Terms and Conditions

Booking Conditions and Other Important Information

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE

• Inter-city Travel: By private motorcoach, trains and ferries (see itineraries).
• Touring: By air-conditioned luxury motorcoaches.*
• Hotel Accomodation: Prices per person are based on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room with private bath or shower.**
• Tour Director: Escorted tours are conducted in English only by a professional multi-lingual Tour Director. Hosted service is provided in London, Paris, and Rome on tours 675, 968 & 969. .
• Meals: In-flight meals and snacks are served according to airline policy. Continental or buffet breakfast on all tours except in Ireland, provincial Britain and Scandinavia, where full national style breakfasts are served. Dinners and lunches are included as detailed on itineraries.
• Sightseeing: Excursions and entrance fees to places of interest visited as detailed on each itinerary with an English-speaking guide where necessary.
• Transfers: Between airports, hotels, railway stations and piers, as per times and locations indicated on each tour itinerary.
• Porterage: Baggage handling for one suitcase per person on tour, at hotels, is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity, this single bag should have dimensions not exceeding 30”x18”x10” and weight not exceeding 60 lbs. (27kg). A surcharge of US$3 per traveling day will be collected by the Tour Director if a second piece of baggage is carried, or if the suitcase exceeds the established weight and/or dimensions.
• Tips and Taxes: All tips are included for services on tour provided by dining-room waiters, chambermaids and porters at hotels, airports, docks and stations.

* In Egypt and Greece motorcoaches without toilet facilities are used.

** When booking triple rooms please note that the third bed may be a "roll-away" bed. Availability of triple rooms is limited. Substitute hotels may be used at certain times and will be of similar standard whenever possible. Please note that single rooms in Europe will generally be smaller than twin-bedded rooms. There are a limited number of "twin-shared" rooms available with our roommate matching service. Passengers who are members of Hotel Frequent Trafalgar programmes are not entitled to earn points with any of the hotels featured on a Trafalgar tour.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE

Airfares to and from Europe, except where specified, airport flight taxes and fees, passport and visa fees, insurances of all kinds, laundry, phone calls, beverages, meals not detailed in the itinerary, tips to Tour Directors, motorcoach drivers and local city guides, items of personal nature, excess baggage, optional excursions, etc. The tour price also does not cover costs and expenses, including the return to your home, if you leave the tour at your own volition, or due to illness, or as a consequence of official action by the government of any country visited.

HOW TO MAKE RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS

Deposit - $200 per person per tour (non-refundable)
Final Payment - At least 45 days prior to tour departure* date

• For online bookings Trafalgar Tours only accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. Your payment is not deemed made until Trafalgar Tours receives it.
• A non-refundable deposit of $200 per person, per tour is required for us to hold seats for you.
• In order to secure space booked, your Travel Agent should enter your credit card number and expiration date when booking your reservation online
• The deposit forms part of your final payment and if not received within 7 DAYS of booking, the reservation will automatically be cancelled. On certain departures, deposits may be required to hold seats at the time of booking.
• The final payment is due 45 days prior to departure*.
• Trafalgar reserves the right to cancel the reservation and impose cancellation charges should payments not be received within the above-specified periods.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Travel documents and instructions for joining a tour will be sent to your travel agent approximately 21 days prior to tour departure* (providing full payment has been received). If you are leaving home earlier please ask your Travel Agent to request your tour documents in good time. A documentation delivery charge of $8 per booking will be charged. However, if travel documents are required earlier than 21 days prior to departure* a fee of $25 will be applicable.

BOOKING CHANGES, CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

Online Bookings:

To make changes and or cancel a booking made online, Travel agents must call Trafalgar Tours Automation Helpdesk to modify at (800) 226 - 5547

Booking changes:

A fee of $30 per transaction will be charged for any revision or alteration made to a reservation after the booking is confirmed.

Note: Cancellation fees will be charged if you cancel you entire tour package to reschedule for a different date.

Cancellations and Cancellation Fees:

• If notice of cancellation is received by Trafalgar Tours 45 days prior to departure*, the non-refundable deposit will be retained along with the Travel Protection, see page 119.
• If full payment is not received 45 days prior to departure the Airline have the right to cancel your Air reservation. Regrettably, if payment is not received by Trafalgar we will not be responsible for lost reservations.
• Notice of cancellation must be made in writing either directly to Trafalgar or through your Travel Agent.
• The following scale of charges will apply when notice of cancellation is given after the booking is confirmed:

*PLEASE NOTE: The departure date constitutes the date indicated on Trafalgar’s confirmation.

• Airline Flights: If flight changes are requested after the deposit has been received, or if flights are cancelled after tickets are issued, revision fees, change fees or Airline cancellation charges will be applicable and my be in addition to the above cancellation charges.
• These cancellation fees also apply to additional accommodation reserved prior to and after the tour, plus in addition to any cancellation fees that may be levied by your Travel Agent.

