Introduction
These Terms & Conditions govern the provision of the bespoke holiday planning service offered by Travel without Borders Ltd.
They explain the basis upon which we provide our services, the responsibilities of both parties and the terms under which we undertake planning work on behalf of our clients.
Please read these Terms & Conditions carefully before instructing us to begin work. By asking us to commence the agreed planning service and by making the Initial Planning Payment, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted these Terms & Conditions.
These Terms & Conditions should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and any personalised quotation or written agreement relating to your holiday planning service.
Further information about our holiday planning service, including the range of services we offer, can be found on our ” Planning Your Bespoke Germany Holiday” page. These Terms & Conditions should be read alongside that page, your personalised quotation and our Privacy Policy. In the event of any inconsistency, these Terms & Conditions shall take precedence.
1. About Travel without Borders Ltd
Travel without Borders Ltd is a UK-based company specialising in bespoke holiday planning and destination expertise for travel within Germany.
These Terms & Conditions apply to all holiday planning services provided by Travel without Borders Ltd unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Throughout these Terms & Conditions, references to “we”, “us” and “our” mean Travel without Borders Ltd. References to “you” and “your” mean the client purchasing our holiday planning service.
2. Our Holiday Planning Service
Travel without Borders Ltd provides a personalised holiday planning service, specialising exclusively in bespoke travel throughout Germany.
Our role is to provide professional advice, destination expertise, research and personalised itinerary planning based on the information you provide, and the scope of work agreed between us.
We do not act as a tour operator, travel agent or booking intermediary.
We do not sell package holidays, make travel bookings on your behalf or enter into contracts with travel suppliers on your behalf.
All reservations, bookings and contracts for transport, accommodation, excursions, attractions, insurance and any other travel services are made directly between you and the relevant supplier.
Those suppliers are solely responsible for providing their services and for complying with their own contractual and legal obligations.
Our planning fee covers the professional time, expertise and research involved in preparing your bespoke itinerary and supporting recommendations. It is payable for the planning service we provide and is not dependent upon whether you subsequently choose to book any or all of our recommendations.
3. Scope of the Planning Service
The scope of our holiday planning service will be agreed with you before work begins and confirmed in your personalised quotation.
As every holiday is unique, the services we provide will vary according to your individual requirements and the level of planning requested.
Clients may choose to engage us for a single aspect of holiday planning or for a more comprehensive planning service, depending on their individual requirements.
Further information about the range of services we offer can be found on our website under “Planning Your Bespoke Germany Holiday.”
Depending on the agreed scope of work, our planning service may include:
- Destination advice and recommendations
- Bespoke itinerary planning
- Suggested accommodation
- Suggested travel routes
- Rail, ferry and river cruise suggestions
- Scenic driving routes
- Places of interest and visitor attractions
- Restaurant and wine recommendations
- Practical travel information
- Suggested experiences and activities
- Guidance on contacting German suppliers, where appropriate
- Other planning services specifically agreed as part of your personalised quotation
Your personalised quotation will clearly identify the services included within the agreed planning fee. Any services not specifically included within your personalised quotation are not included within the agreed planning fee unless subsequently agreed in writing.
Any services requested outside the agreed scope of work, or any significant changes to the agreed brief, may incur an additional planning charge. Should this arise, we will always discuss and agree any additional fees with you before undertaking further work.
4. Planning Process
Our aim is to provide a personalised planning service tailored to your individual requirements. As every holiday is different, we begin by gaining an understanding of the type of holiday you would like us to help you create.
Initial Enquiry
The planning process normally begins with either:
- an initial telephone consultation at a mutually convenient time; or
- a sufficiently detailed email outlining your proposed holiday and the assistance you require.
This initial discussion enables us to understand your interests, priorities, travel style, approximate budget and the level of planning you require.
Personalised Quotation
Following our initial discussion, we will confirm the agreed scope of work and provide a personalised quotation based on the planning services requested.
