TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. OBJECT AND ORGANISATION

These contractual Terms and Conditions govern the provision of organised tour services by unusual voyages, a registered brand operated by Tânia Neves, an individual, with its registered office at Ericeira Business Factory, Rua Prudêncio Franco da Trindade 4, 2655-344 Ericeira, holding NIF 229839827 and registered with Turismo de Portugal under RNAVT no. 11051 (hereinafter referred to as the “Agency”).

The technical and logistical organisation of the tours is the responsibility of the Agency. These Terms and Conditions are supplemented by the specific conditions described in the detailed tour programme in which the Client enrols, together constituting the organised travel contract, in accordance with current legislation.

By making a booking, the Client confirms having read, understood, and fully accepted all the terms and conditions described herein and the specific conditions of the tour programme. In case of divergence between these Terms and Conditions and the tour programme, the specific conditions of the programme shall prevail.

2. LIABILITY

The Agency’s liability is covered by a civil liability insurance policy with Allianz insurance company, as required by current legislation for travel agency activities. Additionally, and for protection in case of insolvency, Clients are covered by the Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund (FGVT) of Turismo de Portugal, guaranteeing the reimbursement of payments and, if applicable, the repatriation of travellers.

3. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

Enrolment in any of the Agency’s tours implies full acceptance of these Terms & Conditions, as well as the specific tour programme (particular conditions) which, together, constitute the travel contract.

3.1. Participant Age

The minimum age for participation is 16 years. Minors under 18 may only participate if accompanied by a legal guardian and with the Agency’s prior and express approval. There is no maximum age. It is the Client’s sole responsibility to ensure they are in appropriate physical and mental health for the destination and the type of tour they are enrolling in. The Agency recommends consulting a doctor before the tour.

3.2. Visas and Vaccinations

It is the Client’s sole responsibility to ensure they meet all legal entry requirements for the visited countries, including valid passports, visas, authorisations, and mandatory vaccinations, as well as compliance with any customs or currency exchange formalities. The Agency partners with Consulta do Viajante for telemedicine services (www.consultadoviajante.com), who are well-versed in our destinations and tour styles. Our travellers benefit from special conditions, and the use of this service is strongly recommended for personalised medical advice and the most up-to-date health and prophylaxis information.

3.3. Documentation

The Client is solely responsible for all documentation required for the tour, such as:

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months after the return date
  • Visas
  • Vaccination certificates (international, if applicable)
  • Authorisations for minors (if applicable)
  • Military documentation or any other documentation required by the authorities of the visited countries.

The Agency is not responsible for any refusal of entry into foreign territory or denial of visas, for reasons related to the Client’s documentation or conduct. In such cases, the conditions of point 6.2. Cancellation by the Client, shall apply, and all additional costs incurred are the Client’s sole responsibility.

3.4. Luggage

The Client must bring a flexible backpack or bag that complies with the weight and size limits recommended in the tour programme, and that is easy to transport. It is the Client’s responsibility to carry their own luggage during the tour. The Agency is not responsible for loss, damage, or misplacement of luggage, except when proven to be caused by direct negligence of the Agency.

3.5. Accommodation

The Agency’s tours may include simple accommodations, such as guesthouses, tents, or traditional houses, which may involve sharing spaces with other travellers. The level of comfort and services varies according to the destination and is described in detail in the tour programme. The Agency does not guarantee single rooms unless expressly requested, confirmed by the Agency and upon payment of an additional supplement, with their availability always subject to confirmation and availability by the accommodation provider.

3.6. Transport

The transports used on tours may include buses, trains, jeeps, boats, domestic flights, or various local transports. The choice of transport methods depends on the destination, local accessibility, and the goal of providing an authentic experience. The Agency reserves the right to change the planned transport methods due to logistical, operational, safety, or force majeure reasons, always ensuring the maintenance of the quality and objective of the tour.

3.7. Client’s Special Needs

The Agency welcomes clients with special needs (dietary, medical, mobility, etc.). In order for us to try to enable and accommodate such requests, we ask that these needs be communicated in writing, via email, as far in advance as possible when booking. The feasibility of accommodation will depend on the nature of the need and the conditions of the destination.

