VAGABONDA LLC Terms and Conditions for Small Group Tours
RESERVATIONS: Sent in writing to alida@alidalifetravel.com – to confirm your space. You will receive an individualized proposal, with your name(s) and all details about the tour. A signature for acceptance is required. When the signed proposal is received by Vagabonda, you will receive the deposit invoice and payment link. Upon receipt of your deposit - your reservation will be confirmed.
Passports and Visas
Passengers are responsible for ensuring that they have the proper travel documents and MUST CHECK with the respective consulate(s) or visa agency to determine whether
any visas or passports are required. Passports are required to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the dates of travel. Some countries require a full blank page in the passport for stamping purposes. Please check with the respective consulate of the country(s) to be visited for current entry requirements.
Covid Travel Requirements Vaccinations, border entry requirements:
All participants are required to follow and adhere to the country entry regulations.
Travel Insurance
Life can be unpredictable. Even the best-planned trips can be impacted by the unexpected. And that is why we recommend that you help protect yourself and your investment by purchasing Travel Protection for your trip. Travel Protection can help with medical coverage for illness or injury, trip cancellation and/or interruption, baggage loss, medical evacuation, and more. At any time before you complete the Final Payment, you may choose to purchase Travel Protection. For insurance company recommendations, please reach out to alida@alidalifetravel.com
Cancel For Any Reason is recommended for all travelers and provided by your insurance company of choice. This feature allows you to cancel up to 72 hours before your scheduled departure for any reason not otherwise covered in the Travel Protection Plan.
Travel Documents
Your final payment is due 45 days prior to the departure date. Upon receipt of the payment / latest by 30 days prior to tour start, the travel documents will be sent to you via email.
Children
All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age for children on Vagabonda hosted small group tours is 8. Most hotels do not permit children under 18 to occupy a room without an adult. Accompanying adults are responsible for the safety of their children including providing any necessary safety equipment (such as child seats) where appropriate. Please note that many countries have adopted practices to prevent international abductions of children. If a person under the age of 18 years will be traveling with an adult other than his/her parents, or with only one parent, a notarized letter written by the parents, or non-traveling parent, granting authorization to travel, including the dates of travel should be carried. Children's rates will be sent to you on request.
PRICES
Prices are per person based upon shared twin/double room occupancy. Prices do not include items of a personal nature such as laundry, wines, water, beverages, food other than described in the itinerary, passport and visa fees, insurance, and foreign port taxes unless specifically indicated in the package inclusions.
Single supplement is quoted in each program/itinerary for single use of hotel rooms.
Triple rooms may be available upon request, at a slightly per person discounted rate.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION:
Deposit:
A non-refundable deposit is due at the time of reservation
All reservations: $500 per person
Final Payment:
All reservations: 45 days prior to tour start date
Late Payment: If there is any outstanding balance by the Final Payment Due date listed on your invoice, all travel services will be subject to automatic cancellation, and cancellation fees will apply.
Form of Payment: All payments due are in US Dollars. We accept payment in form of a personal check, wire transfer, major credit cards, or debit cards. Payments made within 30 days of departure must be made by credit or debit card.
Refunds: Refunds are processed to the credit card(s) originally used for payment
Cancellation: Once a partial or full payment has been made, cancellations will only be accepted in writing, sent directly to alida@alidalifetravel.com. Cancellation terms will be applied based on the date that the written cancellation is received and based on the following dates prior to departure.
Cancellation fees apply to tour packages and/or services as indicated below.
- Cancellation Charges Per Person prior to final payment: Full Deposit
- 45 days prior to departure – 100% full penalty
Cancellation Policies COVID
We are committed to making your travels worry-free and we want you to feel confident making your reservations. Our Travel with Confidence Policy is how we stand by that commitment. Should government-issued COVID restrictions delay or interrupt our planned small group trips, we will offer vouchers for 100% of the paid amount on a future date, valid for 2 years from your cancellation date. Vagabonda closely monitors all travel recommendations and protocols of the WHO as well as the countries we plan to visit and will work according to their guidelines. Safety requirements (like social distancing, hand washing, or wearing masks) that are in place at the time of travel are mandatory for guests.
Changes:
A passenger date change will be treated as a cancellation subject to our cancellation policy, and a new reservation must be made.
Changing the passenger’s name is free of charge but must be done latest by 14 days prior to the tour date.
Delays and flight changes
Airfare is NOT included in the price and every passenger should purchase their own air arrangements. Vagabonda is not responsible for any inconvenience, or any costs or fees incurred by delays, lost luggage, or disruption of air service. We recommend you contact the airline within seven (7) days of departure to reconfirm your flights and check into your flight for your boarding pass 24 hours prior to departure.
