- How do I reserve a place on a tour?
- What is the final date for registering?
- Can I receive additional information specific to my tour of interest?
- What is the minimum number of participants for a tour to proceed?
- What is the typical size of a TourMagination tour group?
- What is the maximum number of participants on a tour?
- What do “Double Occupancy” and “Single Supplement” mean for my tour fare?
- What is the payment schedule for my tour?
- How do I make a payment?
- Is your tour pricing guaranteed?
- What is usually included in the tour price?
- What is usually NOT included in the tour price?
- What documents do I require when I travel internationally and domestically?
- If tourist visas are required, does TourMagination provide assistance?
- Will TourMagination keep my personal information confidential?
- Can you help me arrange flights or do I need to do that myself?
- What do I do if my flight is cancelled or changed?
- What physical abilities are needed to participate on tour?
- Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
- What standard of hotel can I expect on tour?
- What if I need to cancel my tour?
- What happens if TourMagination cancels my tour?
- Do I need trip cancellation, tour interruption, and emergency medical insurance?
- Is it safe to travel to the Holy Land, Russia/Ukraine, Turkey and other conflicted areas around the world?
- Can I know who my fellow group members are before the start of my tour?
- TOURMAGINATION’S RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR TRAVELLERS
- Will the itinerary change after I have registered for a tour?
- What if the itinerary changes while the tour is in progress?
- Liability – THIRD PARTY SUPPLIERS
What is the final date for registering?
While every effort will be made to accommodate last-minute sign-ups, the dangers of waiting to register for a tour include:
• The tour may be fully subscribed
• Costs could increase if you sign up less than 90 days before a tour begins
• You may not be able to stay at the same hotels as the rest of the group
• It may be difficult or impossible to secure flights, particularly when visiting locations that have limited airline service
• A tourist visa may be unattainable or at the least very expensive if expedited
It is particularly important to register promptly for a cruise—they fill up fast and the least expensive staterooms are the first to go. One year in advance is not too soon to register for a cruise—especially if it is a niche river cruise such as a European Christmas Markets Cruise (boat size is limited).
All arrangements are subject to availability at time of booking.
What is the typical size of a TourMagination tour group?
Heritage tours usually range from 25 to 30 people. Specialty tours to places like Antarctica, Iceland, Amazon/Galapagos, or countries in Africa tend to be closer to 15 or 20 people. Our Holy Land Tour groups are usually 15-25 people.
Custom tour groups can be any size.
What do “Double Occupancy” and “Single Supplement” mean for my tour fare?
The price for a tour listed under “Double Occupancy” means the amount paid per person if you are sharing a room with another traveller, such as your spouse or a travel partner. If you prefer to have a single hotel room or cruise stateroom to yourself, the “Single Supplement” is an additional amount to cover the extra cost charged by the hotels or cruiseline for a single room. To determine your amount owing for the tour as a single traveller, you will need to add together the tour fare PLUS the single supplement.
As of June 2023, we will no longer be accepting cheques or e-transfers on new invoices. For your convenience, we accept online credit card payments. To make a credit card payment:
- Register for a tour
- At the bottom of the registration form, choose to pay your deposit in USD or CAD
- Submit your registration form
- Follow a link to pay on Flywire
- Choose to pay by credit card, bank transfer, PayPal and other options. All major credit cards accepted.
After paying your deposit, you will receive an invoice for the balance of the tour fare. Payment of the balance is due four months prior to tour departure.
Is your tour pricing guaranteed?
TourMagination makes every effort to maintain the prices as established. However, all prices are based on exchange rates, airfares, airline surcharges and taxes, and land costs at the time of tour development. For this reason, pricing may be subject to increase prior to the time of final payment.
Where the increase in price is greater than 7% of the price of the applicable tour (except if the price increase is a result of increased government taxes), the affected client(s) may elect to either:
• cancel the applicable tour without incurring any penalty; or
• accept the change of price
What is usually included in the tour price?
All transportation noted in the tour itinerary, expert tour leaders and/or storytellers, local guides, coach driver, accommodations, meals as specified in the tour itinerary, entrance fees for sites listed in the itinerary, and gratuities are usually included. Please see specific tour postings for detailed lists what is included.
What documents do I require when I travel internationally and domestically?
A valid passport is required for all international travel and must be valid for at least six months after the scheduled return of the tour. Domestic tours that cross the U.S.-Canada border also require a passport for identification.
If tourist visas are required, does TourMagination provide assistance?
