Scandinavia:
Fjordland Fantasy
July 7-16,
2004
Optional Norway extension: July 16-21
Led by Gunnar Holmqvist
Itinerary
Day One:
Tuesday, July 6
Depart U.S. for Stockholm.
Day
Two: Wednesday, July 7
Arrive Stockholm
Arrive into Stockholm. Hop aboard one of the many convenient
Arlanda Express trains to the city center. Our hotel, the Nordic
Sea Hotel, is located just across from the Centralstation. The
afternoon is at your leisure to explore Stockholm, often considered
one of the most beautiful cities in Europe:
"Built on no fewer than fourteen islands, where the fresh
water of Lake Mälaren meets the brackish Baltic Sea, fresh
air and open space are in plentiful supply hereBroad boulevards
lined with elegant buildings are reflected in the deep blue water
of the Baltic, home to rows of painted wooden houseboats moored
alongside the city's cobbled waterfront" (Scandinavia: The
Rough Guide).
This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with fellow passengers and tour leader Gunnar Holmqvist, featuring wine and traditional Swedish food. (D)
Overnight: Nordic Sea Hotel, Stockholm
Day
Three: Thursday, July 8
Explore Stockholm
Breakfast will be served at the hotel this morning before our
late morning tour of Stockholm. A local guide will show us the
highlights of Sweden's capital city, including City Hall
site of the annual Nobel Prize banquet each December. We'll also
take in the captivating Vasa Museum; the Vasa is a warship which
capsized in Stockholm harbor on her maiden voyage in 1628 and
was salvaged 333 years later from the bottom of the sea.
This afternoon and evening, you are free to explore Stockholm on your own. Gamla Stan, or Old Town including a royal palace, parliament and cathedral is a nice place to spend an afternoon. Or choose from one of the eighty museums and galleries Stockholm has to offer. (B)
Overnight: Nordic Sea Hotel, Stockholm
Day
Four: Friday, July 9
Swedish Railway Museum & Uppsala-Lenna Railway
Today we travel by train north to Gävle, home of The Swedish
Railway Museum. The Museum has one of the world's finest collections
of locomotives and carriages, as well as a unique display of
tenth-size trains, photo archives, a library and other memorabilia.
Highlights of the collection include a Fryckstad steam engine
from 1855 -the second engine to be built in Sweden - and
King Oscar II's audience coach from 1874, which has been preserved
and can be seen in its original, pristine condition. We will
enjoy a guided tour.
On the return to Stockholm, we will stop at Uppsala to take in the Uppsala-Lenna Railway, run by the Stockholm-Roslagens Railways Preservation Society (SRJmf). The line, opened in 1876, runs about 19 miles on narrow-gauge tracks. It is the oldest of all 891-mm railways in the region; it was built to provide the ironworks in Lenna with a needed connection to the standard gauge network. Return to Stockholm by Intercity train and enjoy dinner on your own. (B)
Overnight: Nordic Sea Hotel, Stockholm
Day
Five: Saturday, July 10
X2000 to Copenhagen
This morning we will transfer to the station and board the X2000
high-speed train that will take us southwest toward Denmark.
Enjoy lunch on board the train before we arrive in Malmö
this afternoon. To reach our destination of Copenhagen we will
travel via the Øresunds Fixed Link. The 9.5-mile, $2 billion
tunnel and bridge connection between Malmö and Copenhagen
was opened in July of 2000. The four-lane highway and dual-track
railroad makes the trip in a mere 30 minutes. The bridge/tunnel
has finally linked Sweden to the rest of Europe.
Upon arrival in Copenhagen, we will enjoy a tour of Scandinavia's largest and liveliest city. Our local guide will bring the capital city to life as we take in many of its highlights, including the historic Stock Exchange (believed to be the oldest still in use), the Little Mermaid statue and Amalienborg (Amalia's Palace).
The evening and dinner are at your leisure. You may wish to head
to Tivoli Gardens, the city's best-known attraction, housing
a pantomime theater, open-air stage, 24 restaurants and hosting
frequent outdoor concerts. (B, L)
Overnight: First Hotel, Copenhagen
Day Six:
Sunday, July 11
Day trip to Odense
Today we enjoy a day trip to Odense, often called the "Garden
of Denmark." When the new tunnel and bridge connection across
the "Great Belt" opened in June of 1997, travel time
between Copenhagen and Odense was reduced by one hour (in the
past, trains were required to cross the waterway by ferry). Upon
arrival in Odense, you will have the option of visiting the DSB
Railway Museum ("Jernbanemuseum") or the Hans Christian
Andersen House.
The DSB Museum is a must for any railfan, with its grand display of 19th century locomotives and royal and double-decker carriages in a genuine vintage station environment.
