From tips on claiming compensation for a British Airways flight cancellation to advice on hiking in Menorca, Holiday Guru answers readers’ travel questions
Holiday Guru is always available to answer your questions.
Here he helps one reader whose BA flight to Brussels was canceled at the last minute, advises another on the best spot for fado music in Porto and recommends a travel agent who can put together a bespoke itinerary for a walking holiday in Menorca.
Q. Our flight to Brussels was canceled en route to the airport. BA rebooked us the next morning but canceled that too. We had tickets for the Rolling Stones In the evening we drove through the Eurotunnel. It was a brilliant concert but can we claim our unused return flight and are we entitled to compensation?
John Linsdell, Southampton.
A reader whose flight to Brussels was suddenly canceled asks the guru how he can get his money back
A BA says it will reimburse both flights, as required by law. You can try to make a claim for compensation under Rule EU-261, but the airline almost certainly has the right to say your flight cancellation – caused by Heathrow’s last-minute restriction on departure times – was an “extraordinary circumstance”. was and therefore does not have to pay.
Q. My husband and I are in our 70’s and looking to tackle the Menorca Coastal Walk next year. We would rather stay central and be driven to the starting point every day. Can you help?
Hilary Ludbrook, Birkenhead.
A Try Cami de Cavall’s 360 (camidecavalls360.com), specialists in organizing such Menorca trips. It will create a customized itinerary. The journey was to take about ten days and cover 115 miles. Much luck!
Q. Our holiday to Koh Samui, Thailand was ruined when our KLM flight was canceled two days before departure. We booked through lastminute.com, which offers a refund, but are we entitled to compensation?
Julie Bulgin, via email.
Holiday Guru recommends camidecavalls360.com for a tailor-made itinerary in Menorca (pictured)
A Not in this case. However, it was sensible of you to book a package tour. This is because if you booked flights and accommodation separately, you may have lost your hotel expenses. These turbulent travel times underscore the valuable protection offered by package tours.
Q. Can you recommend a fado venue in Porto, Portugal? We’re about to leave. Do we have to book in advance?
Daniel Kelman, London.
A Porto has many excellent venues for fado, the melancholic yet catchy Portuguese music. One of the best is Casa da Marinquinhas (casadamariquinhas.pt), which serves dinner to some of the city’s best artists; £32 per person. Yes, book in advance.
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If you need advice, Holiday Guru is here to answer your questions. Email us at holidayplanner@dailymail.co.uk.
