Terms and conditions

General Terms and Conditions of SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE

We are pleased that you are interested in a trip from SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE and thank you for your trust. The following general terms and conditions regulate the contractual relationship between SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE and you ("applicant, customer, traveler, travel participant"). With your travel registration you accept our general terms and conditions.

1. Conclusion of contract

1.1 Registration

With the registration, the client offers SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE the binding conclusion of a travel contract on the basis of the travel description, the notes and information in the brochure or on the website and these General Terms and Conditions of Travel. With the acceptance by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE, which does not require a special form, the travel contract is concluded. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE informs the customer about the conclusion of the contract with the written travel confirmation. If the content of the travel confirmation differs from the content of the registration, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE has a new offer. The contract is concluded on the basis of this new offer, if the client accepts this new offer within 10 days by explicit or conclusive declaration (e.g. making a payment). The applicant shall be liable for all contractual obligations of fellow travelers for whom he makes the booking as for his own, provided that he has assumed this obligation by express and separate declaration.

We recommend that you read the following contractual conditions carefully.

1.2 Contracting party

These General Terms and Conditions do not apply to the following services:

1.2.1 For all cargo ship bookings arranged by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE, the travel and contract conditions of the respective shipping companies apply. Please note that the contract between you and the shipping company is only concluded upon confirmation by the shipping company.

1.2.2 For trips that are not organized and carried out by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE, the general travel and contract conditions of the respective operator with whom the trip was booked apply between the customer and us as the agent. The agency SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE acts as an intermediary towards the traveler. The complete travel conditions of the respective organizer, which the customer accepts with his booking, are available for inspection at our office, can be requested or are deposited on our homepage. The general terms and conditions of the tour operator can also be found in the respective catalog of the same. Some tour operators (e.g. Hurtigruten) send their terms and conditions separately to the customer together with the travel confirmation.

1.3 Travel arrangement, registration, booking and booking confirmation of cargo ship trips

Since time immemorial, cargo ships have been real working ships on which the passenger experiences seafaring unvarnished and up close. A cargo ship voyage can be tranquil, or adventurous in the broadest sense of the word. On these ships, crew and passengers adapt to the special conditions.

The booking and booking confirmation is generally done by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE. As a special agency, we are commissioned by the shipping companies to offer these trips and to carry out the handling up to embarkation on behalf of the shipping companies. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is not the organizer of the trips, but the travel agent for the traveler. The respective conditions of carriage of the shipping company apply. You will receive our booking confirmation after receipt of the travel application/booking together with further information. Cargo ship trips are not package tours but are considered as transportation - even if it is a round trip. Shortly before departure you will be informed about the exact departure date. When planning your trip, please note that changes to the schedule are possible at short notice. The shipping companies make every effort to inform their guests as quickly as possible, but cannot be held liable for schedule changes or the like.

With his registration, the customer offers the organizer the binding conclusion of the travel contract. The travel contract is only concluded when the organizer confirms the booking and the price of the trip in writing to the customer directly or through us as an intermediary. With the booking confirmation, which is also the invoice, a deposit of 20% is to be paid. The rest is due approximately 30 days before the start of the trip.

With the booking/travel confirmation the customer receives the travel documents, which contain essential information for his trip. Except for cargo ship and sailing ship trips, the customer receives these together with the booking confirmation. In all other cases after the final payment and no later than 2 weeks before the start of the trip.

A valid passport with sufficient validity (at least 6 months) must be carried at all times. The passenger is responsible for obtaining visas and travel documents and for compliance with vaccination requirements. Consulates and embassies provide information on visa and passport requirements for the booked travel area. Local health offices will inform about valid or new vaccination regulations.

The passenger will observe the instructions given by the captain and the officers as well as the ship's regulations. The passenger is obliged to take part in the rescue exercises taking place on board.

2. Passport, visa, customs and health regulations

A valid passport with sufficient validity (at least 6 months) must be carried at all times. Passport and visa requirements depend on the itinerary. You are solely responsible for the completeness and prescribed validity of your travel documents as well as for compliance with the prescribed formalities, such as passport, visa, customs, foreign exchange and vaccination regulations. Any disadvantages arising from non-compliance with these regulations will be borne by you. In order for travel documents to be issued correctly, you must provide your first names and surnames, etc. when booking, according to the information in your passport. If the names on the travel documents do not match those in the passport, you may be refused entry and forced repatriation, the costs of which will be borne by you. If travel documents (visas, tickets, etc.) have to be reissued because the information in the application does not match that in the passport, the costs will be borne by you.

