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Terms & Conditions
Applicable to all pilgrimage tours and tours organized and operated by Alba's Tours, LLC.
1. Eligibility
All Participants must be at least 18 years of age, or traveling with (a) a parent or legal guardian who is also a registered Participant and who accepts these Terms on the minor's behalf, or (b) an adult designated in a notarized parental or legal-guardian consent letter authorizing that adult to serve as the minor's guardian for purposes of the Tour, including consenting to medical treatment under Section 15.
Alba's Tours, LLC may require the notarized consent letter to be submitted before the
Final Payment Deadline and may decline to enroll a minor Participant if satisfactory documentation is not provided. By submitting a Reservation Application, the Participant (or, for a minor Participant,
the accompanying parent, legal guardian, or designated adult) represents that the Participant meets this requirement and has reviewed the physical-activity expectations described in Section 14 below.
2. Reservations and Payment
A Participant must complete and submit the Reservation Application together with a deposit at the time of booking. The deposit amount is $350.00 per person for payments by check, cashier's check, or
money order, reflecting the cash-equivalent discount described in Section 3, or $365.00 per person for payments by American Express, Discover, Visa, or Mastercard.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure (the "Final Payment Deadline"), as specified for the applicable Tour in the Reservation Application.
All balances must be paid in full by the Final Payment Deadline to maintain the Participant's reservation.
Alba's Tours, LLC reserves the right to cancel a reservation if required payments are not received by the applicable deadlines, subject to the cancellation terms in Section 7.
Submission of the Reservation Application together with the applicable deposit constitutes the
Participant's agreement to be bound by these Terms, whether or not the Participant
has separately signed the Participant Acknowledgment & Agreement.
3. Accepted Payment Methods & Cash-Equivalent Discount
Alba's Tours, LLC accepts payment by check, cashier's check, money order, American Express,
Discover, Visa, or Mastercard.
Cash, Zelle, and wire transfers are not accepted.
Published prices for each Tour are set forth in the applicable Reservation Application and reflect standard pricing for electronic and credit-card payments. A separate, lower price applies to the deposit
and to the final balance for Participants who pay by check, cashier's check, or money order,
reflecting a 4% cash-equivalent discount, as specified in the Reservation Application for that Tour.
The cash-equivalent discount is not available for any payment made by credit or debit card.
4. Tour Documents
Final tour documents are provided digitally, or mailed upon request,
generally within 2–3 weeks of departure, provided the Participant's account has been paid in full.
Alba's Tours, LLC may provide certain travel documents, vouchers, schedules, or other information electronically. Participants are responsible for reviewing all documents received and
promptly notifying Alba's Tours, LLC of any apparent error.
5. Card Authorization; Payment Disputes
By providing a credit or debit card, the Participant authorizes Alba's Tours, LLC to charge that card for amounts the Participant has agreed to pay under these Terms, including applicable cancellation charges, single-room supplements, and additional services requested by the Participant.
The Participant acknowledges that Alba's Tours, LLC makes advance financial commitments to
airlines, hotels, transportation companies, tour operators, venues, and other Travel Suppliers on the Participant's behalf. Once such commitments have been made,
some or all of the amounts paid may be non-refundable.
A Participant who believes a charge is incorrect should contact Alba's Tours, LLC
in writing so that the matter may be reviewed before initiating a dispute with the Participant's card issuer, except in cases involving an unauthorized transaction.
Initiating a voluntary card dispute does not, by itself, cancel the Participant's
reservation or eliminate amounts otherwise owed under these Terms.
Alba's Tours, LLC may provide the Participant's card issuer, payment processor,
or other appropriate party with relevant records necessary to respond to a payment dispute,
including the Reservation Application, these Terms, invoices, payment history, cancellation records,
and correspondence.
6. Billing Corrections
If an invoice contains an administrative error, calculation error, omission,
or other billing mistake, Alba's Tours, LLC may correct and
reissue the invoice for the amount properly due under these Terms.
A billing correction does not constitute a change to the Participant's agreed package price
or cancellation obligations.
7. Cancellations
All cancellations must be submitted in writing from the email address used to register for the Tour,
and are effective on the date Alba's Tours, LLC receives the notice. Cancellations received after
5:00 PM Eastern Time, or on a weekend or recognized holiday, are treated as received the next business day.
Alba's Tours, LLC organizes Tours with limited capacity and incurs administrative, planning,
and coordination costs, and forgoes the opportunity to offer a Participant's reserved spot to another traveler, from the time a reservation is confirmed. The cancellation charges below reflect the parties' reasonable
pre-agreed estimate of these aggregate costs and lost opportunity at each stage of the Tour's planning cycle, and are not calculated as reimbursement of any specific Travel Supplier booking.
