Terms and Conditions
Booking and Payments:
A non-refundable deposit will be required to reserve your place on a trip.
Rates are quoted with the assumption of double-occupancy in rooms, unless otherwise noted.
Full payment deadline is 90 days prior to the start of the trip. There will be payment plan options for those wishing to take advantage.
You must make payments on time as scheduled in your payment plan. If payment is not received on time, Stepping Stones Tours reserves the right to cancel your reservation. Cancellation fees listed below will apply.
Cancellations and Refunds:
Tours may be cancelled due to lack of interest (not enough people sign up).
In the event of cancellation by Stepping Stones Tours due to lack of interest deposits will be refunded
In the event of trip disruptions that are beyond our control, you will be refunded to the best of our ability. Any non-refundable fees collected by vendors will not be refunded to you.
Cancellations initiated by traveler will have cancellation fees incurred.
Initial trip deposit is non-refundable and the following cancellation fees will also be levied depending on timing of cancellation:
Up to 91 days prior to departure: 25% of funds collected + trip deposit
90 to 31 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
30 to 15 days prior to departure: 90% of trip cost
14 day or less prior to departure: 100% of trip cost
Itinerary and Accommodations:
Stepping Stones Tours does its best to book accommodation high quality accommodation in convenient locations, but due to an extreme shortage of rooms in Ireland this is not always possible. We always strive to create a trip that provides the best blend of cultural/local experiences, leisure time, delicious meals, and quality accommodation while keeping the price point as attainable as possible. This often requires some compromise, but we do have our travelers best interest in mind when booking and do our best.
Stepping Stones Tours reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary at any time in the event a venue cancels our reservations or due to unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters, political instability, etc.). This will happen only in unavoidable circumstances and we do our best to deliver the itinerary laid out at the time of purchase.
Stepping Stones Tours does not own any of the transportation, restaurants, accommodation, or attractions visited on any trip. By booking a trip with us you release Stepping Stones Tours of any liability relating to damages or problems concerning any of the suppliers contracted with on your trip.
Travel Documentation and Insurance:
It is the travelers responsibility to acquire all necessary travel documents for the trip, including but not limited to passports, IDs, and visas, and to make sure all of the above are valid and not expired.
Stepping Stones Tours is not responsible for disruption of travel due to lack of proper travel documents.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. There are many travel insurance providers and different coverage plans. Whichever one you choose, please fully read the policy and understand what it does and does not cover. It will do you no good to buy a policy that doesn’t reimburse you for something you might need.
Health and Safety:
Travelers participating in activities on a Stepping Stones Tour do so at their own risk. Stepping Stones Tours is not qualified to evaluate your health or fitness, travelers must evaluate their own health and fitness for any tour or activity.
Participants of group tours are expected to be able to walk at least one mile and to be able to stand for 30-60 minutes at a time.
For tour participants bringing a mobility device (wheelchair, walker, scooter, etc.), it is participant’s responsibility to let us know at the time of booking/registration so that we can notify transportation providers. Those who do not notify us at the time of booking may be refused the availability to bring device along due to lack of space.
Not all itinerary inclusions are suitable for wheelchairs or motorized scooters.
Stepping Stones Tours (or any representative, or partner of Stepping Stones Tours) cannot provide assistance with walking, wheelchairs, motorized scooters, dining, or any other personal needs. If you require assistance you must travel with an able companion who can assist you. This companion must be registered as a traveler on your trip.
For those travelers on group tours with dietary allergies and restrictions, allergies and restrictions that were listed on your registration will be passed on to venues serving food. Venues do their best to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions, but Stepping Stones Tours does not guarantee that all dietary requirements will be accommodated at every meal. When they can be accommodated, choices are often limited.
Stepping Stones Tours will follow all local Covid Guidelines set out by local authorities.
By registering for a trip with Stepping Stones Tours you agree that Stepping Stones Tours is not liable for any personal injury, or damage/theft of personal property that occurs while on the trip.
