Non-UK Booking Conditions

Last updated on 7th June 2023 (Version 1.2)

These Terms and Conditions of Booking (“Booking Conditions“) together with our Website, Privacy Policy and any documents referred to in them will apply to: (A) Your use of our website; (B) Our supply of products and services; and (C) Our contract with you, so please read them and the product descriptions through carefully before booking.

These Booking Conditions contain important information regarding the limitations on and terms of purchase of, and other agreements regarding, our supply of products and services, which are provided and disclosed to you in these Booking Conditions.

Please note that to book any of the products described on our website or to you via email or over the telephone you must agree to be bound by these Booking Conditions. If you have any questions about the Booking Conditions, please contact us for clarification prior to booking.

References to “you” and “your” include the first named person on the booking and all persons on whose behalf a booking is made or any other person to whom a booking is added or transferred. References to “Travel Arrangement(s)” in these Booking Conditions means single element travel arrangements, as more specifically defined clause A1, and “Packages” means package holidays or package bookings, as more specifically defined in clause A2. References to “Supplier” means the supplier of the Travel Arrangements or the Packages including but not limited to accommodation providers, transfer providers, experience and activity providers and car hire companies. References to “Principal Supplier” or “Principal” means the Supplier with whom your contract is with. Please print a copy of these Booking Conditions for future reference. Please understand that if you refuse to accept these Booking Conditions, you will not be able to make any bookings with us for any products or services we offer for sale.

About Us

We are The Culture Trip Ltd (‘Culture Trip’, ‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’) a company registered in England and Wales Company No: 07539023, with its Registered Office and main trading address at Huckletree Shoreditch, AlphaBeta Building, 18, Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1AH. Our USA business telephone is +1(678)967-4965.By making a booking, the first named person (referred to herein as the “primary contact”) on the booking agrees on behalf of all persons listed on the booking that he/she:

• has read these Booking Conditions and has the authority to and does agree to be bound by them;
• consents to our use of personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and is authorized on behalf of all persons named on the booking to disclose their personal details to us, including where applicable, special categories of data (such as information on health conditions or disabilities and dietary requirements);
• is over 21 years of age and resident in the United States (subject to clause d.) and where placing an order for services with age restrictions declares that he/she and all members of the party are of the appropriate age to purchase those services;
• is not, and no member of the party is, a resident of any of Hawaii or Iowa;
• accepts financial responsibility for payment of the booking on behalf of all persons listed on the booking and is authorized to use the credit or debit card that is used to pay for the booking;
• has provided information that is true and accurate; and
• will only make legitimate reservations. False and/or fraudulent reservations are strictly prohibited.

Please Note: We act as both a direct seller of single-element travel arrangement bookings and the sale of package holidays, and as an agent of others in the sale or resale of single-element travel arrangement bookings and the sale of package holidays. You will be advised at the time of booking which one of these scenarios applies to your booking and it will also be confirmed on your Confirmation Invoice. Our obligations to you will vary depending upon which arrangements you book with us, and we have tried to set them out below as clearly as possible:

1. Section A contains the conditions which will apply where we are acting as the direct seller, with the following additional conditions in Part A-1 or Part A-2, as applicable:
2. Part A-1 applies to Packages
3. Part A-2 applies to Travel Arrangements
4. Section B and Section C are intentionally omitted
5. Section D contains the conditions which will apply where we are acting as an agent of others to your bookings (i.e., a reseller), whether in the case of Packages or Travel Arrangements.

SECTION A – TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL BOOKINGS (OTHER THAN WHEN WE ACT AS AN AGENT/RESELLER)

1. Contract

1.1 When making your booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with us for a Package or Travel Arrangement, as specified on your Confirmation Invoice. Your booking with us is subject to the relevant parts of these Booking Conditions and we advise you to read these carefully prior to booking.

1.2 All bookings are subject to availability at the time of booking. We do not guarantee that any of the Travel Arrangements or Packages we advertise will still be available at the time of booking.

1.3 After we receive your booking and all required payments, we will issue a confirmation invoice (‘Confirmation Invoice’) via email with a booking reference number. We will send the Confirmation Invoice to the primary contact and you will become directly responsible for the payment of the total price and if applicable, any cancellation charges. A binding contract to purchase the Package or Travel Arrangement will come into existence when we send the Confirmation Invoice.