Alternatively, you can investigate the life of one of the world's most famous fairy tale writers at the Hans Christian Andersen House. The museum provides an excellent glimpse into his life from his childhood in Odense to his success as a writer, well known for such classic tales as "The Ugly Duckling," "The Princess and the Pea," and "The Emperor's New Clothes." There is also a library containing his works, including texts translated in over 100 languages.
Return to Copenhagen with the group or at your leisure. (B)
Overnight: First Hotel, Copenhagen
Day Seven: Monday, July 12
Ferry to Norway
You will have free time this morning and afternoon to do some
last-minute sightseeing or shopping in Copenhagen. Perhaps you'll
want to take in one of the many excellent museums the Louisiana
Modern Art Museum, with its lovely sculpture garden is a good
choice or tour Christiansborg Castle. Built in the early
1900s and surrounded by canals on three sides, this is where
the queen officially receives guests.
Wherever you may decide to roam, we will meet back together in the late afternoon to transfer to the ferry port. Here we board a ship of DFDS Seaways for the overnight trip to Oslo. Our comfortable cabins all have sea views and en-suite facilities. Sit down to a Scandinavian smorgasbord dinner on board the ship before enjoying the on-board entertainment or retiring for the night. (B)
Overnight: On board DFDS Seaways
Day Eight:
Tuesday, July 13
Arrival in Oslo
Enjoy breakfast on board the ferry this morning before our 9
a.m. arrival into Oslo, Norway:
"What sets Oslo apart from other European cities is not so much its cultural tradition or its internationally renowned museums as its simply stunning natural beauty. What other world capital has subway service to the forest, or lakes and hiking trails within city limits?" (Fodor's Norway)
We will transfer to our hotel, conveniently located near Karl Johans Gate, the main street running from the railway station to the Royal Palace. Today is free to explore this energetic city on your own. Gunnar will be happy to help you plan your afternoon and evening. (B)
Overnight: First Hotel Millennium, Oslo
Day Nine:
Wednesday, July 14
The Bergen Railway
Today, we'll discover why the Bergen Railway was chosen as one
of IRT's editors' Top 20 Rail Experiences in the World. The scenery
on this seven-hour trip across the Hardanger plateau, the largest
wild area in Europe, is breathtaking. Keep your eyes open for
reindeer and other wild animals on what the Eurail Guide calls
the "most scenic rail trip in Europe."
The complete Oslo-Bergen line was opened in 1909 as the only year-round land transport between Norway's two largest cities. It was electrified in 1964. The 300-mile length of track passes through 200 tunnels and 18 miles of snow sheds in addition to crossing more than 300 bridges.
As stated by IRT editor Gena Holle: "You wonder if you'll ever scale the mountain, then bingo, it's up-up-and-away, past fashionable ski centers, frozen lakes and snow-dusted ridges-a true picture-postcard trip."
Enjoy lunch in the train's restaurant car on your own. After arriving in Bergen, our guide will show us around this laid-back town. Sometimes called the "Gateway to the Fjords," in addition to the beautiful scenery surrounding it, Bergen features many medieval buildings, excellent museums and a bustling harbor. (B)
Overnight: Hotel Radisson SAS Royal, Bergen
Day Ten: Thursday, July 15
"Norway in a Nutshell"
Today we take one of the most famous trips in Europe as we experience
"Norway in a Nutshell." This unique trip will take
us through some of Norway's most beautiful scenery, including
the famous Flåm Line from Myrdal-Flåm.
First, we board a local train from Bergen to Myrdal, where we will board a train of the narrow-gauge Flåm Line. The Flåm line is a masterpiece of engineering unparalleled in Europe. Its 12.4-mile length includes 20 tunnels totaling almost 3.7 miles. The line ascends 2,838 feet with gradients up to 5.5 percent on one stretch. The train travels slowly, and even stops at the most scenic spots to ensure that travelers experience the full impact of the beauty. At one point, the train crosses a 110-yard embankment and stops for several minutes, allowing passengers to get out and hike closer to the thundering Kjos waterfall. At another point, the line crosses a river in three places without the use of a bridge. At Høga a channel for the river has been blasted out of rock beneath the line, while at Blomheller and Kjosfossen, the river follows its natural course deep in the mountain rock. Throughout the 50-minute journey, the view through the train window is a constantly changing panorama of sky-high snow-covered mountains, thundering waterfalls and green pastures at the bottom of the valley.