Airport arrival and departure transfers
Your arrival and departure shared transfers are included in the price on the day the tour starts and on the day the tour ends. The included transfers are from and to the local airport, or any other address within city limits. You may share your transfer with fellow travelers who arrive at a similar time, within 1 hour from your arrival.
Luggage
We always recommend you travel light! In the final travel documents that will be sent to you 30 days prior to tour start, you will find a list of suggestions of which items to bring along.
Keep an eye on your luggage, it is your responsibility throughout the trip. Vagabonda is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to baggage and/or personal belongings at any time during the tour, or on included transfers and other transportation. A protection plan covering lost, stolen, or damaged baggage is available through Travel insurance. For insurance recommendations please reach out to alida@alidalifetravel.com
Checking in:
Check-in starts at 2 PM. Guests who arrive early can store luggage or wait in one of the public areas of the hotel.
Checking out:
Check-out is typically by 11 AM or 12 PM. Later check out is possible at a supplement.
Mandatory Passenger Registration
All guests are required to register for the tour with the following necessary information:
• Your personal details, including passport details, home address, email, and phone number.
• Emergency contact info
• Travel insurance status
• Any dietary, medical, or other special requirements you may have
• Deposit Payment
Before the tour:
Final payment must be done 45 days prior to tour commencement.
Latest by 30 days before your travel documents will be sent to the email you used for registration. The travel documents will include all the necessary + good to know information, up-to-date regulations, and situation, what to bring along, how to dress, tipping guidelines, and similar.
Itinerary Changes
You can count on the value of Vagabonda’s experience and regional knowledge to make sure you enjoy your tour with Alida even when conditions that are beyond our control, occur. Vagabonda reserves the right to modify the order of visits and/or substitute itineraries in case of extreme weather conditions and/ or force majeure. In such cases, we will do everything we can to make sure the locations visited, the excursions or the transportation offered are as similar as possible to our initial program features and inclusions. Any changes to itineraries will not result in eligibility for a refund. Itineraries are subject to change without notice and may need to be altered specifically because of weather, wind factors, or other unpredictable conditions. Guests who choose to cancel or interrupt their tour due to an itinerary change will be subject to our standard Cancellation Policy.
Advanced, Cancelled, or Delayed Tour
Vagabonda reserves the right to cancel, advance, postpone or modify scheduled departure, return, or itinerary dates, as well as locations, events, and schedules, and may, but is not obligated to, substitute, vary, alter, reschedule, cancel and/or relocate any accommodations, modes of transportation and other aspects of the tour. Vagabonda is authorized to take these actions due to causes or circumstances of any kind or nature beyond Vagabonda’s control that deems to make such actions appropriate. Vagabonda will not be liable for cancellation, delay, rescheduling or other adjustment or impact to a departure or itinerary, or other aspects of the tour brought about due to force majeure or other circumstances beyond its control that prevent or interfere with any aspect of the tour, also including governmental and administrative actions. The company’s only liability will be to provide passengers the amount it has received for the contract in the form of future travel credit or at Vagabonda’s discretion a refund of monies paid in connection with the tour, Vagabonda is not responsible for other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations or changes and is not liable for any cancellation or change costs or penalties incurred on other travel arrangements, including air tickets.
Security & Safety
Security and safety are a major concern to all of us and the global situation is constantly changing. Events around the world, coupled with the “Travel Advisories” put out by various governments, may at times necessitate changes to the itinerary or even trip cancellation. Risks are involved in travel to any country that may experience security difficulties. You must accept these risks and assume responsibility for your own travel decisions.
Ship Rules for boat trips
Passengers on board are obliged to abide by the ship rules, as the captain is responsible for the safety of all passengers and the crew. Jumping and diving from the boat during navigation, as well as climbing on the masts, is strictly forbidden. Swimming far from the boat or the coast should be avoided. It is strictly forbidden to throw rubbish into the sea. The ship’s captain has the right to remove any guests who become unruly, threatening, or behave in an unsafe manner. In such cases, these passengers will not be entitled to any refund.
Personal Responsibility—COVID-19 Warning
Our partners, including hotels and transportation companies, have introduced enhanced hygiene protocols—for you and all other guests, as well as their team members, our service providers: Guides, Drivers, Receptionists, and similar. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the U.S. State Department and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. We ask that you please take personal responsibility for your well-being. This begins with packing any personal protective equipment and sanitizers you require. Please adopt physical distancing and hygiene practices throughout your pre-trip travel arrangements and follow all health instructions. In choosing to travel with Vagabonda, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. Let’s help keep each other safe and healthy.
