Any Questions? Speak to someone with extensive knowledge of our walks and destinations.
Call 01799 513331 or enquire here or use the messenger service – bottom right.
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The Classic Collett’s Walking Holiday
Austrian Tyrol & Bavarian Alps
A uniquely flexible, centre-based stay in an alpine wonderland
Walks of All Grades
Join Walks or Self-guide
10 Jul to 27 Sep
With choice at every stage, this is a centre-based walking holiday in Austria’s Zugspitz Arena, where the North Tyrol meets the Bavarian Alps. Arrive and depart on the days of your choice – stay for as long as you wish. Join organised walks of your chosen grade daily – easy, moderate or challenging. These walks are free, optional and breath-taking. If you prefer to self-guide – every day or just occasionally – we have everything you need for 40 stunning local walks – from the idyllic and easy, to the dramatic and hard. Lazy days are fine and it is easy to relax in this idyllic mountain retreat.
Delightful Accommodation – We are based in Ehrwald, a glorious alpine setting with staggering backdrops, 30 minutes from Garmisch, an hour from Innsbruck. Stay at the fabulous 4* Hotel Sonnenspitze, our base in the heart of the village. Or, within walking distance of this, we also offer a more secluded exclusive hotel and some self-catering apartments.
The holiday at a glance...
Our Organised Walks:
Daily, optional & free of charge
Daily, optional & free of charge
Easier Moderate Classic Walks
Higher & Harder Treks
Self-guiding?
Yes! If you prefer to self-guide – every day or just occasionally – we have everything you need for up to 40 stunning local walks from easy to hard. Browse our Ideas & Info Files, crammed with magical, well-researched walks; borrow ‘Route Laminates’ for the itineraries that take your fancy and chat daily with our Walks Team to seek out proposals and helpful tips.
What's Included:
Organised Walks & Self-guiding – as described above. Collett’s is all about memorable walks of your chosen grade, whether you join us or self-guide.
Accommodation – choose delightful half-board, B&B or self-catering accommodation. See the Accommodation Tab at the top of this page to see the options.
Office Hour – guarantee yourselves a succession of unforgettable days out at a sociable, optional and informal pre-dinner gathering with other guests and the Collett’s Walks Team. Use our knowledge and fabulous proposals to plan your days. Sign up for walks or plan your own self-guided adventures.
Our ‘Ideas & Info’ files – these are always at your disposal and reflect our extensive local knowledge. They feature numerous walks, Via Ferrata, bike rides, places of interest and other days out.
What's Not Included:
Flights, Airport Transfers & Insurance
Chairlifts, Cable Cars & Buses – when required
Packed Lunches
Book with Confidence:
In uncertain times, booking with financial peace of mind is essential – as members of ABTA, our walkers have been doing this for over 23 years. In addition, our booking conditions are now more flexible than ever:
- book now and pay your balance only 4 weeks before departure;
- if you change your mind you can defer or change your holiday free of charge at any time up to 4 weeks before departure;
- refund guarantee – If within 4 weeks of your departure, the FCDO or UK governments advise against non-essential travel to your destination, or there are restrictions in place in your destination that will significantly affect your holiday, you will be entitled to a refund;
Getting there:
Getting to Ehrwald is easy – you travel to us independently.
See the Travel Tab at the top of this page for details of various options.
Guest Testimonials
Average of 4.93 out of 5 from 317 reviews
More about the Tyrol & Bavarian Alps…
Where the Austrian Tyrol meets the Bavarian Alps
A vast natural bowl at the convergence of 4 stunning massifs
The Zugspitze at 2962m is Germany’s highest mountain and Austria’s fifteenth. The border of the two countries passes through its summit glacier. Its northern face dominates the sought-after Bavarian resort of Garmisch, whilst on its southern and Austrian side, described by locals as the sunny side, it converges with other prominent massifs to form a remarkable natural bowl known as the Zugspitz Arena.
Lying amidst lush and pretty alpine meadows in the middle of this seemingly unending rim of light-grey limestone pinnacles and ridges is Ehrwald, a picture-postcard Tyrolean village with startling views in every direction. It is a classic alpine gem, still comparatively undiscovered by British walkers, yet perfect for exploring an enchanting part of the main alpine chain with an abundance of walking of all grades and also numerous thrilling Via Ferrata (or Klettersteig).
The Zugspitze forms part of the Wetterstein group, extending to the east, whilst to the north there are the Ammergauer mountains, which give their name to the village of Oberammergau, world-renowned for its once-a-decade version of the Passion of Christ. Looming large to the south of Ehrwald is the Sonnenspitze (2417m), the northern terminus of the jagged Mieminger mountains with ridges like teeth, some half a mile long jutting into the sky. These stretch almost as far as Innsbruck, an hour away by car along the picturesque Gaistal with its sunny, wildflower-strewn meadows, some of which spill into Ehrwald itself.
Reaching out to the west of Ehrwald are the Lechtaler Alps, interspersed with pretty alpine villages and rife with mountain lakes and plunging streams. Indeed, water – from wide open lakes to high refreshing tarns – is a significant feature of the whole area.
The Zugspitze Gallery
Ehrwald in the Tyrol & Bavarian Alps
The perfect springboard for walkers of all abilities and ambition
Ehrwald is a large village in a glorious location. It is pretty and unspoilt. The views in all directions will absorb you for hours. It enjoys an easy-going pace of life, which reflects its status as both an authentic working village and a place that attracts walkers and other visitors. The main street is tree-lined and there are several attractive green spaces in the village centre.
There are cafes and bars with sun terraces, from which you can gaze at the stunning 360° panoramas. There are also shops, banks, a tourist office and all the amenities you would expect from a village that is home to a modern mountain dwelling community that relies on visitors. The village indoor swimming pool has landscaped grounds for outdoor lounging and makes a pleasant alternative (or addition) to walking.
Walkers who visit Ehrwald benefit from extensive local infrastructure that is provided specifically to facilitate their access to the mountains. You can, of course, venture out on trails that start from the village, but there are also local shuttle buses (some of them free) that take you to key trailheads just outside the village or in neighbouring villages – or to local chairlifts and cable cars, as well as the railway station, which can also be used to good effect by walkers and daytrippers.
The Zugspitz Arena Gallery
Majestic high treks and moderate easier walks
Amazing flora, enchanting lakes & high tarns, dramatic waterfalls
& welcoming mountain huts
Daily, optional & free of charge
Self-guide or Join Our Walks
All fitness levels
Our unique and flexible walking holiday formula is your itinerary.
It allows you to choose daily (1) whether to do easier moderate walks – or higher harder treks and (2) whether to join our organised walks – or to self-guide. Or you can do a mix of both as you go along.
Collett’s was built on this formula and our mission is to ensure you can explore this alpine wonderland just as you wish. Exhilaration and awe will abound, whichever walks you choose. And if you and your travelling companions vary in ability, you can choose different walks and still enjoy the same holiday. With numerous waymarked tracks and trails radiating at all levels and in all directions from picturesque Ehrwald, we will ensure you get just what you want from your time here.
The Zugspitz Arena is an unrivalled launchpad for walkers, whether you seek out idyllic flower meadows and quaint Tyrolean hamlets, or challenging trails on precarious rocky ridges. The scenery is inspirational in every direction and you will be bewitched by the monumental peaks of the Lechtal, Mieminger and Wetterstein groups, which converge on Ehrwald to form the Zugspitz Arena, dominated itself by the Zugspitze in all its glory. The border between Austria and Germany runs through the summit of this colossal mountain, making it Austria’s 14th highest peak and, at 2962m, Germany’s highest.
This is as brilliant as it gets for a walking holiday. Exquisite landscapes are unlocked by an exciting network of waymarked trails and it is all so easily accessible from our enchanting base in Ehrwald – much of it from the door, and the rest of it thanks to a comprehensive lift system, supported by excellent local bus services, some of which are free. Mountain huts (Hutte) will be a welcome feature of your holiday here. Interspersed at all levels and usually hosted by local farming families, the hospitality is warm, the food delicious and the views unforgettable.
The Collett’s collection of walks is impressive, superbly researched and constantly reviewed. Each one is a tried and tested gem, off the beaten track, rich in flora, fauna and gorgeous landscapes. We are to help you choose the walks that keep you in your comfort zone but simultaneously inspire you and stay with you forever.