Upon request, we will be happy to provide information to nationals of the country in which the trip is being offered about the provisions of passport, visa and health regulations, as well as any changes to them prior to the start of the trip. For nationals of other countries, the relevant consulate will provide information. The information given by us or the respective travel descriptions mentioned visa information and recommended vaccinations and health regulations are basically a non-binding information given to the best of our knowledge and belief. Binding information about visa and passport regulations for the selected travel or travel area can be obtained from the responsible embassies or consulates of the respective countries. The local health authorities will inform you about valid or new vaccination regulations. In the case of cargo ship journeys, different vaccination regulations for cargo ship passengers and crews apply in some ports.

SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is not liable for the timely issuance and receipt of necessary visas by the respective diplomatic representation, even if the traveler has instructed SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE, unless SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is responsible for the delay.

The traveler is responsible for the compliance with all regulations that are important for the realization of the trip. All disadvantages, especially the payment of cancellation fees, resulting from the non-observance of these regulations are at his expense, except if they are caused by culpable misinformation or non-information by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE.

In addition, we recommend that you obtain information from your family doctor or tropical doctor about any susceptible additional individual vaccination protection, etc. before booking your trip, at least 6 weeks before departure.

The carrier is entitled, but not obliged, to check the required documents prior to the passenger's embarkation or departure. Any consequences resulting from improper documents shall be borne by and at the expense of the passenger. If it is not ensured that the passenger meets the necessary requirements, the carrier may refuse the passenger. In this case, the passenger remains obliged to pay the passage price. Verification of documents by the ship's personnel shall not result in the carrier's liability for any entry bans by the authorities.

3. Health & insurances

Make sure you are adequately insured for accidents and illnesses abroad. The liability of the shipping companies is limited and the regulations of the respective shipping company apply. For the passenger's own safety, we strongly recommend that you take out accident and international health insurance with repatriation in the event of illness in good time. Very often the conclusion of a travel health insurance and the existence of a general liability insurance is prescribed by the shipping companies. We will be happy to assist you in concluding an insurance solution tailored to your needs. You can find information about our offered insurances on our website. If you do not purchase insurance through us, you are confirming that you have sufficient private insurance coverage.

Health requirements depend on the itinerary. The traveler is responsible for compliance with the formalities and should inform himself about infection and vaccination protection as well as other preventive measures in time. On cargo ships with up to 12 passengers, there is no doctor on board. It is urgent that the passengers have a sufficient state of health and normal walking ability. Therefore, the customer is obliged to inform the agent of any existing health impairments before the start of transportation. It is pointed out that the carriers reserve the right to refuse customers who are not suitable to carry out a sea voyage on a cargo ship due to illness or disability. Age limit is usually 6/75 years with exceptions depending on season, sailing area, shipping company, etc. Therefore, for your own safety, ensure that you are in good health. The shipping companies may generally require a medical certificate, presented 4 weeks before departure, stating that from a medical point of view there are no objections to travel on a cargo ship without a doctor on board, and that the traveler is not disabled. (In case of doubt, please ask the family doctor before booking). Some shipping companies also require a medical certificate for passengers over 75 years of age at the time of booking. With most shipping companies, however, the medical certificate is only required from persons over the age of 65. On some voyages all passengers require a medical certificate. Upon request, we will send you the blank medical certificate form prior to firm booking of the voyage.

For each passenger we take out a deviation insurance which covers the costs incurred by the shipping company if the ship is forced to change course in order to sail to the next port, e.g. in case of illness, accident or death of the passenger.

4. Cruise Prices & Terms of Payment

4.1 Prices

The price you have to pay for the trip is shown in the description of the trip. Unless otherwise stated, the prices are per person for accommodation in a double room.

We charge a booking lump sum of 30,- € per person for our expenses for telephone, sat. phone, fax, postage etc., for security announcements, intermediate messages, call for embarkation etc. The booking lump sum will be charged upon receipt of the booking lump sum. The booking fee is due upon receipt of the travel confirmation.

