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GENERAL GUIDELINES AND CONDITIONS

GENERAL GUIDELINES AND CONDITIONS
This document serves as a guideline for the Terms and Conditions of all tours operated by Parallel Tours and Travel (aka “Parallel Tours”).  Deviations or amendments to these Terms and Conditions must be confirmed in writing (typically by email) by Parallel Tours in order to be valid.  Individual information sheets issued for specific tours may also amend these Terms and Conditions.

PRICING AND INCLUDED SERVICES

TOUR PRICES
All tour prices are shown in US Dollars.
Prices shown are per person, double occupancy.
Single Supplement pricing applies unless otherwise stated on tour description.
Prices and Tour Dates are listed on The Parallel Tours and Travel website.

INCLUDED
Each tour includes lodging, guides, activities, tours, transportation and other items as explicitly specified in the tour description published on the Parallel Tours and Travel website.

NOT INCLUDED
Air transportation unless specified, all meals not listed on tour itinerary, personal expenses, room service, phone calls, etc. unless explicitly specified in tour description.  Travel insurance is not included in the cost of the trip.

TIPPING
Tipping is optional. Some tours include tips. Tour leaders do not accept tips. Local tipping customs may be provided on individual tour information sheets.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
We consistently have single travelers on our tours.  They are provided with single-use double rooms when available.  The additional single supplement cost is dependent upon the tour and hotels for each tour.

FEES AND EXPENES FOR OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES
Activities and excursions listed in the tour description are included in the price of the tour. 
However, optional activities and excursions at additional costs may be offered.  These are usually activities and excursions that the entire group may not wish to participate in. They may have limited appeal, are strenuous or require special skills, or have very early or late starting times.  Examples are golf in Ireland, early morning bird watching in Peru, or a late night cabaret show in Paris.  In these cases, additional expenses will be for non-included meals, fees, admission, guiding, moderate tipping where appropriate, and personal sightseeing or shopping.

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
The purpose of taking deposits and payments is to guarantee and secure the traveler their place on a tour.  In turn, we make commitments to travel suppliers (hotels, transportation companies, guides, trains, ferries, tickets, etc.) on the traveler’s behalf. 


INITIAL DEPOSITS FOR BOOKINGS FOR TOURS MORE THAN 365 DAYS IN ADVANCE

  • A “Hold My Spot/Good Faith” deposit amount is $250 per person. Upon receipt, it holds a space for the traveler on a specified tour.
  • Travelers will be invoiced for an amount of up to 50% of the cost of the trip within 9-12 months of departure date.


INITIAL DEPOSITS FOR BOOKING FOR TOURS LESS THAN 365 DAYS IN ADVANCE

  • The deposit amount is $1000 per person (depending upon which trip is selected). Upon receipt, it holds a place for a specified tour.


PAYMENTS

  • Parallel Tours acknowledges the receipt of deposits and payments via email, usually within 48 hours of receipt.  Exceptions may be when out of the office traveling.  Within a reasonable time of return to the office, an acknowledgement of payment will be sent.
  • Final payments are due approximately 90-180 days before trip start date for the majority of tours.  For those exceptions, payment date may vary and will be communicated to the traveler via email and/or on the website tour description.
  • Preferred method of payment of deposits and payments is by check or easy Zelle bank transfers in U.S. dollars. There are no additional fees for these forms of payment.  Zelle payments can only be accepted to our Zelle ID, 413.426.7307.
  • When sending payments by check, please include all traveler names, phone number, and email address.  If paying by other means, please send traveler names, phone number, and email address to Parallel Tours by email at [email protected].
  • Credit cards and PayPal are accepted with payments in U.S. dollars.  However, a 3.75% service fee may be added in to cover additional fees charged by banks and PayPal.
  • Payments are considered late if they are not received within 10 days after the due date.  At that time Parallel Tours will notify the client by email and if possible, by phone, of the late status of the payment.  If the payment is not received within 7 days of the late notification, the traveler’s status may be considered as “cancelled by the traveler”.
  • Any change to the payment policy will be communicated to the traveler by Parallel Tours via email.  We do our best to work with travelers with payments schedules but it is the responsibility of the traveler to contact Parallel Tours before payments are due to
    make alternative payment arrangements.  In other words, call or email if payment cannot be made on the due date.  We will do our best to provide other arrangements. 

