Terms and Conditions
Please read the following Terms & Conditions carefully;
Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd asks you to consider the following Terms & Conditions prior to making a reservation.
By booking with us and paying the deposit and full payment, you acknowledge that you have read, and understood and agree to be legally bound by these Terms & Conditions.
Boutique Tours & Travel may amend these terms and conditions at any time. All amended Terms & Conditions shall automatically be effective upon being posted on this website. Accordingly, we recommend you check the website frequently for any changes to these Terms and Conditions.
If you have paid a deposit on a tour, Boutique Tours & Travel will notify you as soon as possible of any changes to the tour.
Exchange Rates & Final Costs:
Boutique Tours & Travel maintains a dynamic approach to pricing, although we endeavour to provide a set price for tours, we have outlined Boutique Tours & Travel pricing policy:
Current Pricing: Tour rates are accurate at the time of publication but are subject to revision.
Adjustments for Fluctuations: In response to significant shifts in exchange rates or major a changes to government taxes impacting a sinficant increase to service costs, prices may be adjusted accordingly.
Consideration of Cost of Living: Significant Increases in living expenses may prompt adjustments to tour prices.
Flexibility in Pricing: The company reserves the right to modify prices as needed, indicating that initially quoted prices may change.
Price Stability Not Guaranteed: Despite receiving payments (deposit and tour invoice), prices are not guaranteed to remain unchanged. Guests should be aware of the potential for adjustments even after making a payment.
Continued Adjustment Authority: finals tour costs adjustments may occur even after the initial deposit & tour payment has been received, up until the start of the tour particulars of the tours may change..
This policy enables Boutique Tours & Travel to adapt to economic changes while ensuring transparency and flexibility for customers throughout the booking process.Boutique Tours & Travel
I wish to confirm that I will cap the price of the tour as is unless the Australia Dollar rises by 10 cent -10% the Australian Dollar decreases by 10 cents = 10%
'Should the exchange rate change beyond these parameters, the total tour cost (increases or decreases) may be revised. The revision to tour costs affected by the exchange rate differential will be limited so that they only reflect the change between the baseline exchange rate (as at 12/7/2024 - 12 midday) and the new exchange rate at the time the exchange rate fluctuation is incurred by the tour operator. Any proposed changes to total tour costs will be advised to the customer with ample notice'.
RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT:
For most Bookings except Italy
AU $1,000.00 per person non refundable deposit is required to confirm your place on a Tour
Cash/cheque and Bank Transfers are available.
Deposits are non transferable.
Please complete the ‘Booking Form’ via the tour webpage and forward a photocopy of the front page of your passport.
RECEIPT OF DEPOSIT
By sending a deposit the client agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in this document. a reciept for your deposit and final payment will be sent with in 7 days after confirmation of bank receipt.
BALANCE OF PAYMENT
Final balance is due to be received by Boutique Tours & Travel 90 days prior to the confirmed tour departure date.
Failure to pay the full amount 60 days before your Tour, Boutique Tours & Travel shall have the right to cancel your booking and retain your deposit.
CANCELLATION POLICY – ALL TOURS
All cancellations must be received in writing. Email confirmation is permitted.
If cancelling 79 days or less prior to the Tour, a cancellation refund fee of 75% applies.
If cancelling 49 days or less prior to the Tour, a cancellation refund fee of 50% applies.
If cancelling 30 days or less a cancellation refund fee of 10% applies.
If cancelling 21 days or less there is likely to be no cancellation refund. (Apply for travel insurance)
INSURANCE
Insurance is compulsory on a Boutique Tours & Travel journey. It is a condition of travel that each passenger is adequately covered by a proper insurance cover. Please also check the contingencies of your prospective insurance cover and ensure you are aware of its conditions and omissions. We strongly advise you obtain travel insurance from time of booking to provide full cover.
Boutique Tours & Travel cannot in any way be made liable for any additional cost incurred by the customer on any tour.
Travel insurance may be ‘attached’ to your credit card, although usually such cover is effective only if your travel arrangements have been purchased with the card.
Insurance cover from credit cards often does not include payment of medical expenses. Please check your policy carefully. It is generally recommended that you should also consider full comprehensive travel insurance also.
(Many credit card companies do not provide an insurance policy number. In this instance, you will require a record of your credit card number, to activate any request for emergency assistance.)
If you plan to use your credit card as your insurance cover, it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the requirements set out by your credit card company in order to be effectively covered and that the cover offered is of a suitable standard.
