Holidays from hell? It doesn’t have to be that way
“Of the gladdest moments in human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands.” If your holidays this year did not live up to this rose-tinted view of travel expressed by British explorer Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821–1890), read on: help is at hand.
First, if you are planning a major holiday to a popular resort, start planning early. Michael Dickinson of Just Travel, who kindly answered all my exasperating questions for this article, put it like this: Germans like to book six months in advance, the Brits six weeks and Americans six days. Though things have become less predictable since the 11th of September last year, remember that Germany is a small and crowded country filled with travel-happy folk, so don’t lose any time.
Wherever you decide to book your holiday, whether at a travel agent (Reisebüro) or via the Internet, always make sure you have a contact person (Ansprechpartner) in case something goes wrong. And when you are using a Web site proceed with caution, checking and re-checking your progress. Should you, for example, inadvertently click on a holiday package or flight twice, you may find yourself with two bookings (Buchungen).
In some situations last-minute booking is unavoidable or even desirable. In this case remember that in Germany the term “last minute,” technically at least, means traveling within 14 days. There are of course plenty of cut-price offers (Billigangebote) available from tour operators (Reiseveranstalter), but these are not, strictly speaking, “last-minute” offers. So tell your travel agent exactly when you plan to leave.
Travel Insurance (Reiseversicherung) is often dismissed out of hand by travelers. There are, however, some situations in which it can be very useful. If you book a very cheap trip or ticket there may be a cancellation fee (Rücktrittsgebühr) of up to 100 percent. The safest option in this situation is to take out cancellation insurance (Reiserücktrittversicherung) so that in cases of sickness (Krankheit), death of a relative (Tod in der Familie) or unexpected loss of employment (Überraschende Verlust der Arbeitstelle) you can cancel your journey and be reimbursed. However, cancellation insurance must be taken out 14 days prior to departure.
Another favorite bug bear is foreign car hire (Autovermietung). If you have pre-booked your vehicle and have a voucher (Gutschein) and the hire company try to foist a more expensive car on you by saying that nothing else is available, insist on taking the pricier car at the same rate as the original and show your voucher.
Once you are at your destination on a package tour the local tour operator (Veranstalter) is the person to approach if you have a complaint (Beschwerde). Again make sure you get their name in case they prove to be inefficient or uncooperative.
If you are planning a trip in September or October Just Travel at www.justtravel.de, tel. (089) 747 33 30, provide an excellent English-speaking service and for anyone wanting to travel within Bavaria EurAid tel. (089) 59 38 89, run by American Alan Wissenberg and conveniently located at track 11 of Munich Hauptbahnhof, is a mine of useful information. So good luck and bon voyage.