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS

IF YOU CANCEL

  • Timely notification by email (preferred) or by phone is necessary for travelers who wish to cancel their place(s) on a tour.  The cancellation will be confirmed by Parallel Tours by email.  The earlier a cancellation is made, the easier it may be to provide the traveler with a refund or credit, if a refund/credit can be made at all.
  • Regardless of any other policy stated herein, all payments and deposits will be fully refunded if the traveler’s place(s) on the tour can be filled and the tour is filled to capacity.  Travelers filling your place must be paying the same price as the cancelled travelers paid in order to receive a full refund.  Otherwise a refund in the amount of what the replacement travelers have paid will be made.
  • All payments are fully refundable upon request if the trip commencement date is more than 11 months in advance.
  • Regardless of when a cancellation may occur, Parallel Tours will make a reasonable attempt to work with clients in securing refunds/credits for cancelled trips. 


IF WE CANCEL or POSTPONE

  • In general, Parallel Tours may cancel or postpone a trip approximately 6 months
    before tour start date.  Usually, the reason for such cancellation or postponement is because of under-subscription of the tour.  Travelers will be immediately notified.  All payments and deposits will be promptly refunded.
  • In the unlikely event that Parallel Tours cancels or postpones a tour for a reason
    other than under-subscription, all payments will be refunded.  However, there are some exceptions due to circumstances beyond our control such as but not limited to:
  • Act(s) of War, or war-like actions, including Undeclared or Civil War
  • Act(s) of Terrorism
  • Labor Actions
  • Civil or Political Unrest
  • Restrictions by Governmental Agencies
  • Natural Disaster
  • Epidemic/Pandemic
  • Health/Medical Crisis
  • Emerging Conditions Outside the Control of Parallel Tours that Would Place Those on a Tour in Danger
  • Emerging Logistical Issues Outside of the Control of Parallel Tours that Would Make
    the Trip Impractical to Complete as Originally Planned

In the event a tour is cancelled or postponed due to circumstances as explained above, Parallel Tours will make a best effort to recover and refund any or all deposits and payments made.  No guarantee is made for a partial or full refund under such circumstances.

INSURANCE


EMERGENCY MEDICAL, EVACUATION INSURANCE & COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL INSURANCE
We strongly and emphatically recommend travelers have health and emergency evacuation insurance coverage while on a trip.  We urge travelers to strongly consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance. Where to purchase insurance is the traveler’s decision.  No endorsement of any specific insurance company is offered here.  However, here are some resources to consider:

  • Geo Blue: (health and emergency evacuation insurance only)
  • Allianz:  Comprehensive coverage.  A quote for annual travel coverage, with COVID options, can be found here.
  • InsureMyTrip.Com: Comprehensive coverage
  • Your credit card may provide comprehensive travel insurance

Please read and understand the terms, conditions and coverages of any travel insurance policy you may purchase.  Parallel Tours assumes no responsibility for claims decisions made by the trip insurance company.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS


HOTELS
In general, hotels are centrally located and walking distance to many sites and restaurants. Rooms usually have one queen or king bed or two twin beds, with private bath.  Especially in Europe, it is common practice to have two twin beds pushed together to make up a double or king-size bed.  Unless specifically detailed in the tour outline, hotels include breakfast.


LUGGAGE
Pack light.  Travelers may be responsible for getting their own luggage on/off trains, vans, boats, ferries, taxis, etc.  There can be limited space on trains and other transportation modes.  We suggest bringing a daypack for carrying water, guidebooks, jacket, rain gear, etc. for day trips and city walking tours.  We send out a detailed information sheet for each tour specifying specific needs for each trip.


TRANSPORTATION
Different forms of public and private transportation such as taxis, buses, vans, trains, boats, ferries, etc. may be used on tours operated by Parallel Tours.


ACTIVITY LEVEL
In general, our tours are for healthy active adults.  They are not suited for those with mobility issues. Travelers should be prepared to spend at least a few hours a day on their feet.  Depending upon the tour, there can be walking on hilly, rocky or uneven surfaces, up and down stairs and hills.  Always wear comfortable and sturdy shoes that are broken in.  Carry appropriate weather gear.


ETIQUETTE
For the enjoyment of all our guests on tour we ask those who choose to travel with Parallel Tours to be congenial, lighthearted, and to take small issues in stride.  Should you have any issues please address them to your tour manager/leader – he/she is your Parallel Tours
representative during your time on the tour. 


AGE RESTRICTION
We welcome travelers over 25 years of age.  


TRAVELER RESPONSIBILITIES


STARTING AND ENDING DATES OF TOURS
It is the responsibility of the traveler to arrive and depart tour starting and ending points on the prescribed day and times.  Parallel Tours shall not be liable for the costs of unused lodging or activities missed due to a traveler arriving late or departing early from a tour. Furthermore, if travelers arrive late or depart early from a tour, the traveler assumes all costs in meeting the tour in progress or all costs in terminating the tour due to an early departure.