You should also travel with a copy of the travel insurance information booklet provided by your credit card. (Or have it on your phone/computer)
To apply or to discuss Travel Insurance with Boutique Tours and Travel please Contact Us.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport is current. All international passengers require a current passport with at minimum 6 months validity after the return date of any tour and at least two blank pages for immigration and visa stamps. Visa requirements vary for different nationalities and depend on the countries visited during the tour. Visa advice is given prior to each tour .
Passport and visa requirements are not our responsibility.
We are not liable for any loss or expense due to a passenger’s failure to have a valid passport or visa. We will advise procedures for obtaining a visa (if applicable) and provide assistance regarding an application if required.
For security reasons, all international travel and hotels require your name exactly as it appears in your passport, it remains your responsibility to advise these details correctly. If you do not provide the correct information you may not be able to travel and international domestic flights may be required to re-issue airline tickets or other documentation, the passenger will bare all costs incurred.
Ultimately, Boutique Tours & Travel cannot be held responsible for any delays, damages and/or losses, including missed portions of tours, related to improper or insufficient travel documentation.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT DETAILS
All Passengers are requested to provide Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd with their international flight schedules no later than 30 days prior to tour departure.
Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd notes that tour participants are able to, but are under no obligation to purchase airline flights via Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd.
Please Contact Us if you require assistance with International flights
PRICE POLICY:
All quoted prices are per person and are land based only, including Twin/double occupancy (two guests sharing a hotel room)
Single Supplements prices are included.
Requests for 3 to room maybe available but not always
The price includes planning, handling and operational charges and is based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as at time of Booking. Boutique Tours & Travel reserves the right to adjust tour prices to cover changes in costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. Boutique Tours & Travel is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any tour. All tour prices are current at the time of publication and are susceptible to currency fluctuations.
We reserve the right to alter the tour price in accordance with changes in foreign exchanges rates and changes in prices for services and any changes from the ground operators in each country . You will be notified as soon as is possible and you are required to pay any such increases before departure.
Wherever possible, price increases will be absorbed by Boutique Tours & Travel within a 5% margin. The tour price will also be reviewed if the price of the Tour decreases.
CHANGES TO THE ITINERARY:
All possible effort will be made to adhere to the published touring itinerary. Occasionally circumstances beyond our control will force changes, amendments or modifications to the itinerary and its inclusions. BT&T cannot be held responsible for any omissions or modifications to the itinerary or the inclusions made as a consequence to these changes.
Boutique Tours & Travel also reserves the right to change the daily itinerary on tour due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond its control. These decisions are final and may not be disputed during or after the tour. We are keen for cooperation and flexibility where possible on tours.
INCLUSIONS:
Inclusions include all accommodation as noted in the itinerary, similar; meals as specified; arrival and departure transfers (within 48 hrs of day one arrival and 48 hrs post last day of tour); fully-guided sightseeing and entrance fees, activities and shows that are noted in the itinerary; bottled water supplied only during transit in vehicle, English speaking services of one local tour guide, occasional specialised guide where noted in the itinerary.
EXLUSIONS:
The tour price does not include international air or train fares.
It does not include hotel accommodation prior to day one, or the final day of the tour, costs associated with obtaining passports and visa fees; arrival and departure taxes, tariffs, levies and other charges including city taxes. Personal travel insurance, medical expenses and vaccinations and any other insurance charges are not included. In country of tour domestic airline travel upgrade, room upgrade other than that specified. Meals other than those specified in the itinerary including special menu selections otherwise not included, and all beverages with the exception of ‘welcome cocktails’; excess baggage fees, Luggage delivery to / from tour and ‘FedEX’ & general postage. Local tour guides during your free time. Also optional activities you may choose to do that require payment that may or may not be included in the itinerary.
It is the guest’s responsibility to ensure settlement of any charges made by a hotel (all hotels require your passport and validation of a credit card upon check in) for extra services ordered directly by you such as room service, mini bar, laundry, and communication charges such as telephone, fax, email or items of a personal nature.
GUARANTEED GROUP DEPARTURES:
All tour departure dates offered by Boutique Tours & Travel are based on group touring programmes. The term ‘group tour’ is defined as having a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 14 passengers travelling.
Once 2 guests are confirmed by deposit a "Suggested itinerary Tour" is guaranteed to depart. TBC
Once 4 guests are confirmed by deposit a "Boutique Tour" is guaranteed to depart.
LUGGAGE:
Weight restrictions on some routes on in-country domestic flights may apply; all details will be provided with preliminary tour documentation. Baggage and personal effects are at owner’s risk throughout the tour program. Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions applicable to your international flights.
TIPPING & PORTERAGE:
Most tours basic tipping for the guides and drivers is included in the tour price.
