Booking Terms & Conditions
Please read these Booking Conditions carefully as they incorporate the basis upon which bookings are accepted by Eastern Europe Destinations.
Eastern Europe Destinations puts together packages but is not itself a transport, tour, event or accommodation provider. It acts only as an agent for those service providers. It is therefore important for you to obtain and read the service provider’s terms and conditions applicable to the products in your package, and make sure you are aware of any exclusions or limitations of liability imposed by the service provider, some of which limit or exclude liability in respect of death, personal injury, delay and loss or damage to baggage. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.
How to book:
Select the itinerary of your choice and then consult your licensed or AFTA Travel Consultant who will make the reservation request. Please note that all reservations are subject to availability at the time of booking. Any verbal quote given is an estimate only of the price which will be subject to a written advice on confirmation of the reservation.
Changes in prices and itineraries
All prices in this brochure are in Australian dollars (Except where noted). Prices are inclusive of taxes and charges that apply as at 15 August 2005, but they do not include any fees that may be imposed directly by third parties. Prices are provided as a guide only and may vary due to peak demand periods, charges in taxes or changes or due to currency fluctuations. Please check all prices and information with your travel consultant before booking. Please note that the price of your holiday may change at any time up to 30 days before your departure if any new taxes or charges are introduced or if any existing taxes or charges are varied, even after you have paid all or part of the quoted price of your holiday.
The range of products featured in this website are offered at the selling prices shown on each page but prices printed do not imply that similar product may or may not be available at lower price if obtained direct, however, payment sent overseas by travelers are excluded from the protection provided by VIC Travel Agent Licensing Board and our membership of the Travel Compensation Fund.
If we have to change any part of your booking for reasons beyond our control, for example, if an airline changes its schedules, if an hotelier overbooks hotel accommodation or if there are any changes in applicable taxes or charges, we will notify you. If any such changes result in your holiday costing more or otherwise being materially different from that originally booked, then you may cancel the holiday and we will refund any monies already paid less any charges levied by suppliers.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
All prices and charges quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD) are inclusive of Australian GST where applicable.
Electronic brochure validity
1 January – 31 December 2005 (except where specified).
Deposit and final payments:
A non-refundable deposit of AUD165 per person is payable within 7 days of confirmation of your reservation. You will be notified at the time of your reservation if any additional deposit requirements apply. For Theatre or Concert tickets a signed credit card guarantee is required.
Full payment for your booking is required at least 30 days prior to departure, or by sale end date or payment deadline specified in individual package conditions, whichever is the earliest. If for any reason your balance is not received by us by the due date, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled and to apply the appropriate cancellation charges. A deposit holds services requested but does not guarantee prices.
Single Supplement
Single occupancy of a room by choice or circumstance is a subject to the applicable supplement as charged by the service provider.
Late bookings
Bookings made 10 working days or less before departure from Australia will incur a charge of AUD27.50 (Australian GST inclusive). Please note that certain products may incur late fees for bookings made less than 10 working days before departure, or may incur a higher fee. In any event, late bookings will only accepted if a non-refundable deposit is received by Eastern Europe Destinations at time of reservation.
Amendment Fees
Should a change be necessary after your initial booking and prior to documents being issued, you will be entitled to one complementary amendment (excluding airline, rail, cruise or other service bookings where any proposed amendment may be treated as a cancellation). Subsequent amendments will attract a fee of AUD33 (Australian GST Inclusive) per file, per amendment. An amendment constitutes a change to an existing booking and not a transfer to another tour, wherein cancellation fees may apply. Airline reservations, travel consultants and clients are required to ensure names being used to make a booking with Eastern Europe Destinations are exactly as those appearing in the Passport. Any name, initial or spelling changes will incur a AUD33 (Australian GST Inclusive) per change. After documentation is issued, a AUD44 fee (Australian GST Inclusive) for any change will be incurred.
Cancellation
Should you or any member of your party be forced to cancel, you must advise your Travel Agent in writing. The letter should be signed by the person who made the original booking. The cancellation is not effective until your Travel Agent receives the letter. Cancellations are subject to a charge to cover our estimated costs and the scale of charges per person in the event of cancellation or failure to travel without formal cancellations is as per follows:
If you cancel or terminate your holiday there will be no refund of your deposit, and
• Prior to final payment: There will be no refund of any additional supplier deposit paid.
• After final payment: There maybe cancellation fees charged by airlines, hotels and ground/cruise operators amounting to all or part of the cost paid.
Alterations: Alterations to your package which require reissue of documents – a fee of AUD25 per booking will be charged by Qantas Holidays in addition to any charges levied by hotels, ground/cruise operators or airlines. A document re-issue means an alteration to an existing booking and not a transfer to another package, when cancellation fees may apply.
