Night (Evening)
Visit the Jerónimos Monastery, Tower of
Belém, Monument to the Discoveries,
Marques De Pombal Square, Av. Da
Liberdade, Rossio Square, Terreiro do Paco,
Lisbon Bridge and Alcantara. Later enjoy a
meal at a typical Portuguese restaurant and
attend the Fado and Folk Dances show.
Estoril Coast, Cascais and Sintra (Half Day)
Enjoy a visit to the various Palaces in Sintra
and to Cabo da Roca, the western most point
of Europe. Continue to the Boca do Inferno,
Guincho and then onto the fishing port of
Cascais, before experiencing the Casino and
Gardens of Estoril.
Fátima (Half Day)
One of the most important Marian centres of
pilgrimage in the catholic world.
Discover the tombstone of Jacinta and
Fransisco, Chapel of Apparitions, the heart
of the shrine. Also visit the place where our
Lady of Fátima appeared.
Day 1: Madrid – Avila - Salamanca
Depart the bus terminal for Avila where you
will have free time to explore before proceeding to Salamanca for dinner. Overnight
in Salamanca.
Day 2: Salamanca - Coimbra
After breakfast depart for Coimbra, stopping
in at Ciudad Rodrigo and Guarda en route.
Enjoy dinner and overnight in Coimbra.
Day 3: Coimbra – Fátima - Lisbon
Travel to Lisbon via Fátima after breakfast.
Overnight in Lisbon
Day 4: Lisbon
Enjoy a morning tour that includes the
Tower of Belém, the Jerónimos Monestary
to name a few. The afternoon is at leisure
– you will overnight in Lisbon.
The South of Portugal
6 Day Selfdrive suggestion:
Day 1 & 2: Lisbon
Spend two nights in Lisbon, the dazzling city
that stretches along the banks of the Tagus,
is an enchanting capital. Lisbon provides
the opportunity to discover the famous
monuments, churches and culture. Spend
your two days discovering the surrounding
towns and villages such as Sintra, Cascais
and Seisambra before returning to Lisbon.
Day 3: Lisbon – Beja
Today takes you to Beja, the ancient Roman
town which was a Muslim cultural centre.
Visit the churches of Santo António and
Santa Maria, convent and castle of São
Francisco and the chapel of Santo André.
Overnight in Beja.
Day 4: Beja – Faro
Day 5: Faro – Albufeira
Make your way to Albufeira, where the
population of the many bars, restaurants
and clubs overflow onto the narrow streets.
Home to the Virtual Archaeological Museum
and 15th and 17th-century Ming ceramics,
there is something for everyone in Albufeira.
Take a day trip to Lagos, a city rich with
the magnificent churches of São Sebastião,
Santa Maria or Misericórdia, Santo António
and the very old São João. Overnight in
Albufeira.
Day 6: Albufeira – Lisbon
Make your way back to Lisbon for your
homeward journey.
Visit our website www.visitportugal.com
or contact:
Portuguese Trade & Tourism Office
Tel.: 011 302 0404
Fax.: 011 784 3586
e-mail: [email protected]
19
20
Austria
Price
½15.00
½3.00
½2.50
½3.00
½4.00
½5.00
½8.00
Historical City Tour &
Schonbrunn Palace (3Hrs)
This tour will give you an overall
impression of the most significant sights of
Vienna. You will see the Ringstrasse with its
magnificent buildings, such as the Museum of
Applied Arts, the State Opera House and the
Museum of Natural History, the Hofburg,
Sightseeing Tours
Austria’s capital, Vienna, is both the hub
of the country’s musical life, as well as
a testament to the countries beautiful
buildings. Music, art and architecture
peak to perfection in Salzburg, Mozart’s
birthplace and Innsbruck’s snow-capped
peaks form a backdrop to the fascinating
historic buildings. Austria boasts a wealth
of remarkable buildings, with historic
value, including churches, monasteries,
fortresses, castles, palaces, museums, and
burgher houses to name but a few. Immerse
yourself in the beauty of snow-capped peaks,
roaring waterfalls, secluded nature parks and
emerald-green lakes or indulge in the world
of wellness and beauty.
Rich Historical Cities
Snow on the mountains in spring and autumn is
not uncommon. In Vienna itself you can enjoy
the very mild climate, a gentle breeze and fresh
air produced by the surrounding Wienerwald.
Summer can be hot and long with average
summer temperatures that range from 20°C
to 30°C. The average winter temperatures are
around 0°.
Austria’s climate is generally moderate and mild
but varies from the Alpine region to the eastern
plain.