1.4 In addition to being bound by our Booking Conditions you will also be bound by the terms and conditions of the Suppliers we choose to facilitate your booking, and such terms and conditions are available on request

2. Booking

2.1 The primary contact is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the personal details and any other information supplied to us in respect of yourself and all other members of your booking party and for passing any information regarding the booking or any changes made in relation to the booking to all members of the booking party including, but not limited to, information on schedule changes or copies of booking confirmations.

2.2 It is important to check the details on the Confirmation Invoice to ensure that all elements of your booking are exactly as requested. Please check that all names, dates and timings are correct on receipt of all documents. Please ensure that the names given are the same as in the relevant passport.

2.3 In the event of any discrepancy in the details contained on the Confirmation Invoice please contact us immediately at tripssupport@theculturetrip.com as it may not be possible to make changes at a later date and/or you may have to pay amendment or cancellation fees in accordance with clause 6.10.

2.4 Except as expressly set out in these Booking Conditions, only the necessary booking information that you provide to us will be passed on to the relevant Suppliers of your booking or other persons necessary for the provision of your booking. The information may be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. This applies to any special category (personal or otherwise sensitive) information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities, vaccinations, or dietary and religious requirements. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons. Certain information may also be passed on to security or credit checking companies. If you are travelling outside the United States, the government authority of the country or territory to which you are traveling (such as a customs or border patrol authority) may be provided this information for the purposes of preventing and combating terrorism and other transnational serious crimes. Please click here for full details of our privacy policy.

3. Price

3.1 We reserve the right to alter the prices of any of the Packages or Travel Arrangements and the prices do change from time to time. You will be advised of the relevant current price before your booking is confirmed.

3.2 All prices quoted include any sales taxes. Any additional local taxes or charges which may be payable locally during your trip are not included.

3.3 We will do our best to ensure that all the information and prices that we advise you of or publish are accurate, however, occasionally changes and errors occur and we reserve the right to correct prices and other details in such circumstances. You must check the current price and all other details relating to the Package or Travel Arrangement that you wish to book before your booking is confirmed. Where the Package or Travel Arrangement has been incorrectly priced and the booking has already been confirmed, we reserve the right to cancel the booking and refund all monies paid to you.

3.4 If during the booking process you request a price match you will be required to provide sufficient proof to show the price and itinerary being offered by the other supplier. If we agree to price match you will not be entitled to any ‘free services’ or ‘added extras’ we have previously advised you of.

3.5 We do not permit price matching after a booking has been made.

3.6 In some cases, taxes and fees including but not limited to, city taxes, resort fees, car parking and refundable deposits are charged by hotels/resorts, which can only be paid locally and not at the point of booking. We will do our best to inform you of such fees but accept no responsibility for the payment of these fees. If you are unclear as to whether city taxes and/or resort fees will be payable please ask and we will do our best to advise you.

4. Payment

4.1 The primary contact acts on behalf of all other persons on the booking and is responsible to us for all payments in respect of the booking.

4.2 When you make your booking a deposit may be payable. The amount of the deposit will be dependent on the components of your Package or the Travel Arrangement that you are booking. You will be advised of the deposit requirements during the booking process.

4.3 By confirming you would like to proceed with your booking either during a call with our reservations team or by completing the check-out process and making a booking for a Package or other Travel Arrangement by clicking “[PAY]” on the checkout page, you are confirming the purchase of the product from us. Your booking for the Package or other Travel Arrangement is subject to these Booking Conditions. All reservations are only confirmed when you receive the Confirmation Invoice from us. If you do not receive a Confirmation Invoice within 48 hours of placing your reservation please contact our customer support centre at tripssupport@theculturetrip.com

4.4 Where a booking requires a deposit, the balance of the Package or Travel Arrangement price must be paid at least 55 days prior to your departure or commencement date, however, in certain circumstances you may be asked to pay your balance earlier due to our commitment to our Suppliers.

4.5 If the departure date is within 55 days or less at the point of booking the full balance will be payable immediately.

4.6 If the deposit and/or balance is not paid in time, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and charge any administration and cancellation charges in accordance with clause 6.10.

4.7 On some occasions we may need to take the full payment for a booking due to a special fare, this payment then becomes non-changeable and non-refundable. You will be informed of any non-changeable and/or non-refundable parts of your booking prior to completing the booking process.