Here are the details…
Breathtaking walks in good company
Something for everyone, whatever your interests, however fit
On a Classic Collett’s walking holiday in the Tyrol & Bavarian Alps, you choose day to day whether to join an organised walk or to self-guide. Here are the walks we offer on a daily basis:
A Classic Moderate Hike
- Height Gain: 300m – 600m, 4–6 hours
- Upland flower pastures, woodland trails, riverside tracks, sleepy hamlets and some easier higher level paths.
A Higher & Harder Trek
- Height Gain: 600m – 1200m, 5-7 hours
- Venture into the massifs on high mountain trails amidst awe-inspiring scenery.
Our organised walks are magical and we pride ourselves on the quality of your walking experiences whilst on holiday with us. Your stay will surely be enhanced by our own walkers, the Collett’s Walks Team. You can join them and other guests day to day – except Wednesdays, our local day-off – on memorable days out in the mountains. Simply drop in on Office Hour at the Hotel Sonnenspitze each early evening and choose the walk that takes your fancy – see ‘Planning your days’ below.
Our walks take place in a relaxed and easy-going atmosphere. Armed with a packed lunch (available daily and purchased by you locally) we set out at about 9am and, depending on the itinerary, return to the village in the mid or late afternoon, allowing you time to relax after the walk, maybe over a drink on the sun terrace of your hotel or a stroll into the village.
Everything you need to self-guide on up to 40 fabulous hikes
Daily access to our ‘Ideas & Info’ files & the extensive local knowledge of our Walks Team
Some days – or every day even – you might prefer to self-guide. Every day you will have access to the Collett’s Walks Team. With their extensive knowledge, they will help you create a succession of appropriate and wonderful self-guided walks. You will come across members of our Walks Team throughout your stay and they will always be happy to help.
Self-guiders can also refer to our invaluable ‘Ideas & Info’ files, which feature many walks of all grades, from idyllic strolls to dramatic high trails. For each walk we give the duration, ascent, degree of difficulty and the relevant section of map. You can also borrow on a daily basis an easy-to-carry Route Laminate for each itinerary. The files also contain numerous Via Ferrata options, scenic drives, places of interest, bike rides, ideas for rainy days (as if!) and other days out.
Office Hour – planning your walks and other days out
A popular Collett’s institution – enjoy your evenings with everything sorted
On a Classic Collett’s Walking Holiday in the Tyrol & Bavarian Alps, Office Hour takes place each early evening (except Wednesdays) at the Hotel Sonnenspite – weather permitting on the front sun terrace. Over maps and a relaxing pre-dinner drink, you can chat with members of our Walks Team, either signing up to the organised walk that takes your fancy, or gleaning advice and ideas for self-guiding.
It’s Office Hour that really makes the holiday…”
But it is not as formal as its name suggests. Indeed, it is optional and informal. Many guests just drop in for a sociable drink with us or other guests. Either way, another memorable day in the mountains takes shape, leaving you to enjoy the evening with everything sorted for the next day.
Our ‘Ideas & Info’ files also include details of local Via Ferrata routes, scenic itineraries for road cyclists and e-bikers and some excellent challenges for mountain bikers, not to mention scenic drives and other days out. We can also help you book alpine activities that are available locally through third parties, with whom we work closely. These include e-bike hire, horse-riding, paragliding, sport climbing, mountain biking etc.
Moderate & Easier Walking
Picturesque hamlets, flower-strewn pastures, woodland trails & welcoming huts
There are countless easier and moderate walks here. Idyllic tracks traverse the flower meadows that stretch out from Ehrwald towards Lermoos and Biberwier, which share the Zugspitz Arena with Ehrwald. For a sensational view of Ehrwald with the Zugspitze behind, you can stroll up to the Wolfrathauser Hutte. There are walks along the banks of the River Losaich, which springs forth close to the village of Biberwier, crossing the Moos at Ehrwald before descending to Garmisch and winding into the Danube.
You can also wander to the local waterfall on the Rundwasserfall weg, or along the old mill path, flanked by the crystal clear waters of the River Gaisbach on one side and vivid flower pastures on the other. The Partnach Klamm is perhaps our easiest stroll and takes its name from the Partnach river, which originates high up on the Zugspitze glacier, then plummets dramatically into a ravine, which is the backdrop for much of this walk.
Waterfalls are an absorbing feature of the walking here. High above Ehrwald, the glacial lakes of Sebensee and Drachensee send their icy water crashing to the valley bottom and many walks are punctuated by cascading water. There are also some vast and dramatic gorges, notably in the Wetterstein group, which are spellbinding options for easier walks. Many of the lakes near Ehrwald are ideal for picnics and swimming and also have idyllic tracks that take you around the lake on walks that are easy and pleasant.
For the moderate walker we are here to help you discover – or piece together – several medium level walks that you would not find easily if you came here independently. These breathtaking routes are a mix of flower pastures, woodland tracks, remote lakes (in which we occasionally swim!) scree traverses and ascents to some of the easier peaks with views to die for. A real gem is our spectacular ascent of the Hollentalklamm, a gorge above Grainau to an old German Hutte with views of the Zugspitze glacier. This is a showstopper and includes an impressive network of tunnels, caves, gorges and crashing waterfalls, before traversing a high bridge and descending into an enchanting Bavarian village.
Moderate & Easier Walking Gallery
High Level Walking
Dramatic trails, precarious ridges and sensational panoramas
This is an area where the high level walker will thrive and be totally enthralled. In Ehrwald, we have excellent access to many challenging, high level routes, comprised largely of the dramatic rocky terrain that unfolds above the high alpine pastures. High level walkers can venture into wild corries and walk paths that traverse towering cliffs, where gams and marmots can be seen.
The exhilaration is considerable on these walks and a head for heights is certainly necessary for some of the lofty ridge trails that snake their way between beautiful high lakes and tarns, such as the Drachensee and Seebensee. Of course, when it comes, the sight of a hospitable mountain hut is always welcome on these high and remote trails and we duly enjoy well-deserved refreshment and hearty home-made Tyrolean specialities on sun terraces with breathtaking views.
The Gartner Wand is real high level classic, which we will offer to guests if there is enough interest, since a degree of alpine experience and a good head for heights is necessary. The reward, however, is one of the best days out you could have in the Austrian Alps, since it is one of the most stunning ridge walks you will find anywhere in Europe. Accessed by cable car in the first instance, it takes in two summits, a long ridge with awe-inspiring views either side and a few sections of protected path cable. The walk returns the same way and takes advantage of a welcome visit to the Grubig Hutte before descending by cable car.
High Level Walking Gallery
Via Ferrata – Klettersteig
Exposed cables, precarious ladders and gorge-spanning bridges
These mountains harbour both celebrated Via Ferrata routes and also some well-kept VF secrets. If you would like to do a Via Ferrata during your stay, members of our Walks Team can offer you all the support you require to explore any local routes that take your fancy. Several routes are described in our ‘Ideas & Info’ files. Either way, there is a mix of fabulous options from the highly exposed and long, to the easier and family-friendly. Two family-friendly routes are the Alpspitze VF and the Mittenwalder Hohenweg VF, part of a wonderful ridge walk.
The Zugspitze hosts the Stopzelzieher VF (The Corkscrew) which ascends the west face of the Zugspitze on the Austrian side (via the remote Wiener Neustadter Hutte) in just over 1800m of ascent with a welcomed cable car descent. The Hollental VF from the German side of the Zugspitze, involves 2300m of ascent on two VF plus a glacier crossing and requires an overnight stay in the Hollentalanger hutte.
The spectacular buttresses of the nearby Mieminger range have two of the most scenic and demanding VFs you will find anywhere. The Tajakante VF is an audacious and much- acclaimed climb with tremendous views and a full day outing, whilst the Seeben VF tackles a dramatic sheer cliff beside the Seeben waterfall. Both VF incorporate a visit to the stunning clear waters of the Seebensee Lake.
On the Imster VF you finish the day on the largest alpine coaster (summer toboggan) of its kind in the world! Finally, the Stuibenfall VF ascends the Tyrol’s highest waterfall and crosses it on a single cable bridge at the very top.