A Participant is not entitled to a reduced cancellation charge on the basis that a particular flight,
hotel night, museum entry, or other individual Tour component had not yet been separately ticketed
or paid for by Alba's Tours, LLC as of the cancellation date.
All cancellations are subject to the following penalty:
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100 days or more before departure: the deposit amount paid by the Participant under Section 2 (non-refundable).
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99–70 days before departure: the deposit amount paid under Section 2, plus 35% of the total Tour cost.
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69–50 days before departure: the deposit amount paid under Section 2, plus 50% of the total Tour cost.
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49–30 days before departure: the deposit amount paid under Section 2, plus 75% of the total Tour cost.
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29 days or fewer before departure: 100% of the total Tour cost.
If the non-refundable costs actually imposed on Alba's Tours, LLC by a Travel Supplier
(including airlines, hotels, rail lines, transport companies, local guides, and venues) exceed the applicable bracket above, the Participant remains responsible for those additional documented non-refundable charges.
Once airline tickets are issued (including any upgrades), they are 100% non-refundable,
non-transferable, and non-changeable, consistent with the applicable airline's fare rules.
Any pre-Tour or post-Tour stays, or other extra services booked in connection with the Tour,
are subject to the same penalty schedule above, unless the Participant is advised of a specific exception in writing.
Partial Room Cancellation:
If a Participant cancels, or leaves the Tour early, while their roommate continues,
no refund is available for the departing Participant, and the remaining Participant may be assessed
a single-room supplement.
A Participant's voluntary decision not to travel — including due to a change in plans,
personal circumstances, illness, injury, fear of travel, or general news coverage, regional conditions,
or safety concerns not resulting in a Force Majeure Event under Section 19 —
does not change the applicable cancellation charge under this schedule.
Refunds, if any, are processed within 30–60 days of the effective cancellation date and
are governed by Section 8.
Special events or group departures may carry different cancellation terms;
Participants should carefully review the Reservation Application for the applicable Tour before booking.
Alba's Tours, LLC strongly recommends that Participants purchase travel insurance,
as described in Section 17.
8. Refunds
Refunds, if any, are determined according to Section 7 and this Section.
Amounts retained under the Section 7 cancellation schedule are final;
a Participant is not entitled to a refund of a retained amount solely because a Travel Supplier's actual costs turned out to be lower than the retained amount.
If Alba's Tours, LLC recovers funds from a Travel Supplier attributable to a Participant's reservation
that exceed both the amount retained under Section 7 and any additional documented non-refundable charges described in Section 7, Alba's Tours, LLC will pass through the excess recovered amount to the Participant. Alba's Tours, LLC does not guarantee that any Travel Supplier will provide a
refund, credit, or other compensation.
No refund, adjustment, or credit will be provided for a Tour component voluntarily missed o
r left unused by a Participant after the Tour has commenced, including meals, hotel nights, transportation, tours, admissions, or scheduled activities, unless required by applicable law.
9. Company-Initiated Cancellation
If Alba's Tours, LLC cancels the Tour before departure, including because of insufficient enrollment,
a Travel Supplier's failure, government action, or a Force Majeure Event, Alba's Tours, LLC will notify Participants as soon as reasonably practicable.
Alba's Tours, LLC will refund amounts paid to Alba's Tours, LLC that are refundable and
have not already been paid to or become non-refundable to Travel Suppliers.
Where funds have already been committed to Travel Suppliers and are not recoverable,
Alba's Tours, LLC will not be required to advance its own funds to provide a refund unless required by applicable law.
Alba's Tours, LLC will use reasonable efforts to seek refunds or credits from affected Travel Suppliers and
will pass through amounts actually recovered when applicable.
Alba's Tours, LLC is not responsible for incidental, consequential, or independently arranged expenses incurred by a Participant in connection with a cancellation, including airfare purchased separately, connecting transportation, hotel accommodations booked independently, visa fees, passport fees, travel insurance premiums, or other personal expenses, except to the extent required by applicable law.
Alba's Tours, LLC acts as an organizer and intermediary making advance financial commitments to independent Travel Suppliers and is bound by those Travel Suppliers' contractual terms, fare rules,
and non-refundable cancellation policies. Alba's Tours, LLC will not cancel a Tour or
alter the refund schedule above solely because of external news coverage, generalized safety apprehension, or regional conditions if the Tour's primary Travel Suppliers continue to operate
and perform their obligations.
10. Travel Seller and Regulatory Compliance
Alba's Tours, LLC operates under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and will comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing the services it provides.