3.8. Conduct and Exclusions

The Agency reserves the right to exclude any participant from the tour, without entitlement to a refund and with the assumption of all additional costs by the Client, in the following cases:

  • If their conduct endangers the safety of the group or third parties.
  • If they demonstrate aggressive, discriminatory, disrespectful behaviour or disturb the well-being of other participants or the team.
  • If they fail to comply with local rules, instructions from the Agency, the tour leader, or local guides.
  • If found in possession or consumption of illegal substances, or weapons. In these situations, there will be no refund, and any additional costs, including repatriation, are the Client’s sole responsibility.

We actively promote respect for local customs and cultures. We encourage the practice of tipping in destinations where it is part of social etiquette; tips are voluntary but welcome for tour leaders, drivers, guides, and local teams.

4. BOOKINGS AND PAYMENTS

Tour prices are presented in euros (€) and include the services detailed in each tour programme. A clear description of what is included and not included will always be provided in the specific tour programme. The Agency reserves the right to correct any material errors contained in its informational materials, committing to communicate any rectification to the Client immediately.

4.1. Tour Booking

A tour booking is considered valid and confirmed upon the cumulative fulfilment of the following conditions:

  • Payment of €150 (one hundred and fifty euros) as a deposit.
  • Completion of the booking form available on the Agency’s website.

After formalising the booking, the Agency will proceed with making the necessary reservations with service providers (transport, accommodation, local guides, among others) for the execution of the tour programme.

4.2. Payments

The total tour amount must be settled up to 45 days before the tour start date. Payments are made by bank transfer, and an instalment payment plan can be agreed with the Agency. For bookings made less than 45 days before the departure date, the total tour amount must be paid in full at the time of booking. The Agency reserves the right to cancel the booking if payment deadlines are not met. In this scenario, the conditions and penalties defined in point 6.2. Cancellation by the Client, shall apply, without prejudice to any other actions permitted by law.

4.3. Price Guarantee

The final tour price may be adjusted up to 20 days before the departure date, solely in exceptional cases provided for by law, namely:

  • Significant variations in transport costs, including fuel costs.
  • Changes in the exchange rates applied to the tour or in taxes and fees charged by third parties (tourist taxes, tolls, etc.).

Any price change will be duly justified and communicated in writing to the Client. If the total price variation is greater than 8%, the Client will have the right to terminate the contract without any penalty, being reimbursed for the total amounts paid.

4.4. VAT

All prices presented include VAT at the legal rate in force, unless expressly stated otherwise in the tour programme.

4.5. Discounts and Promotions

The Agency adopts a policy of transparent and fair pricing, not offering discounts or promotions. The prices presented reflect the quality, exclusivity, and sustainability of the tour experiences offered.

5. TOUR CONDITIONS

5.1. Minimum Number of Participants

Each group tour has a minimum number of participants, which is expressly indicated in the detailed tour programme. If this minimum number is not reached, the Agency may cancel the tour up to 30 days before its scheduled start date. In this scenario, the Client will be entitled to a full refund of all amounts paid, and such cancellation will not confer any right to additional compensation.

5.2. Programme Changes

Due to unforeseen, exceptional, or involuntary reasons on the part of the Agency, such as adverse weather conditions, strikes, unexpected closure of visiting sites (museums, parks, etc.), changes or delays in transport by third parties, security events, local instability, or other operational factors, the Agency reserves the right to propose changes to the itinerary, accommodation, transport, or, in accordance with point 4.3., the final tour price. Any changes will be communicated to the Client in writing, clearly and prominently, as far in advance as possible. In these circumstances, the Client will have the following options:

Accept the changes proposed by the Agency, which will become an integral part of the contract.
Terminate the organised travel contract, with the right to a full refund of all amounts paid, without any penalty.
If they choose to terminate, the Client may also accept an alternative tour of equivalent or higher quality, if such option is available and proposed by the Agency.