The stunning flora of the Zugspitz Arena
A profuse and vivid floral display throughout the summer
As in all our destinations, the alpine flora in the meadows and higher up is sensational. Due to easily-accessible walks at varying altitudes, there is a floral display all summer long. Close to Ehrwald, the Plattenweg has a fabulous display of spring flowers, lasting well into July. In early season this includes the celebrated Lady’s slipper orchid. If you miss this, there is an abundance of wild orchids in the Alte Muhle pastures behind Ehrwald that enthral us right into early August. These pastures with all their orchids are a celebrated feature of the area.
Within the Zugspitz Arena, there are nestled three attractive villages – Ehrwald being one of them – which are separated by a marshy terrain known as the Moos, which you can explore at leisure on idyllic impromptu strolls without ever losing your bearings. On these walks you will see more wild orchids and other species too, such as Marsh marigolds, Iris, Wintergreen, St John’s wort and Herb paris.
As the summer progresses, it all starts happening a little higher up. We have exquisite displays of Alpenrose, Martagon lily, Snowbells and Bellflowers in blue, yellow and white. On the impressive Gartner Wand you will find Wild strawberries, Pasque flowers, Birds eye primrose and Gentians galore – spring, trumpet, marsh and more. Many of our local massifs have these flowers all the way up to their summits. As for the illusive Edelweiss, you will need to head off the beaten track to the high craggy outcrops of the Sonnenspitze and the Zugspitze.
Wildflower Gallery
Any Questions? Speak to someone with extensive knowledge of our walks and destinations.
Call 01799 513331 or enquire here or use the messenger service – bottom right.
Accommodation in the Tyrol & Bavarian Alps
Delightful options in Ehrwald at the heart of the Zugspitz Arena
We have two exquisite hotels & several self-catering apartments.
Whether you want half-board luxury or the independence of self-catering, we have the perfect accommodation for your walking holiday in the Austrian Alps. Take a look at the following:
Hotel Sonnenspitze, Ehrwald
A 4-star Collett’s favourite
Authentic Tyrolean hospitality
Brand new health spa and pool
This is our gorgeous base in Ehrwald with a prime location in the village square. It is a charming mix of self-indulgent comfort, outstanding food and easy relaxation. Owned and managed by our old friends, the Pesendorfers, their team is a delight: ever-helpful, hospitable and efficient. Guests of Collett’s are made especially welcome here.
- From
£880 - Gourmet Dining
- Comfort Suites
- Pool, Spa & Treatments
- Free Parking
Hotel Romantik, Ehrwald
A sublime alpine retreat
Plush and luxurious bedrooms
Magnificent health spa and pool
The Romantik Hotel Spielmann is an alpine gem. Exquisitely secluded in its own beautifully-tended grounds, it is just a short walk to the village centre. In terms of style and refinement, it is perfect for those in search of a more exclusive approach to their holiday whilst still wanting to benefit from the Collett’s walking formula.
- From
£1135 - Luxury Suites
- Gourmet Food
- Pool, Spa & Treatments
Self-Catering, Ehrwald
Choice of standard or superior
Attractive, nicely located apartments
Self-contained, well-equipped and spacious
If a self-catering holiday takes your fancy, we have several charming apartments in Ehrwald. Each of them is close to the Hotel Sonnenspitze, so it is easy to wander along to Office Hour each evening to plan your days with our Walks Team.
- From
£435 - Balcony, Terrace or Garden
Any Questions? Speak to someone with extensive knowledge of our walks and destinations.
Call 01799 513331 or enquire here or use the messenger service – bottom right.
Getting to the Austrian Tyrol is easy
Arrive and depart on the dates of your choice – stay as long as you wish
- You travel independently
- Closest airports – Munich, Innsbruck & Memmingen
- Airport transfers available from Munich each Saturday
- Fly-drive, self-drive or arrive in Ehrwald by train via Garmisch
On a Classic Collett’s walking holiday in the Tyrol & Bavarian Alps you travel to us independently.
You can arrange your travel now or after you have booked your holiday. Please contact us if you need help or advice. Most guests fly to Munich and either (1) book a Collett’s transfer (2) hire a car or (3) proceed to Ehrwald by train via Garmisch. Others drive from the UK via the Black Forest or do the whole journey on public transport. The choice is yours. Either way, you will be warmly welcomed on your arrival.
Your Travel Options...
Collett’s Airport Transfers
Munich Airport
Journey Time: 2hrs
Munich Airport
Journey Time: 2hrs
Saturdays only
Depart Munich 1700
£80 return per person
Reductions for parties of more than 4 people
Free transfers for Under 18’s in August
Bikes – £25 each
Sanitised coaches – masks and clean hands before boarding please.
Return Transfer – your flight home must depart after 1030
Fly-driving
via Munich or other airports
via Munich or other airports
Complete flexibility during your stay and on your days of travel
Allows for the odd day of scenic drives and visiting places of interest
Free parking available at all Collett’s accommodation
Scroll down to ‘Car Hire’ below for a quote
Drive from the UK
via Munich & Innsbruck
via Munich & Innsbruck
Allow 12-15 hours from Calais.
Discounts on P&O Ferries – contact us for details.
Free parking available at all Collett’s accommodation.
Rail
via Eurotunnel
via Eurotunnel
Arrive in Ehrwald by train via Garmisch?
It’s a 25 minute ride from Garmisch to Ehrwald
Visit eurostar.com, then raileurope.co.uk for onward journey
Other useful sites – https://www.seat61.com/Austria.htm
Supplementary Travel Information...
Car Hire
Fly-driving is popular and most of our guests choose this option. Having a car in the mountains gives you complete flexibility during your stay and also on your days of arrival and departure.
Collett’s have teamed up with AutoEurope so that you can search the web for car hire quotes from all the big name brands (as well as some of the lesser known local suppliers), at some of the most competitive prices available anywhere on the internet.
We have also teamed up with Worldwide Insure who can offer you Excess Reimbursement Insurance from only £2.50 per day, click here to find out more.
Driving in the EU
You do not need an International Driving Permit to drive in any EU and EEA country, or Switzerland, for stays of up to 12 months. For more information see www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit
Any Questions? Speak to someone with extensive knowledge of our walks and destinations.
Call 01799 513331 or enquire here or use the messenger service – bottom right.
Prices – Summer 2021
Calculate price of stays of more or less than 7 days on a pro rata basis.
All prices include participation in our daily organised walks and everything required for self-guiding on up to 35 magnificent local routes from easy to challenging.
Deposit – £100 per person – Balance due 8 weeks prior to departure.
Our Day Off – Wednesday – No organised walks, nor Office Hour.
Hotel Sonnenspitze |
Standard | from £880 |
| Comfort | from £955 | |
| Alpine Comfort | from £1055 | |
Hotel Romantik Spielmann |
Standard | from £1135 |
| Comfort | from £1315 | |
| Luxury Suite | from £1495 |
All half-board prices are per person per week based on two people sharing a twin or double room.
Half-board includes 7 nights of bed and breakfast. Dinner on the following basis:
Hotel Sonnenspitze – 4 courses with complimentary wine – 6 nights, not Wednesdays
Romantik Spielman – 4 courses every evening. Wine excluded.
Self-catering |
Standard | £435 |
| Superior | £495 |
Discounts are available for apartments for 4 or more, contact us for details.
All apartment prices are per person per week and include all utilities, bed linen and towels.
Discounts & Supplements |
|
Single Occupancy |
Contact us for details |
2 Week Stays |
5% discount* |
Triple Occupancy |
10% per occupant* |
Group Walking Holidays |
Reductions apply for groups of 12+ |
- CONTRACT:Please read these booking conditions carefully as they, together with the specific information in your booking confirmation, form an important part of your contract with Collett’s Limited (company number: 03467538 whose registered office is at Market House, 10 Market Walk, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1JZ) trading as Collett’s Mountain Holidays.
- PRICES:We reserve the right to alter any of our advertised prices. Our prices were set on 31 October 2019, and the reference exchange rate was 1.1598 (as published by the Bank of England). You will be advised of the current price of the holiday that you wish to book before your contract is confirmed. All prices quoted are fully inclusive of non-optional charges.
- SUPPLEMENTS:We reserve the right to apply a supplement to your holiday after you have booked in the event of increases to the costs of supplying your holiday, which might result from changes in the cost of fuel or other power sources, accommodation costs, costs of compliance with local rules and laws, exchange rate fluctuations and/or government action (including changes in any levels of taxation such as VAT). Supplements will not be applied within 28 days of your arrival date. We will absorb any increase equivalent to 2% of the price of your holiday and any increase will be capped at 8% of the price of your holiday.
