SHADOW CHRISTMAS TOUR (SCHS) in 9 days

Round-trip group flights to Europe. Sightseeing tours led by an Exploring Europe guide and local guides when appropriate; admissions to sights seen as a group; all breakfasts and three dinners as noted in the specific tour itinerary (you’ll pay for your drinks at lunch or dinner); traditional and unique dining experiences at David’s favorite restaurants; accommodations each night as noted in the tour itinerary; all transportation as indicated in the tour itinerary; all tips to guides and drivers; David McGuffin’s e-Destination Guides and daily travel informa­tion. Anything not listed above is not included in the cost of your tour.

Comprehensive Trip insurance. We strongly recommend comprehensive insurance for tour.

Fee for passports.

Beer, wine, spirits, and soda during the tour.

Laundry, phone, internet, and personal items

Extras and optional activities.

Anything not mentioned in the itinerary.

Our Tour Conditions and Agreement defines what David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc. will provide when you sign up for a tour. Additionally, it addresses your responsibilities. Please read this entire document carefully; it is essential. Current tour prices may be found at davidmcguffin.com or by calling us at 1-800-570-1351.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND PROCESSES

To reserve a seat on this tour, you must agree to these Tour Conditions and provide us with a deposit of $400 per person. We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, and PayPal for all tour deposits and payments. Additionally, we accept ACH payments, personal checks, bank drafts, and money orders made payable to David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe (in US dollars). If you sign up for a tour less than 90 days before its departure, the entire tour price must be paid and is non-refundable after 7 days.

Due to bus capacity, hotel rooms, and flights during the busy Christmas season, there are limited seats available. Consequently, the tour will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis. Making your first payment sooner is better than later. Once all seats are filled, applicants will be placed on a waiting list in the order their application and payment were received by Exploring Europe.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

Deposit- Your Deposit ($400) is fully refundable until January 5, 2025.  If you book your tour after 1/5/2025, your deposit ($400) is refundable for seven days.  If you book your tour less than 90 days before its departure date, full payment is due immediately, and the entire tour cost becomes non-refundable after seven days. After these dates, deposits are not refundable and will be forfeited if you cancel your tour reservation.

Payments- See payment schedule below.   Prices are subject to change until group airfare is confirmed.

Amount: Due Date:

$400 Sept 4, 2024

$1000 Jan 20, 2025

$500 Apr 20, 2025

$1000 July 20, 2025

Balance ~$1087 Aug 20, 2025

All payments must be submitted at your Online Account by Credit Card or ACH bank debit only.

The Last Day to Cancel for a Partial Refund is JUNE 15, 2025. Cancelling before this date entitles the passenger to a refund of all submitted payments, except the $400 deposit and any credit card/bank fees associated with payments.

We strongly recommend that you purchase comprehensive enhanced travel insurance protection that covers tour cancellations, emergency medical treatment, and other unexpected events. This insurance policy is affordable and available during tour enrollment with TRIP MATE, an independent travel insurance agency.

Cancellations will be effective when the written notification is received at David McGuffin›s Exploring Europe by mail, e-mail, or fax.

SOLO TRAVELERS—There is a supplement for adult chaperones who request a single room. If you desire a single room, please select «single occupancy» when enrolling for this tour.

FLEXIBILITY is an essential aspect of our travels around Europe. You never know what opportunities will come our way in the form of festivals, special events, celebrations, etc. For this reason, tour itineraries are subject to change. Uncompleted portions of the tour itinerary are not cause for a refund.

TOUR OBLIGATIONS, REQUIRED FORMS, AND RISKS – All tour members must sign and return a Release Waiver Agreement and a Tour Member Agreement before the tour commences. Any pre-existing physical, mental, or emotional condition that may require attention or treatment must be reported before the beginning of a tour. Omitting important information or not submitting these may result in expulsion from a tour at your own expense.