Third-party Travel Suppliers, including foreign transport providers, hoteliers, venue operators,
and local tour entities, operate independently under the jurisdiction, laws, safety codes,
and regulations of their respective home countries.
Participants are responsible for accurately providing their state or country of legal residence during registration. Where a specific jurisdiction imposes travel-seller registration, bonding, trust-account, or disclosure requirements, Alba's Tours, LLC addresses those requirements as mandated by applicable law.
These Terms do not create a membership or travel-club arrangement. Participants purchase specific tours or pilgrimage packages identified in their Reservation Application.
11. Air Transportation & Baggage
Airfare, when included in the applicable package, is generally economy class.
Airfares and schedules are based on rates and availability at the time of booking or
quotation and may change before ticketing. Airline schedules, aircraft, routes, connections,
seat assignments, baggage allowances, and other airline policies are controlled by the airline.
Alba's Tours, LLC does not guarantee a particular aircraft, seat, flight schedule, connection, or airline service.
Alba's Tours, LLC does not manage specific seat assignments or guarantee that traveling companions
will be seated together. Participants who require control over their airline seating should
consider a "Land Only" package and arrange air travel independently.
The standard group airfare baggage allowance is one checked bag and one carry-on item,
subject to the applicable airline's rules. Participants are responsible for additional, overweight,
oversized, or otherwise non-included baggage charges assessed by the airline.
Alba's Tours, LLC is not responsible for lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen baggage.
12. Hotel Accommodations, Roommates & Single Supplements
Standard accommodations are based on double occupancy,
unless otherwise stated in the applicable Tour materials.
Single-occupancy rooms are limited and subject to hotel inventory and availability.
Single rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis when available.
A single room is not guaranteed unless Alba's Tours, LLC has specifically confirmed single occupancy
in writing and the applicable single-room supplement has been paid.
The single-room supplement is non-refundable once the single room has been confirmed and paid for,
except where applicable law requires otherwise.
Alba's Tours, LLC does not arrange or match roommates for Participants booking shared accommodations.
Securing a roommate is the Participant's responsibility. Alba's Tours, LLC is not responsible for disputes, disagreements, compatibility issues, or financial losses arising between roommates.
If a Participant's roommate cancels or becomes unavailable before the Final Payment Deadline,
the Participant may be required to pay the applicable single-room supplement if the
hotel reservation can no longer be maintained as double occupancy.
If a roommate cancels after the Final Payment Deadline, Alba's Tours, LLC will make reasonable efforts to maintain the existing room arrangement without charging the remaining Participant a single supplement, subject to hotel availability, room-block restrictions, and supplier policies.
13. Land-Only Travelers
A Participant who purchases a "Land Only" package is solely responsible for arriving at the designated meeting location, date, and time.
The group will not delay or alter the itinerary to accommodate a late arrival. A Participant who arrives late is responsible for all costs associated with reaching the group, hotel, or next scheduled activity, including transportation, lodging, meals, and other expenses.
No refund or adjustment will be made for activities or services missed because of a late arrival or
failure to reach the group as scheduled.
14. Accessibility, Mobility, and Personal Assistance
Pilgrimages and Tours may involve moderate or substantial physical activity, including walking over uneven terrain, cobblestones, inclines, stairs, and other surfaces that may be difficult for some Participants.
The expected physical activity for each Tour will be described in the applicable Tour materials or
Reservation Application.
Participants should honestly and carefully assess their ability to participate safely in the itinerary before booking and should consult an appropriate medical professional when appropriate.
Many historic city centers, churches, shrines, museums, traditional buildings,
and other destinations may have limited accessibility and may lack elevators, ramps,
accessible restrooms, or other modern accessibility features. Alba's Tours, LLC cannot guarantee that every hotel, restaurant, vehicle, attraction, church, shrine, or other venue will accommodate a
wheelchair, walker, cane, or other assistive device.
Participants using an assistive device are welcome to participate when they are otherwise able to safely participate in the itinerary. Participants must disclose relevant mobility or accessibility requirements
to Alba's Tours, LLC before departure so that reasonable information and planning can be considered.
Alba's Tours, LLC and Tour Leadership do not provide personal-care or medical assistance and are not responsible for lifting, carrying, transferring, bathing, toileting, dressing, feeding,
administering medication, or providing other personal-care services. A Participant who requires substantial, continuous, or personal assistance must travel with a companion or
caregiver capable of safely providing the assistance the Participant requires,
at the Participant's own expense.
A Participant's age, by itself, does not determine eligibility for a Tour.
Participation requirements are based on the physical demands and practical conditions of the particular itinerary.
