Terms & Conditions
European Tours
Valid January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008
Reservations
A deposit of $500.00 per person is required; the balance is due from 45 to 60 days prior to departure. Contact your Travel Agent.
Hotels
Deluxe and first class hotel accommodations in chateaux hotels, castle hotels, country hotels and inns wherever possible. Subject to availability and based on single, twin and triple-bedded rooms with private bath wherever available and inclusive of service charges and taxes.
Meals
Continental breakfast included at hotels.
Cancellation/Changes
Cancellations received more than 60 days prior to the commencement of the tour will be subject to a $500.00 per person cancellation penalty. Cancellations received between 60 and 45 days prior to the commencement of the tour will be subject to a cancellation charge of 30% of the tour cost. Cancellations received between 45 and 15 days prior to the commencement of the tour will be subject to a cancellation charge of 40% of the tour cost. Cancellations received within 15 days will be subject to forfeiture of the entire tour cost. There will be a charge of $30.00 per change for any changes made after payment has been received.
Tour Planning
Charges for our services in planning and operating your trip are included (securing of reservations, issuance of documents, preparation of detailed itineraries, etc.) based on the complexity of the land arrangements. Communication expenses incurred by us in effecting arrangements. These charges are in addition to commissions, if any, received from organizations providing travel accommodations.
Not Included
Immigration, port/airport taxes or similar taxes levied locally. Tips, laundry, excess baggage charges and other items of a similar personal nature are not included. Wines, liquors, mineral water or other beverages such as tea and coffee when not included on the regular menu. Gasoline, Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) not included on self drive rates. Car drop charges where applicable are not included.
Documents
A valid passport is required for travel in Western Europe. A valid American drivers license is required in Europe. The Car Rental agent assume the right to refuse any request for rental, including requests from persons under the age of 25, persons not in possession of a recognized valid state driving license, or persons, who in the opinion of the Car Rental agent, constitute a risk.
Rates
All rates as quoted are based on current tariffs and current rates of exchange and are, therefore, subject to modification and change.
Air Transportation
The cost of air transportation is not included in the land arrangements quoted.
Self-Drive Tours
Self drive cars are supplied by Avis, Herzt, Europcar or Kemwell for the full duration of the tour selected. Local independent car rental companies may be used when necessary. The rental includes unlimited mileage, unlimited public liability insurance, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), property damage, local added value tax, oil and maintenance. Gasoline, and Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), theft and fire are not included.
Drop off charges on international one-way rentals not included. Drop off charges between major cities in Italy not included.
Private Car And Chauffeur/Guide Tours
Chauffeur driven cars include all taxes, unlimited insurance, gasoline, oil, garage, maintenance of the car, salary and board of the driver. Chauffeurs are English-speaking and serve as guides, accompanying our clients throughout the length of their tour, and are well versed in the cultural and touristic points of interest. Gratuities to the driver are not included.
We strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance.
Special toll-free number for travel agents only: 1-800-426-7502
Fax: 206-340-8891
E-mail:
Responsibility
AutoVenture, Division of AutoVenture International, Inc., 720 3rd Ave, #2200 Seattle, Washington, 98104, U.S.A. Telephone: 800-426-7502, its affiliates, assignees, cooperative agents and your travel agent act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation, hotels, and automobile contractors. They exercise every care possible, but cannot be held responsible for personal injury in connection with the service of any airplane, train, automobile, carriage or other conveyances which is used in carrying out these tours, or are they responsible for delay, accident, sickness, loss of personal property, strikes, armed conflict, additional expenses due to weather, disruption of advertised schedules, refusal of visas, or other causes beyond their control. Further, the operation of the vehicles used in their tours is the full responsibility of the companies or individuals engaged in the conveying of passengers. Unforeseen conditions may necessitate tour changes and the right is reserved to make such changes or withdraw the tour as deemed advisable. The right is also reserved to refuse, to accept or retain any passengers or any tour at any time. All cooperating IATA, ATC airlines and steamship companies are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board; the limit of their liability is that of a common carrier and the passage contract in use by such carriers, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between companies and the purchaser of this tour and/or passenger.
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 be binding arbitration in Seattle, Washington, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration then existent.