Better pack a lawyer, just in case...

Posted Tuesday, June 03, 2008, 11:49 PM by Lonely Planet

In recent days, a British tourist was awarded compensation for a holiday on the grounds that it wasn't what he was expecting. His family holiday in Greece was hugely disappointing because the resort catered almost exclusively to German tourists.

Whether a resort crammed with buffet-hogging Germans is less fun than a beach town full of pink, pissed and parochial Britons is an argument for the tabloids. Better yet, next time you and your flock head off to Greece, buy a German Phrasebook for the kids.

I'm interested in how far this 'disappointment' compensation could go. If the sunset isn't quite right, the coffee's a little bitter, the rain's a bit fierce, the parties dull, the locals jaded, the bed too hard, or whatever, should you be able to get your money back?

If your entire travel experience doesn't mirror the brochure, then sue.

I remember a holiday we had when I was a child. The beach was often quite windy, I was stung by hordes of mosquitoes, and I never got to bat while playing cricket. My solicitor is currently contacting my family over the matter.

What holiday do you want to be compensated for?


Larry O'Leary

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Last Chance to Party

Posted Wednesday, March 05, 2008, 6:41 AM by Lonely Planet

So Carnival season has drawn to a close but you can still catch one last big party this weekend in Greece. Starting way back in January the Patra Carnival is the largest event of its kind in Europe and runs through a whole series of parades, balls, treasure hunts and firework displays before culminating in Sunday's float parade in Patra harbour. If fireworks and frivolity seem a little tame to those hard-core Carnival goers among you then maybe you should opt for the more bizarre antics of the Skyros Carnival. All you need to join in is a nice hair jacket and a fetching belt of large, clanking copper goat bells. Way to party...

The hangover cure? On Shrove Monday (otherwise known as Clean Monday) take to the hills with the rest of Greece for a day of picnics and kite flying.

Sally Schafer, Commissioning Editor, Greece

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