If, before or during the Tour, it becomes reasonably apparent that a Participant's physical condition,
mobility, medical needs, or need for personal assistance makes continued participation unsafe or impracticable, Alba's Tours, LLC may require the Participant to modify or
discontinue particular activities or, when reasonably necessary for safety,
discontinue participation in the group portion of the Tour. Any resulting costs for alternative transportation, lodging, meals, medical care, caregiver services, or other arrangements are the Participant's responsibility, except where applicable law requires otherwise.
15. Health, Medical, and Emergency Care
Each Participant is responsible for determining whether the Participant is physically and medically able to travel and participate in the Tour. Participants should consult their physician or other appropriate healthcare professional before departure when appropriate.
Any vaccination, testing, health documentation, medication, or other health requirement imposed by an airline, transit authority, government, destination, or Travel Supplier is the Participant's responsibility.
Participants must provide accurate emergency-contact information on the Reservation Application.
For a minor Participant, the parent, legal guardian, or adult designated under Section 1
must be reachable as the minor's emergency contact throughout the Tour and provides any consent to medical treatment on the minor's behalf. In an emergency, Alba's Tours, LLC and Tour Leadership
will make reasonable efforts to contact the Participant's designated emergency contact.
Participants (or, for a minor Participant, the parent, legal guardian, or designated adult)
authorize Alba's Tours, LLC and Tour Leadership to assist with arranging emergency transportation
or medical services when reasonably necessary.
Participants understand that Alba's Tours, LLC is not a medical provider.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, if immediate medical attention is necessary and the Participant is unable to communicate or provide instructions, and the Participant's emergency contact cannot
be reached in time, Alba's Tours, LLC and Tour Leadership may provide information to
emergency responders and assist with arranging emergency care. Nothing in these Terms requires
Alba's Tours, LLC or its representatives to make medical decisions that they are not legally authorized
to make.
Medical professionals and healthcare facilities are independent providers.
Alba's Tours, LLC is not responsible for their medical judgment, treatment decisions, services, or outcomes.
Each Participant is responsible for all medical and related expenses incurred during the Tour,
including physician visits, medications, hospitalization, medical equipment, emergency transportation, evacuation, and repatriation.
If a Participant becomes ill or injured and must withdraw from the Tour, Alba's Tours, LLC
is not responsible for unused services, additional lodging, meals, transportation, medical expenses,
or alternate travel arrangements, except as required by applicable law.
Alba's Tours, LLC may, when reasonably necessary to protect the Participant or the group,
require a Participant to discontinue group participation if the Participant presents a significant
health or safety concern, including a highly contagious illness or condition.
Any resulting isolation, alternative accommodation, transportation, medical, caregiver,
or other expenses are the Participant's responsibility, except where applicable law requires otherwise.
16. Travel Documents & Entry Requirements
Each Participant is solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining all travel documents
required for the Tour, including a valid passport, visas, electronic travel authorizations, entry permits,
and any other required documentation.
For Tours requiring international travel, Alba's Tours, LLC recommends that a U.S. passport
be valid for at least six months beyond the Participant's scheduled return date,
even if a destination's legal minimum validity requirement is shorter.
Non-U.S. citizens are solely responsible for determining visa and entry requirements applicable to their citizenship, immigration status, and travel circumstances.
If ETIAS or any other electronic travel authorization becomes required before the Tour,
each Participant is solely responsible for obtaining the authorization before travel.
As of the date of these Terms, the European Union's ETIAS system has not yet taken effect.
Alba's Tours, LLC does not obtain passports, visas, ETIAS authorizations,
or other entry documents on behalf of Participants unless expressly stated otherwise in writing.
Participants are responsible for ensuring that the name on their airline reservation and
other travel documents matches their passport exactly.
Alba's Tours, LLC is not responsible for denied boarding, missed connections, denied entry,
delays, additional transportation, or other losses resulting from a Participant's failure to obtain or
maintain required travel documents or authorizations.
17. Travel Insurance
Alba's Tours, LLC strongly recommends that every Participant purchase comprehensive travel insurance appropriate for the Participant's circumstances. Participants should consider coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, medical treatment abroad, emergency evacuation, repatriation, baggage loss,
delays, and other risks associated with international travel.
Alba's Tours, LLC is not a licensed insurance producer and does not sell, underwrite, administer,
or guarantee insurance policies. Any insurance provider or referral information provided by
Alba's Tours, LLC, including information concerning Generali Global Assistance or another provider,
is offered solely for convenience.
Any insurance policy purchased by a Participant is a contract solely between the Participant
and the insurance provider. Alba's Tours, LLC is not responsible for an insurer's coverage determination, exclusions, claim denial, reimbursement decision, policy terms, or failure to pay a claim.