Health and Mobility
Vagabonda strives to provide a safe, enjoyable, and memorable travel experience for all passengers. We welcome passengers with special needs or disabilities. However, please note the following:
• Passengers are required to advise Vagabonda, at the time of booking of any physical, medical, or other special needs that require accommodation. After the time of booking, should a Passenger develop a physical or medical condition that requires accommodation, the Passenger is required to advise Vagabonda immediately.
• All guests must ensure they are medically and physically fit for travel. Vagabonda may impose safety requirements necessary for the safe operation of the tour. Vagabonda may also exclude an individual from participating in a tour or an activity if that individual’s participation poses a direct threat to health or safety.
• Vagabonda does not provide personal devices (such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or prescription eyeglasses) or services of a personal nature (such as pushing a wheelchair or assistance in eating, toileting, or dressing). A companion capable of providing such assistance must accompany any passenger who requires services of a personal nature.
• Vagabonda does not employ medical personnel. Any necessary medical attention will be provided by a local facility at the passenger’s expense. Vagabonda is not responsible or liable for any losses or costs incurred as a result of medical services obtained while on tour, or for the quality of the care or services received.
• Passengers should be aware some visits include rough terrain, extensive walking over cobblestone streets, uneven pavement, stairs, and locations that may not be easily accessible or accessible by wheelchair. During the tour, Vagabonda may decide to provide travel services performed by independent suppliers. These parties are independent entities over which Vagabonda has no control. Accommodations on international tours may differ from those in the United States.
Complaints
We hope that you will be happy with the service and program, but shall any issues arise, please act in goodwill by talking to your Tour Manager. We will do our best to correct any issues to your satisfaction during the tour.
If the problem is not resolved to your satisfaction, please describe the issue in writing, during the tour. Send it to alida@alidalifetravel.com, or write it on paper, sign it and hand it over to the Tour Manager.
Hotel Accommodations
All rooms are standard twin or double rooms with private facilities unless you have specifically requested and paid for an upgraded room category. Room selection in all cases, unless otherwise reserved, is strictly at the discretion of the hotel's management on a run-of-house basis. Special requests such as bed types, smoking preference, and connecting rooms are subject to availability. Triple rooms consist of standard twin beds or one double bed plus a sofa/folding bed or cot for a third person, a fee may be charged by the hotel for the addition of a cot/rollaway. Some single rooms are smaller than the standard room size. The number of persons accommodated does not dictate the room size. Although available at most 4 and 5-star hotels, the use of air-conditioning abroad differs greatly from the United States. Many European hotels were built before central air-conditioning was introduced. Air-conditioning is often shut down at night and from the end until the start of the summer months. All hotel rates are based on Vagabonda agreements with its suppliers and are not negotiable.
Hotel descriptions
Vagabonda hotel descriptions are based upon information provided to Vagabonda
by hotel partners and their representatives, including images and descriptions. Star ratings may differ from country to country. Vagabonda does its best to maintain current information, however is not responsible for any inaccuracies, changes in description details or amenities, or images provided by third parties.
Meals
As specified in each itinerary, In general, beverages are not included, unless specifically stated. Dietary requests and preferences should be provided at the time of booking or submitted in writing at least 15 days prior to tour start. Although Vagabonda cannot make any guarantees, every effort will be made to honor special dietary requests. Terminology for dietary requests can vary from country to country. Therefore, we recommend that you make your wishes known to your tour manager upon arrival, and at each hotel/restaurant.
Sightseeing & Itinerary
Our tours are operated by motor-vehicle, its size is dictated by the number of participants. Vagabonda tours have been designed to accommodate individuals as well as groups. The number of participants may vary during the tour. Times listed in itineraries are approximate and meant only as guidelines. Some itineraries may have early morning start times for sightseeing in order to complete the touring during daylight hours or to avoid afternoon heat in Europe during Summer. It is your responsibility to arrive on time for all scheduled tour activities. Arriving late may be considered a "no-show", in which case you will not be eligible for a refund for the unused service(s). On dates including, but not limited to religious holidays and national celebrations, some monuments and sites may be closed. On these occasions, touring itineraries may be amended to reflect these closures. Occasionally, during holidays and certain periods, and/or due to unforeseen circumstances including weather conditions there may be last-minute changes, sometimes after arrival, affecting the sequence of the tour, locations visited, and/or hotels. Therefore, we reserve the right to adjust the sequence and/or substitute any hotels with others of a similar category. In such cases, there will be no cost adjustment. National monuments and tourist sites regularly undergo renovations, which can obscure the monument's view. No tour will be canceled due to renovations; however, Vagabonda will decide based on the conditions whether to amend an itinerary.
English Language
Our hosted small group tours are conducted in English only and all Tour Managers, local guides and hosts speak English. All commentary and instructions will be provided in English only. For maximum enjoyment and understanding, you must be able to understand, read and speak English.