4.8 The Confirmation Invoice will reflect the amount paid at the time of booking, the date of payment, the purpose of the payment (e.g., deposit or full amount), and an itemized statement of the balance due if any.

4.9 All pricing is reflected in U.S. Dollars. Unless otherwise stated, prices include all government taxes as at the date of publication but not fees addressed in clause 3.6. Prices are valid for travel for the date ranges shown on the Confirmation Invoice.

4.10 We will accept payment from you in accordance with the payment methods listed on our website and/or mobile platform.

5. Special Requests/Medical Issues

5.1 If you wish to make a special request, you must do so at the time of booking. We will try to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant Supplier, but we cannot guarantee that any requests will be met.

5.2 The fact that a special request has been noted on your Confirmation Invoice or any other documentation or that it has been passed on to the Supplier is not confirmation that the request will be met.

5.3 Failure to meet any special requests will not be a breach of contract on our part unless the request has been specifically confirmed.

5.4 We are happy to advise and assist you in choosing a suitable Package or Travel Arrangement. As some of the Packages or Travel Arrangements may lack even the simplest facilities, such as ramps for wheelchairs, elevators, etc., it is important that, when booking, you advise us of any disabilities and special requirements to make sure the product meets your specific needs. We accept no liability if we are not advised of any special requirements your party have before a booking is completed. In the event that we are advised of a special requirement after a booking has been completed, your booking may be subject to additional charges to make the required arrangements or may have to be cancelled together with any applicable charges.

5.5 If we reasonably feel unable to properly accommodate the particular need of the person(s) concerned, we will not confirm the booking or, if full details are not given at the time of booking, cancel when we became aware of these details.

6. If you Change or Cancel your Booking

6.1 If you need to make a change to your Booking or would like to change the trip you have booked, we aim to accommodate you subject to cancellation charges and availability. Cancellation charges apply to Bookings cancelled from the day the remainder of your balance is due if you paid a deposit, or within 55 days of the departure date on your Booking Confirmation. For a full breakdown of the fees, please see Cancellation Charges 6.10. Alternatively, within 54 to 35 days from the departure date, we will offer to transfer your deposit and any funds paid to an alternative departure date free of charge. Please note that changes are subject to availability and the Booking must be transferred in full.

If you need to cancel within 29 days of trip departure, 100% cancellation fees will apply.

6.2 If, after our Confirmation Invoice has been issued, you wish to change your Package or Travel Arrangement in any way, we will endeavor to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes must be made to our Customer Support Centre via email at tripssupport@theculturetrip.com or via telephone on +1 (678) 967 4965 by the primary contact on the booking.

6.3 Certain bookings may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration could incur a cancellation charge up to 100% of that part of the booking. In some cases any changes made may mean you having to pay for the cancelled arrangements and making a new booking at full price. You will be advised of any non-refundable costs prior to booking.

6.4 If some of your party cancel, in addition to paying the applicable cancellation charges we will recalculate the cost for the remaining travelers and you may have to pay additional charges.

6.5 Certain arrangements may incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangement of the Package or Travel Arrangement after it has been confirmed.

6.6 You will be asked to pay any relevant difference in the price of your booking, together with further costs we incur in making the alteration for any amendment or cancellation. You should be aware these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made. If you choose not to pay the difference in the price of your new booking you may choose to cancel your booking in accordance with clause 6.10.

6.7 Unless otherwise advised at the time of booking and/or on your Confirmation Invoice, you may not make any changes within 35 days of departure.

6.8 We recommend that in the event of any cancellation you contact your insurance company as you may be able to reclaim the loss depending on the reason for the cancellation and the policy you have taken. Please refer to clause 16 for further information about travel insurance requirements for your trip.

6.9 Standard Cancellation Charges:

Please note that if you change your booking, “Package/Travel Arrangement Price” does not include any other costs paid which are not refundable in the event of your cancellation. These cancellation charges apply to all bookings, except items or services that are non-refundable. You will be advised of any items of this nature at the time of booking. 

Cancelling – Travel Advisories Covid 19

6.11 The government authorities of many countries and other jurisdictions have advised, or may from time to time advise, against all but essential travel due to Covid and its mutations and variants (referred to herein as the “Covid-19 pandemic”). However, many of the destinations in which we operate remain open and accept travelers (in some cases subject to quarantine or other restrictions), and flights to and from these destinations continue to operate. If holiday destinations remain open and flights continue to operate and travel services can be performed, we will continue to offer our products and services to customers who wish to purchase them.

