This page is concerned with the 'brass tacks' of Portugala.com. We want you to get the very best out of your stay abroad, and a quick read through this section will help to smooth the way ...

GOING ABROAD – Remember that you’re going abroad because it’s different – so please don’t expect it to be the same as home! If occasionally something is not quite right in your hotel, ask at the hotel reception, politely and firmly, for it to be put right. Bear in mind that speed of reaction is not always great but if you are dissatisfied with the results don’t hesitate to enlist the help of our Representative or Agent. It is not wise to carry your wallet i your back pocket or wear lots of tempting jewellry. Please note that certain animals and plants are now classed as “endangered species”. If you plan to bring back any such item (or product made from them), please check first with the Department of the Environment – an import licence has to be granted.

BAGGAGE ON MOST FLIGHTS YOU BOOK (Except RyanAir Flights) – Adults and children aged 2-11 years are entitled to free baggage allowance of 20 kilos (44 lbs) or 30 kilos when travelling ‘Navigator or Club Class’.  Ryan Air fights Adults and children aged 2-11 years are entitled to free baggage allowance of 15 kilos. Excess baggage including Golf Clubs must be paid for at the appropriate rate. Clients are reminded that only one piece of hand baggage per person is permitted inside the aircraft cabin (subject to new regulation size), currently, the size of a laptop, up to 10 kilos. Infants under 2 years are not entitled to an allowance.
INTRODUCTION OF ELECTRONIC TICKETS – Many Scheduled Airlines have introduced Ticketless Travel - you simply go to the appropriate check in - give your name or booking reference, passport, and they will issue your boarding card.
IN-FLIGHT MEALS AND DRINKS – Only free on selected Scheduled airlines TAP Portugal, British Airways, currently offering,Free Bread roll, and free soft drink. As for all low cost carriers and charter flights you have to pay for everything, and as for the ‘so called’ low cost carriers - this is not always the case, that the prices are lower, in fact more often than not they are far more expensive than a scheduled carrier, especially if you book late. So think well ahead, if are looking for a bargain! Details may be subject to change, without notice.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS/PASSPORTS/VISAS – Irish and UK passport holders are not required to have any visa when travelling to Portugal. Holders of other passports should check with their embassy or consulate or with the Portuguese Consulate on 0207 581 8722 and the British Home Office Immigration Office Department on 0208 686 0688 to ascertain whether any special permit is required. For further information regarding passports, please contact the Passport Office on 08705 210410.

IMPORTANT! You must have a full 10-year passport (visitors passport is not valid). Under-16-year-olds are required to have their own passports. When booking your holiday, check that your passport will be valid for the duration of the period that you are away and allow at least two months before departure for renewal by post but this may vary depending upon which passport office you apply to and the time of year. The Passport Office gives further information on a recorded message on 0970 521 0410. Portugala cannot accept any liability for travellers without the necessary valid documentation. Your travel documents will normally be despatched to you seven to ten days before your holiday. Also enclosed will be your Travel Notes which will contain holiday information, addresses of hotels and other useful information. They have been carefully compiled to help you get the most out of your holiday – we suggest you read them carefully. We strongly recommend you take your copy of your final invoice along with your travel documents. This will help our local Representative or Agent to quickly resolve any query you may have about your holiday arrangements.

HEALTH REGULATIONS, INOCULATIONS AND VACCINATIONS – At this time, no regulations are in force regarding vaccinations. However, regulations could change and it is your responsibility to check with your doctor before departure. You should read Health Advice for Travellers which gives some useful information concerning health overseas and is available by calling free phone 0800 555 777.

SAFETY – It is the case that standards of fire, safety and building regulations may differ from those in the UK.

SPECIAL REQUESTS – Special requests as to the type or location of hotel room, model of hire car, etc. They will be passed to the relevant supplier who will do his best to comply. SUCH REQUESTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED. Disabled clients requiring advice or assistance are kindly requested to ensure full details are provided.

MEALS – Where specified, breakfast or half board is included in prices shown. A half board supplement will provide one additional meal per day. Meals paid for and not taken cannot be refunded. Breakfast is invariably continental style (coffee or tea with rolls). Most hotels will provide an English breakfast or additional items for which there may be an additional charge. Many hotels offer buffet breakfast – such self-service buffet meals are becoming increasingly popular in many properties. If you are booked on half or full board basis and you arrive in your hotel too late for dinner you may lose a meal due to time of arrival. However a night flight can represent substantial savings. Some four and five star hotels insist that gentlemen wear jackets and ties at dinner.

