• Round Trip airfare from California to Europe
• 10 nights’ hotel accommodation (2 Amsterdam, 2 Normandy, 1 St Malo area, 1 Amboise, 4 Paris)
• Breakfasts daily,
• Group Dining as mentioned in the itinerary (6 dinners or lunches)
• Private coach transportation as mentioned in the itinerary
• Entrances and tours as mentioned in the itinerary
• Taxes and service charges for all included items
• Tip and gratuities to local drivers and guides

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

Fee for passports and visas.

Drinks at group meals.

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.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THIS TOUR:  

Sightseeing tours led by an Exploring Europe guide and local guides when appropriate; admissions to sights seen as a group; all breakfasts and some dinners as noted in the specific tour itinerary (you’ll pay for your drinks at lunch or dinner); traditional and unique dining experiences at 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 tour PDF handouts, PDF travel guides, and daily travel information. Anything not listed above is not included in the cost of your tour.

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.  Prices are subject to change until group airfare is confirmed.

Due to bus capacity, hotel rooms, and flights during the busy summer 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- Tour payments are due on the 4th of each month, beginning October 2024, and ending with the final payment on May 4, 2025. Prices are subject to change until group airfare is confirmed.

The Last Day to Cancel for a Partial Refund is February 4, 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.

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.

We strongly encourage purchasing comprehensive travel and health insurance/trip protection to cover possible additional costs, such as tour cancellation, before the tour commences. This type of insurance policy is affordable and available during tour enrollment with TRIP MATE, an independent travel insurance agency. Often, travel insurance companies require this type of insurance to be purchased within two weeks of your initial tour confirmation date to include coverage for pre-existing conditions.

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.

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. Student performers will receive additional information and allowances for musical instruments.

SMOKING, VAPING, AND TOBACCO are not allowed.

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. 

PARTICIPANT RELEASE and AGREEMENT

I, THE UNDERSIGNED (OR MY PARENT OR GUARDIAN IF I AM A MINOR), AN APPLICANT FOR A EUROPEAN TOUR PROVIDED BY DAVID MCGUFFIN’S EXPLORING EUROPE, INC. (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS EXPLORING EUROPE), AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. My Exploring Europe tour begins and ends as mentioned in the tour itinerary and documentation.

2. I agree to release Exploring Europe (which term shall include agents, officers, directors, staff members, tour directors, and employees of Exploring Europe, as well as Exploring Europe itself) and (if applicable) my school, teacher, and group leader from, and agree not to sue such persons for, any claims that I may have arising from, or in connection with, any physical or property damage or other loss that I may suffer from any cause whatsoever other than the gross negligence of such persons. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, I release such persons from and agree not to sue such persons for, any damages that I may suffer from any injury, loss, damage, accident, delay, or expense resulting from events beyond their control, including, without limitation, acts of God, weather, war, pandemics, strikes, incidents of politically motivated violence, terrorist attacks, sickness or quarantine, government restrictions or regulations, and, in the absence of gross negligence, arising from any vehicle, or from any act or omission by bus or car rental agency, steamship, airline, railroad, taxi or tour service, hotel, restaurant, school, university, or any other firm, agency, company, or individual.

3. If any flights are included with my tour, I understand that the air carriers’ liability for loss or damage to baggage or property, or for death or injury to person, is limited by their tariffs and/or the Warsaw Convention and related agreements. Further, I understand that the air carriers assume no responsibility to any traveler aside from their liability as common carriers.

4. Exploring Europe, its employees, officers, directors, agents, and assigns (collectively known as Exploring Europe) does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your tour. It purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, ferry, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel or other lodging accommodations, restaurants, ground handling, and other services from various independent contractors. As a result, Exploring Europe is not liable for any negligent or willful act of any such person or entity or of any third party. In addition and without limitation, Exploring Europe is not responsible for any injury, financial or physical loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, pandemics, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes, or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, computer system failures, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time.

