Tour Type : Private Tours
Destinations
New York – Istanbul - Izmir - Thyatira – Pergamum - Akhisar - Sardis – Philadelphia – Hierapolis – Laodicea – Pamukkale - Kusadasi – Bascilica of ST.John – Ephesus – House of Virgin Mary - Kusadasi - Patmos - Athens - Corinth – Kalambaka - Veria - Thessaloniki - Amphipolis - Philipi – Kavala – Alexandropolis
The Seven Churches of Asia Minor - “I john, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the Island that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the spirit on the Lord’s Day and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet. Saying I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last and what you see, write in a book and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia, unto Ephesus and unto Smyrna and unto Pergamum and unto Thyatira with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks.” The Revelation 1:9-12 Anatolia (Asia Minor) has been the centre of Christianity ever since St Paul, St Peter, St John, St Barnaba’s and their companions John Mark, Silas, Luke came here to preach, the Gospel of the teachings of Jesus Christ. This trip will allow you full insight into the achievements of these early Christian missionaries and the Seven Churches of the Revelation.
Your Itinerary
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1
New York – Istanbul
Depart from New York
Overnight on board.
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2
Arrive Istanbul
Arrive Istanbul
Meet by our representative
Transfer to Hotel
Check in
Experience the most scenic and beautiful Bosphorus strait through a Cruise which takes you around the city wherein you can see the European as well Asian lifestyle altogether. Enjoy the buffet dinner on cruise.
Overnight stay at hotel.
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3
Istanbul City Tour – FLY to Izmir
Breakfast at hotel.
Check out
Today we visit the famous Hippodrome square also known as Atmeydani (Horse Square) in Turkish
Then we move onto Sultan Ahmet Tsami popularly known as Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning their interior walls.
Later we visit Hagia Sofia Museum – once a church, later a mosque and now a museum.
Lunch at Restaurant
Later In the evening transfer to airport
Fly to Izmir
Arrive Izmir and transfer to hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel
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4
Izmir – Thyatira – Pergamum - Akhisar
Breakfast at hotel
We enjoy a panoramic ride of Smyrna, the third largest city in Turkey and one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia. Smyrna is a city scarred with a bloody history of trade and warfare. We ascend to Mount Pagus where we visit the Citadel of Lysimachos, commander of Alexander the Great, erected in the 4th century BC. We will also see the Clock Tower, Agios Polykarpos church and drive bus Pergamum.
Drive to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia. (Rev. 2:18-29). It was a city famous for purple dyes. We visit the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period.
Drive to Pergamum, actually called Bergama. It is one of the seven churches of Asia. Pergamum’s place in religious history in largely because of the paragraph addressed to its Christian believers by St John in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 2:12-17). He characterized Pergamum as the place where Satan was enthroned. (Rev2:13) St. John saw a group he called the Nicolaitans as an additional threat to the believers. Whom these people where are not clearly known (Rev. 2:14-15) St John condemned them for adultery and for eating food that had been sacrificed to pagan gods. St John also promised a white stone and hidden manna to those who repented to their false beliefs and immortal behaviour (Rev 2:16-17)
Check in hotel Akhisar or Salihli hotel
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
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5
Sardis – Philadelphia – Hierapolis – Laodicea – Pamukkale
Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Sardis, whose local history dates to 12th century BC, was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia. In the book of Revelation (Rev. 3:1-6), St John stated that Sardis needed to wake up. He complained that their acts did not live up to their reputation, that they did not finish what they started. However, he held out the hope those who were not polluted that they should have robes of white (Rev. 3:5) White was the colour then of righteousness and immortality.
Then we will visit Philadelphia. During Byzantine times, Philadelphia was the seat of a Christian bishopric. Its significance in Christian history was because its congregations addressed by St. John in the book of Revelation (Rev. 3:7-13) Although one of the Seven Churches, Philadelphia was the least distinguished, it was the only one about which St John had no real criticism. He told the Christians not to leave anyone take away their crowns and promised that those who were victorious would become pillars in God’s temple. “Hold fast to what you have and let no one rob you of your crown” (Rev. 3:11)
Drive to Hierapolis (An ancient Greek City) but before we get here, we stop at Laodicea. The site of one of the Seven Churches addressed by St John in the book of revelation (Rev. 3:14-22) Laodicea is on a low hill on the south bank of the Lycus River (Curuksu). As a commercial centre, it had a large Jewish community. For St John in Revelation, the Christians of Laodicea were neither hot nor cold and because of their difference, he wanted to spew them out of his mouth. “I know all your ways; you are neither hot nor cold. How I wish you were either hot or cold. Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth (Rev.3:15-17). St John promised in “the words of the Amen” (Rev. 3:14) that for those who were sensitive enough to hear and respond to what was being said, the Spirit would join them in the great feast. “Here I stand knocking at the door, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door; I will come in and sit down to supper with him and he with me. (Rev 3:20).
