The first problem is that we need bookings from a minimum of seven people before we can say definitely that the holiday will go ahead. Therefore if you would please get back to us as soon as possible to tell us which of the holidays interest you, this will give us a base to work from. If you can give us a definite booking straight away, of course, that will be even better! We quite understand though that, as with any holiday, you have to sort out time off from work and also family commitments, but a clear expression of your wish to come will help us, and can be made definite a bit later on.
When you make a definite booking, we will have to ask you for a deposit of £50. Unfortunately this will not be returnable unless we, ourselves, have to cancel your booking. We have had to make this a condition of booking because, with such small numbers, just one or two people dropping out can mean that the holiday will be run at a loss. We could get around this, of course, by raising the cost of the holidays, but somehow we think that might not be very popular!
Payment of the remainder of the cost of a holiday is due one month before the start of that holiday. If you wish to pay by instalments, that is fine by us. The cost quoted for each holiday covers overnight accommodation and breakfast (excluding supplement for single rooms), all travel during the holiday and the entrance fees for doll related museums, fairs and studios. Breakfasts are of the buffet variety with fruit juice, cereals, bread and rolls, cheese, cooked meats, jams etc. in unlimited quantities and, of course, endless coffee. For evening meals £12 will normally be more than sufficient (unless you have a very large appetite). For the rest of the day occasional 'Coffee and Cake' stops are normally all that is required.
The majority of the holidays 'start' from an airport in Holland or Germany and served by one of the budget airlines from Stansted or Luton. Normally, we do not include the return flight in the holiday cost as prices on the budget airlines vary according to how early you book - the earlier, the cheaper. If the flight is included in the cost, it will be clearly stated on the appropriate holiday information.
The cost of the holiday is based on two people sharing a double room. Most hotels, particularly the more modern ones, do not have single rooms and therefore you get a double room even when you have booked a single. The supplement varies from hotel to hotel and - particularly in Holland - can be nearly as much as the cost for a double room and therefore will be quoted separately for each holiday.
Finally, there is the matter of insurance. Having looked in to the costs for the type of insurance that would cover us for the sort of insurance claims that make headlines in the newspapers, we can see that it is just not feasible for such small groups. The amount we should have to pass on to you would treble the cost of the holiday. We, of course, have insurance to cover the usual travel in a hired vehicle, and you will be taking out insurance for yourself, but we must make it quite clear that you are going on holiday with a group of 'friends you don't yet know' and, just as for a family holiday, you must not expect us to accept any liability for anything other than providing that holiday. We always take the greatest care of our fellow travellers, Mike has never had an accident yet and is a steady, safe driver, well used to continental travel, so I think you have not much to worry about. If you are anxious at all, we can put you in touch with some previous 'Doll Discoverers' who will, I'm sure, put your mind at rest.