Terms and Conditions

Booking Agreement Terms and Conditions

We are pleased that you have booked a tour with International Bicycle Tours, Inc. These terms and conditions (the “Agreement”) describe what you are legally entitled to expect from us when you book your trip through us, in addition to important obligation you make as a customer that affect your legal rights. The terms “we”, “us” and “our” and “IBT” refer to International Bicycle Tours, Inc. The term “you” “I” “participant” or “customer” refers to the customer booking a reservation through us. Reference to “Suppliers” and “Service Providers” means all third parties who provide services to you including airlines unless otherwise specified.

Your Acceptance of these Terms and Conditions

By booking your arrangement with us, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and any additional terms and conditions of any Suppliers that are applicable to your booking and travel arrangements. You agree on behalf of yourself and those you represent to comply with all such terms and conditions, including the payment of all amounts when due.

You agree that any violation of any such terms and conditions may result in (a) the cancellation of your reservation or purchase, (b) your forfeiture of any monies paid for your reservation or purchase, (c) you being denied access to the applicable travel related product or service, and (d) our right to debit your account for any costs we incur as a result of such violation.

You represent and warrant that (a) you are of sufficient age to use our services and website and can create binding legal obligations in connection with your use, (b) you are legally authorized to act on behalf of those you represent and accept these terms and conditions on their behalf, and (c) the information supplied by you or members of your group is true and correct. You are responsible for informing such other persons of all terms and conditions applicable to their travel arrangements. You understand that you are financially responsible for any use of our services or website by you and those for whom you make bookings. 

You acknowledge and agree that we may change these terms and conditions from time to time and that those changes become effective immediately.  You agree to be bound by the terms and conditions that are in effect at the time of your travel.  You agree that it is your responsibility to be familiar with these terms and conditions and to check back from time to time for any changes.

Reservations and Payments

A deposit of $600 per person is required to secure a reservation for any 2024 tour. As we do not accept credit cards, we request that you send your deposit by check or money order (made payable in US Dollars to IBT) to our office. We will hold your place(s) for one week pending receipt of your deposit at which time we will mail you a confirmation with trip information.  You must make payment for your arrangements in accordance with the instructions we give you.  The final payment is due 120 days prior to the departure date for 2024 tours. Bookings made less than 120 days  before departure for 2024 tours must be paid for in full at the time of booking. If we do not receive any payment due in full and on time, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you in which case the cancellation charges set out below will become payable. We reserve the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason and shall in that event return any deposit received. Reservations are non-transferable.

Air Travel is not included in the price of the Tour and cancellation charges for Air Travel will be governed by the terms and conditions of the airline.  Tour participants must NOT purchase air travel tickets to or from the destination until notified by IBT.  If participants purchase air travel before confirmation is received and the trip is then cancelled either by the participant or by IBT, IBT will not be responsible for the expense of the ticket.

Minimum Number of Participants Required

As is the case for every tour operator, each scheduled tour requires a minimum number of participants to go forward. In the unfortunate event we are not able to reach this minimum, IBT reserves the right to cancel the tour. If IBT cancels a tour because of a lack of participants, IBT will refund full payment; however, IBT is not responsible for expenses incurred by registrants, including but not limited to, non-refundable airline tickets, pre/post-tour hotel reservations and other transportation. As such, IBT encourages all tour participants to purchase a travel protection plan. Information on travel protection will be included in your enrollment confirmation.

Cancellation by Client

Notice of cancellation of your trip must be received in writing by IBT.  If it becomes necessary for you to cancel your trip, the following fees will apply to canceled trips, computed as of the date of receipt of written cancellation notice:

2024 Cancellation Terms

If cancellation notice is received 180 days or before departure, all monies will be refunded less a $300 per person cancellation fee. If cancellation is received between 179-121 days before departure, all monies will be refunded less a $600 per person cancellation fee. If cancellation notice is received 120 days or less before departure, a $1,000 per person cancellation fee will be charged.

In case of a no-show, or departure from a trip already in progress, no refund for any unused portion of the trip will be issued. Traveler substitutions are considered cancellations and are subject to the above cancellation policy charges. IBT cannot make exceptions to these cancellation policies for any reason, including personal emergencies and/or weather.