6.12 If you book a Package or Travel Arrangement with us during the Covid-19 pandemic, you confirm that you have checked, understand and accept the travel advice relating to your chosen destination, including where there may be a requirement on you to quarantine upon your return to the USA (or at your destination), and understand and accept that there is a heightened risk of travelling during the Covid-19 pandemic, beyond that associated with travel during ordinary times. It is your responsibility to determine and review advice or mandates that may be applicable to you and/or your travel destination and/or your reentry into the USA. You are also required to purchase a specialist travel insurance which includes certain cover for Covid-19 – see clause 13.

6.13 You acknowledge that the Suppliers providing your Package or Travel Arrangement will need to comply with national and/or local guidance and requirements relating to Covid-19 and have implemented certain measures as a result. This will likely 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 options and limited food/drink availability and temperature testing, and other measures relating to your safety and the safety of others. Depending on the measures, and your view of the measures, these measures may have a significant impact on your enjoyment of your Package or Travel Arrangement.

6.14 Where you are choosing to travel to a destination subject to a governmental agency (or agencies) advisory against non-essential travel (whether issued by a USA governmental agency or by a governmental agency in the destination (or destinations) to which you are traveling), you accept that once your booking has been confirmed, if you decide not to travel due to the advisory, you will have to pay our standard cancellation charges as shown in clause 6.10 of these Booking Conditions. You are not entitled to cancel and receive a full refund in these circumstances, and you are deemed to have confirmed as if you have made your booking with full knowledge of the advisory against non-essential travel.

6.15 Where your departing or chosen destination does not have an advisory against non-essential travel at the time of booking but an advisory subsequently is issued, you accept that you will not have the right to cancel your booking and receive a full refund. If you choose to no longer travel in these circumstances, you will have to pay our standard cancellation charges as shown in clause 6.10 of these Booking Conditions, as you will be deemed to have made your booking with full knowledge of the risks of travelling during the Covid-19 pandemic.

6.16 Please note that we will have no liability for any refunds, compensation, costs, expenses or other losses of any kind incurred by you (including, where applicable, the cost of medical treatment), other than in the following circumstances:

1. If you, or anyone in your booking party, test positive for Covid-19, or are notified or otherwise become aware that you have, or suspect you may have, come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 (or where they otherwise suspect they may have Covid-19) and have to self-isolate for a period of time:

(i) If this happens within 14 days of your departure/commencement date, you must contact us immediately as you may no longer be able to travel and provide medical evidence. We will offer you the following options where possible and subject to availability:

1. Postponing your booking to a later date. We will notify you of any impact on the price the postponement may have (please note that you may have to pay full cancellation charges on some elements of your booking, as well any increase in cost imposed by Suppliers); or
2. If not everyone on the booking is affected, you may be able to transfer your place on the booking to another person nominated by you, subject always to compliance with the requirements within our Booking Conditions and any amendment and administration charges payable; or
3. You may be able to claim these costs back from your travel insurance – please check your policy wording.

(ii) If this happens once your Package or Travel Arrangement has commenced please notify us immediately and we will provide such reasonable assistance as we can in the circumstances. However, we will not be responsible for covering the cost of any curtailment of your Package, Travel Arrangement, missed transport arrangements, additional accommodation required, or other associated costs incurred by you. Your travel insurance may cover some of these costs for you – please check the policy wording.

1. You fail any tests, checks or other measures imposed by a Supplier, airline, port or airport, border control authority or other government body or local authority or fail to submit for testing or assessment when requested to do so, and as such you are denied boarding, entry to the destination, access to the travel services or you are otherwise unable to proceed with your Package or Travel Arrangement, or any part of it, or you are required to self-isolate within the destination in accordance with the requirements imposed in the destination. Your travel insurance may cover some of these costs for you – please check the policy wording.

7.1 As we mostly arrange and plan your Package or Travel Arrangement many months in advance, we may have to make changes to your booking both before and after your booking has been confirmed.