SINGLE ROOMS – Single rooms are few and far between in most hotels. They will inevitably be smaller than twin rooms and may be in less attractive positions.

SERVICES AND RESORT FACILITIES – All descriptions are advertised by us in good faith and every care is taken to ensure their accuracy. However, since we include so much detail and since the web site is prepared up to twelve months in advance, there may be occasions when an advertised facility or entertainment is not available during your own particular holiday. Certain facilities (e.g. swimming pools, water sports equipment, etc.) require maintenance and sometimes have to be temporarily withdrawn from use for such work to be done. Water, gas, electricity supplies and air conditioning units can fail from time to time. Outdoor activities, beach services and water sports, for example, may not operate for reasons such as unstable weather conditions or lack of support, or golf courses, bowling greens etc., may be closed for maintenance or private competitions. Similarly, there may be occasions, especially during the low season, when certain advertised schedules, entertainments or amenities are changed, cancelled or curtailed and swimming pools may close at the hotelier’s, apartment or villa owner’s discretion (in Northern Portugal in particular most pools are not in use November to the end of April), and these circumstances are, unfortunately, beyond our control. Further, the operation of certain amenities and facilities may be subject to local licensing laws or religious holidays. Government or local authority restrictions may also dictate that a hotel or apartment limits certain facilities, e.g. air-conditioning or water supply in the case of conservation.

REPRESENTATIVES – Due to the flexible nature of our holidays and the independent character of many of our clients, it is sometimes difficult to ensure all our clients are visited personally. However, you can call Portugala.com in London. If there is a local agent, details will be provided locally.

BUILDING WORKS – Due to the rapid growth of the tourist industry, many resorts are being developed to cope with increased demand. The building of tourist hotels and other facilities is a matter outside of our control. We will however advise of any works which may affect your holiday. Should you arrive and find any works, please contact us straight away and we will move you to an alternative accommodation.

YOUR ARRIVAL – When you arrive at the continental airport you will be required to pass through passport control, claim your baggage and obtain customs clearance (usually a mere formality). At most airports these procedures are carried out speedily, whilst at others things progress more slowly! The latter is unfortunately something over which we have no control. If are due to be met at the airport, the local Representative or Agent will direct you to your transport for the transfer to your hotel. (Except Fly Drives and Flight only.)

YOUR HOTEL – All the hotels in this brochure have been selected for their value for money and have been inspected by the director. Some hotels may make a charge for baby-sitting (subject to availability), poolside equipment, mini golf, entry into discotheques and other optional amenities.

YOUR ROOM – At all our hotels your twin bedroom has a private bath or shower and WC. Optional extras (such as balcony, sea view, etc.) which you may reserve at the quoted supplement. Single rooms and twin-bedded rooms with extra bed are available at most hotels although the demand for single rooms always exceeds availability. It should also be noted that single rooms are generally inferior, and that when an extra bed (often folding style) is placed in a twin-bedded room it is often cramped. Two extra beds in a four bedded room may sometimes be bunk beds. We will do our best to comply with special requests (e.g. adjoining rooms) but no guarantee can be made. Double Beds – Double beds often consist of two single mattresses within a double frame or two singles linked together with a double sheet. Double rooms are often smaller than a room with twin beds – please take this into consideration when requesting a double bedded room. Three-Bedded Rooms – Unless specifically stated, a three or four-bedded room is a twin with one or two extra beds in it (which may be of the folding type). Even when the rooms are larger than normal this will reduce the amount of space available per person. Suites – Unless otherwise stated in the brochure description, the term ‘suite’ is used for a twin bedroom with a separate lounge and ‘junior suite’ for a twin bedroom with a sitting area.

SATELLITE TV – Where we mention that a hotel or villa has satellite TV, or Cable TV, we can make no guarantee of the channels you can watch. Usually, one English channel is available.

AIR-CONDITIONING – Many hotels, apartments and some villas have air-conditioning but in the winter months it is usually only operational in Madeira, and then only at the hotelier’s discretion.

HEATING – All of our hotels have heating. The period and hours of operation are at the hotelier’s discretion, in compliance with local fuel-saving requirements. For details of heating arrangements in villas please ask our reservation staff.

HOTEL GARAGES – Where a hotel description indicates that a garage is available, charges normally apply and are payable locally. If this is an important consideration in your choice of hotel, please ask for details when booking.

SPORTS FACILITIES – Unless otherwise stated in the hotel or villa description, a local charge will apply for sports facilities such as tennis. Tennis racquets and balls will not normally be available, even where courts are offered to our guests free of charge. Sports facilities are always subject to availability.