If the passenger does not use the booked services or uses them only partially, he is not entitled to a refund. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, personal services and the use of the ship's telecommunications equipment are to be paid for separately.

Should the passenger use services of the port agents, all costs incurred are to be paid by the passenger directly on the spot.

Special port fees, fees in case of illness and quarantine, fees for medical care as well as other fees imposed on the passenger by sovereign authorities, in particular port authorities, shall be borne by the passenger.

If the actual duration of the voyage (of cargo ship voyages) deviates from the contractual duration of the voyage by more than 20%, but at least by three days, the voyage price shall be increased or decreased accordingly. Partial days shall be deemed to be full days of travel.

4.2 Handling fees

4.2.1 For processing fees due to change requests, please see section 5.1.2.

4.2.2 For short-notice bookings (group travel and travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway: within 30 days before departure, individual & modular travel: within 14 days before departure) we charge an express fee of € 40 per order.

4.2.3 For bookings with a total invoice amount below € 1,500 (pure travel costs; without visa, handling fees, insurance premiums, etc.) we charge a booking fee of € 40 per order.

4.3 Small group

In order to carry out a trip at the advertised price, the minimum number of participants indicated is required. Should the trip be carried out with fewer participants, a small group surcharge covering the cost price may be levied.

4.4 Terms of payment, sending of travel documents

After receipt of your travel registration, you will receive a booking confirmation from us with all the details, which also serves as an invoice, as well as the security certificate. As soon as the booking has been confirmed by us in writing, i.e. upon conclusion of the contract, the deposit of 20% of the passage price is due and payable within a maximum of 7 days. We ask you to pay the balance in full to SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE at the latest 30 days before departure, if it is certain that the trip will be carried out and in particular cannot be cancelled according to paragraph 5.2. Payments with debt discharging effect can only be made to SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE. Payments by check will only be accepted if the check is received by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE in time (recommended: 5 days before due date), so that it can be credited to the account of SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE after presentation at the bank in time for the due date. Decisive for the timeliness of a payment is its crediting to SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE.

The client has to inform SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE, if he does not receive the required travel documents within the period of time communicated by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE.

If the client is partially or completely in arrears with the payment of the travel price, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is entitled, after issuing a reminder and setting a deadline, to withdraw from the contract and claim damages according to point 5. In the case of short-notice bookings made less than 30 days prior to the start of the trip, the entire travel price is due immediately after handing over the security certificate and confirmation if the trip can no longer be cancelled for the reasons stated.

Especially for cargo ship trips, the prices include full board on board (breakfast, lunch, (usually afternoon coffee) and dinner), cabin space with bedding and towels, as well as transportation by ship. Travel to or from ports is not included. Upon receipt of payment, we will send you the ticket and all other travel documents approximately 10 days before the scheduled start of the trip.

4.5 Services, changes to the travel description, price changes before conclusion of the contract

The type and scope of the contractual services are determined by the program and service description in the brochure or on our websites in connection with the individual travel confirmation for the customer.

SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE expressly reserves the right, according to § 4 Abs. 2 BGB-InfoVO, to declare a change of the travel price before conclusion of the contract, e.g. due to an increase of transport costs (e.g. fuel surcharges), newly introduced or increased taxes or fees (e.g. increased travel costs, harbor fees, security fees, insurance fees, increased national park fees), governmental decreed price increases (e.g. value added tax), explainable printing errors or changes in exchange rates. Likewise, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE reserves the right to adjust the tour price prior to the conclusion of the contract if the tour requested by the client and advertised in the brochure is only available by purchasing additional contingents after the publication of the brochure. The customer is to be informed of the declared changes in good time before booking.

Deviating services, e.g. from other offers of the service providers, as well as special requests, which change the scope of the intended services, are only binding if they are expressly confirmed by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE. Individual third-party services of other companies, which are not part of a package tour and which are expressly arranged in the name of a third party, such as cargo ship-only tours, rental cars, excursions and other events, are not the tour operator's own services. The adherence to and design of the schedule is essentially the responsibility of the transport companies, such as shipping companies, and the responsible coordinating authorities. In some cases, changes in travel times, means of transport and routing at short notice cannot be avoided. Travel participants who have booked an individual trip or an extension to a guided trip are advised to obtain information about the exact time of the return trip or onward journey from the transport company or via us before the return trip and to have this confirmed.

