Spain birding holidays and bird tours CATALAN BIRD TOURS Information and terms

Please make sure every member of your group is aware of the terms set out in this document as payment of the deposit is understood to be an acceptance of them.

YOU AND YOUR GROUP

Your Information

I will need the following – for all members of your group - as soon as possible, and in any case before your departure.

- Names, addresses, ID/Passport numbers, telephone numbers (inc. mobile if you are bringing one).

- Any health issues, dietary requirements or other special arrangements necessary should be declared before confirming your reservation. Catalan Bird Tours will not be held responsible for circumstances arising from a lack of such communication and may change or cancel your holiday without compensation should any serious mis-leading on your part come to light during the duration of your stay.

Things to bring

Regarding appropriate clothing, for the most part, you need only prepare for occasional rainfall or cooler temperatures.

Walking boots are recommended, but are not essential, together with comfortable socks.

Be aware that luggage space is limited so it is advisable to inform me beforehand of any large or unusual items you intend to bring, e.g. telescopes, tripods, etc.

Subject to availability, binoculars can be hired at €8 for the first day and €5 for each subsequent day, to a maximum of €40.

Insurance

Group members are responsible for all of their own insurance, including with regards to travel, health, property, etc.

Health

Mosquito bites/Sunburn. It is advisable to consult your doctor or chemist and bring the appropriate creams, sprays, plug-ins, etc. Supplies can also be purchased in Spain.

CATALAN BIRD TOURS

Self-catering Accommodation/Food

The recently refurbished apartment has two double-bed bedrooms and a double sofa-bed for up to two extra people in the studio.

Please make sure you inform me of the make-up of your group with regards to children, couples, etc. and check with your group that they are happy with their sleeping arrangements.

The brand new bathroom is annexed in a separate unit 7m away via a garden canopy.

OPTIONAL : A full, home-cooked picnic lunch based on local produce and cuisine can be provided in the field on all birding holidays, short breaks and day tours.

A starter pack of basic breakfast and cooking items, e.g. bread, jam, butter, milk, tea, coffee, oil, sugar and salt are supplied as a matter of courtesy, and free of charge, but extra produce can be purchased at reguarly scheduled supermarket stop-offs for self-preparation in the fully-equipped, self-catering accommodation.

Evening meals are not included but options, aside from eating in and an outdoor BBQ, include takeaway and many good quality restaurants in the picturesque coastal town of Sitges. I am always happy to drop people off, preferably en route from the day's tour, dispatched with translated instructions for the local taxi drivers to make your own way back. There are also superb local restaurants but it should be noted that, at such, and unlike those in Sitges, they operate local opening hours.

Last day vacation of the apartment is usually by 0900 hrs but an extension is usually possible, upon request, if the turnaround of clients permits. However I reserve the right to bring this forward to 0800 hrs where clients are dependent upon me for a courtesy (i.e. free of charge) drop-off as I may have to run another birding tour that day.

Retainer/Guarantee

I would like to run Catalan Bird Tours in as relaxed and informal manner as possible, and as such I do not intend to hold a financial retainer or guarantee to cover for breakages or damage to my property or the apartment. However, I reserve the right to introduce such a scheme should experience teach me otherwise. Should this prove necessary, I will inform you before your departure.

In any case, please be aware that you and your party are responsible for replacement or reparation of any such damage or breakages and that deliberate or irresponsible damage could result in the responsible member/s being refused further participation or even evicted.

The Trips

The SAFETY of both the group and the guide is of paramount importance and everyone will be expected to behave in a manner that is conducive to this objective.

The well-being of the plant and animal life is also of great importance and, similarly, each member of the group is expected to respect the environmental code of conduct.

Note that, by attending any tour you agree to accept this responsibility and understand that a condition of your participation is that you will not reveal site locations or details (including GPS or other co-ordinates) for endangered species such as Dupont's Lark, both sandgrouse and both bustards, or those for which revealing such information (mostly due to close proximity) will put individual birds at risk, e.g. Red-necked Nightjar, Wallcreeper, any nest site, etc.

Group COURTESY is crucial. Please consider other members of your group with regards to timekeeping, wandering off, noise, etc.

The PACING is up to you. I want to show you all that wild Catalunya has to offer but I want you to have enough time to truly appreciate it. And it’s your holiday, so if you want me to move on before, or after, I suggest then just say so.

I reserve the right to add clients and/or guests to individual day tours on discounted Birdbox holidays and short breaks without notice or refund. A refund of any shared travel expenses will be given when extra members join an exclusive day tour. Accommodation will not be shared without your prior agreement.

Payment

An initial payment is necessary in order to secure your reservation, whether day tours, short breaks and holidays. Once I receive confirmation of the tour from you, whether before or after dispatch of the confirmation email, this initial payment is due.

Under normal circumstances the remainder is due, as cleared funds, one month or six weeks (depending upon season) before your arrival. Where alternative arrangements are made, such as payment in cash upon meeting up, any balance is still payable in full should you cancel later than the aforementioned four or six weeks before your arrival, although the amount may be adjusted down, at my discretion, for any unspent expenses or if I am able to secure a replacement booking.

As a courtesy, monies will still be returned (or cease to be due), less expenses, if you cancel after the deadline but in the event that I manage to secure a replacement booking.

Any amount due in cash on the day is to be paid retrospectively by bank transfer in the event that we fail to meet for any reason. This is non-negociable.

Where the costs of holidays, short breaks and day tours are shared between several clients, i.e. where one client's price is dependent upon another paying their share, the initial payment will be set at a higher rate and, should you cancel at any point after confirmation, the full amount is due unless I can secure a replacement booking.

In the unheard of event that a shared client fails to show having not paid the balance, I reserve the right to adjust the price of the remaining clients accordingly. For example, if a third client fails to show, the price may revert to that for a two-person share, less a half-share of the initial payment received from the third person.

All amounts must be paid in full, i.e. all the currency exchange, transfer and other charges of both banks are payable by you.

Before making transfers it is wise to shop around between banks as charges can vary quite remarkably, especially if your bank makes use of a third party agency.

The price is based upon the assumption that your return flight is on the evening of the last day's birding. An extra night's accommodation and next-day airport transfer can be arranged at a cost of €20-€45 per person.