Check in Hotel in Pamukkale
Dinner and overnight
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6
Pamukkale – Kusadasi – Bascilica of ST.John – Ephesus – House of Virgin Mary - Kusadasi
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive to Kusadasi.
Today we visit the ruins where St Paul lived and preached
See the prison of St Paul; walk through the ancient marble streets founded in the 10th century BC and see this most 'complete’ Roman city providing us with an excellent window into Imperial Rome. Pass the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, the enormous amphitheatre (Acts 19:29-31),
Finally come to the ruins of the Christian Basilica where the Third Ecumenical Council took place in 431AD, and where Our Lady was proclaimed "Mother of God". We ascend the hill to the House of the Virgin Mary where it is said Mary spent the later years of her life.
Finally, we visit the restored remains of the 6th century Basilica of St John at Celcuk where a small church was originally built over the tomb of St John the Evangelist.
Dinner at Restaurant
Overnight stay at hotel in Kusadasi
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7
Kusadasi – Patmos
Breakfast at the hotel
Check out andTransfer to Kusadasi port
Proceed to Patmos on a private charter ferry
The ferry will take approx. 4 hours.
Arrive and lunch at restaurant
Begin our day with a walking tour of the main square of the village of Chora. This is the traditional settlement and capital of Patmos, where the narrow streets designed to ward off pirates over the centuries
Ascend to the Monastery of St John the Beloved, a huge fortress-like building dating from the 11th century, for a visit. Our exploration of this living monastery will culminate with time in the actual Cave of Revelation where God chose to reveal to St John the mysteries of the last book of the Bible - the Apocalypse. The cave is now at the foot of the monastery, which houses priceless icons and manuscripts, sacred relics, vestments embroiled with silver or gold threads and bejewelled with precious stones.
Later continue to the active Convent of Evangelismos (Annunciation) built by the hieromonk Nikiphoros who was cured from the plague after praying to St Luke the Evangelist.
Visit the Convent of Zoodochos Pigi with icons dating from the 16th to the 18th century.
Finally, we will enjoy a short scenic tour of the island.
Dinner at restaurant
Check in for Scheduled ferry to Athens in the late night.
Overnight on board
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8
Arrive Athens – City Tour
Arrive Athens in the morning
Proceed to hotel and keep luggage in the clock room
Breakfast at hotel
Proceed on a tour of Christian Athens including the Acropolis, the Areopagus where St Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of "the Unknown God" (Acts 17:15-34).
Visit the Ancient Agora where Paul preached about Jesus and the resurrection, the Plaka (Old Greece), and explore the Parthenon.
Also, see the Kallimármaro Stadium, dating back to 330BC and restored for the first modern Olympic Games held here in 1896.
Back to hotel
Dinner and overnight at hotel
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9
Athens - Corinth – Kalambaka
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed to Ancient Corinth where the apostle Paul lived for almost two years, teaching the people the Word of God and converting many.
On arrival we will view the Erastus inscription dating back to the first century AD and concerning a Christian convert, Erastus (Rom 16:23) who was the ‘director of public works’ in Corinth.
Visit the ancient ruins and see the site where he preached the Gospel from the Rostrum.
See the Peirene fountain, and the 6thcentury BC Temple of Apollo
Drive bus via Rio Antrio bridge to Kalambaka
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel
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10
Kalambaka - Veria - Thessaloniki
Breakfast at hotel.
Arrival in Athens
Proceed to Kalambaka, built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks of Meteora.
Arrive and Lunch at Restaurant
We will spend time to marvelling at this unique phenomenon of nature – 24 perpendicular rocks where 600 years ago Byzantine monks chose to worship God and build their cave-like Monastic community of Meteora.
Proceed to Beroea (modern Veria).
Lunch at Restaurant
The "Bema" - an impressive monument to Paul - is believed to incorporate the steps from the original synagogue from which he preached the gospel to the Jews, who welcomed the word of God and began to study the Scriptures (Acts 17:10-12). A small church was established here and we will view the ‘hidden churches’, a collection of about 20 Byzantine structures, camouflaged in the form of barns from the invading Ottoman Turks.
Continue to Thessaloniki
Visit the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius, as well as the Rotunda where we can see pieces of the pulpit from which Paul preached.
View the Roman Agora where he also preached.
