Reservations & Payment
To make reservations, complete application form and send deposit of $300 per person
to address shown on application form or register at www.BrekkeTours.com. The final
balance is due 75 days prior to departure. Early departures and/or extended stays
are subject to availability, must be requested upon registration, and entail a surcharge
of $50, plus weekend surcharge of $25 per direction, if applicable. For reservations
or final payment made within 21 days prior to departure, there is a $25 per reservation
handling/express fee. Checks, Money Orders, VISA, MasterCard and Discover are accepted
as forms of payment. In case of billing error, we reserve the right to re-invoice
with correct pricing.
Travel Documents
It is the responsibility of each passenger to obtain proper travel documents, such
as passport and visa. Each passenger must be in possession of a passport with a
validity of at least six (6) months beyond the conclusion of their trip. A visa
is not required for Scandinavia or Western Europe for stays of less than 3 months.
A visa is required for passengers traveling to Russia.
It is imperative that your airline ticket matches your first and last name exactly
as it reads on your passport. Any changes to your air booking, which include spelling,
are subject to a change fee, penalties, or cancellation.
With full payment, tour documents are normally sent 14-21 days prior to departure
and should arrive within 6 business days. If you request documents earlier, and
if it is possible to accommodate you, there is a $25 per reservation handling/ express
fee.
Cancellations
The following per person cancellation fee applies: More than 75 days prior to departure:
$250; 75-45 days: $600; 44-7 days: $2000; less than 7 days: nonrefundable. Cancellation
fees may also apply to any additional services, including accommodations, independently
supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during and after the
tour. Cancellations must be in writing. Inquire about a different cancellation policy
for Hurtigruten cruises or Brekke Tours promotions to other destinations. A change
of itinerary or traveler name (substitution) after receipt of deposit will be treated
as a cancellation and new reservation; standard cancellation fees apply. Trip cancellation
insurance is strongly recommended.
Insurance
The client is urged to protect his/her investment with travel insurance. Generally
pre-existing conditions can be covered if premium payment is made within 15 days
of your initial trip deposit. Request brochure or visit www.brekketours.com for
further information. Brekke Tours is not responsible for loss, damage or theft of
luggage or personal belongings, or for personal injury, accident or illness.
Changes
Once deposit has been received, each subsequent change will be subject to a change
fee of $50 per person, only if we can accept the change and travel documents have
not been issued. If documents are issued and we can accept the change there will
be an additional reissue fee of $50 per person plus any fees assessed by air/land
supplier/s.
Air Transportation
Tour price is based on scheduled transportation in economy class with nonrefundable
airfare on our preferred airline partners. Client preference for carriers may incur
additional charges. The tour package price reflects airfare currently in effect,
and is subject to change. Passengers are responsible for charges incurred due to
delays on domestic flights (purchased as separate tickets) in connection with an
international flight. Thus an add-on fare (constituting a through-fare and issued
as one ticket) is recommended. See add-on fares listed or inquire about add-on fares
from your home city. Brekke Tours cannot assume responsibility for any costs or
fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other travel
arrangements not made through Brekke Tours.
The airlines concerned are not held responsible for any act or event during the
time the passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. The passenger’s
contract in use by the airline, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract
between the airline and the passenger. Any and/or all transportation companies herein
mentioned shall have or incur no responsibility for liability to any traveler aside
from their liability as common carriers.
Fuel Surcharges and Taxes
Final charges for fuel and taxes will be accessed in your statement prior to final
payment.
Land Costs
The tour price is based on a minimum of 35 persons. The trip will be feasible with
fewer than 35, but if the minimum number of passengers is not reached, the price
may increase or services may be modified to accommodate a smaller group. All rates
are based on tariffs in effect at the time the tour was planned and are subject
to increase in the event of currency fluctuation.
Land Transportation
First-class private motor coach. Other transportation and/or accommodations as indicated.
Luggage
Size and weight limitations for carry-on and checked baggage on international and
inter-European flights vary from airline to airline and are subject to change, so
please check with your airline before departure. Current restrictions for most international
flights are two checked pieces and one carry-on per person, in addition to a purse
or briefcase. The overall dimension and weight of each checked piece may not exceed
62 inches (length+width+height) and 50 pounds, while the overall dimension and weight
of the carry-on may not exceed 45 inches and 13 pounds. Brekke Tours is not responsible
for additional fees imposed by air carriers regarding baggage. On the land portion,
due to limited motor coach capacity, we allow only 1 suitcase and 1 carry-on per
person. Luggage handling at hotels for 1 suitcase is provided. Airport porterage
is not included as security regulations within most airports require that travelers
handle and be responsible for their own luggage. No responsibility is accepted for
loss of or damage to baggage or any of the traveler's belongings. Baggage insurance
is strongly recommended.