Responsibilities of the Tour Company:
Stepping Stones Tours is responsible for advising travelers of local rules and regulations, but not enforcing them.
On occasion unforeseen circumstances (Acts of God, force majeure natural disasters, political instability, etc.) do occur during trips. Stepping Stones Tours will put safety and security above all else in these situations, which may require altering the planned itinerary.
Stepping Stones Tours is not liable for damages, funds lost, or costs incurred that may arise due to unforeseen circumstances.
Client Responsibilities:
Travelers are expected to take responsibility for their own actions (with the exception of those under the age of 18 whose parent/guardian/chaperone is responsible for their actions). Failure to be kind and respectful to others and/or their property may result in being dismissed from the tour at your own cost. No refund will be given for those dismissed from a tour.
Travelers are expected to follow all local laws and the rules and regulations of every establishment visited on a trip. Failure to do so may result in being dismissed from the tour at your own cost. No refund shall be given for those dismissed from a tour.
To ensure optimal good vibes on a tour, Stepping Stones Tours reserves the right to accept, reject or expel any individual who is deemed disruptive or incompatible with the interests of the group, including, but not limited to:
if it is reasonably believed that an individual is dangerous to others or to themselves
has engaged in or threatening to engage in behavior that may adversely affect the safety, security, well-being or enjoyment of other individuals
who are disruptively intoxicated and/or under the influence of drugs
who has failed or refused to follow our rules or the instruction of Stepping Stones Tours employees or representatives.
The cost of being dismissed from the tour is the responsibility of the person or persons being dismissed. No refund shall be given for those being dismissed from a tour.
Miscellaneous Fees
Only accommodations, fees, activities, and meals listed on the official itinerary are included in price listed. Anything other costs incurred (including, but not limited to, meals throughout the tour that are not listed on the itinerary, airfare, trip insurance, transportation not listed on the itinerary, gratuities not listed on the itinerary) are the responsibility of the traveler.
Children
All children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or chaperone who will be responsible for the actions of the children.
Parents/guardians of minors traveling with Stepping Stones Tours release Stepping Stones Tours from any responsibility for damages (including, but not limited to, personal injury, emotional trauma, theft/damage of property, etc.) incurred by said minor.
Minimum age of children on group tours is 8 years of old, unless specific permission is granted by Stepping Stones Tours.
Those traveling as the guardian or chaperone of minors are strongly suggested to carry a letter signed by both parents authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident.
Some destinations require documentation for minors traveling without both parents internationally. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to obtain said documentation necessary. Stepping Stones Tours is not responsible for disruption of travel due to lack of documentation.
Airline Tickets
Stepping Stones Tours does not book any airfare. Booking airfare that coordinates with the trip schedule is the responsibility of the traveller.
Stepping Stones Tours will advise timing cut offs for each trip at the time of booking so that each traveler may book their trip at their leisure.
Luggage
It is travelers responsibility to check their airline rules and regulations regarding luggage.
Every traveler on a group tour is allowed 1 piece of large, luggage to be stored in luggage compartments of the tour coach, and 1 piece of carry-on/hand luggage. Space for carry-on/hand luggage in the luggage compartments is not guaranteed and large roll-aboard style carry-on/hand luggage will not fit in overhead compartments of the tour coach.
Luggage handling/porterage is available at hotels. Whether this service is included in your trip package will be noted on your itinerary.
Photos and Video
Occasionally Stepping Stones Tours, or our representatives on tours, may take photos and video of tour groups enjoying various parts of the trip to be used in marketing materials or social media. By agreeing to travel with Stepping Stones Tours you consent to your image being used as stated above. You may opt out of this by informing the Stepping Stones Tour representative accompanying your group.
Modifications to Terms and Conditions
Stepping Stones Tours reserves the right to correct errors and omissions in any published materials and to amend these terms and conditions at any time. Terms and Conditions listed on www.steppingstonestours.com will be the most up to date and travelers should check the website prior to travel for most up to date information.