Terms and Conditions
01/01/2006 through 12/31/2006
Included in quoted Escorted Programs and Services:
Prices are valid to December 2006 and include all accommodations as noted in the itinerary; meals as specified; arrival and departure transfers (regardless of arrival and departure days); fully guided sightseeing as noted in the itinerary (including park and entrance fees); selected beverages with group meals; bottled water served on the motor coaches, services of an Tuscan-Colors Tour Manager (please see condition noted below); baggage handling of two pieces per person; for international flights, other conditions/restrictions may apply for internal routes, please see under Baggage section; hotel taxes; gratuities throughout except to your Tour Manager and ship's crew** (please see separate section on Gratuities for more details).
**Gratuities on Escorted Programs are included for hotel/restaurant staff, baggage handling and local guides/drivers. Gratuities are not included for the TUSCAN-COLORS Tour Director or for ship's crew, where applicable, which are at the traveler's discretion and should be based on the level of satisfaction with the service received. Our suggestion is USD10 per person per day to be presented individually to the Tour Manager at the conclusion of the tour.
Not included in quoted Escorted Program prices:
Passenger Travel Protection Program; international and internal airfares unless otherwise noted; cost of obtaining passports or entry visas; airport departure taxes unless otherwise noted; excess baggage charges; gratuities to the Tuscan-Colors Tour Manager on Escorted Programs or ship's crew as outlined in the Gratuities on Escorted Programs section; meals other than specified in the itinerary; beverages other than noted in your "Pre-Tour Documentation," sightseeing not included in the itinerary; personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges and optional activities (which are subject to availability).
NOTE WE DO NOT GUARANTEE!!!!
Guaranteed Departures: A decision to operate a tour will be made no later than 60 days prior to the start date of the tour and from that time all said departures are guaranteed. Some dates may be subject to a minimum number of passengers to operate, (excepting only cases of force majeure, which could include any major world event that adversely affects international travel patterns and other circumstances beyond Tuscan-Colors' control). Should the minimum number of passengers not be met, Tuscan-Colors will offer one of the following options: modify the services of the original tour to accommodate a smaller group at a possibly different price or offer an alternative tour. Should no alternative be suitable, Tuscan-Colors will offer a full refund of all monies paid.
Itineraries:
Accommodations (hotel or vessel) and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond Tuscan-Colors control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued.
Special Requests:
Special requests such as smoking/non-smoking, adjacent or connecting rooms and special dietary needs should be advised at time of booking. Please note that every effort will be made to secure your special request; however, these requests cannot be guaranteed.
Prices and Arrangements:
Quoted program prices include planning, handling and operational charges, and are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of June 2005 Tuscan-Colors reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. Tuscan-Colors is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any Escorted or Tailor Made program. Modification of tour content to accommodate a smaller group size may affect published tour price.
TUSCAN-COLORS, INC. also reserves the right to withdraw a tour or any part of it and to make such alterations in the itinerary or with the tour inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable and to pass on to tour members any expenditures or losses caused by delays or events beyond its control.
Immediate Check-in:
On programs where immediate check-in has not been included in the program price, Tuscan-Colors does request that hotels do their utmost to facilitate this service; however, it is not guaranteed. Most hotels allow check-in to take place during the mid-afternoon. Should you wish to have your room ready for immediate check-in upon arrival, Tuscan-Colors can arrange this for an additional charge. Please ask for details and prices.
Arrive Early:
Tuscan-Colors recommends that you arrive a day or two before the start of your tour to allow time to relax and refresh after your journey and to prepare for the start of your program. Tuscan-Colors has negotiated special overnight rates at several properties listed on our website. Please ask for details at time of booking. Departing early from the U.S. is also recommended in the winter months, due to possible flight disruptions and cancellations caused by inclement weather conditions.
Itinerary Design on Escorted Programs:
Sightseeing in Europe can involve walking on uneven terrain (usually cobbled streets), therefore a minimum level of fitness would be required to participate and enjoy the program as intended. Required level would be equivalent to what is obtained by routine daily exercise such as energetic walking. Activities during the programs contained in these itineraries could also include (but are not limited to) off-road walking especially around ancient ruins. Tuscan-Colors, therefore, will require notice if any participant has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to himself or herself or to other members of the group. If there is concern with your fitness level please discuss this at time of booking. Tuscan-Colors reserves the right to remove from the trip, at the participant's own expense, anyone whose condition is such that it could create a hazard to himself or herself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers on the trip.
Should you have any questions or need any clarification about a specific program, please ask for details at time of booking.
Baggage:
Tour prices include the handling of two pieces of baggage per person. Weight restrictions on some routes on internal air flights may apply; details will be provided with preliminary tour documentation. Baggage and personal effects are at owner's risk throughout the travel program. Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions applicable to your international flights.
Child Policy:
On non-family programs, unless otherwise indicated on the individual tour page, a minimum age of 10 years is required. On family programs, unless indicated on the individual tour page, there is no minimum age requirement. However, some activities contained within a tour may have a different age restriction than the overall minimum age requirement. Details will be provided at the time of booking.
Please note: Tuscan-Colors reserves the right to marginally exceed the published maximum group size on family programs to accommodate a family.
