European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - May 7, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                " ". A � the Beach or Caret de mar attracts son Wonhi pers oven when the air it Philly. When things go wrong to  Niin i au1j were available  on Friday and Iho easier holidays tilled through monday. Our choices were As follows in quiday night flamenco show entry and one drink 2.150 pesetas Aboul $16. Bus transportation so pesetas about 35 cell the drink was a split of Spanish Champagne or a Small Pitcher of sangria. Sunday trip of Barcelona departure Al 3 . For City tour and bul Light 2,325 pesetas Aboul s1s.so. Monday night an abbreviated version Oil he  show. 1.400 pesetas Aboul s10 or a Barbecue Ala farm. 1.900 pesetas about $13.50. The Barbecue included As much As you could Eal and drink Unhul 10 . The bus left Al 8 . And the ride to i he Larmi ook about half an hour. Tuesday Day Lony trip to the monastery Monserral. Wilh visits to Champagne cellars on the return .1,725 pcs Las about $12including Champagne lasting. At 7 . A medieval night with Lood and entertainment. 2,500 pesetas about $18. No shopping trip to Barcelona. No full Day sightseeing in Barcelona. Several people who wished to shop were unhappy. Various Means of getting into Barcelona were discussed but of course. Inc shops would not be open monday. Lesson in. You can do things on your own. Check out the local Replat car agencies. Car rental is expensive but if several people share the Cost it need nol Pul a big Dent in the budget. Find out what Public transportation will get you where you want to go. Train and bus service in Europe is Good and inexpensive. When the Lour bus slops at the Border Visil i he tourist Inlo Malion Ollice and Arm yourself wish ire maps and brochures to help you get around. Also before you both a tour Lind out Aboul local holidays and store opening hours i you plan to shop. The Welcome drink Lunod Inlo a grumble session not helped by being held in a Chilly room or by the waiter s neglecting to wipe up spilled Champagne. We Are very disappointed. We used i his Lour company because we have been so pleased Wilh them in the  said one couple. Lesson v. Read the line print. Tour conditions often Are spelled oui in such a Way thai the company that sets you i he Lour is effectively Tarcen off the Hook should anything go wrong along the Way. At the Bottom of the brochure advertising the tour i too was the following liability we Are Only acting As agents Ohrel de mor teems dedicated to making tourists feel As if they never left Home. Lor various contractors hotels bus companies Etc and Are therefore in no Way responsible for the fulfilment of their obligations nor Are we to be held liable for accidents delays losses Elc. The liability of Alt these contractors however remains unprejudiced. Right is a so reserved to program changes and Alveral ions As Well As substitution of services listed above when and where necessary without prior  when you sign the booking form you Are agreeing to these conditions. Nevertheless most tour companies Lake disasters such As this one to heart. They want to know in i he booking agents they use Are giving the service they Promise. So Don t just grumble Contact the travel agent Tell them what Well wrong. They want satisfied customers who will continue to Book their Tours arid they make reparations. In this Case when the company top Mirs found out about the hotel the manager told the tour guide to Ireal he entire group to the medieval night Al company expense. Ii we had found out Aboul the condition of this hotel sooner we would have demanded to be moved said manager Brigile Colantonio. Asil was there was Only one More night to slay so we did whal we  in the past when changes have had to be made. The firm. Has upgraded the hotel. We have always insisted on Good hotels thai is very important in  addition the company is giving every member of the group those who did t complain As Well As those who did a s30 voucher Good on another of. Their Tours. Thai includes children. The Price of this Lour was cheaper than doing the same trip of your own. Cost of the hotel usually used when booked individually would have been 2.150 pesetas about $16 per person per night in a double with Lull Board for a total of about s80 for the live nights. Round trip grave on the scheduled bus line Europa bus at 297 Marks about $132 makes the trip total about $212. The Lour Price is a savings of s33 per person. To Ligure the Cost of driving count nol Only the. Mileage bul also about $80 in Road dolls Page 14 the stars and stripes