Reservations, Payments & Rates

Our offers are subject to availability at the time of booking; we cannot block all services at the quotation stage. We advise the payment policy at confirmation; we generally work on a full pre-payment basis. Our usual policy requires a 25% deposit at confirmation to hold the reservation, and full balance payment up to 1 month prior to arrival. A higher deposit may be required where individual suppliers demand it — hotels, for example, frequently request 30–50% upon confirmation to secure the reservation. Conditions may vary depending on the type of booking and the services to be secured. Final payment must be received without delay and no later than 15 days after receipt of the final invoice; late payment may incur default interest at the applicable statutory rate. Rates are based on the exchange rate at the offer date. Should statutory VAT rates increase, or should far-reaching, unforeseeable changes in exchange rates occur between the offer and the service, we reserve the right to pass these on to the client.

Planning Fee

Initial consultation and a first proposal are provided free of charge. Where a request requires substantial planning work over an extended period — for example detailed itineraries, repeated revisions, site inspections or complex, tailor-made arrangements — we reserve the right to charge a flat planning fee for the work carried out to date. Any such fee is communicated and agreed in advance. If the group booking is subsequently confirmed, the planning fee is credited in full and deducted from the final invoice.

Minimum Numbers

Group pricing depends on participant numbers. We reserve the right to adjust rates if the number of participants drops below the agreed minimum.

Conditions of Travel

No refund is given for lost travel (no-shows), substitution of facilities, itineraries amended after arrival, or any circumstances arising beyond our control necessitating alternative arrangements to ensure the safety, participation and enjoyment of the programme. Participants must strictly follow the programme tailored for the group; failure to do so gives no entitlement to a refund. We are not liable if participants are not on time, causing the programme to be modified, delayed or not completed in full.

Cancellation & Amendments

Cancellation and amendment terms are advised at the time of booking. Any cancellation or amendment must be in writing and received by us Monday to Friday, 09:30–17:00 CET (excluding public holidays); these are confirmed by email. Requests received outside these hours are deemed made on the next working day. Changes are subject to the suppliers’ cancellation and amendment policies.

Accommodation

Hotel ratings are indicative and based on local standards. Room allocation and room types are determined by the hotel and subject to availability; check-in and check-out times are set by the hotel. Early check-in is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed; for a guaranteed early check-in, we recommend booking a pre-night stay. No refund is given for unused nights or services.

Transport (Coaches & Transfers)

A seat on the coach is guaranteed for every participant; specific seat allocation is not fixed and may rotate. Timings must be respected; delays caused by participants may modify or shorten the programme without refund. Coach and driver operations are subject to statutory driving-time and rest regulations, which may affect schedules. In accordance with European law, all participants — including the tour leader — must wear seat belts whenever the vehicle is in motion.

Meals

Meals are provided as specified in the itinerary; no refund is given for meals not taken. Dietary requirements and allergies must be notified in advance and are subject to the supplier’s ability to accommodate them.

Travel Documentation

Clients are responsible for valid passports, visas and immigration compliance. We accept no liability for deficiencies in travel documents.

Health & Insurance

Clients must hold adequate travel insurance, including cancellation cover and — recommended — pandemic/epidemic cover. Special medical needs must be notified in advance. We are not responsible for medical costs incurred during travel.

Personal Belongings

Participants are responsible for their own personal belongings at all times. Bonfire Travel and its suppliers accept no liability for loss, theft or damage to personal property; adequate insurance is recommended.

Local Purchases & Optional Extras

Any goods, services or optional activities purchased by participants directly from third parties on site are at the participants’ own responsibility and risk. Bonfire Travel is not a party to such transactions and accepts no liability for them.

Child Policy

The specific child policy is advised at the time of booking. General policy: children aged 0–3.99 years are free of charge; children aged 4–11.99 years are charged 65% of the adult rate; children aged 12 years and above are charged the adult rate. If a room is booked for one adult and one child only, the child is charged at the full adult rate. Child rates are valid only when sharing a room with full-paying adults; extra beds and family rooms are subject to availability at the time of booking. We are not responsible if participants do not reside according to the rooming list; extra charges may apply.

Force Majeure (including pandemics)

We are not liable for any failure or delay caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to pandemics, epidemics and public-health emergencies; government-imposed travel restrictions, quarantines, border closures or lockdowns; war, terrorism or civil unrest; natural disasters, adverse or unusual weather and climate events; strikes or labour actions; and transport failures or delays. In such cases, bookings may be cancelled or postponed; non-refundable supplier costs remain payable by the client, and, where amounts are recoverable, we will offer rebooking or a credit. We are not liable for consequential losses.

Weather

We cannot be held responsible for disruption to the programme caused by bad, unusual or extreme weather conditions, and no refund is given for activities affected or cancelled due to weather.

Notification of Issues

Any concern regarding the services must be raised on site, without delay, with our local representative or the emergency contact stated in the final programme, so that it can be addressed while the group is still travelling. Concerns not raised at the time may limit any claim for remedy or compensation, as we will have been deprived of the opportunity to resolve them. Any subsequent claim must reach us in writing within 14 days of the end of the services.

Liability

We are not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any travel service provider or third party. Without limitation, we are not responsible for any injury, loss, death, sickness, inconvenience, delay or damage to persons or property in connection with the provision of any goods or services, whether resulting from (but not limited to) force majeure, nature or climate change, illness or disease, acts of war or civil unrest, strikes or other labour activities, criminal or terrorist activities, overbooking or downgrading of accommodation, or mechanical or other failure of any means of transport to arrive or depart on time. Where liability cannot be excluded by law, it is limited to the value of the services purchased.

Data Protection

Personal data is processed in accordance with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (revDSG) and, where applicable, the GDPR. See our Privacy Policy at /imprint-privacy-policy/.

Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms and all bookings are governed exclusively by Swiss law; the exclusive place of jurisdiction is the competent courts at the registered seat of Bonfire Travel GmbH (Güttingen, Switzerland). Swiss law and this place of jurisdiction apply even where a client’s own contract, framework agreement or purchasing terms provide otherwise.

Questions

For any questions, the Bonfire Travel Team is happy to assist.