Changes

7.2 Most changes are minor, but from time to time we may have to make a major change to your booking.

7.3 If we make a major change to your Package or Travel Arrangement (as determined by us in our discretion), we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before your departure or commencement of the booking, as appropriate. You will have the choice of either accepting the change of arrangements, accepting an offer of alternative of comparable standard from us if available (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value), or cancelling your Package or Travel Arrangement and receiving a full refund of all monies paid. This does not apply for minor changes. Additional provisions may apply to Packages (see clause 18).

7.4 Examples of minor changes may include, but are not limited to change of accommodation to another or higher standard or minor change to a trip itinerary. See additional provisions and examples that apply to Packages at clause 18.

Cancellation

7.5 We may in exceptional circumstances be required to change or cancel your booking, including but not limited to instances where the minimum number of travelers required for the Package to go ahead hasn’t been reached, in which case a full refund of all monies paid will be made to you. The minimum number required will be provided to you with the trip description, along with the time limit for us to tell you if the package has to be cancelled. In respect of groups, we will confirm or cancel the Package within 60 days of departure.

7.6 Other than the refund discussed in the above clause, we will not be responsible for any expenses or losses that you may incur as a result of change or cancellation, including any additional Travel Arrangements that you have made via another company.

7.7 Where you have booked a Package, additional terms and conditions apply to your booking, please see clause 18.

7.8 If we agree that any refunds are due to you, then these will be made by the same method used to pay for the booking. Any payment made by credit card or debit card will be returned to that card and will not be refunded to any other card.

Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances

7.9 In these Booking Conditions, Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances (also known as Force Majeure) means a situation which is beyond our or the Supplier’s control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if reasonable measures had been taken. Such situations are likely to include, but are not limited to whether actual or threatened, war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, flood, epidemics and pandemics, fire, airport, port or airspace closures, restrictions or congestion, flight or entry restrictions imposed by any regulatory authority or other third party, a government authority advisory against travel to a particular destination and any other government restrictions on travel. Except where otherwise stated in these Booking Conditions, we have no liability including for compensation, costs and expenses in such situations.

7.10 We shall have no liability to you for any changes, cancellations, failure to perform, or delay in performance of, any of our obligations that are caused by Unavoidable and Extraordinary circumstances. If such an event takes place and if affects the performance of our obligations to you we will contact you as soon as reasonably possible to notify you. If you have any concerns about a booking, please contact tripssupport@theculturetrip.com or call us on +1 (678) 967-4965. We do not have any liability or obligation to you to make any refunds, pay you compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result.

8. Travel Requirements

8.1 You accept responsibility for both you and your party in respect of the following:

1. Any flights and all other travel and/or transport at your own cost and risk if applicable in order for you to commence your booking (unless transport is expressly included within the Package or Travel Arrangement).
2. If transport is expressly included within the Package or Travel Arrangement, we will provide the following to you in the Confirmation Invoice in the case of air travel: the name of the carrier with which we have contracted to provide the transportation, the type and size of carrier to be used, and the date, time and place of each departure; and a detailed description of any other services provided in conjunction with the transportation.
3. You must ensure that you and your party have valid passports and appropriate visas. Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements are your responsibility. Requirements can change at any time and so we encourage you to check the current requirements with your local passport office, the relevant embassy, consulate, or other appropriate authority (including for health and vaccine requirements) in advance of departure or commencement and the relevant government’s website for the latest advice on conditions and information on specific countries.
4. You will be responsible for the behavior of yourself and your party. (Please refer to clause 11).

9. Assistance in Resort

9.1 If the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly performed as a result of failures attributable to a third party unconnected with the provision of the services, or as a result of failures due to Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances and you suffer an injury or other material loss, we will offer you such prompt assistance as is reasonable in the circumstances.

10. Complaints

10.1 In the event that you experience any problems with any element of your Package or Travel Arrangement once it has commenced, you must immediately inform us and the relevant Supplier of the particular part of the Package or Travel Arrangement that you wish to complain about while still at the hotel or resort or while the Travel Agreement is taking place.

10.2 We will use reasonable efforts to resolve problems or complaints while the Package or Travel Arrangement is trip is ongoing. However if you remain dissatisfied please contact us in writing within 28 days of your return by emailing our Customer Support Centre at tripssupport@theculturetrip.com (which is the fastest way to communicate with us) or write to Customer Service Department, Culture Trip, Huckletree Shoreditch, AlphaBeta Building, 18, Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1AH.

