IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please read the following carefully before booking a tour with us as this may help to avoid any misunderstanding at a later time.

MiniBus Britain is hereafter referred to as “we”.

NOTES;
a We will not tolerate “any” use of illegal substances on our tours. If you should attempt to enter the UK or re-enter the US with illegal substances in your possession, get arrested for possession or use during the tour, our responsibility will end immediately. Full cancellation will apply and we will be under no obligation for any refund, compensation or loss you may incur.

b The price of our tours are based on 10 people booking and double occupancy. It takes a minimum of 8 people booking to make the tour “a go”. If you decide to book with us, DO NOT, PURCHASE YOUR AIRLINE TICKETS UNTIL YOU HEAR FROM US. We will notify you as soon as we have the required 8 people. If we do not have the required number of bookings 160 days prior to departure, the tour will be cancelled and your deposits refunded.

1        At Minibus Britain, we take our obligations seriously. The booking conditions below set out, as clearly as possible, the responsibility when you make and we accept a booking. By signing the booking form you are agreeing to the conditions set out here.

2        BOOKING FORM AND DEPOSIT - You must send us the appropriate deposit together with the signed and completed booking form. Your contract comes into existence when we send you the receipt. We will normally expect to confirm your booking within fourteen days of receiving the completed form and deposit. The receipt will show the name and date of the tour, outstanding balance and when it is due.

Your booking form should be mailed to;

Cheri Thomas

P.O. Box 54

Pine Grove, Calif. 95665

Or you may fax it to Pioneer Travel at (209) 296-5554

Checks, money orders or cashiers checks need to be in US dollars, should be made payable to “Pioneer Travel” and mailed to the above address. All forms and checks can also be taken to Pioneer Travel at 19900 Hyw. 88, in Pine Grove (next to the doughnut shop) if it is convenient for you. They are open 10-5, Mon. through Fri.

We are also able to accept credit card bookings through PayPal. Contact cherithomas@volcano.net via email.

Under the current privacy laws, we will only use the information provided by you in connection with the arrangements for your tour. When necessary, only your first and last names will be given to accommodation providers. If we make your airline reservations, it will be necessary to provide them with all information.

3        BALANCE DUE - The balance of your tour cost must be paid no later than six weeks prior to departure. The date for your final payment will be shown on the confirmation receipt. No reminder will be sent. If you are booking less than eight weeks before departure, you must pay the full amount at the time of booking. If for any reason the balance is not received by the due date and you have not contacted us to make arrangements, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled.

4        IF YOU CANCEL YOUR TOUR – Cancellation of booking is only effective when received, in writing, from the person who signed the booking form. We will always try to take your circumstances into consideration but you must understand that where any journey involves scheduled services, we may have paid out deposits etc. that are non-refundable to us. A refund of your money will be based on the following schedule.

Period before

Departure date;

90 days +   = 100%

60-89 days = 80%

40-59 days = 70%

30-39 days = 50%

10-29 days = 10% (under exceptional circumstances, we will try to refund more at our discretion)

0 - 9 days = 0%

5        IF WE CANCEL THE TOUR – If we cancel your booking within six weeks of the departure date, for reasons other than those listed below, all monies that you have paid will be returned to you. There are circumstances beyond our control, which may include (but are not limited to) war, threat of war, civil strife, terrorist activities, and natural or nuclear disaster. If your tour is cancelled for one of these reasons, every effort will be made to return your money.

Note; In the event of one of the situations mentioned above, “time” will be the determining factor. Our suppliers have cancellation policies. If

cancellation of the tour should fall within 3 days of the scheduled departure date of the tour, we may not be able to get our deposits refunded to us.

6        OUR RESPONSIBILITY REGARDING THE TOUR – We accept the responsibility for ensuring that your tour is supplied to you as described by us. If you or any member of your party should suffer illness, injury or death through misadventure arising out of activity that is not part of the tour, we cannot be held responsible for your actions but may offer advice and guidance if appropriate. If you or any member of your party should suffer injury or death due to our negligence, it should be noted that we are covered by liability insurance.

