Our last day in Prague was overshadowed somewhat by an urgent message left with the concierge of our hotel. We were delivered the bad news that the agency with whom we had booked and pre-paid our accommodation with in Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam had gone into liquidation overnight. Yet another victim of the financial crisis in Ireland, apparently. Daily newspapers headline the woes in the Emerald Isle.
Many frantic phone calls ensued, between Travel Agents in Prague and Australia, between our Travel Insurance company and the hotels with whom we had reservations. As to be suspected, as soon as the hotels heard about the situation, they cancelled all bookings and as quickly rebooked their rooms, with guaranteed paying guests!
Our travel agent was able to secure our accommodation in Berlin again, but we had to be relocated in Amsterdam. Considering the time differences, we were impressed with the expediency by which our agent moved and ensued we had a bed for the night.
At one stage there it looked like the fine print of the insurance policy would permit them a loop hole in such a situation, but following extensive consultation, they have come to the party.
Moral of the story...what could have been a very difficult and stressful situation was made so much more manageable with the support of our travel agent and insurance company. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel!
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