PASSPORTS, VISAS & OTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Immediately after sending in a deposit for a trip, and at least 3 months before the commencement of a trip, travelers need to ensure their passports and other travel documents are in order.

  • Passports need to have an expiration date of at least 6 months after the tour has been
    completed. 
  • Passports need to have at least 2 blank pages available for stamping by passport control agents.
  • For those not holding a valid U.S.A. passport, it is the traveler’s responsibility to make sure all visa requirements have been met. 
  • It is the responsibility of all travelers to meet visa requirements of any and all countries they may be connecting through to/from their tour destination.
  • It is the traveler responsibility to provide required vaccine, immunization and other health documentation as determined by regulatory agencies. 
  • Starting in 2025, visitors that currently do not need a visa to enter Europe may be expected to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization.  It is the responsibility of the traveler to obtain ETIAS travel authorization.

Travelers are encouraged to bring multiple photocopies of passports and other travel documents on trips.

TOUR DESCRIPTIONS AND INFORMATION

General descriptions of tours are on the website. In advance of tour start date, via email, travelers will be provided with a more detailed tour information sheet specific to that tour.  It will contain information on such matters as how to get to/from hotel, money matters, packing, anticipated weather, detailed itinerary and starting times of activities, hotel contact information, general expectations, and other details relating to the specific tour.  Travelers should print and bring this information sheet with them on the tour.  Travelers are expected to be familiar with this information.


RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY


TOUR CHANGES
All information on this website is, to the best of our knowledge, correct.  However, Parallel Tours reserves the right to make changes in accommodations, visits, and itineraries at any time should it become necessary or desirable.  Delays or itinerary changes caused by strikes, severe weather, traffic, or other unforeseen circumstances beyond our control are not reasons for travelers to be compensated for inconvenience.

In the unusual event a service, accommodation or activity as described in the tour description cannot be provided, Parallel Tours will make a best effort to provide a substitute service, accommodation or activity.  However, Parallel Tours will not be held liable for not providing that service, accommodation or activity.


LIMIT OF LIABILITY
No responsibility is accepted for any loss, expense, accident, injury, or damage to any person or property due to the actions or omissions of any person, or any cause, including but not limited to acts of God, acts of terrorism, war, labor actions, defects in machinery, breakdown of equipment, weather, quarantine, curfews, border controls or other causes beyond our control.  Parallel Tours is not responsible for expenses incurred but not limited to any of the following: travel insurance, non- refundable flights, passports or visas.


THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS
In the course of operating a tour, Parallel Tours and Travel may contract with third parties such as hotels, restaurants, transportation companies, guides, excursion companies, activity providers, etc. which Parallel Tours neither owns, operates, or controls.  Parallel Tours will not be held liable for the negligent acts or omissions of any third-party provider.


UNRESOLVED DISPUTES
During a tour, travelers must direct concerns or complaints to the tour manager/leader while the tour is in progress. Travelers agree to present unresolved disputes or claims against Parallel Tours within 60 days after the completion of a tour.  Both parties shall first have up to 30 days for the opportunity to resolve such issues without intervention by outside parties. After that time period, Parallel Tours reserves the option to choose one of the following avenues to resolve any outstanding claims or disputes:

  • Binding arbitration governed by the laws of the State of Texas. The arbitrator(s) and not any federal, state or local court shall have the final authority to resolve any such dispute.
  • Federal, state, or local court located in the State of Texas.


IMAGES AND MARKETING
Parallel Tours, guides, and tour leaders may take photos and video while on tours. Travelers may take photos and video while on tours and share them with Parallel Tours, guides and
tour leaders or other tour participants. Images of travelers may be included in these photos or video. Unless expressly prohibited by travelers, these photos may be shared with other tour participants. Parallel Tours may place these photos on social media, promotional materials, or on the Parallel Tours website. Travelers are not due compensation, royalties or any other benefits from Parallel Tours in respect to the use or distribution of images or videos.


PARTICIPATION
Parallel Tours reserves the right to accept, reject, or not retain any person as a tour
participant whose condition or general deportment impedes the operation of the tour or, in the opinion of the tour manager, affects the rights and enjoyment of other guests.  A guest not retained on tour shall have no cause for complaint or refund and shall bear any and all extra expenses that ensue.


CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PARALLEL TOURS AND TRAVEL

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: www.parallel.tours
  • Phone: 940.331.5227
  • Business Address: 10020 Boston Harbor Dr, Providence Village, TX 76227, USA.

Updated 19-February-2024