We strongly recommend you read the information in this section. It includes a variety of subjects relating to your holiday which may affect your holiday choice or expectations. To avoid possible misunderstanding you are advised to seek confirmation in writing of any additional information given.

BROCHURE DESCRIPTIONS
Great care has been taken in compiling this brochure to ensure that hotel, resort and other information is accurate. Our descriptions are based on assurances from hoteliers that the facilities shown will be available during the term of this brochure. It must be remembered, however, that the brochure is produced months in advance and naturally changes can occur. If we are advised of any material changes by the hotel we shall do our utmost to pass this information on to you as soon as we become aware of them.

HOTELS
The choice of hotel is one of the most important steps in your holiday planning. The hotels we feature often include, what we consider, the best available in the destination. Some, however, have been selected for their prime location or their character or value and may not, therefore, be the best in other respects. If you have any doubts whatsoever please discuss the hotels with us. The final choice is, however, up to you.

HOTEL FACILITIES
Hotel facilities and entertainment are shown in good faith as being available but their provision may be limited or they may not be available from time to time. Some outdoor activities such as beach services and water sports may be subject to weather conditions and sufficient support. If air-conditioning is provided the operation of this is at the discretion of hotel management and may be subject to energy saving regulations. Please also note that supplies of electricity and water can be erratic. In any developing resort or destination, building works must be expected and often start without prior warning. Hotels also have to be maintained and refurbished and swimming pools cleaned but the manager will try to ensure a minimum of inconvenience to guests.

ACCOMMODATION
In line with international hotel practice, your room at the chosen hotel is normally available from 12 noon. When vacating the room you should check-out by 11am. This means you may have to wait some time after an early arrival for your room to be made up. Even though we feature some of the best hotels in Goa and Kerala, the accommodation in a minority of cases may still be considered modest by European standards and our description of the rooms must be read in the context of the hotel. Single rooms or twins for sole use may vary in standard and position. We are willing to request the hotel to place an extra bed in a twin room and a reduction may be offered. It must be understood, however, that floor and drawer space may be cramped. Beds for children may not be full single size and can often be 'rollaway' style. Rooms must be vacated whilst on tour.

TOURING HOLIDAYS
These holidays are generally unsuitable for young children due to the travelling involved. Also the comfort and enjoyment of other clients must be considered. In view of this, children under 12 years of age are only accepted in exceptional circumstances. Please bear in mind that most touring holidays can be quite strenuous. If you suffer from any mobility problems please seek our advice about the tour before you book. Some of our touring holidays operate only if a certain number of clients are booked. We must unfortunately reserve the right to cancel a tour departure if this minimum number is not achieved. In the unlikely event we have to take this action you will be advised at least 8 weeks prior to departure and we will provide every assistance in arranging a suitable alternative. We must point out that the itineraries shown in this brochure may be changed at very short notice and without prior warning. Whenever possible we shall inform you of such changes prior to your departure.

AIR TRAVEL
All the arrangements shown in this brochure are based on charter flights. The timings and days of operation are as advised to us at the time of going to press. Any significant changes will be advised to you as soon as possible. Minor changes will be shown in your final travel documents. Given the distances travelled it is often necessary to make stops en route for refuelling or crew change. The actual stops en route are shown in the flight information section and will also be shown in your final itinerary. If you require details beforehand please ask us. It should be noted that all passengers travel under the conditions of carriage of the airline concerned as printed on the ticket issued to you. As we specialise in tailor made holidays, there may be occasions when we buy-in seats from other charterers or use scheduled airlines to plan your holiday. This normally happens when we are sold out on our own allocation of charter seats. In any case, we will always advise you of the selected airline and the flight timings so that you have the final choice of travelling by that carrier.

SEAT ALLOCATION
As seats on charter and schedule flights are allocated on check in, you are strongly advised to arrive early to secure the seats of your choice. Some airlines are willing to reserve seats in advance e.g. smoking/non-smoking, and we will pass on your request. We cannot, however, guarantee the airline will be able to meet your requirements. Many airlines have adopted a non-smoking policy and this is certainly the case with our charter flights. If this is likely to cause you any difficulty please check with us at the time of booking.

TRANSFERS
On arrival at your destination you will be met by our representative and taken to the resort of your choice. Approximate transfer journey times are shown on the various resort pages and are meant as a guide only. We reserve the right to change the method of transfer should it be more appropriate due to passenger numbers or weather conditions.

PACKING AND BAGGAGE
Storage space in some hotels can be limited, so we suggest you travel light especially if you plan to take the tours. Domestic flights are often delayed, cancelled or changed which will require some patience and an understanding attitude on your part. The standard baggage allowance is 20kg for hold baggage and only one piece of hand luggage per person not exceeding 5 kg. Details will be sent with your travel documents. There is no allowance for infants under 2 years apart from a carrycot and/or collapsible pushchair. We strongly advise you to pack all valuables including medication in your hand luggage.

