With the first warm days, many people's anticipation of the upcoming holidays and summer vacation grows. But the longed-for break doesn't always go smoothly. The experience of the Austrian Consumer Arbitration Board shows that while unpleasant surprises do happen on vacation, they can often be avoided with good preparation or at least resolved afterward. Joachim Leitner, a travel expert at the Austrian Consumer Arbitration Board, advises vacationers to plan soundly, have a basic understanding of their rights, and, if something does happen, to remain calm and composed. Package Tour versus Individual Booking - Advantages and Disadvantages When booking, the question often arises as to whether a package tour or individually arranged individual services is the better choice. A package tour that bundles at least two different travel services, such as transportation and accommodation, for a total price generally offers one decisive advantage: the tour operator is responsible for the correct execution of the entire trip. In the event of problems on site, they are the first point of contact and should seek a solution. If deficiencies arise, travelers are often entitled to a price reduction upon their return. Another important aspect is the tour operator's insolvency insurance, which protects consumers in the event of bankruptcy – as was recently the case with FTI – at least against the loss of payments already made. If individual services are booked separately, this insolvency insurance is missing. If, for example, an airline goes bankrupt, the money paid is usually lost. Furthermore, with individual bookings, holidaymakers bear full responsibility for the smooth running of their trip. If the flight is canceled and this leads to a delayed arrival at the hotel, it can