18. Travel Risks and Local Legal Standards
International travel involves inherent and sometimes unpredictable risks. These may include,
without limitation, uneven or unfamiliar terrain, traffic and pedestrian conditions,
food and water conditions, weather, illness, communicable diseases, crime, theft,
civil disturbances, acts of terrorism, transportation delays, political events,
changes in government requirements, and other conditions outside Alba's Tours, LLC's control.
Participants are responsible for exercising reasonable care for their own safety and for following instructions from Tour Leadership, local guides, transportation providers, government authorities,
and other appropriate personnel. Participants should review applicable government travel advisories
and destination information before departure.
Participants acknowledge that foreign destinations and independent Travel Suppliers are governed by
local legal standards, accessibility regulations, and health and safety requirements,
which may differ significantly from U.S. standards. Alba's Tours, LLC does not guarantee the safety,
security, operational suitability, or regulatory compliance of any foreign facility, venue,
third-party operation, destination, activity, transportation service, or Travel Supplier.
The existence of public news reports, localized civil developments, regional events,
or general travel warnings in a destination country or transit city does not constitute a supplier failure or
a Force Majeure Event requiring Alba's Tours, LLC to cancel a Tour or issue refunds,
provided essential travel infrastructure and contracted suppliers remain fully functional.
19. Responsibility Clause; Force Majeure
Airlines, hotels, transportation companies, tour operators, restaurants, venues, guides,
and other Travel Suppliers are independent businesses. Each Travel Supplier's service is
governed exclusively by its own contract, ticket conditions, and the applicable laws and
regulations of the country in which the service is provided.
Neither Alba's Tours, LLC nor the Participant will be responsible for a failure to perform caused by circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the affected party, including severe weather,
natural disasters, war, terrorism, civil unrest, government action, strikes, transportation disruptions,
quarantine, communicable-disease restrictions, supplier insolvency,
or other similar events (a "Force Majeure Event").
When a Force Majeure Event prevents or materially affects a service, Alba's Tours, LLC may modify the itinerary, substitute services, postpone activities, or make other reasonable adjustments.
Any additional costs resulting from a Force Majeure Event may be the Participant's responsibility
to the extent permitted by applicable law, except for amounts actually recovered from affected
Travel Suppliers or other responsible parties and required to be passed through to the Participant.
Alba's Tours, LLC does not assume responsibility or legal liability for a foreign Travel Supplier's
compliance with local, international, or U.S. laws.
20. Itinerary and Accommodation Changes
Alba's Tours, LLC reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the itinerary, transportation, accommodations, activities, restaurants, schedules, or other Tour components when necessary
because of weather, transportation schedules, local conditions, venue restrictions, crowding,
safety concerns, government requirements, supplier changes, group needs, medical emergencies,
pastoral circumstances, or other circumstances affecting the Tour.
Alba's Tours, LLC will make reasonable efforts to maintain the overall character and value of the Tour.
A substitute hotel may be of comparable category when reasonably necessary.
Specific hotels, restaurants, airlines, attractions, schedules, routes, guides, or activities are not guaranteed unless expressly guaranteed in writing. No itinerary change automatically creates a right to a refund unless required by applicable law or expressly agreed to in writing.
21. Limitation of Liability
Travel Suppliers are independent entities and are not agents, partners, employees,
or joint venturers of Alba's Tours, LLC. Alba's Tours, LLC arranges and combines services provided by independent Travel Suppliers for the Participant's convenience but does not own, operate, manage,
or control those suppliers.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Alba's Tours, LLC is not responsible for
injury, illness, death, property damage, loss, delay, inconvenience, or financial loss caused by
the acts, errors, omissions, negligence, or misconduct of an independent Travel Supplier,
airport authority, transportation provider, venue, guide, other Participant, or other third party.
Alba's Tours, LLC is also not responsible for losses arising from ordinary risks inherent in international travel, including traffic, pedestrian conditions, uneven terrain, local infrastructure, food and water conditions, weather, delays, theft, or other risks described in these Terms. Foreign suppliers operate outside
U.S. legal jurisdiction and under local governing laws.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability to the extent such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by applicable law. Alba's Tours, LLC remains responsible to the extent a claim is directly caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Alba's Tours, LLC or its personnel acting within the scope of their duties.
Nothing in these Terms waives or limits any claim that cannot legally be waived or limited,
including claims based on intentional wrongdoing to the extent such claims are not legally waivable.
Participants acknowledge that international pilgrimage travel carries inherent risks and voluntarily assume responsibility for their own conduct, decisions, and physical well-being.
