Terms & Conditions

Your agreement is with The Unusual Travel Company (referred as The Unusual Travel Company or Unusual Escapes) and a contract is formed when you make a reservation with us that we accept. Enrollment in and payment for a trip shall constitute acceptance by the guest of the terms and conditions in this document. These cannot be varied except in writing by an officer of the Company. 

All contracts with The Unusual Travel Company are made subject to the terms of these booking conditions. 

We reserve the right to change these booking conditions at any time prior to you making a booking. The invalidity of any provisions herein shall not affect the validity of any other provisions. The agreement shall be construed as though the invalid provision was not contained herein and was replaced with an enforceable provision as similar as possible to the original provision. Should any conflict arise between these booking conditions and those contained within our brochures, these booking conditions shall prevail.

Departure Date 

The departure date is the date indicated on the booking confirmation. 

Security 

Security is a major concern to all of us and the situation globally is constantly changing. Events around the world, coupled with the “Travel Advisories” put out by various governments, may at times necessitate changes to the accommodations and itinerary or even trip cancellation. You must accept these risks involved in travel to any country that may experience security difficulties and accept responsibility for your own travel decisions. 

Travel Insurance 

Travel insurance is highly recommended for all guests covering all applicable dates of travel with Unusual Escapes. This insurance should cover: trip interruption, personal injury, medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation cover including during pandemic events. The choice of insurer is yours. The Unusual Escapes cannot be held responsible for your failure to obtain insurance which is appropriate, and we recommend you purchase your insurance at or soon after booking your trip. Unusual Escapes will not be held liable for any costs incurred by the guest resulting from their failure to obtain adequate travel insurance.

COVID-19

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the WHO, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. We ask that you please take personal responsibility for your well-being. This begins with packing any personal protective equipment and sanitizers you require. Please adopt physical distancing and hygiene practices throughout your pre-trip travel arrangements and follow all health instructions whether physical signage or requests from our professional staff once you are holidaying with us. To travel with Unusual Escapes, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID19. Full details of hygiene protocols can be found on our website.

Force Majeure 

Force Majeure Event means any event or circumstance beyond the control of Unusual Escapes, including but not limited to: (a) an act of god (such as earthquake, flood, fire, explosion, landslide, lightning, action of the elements, force of nature, washout, typhoon, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami, storm or storm warning or natural disaster); (b) industrial disputes, work ban or other labor dispute or difficulty; (c) acts of terrorism, political unrest, war or threat of war, riots or civil strife; (d) failure or delays to scheduled transportation and the closure of airports or ports; (e) pandemic, epidemic or health risk; (f) governmental and administrative actions (including closure of borders and travel warnings and restrictions).

RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS 

1. Your trip will be confirmed after receipt of a non-refundable deposit as detailed in the Booking Summary. We reserve the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason and shall in that event return any deposit received. If not received within 3 days of booking, the reservation will automatically be cancelled. On certain departures, deposits may be required at time of booking to hold seats.

2. We may from time to time offer deposits at a reduced amount (Promotional Deposits) and these may be subject to different terms and conditions as specified by us. Such terms and conditions prevail to the extent of any inconsistency with these Booking Conditions.

3.  Final payment for your trip reservation will be due prior to departure no later than 30 days or the date as specifically mentioned in the brochure.

4. Unusual Escapes reserves the right to cancel the reservation and impose cancellation charges if any payment is not received as detailed in the Trip Brochure. Unusual Escapes will not be responsible for lost land and/or air reservations.

BOOKING CHANGES 

Name Changes 

Unusual Escapes does not charge for name corrections, however where third party costs are incurred these will be passed on to the guest. Not all airlines allow name changes or name corrections, and a new airfare may need to be purchased which will be passed onto the guest.