Commencement of Planning
Planning work will commence only after:
- the scope of the planning service has been agreed;
- the quotation has been accepted; and
- the agreed Initial Planning Payment has been received.
Research and Itinerary Preparation
Once planning has commenced, we will undertake the agreed research and prepare your personalised itinerary and supporting recommendations in accordance with the agreed scope of work.
We will work with you throughout the planning process to refine your itinerary, where appropriate, so that it reflects your individual requirements and preferences.
Should your requirements change significantly during the planning process, or should you request substantial additional research or alternative itineraries, this may constitute a change to the agreed scope of work. Where this is the case, we will always discuss and agree any additional planning fees with you before undertaking further work.
Once the agreed planning service has been completed and any outstanding planning fees have been paid, we will provide your completed itinerary together with any supporting documentation included within your personalised quotation.
5. Planning Fees & Payment Terms
Our planning fees are based on the information provided at the time of your enquiry and on the agreed scope of work. As every holiday is unique, each project is individually assessed and a personalised quotation will be provided before any planning work begins.
The agreed planning fee reflects the professional time, expertise, research and itinerary preparation required to deliver the agreed planning service.
Initial Planning Payment
Before planning work commences, an Initial Planning Payment is required.
Our standard Initial Planning Payment is £100. However, for larger groups, more complex itineraries or projects requiring extensive research, a higher initial payment may be required. Any variation will always be discussed and agreed with you before work begins.
The Initial Planning Payment secures our professional time and covers the initial consultation, research and commencement of your personalised itinerary.
As planning work begins immediately upon receipt of this payment, the Initial Planning Payment is non-refundable should you subsequently decide not to continue with the planning service.
Interim Payment
For all but the simplest planning projects, an interim payment will normally become due once the principal itinerary has been researched and agreed.
At this stage, the main structure of the holiday will normally have been completed, including the proposed itinerary, destinations, suggested accommodation and principal travel arrangements.
Once the interim payment has been received, we will continue with the remaining elements of the agreed planning service, such as additional recommendations, suggested excursions, practical information and supporting guidance, where these form part of the agreed scope of work.
Completion of the Planning Service
Once the agreed planning service has been completed, the balance of the agreed planning fee becomes payable.
Upon receipt of the outstanding balance, we will provide the completed itinerary together with any supporting documentation included within the agreed scope of work.
Pauses in the Planning Process
If the planning process is paused at your request for an extended period, Travel without Borders Ltd reserves the right to issue an invoice for planning work already completed.
Where planning resumes after a significant break, additional planning charges may apply if further research, updated availability or substantial revisions to the itinerary become necessary. Any additional charges will always be discussed and agreed with you before further work is undertaken.
Outstanding Payments
Travel without Borders Ltd reserves the right to suspend further planning work or withhold any outstanding elements of the agreed planning service, including the completed itinerary, supporting documentation or any remaining elements of the agreed planning service until the relevant payment has been received.
Any reduction in planning fees or goodwill gesture offered by Travel without Borders Ltd in an individual case shall not constitute a waiver of these Terms & Conditions or establish a precedent for future work.
6. Changes to the Agreed Scope of Work
We understand that holiday plans may evolve as ideas develop and that refinements are often a natural part of the planning process.
Reasonable amendments and refinements which help us tailor your itinerary to better reflect your preferences are included within the agreed planning service.
However, where your requirements change significantly after planning has commenced, this may constitute a change to the agreed scope of work.
The following are examples of changes that may constitute a change to the agreed scope of work:
- changing the destination or region;
- significantly altering the duration or nature of the holiday;
- requesting substantial additional research beyond the original brief;
- asking us to prepare multiple alternative itineraries;
- requesting an extensive number of additional accommodation or other supplier recommendations beyond those reasonably required for the agreed planning service (normally no more than two or three carefully selected suggestions per location);
- introducing additional travellers where this materially affects the planning required; or
- requesting additional services which were not included within the original quotation.