Refunds: To the extent permitted by law, no refund is available for cancellations after holiday has commenced or in respect of any tours, accommodation, meals or any other services not utilised. Eastern Europe Destinations does not authorize any employee of overseas suppliers to promise refunds to clients.
Product descriptions: Descriptions featured are based on current international hotel guides and information provided by hotels and suppliers. Any facilities shown as included are subject to change at any time are beyond our control. The standard of accommodation and other services are based on various factors, which are generally accepted as indicative of a certain class; however, we do not guarantee the standard, class, or fitness for purpose of that accommodation or service. Please note that air-conditioning is not a common standard in Europe.
Change of Hotel: If for any reason, a hotel nominated herein is unavailable, an alternative will be sought and offered. If, after confirmation, the hotel becomes unavailable, you will be assigned to a hotel of similar or superior standard.
Room and Bedding Guide
Prices in this website are based on existing bedding in the room. Request for particular bedding arrangements must be made at the time of booking. A twin room can be either a room with two single beds or one double bed (either one double or two single mattresses). The provision of hotel rooms is on a run of house basis, unless otherwise specified. Particular room types (e.g. interconnecting, twin vs double, non-smoking, etc) can be requested but cannot be guaranteed.
Triple Rooms
Triple room rates can apply to either a full sized triple room built to take three beds or to a twin/double room with an extra rollaway bed.
Children: Children are most welcome unless otherwise specified. Since costs vary according to the number of adults, ages of children traveling together, accommodation selected and size of vehicle required, applicable costs will be supplied on request, if not already stated.
Tours, Excursions and Sightseeing
These are provided by motor coach (regular services) and include the services of a tour escort when indicated and/or local tourist guides whenever necessary. Both the tour escort and the local guide will conduct the tours in more than one language. The tour company reserves the right to make changes to the tour programme itinerary, without notice.
Maps and photographs: Maps are shown for general information and may not necessarily reflect actual routings, locations or services provided. Photographs show places in the geographic areas, but are not necessarily included in the holiday. Hotel room photographs are representative only; actual rooms occupied may vary in décor and inclusions from those shown. Many images are supplied courtesy of tourist bureaus, hotels and tour operators.
Travel Insurance: We strongly recommended that at time of booking, you consider purchasing a travel insurance policy of your choice to cover loss of deposit and other cancellation charges, baggage and medical expenses or other unexpected circumstances. You agree not to hold Eastern Europe Destinations or your Travel Agent responsible for any decision made by insurers, and/or by any service providers, or requirements of any overseas country or government authority or overseas laws and policies.
Health and Immigration: You should familiarize yourself with any health or visa requirements that may be applicable in the areas you intend visiting. You are responsible for all exit, entry, health and other documents required by laws, regulations, orders, demands or requirements of the countries visited or transited. Each person shall carry a valid passport (with at least six months validity) at all times. Kindly note that passport and visa requirements are your responsibility. Eastern Europe Destinations cannot accept responsibility for your failure to ensure that you have correct travel information.
Pre-departure contact: It is essential to ensure that your Travel Agent advises Eastern Europe Destinations of a telephone number or address where you can be reached within 24 hours prior to your departure from Australia.
Special Event, Festivals and Trade Fairs
Bookings which run over special events, festivals, and trade fairs may be subjected higher prices and cancellation fees.
Frequent Flyer Points
Airfares may or may not accrue frequent flyer points.
Invoices: All confirmed bookings will be issued with an invoice outlining all services booked. It is the responsibility of the booking agent to ensure that all details are correct and all cancellation conditions are acknowledged and understood by the client.
Invoice Errors and Omissions
The right is reserved to correct any errors in rates quoted or calculated for any services notwithstanding that the invoice may have been paid in full.
Travel Documents
All travel documents (including Hotel Vouchers) should be handled by the passenger with the upmost care. In general, travel documents will be issued in Australia. However in some cases, travel documents will be exchanged on arrival at International Airport or railway station or at check in to the hotel. However if the request of delivery (in view of late booking) is instigated by Travel Agent or client, a private delivery fee of between AUD33 and AUD110 (GST inclusive) will apply, depending on the delivery address. No refund will be processed for unused vouchers.
Lost or destroyed travel documents (Rail, transport, theatre, concert, special events, museum, exhibit or sightseeing tickets) cannot be replaced or refunded.
Extra Services: Eastern Europe Destinations and its associated representatives in Europe will not accept responsibility nor approve requests to pay for additional charges for extra services requested by clients and not included in the basic prices stated in this brochure. It is your responsibility to settle these charges, if any, before departure, including parking fines or parking fees incurred when a rental vehicle is used.
Extra Hotel Nights or Car Rental Days: The special rates shown are available only when booked and paid in advance of your departure from Australia. Should you wish to obtain extra nights or additional days car rental whilst overseas, the cost will be at the normal published rates and cannot be booked through Eastern Europe Destinations.
