PAYMENT OF YOUR DEPOSIT OR FINAL PAYMENT CONSTITUTES
YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN

A pdf copy of this information including our Reservation Form
is available through our Reservation Form Page or Click Here

Continental Capers Travel Center, Inc. and Voyages of Discovery tours (hereafter referred collectively as Continental Capers) may involve walking in variable weather, climbing stairs, getting on and off transportation conveyances, and occasionally carrying your own baggage. Some trips involve crossing hilly, uneven terrain. Sleeping accommodations, dining halls, etc., differ from site to site. Meals included in programs commonly consist of local foods prepared according to local tastes.

If you become ill or are injured, the Tour Operator staff will make every reasonable effort to find medical help. Therefore, it is important that you advise them of any problem when it first arises. Should you become seriously ill or unable to participate in the program for any reason, arrangements will be made to return you home as safely as circumstances allow. Individuals with disabilities are asked to declare and describe in advance their specific conditions or circumstances that require special accommodations or arrangements.

TRIP INSURANCE: Due to the high cancellation penalties and other risks of loss, we strongly recommend trip insurance to cover losses due to trip cancellation, trip delay, trip interruption, luggage loss, personal injury, death, accidents, default or bankruptcy of a supplier, or other contingencies. In order to guarantee maximum coverage under your policy, coverage should be purchased at the time of your first payment. By purchasing insurance coverage through our office, you affirm that you fully understand the terms and limitations of the policy. You also affirm that no additional coverage or protection has been offered either explicitly or implicitly by Continental Capers Travel Center, Inc., its employees, directors, agents or independent contractors. Please contact Continental Capers with any questions regarding insurance coverage or details.

It is recommended that tour participants do not bring expensive jewelry or like possessions with them. Telescopes and observation equipment should be securely packed; insurance on expensive items is highly recommended. Continental Capers or any of its representatives or contractors are not liable for loss/damage of any personal effects.

COST INCLUDES: All accommodations and meals as specified in the itinerary; hotel/restaurant taxes, as applicable; all local transfers including all local on-tour transportation (ground, air and river cruises); all tours and activities including entrance fees and performances as described in itinerary; mineral water, fruits and snacks on tour buses during entire trip; safe solar viewing filters for the solar eclipse; gratuities for baggage handling and all included meals.

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Items not specifically mentioned in the itinerary; international air fares; airport departure taxes; insurance; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks and bottled water unless specified in the itinerary; excess baggage; optional tours and sightseeing not specified in the itinerary; visa fees if applicable; gratuities to bus drivers and guides; insurance; laundry, telephone calls, cables, or any other expenses of a personal nature, or items or services not specifically listed on this tour. In-flight meals not served or missed due to changes are not covered.

TIPS AND TAXES: Tours include taxes for hotel accommodations and airfare. Departure taxes within foreign countries are not included since they vary widely. Each airport departure may require a separate departure tax which will have to be collected from each tour participant prior to boarding. Tips are not included for guides, tour personnel and drivers. However, guests can choose to provide such gratuities to drivers or local guides who render special services or who have done an outstanding job, at each person's discretion.

OBSERVATIONS OF ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS: Continental Capers or its representatives cannot guarantee the observation of any advertised astronomical event(s). While we will make every effort to examine weather prospects prior to selecting the observation site, we cannot control weather, other natural events or circumstances that might prevent viewing astronomical events.

BAGGAGE HANDLING: Consult the TSA web site and your international airline for regulations and restrictions on what is currently allowed to be carried onto aircraft. Also, due to constantly changing airline limitations, we advise all participants to verify baggage allowances directly with the airlines. Excess baggage can be checked at the tour participant's own expense. Lost or damaged luggage while in transit is the sole responsibility of the carrier or traveler and subject to international and/or domestic governing regulations. All baggage of tour participant(s) is accepted on tour at risk of participant(s).

If you are bringing a telescope or any unusual equipment, you must provide a list of such items to Continental Capers so that we can take care of customs formalities.

RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS: Reservations are confirmed with a deposit of ten percent (10%) of tour fare per person at time of booking, excluding international air. Payments for tour costs per person are due according to the following payment schedule:

Note: The Chinese yuan has appreciated about 10% in 2007 compared to the US dollar. If this trend continues, tour costs may increase. However, tour costs if paid in full will not change. Therefore, payment in full will hold your reservation and lock-in your cost.

All prices and payments are in U.S. dollars. Reservations will be canceled if payments are not received by the due dates above. Penalties will be applied according to the cancellation schedule below.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: All cancellations must be made in writing and all cancellations will be charged a cancellation penalty depending upon the number of days before the tour departure date according to the following schedule:

There is no refund for any unused portion of your trip once commenced. Cancellation penalties on airfares are additional and are not included in the above cancellation charges.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended due to high cancellation penalties and other risks. This will allow you to cancel without penalty for reasons covered in the travel insurance policy. (Also "See Travel Insurance" under Additional Information.)

AIR TRANSPORTATION: The price quoted in herein does not include international airfare. International airfares are available as an extra cost item and are subject to change by the airlines without notice. Fares, itineraries, and schedules, including departure and return dates, may be changed at any time without notice prior to ticketing. Fare increases will be the responsibility of individual travelers. We will not be responsible for any changes in airline schedules or itineraries, airfares, cancellations, loss or damage to baggage or overbooking.

