Health Matters: It is the responsibility of each guest to be aware of their physical abilities or limitations, and to be in sufficient good health to undertake the trip. To make the most of your journey and participate in the various planned group activities, you should be able to be on your feet and walk unassisted for two to three hours (often over uneven cobblestones or pathways) with frequent standing. If you have questions about the physical requirements for your journey, please email or call our travel office. Any preexisting physical, mental, or emotional disability that may require attention must be reported in writing prior to the beginning the journey. Although it is not mandatory to participate in every planned and included group activity, not doing so isn’t cause for a refund. For those desiring additional exercise, our trips allow free time to explore at your own pace. On boats, planes, ships and ferries, guests will need to be able to maneuver unassisted up and down gangways, stairs and in between decks. Smokers may smoke outside and downwind of the group.

Group Size: We pride ourselves on providing a small, shared group experience and Earthbound Expeditions will make every effort to limit the group to the size stated in your itinerary. However, to ensure the departure of an expedition at the lowest price, Earthbound Expeditions has at times found it necessary to overbook a trip by up to three people in order to anticipate the possibility of numerous last minute individual cancellations. Private and hosted journeys may be larger than other trips. Please see the Trip Facts section on your itinerary for details.

Tipping: Savvy travelers know that tipping is expected in most parts of the world, though never knowing when and how much can become a source of stress. To spare our guests hassle and anxiety, Earthbound Expeditions has included all gratuities for guides, drivers, dining room servers and local specialists on nearly all of our journeys. Some travelers like to reward outstanding service with an additional tip, gift or card. Gratuities for hotel staff, boat crew and those serving you while not with the group are not included. Note:  Gratuities may not be included on private or hosted trips. Please refer to your specific itinerary for details.
 
Travel Insurance: Earthbound Expeditions strongly encourages the purchase of Travel Insurance Coverage. We include information on trip insurance in your deposit information. It is important to check with your medical insurance provider to understand your medical benefits and coverage while traveling abroad. Please read our cancellation policy carefully in order to avoid incurring a costly penalty.

Air Travel: For trips which include air travel, taxes and fuel surcharges are subject to change until ticketed and are not included in the air price quote. Group fares are based on a minimum of 10 people and special Earthbound contract rates which may require payment by check and/or an additional deposit. Please read the airline deposit schedule carefully, as in most cases they are not refundable.  NOTE: Earthbound Expeditions does not accept liability incurred by the purchase of individual non-refundable airline tickets.  It is for this reason we strongly recommend purchasing refundable airline tickets or including the cost of the ticket in your travel insurance coverage. The Earthbound staff is unable to assist travelers with mileage tickets. 

Solo Travelers and Single Accommodations: Single accommodations may be requested by paying a single supplement comfort fee; these are limited and based on availability. For those willing to share, Earthbound Expeditions will assist in finding a same-gender roommate, and if one is found, the Single Supplement is waived. If a roommate cannot be found, guests will be asked to pay the Single Supplement comfort fee.

Fine Print: Earthbound Expeditions Inc. acts only as an agent for the supplier with respect to transportation and hotels and exercises every care possible. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motor-coach, train or other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the journey. We cannot accept responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, acts of God or other causes beyond our control. All such losses and expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as journey rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. All published itineraries are subject to change, which would not be cause for a refund. We also reserve the right to amend typos and misprints in pricing and other trip information. The right is reserved to cancel the journey prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. We also reserve the right to decline to accept or to retain any person as a member of the journey, or to require a participant to withdraw from the journey at their own expense when such an action is determined by journey staff to be in the best interest of the participant's health and safety, and that of the group in general. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any journey. Earthbound Expeditions does not accept liability incurred by the purchase of a non refundable airline ticket.

Pricing: In the event that there are fewer then the minimum participants listed in your itinerary, you will be offered a small group comfort charge to ensure that the journey departs as scheduled. Former guests have greatly appreciated the benefits of traveling with a smaller group. Earthbound staff or hosts are not included in the number of tour participants. Please refer to your detailed itinerary for pricing information specific to your journey.

Currency Fluctuations: The exchange rate in which your trip was based is listed on your itinerary under "Trip Facts" and was obtained through www.xe.com. Although no changes in the price of your trip are expected, Earthbound reserves the right to add a small supplement or offer you a refund due to unexpected currency fluctuations of plus or minus 5%. Seventy five days prior to departure rates will be reviewed and if necessary updated.  Fluctuations greater then 5% will be posted in your final balance letter. Example.  If the dollar falls against the Euro 7% then a 2% surcharge will be added. In this case, Earthbound will absorb the initial 5% loss in the dollar.  If the dollar gains against the Euro 7% then a 2% refund will be offered.  NOTE: This policy pertains to euro zone countries (Russia, Western and Eastern Europe only).

Photos and Comments: Please note that Earthbound Expeditions may use any film likenesses taken of a guest and any of their written comments made while on an EB tour for future marketing.

Reservations and Deposits: Early reservations are essential to guarantee space on the date you wish to travel. A per person deposit of $500 is needed to confirm your space on most journeys (please see section entitled RESERVATIONS on your Earthbound itinerary for specifics).  We prefer payment to be made by check, but we also accept Visa, MasterCard or American Express. You can make your secure credit card deposit online, by phone or by mail. Deposits are refundable for 60 days from the date received (please read below for the exception to this).  A $35 dollar per person processing fee will be applied to all cancellations, regardless of when they were made. Once the deposit is processed, a deposit packet is sent  with pertinent journey details. Trips which include barges, boats and/or flights may require an additional deposit.

Final Payment: You will be sent an invoice approximately 75 days prior to departure which will include any currency price reductions or additions. A non-refundable final payment, payable by money order, check or credit card, is due 60 days before departure. It is the responsibility of each passenger to make a timely payment. A final packet of information will be sent approximately one month before departure. Pay on line or Mail checks to: Earthbound Expeditions PO Box 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, USA.

Cancellations: All cancellations must be made in writing and are effective upon receipt in our office. Deposits are fully refundable for 60 days from the processing date or until 90 days prior to departure, whichever comes first. Deposits made 90 days prior to a trip departing are not refundable. A $35 per person processing fee applies to all cancellations.

No refunds are made for cancellations after the non-refundable deposit date. It is for this reason we strongly encourage the purchase of Travel Insurance at the same time you reserve your journey with us. Please refer to your specific journey details, especially private and hosted journeys, as policies may differ.

Luggage: You should be able to comfortably manage your luggage over short distances. Porters are generally available to assist you. Please note that some of the castles, hotels and country inns we utilize do not have porters, but most of our lodgings are equipped with elevators. The key is not to over-pack.