Small Print



The Calendar is the place to dream

The Small Print is the place to be clear on the Terms and Conditions so our trip runs like a dream.

Making a booking and placing a deposit implies you have read and agree to all points in this disclaimer.

Please read carefully.

This trip is not a traditional package tour.

We are a small group, generally with a maximum of 14 people, traveling with the ambiance of a group of friends.

Creative Arts Safaris handles the research and organization for locations to visit and places to stay. Along the way, we all share our observations and knowledge.

The information you gather in preparation can be easily shared with the group via group email before the trip, helping you to get acquainted with the others.

Our goal  is to have a hands-on experience of local life and culture as much as possible. We aim to avoid the typical tourist coach bubble, where the scenery just flashes by. Each day has a clear timetable, but we maintain the flexibility to explore options in each of our locations. If we see something interesting and time allows, we can stop and check it out.

The cost of planned sightseeing entrance fees and the use of a still camera (as listed in the itinerary) are included in the tour price. However, if we decide to visit additional places, the participants will cover those costs. All tuition fees for workshops mentioned in the itinerary are also included.

Price

We are very careful about our pricing, once a price is announced we stay locked into it.

Who are we?

The tour is being organized by the independent tour operators Creative Arts Safaris, an Australian based business ABN 82265974704.

Our Tour starts when we pick you up from the airport/meet at start hotel [dependent on location] and finishes when we drop you back to the airport at the end of the trip. NOTE- if you choose to come a few days earlier or stay a few days later and are using the same hotel we use - we are happy to organize your transfers.

Insurance

You need Comprehensive Travel Insurance to cover your trip for health, flight and related issues

Responsibility cannot be accepted for such things as flight delays or lost luggage, once air tickets are booked the airlines conditions apply.

You must provide your travel insurance policy number and the insurance company’s 24 hour emergency contact number when finalising your trip payments; you will not be able to join the trip without these details.

If you have travel insurance connected to your credit card or bank account, please ensure you have details of the participating insurer, the insurance policy number and emergency contact number with you rather than the bank’s name and credit card details. 

The Creative Arts Safaris team assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage to property or baggage or for any injury, illness or death or for any damages or claims however caused arising directly or indirectly from accidents, loss or damage to person or property, delays, transport failure, strikes, wars, terrorism, and uprisings, acts of God or pandemics [added April 2020] etc over which Creative Arts Safaris has no control.
You need Comprehensive Travel Insurance.

The tour cost covers

• Pick up from the nominated airport on Day 1 of the trip- [ Madrid, Spain is the exception, we will furnish details of the hotel we are using and that will be our meeting point]
• If you plan to arrive a bit earlier ask us for info on the hotel we will be starting from so you can book additional nights.
• We organize airport pickups when you arrive, if you are coming a few days early and going to the start hotel we can still organize your pickup.
• Airport drop off on the Departures day of tour.
• All transportation, drivers’ fees, fuel and road taxes, camels, tuk-tuks, rickshaws and taxis as the need arises in our itinerary.
• All accommodation from the night of day 1 to that of the final night of the tour. We use good quality, mid-range establishments where possible, occasionally we have a home stay/ guesthouse- the itinerary will indicate this.
• All places are clean, friendly and western bathrooms! It is ambiance and friendliness we are looking for. This is the hotel range where we may meet locals as well- top end is far removed from this and just full of foreigners! 
• Sightseeing entrance fees and a still camera
• Tuition [tutors and workshops listed on tour itinerary]
• Meals listed on the itinerary. We believe food is an integral part of the culture and have carefully chosen a wide range of good dining experiences as part of our tour. We supply water on the table with meals other drinks are NOT included.

Participant’s responsibility

• a few meals
• bottled water -it is best that only bottled water [even teeth cleaning] pass your lips and you plan to drink 2 to 3 litres of water a day. It makes a big difference when travelling. Think of bringing an insulated flask, many hotels now supply filtered water or a Lifestraw portable water filter
• all drinks
• tips- allow for tips for personal services, for example when your bag/laundry/room service is delivered to your room, and something for the driver who will look after you safely for the duration of the trip.
• laundry
• flights
• passports
• visas
• travel insurance

Accommodation

• Accommodation is calculated on a twin share basis [ask about the single room supplement- if that is what you desire].
• It is the personality of the hotels and staff we are looking for, and a sense of being ‘there’ when choosing hotels [with some hotels you need to look at the location on the newspaper to be able to know which place you are in!].
• Accommodation ranges from simple home-stay [clean, friendly and western style bathrooms] to a palace.
• We favour heritage-style hotels and family run where we can.

Deposits and Payments

Your Place on the tour will be confirmed by payment of a deposit.

The deposit will be used to start the booking process of bus, trains, internal flights (as needed), hotels and transport. Once these payments have been made your deposit is non-refundable.
The balance of the payment must be made no later than 15 weeks prior to departure.
Late payments cannot be accepted as there are deadlines for internal flights, rooms and etc.
 

If numbers are insufficient, and this necessitates the cancellation of the tour, your entire deposit will be repaid in full.
Deposit is 40% of tour cost and DUE TODAY.

Refunds and Cancellations.

Cancellation Policy

While most cancellations occur due to unfortunate circumstances such as illness or bereavement, we are unable to make exceptions to our cancellation policy.

Efforts to secure replacement guests or fill last-minute vacancies are rarely successful.

As such, we strongly recommend you arranging travel insurance coverage for cancellations through an external insurance provider.

Refunds.

• If you need to cancel or switch to another trip before the Final Payment Date, there is a AUD$500 administration fee and we will process refunds where possible. However, certain costs may be non-recoverable, such as pre-booked internal flights or other pre-arranged extras.
• If a guest voluntarily leaves a trip after it has commenced, no refund will be issued.

Cancellation Terms

• More than 4 months Prior to Departure:
  AUD $500 administration fee + any disbursements will be withheld - all other monies paid will be refunded.
• At 4 months full payment is due
• Cancellation closer than 4 months before trip is difficult. Bookings for internal flights and transport will have been made, deposits sent etc.  Cancellation fee is 50% of funds paid.
•  If your cancellation is not related to a pre-existing illness, your travel insurance may cover part or all of the cancellation fee. Be sure to review your policy details thoroughly.

This policy provides transparency and fairness, helping us maintain the sustainability of our operations while continuing to deliver outstanding travel experiences. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.



If Creative Arts Safaris cancels a tour you will receive a COMPLETE refund of money received

Passports and Visas

• Passports need to be up-to date and valid for the 6 months after the trip. Participants are responsible for this.
• A visa is required for many countries. Often you can obtain a visa can online, alternately you can arrange it through travel agent.

Medical matters

You are responsible for obtaining medical advice to suit your needs before travel and any travel related health checks needed.

We suggest you consult your GP before departure and have with you enough items to cover all your medical needs during your time OS. It is also a good idea to have a copy of your medical scripts

You are fully responsible for obtaining adequate medical advice and implementing it before the trip.

You need to be fit enough for sightseeing.

We are onto and off the mini-bus throughout the day.

Some of the monuments and markets we visit are large.

You need to be able to walk a few kilometres at a gentle stroll and the odd flight of stairs or hill.

Privacy

We are very careful of your privacy.

Your details are collected solely for our records and to make bookings at hotels, museums etc.

We do not disclose your details to any third party, unless it is directly related to bookings we need to make for our tour.

Artisan workshop visits, home cooked meals and all things local
 Making the effort to forge connections means we meet the maker, buy at a fair price, and take home much more than just a souvenir. We carry with us a connection and a story that makes it truly special.

Take time for yourself to smell the roses