4.6 Changes in services and prices after conclusion of the contract, rights of the customer

4.6.1 Changes to essential travel services which become necessary after the conclusion of the contract and which are not brought about by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE contrary to good faith are only permitted insofar as the changes are not substantial and do not affect the overall nature of the booked trip. The client must be informed of significant changes to services immediately after becoming aware of the reason for the change.

4.6.2 Price changes are only possible after conclusion of the travel contract in the event of a subsequent increase in transport costs or charges for certain services, such as port fees, or a change in the exchange rates applicable to the relevant trip, which could not have been foreseen at the time of conclusion, to the extent that the increase per person or per seat affects the price of the trip, if there are more than four months between the conclusion of the contract and the agreed start of the trip. Embarkation and disembarkation days are each counted as a full day in the calculation - regardless of the time at which embarkation or disembarkation took place. Should this be the case, the customer will be informed immediately. A price increase demanded from the 20th day before the agreed departure date is invalid.

4.6.3 In case of a price increase of more than 5% or a considerable change of an essential travel service, the client is entitled to withdraw from the contract free of charge or to demand the participation in another trip of at least the same value, if SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is able to offer this trip from its offer without additional costs. The customer has to assert these rights immediately after the declaration of the changes of the travel service or the travel price by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE. In this regard, written form is recommended.

In the case of cargo ship travel, the carrier may at any time, without prior notice, replace the booked ship with an equivalent ship. The passenger has no right to claim that the ship will call at all intermediate ports specified in the invitation to tender. The stated departure times as well as the arrival times at the port of destination or another port on the route are merely indicative times, non-compliance with which does not give rise to any claims on the part of the passenger.

5. Cancellation, rebooking & trip Interruption

5.1 Rebooking / Cancellation by the Customer before the Start of the Trip, Cancellation Compensation

5.1.1 The customer may withdraw from or rebook a confirmed trip up to the start of the trip. If he withdraws from the trip or wishes to change it, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE may demand compensation for the travel arrangements made and for expenses. The amount of compensation is calculated according to the price of the trip after deducting the value of the expenses usually saved by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE as well as what SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE can acquire by usually possible other use of the travel services. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE can calculate this claim either concretely or as a lump sum. If not stated otherwise or in cases where SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE only acts as an intermediary and is not the tour operator, the terms and conditions of the respective tour operator or partner apply (see also section 5.1.7). In all other cases, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE may demand a lump-sum compensation for individual bookings on group tours and individual tours as follows:

• Cancellation up to 90 days before departure 20%
• 89-65 days before departure 30%
• 64-31 days before departure 50%
• 30-11 days before departure 75%
• 10-00 days before departure 90% of the travel price

The following cancellation conditions apply to separate rail and river cruises (nature cruises except cargo ship cruises):

• Cancellation up to 92nd day before departure: 15% of the total tour price
• from the 91st to the 42nd day before departure: 45% of the total tour price
• from the 41st to the 11th day before departure 80% of the total price
• from the 10th day before departure until departure 90% of the total price of the trip

The following cancellation conditions apply to all postal ship trips:

• Cancellation up to the 61st day before departure 25% of the total tour price
• from the 60th to the 45th day before departure 50% of the total tour price
• from the 44th to 30th day before departure 75% of the total price
• from the 29th day before departure 100% of the total price of the trip

The following cancellation conditions apply to sailing ship trips:

• Cancellation after booking: 15% of the total tour price
• from 6 - 5 months before departure 20% of the total price
• from 5 - 4 months before departure 30% of the total price
• from 4 - 3 months before departure 40% of the total price
• from 3 - 2 months before departure 50% of the total price
• from 2 - 1 months before departure 75% of the total price
• from 1 month to 1 day before departure 90% of the total price
• on the day of departure 100% of the total price

The following cancellation conditions apply to all pilgrimages:

• Cancellation after booking: 15% of the total tour price
• from 29 - 15 days before departure 30% of the total price
• from 14 - 10 days before departure 50% of the total price
• from 9 days before departure 100% of the total price

