AIRFARES:
Airfares are subject to participating airline reservation and ticketing rules, regulations and restrictions at time of booking. The lowest applicable airfare will be quoted. All taxes, fuel surcharges, security charges and any other taxes or charges imposed by airlines, airports, cruise lines, governments, etc., are not included in tour price. At the time of printing, US departure taxes are in the $250 range and are subject to change until tickets are issued. Spelling corrections to clients’ names after air tickets are issued are subject to airline revision fees.

RESERVATIONS:
Reservations should be made as early as possible by calling or visiting your travel agent. Reservations are accepted up to 30 days prior to departure, subject to a non-refundable late booking fee of $50, providing space is available, full payment has been received and documents can be delivered prior to departure by express mail, which fee is the responsibility of the client. Any changes or amendments to a booking after it has been confirmed will incur a change fee of $50 per person. After documents have been issued, any changes will result in an immediate service charge of 5% of total invoice.

PAYMENT POLICY:
A deposit of $250.00 per person is due at time of booking and payment is accepted by check only. $100.00 per person of this deposit is non-refundable. Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure from the U.S. Visa and MasterCard are accepted for final payment. Tickets for optional cultural events such as theater, opera, operetta, concert performances, sports events, exhibitions and fairs, or similar events, must be paid in full upon confirmation by Smolka Tours. These tickets are non-refundable. Failure to comply with these payment deadlines may result in automatic cancellation of the reservations and regular cancellation fees apply.

HOTELS:
European standards may vary considerably from standards in the U.S. and also from country to country. However, Smolka Tours inspects all hotels personally in order to ensure the best service. The local hotel management makes room assignments: location, view, and room size may vary. Single rooms are limited, are often smaller than twin bedrooms and are available at supplements as shown.

HOLIDAYS:
During local or national holidays, certain facilities such as museums, restaurants, sightseeing tours and shopping may be limited or not available. Alternatives will be offered whenever possible.
NOT INCLUDED in the tour prices are all items not specifically outlined in the itinerary, or items listed as "optional" or "possibly to", passport and visa fees, vaccinations and inoculations, excess baggage charges, cost of insurance policies, meals other than those specified, beverages, laundry, gratuities, and personal expenses.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY:
Smolka Tours makes reservations and advance deposits to suppliers after receiving the initial deposit to ensure quality service. This results in a costly process of letters, toll calls, fax fees, and bank charges for money transfers, etc. Tour participants may withdraw from the tour at any time; however, cancellation must be received in writing. Cancellation charges are outlined as follows:

• Escorted tours up to 1 month prior to departure, 30% of the tour price.
• Custom itineraries for individual travelers between 45 and 30 days prior to departure date, $250 per person.
• 1 month to 2 weeks prior to departure, 50% of the land price.
• Less than 2 weeks prior to departure, 75% of the land price.
• No refunds can be made less than 7 days prior to the start of the tour.
• Credit Card processing fees, if applicable.

REFUNDS FOR UNUSED SERVICES:
No refunds will be made for unused services once travel arrangements have commenced.

INSURANCE: Travel insurance is not included in any of the prices quoted. We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance with your first deposit to cover any pre-existing medical conditions (see enclosed details). This insurance protects you against loss of deposit and/or final payment, injury, medical expenses, loss of baggage or personal effects, etc. Insurance is offered through Insure America.

TOUR OPERATOR'S RESPONSIBILITY:
The responsibility of Smolka Tours and/or its agents is limited. They act only in the capacity of an agent for the tour participant in all matters connected with transportation, whether by plane, motorcoach, boat, railway, car or other means, accommodation and meal services, sightseeing programs, and other suppliers.

IMPORTANT- PLEASE READ:
Smolka Tours shall in no circumstances whatsoever be liable to the client or any person travelling with him/her, for any damage, injury, death, sickness, loss, accident or irregularity resulting from any damage, additional expense, or inconvenience caused by delay, or cancelled transportation services, changes of schedule, strikes, or defect in any vehicle through the act or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the participant or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour; sickness, weather, strikes, lockouts or labor stoppages regardless of fault, war (declared or not), riots, hostilities, civil disturbances, theft, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, acts or restrictions of governments or other authorities, de jure or de facto, acts of public enemies, seizure under legal process, acts of God and from any other causes beyond the control of Smolka Tours. Smolka Tours neither owns nor operates any of the suppliers of services and reserves the right to withdraw any features announced in the itinerary, substitute hotels, and to make such alterations in the tour program as may be found desirable for the convenience of the participants and the proper operation of the tour. Smolka Tours reserves the right to cancel the tour any day prior to departure for any reason. In such event the liability of Smolka Tours is limited to a refund of all payment received and this shall constitute full settlement with the tour participant.

Responsibility of participating air carriers (hereafter referred to as the "airlines") is only for the air travel portion of these tours performed by them on behalf of the tour participants in accordance with the terms and conditions of their individual passage contracts and subject to applicable laws, treaties and regulations governing air transportation. Tour services including, but not limited to, carriage by land or sea, guide services, hotel accommodations, restaurants and all services other than carriage by air are furnished by contractors who are independent and do not act for or on behalf of the airlines and the airlines should not be held responsible for any act, omission or event occurring prior to the tour participant's embarkation upon or after his disembarkation from any airline's aircraft. The usual passage contract used by the airline shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the tour participant, and in purchasing a passage contract as part of these tours, the participant acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions. The airlines shall not be held responsible for any act, omission or event, during the time passengers are not on board their aircraft.