Refunds and Penalties:

• Illness or Absenteeism: In the event of your withdrawal from a tour after commencement for reasons of illness, you must obtain a medical certificate in support of any insurance claim. We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including but not limited to, missed meals or sightseeing. Trafalgar makes no representation or guarantees concerning reimbursements of funds paid by you under any insurance claim.
• Air & Land Packages: These packages are based on non-refundable airfares. If flight changes requested after the deposit has been received, or if flights are cancelled after tickets are issued, change fees or airline penalties will be applicable.
• Airline Seating: Tour members are requested to contact the Airline(s) for seating assignments 30 days prior to departure. Seating is solely under control of the Airline. Flight delays are the sole responsibility of the Airline.
• Airlines & Airfares: No refund will be made for cancelled air tickets on air inclusive bookings until tickets are returned to Trafalgar. Refunds for tour portion will only be processed after return of documents to Trafalgar. Please ensure that returned tour documents which contain airline tickets are sent by certified or registered mail. Lost ticket replacement can take up to 1 year and processing fees can be assessed.
• Air Availability: If Trafalgar is unable to confirm your air reservation in its scheduled class of service, Trafalgar may offer an alternative of either connecting flights, substitute gateways or a more expensive booking category. Any air surcharges will be at the passengers’ expense. You will be advised of these conditions at the time of booking.
• Airline & Airport Taxes and Charges: Any domestic and international departure or arrival taxes, security charges, and other types of taxes or charges imposed by Airlines, Airports, Governments, etc. are not included in the Tour Price. The amount of these charges will be passed on to each passenger at the time of booking.

Note: If a promotional airfare contained in this brochure is broken or extended for any reason an additional cost may be incurred. Airfares are subject to change at any time. Changes to flight itineraries and name changes may result in penalties charged by the Airline concerned and passed on to the passenger.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS

• Tour prices: Are based on costs, charges, tariffs, rates, prices, taxes, levies and exchange rates at 03 October 2002. Should any of these costs change, a surcharge may be made on the price of your vacation. If the total tour price increases by more than 10%, passengers will have the right to cancel within 7 days of notification of the surcharge without penalty. No surcharges in respect of cost or currency fluctuations will be made once payment of the deposit of your land tour is received. This guarantee excludes fuel surcharges and does not apply to any taxes, charges or levies imposed by any government or their agencies. In exchange for the guarantees, no refund will be made if costs are reduced.
• Child Price: Children 5-12 years of age (at start of tour) must share a room with two adults (adults pay appropriate twin room rate). Please see itinerary of your choice for the price per child, (LAND only). Certain exclusions apply to this discount. This discount cannot be combined with any other discount. Please see page 5 for full details. The adults who share with the child(ren) will be charged the appropriate price for the accommodation occupied - see page 123 for triple room discounts.
• Tour Participation: Children under 5 years of age are ineligible. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Trafalgar’s tours providing they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all assistance required, and do not require special assistance from Trafalgar personnel. Trafalgar reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone it is felt cannot cope with the requirements of coach tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Trafalgar cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Trafalgar group of companies responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
• Itinerary Variations: Trafalgar constantly strives to improve tour itineraries and features. If such improvements can be made, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary - we reserve the right to vary itineraries and to substitute hotels. At certain peak periods duplicate departures may operate, and sometimes in reverse order in which case hotels may vary from those stated on the itinerary pages. On tours that include cruises the ship may be changed due to Operational reasons.
• Seat Rotation: All seats are rotated daily and particular seats on coaches cannot be booked.
• Smoking: Smoking is strictly prohibited on the coach, however, regular comfort stops are made on traveling days.
• Tour Cancellation: Trafalgar reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control. If cancellation is made any time prior to departure* of the tour, Trafalgar’s only liability will be to refund to the passenger the amount it has received for the tour booking. Trafalgar will try to re-book the same or similar tour and, where flights have been confirmed by Trafalgar, will attempt to confirm air seats for new dates selected, subject to availability.
• Trafalgar is not responsible for any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations.
• If you have arranged with us to remain at a destination before or after your tour, please understand your stay will be at your sole expense as is the transfer to either the hotel or airport. Regrettably, Trafalgar are unable to provide transfers for passengers booking per and post night accommodation in all European cities, except at a London hotel booked by Trafalgar before or after your tour. Please also be aware if your extra night hotel where your tour begins, you will be responsible for your own transfer arrangements at your own expense.
• Once you have paid your deposit in full, the Land tour price confirmed to you by Trafalgar reservations department is fully guaranteed (excluding fuel surcharges and government taxes). The Trafalgar price guarantee is another reason why we are the No. 1 Tour Operator around the world.

