Cottage holidays - 24.000 holiday homes and apartments

We will send you the exact accommodation address together with your travel documents after receipt of the final payment – at the soonest one month before your travel is due to commence. Unfortunately, we cannot reveal it earlier.

If you have specific questions to the owner, we will be pleased to forward them to the owners.

Arrival time

Unless otherwise stated, arrival time on the day of arrival according to your booking confirmation is always between 4 pm and 6 pm. If you realize during your journey that you cannot arrive at the agreed time, it is necessary to inform the caretaker/Key-holder straight away and in due time. He will then try his best to arrange your check-in, possibly charging a fee. Be aware that a late check-in nevertheless cannot be guaranteed. Please check your travel documents for different arrival times.

Day of arrival / differing arrival days

For logistic reasons, other nonconforming arrival days are often not possible. In each case a different arrival day than the one confirmed on your booking confirmation must be requested at INTER CHALET. If it is possible, INTER CHALET will send you a written confirmation.

All holiday properties and apartments can be booked online. It is understood that you can also book by phone or send a fax, e-mail or a letter. Please indicate your name, complete address and phone number, as well as the property code, the desired period, whether you want to take out insurance (summer / winter). We also need your credit card details incl. security number.

Name change
If the person, in whose name the booking was made, is no longer a member of the party travelling, then the name on the booking must be changed. The fee for the name change is EUR 20, -. With the confirmation of the name change by the tour operator, the new member enters into the rights and duties of the travel contract.

Change of reservation
If you wish to change your booking, the original booking must be cancelled and another holiday home must be booked. In this case the usual cancellation fees apply (see Terms and Conditions).

Cancellation
You may cancel your booking at any time prior to the start of the holiday. The date your cancellation instruction is received by INTER CHALET is the relevant date. It is in your own interest to notify us in writing of cancellations.

We normally calculate cancellation charges for holiday cottages and apartments as follows:
- up to 61 days before arrival 10% of the total price,
- 60 to 35 days before arrival 50% of the total price,
- 34 to 2 days before arrival 80% of the total price,
- the full cost of the holiday will be charged for later cancellation and non-arrival.

For group accommodations in our winter programme for 14 or more people the following differing cancellation fees apply:
- up to 24 weeks before arrival 20% of the total price
- 24 to 20 weeks before arrival 30% of the total price
- 20 to 16 weeks before arrival 50% of the total price
- 16 to 8 weeks before arrival 80% of the total price
- 8 to 4 weeks before arrival 90% of the total price
- later cancellation 95% of the total price
- the full travel price will be charged for non-arrival

Hotel cancellation fees are different and are charged on the following sliding scale:
- up to 30 days before arrival 10% of the total price,
- 29 to 22 days before arrival 20% of the total price,
- 21 to 15 days before arrival 30% of the total price,
- 14 to 8 days before arrival 45% of the total price,
- 7 to 1 days before arrival 60% of the total price,
- later cancellation and non-arrival 75% of the total price.

Should INTER CHALET succeed in finding another tenant for the same period and to the same conditions, only 10% of the total price will be charged irrespective of cancellation date.

The cancellation procedure will differ from the provisions stipulated above if you make use of your right to provide a replacement tenant. This, however, is conditional on INTER CHALET as the tour operator being given binding notice well in advance of the departure date so that the necessary alternative arrangements can be made. It is also conditional on replacement tenants satisfying the special conditions applicable to the holiday and not contravening any legal requirements or official regulations. When the change of name is confirmed by the tour operator, the new participant will assume the rights and obligations of the contract.

For each such procedure a charge of Euro 20 will be made to cover the costs incurred by INTER CHALET in making the change.

This does not affect your rights as a customer to prove to INTER CHALET as tour operator, that no damage or considerably less damage was incurred than the claimed charges.

Cancellation by the Tour Operator
INTER CHALET can cancel the holiday contract before the arrival date or terminate the contract after the arrival date without further notice if a tenant, despite warning, persists in disrupting holiday arrangements, behaving in a way likely to cause danger to others or otherwise failing to comply with the terms of the contract. In this case, the travel price will be forfeited.