Nearby we shall visit St Demetrio’s Church dedicated to a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity, and was later martyred. View its valuable mosaics and frescoes before descending in to the crypt where we find the remains of some ancient Roman baths and streets.
We then ascend to the ‘anopoli’ (old town) to the Byzantine Vlatadon Monastery, built over Jason’s house (Acts 17:5) where Paul stayed during his time in Thessaloniki.
Check in Hotel
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
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11
Amphipolis - Philipi – Kavala –Alexandropolis
Breakfast at hotel
Proceed to Amphipolis (Acts 17:1) where we view the ruins of many Christian basilicas.
Proceed to city of Philipi - named after Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. It was here that St Paul won his first European convert, a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira (Acts 16:12-40).
Visit the Baptistery of Lydia for a beautiful outdoor Mass in this breath-taking oasis on the River Zygaktis, and to renew our Baptismal vows.
Visit the market place (where St Paul and St Silas were brought before the rulers) and the cistern which tradition identifies as the place where St Paul was imprisoned.
In the ancient theatre, we will hear the story of Paul’s arrest, imprisonment and miraculous release.
Lunch at Restaurant
continue to Kavala
Enjoy the town of Kavala (ancient Neapolis), once named "Christoupolis" after being the first European city to accept Christianity. It was here that St Paul, St Timothy and St Silas first landed from Troas (Acts 16:11), one of the great moments in the history of Christianity.
Continue to Alexandropolis
Arrive and check in hotel
Dinner and overnight at hotel
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12
Cross Border - Istanbul – Edirne – Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel
Proceed to cross the border of Turkey
Arrive Turkey and continue to the city of Edirne
Visit Ottoman bridge and the old grand bazar
Continue to Istanbul
Check in hotel
Dinner and overnight.
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13
Istanbul – New York / Chicago
Breakfast at the hotel
Check out
Transfer to Istanbul Airport
Fly to New York / Chicago
Arrive Home
Tour Prices - Dates
Inclusions
- International Airfare to Istanbul and return from Rome
- Istanbul – Izmir domestic flight
- 1 Night First Class Accommodation at Istanbul
- 1 Night First Class Accommodation at Izmir
- 1 Night First Class Accommodation at Akhisar
- 1 Nights First Class Accommodation at Pamukkale
- 1 Night First Class Accommodation at Kusadasi
- Charter ferry from Kusadasi to Patmos
- Overnight Ferry from Patmos to Athens
- 1 Night First Class Accommodation at Athens
- 1 Night First Class Accommodation at Kalambaka
- 1 Night First Class Accommodation at Thessaloniki
- 1 Night First Class Accommodation at Alexandropolis
- 1 Night First Class Accommodation at Istanbul
- Daily Breakfast at hotels
- Lunch and Dinner at the restaurant as per itinerary
- All Transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary in a modern air-conditioned vehicle.
- Services of a Tour Manager
Exclusions
- Tips – USD100
- Porterage, laundry, mineral water, mini bar, telephone Charges
- Anything not mentioned on "Cost Includes"
Booking Procedures
Please read the Terms and conditions of travel and agree in the Booking form before submission, as your booking is subject to the terms listed below. A contract is entered into once your travel agent or Faith Holidays receives your signed booking form and deposit, and we accept and confirm the booking. Please note that travel arrangements are not confirmed until stated so in writing by Faith Holidays
Payment
A deposit of $750 per person is required to secure reservations, which will be applied to the price of the tour. Additional deposits may be required. The balance of the cost must be paid 90 days before you travel. Payments must be paid to the order of ‘Faith Holidays Inc.” If the final balance is not received on time Faith Holidays reserves the right to treat the booking as cancelled by you and cancellation charges may be applied. If you book your travel within 90 days of departure, the full amount must be paid at booking.
Credit Cards
All prices quoted include a 4 % discount for payment by cash, check and Money order.
Travel Protection Plan (Optional charge)
Faith Holidays Inc. recommends you to purchase a Travel Protection Plan for Trip, Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical & Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and many more
Passports & Visas
A valid US passport is required for US Citizens. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond completion of travel. Visas may be required and for US Citizens we will furnish the relevant details after receipt of your booking deposit and confirmation of your booking. Non US citizens should consult with appropriate Consulates and Embassies. It is the responsibility of the individual traveler to secure proper documentation prior to joining the tour. It is the responsibility of the Traveller to become informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to the US State Department’s travel website @ www.travel.state.gov or by phone at 1-888-407-4747. In the event of an active State Department. Should the Traveler choose to travel notwithstanding any travel advisory or Travel Warning against travel to the specific destination location/s of the trip, the traveler is subject to be responsible for all risk of personal injury, death, or property damage that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.
