1. The Summer holiday travel writing competition (the "Competition") is open to residents of the UK aged 18 and over.
2. The Competition is not open to employees or agencies of Guardian News & Media Limited ("GNM"), its group companies, their family members or anyone else connected to the Competition.
3. Entry into the Competition is acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
4. To enter the Competition, send your entry (500 words maximum) to travel.writer@theguardian.com. You must state which of the five categories you are writing about, and include your name, address and daytime contact telephone number.
5. Entries on behalf of another person will not be accepted and joint submissions are not allowed.
6. No responsibility is taken for entries that are lost, delayed, misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason. Proof of delivery of the entry is not proof of receipt.
7. The Competition closes at 11.59pm on Friday August 22 2008. Entries received after this closing date will not be processed.
8. The five winners (one from each category) and the selected runners-up will be chosen by the Travel team from all entries submitted. The judges' decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
9. Five winners will each receive a holiday prize (prize details to be confirmed on this page by Wednesday July 30 2008). Any other costs and responsibilities not specifically associated with each Prize are the responsibility of the winners.
9.1 Prize for Camping category
Return economy flights for two to New York from STA Travel, including taxes. The prize must be taken between November 1 2008 and March 31 2009 excluding December 2008. The tickets will be subject to availability.
9.2 Prize for UK category
A week of river cruising for two on a self-skippered motorboat in Germany, in and around Berlin, including Rheinsberg, Himmelpfort and Roblinsee, from European Boating Holidays. The trip includes return flights from London and bikes on board. The prize must be taken by October 31 2008.
9.3 Prize for Family category
A weekend of two nights in a tipi for four people on a private nature reserve near Padstow, from Cornish Tipi Holidays in conjunction with Neal's Yard Holidays. The prize must be taken between August 31-October 31 2008 or August 31-October 31 2009. Transport to the nature reserve is not included.
9.4 Prize for action/adventure category
A 14-day motorhome holiday to New Zealand for two with Discover the World and Air New Zealand. The prize includes return flights from London to Auckland, 14 days' all-inclusive-rate rental of a United two-berth motorhome, one ferry crossing for two adults and motorhome, one night's accommodation in a 3.5-star superior tourist hotel in central Auckland, and coach transfer from Auckland airport on arrival. The winner will have a follow-up article about their New Zealand holiday published in the Travel section of the Guardian and online, subject to the Travel editor's approval. Discover the World has the right to reprint this follow-up article for promotional use. The winner will also have the opportunity of being involved in a blogging project with Discover the World, Air New Zealand or Tourism New Zealand (details to be agreed between the winner and the relevant organisation). The winner (or the winner's prize companion) must hold a valid UK driver's license. The prize must be booked by January 31 2009 and is subject to availability. The prize is valid for travel between April-June 2009 and September-October 2009 excluding public and school holidays.
9.5 Prize for Beach category
A four-night trip for two to Damascus with Black Tomato, including international flights from London, private transfers, a private guided tour of the city and four nights at the Beit Al Mamlouka based on two sharing. Travel dates and restrictions TBC.
10. The winners will be notified by phone or email by Friday August 29 2008 and will be given details as to how to claim their Prize. The winners (and selected runners-up) will have their entries printed in the Travel section of the Guardian and on theguardian.com/travel on Saturday August 30 2008. The runner-up entries that are selected for print and online use will be edited to 100 words each. Some or all of the submitted entries will also be added, in edited form, to the Been there readers' tips site.
11. Details of the winners can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope to the following address: The Guardian Marketing Department, 119 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3ER.
12. Each of the five Prizes is non-exchangeable, non-transferable, and is not redeemable for cash or other prizes. GNM accepts no responsibility for any costs associated with each Prize and not specifically included in each Prize, including, without limitation, meals (other than those specified), personal expenses, insurance and transfers.
13. No purchase necessary.
14. GNM accepts no responsibility and disclaims any liability (other than set out below) for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by you as a result of entering the Competition or accepting the Prize or participating in the triathlon. GNM further disclaims liability for any injury or damage to your or any other person's computer relating to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials in connection with the Competition. Nothing shall exclude the liability of GNM for death or personal injury as a result of GNM's negligence.
17. GNM reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, this Competition with or without prior notice due to reasons outside its control.
18. The Competition will be governed by English law.