Drivers will assist with porterage for one suitcase per person for lifting suitcases in and out of touring vechiles. It is not included on the first or last days of your tour when arriving or departing your hotel independently.
Hotel and restaurant staff tipping is at your discretion
Extra tipping is very welcome perks offer your ‘left over’ local cash to the guide & driver
TRANSPORTATION:
Generally, you'll be travelling in our comfortable medium or mini-coaches depending on the numbers on a tour and the country. All seats have seatbelts and all seats are forward facing. Luggage is stored in a rear or under compartment. All vehicles are air-conditioned or with forced air vents and may have PA systems.
Local transportation is used in some countries, as per the itinerary. Trains, ferry’s etc.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION:
We provide boutique hotels typically situated in or around city centers, bearing in mind our travel to developing countries. In the rare event of a necessary hotel change, the substitute property will match or exceed the standard. . While non-smoking rooms are preferred, their availability cannot always be guaranteed.
SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS:
Please note requests for special dietary requirements cannot be guaranteed at all hotels and restaurants. Please call our office for further clarification. Discussion with our local guide to assist whilst on Tour is essential.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS:
Individual passengers can request us to ‘match’ them with another guest to share a twin room with another individual of the same sex. Should a match not be found, part there of the single supplement will be charged.
Please Note: should you be ‘matched’ with another person we cannot be held responsible if the choice is not to your satisfaction. You must consider there will always be a certain risk of incompatibility. Smoking: any twin match must understand that the room must be treated as a non smoking room. Also: Single rooms in some of our Hotels are sometimes smaller than twin rooms. The Single Supplements represent a fee passed on to us by the Hotels.
SMOKING POLICY:
We ask you to refrain from smoking whilst in the company of other guests, guides and driver. We operate a strict ‘No Smoking’ Policy whilst on Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd private cars, mini buses and coaches. We make frequent ‘comfort stops’ to allow free time for guests. Please note, following any instance of a passenger smoking whilst on-board any of our vehicles, they will have been deemed to have broken their contract with Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd and will be asked to leave the vehicle, and their tour with us will be terminated there and then. Please observe all notices both inside and outside all regarding smoking or non-smoking facilities or areas.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
All Boutique Tours & Travel guests are required to familiarise themselves with any health requirements specific to the countries being visited. We suggest that if you have any concerns please visit your doctor regarding requirements for international travel and day-to-day requirements of the tour. Should any ailments either exist at the time of booking, or arise before their departure from Australia, please call our office for further clarification.
MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
A number of tours visit a variety of cities and towns which may have some steep, uneven cobbled stone streets and stairs also some vehicle passenger drop off point are not always available as close to an activity as we would like. This may mean a longer walk.
Please note: People with walking difficulties or limitations should consider this before booking. If unsure please call our office for further clarification.
Participation Medical Advisories & Conduct:
To enjoy the program as intended, a reasonable level of fitness is required as there is occasionally some considerable amount of walking. Guests should have the capacity to participate without any assistance. (Extenuating circumstances may be considered)
If any participant has any medical, physical or other condition including disabilities that could create a risk to himself or herself or to other members of the tour, Boutique Tours & Travel requires notice in the ‘Book Now’ form in ‘Comments’ Section at the time of booking.
Boutique Tours & Travel reserves the right to decline any applicant or to remove any passenger from a tour, at the participant’s own expense, whose conduct is deemed incompatible with the group or whose health condition or mobility may risk and impact the safety, health or full participation of that participant or other tour passengers. Unfortunately passengers without travel insurance will not be accepted on any tour. Additionally, should a tour participant require or request medical attention during their travel, such attention will be provided by locally available health care officials and at locally available facilities. In such events, Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd is not liable for any direct or indirect costs, losses or expenses incurred by a passenger for health service costs incurred nor in the quality of medical care or medical services rendered.
Should you have any questions or need any clarification about a specific program please ask for details at time of booking.
Tour participants are requested to familiarise yourself with any health requirements specific to the countries being visited. It is highly recommended that you check and get advice from a medical practitioner and/or their local health authority or Consulate for the latest health requirements (i.e. precautions, vaccinations, etc.) applicable for travel to a destination.
UNSUITABILITY:
If the operators consider any passenger as an unsuitable person for any tour Boutique Tours & Travel may in its absolute discretion cancel that passenger’s booking or decline to carry that passenger further, if at all.
UNUSED SERVICES:
Refunds: No refund will be given for missed services not utilised including accommodation, meals, sight-seeing or other activities or services included in the tour itinerary or other organised travel via Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd. No refunds will be made for lost or unused tickets or hotel vouchers.
No refund is given where pre-booked accommodation is partially or wholly unused. No overseas supplier or associate is authorised to promise refund on behalf of Boutique Tours & Travel.