- MAKING A BOOKING AND PAYMENT:When you have chosen your accommodation and you make a request to us to book it, you must pay a deposit of £100 (or £150 for our ‘point to point’ holidays either in the UK or abroad – which includes all our Ski Safari, Camino de Santiago, Kitzbuhel to Cortina, Mountains to the Med, Basque County Hillwalking and all Hut to Hut holidays), or if you are booking within 4 weeks of your arrival date the full cost of the booking. Your booking is only confirmed and a contract between us will only exist when a) your party leader has ticked the box on our client portal confirming that they accept our terms and conditions; b) we have received in cleared funds a deposit of £100 or £150 (as appropriate) per person; and c) we have issued our confirmation by email. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately.
- FINAL BALANCES:If you have paid a deposit, the ‘final balance’ of the cost of your holiday is due 28 days (4 weeks) before departure. If the balance is not received on time, we will remind you that it is overdue. If you then do not pay within 7 days of this reminder we reserve the right to cancel your booking and retain your deposit.
- INSURANCE:It is your responsibility to ensure that you are adequately insured. Adequate travel insurance is essential and is a condition of your contract with us. You must be satisfied that your insurance fully covers all your personal requirements including pre-existing medical conditions, cancellation charges, medical expenses and repatriation in the event of accident or illness. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available. We recommend that your policy is as extensive as our recommended insurance policy, details of which can be found on our website.
- BOOKING CHANGES:After our confirmation has been issued, any requests for changes must be sent to us in writing by e-mail or post, by the person that made the booking. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate your request but we will try to do so. If you change the number in your party, the accommodation price will be re-calculated. If the party size is reduced, this is likely to mean the remaining members paying more due to under-occupancy.
- CANCELLATIONS BY YOU:
If you want to cancel your booking: the person who made the booking must send this in writing to us, by email or post. You will be charged a cancellation fee as follows: If you cancel (this is the date on which we receive your written notice of cancellation during the hours of 9am to 5.30pm):
More than 28 days before your arrival date: deposit only;
Within 28 days of arrival date: 100%
Charges are shown as a percentage of your total holiday cost (including any excursions).
Covid-19: If you cancel your holiday within 28 days of your arrival date because you or your travelling companion / any member of your booking party tests positive for COVID-19 or you are required to self-isolate (in accordance with then applicable UK coronavirus government guidance) (a “COVID-19 reason”), whilst the above cancellation fees will still apply, most travel insurance policies now include such cancellation due to a COVID-19 reason and for this reason alone we strongly recommend that you purchase adequate travel insurance which includes the appropriate COVID-19 cover.
If you need to cut your holiday short (curtailment): If you are forced to return home early, we cannot refund the cost of any services you have not used. If you cut short your holiday and return home early in circumstances where you have no reasonable cause for complaint about the standard of accommodation and services provided, we will not offer you any refund for that part of your holiday not completed,or be liable for any associated costs you may incur. Depending on the circumstances, your travel insurance may offer cover for curtailment and we suggest that any claim is made directly with them.
This clause 8 outlines the rights you have if you wish to cancel your booking. Please note that there is no automatic statutory right of cancellation under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charge) Regulations 2013 (Directive 2011/83/EU).
- CANCELLATIONS BY US
We may occasionally have to make changes or cancel your booking and we reserve the right to do so at any time.
Changes: If we make a major change to your holiday, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before your departure. You will have the choice of accepting the change of accommodation, or you can take any alternative accommodation we are able to offer you (you will pay the increase in cost if the replacement is advertised at a higher price than your original booking, or receive a refund of the difference if it is less expensive), or a refund. These options don’t apply for minor changes. Examples of minor changes include, but are not limited to, change of accommodation to another of the same or higher standard, temporary withdrawal of facilities or seasonal unavailability of amenities.
Cancellation: We will not cancel your travel arrangements less than four weeks before your departure date, except for reasons beyond our control (also known as force majeure as defined below) or failure by you to pay the final balance. If your holiday is cancelled you can either have a refund or accept an offer of alternative accommodation of comparable standard from us, if available (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). Any amendment or cancellation fees you incur in terms of other arrangements you have made with other providers under separate contracts are not claimable from us. Please note that if a change or cancellation occurs because of circumstances beyond our control, for example as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, war, riot, industrial dispute, actual or threatened terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, flood, epidemic or pandemic illness and all similar situations we will have no further liability to you. No compensation, costs, damages, losses, expenses or any other sums, including the cost of securing alternative transport or accommodation will be paid by us.
Force majeure: Except where otherwise expressly stated in these Booking Conditions, we will not be liable or pay you compensation if our contractual obligations to you are affected by “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances” meaning any event beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Examples include warfare and acts of terrorism (and threat thereof), civil strike, significant risks to human health such as the outbreak of serious disease including any mutation or variation of, and the ongoing effects of, Covid-19 or SARs-COV2, or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely to the travel destination or remain at the travel destination, the act of any government or other national or local authority including port or river authorities, industrial dispute, lock closure, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, chemical or biological disaster, unavoidable technical problems with transport and all similar events outside our or the supplier(s) concerned’s control.
- YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR BOOKING:When you make a booking you guarantee that you have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your party the terms of these booking conditions. This means that you are responsible for making all payments due, notifying us if any changes or cancellations are required and for receiving the confirmation and keeping your party informed.
- OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR BOOKING:We have a duty to select accommodation providers with reasonable skill and care. We have no liability to you for the actual provision of the accommodation, except in cases where it is proved that we have breached that duty and damage to you has been caused. Therefore, providing we have selected the provider with reasonable care and skill, we will have no liability to you for anything that happens at the accommodation or any acts or omissions of the provider or others. We also have no liability in the following situations: (a) where the accommodation cannot be provided as booked due to force majeure (see clause 8 for a definition of what constitutes force majeure); (b) where you incur any loss or damage that could not have been foreseen at the time of your booking, based on the information provided by you; (c) where you incur any loss or damage that relates to any business activity (d) where any loss or damage relates to any services which do not form part of our contract with you.
Our liability, except in cases involving death, injury or illness, shall be limited to a maximum of two times the cost of your holiday package with us. Our liability will also be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to: (a) the contractual terms of the companies that provide the travel services that make up your holiday package. These terms are incorporated into this booking; and (b) any relevant international convention, which limit the amount of and conditions under which compensation can be claimed for death, injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of the extent of or the conditions under which compensation is to be paid under these or any conventions. You can ask us for copies of the travel service contractual terms, or the international conventions.
Other than as set out above, and as is detailed elsewhere in these booking conditions, we shall have no legal liability whatsoever to you for any loss or damage.
- ROOM ALLOCATIONS:All accommodation is allocated by us. We will not accept liability for any complaints based on one bedroom being deemed less attractive than another on account of its size, views, character and/or location. The provision of a bedroom with a balcony will only be guaranteed if a balcony is requested verbally at the time of booking by you, then, if available, in writing on the booking form and finally confirmed in writing by us. We reserve the right to change your accommodation, provided the accommodation allocated is of the same or superior category to that originally booked.
- SPECIAL REQUESTS:Any specific requests by you, such as matters concerning diet or allergies, must be advised to us on the booking form. Whilst endeavouring to fulfil all such requests, we shall not be liable to you if we fail to do so.
- BEHAVIOUR:When you book a holiday with us, you accept responsibility for the proper conduct of all members of your party during your stay. We reserve the right at any time to terminate the stay of any party member(s) whose behaviour is such, in our reasonable opinion, as to cause or to be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to anyone else or damage to property. Full cancellation charges will then apply and no refund will be given. Furthermore, we shall be under no obligation whatsoever to pay compensation or meet any costs or expenses (including but not limited to alternative accommodation) you may occur as a result of your stay being terminated. In addition, you agree to fully reimburse any accommodation provider concerned for the cost of any damage you cause to the accommodation in which you are staying before the end of your stay if the cost has been established by then or as soon as it has been established if later. You must also indemnify us for the full amount of any claim (including all legal costs) made against us by the accommodation provider or any third party as a result.
- FINANCIAL PROTECTION:The monies you pay to us for your holiday are protected by means of an ABTA bond provided by Travel & General Insurance Services Limited. This means that, if in the unlikely event of our insolvency your holiday can’t be provided, you will receive your money back or, if your stay has started, arrangements will be made for you to be able to continue as planned.