5.3. Force Majeure

In situations of force majeure or unavoidable and exceptional circumstances that make the execution of the tour impossible or significantly affect its safety and quality, such as wars, political instability, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemic outbreaks, or border restrictions imposed by governmental authorities, the Agency may, at its sole discretion, cancel, suspend, or adjust the tour to safeguard the safety and well-being of the participants. In these cases, the solutions offered may include, but are not limited to:

  • Rescheduling the tour to a new date.
  • Issuance of a credit for a future tour with the Agency.
  • Partial refund of amounts paid, after deducting demonstrably incurred operational costs that are not recoverable from suppliers, in accordance with applicable legislation. The Agency undertakes to provide a detailed justification for any amounts withheld.

5.4. Private and/or Tailor-Made Tours

The Agency also organises private or tailor-made tours. For these travel modalities, payment, cancellation, and alteration conditions are customised, based on the specific type of services contracted and the agreements established with suppliers. Such conditions will be clearly and explicitly indicated at the time of booking and will be included in the specific tailor-made tour contract.

5.5. Tour Extensions

Should the Client wish to prolong their stay or add services independently before or after the main organised tour programme, the Agency may, upon request, provide support in organising these additional services. Any additional service will be quoted and invoiced separately, subject to the specific conditions of the suppliers involved. The Agency is not responsible for any changes, delays, or unforeseen events occurring in tour extensions organised directly by the Client, or for additional services that are not expressly included in the original organised tour programme.

6. ALTERATIONS, CANCELLATIONS AND WITHDRAWALS

6.1. Cancellation by the Agency

The Agency reserves the right to cancel or alter the Client’s booking due to operational reasons or circumstances beyond its control, including, but not limited to, the failure to reach the minimum number of participants (as per point 5.1.).

In case of tour cancellation by the Agency, the Client will be notified as far in advance as possible. The Client will be offered:

  • A change to an alternative itinerary of equivalent or higher quality.
  • An adjustment of the price (in the case of a lower quality tour).
  • The transfer of the amount paid to another available tour.

If the Client does not accept any of the proposed alternatives, they will be entitled to a full refund of all amounts paid for the organised tour, unless the cancellation occurs due to unavoidable and exceptional circumstances (force majeure), as detailed in point 5.3. In these cases, the refund will be made in accordance with current legislation, deducting only demonstrably incurred operational costs that are not recoverable from suppliers, which will be duly justified by the Agency.

The Agency is not responsible for any additional costs or losses incurred by the Client related to complementary travel plans (such as independent flights, additional stays, non-included transfers, or other bookings) that are affected by the cancellation or alterations of the organised tour.

6.2. Cancellation by the Client

The Client may cancel their booking at any time before the start of the tour, by written communication to the Agency.

Cancellation by the Client implies the payment of a penalty, which aims to cover the costs and losses incurred by the Agency. This penalty will be calculated as follows:

  • The €150 (one hundred and fifty euros) deposit is considered a non-refundable minimum cancellation fee and will be retained by the Agency, regardless of the time of cancellation after booking confirmation.
  • If the cancellation occurs after the tour confirmation and an amount greater than the deposit has already been paid, the Agency may retain an additional amount as a penalty, in accordance with the cancellation communication date. The total penalty will be calculated based on the following scale (the agency should fill in its specific terms, for example):
    • Up to 60 days before departure: Retention of the €150 deposit.
    • From 59 to 45 days before departure: Retention of 50% of the total tour value (or €150, whichever is higher).
    • From 44 to 30 days before departure: Retention of 80% of the total tour value.
    • Less than 29 days before departure or in case of no-show: Retention of 100% of the total tour value.

The Agency undertakes to provide a detailed justification for any amounts retained as a penalty. The Client will be entitled to a refund of the amount paid, minus the applicable penalty.

Note: The Agency may, at its discretion and if applicable, propose the issuance of a voucher for the remaining amount paid (after deducting the penalty), valid for 12 months, for use on future tours. However, the Client retains the right to a refund of the amount paid, minus the penalty.