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
CAPITAL CITY:
Vienna
LANGUAGE:
German with the Austrian dialect - English is
widely spoken
CURRENCY:
Euro
VISA:
AREA:
83,858 km2
TIME DIFFERENCE:
L
Salzburg City Tour (1Hr)
This tour will take you on a brief city tour
that allows you to see the major sights in
Salzburg. The original wealth of Salzburg
and the province was based on the salt trade,
and the mines and the Celtic Museum of
Hallein are well worth a visit. Badgastein is
a popular spa and winter resort, with a large
casino, whilst Kaprun offers glacier skiing
even in the summer. The Zell-am-See skiing
area has an active nightlife. The Open-Air
Folklife Museum at Grossgmain is also worth
visiting, as are the Eisriesenwelt (ice caves,
with wonderful ice sculptures) near Werfen.
Kremsmünster Monastery is one of the
country’s oldest; founded in 1877, full of
paintings, frescos and Renaissance statues.
The monastery is also famous for its white
wines.
Vienna Woods – Meyerling (4 Hrs)
Passing the Roman City of Baden, famous
for its thermal springs, you will proceed
through the romantic valley of Helenental to
the former Meyerling hunting lodge, today a
commemorative chapel where the Crown
Prince Rudolph committed suicide with
Baronesse Vetsera in 1889. In the Cistercian
Abbey of Heiligenkreuz (1133) you will
visit the medieval cloister, which houses
the remains of the last Badenberger. Later
you will drive by the Holdrichsmuhle where
Franz Schubert composed his song, The
Lindentree, before you arrive at the Seegrotte.
From there, after a boat ride on the largest
subterranean lake in Europe you leave the
Vienna Woods and return to Vienna, passing
the Liechtenstein Castle. The tour ends at the
State Opera House.
The Parliament, City Hall, the Burgtheater
and on the way to the Prater (the Viennese
amusement park), you will pass by the
Kunsthaus. The highlight of this tour will
be a visit to the showrooms of Schonbrunn
Palace. Also visit the Belvedere Palace, the
former summer residence of Prince Eugen.
Price
CHF 25.00
CHF 4.00
CHF 4.50
CHF 3.50
CHF 3.50
CHF 6.00
CHF 15.00
City Tour on Tramway in Geneva (2 Hrs)
This bus excursion includes the ramble
through Geneva’s past.
Sightseeing Tours
From the lowlands to the highest mountains,
Switzerland is a unique miracle of nature.
The cities are both traditional and trendy,
featuring a unique mix of people, architecture, museums, markets and festivals,
displaying the incredible diversity and charm
of Switzerland.
The Switzerland experience is one of
breathtaking landscapes, magnificent lakes,
snow capped mountains and palm tree
promenades. Incorporated in these are four
distinct cultures of four different languages
- a treasure house of design, perfection and
quality. Immerse yourself in the world of
wellness and beauty or take a trip to a watch
factory, chocolatier or museum - trademarks
of Switzerland.
The home of Swiss Chocolate!
MySwitzerland.com
Our
open-air cinema.
Lucerne Tour (Full Day)
Visit the main sights of Lucerne; the Old
Town, Picasso Museum & surrounding
mountain tops.
Engelberg and the Mountain regions (Full Day)
Engelberg (Angel Mountain) was originally
founded by the Benedictine Monks and the
imposing monastery dominates the centre of
the village.
Zurich
Discover the most important museums, and
see the Fraumünster Church with its famous
Chagall windows.
The only areas in Switzerland with permanent
snow and ice are the high peaks in the Alps.
The Mittelland is often covered by a dense blanket of fog during late autumn.
Switzerland’s climate varies according to altitude. Ticino in the south has a Mediterranean
climate, but most of the country has a central
European climate, with warm summers and
cold winters.
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
according to hotels and seasons. (Swiss Franc)
CAPITAL CITY:
Bern
LANGUAGE:
German, French, Italian, Rheto-Romanisch English is widely spoken
CURRENCY:
Swiss Franc (CHF)
VISA:
No visa required
AIRPORT TAX:
AREA: 41,290 km2
TIME DIFFERENCE:
L
Switzerland
Lake Stelli with a view of the Matterhorn, Valais
Austria
21
Switzerland
22
Germany
Price
½15.00
½3.00
½2.50
½3.00
½4.00
½5.00
½8.00
Big Berlin Tour (3Hrs)
The tour will show the Kaiser-Wilhelm
Memorial Church, Bauhaus Museum, New
National Gallery, Philharmonic Hall, Potsdame
Square/Sony Center, Jewish Museum,
Gendarmenmarkt, Alexander Square, St.Nikolai-Quarter, City Hall of Berlin, TV Tower,
the Berlin Cathedral, Zeughaus, State Opera,
Boulevard Unter den Linden, Brandenburg
City Circle Tour - Berlin (2Hrs)
Experience Berlin at your own pace with a
City Circle Tour, which includes 15 different
stops all around the city on a hop-on hop-off
basis or stay on the bus and do a two hour
tour.