Other Booking Changes 

Unusual Escapes does not charge for minor booking changes however where third party costs are incurred these will be passed on to the guest. Costs and charges may increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made. We will try to make your requested change, but it may on occasion not be possible. A change of trip date or itinerary after final payment is due will be treated as a cancellation. Cancellation fees will apply except when the change is to an alternative departure and the trip price is equivalent or greater, in which case any amendment costs incurred including airline charges and fees will be charged.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS 

Refer our Refund Policy

GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS 

Minimum Numbers 

Trips are based on a minimum number of persons travelling. If a trip fails to satisfy minimum numbers, the trip may be cancelled or rescheduled 

Age Restrictions 

Travelers must be aged between 18 and 50 inclusive at the commencement of your trip to travel with Unusual Escapes. In terms of style and content, all of Unusual Escapes worldwide trips are specifically designed for a particular age group. This fact should be recognised when you book one of our trips. Please note that on some experiences as part of your trip you may be joined by other travelers who are not in the 18-35 age group. Some Detour trips are not exclusively 18 – 50 due to their small group sizes and specialist experiences. 

Countries have different age limits for the consumption of alcohol and other activities. You must ensure you satisfy the age limits before participating in any activity with age limits (such as the consumption of alcohol) and you release us from all liability and claims arising from your inability to participate in such activities. 

Health, reduced mobility, medical conditions/ disabilities and assistance when travelling 

If you suffer from reduced mobility or have any other disability or medical condition which may affect your holiday arrangements, you must provide us with full details before booking so that we can advise you if we can accommodate your request and provide you with precise information as to the suitability of the holiday taking into account your needs. We will not be responsible for any damage, injury, death or loss of any kind resulting from your failure to fully disclose relevant mobility, disability or medical information. We may request you to provide an assessment of your condition from a qualified medical practitioner. 

Reduced mobility of course means different things to different individuals as we fully appreciate that individual capabilities, restrictions and requirements are likely to vary considerably. When we refer to reduced mobility, this means any material reduction in mobility whether this is permanent or temporary and whether caused by age or by physical or mental disability or impairment or other cause of disability. We rely on your assessment of your own ability to participate in a trip. Please also promptly inform us in writing in the event that any material change in your mobility, any other disability or medical condition occurs after your booking has been confirmed. Unusual Escapes does not provide personal devices (such as wheelchairs, hearing aids or prescription eye glasses) or services of a personal nature (such as eating, toileting or dressing). A traveler who requires services of a personal nature (eating, toileting, help standing, climbing stairs or being pushed in a wheelchair, as examples) must bring a companion to provide such assistance and must understand that other travelers, Trip Managers and Unusual Escapes Staff will not be available for such purposes. Unusual Escapes cannot guarantee that all cites will have disability access nor can we guarantee accessible accommodations for guests travelling on trips. Our coaches are not accessible and we cannot guarantee space will be available for personal devices (such as luggage with medical supplies, walkers, wheelchairs). You must advise us before booking if you plan to bring a device of such nature. 

Unusual Escapes does not employ medical personnel. Any necessary medical attention must be sought at a local facility, if available, at the guest’s expense. Unusual Escapes is not responsible or liable for losses or costs incurred due to unavailability of medical services, or medical services obtained while on holiday, or for the quality of the care or services received. Medical care in other countries is not always comparable to care that you may receive in your local area. 

Travel times on our trips vary from day to day depending on the destination. For your comfort we make regular stops and try to keep each section no longer than 3 hours. However, depending on your medical history, some people may be at risk of discomfort or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) if they remain immobile for a long period on a journey. If you have had DVT, pulmonary embolism, a family history of clotting conditions, cancer, or treatment for cancer, stroke, heart or lung disease, or if you have had major surgery in the past three months, we recommend you consult your doctor before travelling. 

Behavior 

Unusual Escapes is here to provide the best services possible but in doing so we will not tolerate abusive or aggressive behavior from our travelers. We will refuse to deal with and may terminate the holiday of travelers who assault our staff, suppliers or fellow guests or who are abusive or aggressive to them and are generally affecting the enjoyment of others with their behavior and you may be barred from future trips with Unusual Escapes. 

This may include (but is not limited to): (a) verbally abusive or offensive language towards anyone; (b) bullying behavior; (c) inappropriate or abusive behavior including uninvited physical contact, harassment, violence or threat of violence; (d) excessive consumption of alcohol or intoxication; (e) the possession, carriage or use of restricted substances or drugs (except for medical purposes approved by your doctor); (f) failure to comply with Unusual Escapes (including a representative’s) reasonable direction; (g) conduct which, in Unusual Escapes opinion, is not compatible with other guests’ general enjoyment and well-being or the smooth operation of the trip; (h) the possession, carriage or use of dangerous items (such as weapons); (i) breaking the law of the Country in which you are travelling; and (j) any behavior or conduct which brings Unusual Escapes  into disrepute or damages its goodwill. 