- DATA PROTECTION:Please be assured that we have measures in place to protect the personal booking information held by us. This information will be passed on to the principal and to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements. The information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. Our policy can be viewed at www.colletts.co.uk
- ABTA:We are a Member of ABTA, membership number W6883. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. We can also offer you ABTA’s scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If we can’t resolve your complaint, go to www.abta.comto use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com.
- SKI SAFARI:Your guide, itinerary and accommodation shall be supplied by MSA srl trading as Arabba Holidays, for which Collett’s Limited acts as an agent. Consequently each Ski Safari is neither run nor controlled by Collett’s Limited and we are therefore not responsible/liable for its provision or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by Arabba Holidays. You therefore acknowledge that Collett’s Limited acts as the disclosed agent of Arabba Holidays, and you agree that in the unlikely event that you need to make a claim, you shall make this against Arabba Holidays, and not Collett’s Limited.
- CONDITIONS OF SUPPLIERS:Many of the services which make up your holiday are provided by independent suppliers. This is particularly relevant to all of our “Point to Point” holidays where your transport, baggage transfer, accommodation and food will be supplied by third parties and for whom Collett’s Limited acts as an agent. You therefore acknowledge that Collett’s Limited acts as the disclosed agent of these third party suppliers. Those suppliers provide these services in accordance with their own terms and conditions which will form part of your contract with us. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier’s liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable International Conventions. Copies of the relevant parts of these terms and conditions are available on request from us or the supplier concerned.
- LIFT CLOSURES: We will not be held responsible for the closure of lifts during the winter season for any reason. In the event of lack of snow, we cannot be held liable, but will endeavour to make mutually suitable arrangements, and these may incur additional costs to you.
- EXCURSIONS:Excursions or other tours that you may choose to book or pay for whilst you are on holiday are not part of your package holiday or contracted arrangements provided by us. All excursions are supplied by third party suppliers and are subject to their own terms and conditions. For any excursion or other tour that you book, your contract will be with the operator of the excursion or tour and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of the excursion or tour or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by the operator.
- DELAYED TRAVEL:Collett’s can take no responsibility for repercussions concerning delayed flights or other travel arrangements. If your flight, bus or train is delayed, your allocated transfer will wait for up to 60 minutes – but no longer. We cannot wait any longer because our drivers are on time limits. So, if the delay exceeds 60 minutes, we will either (1) allocate you to a later Collett’s transfer free of charge subject to seats being available or (2) in the event of there not being a later transfer, we will endeavour to book you a taxi transfer, although this will be at your expense. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding in the event of your transfer being delayed due to the delayed flight of other guests.
- PASSPORT, VISA & IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS:Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements.
- ACCURACY: The information contained in our brochures, on our website and in our other advertising material is believed correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing or publication. However, errors may occasionally occur and information may subsequently change and we reserve the right to correct prices and other details in such circumstances. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. Please note that swimming pools are not always available throughout the entire periods of availability detailed on our website and in our brochures, and are periodically closed for maintenance and cleaning. Any view expressed on the website is the personal view of a member of our staff. Whilst our staff will express personal opinions based on first-hand knowledge of the resort, the final choice of holiday remains yours. We will not accept responsibility for any verbal statement made by a member of our staff unless it is confirmed in writing prior to the start date of your holiday with us.
- COMPLAINTS:In the unlikely event of any dissatisfaction with the accommodation or any of the services provided during your holiday, the matter must be reported immediately to our resort manager who will endeavour to put things right. You should also try to find a solution whilst you’re on holiday. Unless the opportunity for rectification of complaints is given to our resort manager whilst you are in the resort, we will not accept responsibility at a later date. We will not accept liability for complaints unless a complaint form has been obtained from the resort manager by you, and then completed and signed by both you and the resort manager. If we are unable to resolve the complaint satisfactorily during your stay, please follow this up within 28 days of your return home by writing to Tom Collett at Market House, 10 Market Walk, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1JZ giving your booking reference and all other relevant information. We will not accept liability for complaints made outside this period. Please keep your letter concise and to the point. If you fail to follow the requirement to report your complaint in resort we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify it and this may affect your rights under this booking. Please also see clause 17 above on ABTA.
- DISPUTES:Any dispute or claim arising out of this contract that can’t be settled between us can be referred by you to ABTA’s dispute resolution (see clause 17) or court.
- JURISDICTION:You agree that the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction and that English law shall apply.
- FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TRAVEL ADVICE:You should always check FCO advice on travel to the country you are visiting prior to travelling at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. Advice from the Foreign Office to avoid or leave a particular country may constitute Force Majeure (see clause 8).
- UPDATES AND CHANGES : These Booking Conditions were published on 6th April 2021 and are current. These Booking Conditions may be updated from time to time, so please check here for the latest version of our Booking Conditions that apply at the time we issue your Booking Confirmation, or request a printed version.
Any Questions? Speak to someone with extensive knowledge of our walks and destinations.
Call 01799 513331 or enquire here or use the messenger service – bottom right.
Other Information
Please read before you book
Your own Collett’s Portal – Soon after you book your holiday, you will have access to your own online portal, via which we provide everything you need to know in the run-up to your holiday: packing suggestions, arrival instructions etc. You can also upload information to your portal, such as dietary requirements, special requests and travel details. We want you to hit the ground running when you arrive at the start of a plain-sailing and memorable holiday experience.
Our Day Off – Wednesday is the day off for our Walks Team in the Austrian Alps. There are no organised walks nor Office Hour. However, there is always somebody to meet and settle in new arrivals. Breakfast is served as normal. Dinner is not provided at the Hotel Sonnenspitze and guests have an opportunity to eat out locally. As for the Romantik Spielman, dinner is available and included in your holiday.
At Your Own Risk – Please scroll down to read notes under the heading – At Your Own Risk. These are important and refer to our organised walks and to any walks proposals we might give you, either verbally or through our ‘Ideas & Info’ files.
Transport during your holiday – Our most popular organised walks and self-guided routes use local buses, chairlifts, cable cars etc. to good effect (which you pay for locally) – unless, of course, we are venturing out from the door. Even so, some guests choose to hire a car – or indeed self-drive – as this guarantees complete flexibility on your days of arrival and departure, and will allow you to explore places of interest if you fancy a day off walking. Please note: in our opinion Ehrwald caters superbly for non-drivers thanks to a comprehensive bus network designed to take walkers to and from trailheads, either with or without the supplementary use of cable cars and chairlifts.
Seasons & Services – In early and late season, local services (e.g. certain bus routes, lifts, mountain huts, suppliers of activities) might be closed. Low season ends in early June when more services and activity come ‘on stream’ until late September/early October. August is a vibrant high season crescendo and, in fact, a lovely time to be here. Whichever dates you choose, we offer our full programme of organised walks throughout. In all our destinations, the tranquillity of early season is accompanied by an exquisite profusion of flora.
Special Dietary Requirements & Severe Allergies – It is important you tell us about any special dietary requirements (vegetarian, gluten free etc.) when you book your holiday. Please only tell us about requirements, not preferences, as most hotels, particularly smaller establishments, can only cater for essential requests. If you have a ‘severe food allergy’ that represents a health threat of any sort, we strongly recommend that you are carrying the necessary medication during your holiday with us.
Walking Holiday & Travel Insurance – We recommend you buy a good insurance package at the time of booking (or certainly prior to purchasing flights or booking ferries etc.), so that you are covered in the unlikely event of you having to cancel for an ‘insurable’ reason. For more information on Walking Holiday & Travel Insurance – Click here
General Information – Queries relating to passports or visas should be directed to the Austrian embassy: Tel 0207 235 5555 https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassy/london.html
For general information on EHIC cards and healthcare whilst travelling visit www.bit.ly/HealthcareAbroad
For pre-travel information visit www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo
Or use the ABTA information line on 020 3117 0599 or visit www.abta.com
Organised Walks – At Your Own Risk
You join us on our organised walks at your own risk, responsible for your own safety, as part of an autonomous group, in which each member has a duty of care to each other.