Sightseeing Tours
Germany will captivate you with its bigcity charm, small picture perfect towns and
villages, a wealth of art, culture, history,
harvest festivals, and the pleasures of
delightful castles, fine wine and beer.
The home of the “Beerfest”
Summer temperatures are typically between
20°C and 30°C, with most of the rainfall during
the summer. To be on the safe side, take a
sweater or weather protection jacket with you.
Winter temperatures vary from west to east,
with around freezing tempertures in the west
and well below freezing in eastern Germany.
Germany’s climate is quite varied.
B E ST T I M E T O T R AV EL
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
CAPITAL CITY:
Berlin
LANGUAGE:
German - English is widely spoken
CURRENCY:
Euro
VISA:
AREA:
357, 030 km2
TIME DIFFERENCE:
L
Germany
Munich Highlights (1Hr)
Cross the Konigsplatz and pass the renowned
art galleries. The tour includes a visit to the
former artists quarters of Schwabing, the
magnificent Ludwig Castle and Prinzregenten
street and the Theatiner Church, Hall of
Generals (Feldherrnhalle), House of Arts,
Bavarian National Museum and the Angel of
Peace. Drive along Maximilian Street to view
the Bavarian Parliament, Deutches Museum,
Royal Palace and the Opera House.
The Riverside Tour - Hamburg (2Hr30)
The tour will take you through the
romantic Blakensee, where you will walk
through the unique labyrinth of steps. Cross
the River Elbe and discover the fruit growing
area of Altes Land.
Hamburg Hummeltrain Tour (1Hr45)
Hop-on and off the train at different places
and continue the tour later.
Day Tour to the Rhine Valley (Full Day)
Pass Wiesbaden while heading towards
Rudesheim, the most famous of all wine
villages. During this boat ride enjoy the
unique view of hills and vineyards,
medieval castles and the famous Loreley
Rock. Includes lunch and a visit to a local
winery for wine tasting.
Frankfurt City Tour (2Hrs)
Visit St. Paul's Church, the Imperial Cathedral,
Romer (the city hall), Goethe-House (birthplace
of Germany's famous poet), the International
Fairgrounds, the Old Opera, Banking District,
Hauptwache and St. Katharine's Church. Also
visit "Zeil", the Museum Section, the Old
Towers of the former city defences, and the
amusement quarter "Sachsenhausen".
Gate, Reichstag, Haus der Kulturen (former
Congress Hall), Tiergarten, Bellevue Palace,
Siegessaule, Grunewald Forest, Radio Tower,
ICC and Kurfurstendamm.
Price
½25.00
½3.00
½2.50
½3.00
½3.50
½5.00
½8.00
Amsterdam City Tour and
Canal Cruise (2Hr30)
Through this city tour, you will see both
old and new parts of the city, with many
historical buildings and sites including the
Royal Palace and National Monument.
Sightseeing Tours
The Netherlands produced six masters of art
including Van Gogh & Rembrandt, and their
works are available to be viewed in galleries
around the country.
Otherwise known as Holland, the “land of
windmills”, the Netherlands is a country
where bikes, windmills and blazing flower
fields are pretty much the order of the day
outside the major cities. Amsterdam is one
of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities.
Bicycling is part of the Dutch culture and you
can pedal to anywhere in the country’s towns
or villages, along any number of safe and
well-maintained bicycle lanes.
Cheese, clogs and windmills
Candlelight Cruise (2Hrs)
This candlelit tour will allow you to enjoy
a glass of red or white wine with a cheese
platter as you take in Amsterdam on a guided
evening cruise of the canals.
Grand Holland Tour (Full Day)
A great impression of Holland with its many
cities and rural landscapes. First to the
largest flower auction in the world at
Aalsmeer, then continue towards Delft,
where you will see the making of the
famous Delft Blue Pottery. See Rotterdam,
with its modern architecture and part
of its port, enjoy The Hague with its
Parliament and The Peace Palace. Stop
at Scheveningen, one of Holland's major
beach resorts.
Afterwards visit the
Madurodam (Holland in miniature).
Volendam and Marken (Half Day)
See the typical Dutch countryside of polders
and little canals, as well as a well known
windmill village where you can visit a
wooden shoe maker. Then onto the famous
fishing villages of Volendam and Marken,
where you will experience wooden houses
and locals wearing traditional dress. A stop
is also made at a traditional cheese farm.
On the boat tour, you will also visit a
windmill along the river Amstel and a stop
will be made at the Diamond Factory, where
you can see the traditional way of polishing
diamonds. Along the canals, you will see
17th century merchant houses and churches
with bell towers as well as the old harbour.
