APRIL 12-23, 2008
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
THE TOUR COSTS INCLUDE: First-class hotel accommodations as indicated in the itinerary, based on two persons sharing twin-bedded room with private bath and/or shower; single room supplement will be charged when required or requested; meals as indicated in the itinerary based on daily breakfast (B), four lunches (L), five dinners (D), and one cocktail receptions (R) on buffet or table d’hôte basis, including house wine, water, and coffee or tea; group transfers provided in conjunction with group tour flights; deluxe motorcoach transportation; transportation and handling of one regular size piece of luggage per person; entrance fees for all excursions and sites featured in the itinerary during group touring; gratuities to drivers, porters, waiters, and site guides; and taxes & service fees.
THE TOUR COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE: Round-trip, economy class air transportation (listed separately) Chicago-Rome-Chicago, including U.S. departure taxes; passport fees; foreign departure taxes; cost of personal, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; transportation of excess baggage; all items of a personal nature, such as laundry, telephone, mini-bar, etc.; meals and beverages other than specified; optional excursions or deviations from scheduled tour; porterage and individual transfers to join or leave the group when traveling independently; and any item not specifically mentioned as included.
RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT: Early reservations are essential. A deposit of $750 per person is required to ensure your participation. Balance of payment is due upon receipt of invoice, approximately 60 days prior to departure. Credit cards are not accepted.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY: Notification of cancellation must be received in writing by Travel Plans International, Inc. When your cancellation is received, the following penalties on land costs will apply: $250 at any time; 50% when less than 59 days prior to departure; 100% when less than 29 days prior to departure. Should a cancellation by a share person result in the necessity to accommodate a roommate in single accommodations, the cost of the single supplement also will be deducted from refunds due, if any, to the cancelled person. Lawrence University/Bjorklunden and Travel Plans International, Inc. do not assume responsibility for cancellation fees imposed by air carriers due to itinerary or departure changes, and for cancellations after ticketing deadlines.
UNUSED SERVICES: Rates are based on group participation, and there can be no refund for services or portions of the tour not taken. Refunds cannot be made to tour participants who do not complete the tour, for any reason.
TRIP CANCELLATION AND INTERRUPTION INSURANCE: Lawrence University and Travel Plans International, Inc. cannot be responsible or liable for loss, damage, or theft of personal baggage, nor can they be liable for personal injury, accident, or illness. We strongly advise travelers to purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance as protection against any emergency that may force cancellation before departure or separation from the tour while it is in progress. Details of our specially designed insurance policy will be forwarded upon your enrollment.
MEDICAL INFORMATION: It is the responsibility of the traveler to advise Travel Plans International, Inc., as early as possible, of any medical problem or dietary restriction. There are no compulsory health precautions necessary for this tour; however, we suggest that you check with your personal physician and your local health department for additional information and recommendations regarding your specific needs.
CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS: The cost of the tour is based on conversion rates in effect at the time of brochure production. In order to keep rates as low as possible, no allowances are built in to cover increases in conversion rates. Because currencies fluctuate constantly around the world, it may be necessary, before departure, to adjust the cost of the tour if substantial increases occur.
ITINERARY AND SCHEDULE CHANGES: The right is reserved to change the dates of operation, the itinerary, or the accommodations of any tour as conditions warrant. If a tour must be delayed, or the itinerary changed due to weather, transportation delays, government decisions, or any other contingency beyond our control, the cost of delays or changes is not included. Deviations and/or voluntary changes from the group itinerary made by the passenger incur a $35 administrative fee per occurrence.
PRIVATE FUNCTIONS: Private functions, when planned, are subject to the availability of the respective sponsors at time of travel and, occasionally, similar activities may have to be substituted.
ITINERARY/TOUR MEMBER CANCELLATION: The right is reserved to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants, strikes, wars, acts of God, or any other circumstance that may make operation of a tour inadvisable. All tour payments received from the participants for a tour cancelled by Travel Plans International, Inc., will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of our liability. We are not responsible for any expenses incurred by tour members in preparing for the tour, including nonrefundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visas, passport fees, or other tour-related expenses. The right is reserved to decline to accept any individual as a tour member for any reason whatsoever.
LIMITATION OF RESPONSIBILITY: Lawrence University, Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin / Travel Plans International, Inc., Naperville, Illinois, their affiliates, assignees and cooperative agents 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, ship, train, automobile, carriage, or other conveyance that is used in carrying out these tours, nor 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 and individuals engaged in the conveying of passengers; said companies or individuals are governed by laws of the country of operations, and recourse for any mishap must be filed locally. As common carriers, the liability of the operators of airlines, ships, buses, and trains toward their passengers will be limited by the laws of the country / countries in which they operate, and the passage contract in use by such carriers, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between those carriers and the purchaser of this tour and/or passenger. Participant(s) agree to assume full responsibility for their own safety during this tour; to release Travel Plans International and Lawrence University, their officials, employees, and agents from any and all claims or actions resulting from any injury, death, or damage to or loss of property that may occur to participant(s) during this tour; and to reimburse Travel Plans International and Lawrence University for any damages they are compelled to pay arising from any such claim, demand, action, or cause of action, on behalf of participant(s). Due to some of the limitations outlined above, additional insurance is advisable and will be offered upon enrollment. Upon payment of a deposit, the depositor acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the above terms and conditions and agrees to abide by them.
DISABLED TRAVELERS: Barrier-free facilities, which now are widely available in the United States, often are lacking at tour destinations abroad. Because of responsibilities to all participants, neither the drivers, local guides, or university representative can lend assistance if required. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that the disabled traveler be accompanied by a travel companion to provide assistance.
© 2006 Travel Plans International, Inc. CST 2045508-50