Non-Operation of Hosted Small Group Tour
Tour packages are based upon a minimum number of participants. Vagabonda reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any hosted small group tour or individual booking for any reason including insufficient demand or events beyond our control.
Cancellation will be advised at least 45 days prior to the tour's departure, and all money will be refunded. Vagabonda will not be held responsible for any costs relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of airline tickets or visa fees.
Group Harmony
To ensure the desired group synergy, Vagabonda reserves the right to accept, reject or expel any individual who is deemed disruptive or incompatible with the interests of the group, including, but not limited to, (a) if it is reasonably believed that an individual is dangerous to others or to themselves; (b) has engaged in or threatening to engage in behavior that may adversely affect the safety, security, well-being or enjoyment of other individuals; (c) who are intoxicated and/or under the influence of drugs (d) who has failed or refused to follow standard rules and procedures or the instruction of Vagabonda representatives or the tour managers. Expenses, including cancellation fees and/or costs for alternate travel plans or to return home, will be the responsibility of the passenger. All unused services are non-refundable.
Travel Safety Advice
We take your safety and security very seriously. We have a strong network of tour managers, ground operators, and colleagues which help us stay informed in all the destinations that we operate. We closely monitor local situations which enable us to make the operational decisions necessary to keep any tour running safely. Millions of people travel the world each year and experience enjoyable and safe trips but crimes against people and property are sadly a fact of life. It is very important to be aware of your surroundings and avoid drawing attention to yourself. Please remember that you have the same responsibility for your personal safety and possessions as you do at
home. It is essential to prepare for a safe and healthy trip abroad. Therefore, before you travel, we strongly recommend that you visit the website of the US Department of State at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html for up-to-date travel advice on the countries that you are visiting. The website provides useful information on subjects such as safety and security information, health precautions and medications, health insurance, and additional tips for traveling abroad. If you do not reside in the United States, we recommend you check your government's travel advisory website for any country you will be visiting. We recommend that you review the safety guidelines that may be provided by us, our agents, or suppliers, either before you go or when you arrive at your destination. We do know that in spite of careful planning, things can sometimes still go wrong, so rest assured, we will be there to help and support you.
Tipping
Complete tipping guidelines are provided with final travel documents
Emergency Contact Details
It is recommended that you provide emergency contact details prior to travel. The reason we collect this information is to be able to get in contact with family or friends in
the rare case of an emergency.
RELEASE FROM LIABILITY: Vagabonda LLC, its shareholders, directors, officers, employees, and affiliates, (collectively "Vagabonda") does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip including, for example, ownership or control over hotels or other lodging facilities, airline, vessel, bus, van or other transportation companies, local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions or equipment used thereon, food service or entertainment providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Vagabonda is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or
of any other third party. Without limitation, Vagabonda is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, acts of government, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, or the threat thereof, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any
transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely or safely, diseases and dangers associated with or bites from animals, pests or insects, marine life or vegetation of any sort, dangers incident to recreational activities such as swimming, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, rafting, hiking, walking, bicycling, etc., sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, illness, epidemics or the threat thereof or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Vagabonda.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK: I am aware that travel such as that I am undertaking involves hazardous activities, with a risk of illness, injury, or death which may be caused by forces of nature, animals, insects, or flora, the negligence of any service provider, or other persons and companies known or unknown, or of the willful or criminal conduct of third parties. I am aware that weather conditions may be severe, adverse, and/or unpleasant. I am also aware that medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible during some or all of the time during which I am participating in the trip. In order to partake of the enjoyment and excitement of this trip, I am willing to accept the risks and uncertainty involved as being an integral part of my adventure. I hereby accept and assume full responsibility for any and all risks. I understand the physical requirements of the activity in which I will be participating, and I currently
have no known physical, medical, or mental condition which would impair my ability to participate in this tour or my safety in this activity, and I am willing to assume all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. I hereby authorize Vagabonda or my local ground handler or others to arrange for any emergency medical treatment and hospitalization as may be necessary for
me because of participation in this activity without my further consent.
VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION
I acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate in the trip designated on this application (or a trip which I may change to) and that I have read the description of
the trip as it appears in the current official Vagabonda website (www.alidalifetravel.com), together with all information contained in this terms and conditions. I am voluntarily participating in this trip with knowledge of the hazards involved.
KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY EXECUTION
I have carefully read these Terms and Conditions and the booking information sections of this document, fully understand its contents, and certify that I am 18 years of age or older. I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract between myself and
Vagabonda, and agree of my own free will. By signing the proposal received from Vagabonda, in my name, with the travel dates and detailed description; I agree to these Travel Terms & Conditions in full for myself, each member of my traveling party and any minor children accompanying me.