Spring is the best time of year to visit the
Netherlands with fields of flowers in full bloom.
Winter is relatively mild, however temperatures
do drop around the freezing mark.
Autumn is a beautiful time of year in the
Netherlands, however is the rainiest of the
seasons.
The summer months are very popular, especially
for barging and the coastal resorts, with temperatures averaging in the mid 20ºC.
Item
Bottle of Wine
Beer
Bottle of Water
Coffee / Tea
Cold Drinks
Toasted Sandwich
Pub Lunch
TIME DIFFERENCE:
CAPITAL CITY:
Amsterdam
LANGUAGE:
Dutch - English is widely spoken
CURRENCY:
Euro
VISA:
AIRPORT TAX:
AREA:
41,526 km2
L
Netherlands
23
Netherlands
24
Europe
HOLIDAY INN BRUSSELS
PRESIDENT NORD
MOEVENPICK
IBIS PRAHA SMICHOV
IBIS PRAHA CITY
CROWNE PLAZA PRAGUE
IBIS PRAHA KARLIN
FIRST VESTERBRO
MERCURE RICHMOND
ROSSINI APS
ADMIRAL
RADISSON SAS PLAZA HELSIN
HILTON HELSINKI STRAND
SWISSOTEL BERLIN
ATRIUM MUNICH
CONTINENTAL FRANKFURT
LEONET HOTEL
HOLIDAY INN DUSSELDORF
INTER-CONTINENTAL
HOLIDAY INN BUDAPEST
MERCURE BUDA
MERCURE METROPOL
BELGIUM
BELGIUM
CZECH REP.
CZECH REP.
CZECH REP.
CZECH REP.
CZECH REP.
DENMARK
DENMARK
DENMARK
DENMARK
FINLAND
FINLAND
GERMANY
GERMANY
GERMANY
GERMANY
GERMANY
HUNGARY
HUNGARY
HUNGARY
HUNGARY
4*
3*
5*
4*
5*
4*
3*
4*
4*
5*
5*
4*
3*
3*
4*
3*
4*
2*
3*
4*
3*
4*
RATING
4*
4*
4*
4*
HOTEL
BELLEVUE
HOLIDAY INN CITY
AUSTROTEL
EUROPA HOTEL
COUNTRY
AUSTRIA
AUSTRIA
AUSTRIA
AUSTRIA
Budapest
Budapest
Budapest
Budapest
Berlin
Munich
Frankfurt
Cologne
Düsseldorf
Helsinki
Helsinki
Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Prague
Prague
Prague
Prague
Prague
Brussels
Brussels
LOCATION
Vienna
Vienna
Innsbruck
Salzburg
Cited as the best location in town
Located in the western gate of Budapest, with regular shuttle bus
to the city centre
25km from Airport, modern room facilities with compact bathrooms
Downtown hotel in Pest, medium sized with modern facilities,
good access to transport
Situated in the famous shopping district which is centrally located
Within walking distance of all attractions, close to city centre
Conveniently located, close to main station, main attractions
Located in the old town west, surrounded by bars & restaurants
Located in the city centre, 200m from the main station,
with restaurant, bar & wellness centre
World class hotel which lies in the heart of Helsinki, 301 rooms
Located by the sea, newly refurbished with modern facilities
1st newly built hotel in Copenhagen, 403 rooms
Traditional Danish hospitality, 127 modern rooms
Close to shopping area, drugstore and bowling centre in hotel
Situated in the centre of Copenhagen, close to harbour promenade
Located on the left bank of the river Vlatava, opposite the Mozart
Museum
Just a few minutes from the heart of the city, the hotel offers
standard amenities with a restaurant and bar
New Hotel situated in the city centre, indoor swimming pool,
fitness & business centre
Close to the city centre of Prague, easy accessible,
underground parking
Deluxe Hotel, situated in one of the quietest parts, 243 rooms
Close to Grand' Place and the centre of Brussels shopping &
business areas, includes traditional restaurant & brasserie
City centre, close to Grand Place, cosy atmosphere
DESCRIPTION
An historical four star hotel, located close to the city centre,
Located In the heart of the city's tourist & shopping district
Located in the city centre with excellent amenities
Centrally located, close to railway and bus stations
Thompsons Choice of Hotels in Europe
TRYP MACARENA
SENATOR HOTEL ZURICH
ASTOR HOTEL
SPAIN
SWITZERLAND
SWIZTERLAND
MONTANA HOTEL
3*
Zurich
Zurich
Zurich
Zurich
Zurich
Seville
Malaga
Madrid
Barcelona
Ibiza
Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon
Warsaw
Oslo
Oslo
Oslo
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
In Zurich’s old town close to shopping street and attractions
New and friendly hotel, comfortable, modern rooms, swimming
pool and fitness room
Fantastic views across Lake Lucerne, toward the Swiss Alps,
this peaceful hotel is minutes away from Lucerne's old town
Centre of Zurich, medium sized, modern rooms
In the heart of Zurich, close to the main railway station
Situated close to Puerto del Sol, 142 completely renovated rooms
Opposite the Ramblas, 142 rooms with air-con and satellite TV