Yes, we will contact you when its time to start the visa process and provide the assistance you require. It is critical that you follow through as instructed in order to secure your visa. Without the proper visa you will not be able to travel on the tour. Unfortunately, we cannot be responsible if travellers do not take the necessary steps to obtain a visa. Obtaining and carrying these documents is the traveller’s sole responsibility.
Will TourMagination keep my personal information confidential?
Any personal information we receive from you, such as health information, passport details, credit card information, or contact information, will be kept confidential. We only share this information with appropriate suppliers when it is needed on your tour, or with your permission.
We also share contact information between tour members prior to the start of a tour; if you would prefer that your information not be shared with your fellow tour participants, please let us know and we will accommodate your request.
Can you help me arrange flights or do I need to do that myself?
As tour members originate from different cities, we do not include international airfares in most of our tour fares. For expert assistance with flight reservations, please contact our preferred agent Michael Kroeker with Bonaventure Travel. He would be pleased to help you book flights from your home area.
Michael Kroeker
michael@bonaventuretravel.ca
1-888-550-8998 ext 128
DIRECT: 204 594 7608
What do I do if my flight is cancelled or changed?
Be aware that flights are ALWAYS subject to schedule changes/aircraft changes as well as cancellations which are beyond their control. While the airline will do what is within their power to protect you, passengers should be proactive and protect themselves by purchasing travel insurance for these unexpected or unforeseen events.
If your flight has been cancelled and your departure is outside of 24 hours: if your ticket was purchased through our partners at Bonaventure Travel please call 204-594-7608 for assistance as this number is monitored. If you are already checked in for your flight and are under airport control, you must go directly to the airline’s desk in the airport for assistance.
What physical abilities are needed to participate on tour?
While we want to include as many people as possible on our tours, some tours may not be well suited for people with physical limitations. Cruises are often the best option for people with limited mobility, as optional excursions usually include accessible options. To help you determine the suitability of a tour, please review the activity level rating for each tour.
See our TOUR ACTIVITY LEVEL GUIDELINES.
TourMagination is not responsible in the event it is unable to accommodate the special needs of mobility impaired passengers. TourMagination is not able to provide individual assistance to a tour participant for walking, getting on and off vehicles, or other personal needs.
If we are not notified at time of registration of any physical limitations, TourMagination reserves the right to cancel your booking if your special needs or disabilities are not suitable for the tour, pose a threat to the health and safety of other participants or tour leaders, are incompatible with other travellers, or if you are not travelling with a companion who provides all the assistance you require. TourMagination will not refund or cover any costs or expenses incurred for cancellation.
Not all sightseeing locations or transportation services are able to accommodate wheelchairs, and some locations and sightseeing activities require extensive standing, sitting, or walking—sometimes on unpaved or cobblestone streets. TourMagination will not refund or cover any cost or expense incurred for any missed activities due to a participant’s inability to fully participate with the group.
Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Dietary requests and preferences must be provided to TourMagination at the time of registration. We are then able to make note so that appropriate food will be available for the meals included in the tour. While much of this is out of our control, we will do all that is possible for you to maintain your specific diet requirements. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
What standard of hotel can I expect on tour?
TourMagination chooses quality accommodation to ensure good service, cleanliness, and comfort wherever we travel. In more remote areas, hotels may have slightly lower standards than in major centers.
Accommodation in hotels is in standard rooms with twin beds or a double bed unless otherwise stated.
What if I need to cancel my tour?
If you decide to cancel your travel, you will be charged a cancellation fee of $300 per person/ $500 for cruises, plus any cancellation fees charged by the supplier. A full refund will be made for the remaining amount for written cancellations received by TourMagination at least 121 days prior to the date on which you are to commence travel.
Passengers who cancel after 121 days before a tour, for any reason, will be charged 100% of the total tour fare.
This policy does not apply if travel is cancelled due to fear of social or political unrest, or fear of a public health emergency, or fear of any other circumstances, if there are no government advisories prohibiting travel.
What happens if TourMagination cancels my tour? Updated March 23, 2020
If TourMagination cancels a tour, participants are fully refunded, except for the reasons outlined below.* If you should be on tour when such an action is required due to safety concerns, TourMagination will seek the services of the embassies in each country along with our land agents.
*If TourMagination is delayed or hindered in or prevented from the performance of any term, covenant or act required here under by reason of any event beyond the control of TourMagination (other than as a result of financial incapacity or financial inability of Tourmagination, which, for greater certainty, shall not be considered an event beyond its control) and not caused by an act or omission of TourMagination, including, but not limited to:
(i) a lack or an inability to obtain materials, goods,equipment, services, utilities or labour;
(ii) any new statute, law or order-in-council or any regulation or order or amendment thereto passed or made pursuant thereto;
(iii) an inability to obtain any licence, permit, permission or authority from an entity;
(iv) a strike, labour dispute, work stoppage, lockout,slow-down or other combined action of workers;
(v) earthquake, flood, fire or other casualty;
(vi) an act of terrorism, civil commotion, war, invasion,embargo, insurrection, rebellion, sabotage, riot, violence, sabotage by other than a Party, malicious mischief by other than a Party, act of public enemy, or extortion;
(vii) any pandemic, epidemic, quarantine, public health emergency, outbreak or disease, as identified by any government health agency;and
(viii) an act of God,and which shall cause TourMagination to be unable to fulfill or to be delayed or restricted in the fulfillment of any obligation hereunder,TourMagination shall be relieved from the fulfillment of such term, covenant or act and the customer shall not be entitled to compensation for any inconvenience,nuisance, or discomfort thereby occasioned.
Do I need trip cancellation, tour interruption, and emergency medical insurance?
TourMagination strongly recommends purchasing Trip Cancellation and Interruption and Emergency Medical Insurance. Insurance for Canadian travellers is available through Manulife Insurance and American travellers through CSA Travel Protection. Or you may contact our office by phone or email for an insurance quote and/or purchase. TourMagination’s cancellation policy applies even if you decide not to purchase travel insurance.
Is it safe to travel to the Holy Land, Russia/Ukraine, Turkey and other conflicted areas around the world?
Safety of tour members is of utmost importance to TourMagination. The situation globally is constantly changing. We monitor the political world situation on a regular basis in communication with our land agents as well as following “Travel Advisories.” For most of our tours TourMagination registers all participants with the Canadian and/or USA embassies before departure so they are aware of our travel dates. If a destination is unsafe, TourMagination will either cancel the tour or revise the tour itinerary to ensure the safety of our travellers. If you are concerned about a particular destination, please contact us and we would be pleased to speak with you further.
Read blog post, Will it be Safe to Travel to Ukraine and Russia, by tour leader Len Friesen. Tour leader Nelson Kraybill addresses travel safety in the Holy Land and beyond.
Can I know who my fellow group members are before the start of my tour?
Due to security and privacy issues, we cannot divulge that information right away. Additionally, the participant list changes regularly with new registrations and perhaps some cancellations. However, approximately 4 weeks before departure, we will invite the entire group to a Zoom meeting where you will have an opportunity to meet your fellow travellers and tour leader(s).
TOURMAGINATION’S RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR TRAVELLERS
The listed tour programs are operated by TourMagination. In common with other companies, TourMagination acts only as an agent for tour members in arranging room accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, admissions and restaurants. TourMagination reserves the right in its sole discretion to make changes to the itinerary and is not responsible for expenses, loss of time, money or other incidents resulting from a change of tour scheduling made for tour members.
TourMagination is not responsible for any losses or damages of personal property, injuries or unforeseen expenses incurred by any tour member.
Will the itinerary change after I have registered for a tour?
Reasonable changes in the itinerary of any tour may be made where deemed necessary or advisable for operational reasons by TourMagination, in its sole discretion. TourMagination will not be responsible for expenses or other incidents resulting from the tour change. TourMagination clients acknowledge the changing nature of travel and are responsible for keeping up to date on the details of their travel. If TourMagination makes a significant change (defined as a change affecting at least one in three full tour days of the itinerary, or which materially affects the character of the tour), TourMagination will inform the client(s) booked on the tour of any significant change as soon as possible.
If a significant change is made more than 30 days prior to departure, the affected client(s) may elect to:
• accept the change and proceed with the amended tour;
• book another TM tour, if available (client(s) shall be responsible for paying any difference in price between the amended tour and the tour booked in its place);
• cancel and receive a full refund of all monies paid in respect of the land-only portion of the applicable tour.
What if the itinerary changes while the tour is in progress?
Once a tour has departed, TourMagination may make necessary changes to the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances or for other reasons related to the safety or comfort of travellers. These changes will be made at the sole discretion of TourMagination staff. TourMagination will not be liable for any indirect and/or consequential losses associated with any changes to a tour’s itinerary.
Liability – THIRD PARTY SUPPLIERS
TourMagination makes arrangements with accommodation providers, activity providers, airlines, cruise lines, coach companies, transfer operators, tour and local guides, and other independent parties (“Third Party Suppliers”) to provide you with the travel services which form your tour. Although TM takes great care in selecting Third Party Suppliers, TM is unable to control Third Party Suppliers and therefore cannot be responsible for their acts or omissions. Client(s) acknowledges that Third Party Suppliers operate in compliance with the applicable laws of the countries in which they operate.