When you make a booking, you accept responsibility for the proper conduct of all members of your party during your travels with Unusual Escapes. We reserve the right at any time and at our discretion to terminate the travel arrangements and/or cease to deal with any party member(s) whose behavior, in the reasonable opinion of us or our suppliers, may cause danger, upset, disruption or distress to anyone else or damage to property. Full cancellation charges will apply and no refund will be made. We shall have no obligation to pay compensation or meet any costs or expenses (including but not limited to alternative accommodation and return transportation arrangements) guest may incur as a result of the travel arrangements being terminated. You must immediately report any pre-existing damage in your room to accommodation staff and/or a Trip Managers. If you damage the accommodation in which you are staying or any property, you must reimburse the accommodation provider or property owner concerned for the cost of the damage before the end of your stay if the cost has been established by then or as soon as it has been established if later. You must indemnify us for the full amount of any claim (also including legal costs) made against us. Criminal proceedings may be instigated. Unusual Escapes is not responsible for any costs incurred concerning a guest removed from a trip or aircraft, ship or train. Travelers agree not to hold Unusual Escapes or any of its related entities liable for any actions taken under these terms and condition.

Itinerary Variations 

Unusual Escapes strives to improve trip itineraries, services and features. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary, we reserve the right to vary itineraries and to substitute hotels. At certain peak periods multiple departures may operate, sometimes in reverse order; accommodation may vary from those stated on the itinerary pages. On trips which include cruises, the ship may be changed for operational reasons. Departures in early and late season are potentially operated in cool weather conditions. As a result, itinerary variations may occur. Certain activities may not be precisely as described or may not be available due to seasonality or weather conditions or other circumstances beyond our control including COVID-19 restrictions and precautions. This may include specific requirements regarding personal protective equipment, such as use of face-masks by staff (and you may be required to wear a face-mask as well), social distancing, maximum number restrictions on the use of certain facilities, designated alternative entrance and exit routes, mandatory hand sanitization, limited entertainment and leisure options and limited food/drink availability. If your enjoyment may be diminished by such limitations, please check with us before making a reservation. Please take this risk into consideration when booking your trip. 

Changes due to National/Public Holidays 

During local or national holidays, certain facilities such as museums, sightseeing trips and shopping may be limited or unavailable. In such instances itinerary changes are made by Unusual Escapes seeking to reduce inconvenience to travelers. Such changes are deemed not to be a major change to the itinerary, and no compensation will be payable to guests. Holidays, closing days and other circumstances may necessitate a change of the day of the week for scheduled regional meals, sightseeing or other activities. If you feel your enjoyment might be diminished by any of these circumstances, please check with the respective national tourist office before selecting a specific departure date.  

Pre & Post-Trip Accommodation 

If you arranged with us to remain at a destination before or after your trip, your stay will be at your sole expense as is the transfer to either the hotel or airport. Please speak to our representative about our pre and post-trip accommodation. Availability is limited. Breakfast and luggage handling is not included unless otherwise noted. Unusual Escapes does not provide complimentary transfers for guests booking pre and post-trip accommodations unless otherwise stated. However, airport transfers can often be purchased from Unusual Escapes. If your extra night accommodation is not the hotel where your trip begins or ends, you will be responsible for your transfer arrangements at your own expense. 

For Your Comfort 

Unusual Escapes enforces a strict no smoking (including e-cigarettes) and no alcohol policy on board motor coaches. Regular comfort stops are made on travelling days. Many hotels, restaurants, trains, cruises and other venues are 100% smoke free. Unusual Escapes operates a daily seat rotation system. 

Responsibility

The trips are sold by us as agents for other principals providing, inter alia, accommodation and transportation services. All tickets, coupons, exchange orders, vouchers and receipts are issued subject to the appropriate tariffs and terms and conditions of sale of our principals and these conditions. It is therefore important to note that all bookings made by us are subject to the terms and conditions imposed by airlines, coach operators, hoteliers and others providing services including, but not limited to, shipping, rail, car hire, ferry, tour and restaurant operators whose services are utilized by us, some of which limit or exclude liability in respect of insolvency, non-operation, death, personal injury, delay and loss or damage to baggage. 