Confirmation of cancellation:
You have cancelled a booking and need a confirmation? After expiry of the cancelled travel period you will receive the definite confirmation of cancellation. If the property has been relet on the same terms and for the same period of time, the cancellation fees will be reduced - in case of a 50% or 80% cancellation - to 10%. The definite confirmation of cancellation will be sent to you automatically (see ‘cancellation’).

Changes
If the booked holiday cannot be arranged in accordance with the terms of the contract due to circumstances which are beyond INTER CHALET’s control and which occurred after the contract was signed, INTER CHALET shall have the right to change the holiday arrangements providing the change to the original booking arrangements is not a major one, providing it can be considered reasonable for the tenant, and providing it does not impair the overall quality of the holiday.

Basic cleaning is always carried out by the tenant, irrespective of whether the landlord carries out final cleaning or whether it can be booked against payment. The basic cleaning includes cleaning of the kitchen, washing and putting away dishes, removing all remaining food and waste, stripping off the bed linen and sweeping all rooms, so that the rented property is clean and tidy for the next tenant.

Final cleaning additionally includes thorough cleaning of the kitchen, bathroom/ shower and WC. With many properties you have the option of cleaning the holiday cottage yourself or having it cleaned by the landlord for an appropriate fee. You will find information about this in the respective property description. Please inform the landlord in time, if you want to utilise this service. In case no costs are mentioned in the local service charges, the final cleaning is included in the travel price.

In many holiday homes and apartments, daily arrivals and departures are possible, whereas a minimum rental is always given (see price list for information). As a rule, daily arrivals/departures are possible mainly in the low season (summer: approx. until 15.06. and from 15.09.; winter: approx. until 22.12. and from 29.03.).

On the day of departure, according to your booking confirmation the rented property must be vacated no later than 10 am and handed over to the landlord or his authorised representative cleaned and in the same conditions as when it was accepted. Please check your travel documents for different departure times.

A deposit is requested as a security in case something in the holiday property / apartment may break. Please check the “extra charges” in the property description for information about the amount of the deposit. Please pay the deposit unrequested to the owner or landlord. In most cases, the deposit must be paid in cash and in Euros upon arrival. If credit cards are also or exclusively accepted, it will be stated in the “extra charges”. The deposit will be refunded when the rented property is returned in proper conditions.

In the event of a default in performance, statutory provisions require that you take all reasonable steps to help remedy the problem and minimize or prevent any ensuing damage. This specifically entails an obligation to report complaints without delay. Culpable failure to comply will bar you from making any claims in this respect. It is not culpable negligence if, for instance, it would be unreasonable to expect faults to be reported or remedial action to be requested, if there is impossibility of performance, or if there is a blameless failure to notify faults or request remedial action. If your holiday is not supplied in accordance with the terms of our contract or if you find a fault in the rented property you can request remedial action.

If this happens you should contact us immediately preferably by phone, otherwise by fax or email at

INTER CHALET
Postfach 5420, D-79021 Freiburg, Germany

phone: *49–761–210077
fax: *49–761–2100154
email: info@interchalet.com

Office address, e.g. for special delivery letters:

Heinrich-von-Stephan-Str. 25 (INTER CHALET–Haus)
D–79100 Freiburg, Germany

so that appropriate action can be taken to check the complaint and, if necessary, to remedy the problem or provide redress. Service providers (landlords, caretakers, agencies etc.) do not operate as tour managers and are not representatives of INTER CHALET, nor are they authorized to accept claims or to make or receive legally binding statements. Notification of defective performance or requests for remedial action may be dispensed with under exceptional circumstances, e.g. if they are unreasonable, if there is impossibility of performance or if a notification of defect or request for remedial action are blamelessly omitted. Claims against INTER CHALET for not rendering services according to the contractual obligations can be exercised within one month after the contractual end of the travel, whereby we strongly recommend the written form.

Your travel agency (travel agent or internet travel portal etc.) is not authorized to accept any filing of warranty claims or claims for damage.