7        INDEMNITY – We expect all of our clients to have consideration for their fellow guests. In the event of any client behaving in such a way, as is likely, in our opinion, or our service providers opinion, to cause offense, danger, damage or distress to others, we reserve the right to terminate that person’s tour arrangements. If this happens to you, our responsibility for your tour will cease immediately and we shall not be liable for any costs or expenses incurred by you as a result. Full cancellation will apply and we will be under no obligation for any refund, compensation or loss you may incur. If your actions or those of any member of your party cause damage to the accommodation in which you are staying, to any building, attraction, site visited or rented vehicle in which we are traveling, you agree to fully indemnify us against any claim (including legal costs) made against us by any party.

8        IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT – If you have a complaint about any aspect of your tour, you must tell our representative immediately so that the matter can be investigated and resolved. If the matter cannot be resolved, please “put it in writing” with complete details and give it to us. We undertake to deal with your complaint, promptly, carefully and fairly but cannot accept liability in respect to any claim of which we are not notified.

9        TRAVEL INSURANCE - We cannot accept liability or obligation for loss of, or damage to, baggage or personal property. We strongly advise that you obtain adequate insurance coverage for all eventualities connected with this trip. This travel insurance should be valid from the time that you book. There are many travel insurance companies available online and we also have the applications available. Please let us know immediately, if you require one. Again, we “strongly” advise the purchase of travel insurance.

10    PASSPORTS AND VISAS – It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all passport and/or visa requirements for your tour. You should check with your National Passport Agency for updated information and possible security warnings. If you do not have a passport, you should apply immediately as it could take up to 6-8 weeks to receive. Generally, your county offices will have the applications. We are unable to make any refunds if you have not received your passport/visa by the beginning date of the tour or because your passport/visa is invalid for any reason.

11    TRAVEL – Smoking is not permitted on our vehicle. However, sufficient stops are programmed so that those who wish to smoke may do so. Please note that any timing, itineraries or other travel details are for your guidance and may be subject to change or delay. We provide frequent comfort stops along the way.

12    TOUR DESCRIPTION - We make every effort to ensure that our tour information is accurate, however, circumstances beyond our control may make it necessary to change some arrangements. We cannot accept liability for cancellation or curtailment in these instances. Unless otherwise stated, our prices are “per person” based on sharing twin or double-bedded rooms. Single rooms are available at most accommodations for a supplement. All rooms have en-suite bathroom.

13    ACCOMMODATIONS – We “do not” choose luxury, 4 or 5 star hotels
Accommodations are chosen among those that reflect the history and character of the area. We prefer Guest Houses and Pubs. We choose nothing with less than a “two star” rating by the British Tourist Authority. We book the best accommodations to suit the needs of our group. In some cases, we have not stayed in these places previously. Whenever possible we, check them out ahead of time when they are within a reasonable driving distance. We “never” book an accommodation that does not have pictures available on the web. We talk to the owners and do everything we can to assure that the accommodations are acceptable. When staying in older places like a 17th century Coach Inn, it should be noted that the hallways and stairwells may be narrow, the doors may be shorter and the rooms smaller. We feel that these things are the “character” of the place. All accommodations chosen by us are clean, safe and have met stringent fire regulations.

14    SPECIAL REQUESTS – Please tell us, in writing at the time of booking, if you have any special requests relating to rooms, dietary or health matters. We will do our best to meet your request. Please note these requests on the booking form.

15    HEALTH MATTERS – The sites that we visit generally require walking and stair climbing. We recommend that you consult your family doctor regarding any precautions needed for travel to the United Kingdom and your fitness to travel. Failure to do so may invalidate your travel insurance

16    CLIENTS WITH DISABILITIES - We will always do our best to accommodate those who are handicapped or have restricted mobility. It is particularly important that you advise us, in writing, of any disabilities or medical conditions that may affect your tour. If you have a disability, please keep in mind that most of the sites “do” require walking and stair climbing.