Close to the city centre next to the sea, the 147 rooms are equipped
with modern facilities
Located close to the harbour, the historical centre and the
commercial & business districts of Malaga
Located alongside the Guadalguivir River, within close proximity
to the historical city centre, the isle of la Cartuja & the airport
Located in the highly rated district of Avenida de Roma, with
indoor pool, sauna, jacuzzi & gym
Ideal location to get to attractions. In the financial city centre
Located in the city centre, spacious rooms with all modern facilities
Situated in the city centre, with all modern facilities and amenities
Situated In the heart of Warsaw, within the central business district
with standard amenities plus a health centre
Centrally located, rooms with bath and shower and air-conditioning
300m from central station, modern hotel
Central Oslo, large rooms, modern facilities, close to Royal Palace
DESCRIPTION
Close to Dam square, rooms with bath and shower
Centrally located, 5 min walk from central station and
24hr reception
Located in the southern part of Amsterdam city, close to rail,
tram and metro
Located on Dam Square, recently renovated rooms with
modern new facilities
Situated in the heart of the city centre overlooking the river,
new modern facilities
SWITZERLAND
3*
3*
4*
4*
3*
3*
4*
4*
4*
3*
3*
3*
SCHEUBLE HOTEL
3*
NOVOTEL ZURICH CITY WEST 3*
TRYP ALAMEDA
SPAIN
REGINA HOTEL
ORIENTE HOTEL
LOS MOLINOS HOTEL
SPAIN
SPAIN
SPAIN
ROMA HOTEL
HOLIDAY INN WARSAW
HOLIDAY INN CONTINENTAL
MUNDIAL HOTEL
HOLIDAY INN LISBON
SWITZERLAND
SWITZERLAND
3*
4*
4*
RATING LOCATION
3*
Amsterdam
3*
Amsterdam
COMFORT BORSPARKEN
4*
THON ASTORIA OSLO
4*
RADISSON SAS SCANDINAVIA 5*
EDEN AMSTERDAM
PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL
POLAND
NORWAY
NORWAY
NORWAY
NETHERLANDS
DIE PORT VAN CLEVE
NOVOTEL AMSTERDAM
NETHERLANDS
NETHERLANDS
HOTEL
REMBRANDT RESIDENCE
AVENUE HOTEL
COUNTRY
NETHERLANDS
NETHERLANDS
25
Europe
26
Booking Conditions
Price Changes
The costs associated with travel arrangements are not always stable, and
currency movements can fluctuate sharply. It is impossible to predict these
movements in advance. When you book a package through us, we reserve
the right to pass on any surcharges to you. Surcharges may be imposed
to cover increases in transportation costs, including the costs of fuel and
security charges, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as landing taxes
or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates
applied to the particular package.
Thompsons guarantees the price of land arrangements, only once full payment
is received.
Airfares are subject to the prices and conditions quoted by the particular
airlines and cannot be guaranteed by Thompsons. The onus is on the agent &
the passenger to check that there have been no changes in these prices before
making final payment thereof.
3)
a)
Flight and Other Travel Timings
Flight timings are provided by airlines and are subject to Air Traffic Control
restrictions. All means of transportation are subject to weather conditions,
the need for constant maintenance, and the ability of passengers to check-in
on time. There is no guarantee that flights, ferries, ships, trains or coaches
will depart at the times stated on any itinerary or tickets which you receive.
All timings are estimates only, and we do not accept any liability for any delay,
however arising, or for any schedule alterations.
Flight Reconfirmation
It is your responsibility to ensure that you reconfirm the departure date and
times of all your flights at least 72 hours prior to departure. This is particularly
important in respect of subsequent journeys once leaving South Africa and
Thompsons hereby specifically excludes any liability for any delay and /or loss
as a result of your failure to reconfirm any flight and/or connecting flight.
Documents
Documents: (vouchers, itineraries, etc.) are only prepared on receipt of full
payment of the package price, and signed conditions of contract (i.e. our
booking form) and will be ready 24 hours after payment has been received.
Normally your travel agent will arrange collection of your documents.
Should you require your documents and air tickets to be forwarded to either
yourself or the departure airport this may be arranged by your agent with us.