If a tour for which you have paid is canceled by Exploring Europe, passengers must file for loss with their travel insurance/trip protection agency.  If there is a remaining balance after your insurance reimbursement, Exploring Europe will issue a refund, less any unrecoverable expenses, such as credit card fees, incurred by Exploring Europe. Once this occurs, Exploring Europe and its representatives have no other obligations to tour members on canceled trips, including any additional costs or fees related to airline tickets or other travel reservations not made by Exploring Europe.  David McGuffin›s Exploring Europe, Inc. has no protection coverage beyond the basic package included in the tour price to protect itself, the actions of its employees, or tour participants themselves, and tour members intentionally assume the many risks inherent in European travel.

FRIENDS & FAMILY SHADOW TOUR DEFINED –

Please note this tour is planned explicitly for friends and family of the Spruce Creek music students.  The Shadow group will attend the student musical performances.  Shadow tour members will travel a similar route and visit many of the same destinations as the student group; however, they will not necessarily do so simultaneously.  The Shadow tour will visit additional destinations and activities, offering varied travel experiences more oriented to adults, not student groups. Please note that the shadow group and student group will be busy experiencing Europe and probably will not have much unstructured time to interact with one another. We’ve included group international flights with your tour. However, passengers will have little or no choice in seat assignments, class of service, and air carriers. Finally, when it comes to student group activities, on the ground or in the air, the school teacher/music director will have their own rules, assignments, and policies in place for the students.

FITNESS AND EXPECTATIONS – To enjoy this tour, you must be relatively fit and active. Walking and standing are common and essential elements of an Exploring Europe tour. You will assume some responsibilities including, but not limited to, the following: Transport, roll, or carry your luggage on your own; Sleep in clean, safe, and centrally located European-style central hotels that may differ from those expected in the USA; Understand that air conditioning is not the norm in Europe and may only work or be available in some of our hotels; Understand that WIFI reception may be weak or even non-existent; Walk several hours on uneven streets, up and down stairs, and hop on and off public transportation; After receiving lessons and orientations from your tour guide, hop on public transportation and navigate cities and towns independently.

PACK LIGHT POLICY—We require each tour member to bring only one airline carry-on-sized piece of luggage (approximately 23x14x10 inches) plus a small backpack or over-the-shoulder bag.

SMOKING, VAPING, AND TOBACCO are not allowed while with the group.

CBD & HEMP PRODUCTS—Please note that CBD and Hemp products are illegal in most countries. The punishment, even for CBD oils, can be severe! We require leaving them at home! If you are a regular user of these products, double-check your packed items and remove them before traveling.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS – Country entry rules can change, and we will keep you updated on current requirements for your destination.  However, ultimately, you are responsible for complying with all entry requirements for the destination countries on your tour itinerary.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

Deposit- Your Deposit ($400) is fully refundable until January 5, 2025. If you book your tour after 1/5/2025, your deposit ($400) is refundable for seven days. If you book your tour less than 90 days before its departure date, full payment is due immediately, and the entire tour cost becomes non-refundable after seven days. After these dates, deposits are not refundable and will be forfeited if you cancel your tour reservation.

Payments- See payment schedule below.  Prices are subject to change until group airfare is confirmed.

Amount: Due Date:

$400 Sept 4, 2024

$1000 Jan 20, 2025

$500 Apr 20, 2025

$1000 July 20, 2025

Balance ~$1087 Aug 20, 2025

All payments must be submitted at your Online Account by Credit Card or ACH bank debit only.

The Last Day to Cancel for a Partial Refund is JUNE 15, 2025. Cancelling before this date entitles the passenger to a refund of all submitted payments, except the $400 deposit and any credit card/bank fees associated with payments.

We strongly recommend that you purchase comprehensive enhanced travel insurance protection that covers tour cancellations, emergency medical treatment, and other unexpected events. This insurance policy is affordable and available during tour enrollment with TRIP MATE, an independent travel insurance agency.

Cancellations will be effective when the written notification is received at David McGuffin›s Exploring Europe by mail, e-mail, or fax.

PRINTABLE PDF TOUR BROCHURE