5.1.2 If, at the customer's request, changes are made to the travel date, the travel destination, the place of departure, the accommodation or the mode or class of transportation, etc., after the booking of the tour for a date that is within the time frame of the travel description (change & rebooking), SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is entitled to charge a lump-sum change & rebooking fee of EUR 100,- per booking in the case of cargo ship tours. In all other cases, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is entitled to charge a lump-sum change & rebooking fee per traveler according to the following deadlines:

• up to 90. day before departure EUR 50.-
• up to 30. day before departure EUR 100.-

Requests for changes made by the customer after the deadlines, if their implementation is possible at all, can only be carried out after withdrawal from the travel contract under the conditions set out in point 5.1.1 and by re-registration.

5.1.3 If you have to cancel your trip for any reason or want to change services during the trip, there is no right to a refund. In urgent cases (illness or accident, serious illness or death of relatives, etc.), our travel management or local representative will assist you as much as possible in organizing your return trip or change. Nevertheless, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE will make every effort to obtain reimbursement from the service providers for the expenses saved. This obligation does not apply if the services are completely insignificant or if a reimbursement cannot be made possible. In this context, please also note the assistance and conditions provided by your travel insurance. In case of travel interruption or change of travel services, the (additional) costs shall be borne by you.

5.1.4 The client is always free to prove that SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE did not incur any damage at all or that the damage was significantly lower than the flat rates mentioned.

5.1.5 Until the start of the trip (taking into account the time required for the organization), the client may request that a third party take over the rights and obligations arising from the contract instead of the client. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE may object to the entry of the third party if the third party does not meet the special travel requirements or if his participation is contrary to legal regulations or official orders. If a third person enters into the contract, this person and the traveler (applicant) are jointly and severally liable for the tour price and the additional costs arising from the entry.

5.1.6 The date of receipt of the written cancellation or rebooking shall apply as the cut-off date in each case. If the date of receipt of the cancellation falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the next working day shall be decisive. Special change, rebooking and cancellation provisions of the trips listed under 1.2 remain reserved.

5.1.7 Additional rebooking & cancellation conditions for arranged transport routes

The conditions of carriage of the transport company or shipping companies apply. Changes in schedules, early departures and delays do not generally entitle the traveler to cancel the trip.

In addition to the claims of the carrier and any service providers, the SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE agency will charge a flat cancellation fee of € 130 per person for expenses incurred up to 90 days before departure and € 170 per person from 90 days before departure. Cancellation fees are due immediately. The same applies if we make a rebooking at your request. We would like to point out that the shipping companies are entitled to rebook you on another comparable ship according to their conditions of carriage. In the event that the shipping company is unable to offer a comparable voyage, we will make every effort to rebook you. In the event that the cruise is completely cancelled by the shipping company, there is no right to compensation.

5.2 Rebooking / Cancellation by the tour operator

5.2.1 In the case of tours offered by us based on a minimum number of participants, we are entitled to cancel the tour at the latest 14 days before the start of the tour, provided that the minimum number of participants is expressly stated and quantified in the brochure or on our websites, and the time by which the declaration of cancellation must be received by the traveler before the start of the tour at the latest, and this information is clearly indicated in the travel confirmation. If a small group surcharge is published in the invitation to tender, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE can also carry out the trip as a small group (see section 4.3). In case of cancellation, all payments already made will be refunded in full. Further claims for compensation are excluded.

5.2.2 If the due travel price is not paid in spite of a reminder and a reasonable period of time for payment, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE may withdraw from the contract and charge the client with withdrawal costs, which are based on section 5.1.1.

5.2.3 Travels to foreign countries require that the participants adapt to the foreign customs and traditions. If the traveler, despite an appropriate warning by the tour operator or by the authority of the tour guide, persistently disturbs SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE or the tour guide, or if he/she behaves in a manner contrary to the contract to such an extent that a continuation of the contractual relationship until the agreed termination or the expiration of a notice period with him/her is unreasonable, or if he/she is unwilling to adapt to the customs of the country of travel or otherwise violates the contract, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE or the tour guide may terminate the travel contract without notice. In this case, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE retains the claim to the travel price minus the value of saved expenses and, if applicable, reimbursements by service providers or similar advantages that it gains from the alternative use of the unused service. Any additional costs for return transportation shall be borne by the disruptive party itself.