Claims are conditional on the performance or substitute performance of services accepted by you not having been provided as agreed in our contract, on your immediate notification of defective performance, and of adequate remedial action not having been taken. You can terminate the holiday contract if the holiday has been substantially impaired by defective performance. As a rule this is conditional on your having given INTER CHALET an appropriate period of notice to take remedial action and this period having elapsed with no result. A period of notice is not required when remedial action is impossible or is refused by INTER CHALET in its capacity as tour operator, or if immediate termination of the contract is warranted in view of a factor in the tenant’s particular interest.

All other claims according to §§ 651c until f BGB (German Civil Code) are subject to a limitation period of one year. The limitation period begins on the day on which according to the contract the travel ends.

Claims by the customer for damage to life, body or health according to §§651c to f BGB (German Civil Code) as a result of a deliberate or negligent breach of duty by the tour operator, a legal representative or an agent are subject to a limitation period of 2 years. This also applies to claims for compensation for other damage resulting from deliberate or grossly negligent breach of duty by the tour operator, a legal representative or an agent. All other claims according to §§ 651c to f BGB (German Civil Code) are subject to a limitation period of one year. The limitation period begins on the day on which according to the contract the travel ends.

When booking selected apartment complexes early, you will be rewarded with attractive reductions on the rental price. You will find the information on the early booking advantage together with the conditions concerning the amount of reduction, the travel period and the booking deadline in the individual property description.

As a rule, exceeding the maximum number of people stated in the property description is not allowed as the properties are equipped for that specific number (beds, crockery, etc.).

Exceptions are those properties, where according to the property description an extra bed can be ordered. In any case, extra beds must be ordered with the booking and sometimes confirmed by INTER CHALET and the voucher must have a note on it. In case you exceed the maximum number of people without further notice, the landlord has the right to refuse or evict those over the limit.

In exceptional cases, INTER CHALET can ask the landlord whether the maximum number can be exceeded with children and babies.

When booking a flight, ferry or rental car, INTER CHALET only takes the function of a mediator. Basis for the booking are the Terms & Conditions of the respective company.

If garden furniture is stated in the property description, it does not necessarily mean that there is a garden chair for every person. Similarly, deck chairs and sunshades are only provided if they are mentioned in the description.

In all our properties situated in regions where winter sport can be practiced, central heating is standard. A remark is only made with non standard heating possibilities e.g. electric heating (due to the possibly high energy costs charged separately), underfloor heating or simple oven heating or other simple and non central heating possibilities.

Apartments and holiday cottages in summer regions, especially in the South, do not always have heating, central heating can rarely be found. In case of need, gas-, electric-, kerosene- or wood/coal- heated ovens are used (see property description). As a rule, ovens are operated by the tenants, information on how to use them can be provided by the landlord/ caretaker.

Except for the statutory insolvency insurance (risk coverage certificate) there are no insurances included.

When booking a holiday home we recommend taking out insurance with or without excess with the EUROPÄISCHE Reiseversicherung AG. The mentioned insurances were developed for holiday home bookings.

The complete insurance premium will become due with the down payment of 20 % of the complete travel costs, when completing a booking.

You will find all the information on the insurances here.

You have booked two properties. Is it possible to take out only one insurance for both properties?

No, unfortunately this is not possible for technical reasons.

Private liability insurance usually regulates damages to properties, caused by clients. We recommend that you check if your insurance covers such damages, at home and abroad.

INTER CHALET’s liability for loss, exclusive of physical injury, shall be limited to three times the total price, providing the loss to the tenant was not occasioned maliciously or by gross negligence, or providing INTER CHALET is responsible for a loss incurred by a tenant due solely to negligence by a service supplier.

INTER CHALET’s criminal liability for material damages caused without intent or gross negligence is limited to three times the travel price. This maximum responsibility sum is valid for each tenant and booked holiday.

INTER CHALET will not accept liability for the occasional lack of availability or disruption to water and / or electricity supplies, and will not be held responsible for the permanent service availability of installations like heating, lifts, air-conditioning, swimming pools, TV, Internet, etc.