10.3 We will require any documentation to support your complaint in order for us to investigate any problems you may have incurred.

10.4 If you fail to follow these procedures we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify your complaint.

10.5 You acknowledge that we are located in, and formed under the laws of, the United Kingdom. All disputes that are not resolved will be resolved exclusively by arbitration in the United Kingdom as follows: Hunt ADR Limited have been appointed to administer and manage an independent arbitration scheme, the rules of which can be provided upon request.

Should you wish to commence arbitration to resolve your dispute, Culture Trip will provide you with contact details of Hunt ADR Limited and Culture Trip’s reference number, which is required to commence arbitration, on request. The request for arbitration must be submitted within 18 months from the date of the dispute, and you will be required to provide copies of any previous correspondence that you may have had with us and any paperwork that is at all relevant e.g. receipts, invoices, etc. as part of the arbitration process.

11. Behavior

11.1 You are expected to conduct yourself in an orderly and acceptable manner and not to disrupt the enjoyment of others, and in all events in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. If in our or our Supplier’s opinion or in the opinion of any other person in authority, your behavior or that of any member of your party is causing or is likely to cause distress, danger or annoyance to any other customers or any third party, or damage to property, or to cause a delay or diversion to transportation, we reserve the right to terminate your booking immediately with no further liability to you. No refunds will be made and no expenses or costs incurred by you as a result of the termination will be made. You and/or your party may also be required to pay for loss and/or damage caused by your actions and you and each member of your party will be jointly and individually liable for any damage or losses caused. If you fail to make payment, you will be responsible for meeting any claims (including legal costs) subsequently made against us because of your actions together with all costs we incur in pursuing any claim against you.

11.2 We cannot be held responsible for the actions or behavior of other guests or individuals who have no connection with your booking arrangements or with us.

12. Flights

12.1 We do not provide any Packages or Travel Arrangements that include flights. If you require flights in order to get to the place of your booking, it is your responsibility to do so. We accept no responsibility for any flights, cancellations, or amendments whatsoever.

13. Insurance

13.1 It is a condition of travel on our Packages and Travel Arrangements that all travelers are adequately covered by travel insurance prior to departure. Insurance should cover personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment of your trip in addition to the clause 13.2 below.

13.2 You must purchase a specialist travel insurance policy which includes specific cover for Covid-19 related issues and incidents which may affect your Package or Travel Arrangements and, if necessary, travelling to a destination subject to an advisory against travel. It remains your responsibility to read and understand the insurance policy and ensure that it is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on your trip. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance coverage, we will not be liable for any losses suffered by you in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.

13.3 We are an appointed representative of World Nomads who are authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. World Nomads are able to offer competitive rates of insurance, details of which can be found here. If you do not purchase insurance via World Nomads you must arrange alternative insurance of at least comparable standard (we will not check it, this is your responsibility) and you must provide details of your policy to us upon request.

14. Excursions

14.1 Excursions or other tours that you may choose to book or pay for during your Trip are not part of your Package or Travel Arrangement. For any excursion or other tour that you book, your contract will be with the operator of the excursion or tour and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of the excursion or tour or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by the operator.

15. Changes to Booking Conditions

15.1 We may make changes to these Booking Conditions from time to time. Please check your booking confirmation email which includes a copy of the Booking Conditions that apply to your booking.

16. Other Important Information

16.1 Severability – Each of the sections and paragraphs of these Booking Conditions operates separately. If any court or relevant authority decides that any of them are unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining sections and paragraphs will remain in full force and effect.

16.2 Waiver – If you breach these Booking Conditions and we take no action, or if we delay in taking action, that does not mean that we have waived our rights and we will still be entitled to enforce our rights and remedies. If we do waive a breach by you, we will only do so in writing

16.3 Rights to your image or likeness – Culture Trip reserves the right to use passengers’ images or likenesses for promotional or marketing purposes on its website, social media channels or in other related materials.

17. Law and Jurisdiction

17.1 These Booking Terms and Conditions and any agreement to which they apply are governed in all respects by English law. We both agree that any dispute, claim or other matter which arises between us out of or in connection with your contract or booking will be dealt with exclusively by the Courts of England and Wales.

SECTION A-1: TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO PACKAGES

This section only applies to Packages. This section supplements Section A. Note that Section A-2 does not apply to Packages.