What Your Tour Price Generally Includes & Excludes
Your Tour Price Includes
- Economy class Airfare from USA as listed in the brochure (Business Class Option available- Please contact us)
- Accommodations on Double Occupancy with Bath, Single room supplement applies
- Standard class on rail, road, Cruise and other transportation as described in our brochure
- Inflight meals and/or refreshments according to Airline itinerary.
- Transfers between the appropriate overseas airports/stations/port and your hotels according to each itinerary unless otherwise stated.
- Excursions and tours as per brochure
- Meals as described in Brochure
- Services of professional guides and/or a Tour Escort
Your Tour Price Excludes
- International Airfare, unless otherwise stated.
- The cost of personal items such as laundry, drinks with meals or otherwise, incidentals , etc.
- Airport departure taxes.
- Optional excursions.
- Cost of Visas and passports.
- Transport between your home and home airport/station/port.
- Gratuities for services provided on a personal basis.
- Gratuities for services on all individual tours and gratuities to your Tour Escort.
- Airline baggage fees. Most Airline charges fees for checked bags.
- Pre-assigned Airline Seats incur additional fees.
- Still, video, film and professional camera fees
Alterations Made to the Scheduled Program
Our tours are planned in advance and changes may be unavoidable due to circumstances amounting to “Force Majeure” or similar reasons beyond our control, such as delays in departures on travel booking or closure of a hotel, strikes, riots, natural occurrences, decisions by State Government or Tourist Organizations altering the itinerary, the duration of time spend in a city or even omitting a city or part of the itinerary due to a local situation. In such cases we will offer comparable alternative arrangements. If any of the circumstances listed above occur during the course of the tour, we reserve the right to alter the schedule itinerary accordingly and no compensation will be paid.
We will make every reasonable effort to provide you with the booked tour arrangements but minor changes may occur. If they are significant we shall, if possible inform you or your travel agent before departure. In the event of such amendment being made, you will be liable for any cancellation/retention charges that may be levied for the previously booked service and for any costs incurred by Faith Holidays and their agents in attempting to secure any revised arrangements. Please note that Faith Holidays will not be liable to reimburse additional expenses undertaken by the client in preparation for the tour. These include and are not limited to international tickets, used mileage awards and fees, cost of visas, immunization etc.
Tour Prices
Tour prices are based on US dollars (Unless otherwise noted) and exchange rates in effect. They are subject to variation if there are increases due to governmental actions, additional taxes, exchange rates, increases in scheduled airfare or increases in fuel surcharges. Any increase in the original tour price will be notified to you at least 90 days before departure. If you make your booking within 90 days of departure surcharge will be included in your invoice. Faith holidays will absorb an amount equivalent to two percent of tour price. Any surcharge will not exceed 10 percent of the listed tour price. If you settle the final balance by the due date we will absorb any price increases after that due date. In return for this commitment, we are unable to make any refund or reduce any other costs should the value of the US dollar improve against the currencies used. For scheduled group departures, it may be necessary to re-cost your tour due to low number of participants. You will be contacted 90 days prior to your departure date and advised should a supplementary fee apply. If all group members accept the increased cost the tour will operate as scheduled. However, if the supplement is not accepted by you then you will be entitled to full refund of all monies paid or a transfer to another tour.
Our Responsibilities
Faith Holidays makes arrangements with airlines, hotels and other independent parties to provide you with the travel services you purchase. We do not own or operate any of the accommodations, transport or other facilities used in connection with our tours. We therefore cannot accept liability for negligence of the staff of these organizations. These parties are independent suppliers over whom we have no direct control. Faith holidays is not liable in the event of any failure by any person or company to render any transportation, accommodation or other travel service to be provided on the journeys, or for expenses incurred due to delays caused by weather, strikes, war, civil disturbances, natural disasters, flight delays, government actions, mechanical failures or any acts of God.
Faith Holidays cannot assume any responsibility for flight delays, cancellations or missed connections and is not liable for any expenses or consequences resulting therefrom, and such expenses shall be borne by the client. When you travel with an airline the Conditions of Carriage of that airline will apply. These conditions are subject to International Agreements and may limit or exclude liability.
