General Travel Info

Taxes in Canada:

In Canada there are a number of state and local taxes which apply to holiday services and all of these will have been included in your holiday price.  As a tour operator, we are exempt from paying GST (similar to VAT) on accommodation. We have factored this in when calculating the cost of your holiday and you are not entitled to claim this back. Non Canadians can no longer claim back GST on purchases made in Canada.

Tipping:

USA & Canada - Tipping is customary and you should be prepared to tip as follows:

• Private transfer driver – the usual tip is 15% of the cost of the transfer
• Help with your bags at a hotel - $1.00 per piece of baggage
• Restaurants and bars - the usual tip is 15-20%, of course you can give less if you receive poor service
• Ski instructors - this may seem unusual as you have paid for the lesson but it is customary to tip your ski instructor around 10% of the lesson cost, particularly if you are having a multi-day set of lessons with the same instructor. Remember also to tip your children's instructor/s.
• Housekeeping - there is no hard and fast rule but we advise $1.00 a day per bedroom, so if you have a 2 bedroom suite for 10 days a $20.00 tip would be appropriate.  This can just be left somewhere prominently in the room or sometimes a little envelope will be provided.

Switzerland & Austria - Tipping is discretionary and based on the quality of service that you receive. You may wish to tip 10%  if you receive good service.

Japan - It is not usual to tip in Japan.

Chile - Tipping 10% in restaurants is usual.

Electrical items:

If you are going to use electrical applicances overseas, you need to be aware that both the type of voltage and shape of plugs may be different to the UK.  The first thing you need to consider is whether you actually need to take any electrical items with you - in most cases hotels and condos will offer hair dryers and irons, so it may be easier to leave them at home.  However, if you're bringinf something that you just can't live without, the following information will be useful:

UK - 240 volts at 50 cycles per second
US & Canada - 120 volts at 60 cycles per second
Japan & Chile - 100 volts at 50/60 volts per second
Switzerland & Austria - 230 volts at 50 cycles per second

Voltage converters - check the label and/or owner's manual on your appliance before buying a converter asi it might be designed to work using all voltages, particularly if it's a newer item.  If so, you'll probably only need a plug adapter.

Adapter plugs - these will only allow you to plug your appliance into another type of outlet, not change the electrical voltage.

Cycles per second - most modern appliances will work on both frequencies, but check your label or owner's manual to be sure.

Note: Mobile phone chargers do generally work overseas with just an adapter.

Towels and linens:
All hotels and condos that we offer include all towels and linens – you do not need to take your own.  Hotel properties generally offer daily housekeeping.  Some of the more luxurious condos and apartments also offer daily housekeeping.  Most offer weekly housekeeping with a smaller mid-stay towel change and freshen up.

Weather and driving conditions:
Please remember that in a mountain environment it is very difficult to predict the weather and conditions can change quickly.  If you are on a self-drive holiday we recommend that you have a 4x4 vehicle for comfort and safety. Although most vehicles are fitted with all-weather tyres, snow-chains are not available to hire and many vehicles have inhibitors to prevent chains being fitted. 
 
Japan: 
Part of your holiday experience in Japan will be exploring the cultural differences of the country. Hotels and places of tourist interest will have staff who communicate in English. Signposts at airports, stations and visitor locations are also written in English. Most hotels have Japanese and Western restaurants.