Where a change to the agreed scope of work occurs, we will discuss the additional work involved with you before undertaking it. Any additional planning fees will always be agreed with you in advance.
If you decide not to proceed with the additional work, we will complete the planning service in accordance with the original agreed scope wherever reasonably possible.
7. Client Responsibilities
To enable us to provide the best possible planning service, you agree to provide accurate and timely information regarding your holiday requirements.
This includes, where relevant:
- your preferred travel dates;
- your preferred method of travel (for example, by air, rail, ferry or car);
- if travelling by air, your preferred departure airport or airports and any flexibility you may have, as flight availability, schedules and routing may influence the most practical airport, destination or itinerary.
- the number and ages of travellers;
- your approximate budget;
- your accommodation preferences;
- any mobility, accessibility or dietary requirements known at the time;
- your interests and priorities for the holiday; and
- any other information which may reasonably affect the planning process.
You are responsible for reviewing the itinerary and recommendations provided and for notifying us promptly of any factual inaccuracies, omissions or changes to your requirements before making any bookings.
Our recommendations are based on the information, preferences and requirements you provide during the planning process. Travel without Borders Ltd cannot accept responsibility if our recommendations subsequently prove unsuitable because relevant information was not disclosed or changes to your requirements were not communicated to us before the planning service was completed.
As all bookings are made directly between you and the relevant travel suppliers, it is your responsibility to ensure that the services you book meet your individual requirements and to check all booking confirmations, travel documents, supplier terms and conditions, cancellation policies and any other information provided by those suppliers.
You are also responsible for ensuring that you have valid passports, visas (where applicable), appropriate travel insurance and any health documentation or vaccinations required for your trip.
If information provided by you changes during the planning process, please let us know as soon as reasonably possible so that we can assess whether any amendments to the itinerary or planning service are required.
Failure to provide accurate or complete information may affect the quality of the planning service and may result in additional planning work becoming necessary.
8. Direct Bookings with Third-Party Suppliers
Travel without Borders Ltd provides an independent holiday planning and consultancy service. We do not make bookings, enter into contracts or accept payments on behalf of airlines, accommodation providers, transport operators, attractions, restaurants or any other travel suppliers.
All bookings are made directly between you and the relevant travel supplier. Any contract for travel services is therefore between you and that supplier, and the supplier’s own terms and conditions, payment requirements and cancellation policies will apply.
Whilst we use our knowledge, experience and professional judgement when making recommendations, the provision of travel services remains entirely the responsibility of the relevant supplier.
Prices, timetables, opening hours, availability and other travel information may change after recommendations have been provided. It is your responsibility to check all details with the relevant supplier before making a booking.
Once a booking has been made, all queries, amendments, cancellations and complaints relating to that booking must be directed to the relevant travel supplier, as the contractual relationship exists between you and that supplier.
9. Accuracy of Information
Travel without Borders Ltd makes every reasonable effort to ensure that the information, advice and recommendations included within your personalised itinerary are accurate and up to date at the time they are prepared.
However, travel information is subject to change and circumstances may alter after your itinerary has been completed. This may include, but is not limited to:
- accommodation availability;
- prices and special offers;
- transport routes and timetables;
- opening hours;
- attractions and visitor facilities;
- local events; and
- temporary closures or operational changes.
Whilst we endeavour to use reliable and current information from official sources and reputable travel suppliers, we cannot guarantee that information provided by third parties will remain unchanged after our recommendations have been made.
For this reason, you are responsible for checking important travel details with the relevant supplier before making a booking and again before travelling.
10. Limitation of Liability
Travel without Borders Ltd will exercise reasonable skill, care and professional judgement in providing the agreed holiday planning service.
Our liability is limited to the planning services described in your personalised quotation and agreed scope of work.