However, the courier costs in respect thereof will be for your own account.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU CHECK ALL DETAILS OF YOUR TRAVEL
DOCUMENTS BEFORE LEAVING SOUTH AFRICA. IF THERE ARE ANY
INACCURANCIES ON ANY OF YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, OR SHOULD YOU
HAVE ANY FURTHER QUERIES, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT
IMMEDIATELY. THOMPSONS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DELAY AND/OR
LOSS OCCASIONED AS A RESULT OF ANY INACCURANCIES ON ANY TRAVEL
DOCUMENTS ONCE YOU ARE IN RECEIPT THEREOF AND YOU HAVE LEFT
SOUTH AFRICA.
Unscheduled Extensions
In the unlikely event of there being an unscheduled extension to the holiday
caused by flight delays, bad weather, strikes, or any other cause which is
beyond the control of Thompsons, it is understood that the expenses relating
to these unscheduled extensions, (hotel accommodation etc.), will be for
the account of the passenger. Thompsons accepts no liability for changes,
omissions or delays before or during the course of any holiday occasioned
by technical difficulties, weather conditions, strikes or communication breakdowns or the like.
6)
7)
8)
a)
9)
c)
b)
15) Complaints
a) In the event that you have any reason to complain, or experience any problems
with your holiday whilst away, you must immediately inform the supplier of
the services in question. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and
given to the supplier as soon as possible.
b) If you are still dissatisfied, you must notify us at the earliest opportunity - until
we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot begin to resolve it. Failure
to give us the opportunity to resolve any problem at the time it occurs will
result in either a reduction, or complete extinction, of any rights which you
may have, to claim compensation from us.
c) If you remain dissatisfied, you must write to our Customer Service Manager
within 28 days of the end of the trip you have purchased from us, giving
your booking reference and full details of your complaint on clientservices@
thompsons.co.za or fax to 011-770-7498.
d) Whilst every effort will be made by Thompsons to resolve your complaint to
your satisfaction it is specifically recorded that Thompsons in no way accepts
liability for any claim that you may have in respect of your complaint.
14) Airline Refund Procedures
a) Refund policies operated by the various airlines vary greatly. You must return
your unused ticket to Thompsons who will present it to the relevant airline
for assessment as to whether the airline will agree to issue a refund or not.
Should a refund be authorised by the airline such refund will be made to you,
less any cancellation or administration charges.
b) If payment for the ticket was made to Thompsons by credit card, the refund,
should one be granted, will be made to your credit card otherwise the refund
will be made by EFT.
c) Any refund which is authorised for part used or return halves of tickets will be
less than the pro rata rate on the face value of such ticket.
d) Refunds may take up to 12 weeks to process although this time frame cannot
be guaranteed by Thompsons
e) Tickets returned to Thompsons for a refund older than one year from the date
of issue will be regarded as expired by the airline and have no refund value.
13) Lost/Stolen Flight Tickets
a) The loss or theft of a ticket must be reported to Thompsons immediately.
Certain airlines will not authorise Thompsons to issue a replacement ticket if
such ticket is lost or stolen before the passenger leaves South Africa. In the
latter instance you will be required to purchase a new ticket, at your own cost,
until such time as Thompsons receives authority from the airline to make any
refund to you, which authority could take up to 12 months to receive. Should
the airline authorise Thompsons to issue a replacement ticket Thompsons will
do so and a re-issue fee, per ticket, will be for your own account.
b) Should your ticket be lost or stolen abroad it should be noted that certain
airlines will not issue a duplicate ticket and it will be your responsibility to
purchase a new ticket aboard at the local fare. Upon your return to South
Africa you may make application to Thompsons for a refund of the amount
spent by yourself on the lost or stolen ticket, but it is specifically recorded that
any refund will be entirely at the discretion of the airline concerned which may
take up to 12 months to authorise.
c) It is your responsibility to report the lost or stolen ticket to the police and to
provide Thompsons with the proof of such report if required.
22) ASATA
Thompsons is a registered member of the Association of South African Travel
Agents (ASATA) and the South African Tour Operators Association (SATOA).
21) Legal
This document together with Thompsons’ standard booking form and
Thompsons invoice / itinerary constitutes the sole record of the agreement
between the parties. No party shall be bound by any representation, warranty,
and promise of the like not recorded herein. No addition to the Thompsons
standard booking conditions shall be of any force or effect unless in writing
and signed by or on behalf of the parties. No indulgence which Thompsons,
(“the grantor”), may grant to the passenger (“the grantee”), shall constitute a
waiver of any of the rights of the grantor, who shall not thereby be precluded
from exercising any rights against the grantee which may have arisen in the
past or which might arise in the future. All costs and disbursements, including
legal costs on the attorney and client scale incurred by Thompsons in recovering any damages and payments payable by the passenger to Thompsons
shall be for the passengers’ account. This agreement shall in all respects
be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic
of South Africa. The passenger hereby consents to the jurisdiction of the
Magistrates Court having jurisdiction over its person in respect of all proceedings in connection with this agreement. The parties hereby respectively
choose domicilium citandi et executandi for all notices and processes to be
given and served in pursuance of this agreement at their respective addresses
as given on Thompsons’ standard booking form. Either party may change its
domicilium by written notice delivered by hand or sent by prepaid registered
post to the other party. In this agreement an expression which denotes a
gender includes the other genders, a natural person includes an artificial
person and vice versa, the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
20) Jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court
Thompsons Tours, a Division of Cullinan Holdings Ltd, shall be entitled, at its
option to institute any legal proceedings arising out of or in connection with
this contract in any Magistrate’s Court having jurisdiction in terms of Section
29 of the Magistrate’s Court Act No 32/1944 as amended, notwithstanding
that the amount in issue may exceed the limits of such jurisdiction.