Cancellation by IBT

If for any reason IBT cancels your trip, excepting in case of a force majeure, an alternative trip of a similar standard will be offered to you.  If this is not acceptable to you, then all monies paid by you to IBT will be refunded.  Beyond the trip costs paid to us, IBT is not responsible for any loss or damage that arises out of any cancellation for any reason whatsoever.

Force Majeure

We cannot accept liability, provide any refund, or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected, or you otherwise suffer any loss, injury, death, inconvenience or damage as a result of circumstances amounting to “force majeure”. “Force majeure” means any event or circumstances which we or the supplier of the services in question could not foresee or avoid. Such events and circumstances may include: acts of God, actual or threatened, war, insurrection, riots, strikes, civil action, decisions by governments or governing authority, technical or maintenance problems with transport, changes of schedules or operational decisions of air carriers, terrorist activity or the threat thereof, industrial action, natural or nuclear activity, epidemic, pandemic, illness, physical injury, quarantine, medical or customs or immigration regulation, delay, or cancellation, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control.

Policies for Covid-19

We are taking measures to protect the health and well-being of our participants while on tour. Please be aware that IBT has measures, policies and requirements in place to deal with the safety of all our participants. IBT reserves the right to update, change, modify or revise any measure, policy or requirement at any time and that these measures, policies and requirements may be different in certain areas due to local guidance, requirements or restrictions.  

Accommodations

Prices shown are based on double occupancy. If you would like your own room, there is an additional single supplement charge. A limited number of single rooms/cabins are available on all tours, so please call for availability. Be aware that in Europe, single rooms are often smaller than double rooms even though they cost more per person.  If you sign up fewer than 120 days before tour departure, the full single supplement charge will apply. Please understand that many of our hotels charge the same for single and double rooms, especially if the hotel is full.

International Travel and Documentation

By offering reservations for travel in particular international destinations, IBT does not represent or warrant that travel to such areas is advisable or without risk. It is your responsibility to be aware of travel warnings and advisories as announced by the U.S. State Department.  Should you choose to travel to a country that has been issued a travel warning or advisory, IBT will not be liable for damages or losses that result from travel to such destinations.

U.S. citizens, including minors, traveling outside the United States are required to carry documentation of U.S. citizenship, including a machine-readable passport valid for 6 months after the return date along with applicable visas.  It is your responsibility to obtain proper documentation to travel, including but not limited to a passport, and any required visas, reciprocity fees, affidavits, immunizations, etc.  Many countries require that your passport be valid for 6 months beyond the date of travel and have two to four blank visa/stamp pages.  Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.  For information about passport requirements you can visit the State Department’s website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html. Non-U.S. citizens, those traveling on non-U.S. passports, or those arriving to or departing from a non-U.S. destination, should inquire with any applicable embassies or immigration authorities about entry/exit requirements for countries they are visiting, departing from, or returning to.

Such items as documentation, vaccines, insurance, or anything else that might be required are the responsibility of the traveler. IBT bears no responsibility for such information and will not be responsible for advising and/or obtaining required travel documentation for you, or for any delays, damages, and/or losses including missed portions of your vacation related to improper documentation or government decisions about entry.

In some countries you may be subject to entry (reciprocity) fees and/or departure taxes/exit fees which will be collected at the airports upon entry/departure by local government authorities.  Please note that entry to any country may be refused even if the required information and travel documents are complete.

Health: Recommended inoculations for travel may change and you should consult your doctor for current recommendations before you depart. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all health entry requirements, obtain the recommended inoculations, take all recommended medication, and follow all medical advice in relation to your trip. Inoculation requirements can be found on the Center for Disease Control website at https://www.cdc.gov/.

Disinfection: Some destination countries may require the air carrier or foreign air carrier to treat an aircraft passenger cabin with insecticides prior to the flight or to apply an aerosol insecticide in an aircraft cabin used for such a flight when the cabin is occupied with passengers. Additional information can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Transportation www.dot.gov/office-policy/aviation-policy/aircraft-disinsection-requirements.

