Essential Information

Passports and visas:

British travellers visiting our destinations are required to hold a full 10-year passport with a minimum of six months validity beyond your return date. Any person holding a non-British passport must check their own requirements with the relevant Embassy. Visas for Abu Dhabi, Oman and Qatar are issued to British passport holders on arrival. Currently there is a cost involved for the Oman visa (payable localy). Visas for Vietnam and Cambodia must be obtained in advance.

Health:

We would suggest that you consult your local GP. Of course we also strongly recommend that you take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy before you travel. Pregnant passengers are not accepted by the majority of airlines after 28 weeks into the pregnancy. Please note that some medication commonly used in the United Kingdom may be on the illegal drug list in the United Arab Emirates. We would refer you to the Department of Health free leaflet entitled 'Health advice for travellers'.

Weather:

We have included a chart providing an indication of the average general weather conditions. Please note that this is for guidance and cannot be relied upon. It is generally accepted that weather conditions around the world are becoming more and more unpredictable. Please note that If Only... will not be held liable for any impairment of your holiday caused by adverse weather conditions.

Government Advice:

Should you have any reservations about travel, due to political unrest, potential violence etc we would recommend that you access the government website (www. fco.gov.uk) for specific advice.

Alcohol import restrictions:

Please note that it is prohibited by law to bring any alcohol into Arabian countries, either on your person or in your baggage.

FLIGHTS:

Flight schedule changes: Regrettably airlines occasionally change their flight schedules. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any such changes made after the time of booking.

Flight delays: For a variety of reasons (e.g adverse weather conditions, increases in air traffic and technical problems etc.) flight delays are always going to occur. While the airline may make alternative arrangements to ensure you reach your destination, there will be no compensation for any loss of services or any consequential reduction in the length of your holiday. However, such matters may be the subject of a claim on your insurance policy.

Baggage allowance: Generally speaking, on economy flights the baggage allowance is 20kg. This is likely to be increased for Business and First Class passengers. For travel on Etihad Airways, the free baggage allowance is currently 30kg for Coral Zone, 40kg for Pearl Zone and 50kg for Diamond Zone. Any excess luggage will be charged at the discretion of the airline. Please note that the allowance applied to internal flights may be less. If in doubt, please consult one of our travel consultants.

Airport taxes: Generally speaking the airport taxes are incorporated in the package price you have paid. Occasionally airports will apply a departures tax which requires to be paid in cash before your inbound flight. This is currently applicable to some airports in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Passenger names: It is essential that the name you provide at the time of booking conforms to that on your passport. Airlines are unlikely to allow any subsequent name change after ticketing without a very substantial financial penalty. This point of information is particularly relevant to honeymoon couples where the bride decides to change her surname subsequent to the booking having been placed.

Check-in times: It is your responsibility to respect the check-in times specified by the airline on which you are travelling, and to ensure that you arrive at your point of departure in plenty time. If Only...will not accept any liability if you miss your flight as a result of your late check-in or connecting transport being delayed.

HOTELS:

Hotel classification: At If Only... we have the policy of not providing any hotel classification or grading. It is our view that a classification system restricted to only five categories does not provide you, the holiday-maker, with adequate differentiation. As a very general guideline, for each destination (subject to any difference in board basis), we have started with the least expensive hotel/resort and progressed towards the most expensive in each category.

Accommodation: Many of the hotels featured are located in tropical climates. Accordingly they sometimes attract unwelcome visitors of the insect variety. This represents part and parcel of life and should not be interpreted as being an indication that the accommodation is lacking in hygiene standards. Please note that when a hotel description states a 'sea view ' or 'ocean view' then this may in fact only be a partial or restricted view. Triple rooms: please note the third bed in a room may be a rollaway extra bed.

Room check-in and check-out times: Check-in and check-out times may vary from hotel to hotel. It is not unusual for the former to be 1400 hours and the latter to be 1100 hours. Generally speaking hotels will attempt to accommodate early arrivals or late departures but this is not always possible. Should you wish to have access to your room for an extended period then a local charge is likely to be applied. If you are scheduled to arrive at your destination in the early morning after a long flight, we recommend that you pre-book and pay for your room at the time of booking.

Disabled facilities: Our staff will do their utmost to advise which hotel is most suited to disabled guests, but we will not be held liable in the event that the correct apparatus and necessary modifications are not in place. To assist us, we would ask that you provide your specific requirements in writing at or prior to the booking stage.

Maintenance work: Nowadays, in order to maintain standards, hotel renovation is a continual process. In this event, hotel management will ensure that any disturbance to guests is restricted to the absolute minimum.

Renovation and construction works: Development work in hotels and resorts is becoming more commonplace. At If Only... we will use our best efforts to ensure that you are advised in advance of any intended works, whether they be within your hotel or adjacent thereto. However, some works may be unscheduled and therefore we would not be in a position to inform you before departure. Regrettably we cannot accept responsibility for improvement/building/construction works carried out to your hotel or the near vicinity. If we are of the opinion that the building works may seriously impair the enjoyment of your holiday we will offer you the opportunity to transfer to an alternative holiday of comparable standard. If the alterative is available at an extra cost, the difference will be payable by you. Alternatively, If Only... will give you the option to cancel and you will receive a full refund. In particular, we would refer you to the note on developments under the heading "Building works in Arabia" in 'Glimpse of Arabia'.

Christmas and New Year: Please note that it is commonplace for guests staying in resort hotels over the Christmas and New Year period to be obliged to pay a supplement for obligatory additional services, such as gala dinners. There is also a minimum nights stay requirement at some hotels over this period.

Meal plan: For the avoidance of doubt, unless otherwise stated, where the board basis is 'half-board' or 'all-inclusive', then as a general rule all meals will be taken in the main hotel restaurant. Should guests wish to use an alternative restaurant, then a supplement will normally be applied by the hotel.

Trade fairs and events: Due to the high demand for accommodation during some trade fairs and special events held in Arabia throughout the year, some hotels may charge a supplement. Please contact our reservations consultants for further information.

All-inclusive holidays: Where one of our resorts offers an all-inclusive product, it is worth noting that the all-inclusive aspect may start and finish at certain times on the dates of arrival and departure. Also, resorts are prone to occasionally tweaking the specific terms of their all-inclusive package and this is something beyond our control.

GENERAL:

Golf clubs: If you intend carrying golf clubs (and did not notify us at the time of booking) this may affect your luggage allowance and may result in additional charges being imposed by airlines and/or ground handlers.

Excursions: Any excursions booked and paid for in resort are operated by the local handling company. Accordingly you will be subject to their booking conditions and cancellation charges. Given that If Only... is not party to the provision of these services, refunds cannot be obtained from us at any time.

Special requests: If Only... staff will do their utmost to ensure that any special requests or special needs you may have are satisfied, whether they relate to the flight or your hotel. Such requests must be made in writing. However, please appreciate that they are merely 'requests' and therefore cannot be guaranteed.

Currency: It is recommended that you take with you travellers cheques in US Dollars. These can be exchanged for cash at most overseas banks and hotels. Credit cards are almost essential as they will be requested to guarantee your hotel extras bill. Sterling may be exchanged for local currency upon arrival at most of the international airports featured.

Unused services: Refunds are not available for services booked and provided but not utilised.