Likewise, the carrier has the right to exclude a passenger from carriage on board the ship for good cause or to disembark the passenger at the next port. This applies in particular if the passenger

• has booked the passage on the basis of a culpable false statement about his state of health,
• has omitted to take out one of the above-mentioned insurances or does not have the necessary identification documents,
• is unable to travel on board the vessel due to health reasons, physical infirmities or for any other reason
• poses a risk to the passengers or the crew or the vessel.

In the above cases, the carrier is not obliged to refund the fare. However, the carrier shall reimburse the passenger for such amounts as the carrier saves or obtains from other use of the passage.

The Passenger shall reimburse the Carrier for all costs incurred by the Carrier as a result of the Passenger's culpable misrepresentation or withholding of information concerning the Passenger's physical condition, or as a result of the Passenger's detention by immigration, health or port authorities, or as a result of any other culpable act of the Passenger, including the cost of any deviation caused by the Passenger.

5.2.4 Program Changes, Trip Cancellation; Trip Interruption

We reserve the right, also in your interest, to change individual agreed services or itineraries before or during the trip if unforeseen circumstances make this necessary. In rare cases, it may also be necessary to cancel or prematurely terminate a trip. Circumstances of this nature include, but are not limited to, strikes, lockouts, war, riots, disturbance of public safety and order, quarantine, significant delays in the clearance of the ship, official measures, force majeure (e.g. natural disasters, epidemics, riots, warlike events, etc. ) or corresponding circumstances beyond the control of the carrier, as well as or other circumstances that make the trip impossible, significantly complicate it or entail a significant risk to the participants, the carrier or organizer is entitled to cancel the trip. The legal consequences result from the law (§ 651j BGB, § 651e Abs. 3 BGB). According to this law, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE can demand reasonable compensation for travel services rendered or yet to be rendered. In such a case, the passenger only has the right to withdraw from the contract against reimbursement of the fare paid by him or - if free space is available - to start the journey with a later ship within half a year after the scheduled departure date. Any refunds by the carrier will be made in the currency in which the fare was originally paid, subject to the foreign exchange regulations in effect in the country concerned. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is obliged to take the necessary measures, in particular, if the contract includes return transportation, to repatriate the client. The additional costs for the return transportation are to be borne by the parties in equal parts. Otherwise, the additional costs shall be borne by the customer. If these changes occur during the trip, your rights are governed by point 6.

6. Liability

6.1 General

SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE has taken all due care in the preparation of the travel / catalog advertisements and the selection of the companies involved in your trip and has organized the trip in a professional manner.

SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is liable within the scope of due diligence of a prudent businessman for:

(a) the conscientious preparation of the trip
(b) the careful selection and supervision of the service providers
(c) the correctness of the description of all travel services stated in the brochures or websites, unless SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE has declared a change of the travel details according to point 4.5 before the conclusion of the contract
(d) the proper provision of the agreed travel services.

SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is also liable according to point 6.3. for any fault of the persons entrusted with the provision of services.

6.2 Failure of services

SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE will compensate the cancellation of agreed services or the additional costs incurred, as far as it was not possible for the German tour guide, the local tour guide or the service provider to offer an equivalent substitute service on site and you are not at fault.

6.3 Limitations of liability, exclusions of liability

6.3.1 The contractual liability of the tour operator for damages, which are not bodily injuries, is limited to three times the tour price per trip and customer, as far as a damage of the traveler was not caused intentionally or by gross negligence or as far as SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is responsible for a damage incurred by the traveler solely due to a fault of a service provider. For all claims for damages directed against the organizer in tort, which are not based on intent or gross negligence, the organizer is liable for property damage only up to an amount of € 4,100; if the triple travel price exceeds this sum, the liability for property damage is limited to the amount of three times the travel price per trip and customer. The customer is recommended in this context in his own interest to take out travel accident and luggage insurance.

6.3.2 SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is not liable for service disruptions, personal injury and property damage in connection with services that are merely arranged as third-party services (e.g. excursions, guided tours, theater visits, sporting events, exhibitions, special events, facultative offers by local organizers), if these services are expressly identified as third-party services in the travel description and the booking confirmation, stating the contractual partner arranged, in such a clear manner that the client can recognize that they are not part of the travel services of SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is, however, liable for services that include the transportation of the client from the advertised starting point of the booked trip to the advertised destination, intermediate transportation during the trip, and accommodation during the trip, as well as if and to the extent that a violation of SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE duties to inform, educate, or organize has become the cause of the client's damage.