We shall not be liable for any loss, damage, delay, inconvenience, additional expense or disappointment arising from:
- the acts, omissions or services of any third-party travel supplier;
- changes to prices, availability, timetables, opening hours or other information after recommendations have been provided;
- the cancellation, amendment or withdrawal of any travel service by a third-party supplier;
- travel disruption, delays, weather conditions, industrial action, natural disasters or other events beyond our reasonable control;
- inaccurate, incomplete or late information provided by you; or
- your decision not to follow our recommendations.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to exclude or limit any liability which cannot legally be excluded or limited under the laws of England and Wales.
Subject to the paragraph above, our total liability arising from the planning service shall not exceed the total planning fees paid by you for the planning service giving rise to the claim.
11. Completion of the Planning Service
The holiday planning service is deemed to be complete once the agreed personalised itinerary and any supporting documentation included within the agreed scope of work have been provided to you and all outstanding planning fees have been paid.
Following completion of our holiday planning service, Travel without Borders Ltd has no ongoing responsibility for the administration, management or operation of your holiday.
Any queries relating to bookings, amendments, cancellations or the provision of travel services must be directed to the relevant travel supplier with whom you have made your booking.
Following completion of the planning service, and prior to your departure, Travel without Borders Ltd may, at its discretion, respond to reasonable requests for clarification relating to the itinerary or recommendations provided. Any such assistance is offered as a goodwill gesture only, does not form part of the agreed planning service and shall not create any continuing obligation or establish a precedent for future services.
Once your holiday has commenced, Travel without Borders Ltd has no responsibility for providing ongoing support or assistance in relation to your holiday or to services provided by third-party travel suppliers.
12. Intellectual Property
All personalised itineraries, planning documents, recommendations, maps, written content and other materials prepared by Travel without Borders Ltd remain the intellectual property of Travel without Borders Ltd unless otherwise stated.
These materials are provided solely for your personal, non-commercial use in connection with the holiday for which they were prepared. They may not be reproduced, distributed, published, sold, adapted or otherwise used for any commercial purpose without the prior written permission of Travel without Borders Ltd.
You may make copies of your itinerary and supporting documents for your own personal travel use.
Where our planning documents include information obtained from third-party sources, including maps, photographs, timetables or other published material, the intellectual property rights in those materials remain with their respective owners and must be respected.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions transfers ownership of any intellectual property rights belonging to Travel without Borders Ltd.
13. Complaints & Communication
We are committed to providing a professional and personalised holiday planning service. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, we encourage you to let us know as soon as reasonably possible so that we have the opportunity to address your concerns.
Any complaint relating to the planning service provided by Travel without Borders Ltd should be submitted by email, setting out the nature of your concerns together with any relevant supporting information.
We will acknowledge your complaint as soon as reasonably practicable and will investigate the matter fairly and objectively. We aim to respond fully within 14 days of receiving your complaint. Where this is not possible, we will keep you informed of our progress.
Complaints relating to accommodation, transport, attractions or any other services booked directly with third-party suppliers must be addressed to the relevant supplier in accordance with the supplier’s own complaints procedure.
We ask that all communications with Travel without Borders Ltd are conducted in a courteous and respectful manner. We reserve the right to end correspondence where communications become abusive, threatening, discriminatory or otherwise unacceptable.
14. General
These Terms & Conditions, together with your personalised quotation, the Planning Your Bespoke Germany Holiday page and our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Travel without Borders Ltd in relation to the holiday planning service.
These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from the provision of our holiday planning service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use and protect your personal information and should be read in conjunction with these Terms & Conditions.
Further Information
To learn more about how our holiday planning service works, the range of services we offer and how we can help you plan your holiday to Germany, please visit our Planning Your Bespoke Holiday to Germany page. That page provides additional information about our approach, planning options and the services available before you decide to proceed.
Travel without Borders Ltd
Registered Office:
7 Salisbury House
Wheatfield Way
Hinckley
Leicestershire
LE10 1YG
Company Registration Number: 6598638