“Linen” always indicates bed linen and towels whereas number and size can vary from landlord to landlord. The property description tells whether bed linen and/ or towels are available or have to be brought along and if they can be hired locally. In case you want to hire linen, please order them with you booking. Sometimes, tea towels are provided, we generally recommend though to bring them along. You will always have to bring toilet paper as well as washing-up liquid and detergent.

Details and information about possible local service charges are published together with the property description under the link “extra charges”. Normally, these costs are according to consumption e.g. for electricity, water, gas, heating, wood, linen, visitor’s tax or depending on the number of people travelling and to be paid locally to the owner or caretaker upon departure. Local service charges must also be paid in full for children and babies.

Occupancy of the rented property must not exceed that stated in the description and confirmed on the voucher. This maximum number of people also includes children and babies, unless otherwise agreed with INTER CHALET and confirmed in the voucher. If the maximum number of people is exceeded, the landlord has the right to refuse or evict those over the limit or to demand a proportion of the rental fee plus extras.

The new programmes go online as follows

All holiday properties can be booked online via our websites: www.interchalet.com, www.interchalet.co.uk.

Before concluding the booking, you must read and accept our Terms & Conditions. Payment of online-bookings has to be made via credit card (Visa, Mastercard or AmericanExpress). Customers from Germany also have the possibility of paying by direct debit.

After concluding an online booking, the confirmation can be printed. Additionally Inter Chalet will send you an e-mail confirming that we received your booking.

The travel contract comes into effect upon the written booking confirmation which you will receive together with the Risk Coverage Certificate and – if taken out – the insurance policy within the next few days by post.

The down payment of 20% is due immediately, the final payment approx. 4 weeks before your arrival date. Both amounts will be deducted from your credit card.

Should the arrival date be within 4 weeks of the date of booking, the total amount is due immediately.

To enter the countries Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, The Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Czech Republic and Hungary, citizens of the European Union need a valid passport or identity card. Children under 16 without their own identity card must be entered in their parent’s passport. Exception: for entry into the Czech Republic, children older than 15 need their own identity card with photo.

To enter the USA, citizens of the European Union need a passport which must be valid at least until the departure date (machine readable, Bordeaux-coloured EU passport), child identity cards and entries in parent’s passports, in order to enter the country without visa, are not accepted anymore. There are currently no visa, vaccination or health requirements. Citizens of other countries are asked to contact the responsible consulate for information about visa, passport and health requirements.

You are responsible for complying with any regulations necessary for the performance of the holiday (travel documents, vaccinations, exchange and customs regulations, possible import requirements for your pet). Any costs incurred as a result of failure to comply with these regulations, particularly the payment of cancellation charges, will be your responsibility unless they were due to culpable provision of incorrect information of a failure to provide information by INTER CHALET.

With conclusion of a booking, the settling of a down payment is required. The down payment of 20% is due immediately, the final payment approx. 4 weeks before your arrival date. Both amounts will be deducted from your credit card.

Should the arrival date be within 4 weeks of the date of booking, the total amount is due immediately.

Payment of online-bookings has to be made via credit card (Visa, Mastercard or AmericanExpress). Customers from Germany also have the possibility of payment by direct debit.

In many properties, pets, normally dogs, are allowed. Even if a pet is allowed in the property concerned, prior notification must always be given when booking and an indication of breed and size. Permission applies basically to only one pet, in some cases, decisive restrictions are imposed (e.g. that the dog has to stay in a kennel). For further information please check the respective property description.

Important note: In case pets are generally allowed that does not necessarily mean, that you can bring them everywhere. In most holiday resorts, dogs are not allowed at public places such as pool and green areas or restaurants. Often, dogs must be kept on a lead. It is beyond question that dogs are not allowed in the pools of all our properties. Please note, that in almost all countries the EU pet passport with a registered rabies inoculation is required or acknowledged. For identification, the animals must often have a microchip or tattoo.

For certain breeds, especially fighting dogs, many countries impose severe import regulations or forbid their import at all. Please contact your veterinarian or the internet for information.

The price of your holiday cottage remains the same, whether you book online, by telephone or via a travel agency.

