Questions
About Photoventures Tours
Why
should I book a specialist photographic tour?
A specialist photographic tour operator can offer a tailor made
itinerary that gives you the very best opportunity to enjoy your
photography. Photoventures is owned and operated by one of the United
Kingdoms leading photographers who has years of experience finding
the best photographic locations and opportunities to visit. This
allows the client to concentrate on getting great photographs and
enjoying the experiences without all of the hassle of having to
do the specialist research and spending the time and money required
to find the best photographic locations.
What
kind of photographic opportunities will there be on the tour?
Each tour is designed to offer a wide range of photography. Photoventures
takes a great deal of time planning itineraries and locations to
ensure that you maximise your photography. We have extensive knowledge
of many of the areas we visit and this enables us to take you to
the best locations at the very best times so all you have to do
is enjoy your photography. Of course we cannot plan everything and
when a unique opportunity comes along we will take full advantage
of it.
How
much of the day is given over to photography?
We plan to photograph all day where permitted. Our tours are planned
to make the best of the early and late light as well as offering
photography during the remainder of the day. Even on travelling
days we try to factor in plenty of photographic stops along the
way.
What
are the group sizes on your tours?
Group sizes vary according to tours. However we are always mindful
of ensuring that the group size does not become too unwieldy. On
our tours to the USA we usually operate with a maximum group of
ten clients travelling in two seven seat vehicles. Our tours to
other locations usually use coach transport and we ensure that we
have a large enough vehicle for comfort.
How
arduous are your tours?
We understand that photographer like to be able to carry a lot of
equipment with them and that this can restrict hiking long distances.
We always endeavour to gain the easiest access to photographic locations
however there may be occasions when a hike is needed. If this is
the case we will know what equipment will be necessary to obtain
the best photographs and just how arduous the hike will be so we
can advise our clients accordingly and make the experience an enjoyable
one. Of course any hike that we include in our itineraries is optional.
What
is included in the price?
The price of our tours cover all ground arrangements and include
Motel/Hotel accommodation, which will be on a two persons sharing
basis (Twin or Double), all ground transport and travel costs, entry
fees to State and National Parks in USA and photographic advice
from an experienced Photographer.
What
is not included in the price?
We do not include Flights from Heathrow or other United Kingdom
airport to destination, all meals unless specified in the itinerary,
the entrance fees to other locations and trips and personal travel
Insurance.
How
do I book a tour?
To book a tour you need to complete a booking form and send it to
Photoventures together with your £200 deposit. The booking
form is available as a download form the website or can be obtained
by contacting Photoventures direct.
What
happens if an entry fee is required to another location?
On some occasions the tour will include excursion that is additional
to the tour cost. These will be optional and the estimated cost
will be shown in the detailed Itinerary and the fees will be paid
at the time of the entry or trip.
Do I
need travel insurance?
Yes every client must have travel insurance. We always advise clients
that travel insurance should be in place the moment you send your
booking deposit. This will protect you against any losses that you
might incur through cancellation.
What
do I do about booking flights?
The law prevents us from including the flights in out tour cost
however we offer the very best assistance possible to our clients
to make the flight booking a simple process. Photoventures will
arrange the flight itinerary with an agent and then inform each
client personally who to contact to make payment for their flight.
Of course we can also arrange any variations to the flight itinerary
that a client requires.
Why
do you need a deposit?
When you book Photoventures requires a £200 non returnable
deposit to secure a place on any planned tour. The deposit is required
to cover any costs that may be incurred if the client later cancels.
What
happens if a tour is cancelled?
After the initial deposit Photoventures will not require any further
payment until it confirms to the client that there are sufficient
numbers booked for the tour to take place. In the event that there
are not sufficient numbers or the tour is cancelled for some other
reason deposits will be returned in full.
What
happens if I cancel?
If the client cancels between paying the initial deposit and notification
from Photoventures that final payment is required the client will
forfeit the deposit in full. If the client cancels after full payment
has been made then the following cancellation fees will apply. Less
than 70 day before departure 50% of the full tour cost, less than
56 days 100% of the full tour cost. (PHOTOVENTURES will endeavour
to resell any tour to minimise the loss to the individual. However
we cannot guarantee that the tour place will be resold. There will
be a charge for this service) this is why it is imperative to have
travel insurance cover form the moment you pay any money towards
your tour. All cancellation must be made in writing.
What
happens if I require single accommodation?
Photoventures tour prices are based on two sharing however we can
of course accommodate clients who require single accommodation.
In this instance Photoventures policy is only to charge the actual
additional cost and not to place a surcharge on single room accommodation.
On trips to the USA we give the client an indication of the projected
cost but will not ask for payment until two weeks prior to departure.
This policy allows us to accurately assess the exchange rate in
order that only the exact cost is passed to the client. When using
agents we pass on only the cost they make to us for single accommodation.
What
about health issues?
Our booking procedure requires each client to notify Photoventures
of any medical condition. This is to ensure we are fully aware of
any client’s personal situation. In the unlikely event that
Photoventures is concerned with the ability of any client to undertake
a particular tour this will be fully discussed with the client at
time of booking. The vast majority of our tours are not restrictive
to any person with but if a client does fall ill whilst on tour
we need to be fully aware of any medical history.
Special
dietary needs
One of the reasons for not including food in the cost of the majority
of our tours is to allow the client an individual choice. If food
is included as part of the tour cost then special arrangements can
be made to cater for any clients particular needs, provided we are
informed in advance. If vegetarian meals are required on flights
then the client should inform the booking agents at the time of
paying the for their flight ticket.
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