RESPONSIBILTY

Trafalgar Tours Inc. referred to as the Operators, undertake the following duties:

• The Operators shall be responsible to the passenger for supplying the services and accommodations described in this brochure, except where such services cannot be supplied or the itinerary used is changed due to delays or other causes of whatever kind or nature beyond the control of the Operators. In such circumstances, the Operators will do their best to supply comparable services, accommodations and itineraries and there shall be no refund in this connection.
• This brochure represents the entire agreement between the passenger and the above mentioned Operators.
• In the absence of their own negligence, neither the Operators nor their agents or co-operating organizations shall be responsible for any cancellations or for acts of any other service providers concerned, diversions or substitution of equipment or any act, variations, postponements, omission or default whatsoever by air carriers, land carriers, hoteliers or hotels, transportation companies, or any other persons providing any of the services, accommodations or facilities necessitated by same. Nor shall they be liable for any loss or damage to baggage or property, or for injury, illness or death, or for any damages or claims whatsoever arising from loss, negligence or delay from the act, error, omission default or negligence of any person not its direct employee or under its exclusive control, including any act, error, omission, default, or negligence of any country, government or governmental authority, officer or employee. All baggage and personal effects are at all times and in all circumstances at the risk of the tour participant. Baggage insurance is recommended. Upon return to the United States, if lost articles are found and returned to the owner, a minimum service fee of $50 will be charged. The carriers, hotels and other suppliers who provide services on tour are independent contractors; they are not agents, employees or servants of the Operators or their associated companies. The Operators are not responsible for any criminal conduct by third parties.
• When the passenger occupies a motorcoach seat fitted with a safety belt, neither the Operators are nor their agents or co-operating organizations or service providers concerned will be liable for any injury, illness or death or any loss or damages or claims whatsoever arising from any accident or incident, if the safety belt is not being worn at the time of such accident or incident.
• Transportation companies, airlines etc. are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board planes, transportation or conveyances. The passenger contracts in use by the airlines or transportation companies when used shall constitute the sole contract between the airline, transportation company and passenger or purchaser of this tour and the Operators assume no responsibility in this connection. Enrollment in and payment for a tour shall constitute agreement and acceptance by the passenger of the terms and conditions set forth in this brochure which cannot be varied except in writing by an officer of the Company.
• The agreement arising between the passenger and the Operators under this brochure and the booking made by the passenger shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts & legal action arising under the Contract shall be litigated only in the appropriate Court having jurisdiction in the State, which shall have exclusive jurisdiction in the case of any dispute between the parties.
• In the case of computer or human billing errors we reserve the right to reinvoice parties participants with correct billing.
• Every effort is made to ensure brochure accuracy at the time of going to press; however Trafalgar cannot be held responsible for printing or typographical errors, or errors arising from unforeseen circumstances.
• The invalidity of any of the provisions hereof shall not effect the validity of any of the other provisions, and the agreement shall be construed as though such invalid provision had never been contained herein.

OTHER CONDITIONS

It is your responsibility to comply with the terms, conditions or requirements of any service provider, or any country or governmental authorities, or to bear any costs or losses incurred as a consequence of you not complying with them.

BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS

Your booking arrangements are to be made by your Travel Agent and the person effecting the booking shall be deemed to have accepted the booking conditions.

Trafalgar Tours, INC.
29-76 Northern Blvd.
Long Island City, NY 11101

The Trafalgar group of companies has offices/agents in Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Israel, London, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, USA, and Zimbabwe.

BEFORE YOU JOIN YOUR TOUR

Passports & Visas: You are responsible to all visas, entry, health and other requirements and any documents required by laws, regulations, orders and/or requirements of countries visited.

All passengers traveling in Europe require a Passport, valid for 6 months beyond the conclusion of their trip, and with appropriate. Multiple-entry visas are required for some European countries. Your Travel Agent or Airline will advise you on this. It is the responsibility of each passenger to have a valid Passport and necessary visas, as well as to comply with entry, health or other requirements of the countries visited.

The Operators and/or their servants and agents are not responsible for passport, visa requirements, entry, health or other requirements of the countries visited or for any loss sustained by you for failing to comply with laws, regulations, orders and/or requirements of countries visited.

Tour Documents: Please read the documents and tour literature which are sent to you, in an attractive passport wallet, before departure - they contain a wealth of advice and essential information to make your vacation as enjoyable as possible.

Electricity: Electrical adapters are needed if you wish to take along a hair dryer, electric razor, etc. Most hotels in Europe supply 220 volts. Check with you local electronic/radio shop or department store to purchase same.

Air Conditioning: Please be advised that foreign air conditioning systems in public places, ships, hotels and motorcoaches are not up to USA standards.

Holidays & Changes: During local or national holidays abroad, certain facilities such as museums, sightseeing tours and shopping may be limited. In such instances, and whenever possible, slight itinerary adjustments are made by Trafalgar Tours to minimize inconvenience to tour members. If, however, your enjoyment might be diminished by such minor limitations, please check with the respective national tourist office before selecting a departure. Holidays, closing days and other circumstances may change the day of the week for scheduled "dining out", gala dinners, sightseeing and other activities.

ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL TOURS

With Trafalgar, you will enjoy many of Europe’s famous highlights as included features on your tour – at no extra cost. However, there is an exciting array of Additional Highlight Excursions which we make available to further enhance your enjoyment.

These Excursions are optional, and are offered at special preferential prices. They can only be booked once you start your tour in Europe, as many of them are carefully programmed to coincide with the best highlights available at the time of your visit.

A detailed list and cost of these and many more exciting options is included in your tour documentation. You can book and pay for them through your Tour Director, by cash, Travellers Cheques or Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards.