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Terms, Responsibilities & Conditions of Sale

Above all else, the success of a tour depends upon all participants sharing a 'go with the flow' philosophy.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ!

Special Group Tours is an accredited agent for Back-Roads Touring Co LTD. Following are the booking terms and conditions for Back-Roads Touring Co LTD, in which Special Group Tours acts in compliance.

For further information about the booking conditions for Country Lane Tours or Gate 1 Travel please visit the appropriate pages.

Special Group Tours is an US agent for these companies and acts in accordance with their individual policies.

For information about How to Book, How to Pay and the Cancellation Policy, please visit the Make a Payment page.

It is strongly suggested that all tour participants on a Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tour be in good health as walking is a fundamental part of each of these vacations. We cannot access historic town centres/villages solely by our mini-coach. In some such towns/villages coaches of any size are forbidden entry. Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tours are not suitable for anyone with physical disabilities or restriction of movement. Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tours are not specifically geared for the senior traveler and indeed you may find your fellow travelers are of a wide age range. Tour participants could originate from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Europe and the USA. All tours are conducted in English only.

All travelers who purchase a tour as arranged by BACK-ROADS TOURING CO. LTD (hereafter referred to as the 'Tour Operator') must agree to be bound by the following which forms the terms of your contract for travel.

The Tour Operator cannot guarantee that accommodations, food, beverages, ground transportation, airline or shipping services (hereafter only referred to as SERVICES) will be exactly as represented in the Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tour promotional literature. However, great care is taken in the contracting of all services but the Tour Operator cannot be responsible for any errors or omissions made by any of the suppliers of said services. In the unlikely event that a supplier fails to honour their contract with us, we do reserve the right to alter, change or cancel any services for which you have already purchased. If we are forced to change services, we would do our utmost to provide a comparable level although we cannot be liable for any difference in the quality or enjoyment except to the extent of a lower dollar value of the substituted service. Accommodations used are generally 3 star/crown standard. They are chose for their location, ambience, food and hospitality of the hosts. On some occasions, older historic properties of a 2 star plus standard are used as modern facilities such as elevators are not provided to obtain a 3 star/crown rating. All properties have been specifically selected by the Tour Operator.

It is our responsibility to advise all travelers there may be different living standards, practices and conditions with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodations in Europe than in other parts of the world. Please remember that one of the joys of a Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tour is the opportunity to discover the pleasures of rural life in specific parts of Europe.

Please note that on the majority of departures we have 2 rooms with one double bed, 3 rooms with two single beds (twin room) and 1 room designed for single travelers. We try to allocate you with a room according to your choice but cannot guarantee this. The vast majority of rooms at our featured accommodations do have private facilities assigned to each room - these may be immediately attached to your room or across the hall, but they would be your private facilities, not used by other passengers. In a few of our accommodations 'history' does not allow private en suites for each room. In the event that a 'shared' bathrooms ins only available at an accommodation, you will be advised of this prior to a Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tour reservation being made.

All prices for services and any additional services, i.e. extra hotel nights and day tours are set by the Tour Operator and based on international currency exchange rates as at October 2001. We reserve the right to levy a surcharge on any service purchased should the currency operating in the country where the services are purchased depreciate by more than 10% against the US$ dollar.

The Tour Operator does not accept any liability for any additional representations made by travel agents, airlines, cruise companies, accommodation staff, tour guides or other suppliers. All services described in this brochure are based upon information provided to us by our suppliers in good faith.

Please note that due to the nature of a Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tour, it may be necessary to change the itinerary or accommodation whilst the tour is in motion. The Tour Operator retains the right to make alterations in the itineraries as it seems to them necessary or desirable. Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd appeals to the flexible traveler wishing to experience a delightful, unique and informative vacation. Itineraries within this site and on other printed materials are guidelines and will be expounded upon whey you arrive.

Travelers should be aware that the meals and beverages included throughout Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd vacations may be of a different style and content than you may be accustomed to in your home country. However, it has been our experience that our Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd travelers have discovered dining to be one of the highlights of the Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd vacation! Evening meals are either taken in the accommodation or at a local pub or restaurant.

Portage of one suitcase per person is included wherever possible. We cannot guarantee that portage will be included at every accommodation stop. Due to the size of our tour coach, luggage is strictly limited to ONE SUITCASE AND ONE CARRY-ON BAG PER PERSON. A carry-on is defined as a purse, day pack or a camera bag. It may be possible to leave additional luggage at the hotel from which your tour originates, however, we cannot guarantee this service and the hotel may charge a fee for 'left luggage'.

Any complaints whilst on tour must first be brought to the attention of your Tour Driver/Guide who travels with you throughout this tour. If he/she cannot satisfactory solve this problem, please call the main Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd office in London at +44 181 566 5312. Any written complaints must be received by Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd within 30 days of your return date to your home country.

A VALID PASSPORT is required for all Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tour and it is the traveler's responsibility to secure same and to ensure they do not require a visa.

We reserve the right to refuse a reservation or to ask individuals to leave the tour if their condition and general deportment impedes the operation of the tour or affects the enjoyment of the tour by other passengers. We are pleased to note, however, that those who select a Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tour are generally very pleased with their fellow tour companions and close friendships commence almost immediately. No refunds for unused services would be given to anyone who has been asked to leave the tour.

The Tour Operator and any affiliated or associated companies or agents will not be liable or responsible in any way for loss, injury or damage caused to any property belonging to any group member. Baggage, personal effects and items purchased are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Whilst we proof read our web site and any promotional literature you receive several times prior to publishing, we cannot held liable for typographical errors regarding pricing, dates or descriptions of tours. All errors and omissions will be remedied as soon as noted.

Where the itineraries show it, airport transfers are included, or you are refunded whatever cash payment you are instructed to make (eg. from French airports). However, if we are not informed of your arrival flight at the time you are making your final payment then we are unable to provide this as a free service and you will be charged the applicable taxi rate for the airport to hotel transfer. It is your responsibility to ensure that either you or your agent provide us with this information within the required time-frame.

Airport transfers are not included in any tour of under ten days.

Please also note, if you do not meet up with our airport transfer representative immediately on arrival and decide to take an alternative method of transfer without the authority of our London operations office, Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd will not be responsible for the payment of any subsequent independent taxi you might catch.

Once we have accepted your deposit payment, Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd will not normally cancel your tour unless we are forced to do so by circumstances that are beyond our control (natural disasters, war, adverse weather conditions, industrial disputes etc.). In these cases you are given a full refund of your payment less any commission paid to agents who would be responsible for repayment of their commission according to their own terms and conditions. However, as a result of the events of Sept 11th 2001 and low demand for European tours, we reserve the right to cancel where the number of tour participants makes that tour uneconomic to run. Where we have accepted your booking, and it later becomes apparent that you might be the only person(s) on that tour, Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd will notify you of such and give you the opportunity of changing to another departure, or for you to cancel your tour without cost.