6.3.3 SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is not liable if the non-performance or the improper performance of the contract is due to:

• Omissions on your part
• Unforeseeable or unpreventable failures of a third party who is not involved in the provision of the services agreed upon in the contract.
• Force majeure or an event which SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE or a service provider could not foresee or avert despite all due diligence. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is therefore not liable for changes in the travel program due to strike, riots, weather conditions, official measures, delays of third parties, etc.

No liability is assumed for program changes due to cargo ship schedule changes.

6.3.4 A claim for damages against SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is limited or excluded to the extent that, due to international conventions or legal regulations based on such conventions, which are applicable to the services to be provided by the service provider, a claim for damages against the service provider can only be asserted under certain conditions or limitations or is excluded under certain conditions.

6.3.5 If SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is the service provider in other cases, it is liable according to the provisions applicable to them. If SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE has the position of a contractual shipowner in the case of ship tours, its liability is also governed by the provisions of the Commercial Code and the Inland Navigation Act.

6.3.6 SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is not liable for activities and excursions booked at the destination or not included in the agreed travel program.

6.3.7 SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is only liable as an agent for external services of other companies, which are not part of a package tour and which are explicitly arranged in the name of a third party (e.g. cargo ship-only tours, rental cars, excursions, sports and cultural events, etc.). Liability for brokerage errors is limited in accordance with the principles stated above under items 6.3.1 to 6.3.6.

6.3.8 If international agreements or applicable national laws contain limitations of liability or exclusions of liability for damages resulting from non-performance or improper performance of the contract, SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE may rely on these and is liable only within the scope of these agreements or national laws. International agreements of this kind exist especially in the transportation sector (railroad and shipping). Further liability limitations or liability exclusions of these general terms and conditions remain reserved. Non-contractual liability shall be governed by the relevant national laws and international agreements, subject to further liability limitations or exclusions of liability in these General Terms and Conditions.

6.3.9 SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE is not liable for wasted vacation time, lost vacation enjoyment, frustration damages etc..

6.3.10 Liability conditions in case of cargo ship travels

The agency SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE acts as an intermediary towards the shipping companies and travelers and is not liable for damages resulting from actions and omissions of the shipping companies and other service providers. The conditions of carriage of the shipping companies apply.

We point out that the carrier can make changes or deviations of individual transport services from the agreed content of the contract of carriage, which become necessary after the conclusion of the contract and which were not caused contrary to good faith, provided that the changes or deviations are not significant and do not affect the overall nature of the booked transport. Changes or deviations include, in particular, route changes and the omission of or additional calls at certain ports.

In addition, the terms and conditions of the individual carriers/operators apply, which we will send for the desired trips on request.

7. Obligations of the client, remedy, setting a deadline before termination by the client.

7.1 The traveler must immediately notify the local tour guide or SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE of any defects that occur and request a remedy within a reasonable period of time. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE can refuse the remedy if it requires disproportionate effort. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE may remedy the situation in such a way that SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE provides a substitute service of equal or higher value.

7.2 If a trip is significantly impaired due to a defect and SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE does not provide a remedy within a reasonable period of time, the client may terminate the travel contract. The determination of a period of time prior to termination is only not required if the remedy is impossible or refused by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE or if the immediate termination of the contract is justified by a special interest of the client.

7.3 The client is obligated to cooperate in avoiding or minimizing possible damages in case of occurred service disruptions within the framework of the legal provisions regarding the duty to minimize damages.

8. Exclusion of claims, notification periods, statute of limitations

8.1 Claims due to non-contractual provision of the tour must be asserted by the client against SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE within one month after the contractual termination of the tour. After the expiration of the time limit, the client can only assert claims if he was prevented from meeting the time limit through no fault of his own or if the claims are based on tort. Damage to baggage, delay in delivery of baggage or loss of baggage in connection with flights must be reported independently in accordance with international agreements within 7 days in the case of loss of baggage and within 21 days in the case of delay in delivery of baggage. In addition, the loss, damage or misdirection of luggage must be reported to the local tour guide or the tour operator.