Travel Protection

We strongly recommend that passengers purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes coverage for Trip Cancellation or Interruption, Cancel for Any Reason, Medical Expense, Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, and Baggage. Such insurance at a minimum should cover your losses sustained as a result of cancellation, medical issues, and repatriation in the event of accident or illness. Certain countries have a requirement for foreign visitors to have valid medical insurance on entry. IBT cannot be held responsible for denied entry if a guest is unable to provide details to authorities of insurance or denial of entry for any reason.

Information about travel protection insurance will be sent with your enrollment confirmation. IBT is not qualified to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of travel insurance plans. IBT cannot evaluate the adequacy of the prospective insured’s existing insurance coverage. If you have any questions about your travel protection, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker.

Declining travel insurance could result in the loss of your travel cost and/or require more money to correct the situation. You also acknowledge that without insurance, there may be no way to recoup any losses, costs or expenses incurred. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance coverage, we will not be liable for any of your losses howsoever arising, for which insurance coverage would otherwise have been available.  

Non-Responsibility

IBT and its employees, shareholders, representatives, and agents (hereinafter “IBT”) is a tour operator and uses third-party suppliers to arrange hotel accommodations, sightseeing, tours and transportation, whether by air, railroad, motor coach, steamship, barge, boat or other means. IBT is an independent contractor and is not an employee, agent or representative of any of these suppliers.  IBT does not own, manage, operate, supervise, or control any third-party transportation, vehicle, airplane, hotel or restaurants, or any other entity that supplies services related to your tour. IBT is not affiliated with any other tour operator. All suppliers are independent contractors, and are not agents or employees or representatives of IBT.  All tickets, receipts, coupons, and vouchers, and services are issued subject to the terms and conditions specified by each supplier, and by accepting the coupons, vouchers, and tickets, or utilizing the services, all customers agree that neither IBT, nor its employees, agents, or representatives are or may be liable for any loss, injury, or damage to any tour participant or their belongings, or otherwise, in connection with any service supplied or not supplied resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrence beyond the control of IBT. IBT assumes no responsibility or liability for any delay, change in schedule, loss, injury or damage or loss of any participant that may result from any act or omission on the part of others; and IBT shall be relieved of any obligations under these terms and conditions, including refund of any monies, in the event of any strike, labor dispute, act of God, or of government, fire, war, whether declared or not, terrorism, insurrection, riot, theft, pilferage, epidemic, pandemic, illness, physical injury, quarantine, medical or customs or immigration regulation, delay, or cancellation. IBT accepts no responsibility for lost or stolen items. IBT reserves the right to refuse any participant or potential participant at its sole discretion.

Additional Risks

Additional risks and dangers may arise including, but not limited to, hazards of travel by train, automobile, motor coach, aircraft, barge, bicycle, and other means of conveyance, animal interactions, forces of nature, political unrest, other unrest, risks associated with water, food, plants, insects and differing animal regulation, and acts of national and local governments and unrest and acts of others against governments. These risks are not an exhaustive list but are examples of many kinds of risks. You are voluntarily participating in these activities with the knowledge that there are significant dangers involved, and you hereby agree to accept any and all risks. As lawful consideration for the agreement with IBT to participate in such trips and activities you agree you will not make a claim against IBT, its related companies or its personnel or sue for bodily injury, emotional trauma, death, property loss or damage or other loss, cost or expense, however caused, as a result of or related to your contracting for, traveling to or from, or in any and every other way participating in the trip. You release IBT, its related companies and its personnel from any and all claims, known or unknown, arising from contracting for, traveling to or from, and in any and every way participating in a trip. This release of liability and assumption of risk agreement is entered into on behalf of you and all members of your family and party, also including minors. This agreement also binds your heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

Where the guest occupies a motor coach seat fitted with a safety belt, neither IBT nor the Operator nor its agents or co-operating organizations or service providers will be liable for any injury, illness or death or for any loss or damages or claims whatsoever arising from any accident or incident, if the safety belt is not being worn at the time of such an accident or incident. This exclusion and limitation of liability shall not be used to imply that the Operator or its agents or affiliated entities are liable in other circumstances.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions/Persons with Disabilities

Trip members are responsible for selecting a trip appropriate to their abilities, communicating any special needs to IBT prior to commencement of the trip, and for being in sufficient good health to undertake the trip without posing a risk to themselves or others. The nature of many of the destinations we travel and type of travel means that in some cases our tours may be unsuitable for those who use a wheelchair or have a lack of mobility. However, we will be delighted to discuss the feasibility of creating a tailor-made itinerary for you that takes into consideration your level of mobility.