Passports and Visas:
Valid U.S. passports are required for travel to the destinations served by Tuscan-Colors. Check with your travel agent or Tuscan-Colors for the latest visa requirements. Please note that non U.S. passport holders are responsible for obtaining the required documentation applicable for entry.
Registration and Payment Schedule:
For all programs on our website or published in our brochure a deposit of $750.00 USD per person is required at the time of booking. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made within 60 days of departure, the entire cost of the trip must be paid at the time of confirmation.
Cancellation Charges:
The following fees shall apply at the time we receive your written cancellation notice:
- More than 90 days prior to departure: USD250
- From 90 to 61 days prior to departure: USD500
- From 60 to 46 days prior to departure: USD750
- Fewer than 46 days prior to departure: 100% of the Tour Price
Cancellation Charges for Extra Services:
Additional hotel nights and other extra services booked in connection with Tuscan-Colors programs are subject to: cancellations received 31 or more days prior to the service will be refunded in full; 30-15 days in advance will be charged 50% of the price; 14 or less days in advance will be charged 100% of the price.
Claims and Refunds:
Refunds are not made for any missed services, except for verifiable extenuating circumstances. Please see our Limits on Responsibility on this page. For verifiable claims to be considered, they must be received in writing within 30 days of the termination of the program and be accompanied by supporting documentation and/or a statement from the Operating Company verifying the claim. Any adjustment considered will be based on the actual price of the services involved and not on a per diem basis. Adjustments will not be made for unused sightseeing trips or meals. Tuscan-Colors will not accept any liability for any claims that are not received within 30 days of the termination of your travel program. All claims for days missed while traveling should be made in writing within 30 days of the termination of the program.
Photography during Travel:
Tuscan-Colors reserves the right to take photographs during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use them for promotional purposes. By booking a program with Tuscan-Colors, program members agree to allow their images to be used in such photographs. Program members who prefer that their images not be used are asked to identify themselves to their Tour Manager at the beginning of their program.
Limits on Tuscan-Colors' Responsibility:
There are certain risks and dangers in traveling which are inherent and as such, Tuscan-Colors expects to share these with our clients. Our guests will be required to accept the terms of a release of liability as part of the booking process. Risks inherent in our tours may include, but are not limited to, those arising from weather conditions; illness or accident caused by stress, fatigue, consumption of alcoholic beverages or other reasons, secondary transportation by airplane, helicopter, bus, car, van, taxi, boat or other conveyance; failure to perform or failure to perform in a satisfactory manner of any secondary service providers including but not limited to hotels, restaurants, cooking schools, local guides and touring companies. Tuscan-Colors assumes no responsibility for any claims, damages, expenses nor liability for any claim, damages, expenses or other financial loss whether to person or property arising out of the assumption of these risks by the traveler.
Tuscan-Colors, Inc., its employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents and assigns (collectively Tuscan-Colors), does not own or operate any entity (except for Tuscan-Colors, Inc..) which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip. It purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling and other services from various independent suppliers (including from time to time other affiliated Tuscan-Colors companies). All such persons and entities are independent contractors .As a result Tuscan-Colors is not liable for any negligent or willful act of any such person or entity or of any third person.
In addition and without limitation, Tuscan-Colors is not responsible for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure (USE ITALICS), illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time. There are certain inherent risks in adventure travel of the type involved here. These include, but are not limited to, risks of white water rafting, kayaking and rafting (for example, dangers of rapidly moving water, rocks and other submerged objects, hypothermia, etc.), horseback riding (for example, unpredictable behavior by the horses, being spooked ,etc.) hiking, walking safaris, downhill or cross country skiing (for example, equipment failures, ice or other trail obstructions), and in all trips dangers of animals, inaccessibility to medical attention and difficulty in evacuation from remote locations in the case of a medical emergency. Passenger assumes all such risks with regard to these possibilities.
Travel Advisories and Warnings:
It is the responsibility of the Traveler to become informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to the U.S. State Department's travel Web site at www.travel.state.gov or by phone at 1-888-407-4747. In the event of an active State Department Travel Warning against travel to the specific destination location(s) of the trip, should The Traveler still choose to travel, notwithstanding any travel advisory or warning, The Traveler assumes all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.
Arbitration Agreement:
Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating in any way to these Terms and Conditions, to the Responsibility Clause, to the brochure, or any information relating in any way to the trip, or to the trip itself, shall be settled solely and exclusively by binding arbitration in Northern California, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then existent.
Traveler Representation:
The Traveler represents that neither he nor she nor anyone traveling with him or her has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to himself or herself or other members of the tour. Tuscan-Colors reserves the right to decline to accept anyone on a trip. Tuscan-Colors reserves the right to remove from the trip, at his or her sole expense, anyone whose condition is such that he or she could create a hazard to himself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers on the trip.
PAYMENT OF THE PROGRAM PRICE CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN AND IN MORE SPECIFIC PRE-DEPARTURE PASSENGER DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING THE RESERVATION CONFIRMATION FORM.
Tuscan-Colors accepts VISA, MASTERCARD, & DISCOVER CARDS