19) Responsibility And Liability
Thompsons act as agents only for local and international ground operators and
airlines and accordingly accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, damage,
injury, accident, delay, or any other irregularity howsoever arising. Thompsons
makes every effort to ensure that all the arrangements and services connected
with a passenger’s itinerary will be carried out as specified in the most efficient and effective way possible. However, we do not have direct control over
the provision of services by suppliers and, whilst they are in all cases selected
with the utmost care, we do not accept liability for error and omissions of such
suppliers
18) Force Majeure
Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we
regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or
affected, or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss, as a result of “force
majeure”. In these Booking Conditions, “force majeure” means any event
which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all
due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include war or threat of war, riot,
civil strife, terrorist activity or actual threatened terrorist activity, industrial
dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and all
similar events outside our control.
17) General Information
a) Taxes: We will advise you of all mandatory taxes, which you must pay before
departure. However, many countries charge departure taxes that can only be
paid locally. It is therefore recommended that you retain sufficient local currency to meet such charges. Details of departure taxes can be obtained from
the relevant airline when you reconfirm your flight details.
Special requests: We can pass on any special requests that you may wish
to make at the time of booking, but acceptance of such requests is at the
discretion of the airline or other supplier and in no circumstances are special
requests guaranteed. Confirmation that a special request has been noted
or passed on to the supplier, or the inclusion of the special request on your
confirmation invoice or any other documentation, is not confirmation that the
request will be met.
b) Medical Problems: If you or any member of your party has any medical
problem or disability which may affect your holiday, you need to give us
full details in writing at the time of booking. If we reasonably feel unable
to properly accommodate the particular needs of the person concerned, we
reserve the right to decline their reservation or, if full details are not given at
the time of booking, cancel when we become aware of these details
c) Renovations: Please be aware that hotels undergo renovations from time to
time. Hotels take all possible steps to limit disruption to their guests. We
will not entertain complaints or requests for refunds if a hotel is carrying
out renovations whilst a guest is resident. If we are specifically advised of
renovation work, dates may be provided, but it is important to remember that
these are subject to change and we are not always notified.
d) Refunds and Unused Services: No refunds will be made for any unused
services.
e) Charges to your credit card: Any charges made to your credit card whilst
away are your responsibility. Thompsons Tours will not be responsible, nor
accept responsibility for having these charges reversed or corrected upon
return to South Africa.
11) Cancellation by You
If you wish to cancel your booking you must advise your agent immediately,
who will in turn advise us. You will be liable to pay the following cancellation
charges:
a) Where your booking includes a special fare, the relevant charges are levied
by the airline. In some circumstances this may be 100% of the total fare,
regardless of when cancellation is effected.
b) Where your booking is for a package, you will be responsible for all cancellation charges, of whatsoever nature, imposed by the suppliers providing the
component parts of such travel arrangements.
c) Thompsons charges a cancellation fee equal to 10% of the package price on
any finalised booking. However, Thompsons reserves the right to charge a
cancellation fee of up to 100% of the total package, in its sole discretion, in
particular circumstances. Any monies, which you have already paid to us, will
be taken by us as payment or part payment of any cancellation charges.
12) Our Right To Change Your Travel Arrangements
a) A significant change to your travel arrangements would include a change in
the departure date from South Africa; where the flight times are changed by
more than 12 hours or a change to a lower standard of accommodation to
that which is booked. In these instances of significant changes to your travel
arrangements Thompsons undertakes to advise you thereof as soon as reasonably possible before your departure date to obtain your further instructions in
this regard.
b) All other changes are minor changes. A minor change can be made at any
time and, if practicable, we will advise you of any such change prior to
departure but we are not obliged to do so. Such minor changes may be made
by Thompsons, in its discretion, who will not be responsible or liable for the
payment of compensation to you as a result of such minor changes.
c) Every effort is made by Thompsons to adhere to confirmed itineraries; however, we reserve the right to make changes to your travel arrangements when
it becomes necessary to do so. Travel arrangements are made in advance
but due to the fact that Thompsons is reliant upon suppliers such as airlines,
hotels and/or other supply companies, changes to travel arrangements and
cancellations thereof may occasionally become necessary.
d) Should any travel component be confirmed by Thompsons and this component
is cancelled by the supplier for whatsoever reason, then in such instances
Thompsons will accept no liability for the cancellation thereof.
