What about this company

[mollykins]

A lecturer from Portsmouth uni got back to me saying some of his students went on courses with this company and enjoyed them.

http://www.whalenatio...age=volunteertenerife

It is very cheap although as like most of these companies, flights aren't included, and my nearest airport doesn't do flights there in the summer.

It isn't atol protected or anything either . . . but it has posityive comments about it on facebook with 3,422 'likes' . . .

[Poor-Alfie]

what about it?

[mollykins]

What do you think? Too cheap to be true?

[mollykins]

Do you think I could go there for a week this summer, I could fly from Manchester they must do flights there . . .

[Count-A-Strong]

I think you need to talk to Ma n Pa about this Moll.

[tiggerblue10]

Give them a call and find out why they are not ATOL/ABTA protected.

[mollykins]

Count, they've already said that we can't afford a normal, proper holiday this year . . . will do.

Tigger are they likely to give an answer . . .

[boxtops]

Yes molly - if they are not protected then you might lose your money. Do you know this lecturer before now? I wonder why he is promoting a commercial company, he might have a financial interest in it. Doesn't sound very ethical to me.

[tiggerblue10]

They should be able to give you an answer whatever it is. I know its a voluntary programme but you need to know that you are covered in case something goes wrong with it such as cancellations etc.

[mccfluff]

they aren't a hol company so why would they be atol protected. As far as i can see its a reg charity and you'll have to pay £230 for the week plus your flight.. i expect going from london would be better for you mols?

and do they have a lot of whales in tenerife - just curious not something associate with the canary islands?

[mollykins]

Boxtops I emailed lots of universities etc asking them to reccommend these kinds of places. this one lecturer replied with three companies his students had been with. 2 of them weren't suitable for me and this is the other one.

True tigger.

Mcfluff, i've seen other such companies that are atol and abta protected. And it's only £110 a week (depending on how long you go for) plus flights and lunch.

[mccfluff]

just had a look at flights -as you'll be going in summer hols, they're not that cheap i only had a quick look but the cheapest i could see was 182.00 - but i didn;t check bmi, easy jet etc. so for a week you're looking at around £400 + travel insurance and spends so £500/600 ish,

but if you've got the cash (in your various saving accs) then i reckon it would be worth it, will look good on your cv

[boxtops]

Ah, OK, so he didn't write out of the blue (which is how it sounded). Write back to him and ask if he can give you a couple of names of students who've been, so you can check it out with them.

[mccfluff]

read it again molly for 1- 2 weeka its £200 + £30 for your tshirt

and Pounds/ Euro 200 for stays of 1-2 weeks. Some colleges and universities have negotiated long stay rates - please consult [email protected]. There is an additional charge of Pounds 30 to cover T Shirt and Induction materials.

[mccfluff]

its a reg charity, why would they be atol protected?

[mollykins]

Fluff others are that i've seen.

[mccfluff]

but why, that's what i was asking

[mollykins]

Why not . . . it shows you can trust them and know your holiday is safe and protected . . .

[mccfluff]

its not a holiday thought...

[mccfluff]

*though*