Costs not Included: Interstate and intrastate passengers are responsible for the cost of their own travel arrangements from their home town to and from their choice of International departure city. The cost of anything not specifically noted as being included in the holiday package is at your expense.
Booking arrangements: All booking arrangements are to be made through your travel consultant and the person effecting a booking shall be deemed to have accepted the Booking Conditions on behalf of all persons named in the booking. The contract will be governed by and subject to the Booking Conditions. No variation to the Booking Conditions shall be of any effect unless made in writing and with the authority of Eastern Europe Destinations. All communications from us will be sent to your travel consultant. Your travel consultant shall on receipt of any holiday monies, hold such monies for each and every person named in the booking until that booking is confirmed at which time, those monies shall be promptly remitted by your travel consultant to us.
Limit of Liability: We do our best to make sure that your arrangements are satisfactory, however many of the goods and services offered in this brochure are supplied by third parties. Eastern Europe Destinations excludes all liability for any loss or damage whatsoever (including but not limited to physical and psychological injury, and loss or damage to property of whatever nature) that may arise in any way in connection with the offer or supply of goods or services through Eastern Europe Destinations or any third parties, or in connection with the supply of such goods or services.
If the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) or any similar law implies a condition of warranty that cannot be excluded, the liability of Eastern Europe Destinations for a breach of the condition or warranty will be limited as determined by Eastern Europe Destinations in its absolute discretion to:
(a) in the case of goods any one or more of the following:
(i) the replacement of the goods or the supply of equivalent goods; or the supply of equivalent goods; or
(ii) the payment of the cost of replacing the goods or of acquiring equivalent goods; and
(b) in the case of services:
(i) the supplying of the services again; or
(ii) the payment of the cost of having the service supplied again.
Events beyond our control: Eastern Europe Destinations does not accept any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss (whether physical, or subsequently), delay, additional expenses or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by any events which are beyond its control including but not limited to, war, civil disturbance, fire, floods, acts of God, acts of Government or of any other authorities, accident to or failure of machinery or equipment or industrial action.
Destination passenger enquiries: Eastern Europe Destinations makes no representations as to the safety, conditions or other issues that may exist at any destination. International travel advice can be obtained from various sources, including local government, local consular offices and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (www.smartraveller.gov.au)
Luggage
Porterage at railway stations, ferry terminals, airports, bus/coach departure/arrival terminals, car rental locations and hotels without lifts is your own responsibility unless otherwise specified in your itinerary. Loss of baggage and personal items is at all times and in all circumstances at your own risk. The luggage allowance for transfers from airport/railway station to city hotel by multi-stop shuttle service, private car or mini van applicable to all passengers is 1 suitcase weighing up to 30kgs, to be stored in the luggage rack provided in the shuttle or the boot of the car. Oversize or additional pieces will not be carried by the booked transport vehicle. In such case, alternate arrangements must be made locally with the driver, and any additional cost settled on the spot. Carry on hand luggage must be kept and carried on the person. Eastern Europe Destinations will not accept any billings beyond the contracted services.
Consumer Claims
Attempts should be made in the first instance to rectify any difficulties directly with the hotel management, our local representative or supplier. Should any difficulties not be resolved as they occur and you wish to lodge a claim, this must be made in writing with supporting documentation within 30 days of your return to Australia. The claim should be lodged through your Travel Agent as soon as possible, as the time between you experiencing any difficulty and your return to Australia may exceed 30 days, Eastern Europe Destinations cannot be held responsible for delays in settling any claims with suppliers under such circumstances.
Consumer Protection
Eastern Europe Destination is a registered brand name used by International Travel Solutions Pty Ltd , ABN 29 081 136 343 that holds Travel Agent License No. 32194, is a member of the Travel Compensation Fund. We keep all client monies in a separate bank account, and are a member of AFTA, the Australian Federation of Travel Agents. All monies received by Eastern Europe Destinations are, as required by law, deposited on your behalf into a trust account as client monies in the name of Eastern Europe Destinations with the Commonwealth Bank, our bankers. We will be entitled to keep any interest earned on such monies. It is a condition of confirmation of your booking and acceptance of your deposit in respect of your booking that all monies paid buy you to us through your Travel Agent whether by way of a deposit or otherwise in respect of your booking, may be disbursed by us, as and when we see fit or in respect of the services to be provided or fees payable relating to your booking and the payment of a deposit or otherwise for your booking shall be deemed to be a direction to disburse such monies aforesaid.
Law of Contract
The terms and conditions published in this website are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. Any legal action arising under the contract shall be litigated only in the appropriate court having jurisdiction in that State, except that certain consumer claims may be brought before the Consumer Claim Tribunal having jurisdiction in respect thereof in Victoria or similar Tribunals in other States or Territories.