After the start of the tour, there will be no refund for unused services or for voluntary interruption of the tour by the Client. If any service provided in the programme is not rendered for reasons beyond the Client’s control and there is no equivalent alternative from the Agency, the Client will be entitled to a refund of the difference corresponding to the proven cost of the unrendered service.

6.3. Alteration by the Client

A Client booked on a tour may request to change their booking to another tour or to the same tour on a different date, by written communication to the Agency. An administrative fee of €50 will be applied for each revision or alteration to the booking after its confirmation. A booking alteration made less than 45 days before the tour start date will be treated as a cancellation and subject to the cancellation fees according to clause 6.2. Cancellation by the Client.

7. INSURANCE AND LIABILITIES

7.1. Travel Insurance

The Client undertakes to acquire comprehensive and adequate travel insurance, which may be contracted with the Agency’s support through its partners or independently. The insurance must be adjusted to the duration of the tour, the destination, and the type of activities planned, covering, at a minimum, medical and hospital expenses, repatriation, and, ideally, tour cancellation and interruption.

By not taking out travel insurance or by taking out insufficient insurance, the Client fully assumes all risks and costs arising from situations that would be covered by adequate insurance, exempting the Agency and its service provider partners from liability for any expenses or losses resulting from the absence or insufficiency of the recommended insurance coverage.

The Client must strictly obey all safety regulations applicable to the destination and activities during the tour, as indicated by the Agency or local guides. Non-compliance with these regulations resulting in the exclusion of insurance coverage shall be the Client’s sole responsibility.

7.2. Agency’s Liability

The Agency, in its capacity as Organiser of Organised Tours, is responsible for the correct execution of all travel services included in the contract, in accordance with Decree-Law no. 17/2018, of March 8.

The Agency shall not be responsible for accidents, illnesses, losses, damages, or other prejudices that do not result from a failure in the execution of the contract by the Agency or its service providers. The Agency’s liability is limited under applicable law, namely when the non-conformity is attributable to:

  • The traveller themselves;
  • A third party unrelated to the provision of the travel services included in the contract and whose failure is unforeseeable or unavoidable;
  • Unavoidable and exceptional circumstances (force majeure), as detailed in point 5.3.

In case of flight loss, delays, or other unforeseen events on the part of the traveller (namely for flights not included in the organised tour package), it is their responsibility to contact the airline or activate their travel insurance. The Agency will make all reasonable efforts to assist the traveller in rejoining the group, but any additional costs associated with this situation will be the Client’s sole responsibility.

8. IMAGE, COMMUNICATION AND PERSONAL DATA

8.1. Image

The Agency may capture photographs and videos during tours for promotional purposes, such as dissemination on websites, social media, and marketing materials.

By participating in the tour, the Client will be invited to give their express and unequivocal consent for the capture and use of their image for the promotional purposes indicated above. This consent will be requested through a specific declaration on the booking form or when the images are collected, and the Client will be informed that they can revoke this consent at any time.

The Agency does not sell or transfer images collected for promotional purposes to third parties.

Should the Client publish their own images or videos of the tour on public platforms, the Agency may occasionally share these publications for dissemination purposes, always referencing the original source.

8.2. Communications

The contact details provided by the Client at the time of booking will be used exclusively for essential communications related to their organised tour (e.g., pre-tour information, programme changes, safety notices).

For the sending of newsletters and direct marketing communications about future tours and offers from the Agency, the Client’s prior and express consent (opt-in) will be requested. The Client may unsubscribe at any time using the option available in each communication.

Before departure, the Agency may create a communication group (e.g., WhatsApp) with tour participants, with the prior consent of each Client, for sharing practical information and direct contact with the tour leader.

8.3. Processing and Sharing of Personal Data

The Agency, as the data controller, collects and processes the Client’s personal data within the scope of the execution of the organised travel contract and for the purposes specified in its Privacy Policy.