18. Package Contract

18.1 Your booking is considered a “Package” if you book a combination of at least two different types of the following individual travel services, for the purpose of the same trip or holiday:

• transport (including but not limited to flights, trains and coaches, but does not include minor transport services such as a guided tour or a transfer); or
• accommodation; or
• rental of cars, motor vehicles or motorcycles (in certain circumstances); and
• any other tourist service not intrinsically part of one of the above travel services, provided that those travel services are purchased together from a single visit to our website and selected by you before you agree to pay; or are advertised, sold or charged at an inclusive or total price; or advertised or sold under the term “package” or a similar term.

18.2 Your contract will be with us and we will accept responsibility for this booking unless we are acting as an agent for a Principal Supplier in which case Section B of these Booking Conditions will apply.

19. Transferring Your Package

19.1 If any member of your party is prevented from travelling on their Package, that person(s) may transfer their place to someone else, subject to the following conditions:

• that person is introduced by you and satisfies all the conditions applicable to the Package;
• we are notified not less than 7 days before departure;
• you pay any outstanding balance payment as well as any additional fees, charges or other costs arising from the transfer;
• the transferee agrees to these Booking Conditions, and all other requirements applicable to the Package; and
• you and the transferee remain jointly and severally liable for payment of all sums.

If you are unable to find a replacement, cancellation charges as set out will apply in accordance with clause 6.10. Otherwise, no refunds will be given for passengers not travelling or for unused services.

20. If we Change or Cancel your Package

20.1 Where you have booked a Package and we make a significant change to or cancel the Travel Arrangements which form your Package, the provisions of this clause 20 will apply.

20.2 We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances:

Surcharges

20.3 Changes in transportation costs, including the cost of fuel, dues, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports and exchange rates mean that the price of your Package may change after you have booked. However, there will be no change within 20 days of your departure.

20.4 You will not be charged for any increase equivalent to 2% of the Package price, which includes insurance premiums and any amendments charges.

20.5 You will be charged for the amount over and above that stated in clause 20.4.

20.6 If this means that you have to pay an increase of more than 8% of the Package price, you will have the following options:

• Accept the changed price; or
• Purchase alternative arrangements from us, of similar standard to those originally booked if available (if there is an increase in cost from the original booking you will be liable for this cost; if there is a reduction in cost, we will refund the difference to you) or
• Accept the cancellation, in which case you will receive a refund in full of all monies you have paid to us.

Should you decide to cancel you must do so within 14 days from the date of your final invoice.

20.7 Should the price of your holiday go down due to the changes mentioned above, by more than 2% of your holiday price, then any refund due will be paid to you.

Changes and Cancellations

20.8 If we make an insignificant or minor change to your Package, we will make reasonable efforts to inform you as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before your departure, but we will have no liability to you. Examples of insignificant changes may include change of accommodation to another of the same or higher standard, or minor changes to services available at the accommodation.

20.9 Occasionally we may have to make a significant change to your confirmed Package. Examples of “significant changes” include the following, when made before departure:

• A change of accommodation area for the whole or a significant part of your time away.
• A change of accommodation to that of a lower standard or classification for the whole or a significant part of your time away.

20.10 We will not cancel your Package less than 35 days before your departure date, except for reasons of Unavoidable or Extraordinary circumstances or failure by you to pay the final balance.

20.11 If we have to make a significant change or cancel your Package, we will tell you as soon as possible and if there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of:

• (for significant changes) accepting the changed Travel Arrangements; or
• having a refund of all monies paid; or
• accepting an offer of alternative travel arrangements of comparable or higher standard if available (at no extra cost); or
• if available, accepting an offer of alternative travel arrangements of a lower standard, with a refund of the price difference between the original Travel Arrangements and the alternative travel arrangements.

20.12 You must notify us of your choice within 7 days of our offer. If we do not hear from you within 7 days, we will contact you again to request notification of your choice. If you fail to respond again we will assume that you have chosen to accept the change, alternative travel arrangements or cancellation as appropriate.

Compensation

20.13 If we cancel or make a major change we will pay as a minimum compensation as detailed below, except where the major change or cancellation arises due to Unavoidable or Extraordinary circumstances (clauses 7.8-7.10) or your failure to pay.

21. Our Liability to You