22. Photographs and Recordings
Alba's Tours, LLC may photograph or record Participants during the Tour and may use such photographs
or recordings for legitimate business, promotional, advertising, website, social-media, brochure,
or informational purposes without additional compensation.
A Participant who does not wish to be photographed or recorded for promotional purposes may notify Alba's Tours, LLC in writing before departure. Alba's Tours, LLC will make reasonable efforts to honor
such requests but cannot guarantee that a Participant will never appear incidentally in a photograph
or recording of a group activity or public setting.
Alba's Tours, LLC is not responsible for photographs, recordings, or other media created or
distributed by other Participants or third parties.
23. Conduct
Participants must comply with applicable local laws, airline and Travel Supplier rules,
and reasonable instructions from Tour Leadership and local guides.
Alba's Tours, LLC may require a Participant to discontinue participation in the Tour, without refund,
when reasonably necessary because of violent, threatening, abusive, disruptive, illegal,
harassing, or dangerous conduct, or conduct that materially jeopardizes the safety, well-being,
or enjoyment of the group. Examples include, without limitation, physical violence, threats, harassment, serious disruption, unlawful conduct, refusal to follow reasonable safety instructions,
or behavior that creates a significant risk to other Participants or Tour Leadership.
A Participant removed from the Tour is responsible for all costs of onward transportation,
lodging, meals, medical care, and other resulting expenses.
24. Data Privacy
In connection with registration and operation of the Tour, Alba's Tours, LLC may collect information provided by Participants, including contact information, passport information, emergency-contact information,
and health or mobility information reasonably relevant to the Tour.
Such information may be used as reasonably necessary to process reservations, arrange travel services,
satisfy Travel Supplier requirements, address accessibility needs, respond to emergencies,
comply with applicable legal requirements, and administer the Tour. Alba's Tours, LLC may share relevant information with airlines, hotels, transportation providers, tour operators, guides, government authorities, emergency personnel, insurers, or other service providers when reasonably necessary for those purposes.
Alba's Tours, LLC does not sell Participant information to third parties.
Participants should provide only accurate information reasonably necessary for the Tour and
should notify Alba's Tours, LLC of material changes to information that could affect the
Participant's travel or safety.
25. Dispute Resolution
Before initiating arbitration or litigation, the Participant and Alba's Tours, LLC agree to make a good-faith effort to resolve any dispute by providing written notice of the dispute and a reasonable opportunity to address the matter.
Except where prohibited by applicable law, any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or
the Participant's Tour that is not resolved informally will be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules then in effect, rather than in court.
The arbitration will be conducted on an individual basis only. The Participant and Alba's Tours, LLC
each waive the right to participate in a class action, collective action, or representative action to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
Nothing in this Section prevents a Participant from bringing an individual claim in a small-claims court
of competent jurisdiction where permitted by law, or from submitting a complaint to a government or consumer-protection agency. Nothing in this Section prevents either party from seeking temporary or emergency injunctive relief from a court when such relief is permitted by applicable law.
The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding, subject to any rights of review or
appeal provided by applicable law.
This arbitration provision applies only to the extent enforceable under applicable law.
If any portion of this Section is found unenforceable, the remaining enforceable portions
will remain in effect to the extent permitted by law.
26. Severability and Governing Law
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions
will remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law. Any invalid or unenforceable provision
will be modified only to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable,
where such modification is legally permitted.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to conflict-of-law principles, except to the extent that a Participant's state or federal consumer-protection law mandatorily applies and cannot lawfully be waived. Nothing in these Terms is intended to waive any right or
protection that applicable law prohibits the Participant from waiving.
27. Tips, Gratuities, Shopping Stops, and Items Not Included
Gratuities for tour guides, drivers, hotel staff, local meal servers, and other service personnel are
not included in the base Tour price unless the applicable itinerary expressly states otherwise.
Such gratuities remain the Participant's responsibility.
The base Tour price also does not include, unless expressly stated otherwise in the applicable itinerary:
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COVID-19 testing or related medical expenses
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passports
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visas
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required entry authorizations or government fees
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personal travel insurance
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laundry
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personal beverages
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food or beverages ordered outside the included group meal
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baggage fees beyond the standard airline allowance
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optional excursions or activities
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personal purchases
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souvenirs
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room service
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telephone or internet charges
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medical expenses
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emergency transportation
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caregiver or personal-assistance expenses
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other expenses of a personal nature
Shopping Stops and Merchant Purchases:
Some Tours may include optional visits to shops, stores, markets, religious-goods retailers,
artisan establishments, or other commercial businesses as part of the itinerary or
at the recommendation of a local guide. All purchases are voluntary.