The participant waives any claim against Faith Holidays for any damage to, or loss of, or injury to, or death of, due to any act, or negligence of any airlines, surface transportation companies, hotels or any person rendering any of the services or accommodations included. Faith Holidays cannot be held responsible for any claim, losses, damages for delay of baggage or other properties, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset and disappointments, distress or frustrations, whether physical or mental, resulting from the act or omission of any party providing services. We do take all responsible steps to insure that organizations providing service maintain standards, which are acceptable within the norm in each locality. The participant assumes the risks and understands that all travel has inherent risk that may result in injury or death and that participation in activities, including but not limited to driving, hiking, walking on uneven surfaces, riding on rough roads, rafting, boating, canoeing, riding in helicopters, on trains, in boats, swimming, surfing, horseback or camel riding, and any other activities. The information contained in this brochure has been compiled with all reasonable care, is accurate to best of knowledge and is given in good faith. Faith Holidays highly recommend you to purchase Travelers insurance to protect your travel investment. Without insurance in case of incident, you may have to pay out of pocket for medical evacuation, medical care or other large expenses.
All services are subject to the laws of the countries in which these services are rendered. Venue for all claims or disputes shall be exclusively in whose courts using NYC law, shall have exclusive jurisdiction. Damage claims against Faith Holidays shall be limited to the value of the particular item in dispute and not for any incidental, consequential, or special damages. Faith Holidays assumes responsibility for representations it makes, but not for those made by others and including, but not limited to, any employee of Faith holidays or independent travel agent. Payment for reservations on any Faith Holidays travel arrangements shall constitute consent to all the provisions in the Booking Terms & Conditions published herein and is binding on all travel participants.
Cancellation
If you wish to cancel your travel arrangements, you must notify Faith Holidays in writing by letter, fax or email to Faith Holidays. Please note deposits are non-refundable. Please state the reason for cancellation as your reason for cancellation may be covered by insurance policy under their covered reasons. If notification of cancellation is received more than 90 days before departure you will only lose your deposit. For notification received within 90 days of departure, cancellation charges are as follows:
| Cancellation charges per person. | ||
| No of days of departure | Charges | |
|---|---|---|
| 91+ days before departure | Deposit Non- refundable | |
| 90-31 days before departure | Penalty 50 % | |
| 30- Day of Departure | Penalty 100% | |
(Airline and Cruise Penalties not part of the above percentages. There is no exception to cancellation fees)
Cancellations received Fridays for tour departures that Weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) will be treated as day of departure cancellation. We cannot give any allowance for meals, rooms, excursions, etc. not taken, when these are included in the price of the program.
Points to be Noted
- All images in the brochures or advertisements are only for representation purpose.
- All passengers need to be in possession of valid visas, confirmed air tickets and overseas travel insurance.
- All Passengers joining the tours must travel to / from the hub city as per the itinerary, at their own expense.
- All meals are preset, and a-la carte is not possible. Packed meals may be provided on certain days to keep up the schedule of the itinerary.
- All damages caused to the hotel rooms/Coach/other amenities during the tour, shall be payable by the passengers. Faith Holidays Inc will not be liable for the same.
- All Passengers must take extra care of their personal belongings while on the tour, every country of travel is prone to thefts and bag/purse snatching. Faith Holidays Inc will not be liable for any loss of belongings/baggage.
- The tour cost does not include cost of airfare, visas and overseas medical insurance unless specified in each of the itineraries
- The company will not be responsible or accept any liability for any damages, loss, baggage loss, theft, injury, accident, death, breakdown or any irregularity, which may occur during the tour.
- The company will not be responsible for any damage or irregularities due to weather conditions, strikes, war, quarantine and any other cause whatsoever and all such loss or expense must be borne by the passengers. Insurance policies must be carried while on tour.
- The right to claim any additional expenses incurred due to delay or changes in schedules of train, airplane, bus, ship or other services is reserved by the management of the company.
- The Tour Manager, guide and the driver will provide the best service during the tour to enjoy the sites as per itinerary within the jurisdiction of each of the sites of visit.
- The Management reserve the right to change a hotel of similar class if it is deemed advisable or necessary. Tour Manager / Guide reserves the right to amend the itinerary.in the interest of the Tour.
- The Management reserve the right to amend, alter, vary or withdraw any departure, excursion advertised.
- Refunds will not be provided for the unutilized part of the any services like meals, sightseeing, transfers, etc mentioned in the tour.
- For Detailed “Terms and Condition” please refer the Booking form.
Remarks
- Airlines/Room up-gradation and complimentary will not be entertained during the tour unless if specified at the time of booking.
- There is no refund for any services not utilized during the tour .
- Security deposit is required either in cash or credit card by hotels which is refundable provided no room incidentals are incurred. This security deposit is not included in this quote and must be paid by the guests/corporate directly to the hotel when checking in.
- Guests are advised not to keep valuables in the coach/vehicle while sightseeing. The Company shall not be responsible for loss of valuables from the coach / vehicle . If the coach / vehicle is accidentally
- or otherwise damaged by the Guest, s/he will be required to pay compensation for the same.