16) Passports, Visas, Vaccinations and Inoculations
a) It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all those travelling with you
have a valid passport and any necessary visas, and that you have obtained any
necessary inoculations to gain entry to any country you are visiting and to reenter South Africa. Passport and visa regulations and health requirements can
change at any time, therefore, we recommend that you check passport/visa
requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country you intend to visit
and that you consult your GP or the Department of Health regarding health
requirements.
b) Thompsons accepts no liability whatsoever should you, or any member of your
party, travel without the correct passport, visas or necessary vaccinations. As
a guideline, passports should be valid for 6 months after your scheduled return
to South Africa.
10) Changes by You
a) If you wish to make a change to your booking we will endeavour to assist
you to make the change wherever this is possible. You will have to pay all
charges, whatever kind, imposed by the suppliers providing that component
part of your travel arrangements when amending a booking any time prior to
departure. Fares will be re-quoted at the time of amendment.
b) An administration fee of R100 per person will be charged for each amendment
and / or cancellation.
c) After departure it is understood that extra expenses incurred as a result of any
change will be for the passenger’s account, and any unused service will not be
refunded.
d) Amendments and cancellations en route must be made with our operators
directly.
Insurance
We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. All premiums must be
paid at the time of booking, as cover will not be effective until then. Please
ask your travel agent for insurance options. Thompsons will not be liable if
anyone should fail to take adequate insurance cover.
5)
c)
b)
Methods of Payment
Credit Cards: In accordance with International Airline Travel Association
(IATA) bulletin # A1/00 we need a signed and validated Standard Credit Card
Charge Form. The agent acknowledges that s/he has seen the card and that
the signature on the card is the same as that on the Credit Card Charge Form.
A signed and validated Standard Credit Card Charge Form (SCCCF) or payment
through our Virtual Card Services system, are the only recognised forms of
payment for credit cards. If the card is a foreign credit card then you may be
requested to supply various other details.
Cheques: Bank issued cheques or travel agency cheques only (accredited
agencies only). Please note we require 7 working days to clear all cheques
before documents can be issued.
Cash or EFT Transfers: We accept EFT transfers, or cash deposited into one
of our bank accounts, subject to condition that the EFT transmission report
or the cash deposit slip is provided to ourselves and such payment has been
confirmed as received by ourselves.
4)
a)
c)
b)
Late Booking Fee & Communication Expenses (Telephone Calls) In the event
of a booking (except South Africa bookings) being made less than 7 days prior
to the date of departure, Thompsons reserves the right to charge for any extra
communication expenses. Full payment is due immediately on confirmation
and is non-refundable on all late bookings. Some bookings require full payment at the time of booking i.e. prior to confirmation. If we are unable to
secure confirmation you will be refunded in full.
2)
1)
Please read the following booking conditions carefully, as they set out the
terms and conditions of the contract between you and Thompsons. We act
as booking agents for the suppliers of the component parts of the holiday we
organise, and as such, bookings for their services will form a direct contract
between you and the relevant supplier, and will be subject to that supplier’s
standard terms and conditions.
Bookings
Bookings save for late bookings as referred to hereunder, are confirmed on
the condition that a non-refundable deposit, of a minimum of 25% of the
total package price, is paid to Thompsons within 72 hours of confirmation
of your bookings. You will be advised at the time of booking what payment
is required for your particular arrangements. The balance of the cost of your
travel arrangements must be paid no less than six weeks prior to departure. If
your booking is made within 6 weeks of departure, the total cost of your travel
arrangements must be paid at the time of booking. Please note: FAILURE TO
PAY ON TIME WILL RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC CANCELLATION OF YOUR
BOOKING.
Booking Conditions
BOOKING CONDITIONS OF THOMPSONS TOURS,
A DIVISION OF CULLINAN HOLDINGS LTD
(Hereinafter referred to as “Thompsons”)
Ski Holidays
Russian Cruising
Africa
Far East
Romantic Holidays
Australia
African City
Stopovers
UK
& Ireland
Greek Island
Cruising
Europe
Trust
Thompsons
North & Central
America
Mauritius
Namibia
Family Holidays
South America
Middle East
Beaches
Disney
Star Cruises
Egypt Stopover
South Africa
Mediterranean
A World of Choice for 2007 from Thompsons
27

EURO PE - Thompsons Holidays

Transcription

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