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 30 May 2021

You may freely reproduce or distribute this article for noncommercial purposes as long as you give credit to me as original writer.