Liability

Unusual Escapes accepts no liability for any loss or damage occasioned by the negligence of such principals and reserves the right to cancel or modify itineraries or bookings where circumstances require. Unusual Escapes cannot accept any liability for the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of airlines, car rental operators, ferry companies, hoteliers, tour operators or other persons providing services in connection with your tour, over whom Unusual Escapes has no direct or exclusive control. Your acceptance of any tickets, coupons, exchange orders, vouchers and receipts will be deemed acceptance of the above conditions and of any alterations made to your tour. Unusual Escapes reserves the right to decline acceptance of any individual on any tour.

Rates and Price Variations 

Unusual Escapes reserves the right to vary the rates in the event of extremely adverse fluctuations in exchange rates or change in government taxes or reasonable price rises forced by the partner companies.

Correctness of Information

Please ensure that the spelling of all names, date of birth and other information provided by you at the time of booking is correct and match exactly as shown on your passport(s). It is your responsibility to advise us of the correct information at the time of booking, as you will incur substantial costs to amend details at a later stage if the information you supplied was incorrect. 

Passport And Visas

It is very important that you read the following information carefully and contact our office if you require any assistance in any area. All individuals booking foreign tours with us must be in possession of a valid passport which must have at least two blank pages & 6 months’ validity from your intended date of return journey. Several countries require your passport to have 1 year’s validity from your intended date of return journey. If your passport is due to expire within next twelve months, then under normal circumstances we advise you to obtain a new passport. Customer will have to assume complete responsibility for any delays/cancellations arising due to delayed/rejected visa applications. Even after issuance of visa, entry to any country is at the discretion of relevant immigration authorities on arrival. Regardless of whether you possess a valid visa, entry into a particular country can still depend solely on the discretion of the Immigration Official on arrival in that country. Under those circumstances Unusual Escapes cannot be held responsible for a country refusing entry to any individual irrespective of that country's normal entry procedures. If you are in doubt it is your responsibility to contact the relevant government agency or consulate prior to your departure.

Right to Refuse Services

Unusual Escapes reserves the right to refuse service to any customer, if it believes that customer’s actions are in breach of these terms and conditions, or government rules and regulations, or if the customer has wilfully provided invalid information or misrepresented ant facts. Any damages arising out of such refusal of service will be borne by customer. 

Trip Participation 

You agree to accept the authority and decisions of our employees, Trip Managers and agents whilst on trip with us. If in the opinion of any such person(s) or any other person in a position of authority (such as, for example, a local supplier or hotel manager), your health (including impact of an epidemic or pandemic), level of fitness or conduct at any time before or during a trip is endangering or appears likely to endanger your health or wellbeing or any third party (including any of our other guests) or the safe, comfortable or happy progress of the trip, you may be excluded from all or part of the trip without refund or recompense. Where you are excluded, we will have no further responsibility towards you (including any return travel arrangements) and we will not meet any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the exclusion. In the case of ill health, we may make such arrangements we see fit and recover the costs thereof from you. 

Many Optional Experiences are operated by independent third-party suppliers, not Unusual Escapes. These are not part of the holiday package provided by us. Your contract will be with the operator of the experience. We are not responsible for providing the experience, or anything that happens during the experience. Some experiences involve outdoor activities and/or can be physically demanding and may require signature of a waiver. You must make your own decisions about experiences and participate only in activities that suit your physical ability: we suggest that you speak with your medical provider if you have questions about your abilities. We recommend you check whether any insurance you have also includes your participation in adventure activities you may undertake. 

Special Requests 

Any dietary requests, special meal requirements including allergies or any other special request, must be provided at the time of booking and are received on a request basis only. Unusual Escapes cannot assure that special meal requests will be fulfilled and does not assume responsibility or liability if requests are not fulfilled. Although we will endeavor to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier, this is not confirmation that the request will be met. All requests are subject to availability. It is also your responsibility to double check and reconfirm any requirements with all holiday suppliers. 

Disclaimer 

Travel is personal and each individual’s goals and experiences may differ. Unusual Escapes will not be bound by, or liable for, any description, photograph, representation or warranty made by or provided by any independent third party sales representative, Travel Agent, or other person or entity relating to any holiday offered by Unusual Escapes.