Any INTER CHALET advisor is responsible for a certain region and knows it very well. She or he is in permanent contact with the owners / contract partners and most often knows the properties personally.

Our recommendation: when you call our service centre, have the property code (e.g. PVC160) ready and you will be connected to the competent advisor. In case, the advisor cannot give an immediate answer to your question, she or he will promptly ask the owner.

Crockery is part of the standard furniture and therefore not explicitly mentioned in the property description. In some Scandinavian properties, a refrigerator is not provided, for further information please call our service centre.

Pre-bookings can be made with one season in advance (e.g. during availability of the winter season 2010/2011 for the winter season 2011/2012). Please send a fax, a letter or an e-mail indicating the property code (e.g.ABC100), the desired period, your name, address and phone number.

As a rule, pre-bookings are not binding. With publication of the new brochure and internet release, you will receive a written confirmation with price details, etc. which you can cancel without any cost within 14 days.

Short stays are possible in many destinations, both in summer and in winter, mostly in the low season. Please note that a minimum rental is always given (see price list for information).

(arrival within one week after booking) cannot be carried out via the internet. Please contact INTER CHALET directly by phone or e-mail.

There are special offers for many holiday homes. You will find these in the individual property description under the heading ‘price information’ on our homepage or under ‘nice price’. Please note that variable local costs must be paid for the complete duration of stay, despite the special offer. If the duration of stay overlaps two travel seasons, the lower price per week or per day will be taken as a basis for the reduction.

We will be pleased to forward any of your special requests to the owner/ caretaker of the property. Please be aware though, that we cannot guarantee the fulfilment of these requests. Special requests as well as bookings under certain conditions are valid only when INTER CHALET confirms them in writing.

The property description indicates whether a holiday cottage or complex has a swimming pool. The description usually states the opening times of the pool within the season. Please note, however, that these opening and closing dates may change according to weather conditions.

For pools in holiday complexes etc. please observe the opening hours specified by the management and any special bathing regulations or prohibitions. These may concern the wearing of bathing shorts in the pool, the bringing of balls, airbeds and similar objects into the pool or the necessity of wearing swimming caps (especially in Italy). A new statutory order in France indicates that pools must be secured with a fence, a cover or an alarm system. In most cases, this has already been carried out, though most of the property pictures both on our website and in our brochure do not yet show the latest status.

The property description will tell you whether a toddler bed is available. Toddler beds can be of different forms and sizes. If a toddler bed in mentioned, it normally has the size 60 cm x 120 cm and is suited for children up to 2 years. As a rule, linen has to be brought. We also recommend bringing your own pillow and cover. Please check the property description if a toddler bed can be ordered within the maximum number of people or if effectively an additional person is allowed. In any case, toddler beds must be ordered with the booking and sometimes confirmed by INTER CHALET and the voucher must have a note on it.

Toddlers and babies are considered as persons when renting a holiday cottage. Any local service charge depending on occupancy must be paid also for toddlers and babies.

Approximately 2 to 4 weeks before the travel is due to commence we will send your travel documents. These include the voucher identifying you as tenant which you will need to show the owner, landlord or agency, as well as check in and check out details including directions to the booked property and leaflets with general and country-specific information.

You will receive these documents after receipt of the out-standing balance on your holiday. In case down and / or final payment cannot be carried out correctly within the indicated periods, we reserve the right to withdraw from the travel contract after sending a reminder with a given deadline and to charge cancellation charges according to our Terms & Conditions.

TV in the property description indicates a colour television. If satellite or cable TV is available, this will be indicated in the property description. This does not however necessarily mean that it will be possible to receive channels in the guest’s language.

As a rule, permission of bringing a pet applies always for one animal. It is however possible to ask the owner if you can bring a second pet. Please send a fax, an e-mail or a letter with information about breed, size and number of pets or call us directly. We will be pleased to forward your request to the owner.

The rate of the visitor’s tax at the individual locations cannot be specified in the property description because the exact amounts are not always fixed at the time of going to print/ internet release. Depending on the location, the cost can range from € 0.50 to € 2 per person/ day (reduced rate for children). The visitor’s tax has to be paid locally.