You will be asked to sign a disclaimer in this respect. This is an explanation of the status of our organised itineraries whether they involve walking, snowshoeing or skiing. We refer to such itineraries as organised, not guided. They are available on a basis of goodwill so that you might enjoy an itinerary you might not otherwise discover. They are nothing more than an opportunity to go out in beautiful scenery in company. It is a fact that mountains, mountainous areas and activities undertaken in them are associated with personal injury and death. By coming to such areas, you are exposing yourself and your party to the possibility of personal injury or even death. In such an event, Collett’s will not be held responsible for your interest in mountainous areas and your involvement in mountain pursuits, which can occasionally have tragic consequences.
In these days of litigation it is important you know that every time you (and each member of your party) join us on an organised itinerary you do so at your own risk as part of an autonomous group, in which each member of that group has a duty of care to the other. This is no different from the responsibilities you have on a casually arranged weekend walk with friends or family in the UK. Our hosts all have experience of the mountains, some more than others. Some have qualifications relevant to mountain activities, but they are not qualified mountain guides. We recruit and train our outdoor staff in line with a Health & Safety Policy, which is based on risk assessment and recognised mountain safety procedures.
Not being professionally responsible for you on organised itineraries does not mean we ignore safety, nor does it make us exempt from owing a duty of care to each person who joins us on an organised itinerary. Your safety is paramount and we therefore take our own measures to maximise safety. We do this in line with legal requirements pertaining to duty of care. We apply Codes of Practice to the procedures carried out by our outdoor staff. We assess, manage and communicate risk. We try to make people aware of the importance of mountain safety and to highlight their responsibilities when part of a group.
Our Codes of Practice should not really be taken into consideration by you when deciding to join an organised itinerary, for at the heart of our procedures are basic mountain safety measures, which should be undertaken by every individual when preparing for a day in the mountains. Finally, during your stay you act at your own risk on any ideas, information and opinions you might acquire from our hosts or from material prepared by us to help you get the most from the area. Thank you for your understanding on all of the above.
- CONTRACT:Please read these booking conditions carefully as they, together with the specific information in your booking confirmation, form an important part of your contract with Collett’s Limited (company number: 03467538 whose registered office is at Market House, 10 Market Walk, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1JZ) trading as Collett’s Mountain Holidays.
- PRICES:We reserve the right to alter any of our advertised prices. Our prices were set on 31 October 2019, and the reference exchange rate was 1.1598 (as published by the Bank of England). You will be advised of the current price of the holiday that you wish to book before your contract is confirmed. All prices quoted are fully inclusive of non-optional charges.
- SUPPLEMENTS:We reserve the right to apply a supplement to your holiday after you have booked in the event of increases to the costs of supplying your holiday, which might result from changes in the cost of fuel or other power sources, accommodation costs, costs of compliance with local rules and laws, exchange rate fluctuations and/or government action (including changes in any levels of taxation such as VAT). Supplements will not be applied within 28 days of your arrival date. We will absorb any increase equivalent to 2% of the price of your holiday and any increase will be capped at 8% of the price of your holiday.
- MAKING A BOOKING AND PAYMENT:When you have chosen your accommodation and you make a request to us to book it, you must pay a deposit of £100 (or £150 for our ‘point to point’ holidays either in the UK or abroad – which includes all our Ski Safari, Camino de Santiago, Kitzbuhel to Cortina, Mountains to the Med, Basque County Hillwalking and all Hut to Hut holidays), or if you are booking within 4 weeks of your arrival date the full cost of the booking. Your booking is only confirmed and a contract between us will only exist when a) your party leader has ticked the box on our client portal confirming that they accept our terms and conditions; b) we have received in cleared funds a deposit of £100 or £150 (as appropriate) per person; and c) we have issued our confirmation by email. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately.
- FINAL BALANCES:If you have paid a deposit, the ‘final balance’ of the cost of your holiday is due 28 days (4 weeks) before departure. If the balance is not received on time, we will remind you that it is overdue. If you then do not pay within 7 days of this reminder we reserve the right to cancel your booking and retain your deposit.
- INSURANCE:It is your responsibility to ensure that you are adequately insured. Adequate travel insurance is essential and is a condition of your contract with us. You must be satisfied that your insurance fully covers all your personal requirements including pre-existing medical conditions, cancellation charges, medical expenses and repatriation in the event of accident or illness. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available. We recommend that your policy is as extensive as our recommended insurance policy, details of which can be found on our website.
- BOOKING CHANGES:After our confirmation has been issued, any requests for changes must be sent to us in writing by e-mail or post, by the person that made the booking. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate your request but we will try to do so. If you change the number in your party, the accommodation price will be re-calculated. If the party size is reduced, this is likely to mean the remaining members paying more due to under-occupancy.
- CANCELLATIONS BY YOU:
If you want to cancel your booking: the person who made the booking must send this in writing to us, by email or post. You will be charged a cancellation fee as follows: If you cancel (this is the date on which we receive your written notice of cancellation during the hours of 9am to 5.30pm):
More than 28 days before your arrival date: deposit only;
Within 28 days of arrival date: 100%
Charges are shown as a percentage of your total holiday cost (including any excursions).
Covid-19: If you cancel your holiday within 28 days of your arrival date because you or your travelling companion / any member of your booking party tests positive for COVID-19 or you are required to self-isolate (in accordance with then applicable UK coronavirus government guidance) (a “COVID-19 reason”), whilst the above cancellation fees will still apply, most travel insurance policies now include such cancellation due to a COVID-19 reason and for this reason alone we strongly recommend that you purchase adequate travel insurance which includes the appropriate COVID-19 cover.
If you need to cut your holiday short (curtailment): If you are forced to return home early, we cannot refund the cost of any services you have not used. If you cut short your holiday and return home early in circumstances where you have no reasonable cause for complaint about the standard of accommodation and services provided, we will not offer you any refund for that part of your holiday not completed,or be liable for any associated costs you may incur. Depending on the circumstances, your travel insurance may offer cover for curtailment and we suggest that any claim is made directly with them.
This clause 8 outlines the rights you have if you wish to cancel your booking. Please note that there is no automatic statutory right of cancellation under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charge) Regulations 2013 (Directive 2011/83/EU).
- CANCELLATIONS BY US
We may occasionally have to make changes or cancel your booking and we reserve the right to do so at any time.
Changes: If we make a major change to your holiday, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before your departure. You will have the choice of accepting the change of accommodation, or you can take any alternative accommodation we are able to offer you (you will pay the increase in cost if the replacement is advertised at a higher price than your original booking, or receive a refund of the difference if it is less expensive), or a refund. These options don’t apply for minor changes. Examples of minor changes include, but are not limited to, change of accommodation to another of the same or higher standard, temporary withdrawal of facilities or seasonal unavailability of amenities.
Cancellation: We will not cancel your travel arrangements less than four weeks before your departure date, except for reasons beyond our control (also known as force majeure as defined below) or failure by you to pay the final balance. If your holiday is cancelled you can either have a refund or accept an offer of alternative accommodation of comparable standard from us, if available (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). Any amendment or cancellation fees you incur in terms of other arrangements you have made with other providers under separate contracts are not claimable from us. Please note that if a change or cancellation occurs because of circumstances beyond our control, for example as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, war, riot, industrial dispute, actual or threatened terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, flood, epidemic or pandemic illness and all similar situations we will have no further liability to you. No compensation, costs, damages, losses, expenses or any other sums, including the cost of securing alternative transport or accommodation will be paid by us.
Force majeure: Except where otherwise expressly stated in these Booking Conditions, we will not be liable or pay you compensation if our contractual obligations to you are affected by “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances” meaning any event beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Examples include warfare and acts of terrorism (and threat thereof), civil strike, significant risks to human health such as the outbreak of serious disease including any mutation or variation of, and the ongoing effects of, Covid-19 or SARs-COV2, or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely to the travel destination or remain at the travel destination, the act of any government or other national or local authority including port or river authorities, industrial dispute, lock closure, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, chemical or biological disaster, unavoidable technical problems with transport and all similar events outside our or the supplier(s) concerned’s control.
- YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR BOOKING:When you make a booking you guarantee that you have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your party the terms of these booking conditions. This means that you are responsible for making all payments due, notifying us if any changes or cancellations are required and for receiving the confirmation and keeping your party informed.
- OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR BOOKING:We have a duty to select accommodation providers with reasonable skill and care. We have no liability to you for the actual provision of the accommodation, except in cases where it is proved that we have breached that duty and damage to you has been caused. Therefore, providing we have selected the provider with reasonable care and skill, we will have no liability to you for anything that happens at the accommodation or any acts or omissions of the provider or others. We also have no liability in the following situations: (a) where the accommodation cannot be provided as booked due to force majeure (see clause 8 for a definition of what constitutes force majeure); (b) where you incur any loss or damage that could not have been foreseen at the time of your booking, based on the information provided by you; (c) where you incur any loss or damage that relates to any business activity (d) where any loss or damage relates to any services which do not form part of our contract with you.
Our liability, except in cases involving death, injury or illness, shall be limited to a maximum of two times the cost of your holiday package with us. Our liability will also be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to: (a) the contractual terms of the companies that provide the travel services that make up your holiday package. These terms are incorporated into this booking; and (b) any relevant international convention, which limit the amount of and conditions under which compensation can be claimed for death, injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of the extent of or the conditions under which compensation is to be paid under these or any conventions. You can ask us for copies of the travel service contractual terms, or the international conventions.
Other than as set out above, and as is detailed elsewhere in these booking conditions, we shall have no legal liability whatsoever to you for any loss or damage.
- ROOM ALLOCATIONS:All accommodation is allocated by us. We will not accept liability for any complaints based on one bedroom being deemed less attractive than another on account of its size, views, character and/or location. The provision of a bedroom with a balcony will only be guaranteed if a balcony is requested verbally at the time of booking by you, then, if available, in writing on the booking form and finally confirmed in writing by us. We reserve the right to change your accommodation, provided the accommodation allocated is of the same or superior category to that originally booked.
- SPECIAL REQUESTS:Any specific requests by you, such as matters concerning diet or allergies, must be advised to us on the booking form. Whilst endeavouring to fulfil all such requests, we shall not be liable to you if we fail to do so.
- BEHAVIOUR:When you book a holiday with us, you accept responsibility for the proper conduct of all members of your party during your stay. We reserve the right at any time to terminate the stay of any party member(s) whose behaviour is such, in our reasonable opinion, as to cause or to be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to anyone else or damage to property. Full cancellation charges will then apply and no refund will be given. Furthermore, we shall be under no obligation whatsoever to pay compensation or meet any costs or expenses (including but not limited to alternative accommodation) you may occur as a result of your stay being terminated. In addition, you agree to fully reimburse any accommodation provider concerned for the cost of any damage you cause to the accommodation in which you are staying before the end of your stay if the cost has been established by then or as soon as it has been established if later. You must also indemnify us for the full amount of any claim (including all legal costs) made against us by the accommodation provider or any third party as a result.
- FINANCIAL PROTECTION:The monies you pay to us for your holiday are protected by means of an ABTA bond provided by Travel & General Insurance Services Limited. This means that, if in the unlikely event of our insolvency your holiday can’t be provided, you will receive your money back or, if your stay has started, arrangements will be made for you to be able to continue as planned.
- DATA PROTECTION:Please be assured that we have measures in place to protect the personal booking information held by us. This information will be passed on to the principal and to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements. The information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. Our policy can be viewed at www.colletts.co.uk
- ABTA:We are a Member of ABTA, membership number W6883. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. We can also offer you ABTA’s scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If we can’t resolve your complaint, go to www.abta.comto use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com.
- SKI SAFARI:Your guide, itinerary and accommodation shall be supplied by MSA srl trading as Arabba Holidays, for which Collett’s Limited acts as an agent. Consequently each Ski Safari is neither run nor controlled by Collett’s Limited and we are therefore not responsible/liable for its provision or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by Arabba Holidays. You therefore acknowledge that Collett’s Limited acts as the disclosed agent of Arabba Holidays, and you agree that in the unlikely event that you need to make a claim, you shall make this against Arabba Holidays, and not Collett’s Limited.
- CONDITIONS OF SUPPLIERS:Many of the services which make up your holiday are provided by independent suppliers. This is particularly relevant to all of our “Point to Point” holidays where your transport, baggage transfer, accommodation and food will be supplied by third parties and for whom Collett’s Limited acts as an agent. You therefore acknowledge that Collett’s Limited acts as the disclosed agent of these third party suppliers. Those suppliers provide these services in accordance with their own terms and conditions which will form part of your contract with us. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier’s liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable International Conventions. Copies of the relevant parts of these terms and conditions are available on request from us or the supplier concerned.
- LIFT CLOSURES: We will not be held responsible for the closure of lifts during the winter season for any reason. In the event of lack of snow, we cannot be held liable, but will endeavour to make mutually suitable arrangements, and these may incur additional costs to you.
- EXCURSIONS:Excursions or other tours that you may choose to book or pay for whilst you are on holiday are not part of your package holiday or contracted arrangements provided by us. All excursions are supplied by third party suppliers and are subject to their own terms and conditions. For any excursion or other tour that you book, your contract will be with the operator of the excursion or tour and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of the excursion or tour or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by the operator.
- DELAYED TRAVEL:Collett’s can take no responsibility for repercussions concerning delayed flights or other travel arrangements. If your flight, bus or train is delayed, your allocated transfer will wait for up to 60 minutes – but no longer. We cannot wait any longer because our drivers are on time limits. So, if the delay exceeds 60 minutes, we will either (1) allocate you to a later Collett’s transfer free of charge subject to seats being available or (2) in the event of there not being a later transfer, we will endeavour to book you a taxi transfer, although this will be at your expense. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding in the event of your transfer being delayed due to the delayed flight of other guests.
- PASSPORT, VISA & IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS:Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements.
- ACCURACY: The information contained in our brochures, on our website and in our other advertising material is believed correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing or publication. However, errors may occasionally occur and information may subsequently change and we reserve the right to correct prices and other details in such circumstances. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. Please note that swimming pools are not always available throughout the entire periods of availability detailed on our website and in our brochures, and are periodically closed for maintenance and cleaning. Any view expressed on the website is the personal view of a member of our staff. Whilst our staff will express personal opinions based on first-hand knowledge of the resort, the final choice of holiday remains yours. We will not accept responsibility for any verbal statement made by a member of our staff unless it is confirmed in writing prior to the start date of your holiday with us.
- COMPLAINTS:In the unlikely event of any dissatisfaction with the accommodation or any of the services provided during your holiday, the matter must be reported immediately to our resort manager who will endeavour to put things right. You should also try to find a solution whilst you’re on holiday. Unless the opportunity for rectification of complaints is given to our resort manager whilst you are in the resort, we will not accept responsibility at a later date. We will not accept liability for complaints unless a complaint form has been obtained from the resort manager by you, and then completed and signed by both you and the resort manager. If we are unable to resolve the complaint satisfactorily during your stay, please follow this up within 28 days of your return home by writing to Tom Collett at Market House, 10 Market Walk, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1JZ giving your booking reference and all other relevant information. We will not accept liability for complaints made outside this period. Please keep your letter concise and to the point. If you fail to follow the requirement to report your complaint in resort we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify it and this may affect your rights under this booking. Please also see clause 17 above on ABTA.
- DISPUTES:Any dispute or claim arising out of this contract that can’t be settled between us can be referred by you to ABTA’s dispute resolution (see clause 17) or court.
- JURISDICTION:You agree that the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction and that English law shall apply.
- FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TRAVEL ADVICE:You should always check FCO advice on travel to the country you are visiting prior to travelling at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. Advice from the Foreign Office to avoid or leave a particular country may constitute Force Majeure (see clause 8).
- UPDATES AND CHANGES : These Booking Conditions were published on 6th April 2021 and are current. These Booking Conditions may be updated from time to time, so please check here for the latest version of our Booking Conditions that apply at the time we issue your Booking Confirmation, or request a printed version.
Any Questions? Speak to someone with extensive knowledge of our walks and destinations.
Call 01799 513331 or enquire here or use the messenger service – bottom right.
Walk in the Tyrol & Bavarian Alps
Testimonials
John Micklem
October 7, 2019
A Happy Return to Haus Valentin
The fact that I keep coming back to Haus Valentin shows how much I enjoy my holidays there.
Because it is a relatively small family run guesthouse there is a feeling of intimacy and friendliness that would not be possible in a hotel. The food is excellent and necessarily plentiful for hungry walkers.
Above all it is the enthusi(Read more...)
Peter Lunn
September 30, 2019
Excellent
The staff were great and all worked hard to ensure the customers had a great time. Max, John and Becky all stood out as people I’d happily recommend.
