RSD Travel

We booked in early February for a week in Crete in early November 2019. The cost was to be £1,274 and we paid a £397.20 deposit. In late February, my wife had to undergo tests for a heart problem - this is still being investigated. I also have had stents and am taking blood thinners etc. I was therefore concerned about our holiday and the stresses that may result. Reviews of RSD suggested problems with delayed and re-routed flights, compulsory attendance at high pressure selling events, mediocre food etc. I asked to cancel the holiday citing these reasons. The RSD promotion documents stated that we could "terminate the contract at any time before the package tour begins in exchange for payment of a commensurate withdrawal fee" RSD deducted £219.20 from the deposit as a cancellation fee and suggested that the remaining £178 was an insurance premium that I would have to recover from the insurance company. The £219.20 is an exceptionally high "commensurate" fee. There was no mention of this arrangement in the publicity small print and I should not at this time have had to deal with an insurance company producing health certificates from an already overworked GP when tests are still underway. I have therefore reluctantly written off the ~£400 deposit and will continue to warn others of this further example of an unfriendly travel company