CONSULAR ADVICE:
It is the responsibility of the passenger to be informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to their countries Embassy Department travel website. www.dfat.gov.au or by calling 1300 555 135
In the event of a travel warning against travel to one of our tour destination location(s) Boutique Tours & Travel will also consult embassies to confirm or to cancel a tour. If the Tour continues and a passenger still chooses to travel, not withstanding any travel advisory or warning, the passenger assumes all responsibilities and risks of personal injury, death or property damage. Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd will not be liable for any result that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.
Smart Traveller - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Legal Notices:
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Boutique Tours & Travelact only as a booking agent making reservations with the companies or associates offering the services contained in this brochure. Whilst acting in good faith, Boutique Tours & Travel do not accept any responsibility for default causing loss or injury to person or property whether by negligence or otherwise on the part of the operator or accommodation managers / owners or their employees. Boutique Tours & Travel have made every effort to ensure the quality of accommodation and the accuracy of the brochure, but shall not be liable for any dissatisfaction the passenger may have with the accommodation and touring or any injury, damage or loss caused by the change or withdrawal of any price, detail or other item or service. In addition Boutique Tours & Travel shall not be held responsible for any loss of quality of goods or services supplied or any changes in an itinerary beyond our control made by third parties. This agreement shall be governed and controlled in accordance with the laws of Australia.
Responsibility:
Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd is acting only in the capacity of agent in all matters regarding all tours.
Whilst we take all reasonable care to select excellent quality service providers, these services are not provided by us but by airlines, hoteliers, transportation companies, travel agents and other service providers which are not under our control. All coupons, vouchers, receipts and tickets issued by the airlines, hoteliers and transportation companies, travel agents and other service providers are issued subject to the terms and conditions of liability contained in those documents, which may limit or exclude liability for death, personal injury, delay, and loss of or damage to baggage and are subject to the laws of the country where the services are provided.
Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd assumes no liability for any acts or omissions of any supplier including, without limitation, those involving failure to deliver or partial or inadequate delivery of services, overbooking or downgrading of services, cancellation of tours, schedule changes, re-routings, delay, theft, damage to or loss of baggage, property damage, accidents, death, sickness or injuries to persons regardless of cause, or other unforeseen events caused in connection with those service providers, their employees, agents, servants or representatives, whether or not any tours sold, services tendered or transportation provided is arranged through Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd.
Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd does not accept any liability caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or other events beyond our control, including but without limitation to war or threat/acts of war, acts of government, acts of terrorism, fire, strikes or other labour activities, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, quarantines, floods, weather conditions, natural disasters, incidents at sea, accidents or failure of mechanical equipment, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time or other disturbances of any kind which cancel, interfere with, or add cost to the services requested.
There are certain inherent risks in adventure travel and at times there may be 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.
Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd is not liable for any negligent or will-full act of any such person or entity or of any third person.
Waiver:
While on tour there may be instances where you may wish to join the Tour Director or tour guide for activities in free time outside the tour programme which may involve catching taxis or using public transport to shopping/dinner locations or other destinations chosen at the time. The Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd Tour Director or guides will not be liable for any accident, injury, death, property damage or loss in relation to such activities. By submitting the booking form, you agree to take part these activities at your own risk.
COMPLAINTS:
a) In the unlikely event of a complaint, the client is obliged to make Boutique Tours & Travel and the local supplier aware of such problems immediately. BT&T offers a 24 hour emergency paging system for this purpose.
b) Boutique Tours & Travel will only consider claims made against it in those circumstances where a complaint has been made pursuant to sub paragraph
(a) above and where the claim has been received by it within 30 days from the end of the services provided by it, otherwise, the client will have no right to make any claim against it.
Complaints:
If you have any complaint about your tour before during or after you tour, you must make it known at the earliest opportunity to the Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd Tour host who will endeavour to resolve the issue at the time.
If at the end of the tour you feel your complaint has not been properly dealt with, you must notify Boutique Tours & Travel Pty Ltd in writing within 30 days of the end of your tour.
Agreement:
The payment of deposit shall be deemed your consent to and acceptance of these terms and conditions as presented herein.
FORCEMAJEURE:
If the tour or cruise cannot proceed due to flood, earthquake, war or civil strife, acts of terrorism, hurricane, cyclone, industrial disturbance, strike, fire, lock out, epidemic, pandemic, failure or delays of scheduled transportation facilities, or other Acts of God, or any law, order, decree, rule or regulation of any government authority ,or for any reason whether of a similar or dissimilar nature beyond the control of BT&T, this agreement shall terminate and there shall be no claim for damages by either party against the other.