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Standard Terms and Conditions |
Here's all the stuff that our
lawyers make us say. But we wrote it ourselves, to try and
make it more understandable!
We've attempted to create this
'fine print' in a manner that is fair and understandable.
Basically, we expect you to act fairly, and in turn, we'll act
similarly.
If you have any questions or
concerns, please ask.
Tour Operation
Tours are offered
conditionally, and are subject to receiving a minimum number of
participants. If the needed minimum number do not confirm, you
have the choice of canceling and receiving a full refund of all
monies paid, or of enjoying a similar itinerary on a
'self-drive' or 'FIT' basis - staying at the same places, with the same
inclusions, but driving yourself by rental car rather than as a
passenger on a coach.
In such a case, we would
provide you with a mid-sized automatic rental car, touring maps,
directions, and itinerary notes in lieu of coach transportation
and guides.
A decision to confirm the
group tour or to offer a self-drive substitute will be made on a
date approximately 45 days prior to tour commencement, or sooner if tour registration numbers so
indicate. Tour participants will be immediately advised as
soon as the tour status changes from conditional to confirmed.
We reserve the right to
alter this itinerary at any time for any reason, although we
will at all times attempt to ensure that any changes or
substitutions are of equal value and interest.
If an included item needs to
be omitted for any reason and can not be compensated with what
we consider to be a fair equivalent item, then you will be
refunded our underlying cost of that omitted item.
Payment and Pricing
Prices are quoted on the
basis of per person, with two people sharing a room.
A $200 per person
non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your place on
any tour.
The balance is due 45 days
prior to tour commencement and
if not received by that date your booking will be automatically
cancelled.
Full payment is immediately
due for tour reservations made with 45 days of tour
commencement.
A $100 per person rush fee
applies to payments made in the last fourteen days prior to tour
commencement.
Price reflects a 3% discount
for cash/check. If you wish to pay by credit card, then
you will be advised the base tour price (ie the discounted price
plus 3%).
Tour prices include both US
and foreign currency costs and are based on a
stated range of wholesale exchange rates. If the wholesale
exchange rates move outside of this range prior to full payment
being received, then the tour price will be
adjusted (either up or down) to fairly reflect the change in the cost
of tour components. If the price of the tour increases by
more than 5%, you will be offered a no cost, no penalty
opportunity to cancel and receive a full refund of all monies
paid.
Special Rates for Singles,
Triple Shares, Seniors and Children
We offer a matching program
for singles who wish to share a room with another solo traveler.
If you do not wish to share
a room, or if no suitable room mate is found, we can offer a
single supplement.
Some of the hotels used on
some tours do not have triple share rooms and so triple share
rates are not always available.
Children are discouraged
from joining these tours and no child discounts are available.
Photographs and Information
The photographs shown and
information provided depict typical scenes commonly experienced,
but the subject matter may not necessarily be experienced or
seen while on our tour. No warranty is made concerning
weather.
Documentation
Assuming full payment is
received 45 days prior, a full souvenir itinerary, stay-behind
itineraries to be left with friends, relatives, and workmates,
travel vouchers and other materials will be sent to you three
weeks prior to tour commencement.
If you have registered for
the tour closer to departure, documents will be sent
approximately two weeks after full payment is received.
Cancellation/Changes
You can change the names of
participants at any time prior to document issuance (ie three
weeks prior to tour commencement) for a $50 per name change fee.
Subsequent to document
issuance, name changes may or may not be possible, and would
require the payment of a higher fee plus courier fees for
documents to be returned to us and to suppliers then sent back
to us and on to you.
If you cancel your
participation prior to five days before tour commencement, you will receive a 50%
refund upon the return of all tour documents, unused. If
you cancel after that time, or do not return all tour documents,
unused, no refund will be paid.
No refund is given for
any unused portions of a tour.
Cancellation and change fees
may be reimbursable by a travel insurance policy, depending on
circumstances. For this and all other reasons, we
recommend you purchase travel insurance accordingly.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Only those items
specifically stated to be included are included in the tour.
All other items not so specifically stated are not included and
if you choose to avail yourself of them would be at extra cost.
Activities, Health and Meals
You should be in good health
and reasonably fit in order to participate in the walking
components of this tour (eg be able to conveniently climb 75
steps or walk a mile).
You are not required to have
any special vaccinations.
If you have any special
dietary or other preferences for meals, please let us know prior
to when you make final payment so we can advise the hotels
accordingly. We will help you to meet your needs, but can
not guarantee that this will completely and consistently occur.
Your Responsibilities Include
It is your responsibility to
get yourself to the tour commencement place at or prior to the
tour commencement time, and to observe the tour timetable during
the course of the tour.
It is your responsibility to
obey all local laws while on tour.
Notification
If you encounter any
problems, you agree to immediately advise us of these problems
so that we can mitigate and resolve them
Limitation of Our Liability
We act only as agents for
the principals offering the services and products included in
this tour and have no control over their products and services.
David M Rowell, 'The Travel
Insider', dba Adastra Tours, and the various companies
involved in providing services offer no warranties express or
implied and reserve the right to amend this tour in any way at
any time as they may choose in their sole and unfettered
discretion. Participation on this tour is on an “own risk” basis
and participants are responsible for ensuring that they act in a
prudent and appropriate manner.
You agree we are not liable
for any acts or omissions, and agree to indemnify us and hold us
harmless from any matters arising from your own acts. You
further agree that in any case where liability may be found, our
liability will in no case exceed that reasonable amount of
profit we earned from your payment to us that relates to the
loss or damage or other problem suffered by you.
Acceptance of these Terms and
Conditions
Your forwarding payment to
us is your act of acceptance of our terms and conditions.
You have conveyed these terms and conditions to all people
traveling with you, and the payment for each of the people
traveling, whether it be paid directly or jointly, is evidence
of each person's acceptance.
Any disputes or other
matters arising from the operation of these tours or involving
David M Rowell, 'The Travel Insider', dba Adastra Tours, will be
heard within the jurisdiction of King County, Washington, and
will be interpreted under US law and practice. All parties
agree to accept binding arbitration.
Other Tour Terms and Conditions
Each tour may have
additional terms and conditions that specifically relate to that
particular tour. In such cases, if the additional terms
conflict with these terms, then the tour specific terms will
over-ride these generic terms.
Originally published
5 Dec 2003, last update
22 Apr 2008
You may freely reproduce or distribute this article for noncommercial purposes as long as you give credit to me as original writer.
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