5. I will assume full responsibility for my safety and actions while away from the group, such as visits to friends or relatives, or during stay-ahead/stay-behind optional periods if the optional period does not include the services of an Exploring Europe Tour Director.

6. If I become ill or incapacitated, Exploring Europe and its employees, or my Group Leader, may take action they deem necessary for my safety and well-being, including securing medical treatment (at my own expense) and transporting me home.

7. I agree to abide by Exploring Europe’s regulations and the directions of my Group Leader or Exploring Europe’s personnel during my tour. Failure to do so may result in Exploring Europe terminating me from the tour immediately. I understand that to disobey such rules or directions is to waive the right to a refund of any part of my tour fee and that Exploring Europe may then send me home at my own expense.

8. I agree to abide by all local laws when abroad, including those concerning drugs and alcohol (and if I am a minor when such laws are not in conflict with parental/guardian permission). I understand that to abuse or disobey such laws is to waive the right to a refund of any part of my tour fee and that Exploring Europe may then send me home at my own expense. I also understand that should local authorities be involved, I will be subject to the laws of the country I am visiting.

9. I understand Exploring Europe is in no way responsible for or connected to air carriage to and from Europe or within Europe. If Exploring Europe arranges air carriage it is only as a courtesy and not an element of my Exploring Europe tour.

10. Should there be flights within Europe associated with my Exploring Europe tour, I assume full responsibility for all excess baggage fees should they be imposed on me and my luggage. Exploring Europe accepts no responsibility for oversized or overweight luggage.

11. I understand that I will be required to pay for any phone calls or incidental personal expenses that I incur at hotels, as well as for any damage I cause to hotel rooms, buses, ferries, trains, or cruise ships. I will indemnify Exploring Europe and hold it harmless for any financial liability or obligation which I personally incur, or injury or damage to the person or property of others which I cause or contribute to while participating on an Exploring Europe tour.

12.  Exploring Europe reserves the right to refuse or cancel any enrollment at its sole discretion.

13.  Exploring Europe has the right to make changes in tour itineraries and departure dates and to modify transportation arrangements, including the use of substitute airlines, if flights are included. In the event of changes, refunds will be given only in accordance with the provisions of the Exploring Europe “Terms and Conditions” supplied herewith.

14. If this is a student-oriented tour, I acknowledge my choice to travel with the leader organizing my group, and I understand that this choice is not the responsibility of Exploring Europe. I understand that Exploring Europe reserves the right to reassign my group to a replacement group leader should my original group leader be unable to, or determine not to, participate in the tour and that the standard cancellation policy will apply if I choose not to travel with the new Group Leader.

15. I understand that future Exploring Europe advertising and publicity material may include statements made by participants or their video clips or photographs, and I consent to such use of my comments or photographic likenesses.

16. This agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Florida. Any claim or dispute arising hereunder shall be filed in a court with competent jurisdiction in Clay County, Florida. If a claim or dispute arising under this agreement is made against Exploring Europe, then Exploring Europe shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees (including, but not limited to, pre-suit, post-suit, collection, and appellate fees) plus all cost from the undersigned.

17. In the event this agreement is signed by a parent/guardian of a minor, it shall bind the parent/guardian and minor to the terms of the agreement.

18. This agreement shall inure to the successors and heirs to the parties to this agreement. This agreement shall not be assigned without the written consent of Exploring Europe.

19. This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Exploring Europe and me with reference to the subject matter referred to herein, and I understand that no warranty or representation not herein, including but not limited to any oral statements made to me by agents of Exploring Europe or if applicable, by my school or Group Leader, applies to any Exploring Europe tour. This agreement may be amended or modified only in writing, signed by an Exploring Europe officer at Exploring Europe’s main office in Middleburg, Florida.

20. I hereby agree to be bound by the Tour Terms and Conditions and Participant Release and Agreement attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.   

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- Tour payments are due on the 4th of each month, beginning October 2024, and ending with the final payment on May 4, 2025. Prices are subject to change until group airfare is confirmed.

The Last Day to Cancel for a Partial Refund is February 4, 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.