HOTEL LIFTS AND STEPS – Those hotels which have a lift have this stated in our description. There may still be some steps in or outside the hotel and if this is a possible problem for you, we strongly advise that you seek further information from our reservations staff before booking.

LOCAL FUNCTIONS – Nowadays many hotels, manor houses, etc. (including those with only a small number of bedrooms) offer facilities for local weddings or similar celebrations, and even for small exhibitions or conventions. Hotel managements try to minimise disturbance to their regular guests but sometimes this may be unavoidable.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS – During national holidays, sightseeing tours may be limited and shops, banks, museums and galleries may be closed. Please check with the relevant tourist office for further details. Please note that museums close at least once a week, are often closed on a Monday. In the case of local festivals, resorts may become particularly busy and this may alter the atmosphere of quieter resorts.

HOTEL CLASSIFICATIONS – Throughout our web site, we have shown the star ratings as awarded by the Portuguese Tourist Authority. The criteria used by other National Tourist boards does vary – so direct comparisons are very difficult. There are variations within star ratings. We believe our pricings reflect the various merits of individual properties.

EXTRA BEDS – Are normally available for adults or children. However, normal rooms will inevitably be cramped when an extra bed is introduced. Some hotels, apartments and villas use folding beds in these circumstances at an extra cost.

SEA VIEWS – A room described as having a sea view will either enjoy a view of the ocean/sea from the balcony or (if no balcony is provided) the room itself. This includes distant as well as partial or angled views of the ocean.

SELF CATERING – Most of the villas and apartments we use are owned by individuals and furnished to their particular taste. Our prices are based on size and facilities offered, not on type of furnishings. Your holiday home may not have all your UK home comforts and things may not work as well or as quickly as you are used to. Please note a refundable deposit may be required in case of damage.

VACATING ROOMS – Most establishments demand that accommodation is vacated at 11 am. on departure day, (except private villas and apartments, in most cases, arrival 16.00hrs, vacate 10am). Should you be departing later in the evening, it is possible for reception staff to arrange storage of your luggage.

HOLIDAY DURATION – Every holiday price shown indicates the number of nights accommodation is reserved for you in the hotel. Some holiday flights might be night flights. On arrival, your accommodation is immediately available as it has been reserved for the whole night and this counts as one of your holiday nights. On the last day you will have to check-out by midday. Those holidaymakers who travel by night may therefore spend less hours in their accommodation than those who travel by day. Likewise, those who have booked half or full board may lose a meal due to the time of arrival or departure. However, a night flight does represent a substantial saving on the cost of a similar day flight.

CHANGE OF RETURN FLIGHT – Subject to airlines conditions. It is not normally possible to change the flight arrangements, however in some cases it is possible to change date/s, depending on the type of ticket. Admin charges for changes will apply, plus the difference of the new price of ticket, if any. Changes must be made before the due date of travel. In the event of a passenger having to return earlier, or later, for medical reasons the procedure is the same except that in the case of insured passengers they may claim any money paid out from the insurance company.

REFUNDS – We regret we cannot make refunds for any services which have been paid for but not used for whatever reason, irrespective of any statement to the contrary by the suppliers of the service.

COMPLAINTS – We make every conceivable effort to give you truthful descriptions of the tours and hotels. If during your holiday, facilities are not available as contracted or services do not come up to your expectations, please immediately speak to our agent or the hotel manager. It is simply too late to improve a spoilt holiday if you write about it after your return. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but please remember that hotel swimming pools may close in winter, or may need to be emptied for cleaning and repairs, air-conditioning units do, at times, break down, water supplies can be disrupted, the weather may spoil some of the holiday plans and scenery, worst of all, airlines and hotels do at times overbook which requires rearrangement at short notice. It is a fact that on occasion luggage checked in on a flight does not reach the destination or is delayed. This creates inconvenience, but financial compensation is limited to the airline’s condition of transport and the cover of your personal travel insurance (highly recommended). Whenever we clearly know in advance of circumstances and changes of facilities which may adversely affect your holiday, or of factual information which might have changed, we will make every effort to tell you in advance. If we have made a mistake and your holiday has been affected, we promise you a reply to your complaint and, at our discretion, recompense without delay – but we have little time for professional complainers who simply want a cheap holiday at the expense of others.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – This web site is the responsibility of Portugala.com. It is not issued on behalf of and does not commit the airline(s) mentioned herein, nor any airline whose services are used in the course of the tour(s).

PRICE ACCURACY – All information shown is correct. However, changes can occur, and we therefore would stress that all details of your chosen holiday are checked and confirmed by our reservation team at the time of booking.