Special Requests
Special hotel and flight requests, such as “double bed,” “room near elevator,” “room
on lower floor,” “meals,” “seating on aircraft,” etc., should be submitted in writing
with final payment, 75 days prior to departure. Please be advised, however, that
such requests are outside of our control and therefore cannot be guaranteed.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted on airplanes, motor coaches or hotels.
Hotels
Accommodations in rooms with private facilities at hotels specified or similar.
Brekke Tours reserves the right to substitute hotels. Rooms in Scandinavian hotels
may have twin, double or day beds. As Scandinavian hotels generally have small rooms,
we advise against requesting triple rooms. Triple rooms are available on request
only and no discount applies. A limited number of single rooms are available at
the supplementary cost shown. Single rooms are generally inferior to double rooms
in size and location. All rooms are assigned by the hotel management upon arrival.
Please note that throughout Europe it is standard policy that hotel rooms are not
available for check-in before 2:00pm. Requests for special room assignments should
be submitted in writing with final payment, 75 days prior to departure. Special
room requests cannot be guaranteed. Please be advised that not all hotels in Scandinavia
are air-conditioned.
Service Charges, Tips & Taxes
Gratuities to tour director/guide and driver are customarily left to the discretion
of the tour member and are therefore not included in the tour cost. All service
charges and taxes at hotels are included, so extra tipping will not be necessary.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner as specified in the itinerary. Special requests for
meals should be submitted in writing with final payment, 75 days prior to departure.
Special meal requests cannot be guaranteed.
Unused Services
A credit of $50 per night per person, pending confirmation, will be granted for
unused hotel services only upon advance notification (in writing) to Brekke Tours
prior to final payment. No refunds will be given after this time period.
Itinerary Variations
Brekke Tours constantly strives to improve each itinerary to your benefit. If improvements
can be made or unforeseen conditions make changes necessary, we reserve the right
to vary itineraries or substitute hotels for operational reasons.
Not Included
-
Airport/hotel transfers if your flight does not coincide with the reserved group
air space from Minneapolis/St. Paul or Chicago O’Hare. Persons on other transatlantic
flights should plan to transfer to/from hotel at their own expense;
- Airport fees and taxes;
- Passport fees;
- Visa fees, where required;
- Personal expenses such as laundry, liquors, wines, mineral waters, phone, valet,
etc.;
- Meals not specifically listed as included;
- Expenses due to flight delays, strikes, bad weather or other irregularities;
- Travel insurance;
- Excess baggage charges;
- Individual services apart from the group;
- Refunds for tour services not utilized;
- Any expenses for à la carte meal items not included in preplanned menus;
- Gratuities for tour director, city guides and driver.
Participation
Brekke Tours reserves the right to accept or reject any vacation participant and
to remove any participant whose conduct is deemed incompatible with the interest
of the other Participants.
Travelers must report any disability requiring special attention at the time of
registration. A qualified and physically able companion must accompany travelers
who need assistance (such as walking, getting on and off motor coach, etc.) and
must assume full responsibility for their well being. Motorized scooters are unsuitable
for tours outlined in this brochure.
Responsibility
Brekke Tours, its agents, employees, representatives, associated companies and travel
agencies through which the tour was booked, are not responsible for any damages,
accidents, losses, detention, annoyance, consequential damages of any kind; delays,
and expenses due to same; quarantine, strikes, force majeure, failure of any means
of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled; disturbances, government actions,
restrictions or regulations, discontinuance or change in transit or hotel services
or schedules; and any other causes over which we have no con-trol and which are
not caused by any negligence, wrongful action or omission on the part of Brekke
Tours, its agents, employees, representatives, associated companies and travel agencies.
Without limiting the above, you are hereby given notice, and you hereby understand
and agree that all tickets and coupons issued, and all arrangements for transport
or conveyance, or for hotel accommodations, and any other arrangements provided
herein, are made only on the expressed condition that we (Brekke Tours, etc.) shall
not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, expense, accident, delay, problem or
irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of any defect in any vehicle
or aircraft or other means of conveyance, or through the acts, omissions or defaults
of any company or person engaged in conveying the passengers herewith, or of any
hotel proprietor or servant, or any other person, firm or entity, not under the
direct supervision, control or employment of Brekke Tours, its agents, employees,
representatives, associated companies and travel agencies. Brekke Tours reserves
the right to accept or reject any person as a tour participant, to expel any tour
participant from the tour, and to make any changes in the itinerary, whenever, in
the sole discretion of Brekke Tours, it deems it necessary for the comfort, convenience
or safety of the tour participants.
Cancellations by Tour Operator
Brekke Tours reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 30 days prior to departure.
In the event the tour is cancelled, Brekke Tours has no responsibility beyond full
refund of monies paid by the participant.