FLIGHT DELAYS
In the event of a serious delay either the airline or ourselves will endeavour to provide meals at the appropriate times or accommodation in the event of any overnight delay, subject to availability. If you take our insurance you will be compensated for long delays. Please remember, however, that this cover is only applicable to delays from the UK or overseas destination and not delays that may occur en route.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
All foreign nationals including British citizens must have a visa when travelling to India. The Indian High Commission in Aldwych, London WC2 (0891 444544) or the Indian Consulate in Birmingham (0121 212 2782) issue them. The cost of a 6 month tourist visa as at 30 June 2001 was £30 per person. Please ensure you hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your return date. It is entirely your responsibility to ensure that your passport and visa documentation are in order. Failure to do so may lead to denial of exit from this country or of entry overseas. Any costs which consequently arise will be payable by you. It will also be deemed that you have cancelled your holiday and appropriate cancellation charges will be levied. Indian nationals are not permitted to travel on charter flights, unless travelling with a spouse who holds a non-Indian passport and has a valid visa (These are Government of India Regulations). All visitors to Lakshadweep need an entry permit and will need to provide their passport details in advance in order to obtain one. This information will be requested of you at the time of booking.

VACCINATIONS AND HEALTH
We recommend you obtain the Department of Healths' leaflet "Health Advice for Travellers (T6)" available from all main post offices. There are no compulsory health requirements, for British citizens. However, recommended health measure are Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Malaria. We strongly recommend that you check with your doctor or the Hospital of Tropical Diseases in London about inoculations and any changes in health requirements in good time before departure. Anti-malaria tablets are advised to be taken, even though malaria is not endemic. It should be noted that there are no medical facilities on Bangaram Island, with the nearest Doctor in Agatti and the nearest hospital on the mainland at Cochin, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes away.

CLIMATE
During the winter months of November to March, the humidity in Goa and Kerala is generally low. For your guidance, a temperature chart is shown on page 2 of the brochure accompanying this insert. April tends to get warmer with the following months of May and June seeing the start of the monsoons that prevail to October. Obviously we cannot accept any responsibility for the weather conditions at the time of your visit. You are advised to take mosquito repellants as mosquitos can be a nuisance at times

BANKS AND CURRENCY
Your airport of arrival will normally have a bank open for exchange of sterling, dollar travellers cheques or cash. Indian rupees may be imported or exported. Some hotels also exchange foreign currency for their guests at bank rates. In order to exchange any extra rupees back into sterling on departure, you should keep the "encashment certificates" you will be given. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted in many shops and stores.

LOCAL REPRESENTATION
Avion Tours have their own representatives and offices in Goa and use local handling agents in Kerala. If taking the tours, you will be met at various destinations by an appointed local guide. You will be met and assisted from the time you arrive in India. Their contact details will be sent to you with your travel documentation. If in any doubt about how to contact our representative or agent, please speak to the hotel reception.

HOLIDAY CHOICE
We hope that we have given you an indication of what to expect on holiday and, therefore, you will make allowances accordingly. Bearing in mind, that you are visiting a less developed country, problems can arise beyond our control. In this event please take the matter up with our local representative, agent or hotel. Most problems can be resolved in resort without spoiling your holiday. Complaining on your return will be too late. From experience we know that most holiday complaints arise as a result of choosing the wrong holiday, so please choose carefully and seek our advice. Overall, patience, understanding and a good sense of humour are invaluable when travelling to far off shores.

YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES:
• Return economy class air travel on a charter flight including in- flight meals provided by the airline. • UK Air Passenger Duty. • Transfers to and from the overseas airport and your accommodation. Twin-centre holidays also include additional transfers or flights required to complete the itinerary. • Touring holidays include all travel and specified excursions. • Accommodation as confirmed including any obligatory service charges and taxes as levied by the hotel. • Board arrangements as booked. • Services of an Avion Tours representative or local agent abroad and at London Gatwick Airport on departure.

NOT INCLUDED
• Travel from your home to the UK airport and vice versa. • Holiday insurance (see this page). • Excursions and sightseeing trips which are not shown as included. • Charges made by the hotels for the use of certain facilities and extra meals, drinks and personal items including any tax or service charge levied for them. What's included in 'All Inclusive' • All meals • All snacks between 10.30am - 6.30pm • Unlimited locally produced alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks between 11am and 11pm • Poolside towels and sunbeds • Daily activities including gym, aerobics and sauna • Evening entertainment

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN ALL-INCLUSIVE
• All meals. • All snacks between 10.30am and 6.30pm. • Unlimited locally produced alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks between 11am and 11pm. • Poolside towels and sunbeds. • Daily activities including gym, aerobics and sauna. • Evening entertainment.

METHOD OF PAYMENT
To make our booking process as easy as possible, we accept a variety of methods of payment for your holiday. The simplest method is by debit card (Switch/Visa-Delta) or cheque drawn on a UK bank (made payable to Avion Holidays) and sent with the booking reference number to our offices at: Avion Holidays, 7th Floor, Northway House, 1379 High Road, Whetstone, London N20 9LP. We also accept payment by MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club. There is an additional charge of 2% for payment by credit or charge cards such as these which is the cost we have to pay the card company.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
The FCO provides a range of essential services to the public - from advising British travellers too issuing UK visas and promoting trade and investment opportunities overseas. Click on www.fco.gov.uk for more information.