Alba's Tours, LLC does not guarantee the quality, authenticity, value, price, availability, warranty,
shipping, delivery, return policy, or other terms of merchandise purchased from an independent merchant.
Participants are solely responsible for reviewing and accepting the merchant's terms before making a purchase. Alba's Tours, LLC is not responsible for disputes between a Participant and a merchant,
including disputes concerning merchandise, payment, shipping, customs, returns, refunds,
warranties, or damage.
A local guide or other service provider may have a commercial relationship or receive a commission or
other compensation from a merchant. Such a relationship does not constitute an endorsement or
guarantee by Alba's Tours, LLC of the merchant or its merchandise.
28. Listening/Audio Guide Equipment
When Alba's Tours, LLC's Tour Manager or another independent third-party provider makes a listening device, audio guide, receiver, headset, or similar equipment available for use during the Tour,
the equipment is provided by that third party and is not owned, rented,
or supplied directly by Alba's Tours, LLC.
Participants are responsible for safeguarding all equipment issued to them and for returning it to
the Tour Manager or other designated third-party representative at the end of the Tour.
If a Participant loses, fails to return, or damages beyond ordinary wear and tear any listening/audio-guide equipment provided by the third party, the Participant is responsible for paying the third party or
its designated Tour Manager the applicable replacement or repair charge.
The replacement charge is generally approximately $100 per device,
but the actual amount charged by the third party may vary.
Alba's Tours, LLC is not responsible for the third party's equipment charges, policies, or
determination of replacement or repair costs. By accepting the equipment,
the Participant acknowledges responsibility for returning it and
for any applicable third-party loss or damage charge.
29. Questions and Pre-Departure Responsibilities
Participants should contact Alba's Tours, LLC with questions concerning the itinerary,
physical requirements, accessibility, travel documents, insurance, payment, or
any other matter addressed in these Terms before the Final Payment Deadline
whenever reasonably possible.
Participants are responsible for carefully reviewing all Tour materials, payment schedules,
travel documents, and instructions provided before departure. Failure to ask a question before
departure does not relieve a Participant of the responsibilities described in these Terms.
30. Acknowledgment and Agreement
By signing the Reservation Application or otherwise submitting a reservation and payment for the Tour,
the Participant acknowledges that the Participant has had an opportunity to read and
review these Terms & Conditions, understands the Tour's payment, cancellation, refund,
physical-activity, accessibility, travel-risk, and other requirements, and agrees to be legally bound
by these Terms to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
The Participant acknowledges that these Terms are an integral part of the Participant's reservation and agreement to purchase the Tour.
PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGMENT & AGREEMENT
By signing below and submitting my deposit, I certify that I am at least 18 years of age,
or that I am the parent or legal guardian of a minor Participant, or that I am the adult designated in a notarized parental or legal-guardian consent letter under Section 1 to serve as the minor Participant's guardian for purposes of this Tour, and that I am purchasing the tour or pilgrimage package identified
in this Reservation Application from Alba's Tours, LLC.
I acknowledge that I have been provided an opportunity to read, review, and understand the
Alba's Tours, LLC Terms & Conditions, which are incorporated into this agreement and
govern my reservation, payment obligations, cancellation charges, refunds, single-room supplements, physical-activity requirements, travel responsibilities, and participation in the Tour.
The complete Terms & Conditions are available for review via QR code below or at:
I understand that I may request a printed copy of the complete Terms & Conditions from Alba's Tours, LLC.
Please check one:
[ ] I have reviewed the complete Terms & Conditions online at the website address provided above.
[ ] I received a printed copy of the complete Terms & Conditions and
reviewed it before signing this Acknowledgment.
If a printed copy has not yet been provided to me, I understand that Alba's Tours, LLC will provide it to me, and that I should not sign this Acknowledgment until I have received and had the opportunity to review it.
I understand that the Terms & Conditions include important provisions concerning cancellation and
refund restrictions, non-refundable Travel Supplier charges, single-occupancy availability and supplements,
physical and accessibility requirements, travel risks, limitations of liability, and dispute resolution/arbitration.
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the Terms & Conditions and
agree to be bound by them to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
I understand that my signed acknowledgment is required before Alba's Tours, LLC confirms my reservation.
