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EV Holidays
http://www.evholidays.com/italy/Italy_holiday_offer_FREEMA.html
Email received> A 6 Day Italian Highlights holiday for two persons awaits you - with transport and accommodation PAID IN FULL !We are delighted to offer you this opportunity to take advantage of a new and exciting holiday destination from European Vacations. Included for you and a partner: Transportation in a luxury coach as per itinerary. 6 nights in hotel Accommodation in a double room. Sightseeing programme as per itinerary. Services of an experienced English speaking tour guide. To process your application a £20 Administration & Booking fee is required that covers all administration costs related to confirming your booking for travel, plus hotel room accommodation. This administration fee also covers: notification of schedule for optional higher season dates available for your holiday, confirmation of booking of any optional extras selected i.e. excursions and half board meal plans. Plus confirming after booking and payment of any optional extras for excursions and tours, processing and delivery of final ticketing. You are also provided with a National rate telephone line with a full customer service staff to handle any queries. Supplements and refundable deposit may be required,
Sounds too good to be true...free transport and accomodation for 6 nights to Italy for 2 people for £20.00
So i started a little research
It concludes they are genuine, BUT the terms and conditions upon travelling are very strict.
1. You must pay the £20.00 booking fee without knowing which date you will travelling
2. At some point later the booking pack arrives, you have 30 days after paying the fee to cancel and get your money back to which must be in writing and a telephone call
3. Be prepared to wait up to 18 months for a date which will be of the companies choosing and who will only give between 7 and 30 days notice of when it should be taken
4. Seasonal supplements and excursions are not included.
5. All passengers need to be above the age of 18
6. Any pick up point besides Dover is chargeable... so much for the free transportation
7. Coach Innovations Ltd are the coach operators that are contracted on behalf of europeon vacations and only use British coaches according to Chris Flory
Director of Coach Innovations Ltd as quoted on http://forum.holidaywatchdog.com/Timeshare-&-Holiday-Clubs-European-Vacations-and-Universal-Holidays-Thread-3611-Page-7.html
8. Henley Marketing, trades as European Vacations according to Gill Charlton from the telgraph co uk. I have also read that European Vacations in conjunction with harrington & ashbourne marketing and it is affiliated to Universal Holidays, based in Malta
9. Julian Mills was behind UK Incentives & Promotions, which (http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2009/11/prize-scammer-uk-incentives-pr.html) exposed in 2007 close relative of European Vacations. Canadian director Allan Diamond, who was not in court, is also the sole director of European Vacations
I have read good and bad reports about this holiday and taking into consideration point number 9, has decided to keep my money in my pocket.
Shell - Scunthorpe - email arrived 11/02/10