8.2 Claims of the customer under the travel contract according to §§ 651c to 651f of the German Civil Code (BGB) are subject to a limitation period of one year in the case of material damage and financial loss, insofar as damage to the customer is not based on an intentional or grossly negligent breach of duty by the tour operator, its legal representative or one of its vicarious agents. The limitation period begins on the day on which the trip should end according to the contract. Claims in tort and all claims for compensation for bodily injury are subject to the statutory limitation period.

8.3 The assignment of claims against the tour operator is excluded. This does not apply among family members.

9. Warranty

9.1 If you have cause for complaint during the trip, you must immediately notify the tour guide, our local representative or the service provider concerned (e.g. hotel). This is a mandatory requirement for a later assertion of claims for compensation and usually already enables a remedy on site. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE can refuse the remedy if it requires a disproportionate effort. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE can also remedy the situation by providing a substitute service of equal value.

If no remedy is possible on the spot, you have to ask for a written confirmation which includes your complaint and its content. Tour guides, local representatives and service providers are not entitled to accept any claims for compensation.

If no satisfactory remedy was possible on site, you must submit your complaint and the confirmation you obtained on site in writing to SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE or your booking office within 30 days after your return. If these conditions are not met, all claims will expire.

9.2 For the duration of a non-contractual provision of the tour, the traveler can demand a corresponding reduction of the tour price (reduction). The tour price is to be reduced in the ratio in which the value of the tour in a defect-free condition would have been at the time of sale to the actual value. The reduction shall not apply if the traveler culpably fails to report the defect.

9.3 If a trip is considerably impaired due to a defect and SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE does not provide any remedy within a reasonable period of time, the traveler may terminate the travel contract within the framework of the statutory provisions - in his own interest and for reasons of preserving evidence, it is expedient to do so by written declaration. The same applies if the traveler cannot reasonably be expected to continue the trip due to a defect for an important reason recognizable to SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE. The determination of a deadline for the remedy is only not required if remedy is impossible or refused by SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE or if the immediate termination of the contract is justified by a special interest of the traveler. The traveler owes SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE the pro-rata travel price attributable to the services used, unless the services used were of no interest to him.

9.4 Notwithstanding the reduction or termination, the traveler may claim damages for non-performance, unless the deficiency of the trip is due to a circumstance for which LANGSAMREISEN is not responsible.

10. Planning after your return

Despite the best travel planning, it may happen that your return trip is delayed due to unforeseeable or unavoidable events. You should therefore not plan for any obligations for the day of return and, in the case of travel to other continents, also for the following day, non-compliance with which could have serious consequences.

11. Travel insurance certificate

We guarantee the security of the amounts you have paid in connection with your trip (including package tours) through our travel security certificates from R+V Insolvency Insurance.

12. Choice of Law, Place of Jurisdiction and Data Protection, Final Provisions

12.1 Verbal agreements are only effective if they are confirmed in writing. Information is given to the best of our knowledge and is without guarantee. The entire contractual and legal relationship between the client and SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE as well as between the passenger and the carrier is exclusively governed by German law. The tour operator can be sued at his domicile. As far as the client is a merchant or a legal person under private or public law or a person who has his domicile or usual place of residence abroad, or whose domicile or usual place of residence is not known at the time of the institution of legal proceedings, the place of jurisdiction is agreed to be the registered office of the tour operator or the shipping company.

12.2 The personal data provided by the Client to SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE will be electronically processed and used to the extent necessary for the establishment, execution or termination of the contract with the Client and for customer service. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE complies with the provisions of the Federal Data Protection Act when collecting, processing and using personal data.

12.3 The invalidity of individual provisions of the contract does not result in the invalidity of the entire contract. In addition, the conditions of the individual carriers and implementing tour operators apply, which we send for the desired trips on request.

13. Editorial deadline
The editorial deadline is March 2011. SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE reserves the right to change prices and offers after this date.

Online Dispute Resolution
The EU Commission provides an Online Dispute Resolution System for extrajudicial resolution of consumer disputes, which consumers may use. The platform you will find at https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr

SLOWTRAVEL EXPERIENCE
Arne Gudde
Kiefholzstraße 20
12435 Berlin