Participant Signature: _________________________________________ Date: ______________
Printed Name: ________________________________________________
If signing on behalf of a minor Participant, check one:
-
☐ Parent / Legal Guardian
-
☐ Adult designated under a notarized consent letter (attach letter)
APPENDIX A: MINOR PARTICIPANT PARENTAL CONSENT &
EMERGENCY MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION
This form must be completed for any Participant under 18 years of age who is traveling (a) with
only one parent or legal guardian, (b) with an adult who is not the minor's parent or legal guardian,
or (c) with a parent or legal guardian whose legal last name differs from the minor's. Alba's Tours, LLC
may require this form to be notarized and may request additional documentation establishing parental
or legal-guardian authority.
1. Minor & Tour Information
Minor's Full Legal Name: _______________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ______________ / ______________ / ______________
Tour Name & Dates: __________________________________________________________
2. Parent(s) / Legal Guardian(s)
Parent/Legal Guardian 1 — Full Legal Name: ________________________________________
Relationship to Minor: _________________________________________________________
Phone Number: ______________________________________________________________
Email Address: ______________________________________________________________
Parent/Legal Guardian 2 — Full Legal Name (if applicable): _____________________________
Relationship to Minor: _________________________________________________________
Phone Number: ______________________________________________________________
Email Address: ______________________________________________________________
3. Adult Traveling With the Minor
Complete this section for the adult who will be traveling with the minor.
-
☐ Both parents/legal guardians are traveling with the minor.
-
☐ Only one parent/legal guardian is traveling with the minor.
-
☐ An adult who is not the minor's parent/legal guardian is traveling with the minor.
Name of Adult Traveling With Minor: ______________________________________________
Relationship to Minor: _________________________________________________________
Phone Number: ______________________________________________________________
Email Address: ______________________________________________________________
If the traveling adult is not a parent or legal guardian, the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) authorize that
adult to accompany and supervise the minor during the Tour.
4. Parental Consent for Travel
I/We certify that I/we am/are the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) having legal custody of the minor identified above and that I/we have the legal authority to provide the consent contained in this form.
If only one parent or legal guardian is traveling with the minor, the non-traveling parent/legal guardian, when required, consents to the minor's participation in the Tour and travel with the traveling parent/legal guardian.
If an adult who is not a parent or legal guardian is traveling with the minor, I/we authorize that adult to accompany and supervise the minor during the Tour.
I/We understand that international travel may be subject to additional requirements imposed by airlines, immigration authorities, border officials, foreign governments, or other authorities.
I/We are responsible for obtaining and carrying all passports, visas, parental-consent documents, custody documents, birth certificates, and other travel documentation applicable to the minor. Alba's Tours, LLC does not guarantee admission to or transit through any country and is not responsible for consequences arising from incomplete, inaccurate, expired, or insufficient travel documentation.
5. Emergency Medical Authorization
If the minor requires emergency medical or dental care during the Tour and I/we cannot be reached in time, I/we authorize the adult traveling with the minor to seek and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, consent to reasonable emergency medical, dental, hospital, diagnostic, surgical, or transportation services for the minor.
If the adult traveling with the minor is unavailable, I/we authorize Alba's Tours, LLC and its Tour Leadership, to the extent reasonably necessary and permitted by law, to assist in obtaining emergency medical attention or transportation for the minor and to communicate with medical providers and emergency personnel.
I/We understand that medical providers and healthcare facilities may impose their own consent requirements and that this authorization does not guarantee that any particular provider will accept this authorization
in every circumstance.
I/We agree to be financially responsible for all medical, dental, hospital, transportation, medication,
and other expenses incurred for or on behalf of the minor.
6. Parent/Legal Guardian Authorization
I/We certify that all information provided in this form is true and complete.
I/We understand that this authorization does not transfer legal custody or
guardianship of the minor to Alba's Tours, LLC, its employees, Tour Leadership, or any other person.
I/We understand that the adult traveling with the minor remains responsible for the minor's supervision and care during the Tour, subject to the terms and conditions of the Tour.
I/We authorize the minor to participate in the Tour and to travel internationally as described above.
Parent/Legal Guardian 1
Signature: _______________________________________________________________
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________________
Date: ______________ / ______________ / ______________
Primary Phone: ___________________________ Alternative Phone: ___________________________
Parent/Legal Guardian 2 (if applicable)
Signature: _______________________________________________________________
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________________
Date: ______________ / ______________ / ______________
Primary Phone: ___________________________ Alternative Phone: ___________________________
7. Notary Public Acknowledgment
State/Commonwealth of: ________________________________________________________
County/City of: _______________________________________________________________
On this ______ day of __________________________, 20__, before me, the undersigned Notary Public, personally appeared ______________________________________________________________________,
known to me or satisfactorily proven to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to this instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same for the purposes therein contained.
Notary Public Signature: _______________________________________________________
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________________
Notary Seal:
My Commission Expires: ______________ / ______________ / ______________