LAND AND TOUR COSTS: Tour prices are based upon costs in effect at time of printing of the material and are subject to change at any time due to increases in rates for group services, lodging and meals, government taxes, currency fluctuations, or other factors not under our control. Land and tour cost increases will be the responsibility of individual travelers.

ACCOMMODATIONS: If a change in any accommodations listed becomes necessary for any reason, accommodations substituted will be the equivalent of those shown.

SHARING ROOMS: If you are traveling by yourself but wish to share a room with someone else, we will attempt to match men with male roommates and women with female roommates, along with smoking/non-smoking preferences. If we cannot find a roommate for whatever reason we will advise you and have to charge you the single supplement fee.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS: United States citizens are required to have a valid PASSPORT. Your passport must have at least six months validity left on it from your return date of travel. Citizens of other countries must make their nationalities known immediately to Continental Capers and are responsible for obtaining proper documentation to enter the U.S. and any other countries where tour options are involved. Please check with your travel consultant regarding the most recent passport and visa requirements and associated fees for the countries being visited. We will attempt to inform all travelers of any changes to such requirements. However, all travelers should check with appropriate consulates to determine any specific rules that may apply to them.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: We strongly urge travelers to check with their personal physicians or local health board for suggestions regarding the countries that you will be visiting. Certain vaccinations or health certifications may be required or recommended. Please ask your travel consultant for additional details. Guests should also be aware that stomach upsets can result if one is not careful. Washing hands frequently and eating hot, cooked foods, and fruits that you peel, is recommended. Do not drink tap water.

CLIMATE: China, a large northern country with a range in latitude slightly larger than the USA, has an extremely diverse climate. A subtropical climate rules in the south while a subarctic climate prevails in the north. However, this tour will journey to locations in eastern China during mid-summer with a latitude range from about 25ºN (similar to Miami) to 40ºN (similar to New York City).

Therefore, like the eastern USA, China weather in summer can be very hot and humid so guests should take precautions to avoid dehydration and heat stroke. Daytime high temperatures are typically 88–95ºF (30–35ºC) with humidity 60–70%. Typical lows are in the low 70s F (20s C). This weather is not unlike what the Northeast and Midwestern sections of the USA may experience in summer during a "heat wave" and similar to the Southeast, especially Florida, during summer months. Finally, air pollution can be severe in some locations, especially in larger metropolitan China areas, and can cause respiratory and eye discomfort.

Note: The 2009 solar eclipse occurs July 22 so our trip itinerary is obviously constrained by this special event.

SMOKING POLICY: Smoking is prohibited on our tour buses, observation site and in briefing/lecture rooms.

TRAVELERS WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS OR NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE: Any disability requiring special attention must be reported to us at the time of booking. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of disabled participants, but we are not responsible for any denial of service by guides, carriers, lodges, hotels, restaurants or other independent suppliers. We regret we cannot provide individual assistance to tour members for walking, dining, and getting on or off motor coaches or other transportation vehicles. Travelers who require such assistance must be accompanied by a qualified companion. If you have special dietary requirements, please advise us of your needs when you book.

Note that China can be difficult for people with limited mobility. Uneven sidewalks and ground including high curbs can be common. Public buildings may only have stairs and facilities for disabled may be lacking including the absence of ramps, elevators and lifts. Wheel chairs are not practical.

STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY: Continental Capers Travel Center, Inc., their agents, employees and independent contractors act only as agents for the passenger with respect to services provided, including but not limited to hotels, lodges, camps, restaurants, sightseeing, and all forms of transportation. All services are provided by operators who are not owned or controlled by Continental Capers Travel Center, Inc., their agents, employees and independent contractors cannot therefore be liable for death, personal injury, or any other loss that may occur due to any act or omission of any such supplier or by reason of any other event over which it has no control. Continental Capers Travel Center, Inc., their agents, employees and independent contractors shall not be responsible or liable for any injury, loss, damage, delay or inconvenience arising out of, or in connection with, any defect in any vehicle or any act, including any acts of terrorism, war, industrial action, civil unrest, acts of governments or God and any omission, neglect, accident, error or omission in the provision of any services. Any travel involves some measure of personal risk that the passenger must determine. The sole and exclusive responsibility of any airlines or carriers involved in your tour shall be in accordance with and as limited by the contract of carriage in the passenger's ticket, the applicable tariffs and the provisions of the Warsaw Convention. The airlines or other carriers are not responsible or liable for any act, omission or occurrence during the time passengers are not on board its aircraft. All the tour services, other than transportation provided by the airlines, are provide by independent contractors that do not act on behalf of the airlines, and with whom the airlines do not have any business association or relationship. The airlines shall not be responsible or liable for the accuracy of the tour material or representations made by the tour operator(s).

The Tour Director reserves the right to cancel this trip for any reason and agrees to refund all monies paid by passenger less nonrefundable deposits paid to airlines and hotels. Occasionally, unforeseen changes in transportation schedules or other pressing matters necessitate a change in the air or other portions of the tour. Any extra costs in such cases are the responsibility of the passenger. On advancement of deposit to Continental Capers, the depositor therefore agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions stated. By submitting a registration with deposit, participants acknowledge that they are mentally and physically fit to participate in this program. All contracts for services provided by Continental Capers, Inc., and its affiliates are entered into in the State of Florida and all parties to such contracts submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Florida.

PLEASE NOTE: Your signature denotes acceptance of the conditions and terms as set forth in this travel program.