It is essential that you advise us before booking if you do have any disability or pre-existing medical condition which may affect your trip, or if you have any special requirements as a result of any disability or medical condition (including any which affect the booking process) so that we can assist you in considering the suitability of the arrangements and/or in making the booking. Full details must be confirmed in writing at the time of booking and whenever any change in the condition or disability occurs.  IBT will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate requests, but cannot be responsible if ADA accommodations are not available.  Any accommodations provided will be at the sole expense of the guest requiring the accommodation. Please note that accommodations outside of the USA may not be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and may not have wheelchair accessibility.

Our guides and tour leaders are, unfortunately, unable to offer additional assistance to passengers with limited mobility and all such assistance will need to be provided by whoever the passenger is traveling with. Participants with disabilities must notify IBT in writing no later than the time of booking of status and of the identity of their non-discounted, paid travel companion who will be responsible for providing all necessary assistance. We may request that you provide a letter from your doctor confirming your fitness to travel.

Special Dietary Requirements

Special diets should be requested on the IBT booking form; however, it may not be possible for special diets to be catered to in some of the destinations we feature. For safety and liability reasons, IBT and its representatives cannot be responsible for directly accommodating any food allergies, or dietary requirements and restrictions, and is not responsible for any issues or problems associated with the same. We will advise the hotels or barge of your request but we cannot guarantee their availability.

Participant’s Responsibility

Each participant is expected to act responsibly and adhere to all behavior guidelines established by IBT and our local suppliers. We and our local guides and suppliers reserve the right to remove you from any trip if you endanger yourself or others or disrupt the general well-being of the trip itself. In any such case, there will be no refund.

When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you. Full payment for any such damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely known) must be paid direct at the time to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier. You must indemnify us for the full amount of any claim (also including legal costs) made against us. IBT is not responsible for any costs incurred concerning a guest removed from a vacation/holiday. Participants agree not to hold IBT or any of its related entities liable for any actions taken under these terms and conditions.

Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant. 

Changes to Published Itineraries

IBT reserves the right to make changes to its published itineraries before a booking is made. These changes will be made in the interest of improving the itinerary for the participant. If significant changes have been made, as determined at IBT’s sole discretion, to a published itinerary prior to reserving, the participant will be informed of those changes upon reserving. You will either have the choice of accepting the change of arrangements, accepting an offer of alternative travel arrangements of comparable standard from us if available (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value, but these booking terms and conditions will continue to apply to any alternative booking), or cancelling your booked holiday and receiving a full refund for all monies paid. As an example, significant changes do not include change of accommodation to another of the same standard, any change in the itinerary due to holiday or facility closure, any minor itinerary changes where we make a reasonable substitute.

We thoroughly check all the information that is included within our brochures and custom itineraries; however, changes do occur and errors are occasionally made. IBT is not responsible for any typographic or printing error in any brochure, itinerary, confirmation, or related material. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen trip (including the price) with us at the time of booking.

Photographic Release

IBT may take photographs or video of its trips and trip participants. I grant IBT permission to do so and for it to use same for promotional or commercial use without payment of any compensation to participant.

Severability

If any provision of these terms and conditions shall be held unenforceable, such provision shall be struck and the remainder shall remain enforceable.

Jurisdiction and Applicable Law

These Booking Conditions and any agreement to which they apply are governed in all respects by the laws of the state of Connecticut without regard to conflicts of law principles.  Any action brought by any party hereto shall be brought within the State of Connecticut, County of Middlesex. All guest claims must be submitted in writing and received by IBT no later than sixty (60) days after the completion of the IBT vacation.  Guest claims not submitted and received within this time shall be deemed waived and barred.