The Client gives express consent for the Agency to transmit essential personal data to:

  • Government authorities (e.g., border control, air security), when legally required or for security purposes.
  • Local partners and suppliers (e.g., accommodation, transport providers, guides), exclusively for the execution of the tour programme and provision of contracted services. This sharing may include information such as full name, date of birth, nationality, passport details, and, only with the express and unequivocal consent of the Client, sensitive information such as dietary preferences (e.g., allergies) or health data that are crucial for their safety and well-being during the tour.

For more information on the processing of your personal data, your rights as a data subject, and how the Agency ensures the security of your data, the Client should consult our Privacy Policy, available at www.unusualvoyages.com/privacy/.

9. LOGISTICS AND TOUR CONDUCT

9.1. Meeting Point and Tour Start

The Client’s meeting place and time with the tour leader or guide and the other participants will be detailed in each tour programme and communicated in a timely manner before the start of the same.

It is the Client’s sole responsibility to arrange for transport (air or otherwise) to the tour’s starting point and to ensure their presence at the meeting point at the indicated time. The Agency is not responsible for delays or connection failures that prevent the Client from arriving at the meeting point on time, and any additional costs resulting from such a situation are their sole responsibility.

9.2. Authority and Conduct on the Tour

The Client acknowledges and accepts the authority and decisions of the tour leader or local guides designated by the Agency, which will always be made for the safety, well-being, and good atmosphere of the group.

The possession or consumption of illegal substances, as well as weapons, is strictly prohibited throughout the duration of the tour.

Any threat to safety, well-being, or inappropriate behaviour by the Client, whether verbal or physical, or failure to comply with the rules and regulations stipulated by the Agency, the tour leader, or local authorities, may result in the immediate cancellation of the Client’s participation in the tour. In such cases, the Client will be immediately and permanently excluded from the Tour, without entitlement to any refund of amounts paid, and will be responsible for their own repatriation and all related costs, having no claims against the Agency.

10. COMPLAINTS

Any non-conformity found in the execution of the travel services included in the contract must be communicated to the Agency without undue delay, preferably in writing, during the tour. Immediate communication allows the Agency to seek an appropriate solution and minimise the impact on your travel experience.

If the non-conformity is not resolved during the tour, the Client may submit a formal complaint in writing to the Agency within a maximum of 20 working days after the end of the services. The complaint must describe the events that occurred, the date and place of the occurrence, and be accompanied by any relevant documents or evidence that the Client possesses (e.g., photographs, proof of additional expenses, contacts with suppliers).

The Agency will analyse all complaints submitted, committing to provide a reasoned response within a maximum of 30 days.

The Agency has a Complaints Book for clients to submit complaints, in accordance with current legislation. To access the Electronic Complaints Book, the Client can do so via the link www.livroreclamacoes.pt.

In case of a dispute, or if they believe their rights have not been adequately safeguarded, the Client may trigger the guarantee provided for under current legislation (Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund). To this end, they must submit their complaint to Turismo de Portugal I.P. within 20 working days after the end of the tour.

For the resolution of consumer disputes, the Client may also resort to the Lisbon Consumer Conflict Arbitration Centre (CACCL), located at Rua dos Douradores, no. 116 – 2.º, 1100-207 Lisboa, telephone contact 218 807 030, or through its website www.centroarbitragemlisboa.pt. For more information, consult the Consumer Portal (www.consumidor.pt).

11. FINAL PROVISIONS

These General Terms and Conditions are supplemented by the detailed tour programme in which the Client and their companions enrol, which constitutes the particular conditions of participation in the tour. Together, these documents form the organised travel contract concluded between the Agency and the Client.

These terms may also be supplemented by any other specific conditions that are expressly sent to the Client at the time of booking and duly agreed between the parties.

For everything not expressly regulated in these Terms and Conditions or in the tour programme, the Portuguese legislation in force shall apply, namely Decree-Law no. 17/2018, of March 8, which establishes the legal regime for organised tours and connected travel services, as well as other applicable legal provisions governing the activity of travel agencies.

For the resolution of any disputes arising from this contract, and in the impossibility of amicable agreement, the parties submit to the jurisdiction of the Portuguese courts, with the Lisbon district court being competent, expressly waiving any other.