Jonathan Heierman
September 30, 2019
Excellent Walking Holiday
Excellent - we had a great time and so appreciated the care and attention of the staff and the great information for our hiking. Collett's have a variety of options for hiking daily and knowledge of the area!
We stayed in both a hosted chalet in Badia before our hut to hut and in a hotel following in Corvara - the above rating apply (Read more...)
Edward Gildea
September 29, 2019
Haus Valentin
Thank you for a great holiday. The transfer from the airport was friendly and efficient, enabling four strangers to bond immediately and form a friendship grouping that lasted the whole week. A great welcome at the bar - such friendly staff and a much appreciated complimentary beer. The walks were all very well organised and led, wit(Read more...)
Peter lunn
September 28, 2019
2nd visit
This is my second visit to Collett’s in Italy. First time with the missis, second with my mate, both times I’ve had a great time. The staff are always helpful, there is a joint interest with all the customers so there’s very much a family type atmosphere, the food and accommodation has been great and the office hour is great for hints(Read more...)
Peter Hoult
September 28, 2019
Good walking at a decent price
A week with Collett's in the Dolomites staying at Haus Valentin. Well organised, friendly and well priced. What’s not to like. 3rd time with Collett's and absolutely no reason we won’t use them again.
Andrew Pritchard
September 26, 2019
Another wonderful stay
This was our second year at Pension Angelo and once again we throughly enjoyed ourselves. It is stunning area with plenty of varied routes. This year we didn't do Colletts-arranged scheduled walks but organised the days ourselves. Nevertheless the team were very helpful in advising us and helping us sort out our days. We can't praise (Read more...)
Steve Burgess
September 25, 2019
Excellent
Friendly and helpful staff when first called. Reasonable prices and good/flexible walking itinerary. Receieved a very warm and friendly welcome from a great group of Collett's staff - very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. We had a very enjoyable holiday. Your staff at in Corvara were excellent
S North
September 24, 2019
unexpectedly good
We enjoyed our holiday thank you. The social aspects of our holiday were unexpectedly good.
We met a wide variety of very nice people in both Haus Valentin and Chalet Angelo and the communal tables (and plenty of wine) made for very convivial evenings.
Sarah Wells
September 23, 2019
Our 2nd Holiday
We love the dedication by all your staff helping us through the detail of walks and alternatives. Huge thank you Max, Adele, Henry, Helen, Ben, Kate. Thank you everyone - just fab, so friendly and dedicated.
Our 2nd holiday with you, so good last time! Keep up the great work!
Carter Sue
September 22, 2019
Excellent
Googled walking holidays and found you! The great thing about this holiday was it enabled us to do more challenging walks than we would have done if we had been organising walks ourselves and this was extremely enjoyable and satisfying. Very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff, and stunning scenery.
Regina Rosbrook
September 21, 2019
Group Walking Holiday
I was with a group and Collett's was discovered by one of our members. We all liked staying in one chalet and hiking out form there as well as having a variety of levels of difficulty to choose from.
The young staff at Haus Valentin was most excellent. They were fun, friendly, prepared, on time, knowledgeable and able to converse eas(Read more...)
Louise Ramsden
September 21, 2019
Outstanding Dolomites
The staff were fantastic, with a special mention for Max, Helen and Adele, all of whom were great guides and wonderful company. Previous customer having had excellent experience in the past!
Jeremy Smith
September 20, 2019
Great Value
Great value. I was doing self guided. I didn’t feel like I needed to pay a ton to know which trails to take!
Daniel Allen
September 19, 2019
Excellent
I have a great track record with Collett's - I've always had excellent holidays with Collett's.
Carolyn (Lyn) Ashley
September 18, 2019
Fabulous
We joined a hiking group in Victoria, BC, Canada early in 2019. Twice heard folks on the trail talking about Collett's in very positive terms. The second time the people were talking about how they were going to the Dolomites walking with Collett's. The style of the tour, with the choice of going on walks or on our own, with office ho(Read more...)
Leslie Alexander
September 17, 2019
A Success
We would especially like to thank the guides and Ali and Alex who were organizing all details from Haus Valentin. Each one of the guides was friendly, fun, knowledgeable, and amazingly talented. Their experience in the mountains and with the local culture made the trip and each hike a success.
Collett's Mountain Holidays gave the int(Read more...)
John Scanlon
September 13, 2019
Dolomites
Once again we have had a great holiday in the Dolomites staying At Chalet Angelo. You really have a great team all of whom go out of their way to ensure each person has a great holiday. The food was outstanding and office hour a great oportunity to meet other guests. With a great range of walks on offer I took advantage and walked alm(Read more...)
Richard Wellock
September 12, 2019
Me and my two sons had the best five days ever in the Dolomites, The organization was spot on , punctual and helpful. We stayed at Chalet Roch in Corvara , very clean and comfortable. The only thing we missed was the tea/ coffee making facilities in the room, that would have been great after a long wet walk! That’s only a minor point(Read more...)
NJ
September 9, 2019
Lovely long weekend
We booked a 2 night, 3 day 'difficult' hut-to-hut trek with Collett's and had a great time. The whole trip was well orgnaised and we loved the rifugios. Materials (maps, FAQs, etc) were provided well in advance.
Matt Hobson
September 9, 2019
Fantastic value. Fantastic people...
Everything about my Collett's holiday was incredible... from the service level I got when booking my trip by phone, to the quality of the chalet and food, and most of all the people who work there... who were all utterly fantastic.
I was recommended to Collett's by another hiking company, who said they are the best... and best-priced(Read more...)
Matt
September 9, 2019
Amazing holiday
We had a fantastic week with Collett’s in Chalet Angelo. The staff were really helpful (Max in particular) and the food was super (Tom). The accommodation was lovely and the views across the valley from the balcony each evening were amazing.
We had great weather and managed to get out and climb 5 via ferrata during our week, including(Read more...)
Anita Rookmeen McCabe
September 9, 2019
Walking in Dolomites - Corvara
I was part of a group of a recent 10 day walking holiday in Corvara. Via Ferrata was a "taster" for me and a thrilling experience. I would thoroughly recommend this holiday:)
The weather was great in August 2019. Collett's staff were excellent. They were very friendly, mature, experienced and well-equipped with people's & communicatio(Read more...)
Caroline Williams
August 30, 2019
Hut to Hut
This was an excellent trip and coming back to work has been really tough this week however we do have several hundred pictures to edit and look back on! Everything went really smoothly your maps were clear and the Rifugios excellent although as a non meat eater I may well have consumed my body weight in cheese in various forms! Thanks(Read more...)
Claire Tilley
August 28, 2019
Truly Exceptional
Office Hour is a great idea - informative and fun. The most amazing thing about Collett's is what a remarkable group of truly exceptional young people you employ. They couldn't have been more friendly, helpful or obliging, and they were intelligent and fun as well.
Graham
August 27, 2019
Mega Returners
Another brilliant Collett's Walking Holiday - we have done skiing several times and this is our second walking holiday.
The package hasn't changed over the 18 years we have been customers. There is NO selling of 'extras' in resort unlike other operators.
The operation is slick
The OUTSTANDING feature is the young people (and one or (Read more...)
Ruth Noonan
August 27, 2019
I will return
The level of information provide before booking was outstanding and it was clear that the company really knew what it was doing. As the only vegetarian staying at the Chalet I was very well catered for by the chefs who provided some lovely vegetarian alternatives for me.
I will be returning for another holiday
Dave
August 27, 2019
A bit of magic
Amazing views, amazing walks, amazing team (Tom, Max, Becky, Alex, John, Caroline, Ali and everyone else involved were awesome). From the moment I arrived to the moment I left the team made me feel so at home and loved it (best holiday I have had in a very long time) nothing was too much trouble and even after very long days the guys were brill...
William Kirber
August 23, 2019
Recommended
My daughter and I had a great time. The scenery and wildflowers were wonderful. Length and difficulty of the hikes was just right. I am recommending to friends.
Rosemary Shaw
August 21, 2019
Home from home
This was our second holiday with Collett's to Corvara. This time there were 3 generations of our family. The booking system was easy and we sought advice from your office in helping to decide what accommodation would suit us best. The youngest at 8 and 3 enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere in the chalet. We gave feedback on the activities(Read more...)