In Flåm we'll have a brief stop for lunch before we board
a nearby boat for a spectacular two-hour fjord cruise. As our
boat leaves the Aurlandsfjord and runs along the Nærøyfjord
to Gudvangen, massive snow-capped peaks (up to 5,900 feet) will
take your breath away. In Gudvangen we board a third form of
transportation a motorcoach that will take us through the
Nærøyfjord valley up Stalheimskleivane to the Stalheim
Turisthotell, where we will stop briefly. We'll continue along
Oppheim Lake until we reach Voss. Here we will switch back to
a train for the brief ride back to Bergen. (B, L)
Overnight: Hotel Radisson SAS Royal, Bergen
Day Eleven:
Friday, July 16
Main tour ends
Today ends the main portion of the tour. Either transfer to the
airport for your return flight home or continue with the post-tour
extension (see below). (B)
Optional Extension:
Rail & Sea Highlights of Norway
July 16-21
Day Eleven: Friday, July 16
Norwegian Heritage Train: Old Voss Line
For those choosing to extend their tour, the afternoon will include
an excursion on the Old Voss Line via a Norwegian Heritage Train
operated by Norway's railroading club. Historic cars are pulled
by steam for the 11-mile trip between Garnes and Middtun. See
additional rolling stock at the historic Garnes station.
This evening we board a Norwegian Coastal Steamer for one of the highlights of any trip to Norway: a voyage up the coast. The ship departs at 8 p.m. on a journey that is so beautiful you may never want to go to sleep. We'll pass through narrow channels dwarfed by towering mountains, past quiet farms tucked along green hillsides and to colorful fishing villages.
Enjoy a buffet dinner on the ship and spend the evening strolling the decks and taking in the clear air. You might want to relax on the deck chairs or in the glass-enclosed panorama lounge, soaking in the beauty all night! We have reserved cabins for you, however, with two lower berths, and ensuite bathroom. (B, D)
Overnight: On board Norwegian Coastal Steamer
Day Twelve: Saturday, July 17
Geirangerfjord
During the night, we'll slip past a long stretch of West Norway's
coast before waking in Stadthavet. Enjoy breakfast on board the
ship. After Torvik we approach the coastal town of Ålesund,
with its beautiful cliffside location.
Ålesund is a commercial and industrial capital with a population of 36,000. The city boasts one of the largest export harbors in the world for "klippfish" and a bustling, picturesque fishing port along the harbor.
We pass through Ålesund and head to Geiranger. According to Fodor's guide to Norway, Geiranger is "the ultimate fjord, Norway at its most dramatic, with the finest sightseeing in the wildest nature compressed into a relatively small area." Mountains surrounding the fjord rise 6,600 ft. above sea level, and the best-known attraction of the fjord are its waterfalls-the Seven Sisters, the Bridal Veil, and the Suitor.
After the excursion to Geiranger, we return to Ålesund for an evening at leisure. (B)
Overnight: Scandic Hotel, Ålesund
Day Thirteen: Sunday, July 18
Rauma and Dovre Lines
This morning we board a motorcoach for the trip inland to Åndalsnes,
a small town on the Romsdals Fjord surrounded by lofty mountain
peaks. Here, we will on a steam train excursion on the magnificent
Rauma Line. The scenery on this line is not to be missed, often
considered one of the most scenic rides in Europe. There are
so many sights along this stretch of railroad, it's impossible
to list them all. Herewith, a sampling:
After Åndalsnes
you can see the 6,076-foot-high Romsdalshorn mountain, one of
Norway's most beautiful. On the opposite side you'll glimpse
one of Europe's most magnificent rock formations - Trollveggen
- a cliff crowned by the jagged Trolltind peaks. The 3,281-foot-high
cliff wall is the highest vertical rock wall in Europe. Trollveggen
is famous for its extremely challenging climbing routes and dramatic
rescue operations.
Inside the 4,396-foot-long Stavems tunnel, the train makes a
full 180-degree turn and emerges farther down the mountainside
heading in the opposite direction. We will be suddenly be traveling
directly beneath the stretch of track we passed a few minutes
earlier. On the other side of the valley, you can see Vermafosse,
a 1,247-foot-high waterfall.
Soon, you'll cross the Kylling bridge, the largest single construction
on the Rauma Line. Built with rough-hewn stone, the elegant bridge
is 249 feet long and rises 194 feet above the riverbed.
After the Kylling bridge, we will reach Björli. Björli has become an important tourist center. In addition to alpine skiing, with several ski lifts and prepared ski slopes, there is ample scope for cross-country skiing in the surrounding forests and mountains. We switch to a regular train here for the remainder of our journey.
From Björli we travel through an open landscape dotted with farms and pine trees, soon reaching the mountain village of Lesja. As we approach Dombås the junction of the Rauma and Dovre lines we'll cross the Jora bridge, a granite bridge over a 112-foot-deep gorge.
Originally opened in 1921, the Dovre Line was built in stages over almost 70 years; now, it runs 550 miles between Oslo and Trondheim. En route, keep an eye out for Hunderfossen Falls as we approach the Gudbrandsdal valley and finally our end destination: Lillehamer, site of the 1994 Winter Olympics. This popular ski resort town became even more infamous after the Olympics and most attractions are Oympic-related, including the Olympic Park, where the opening and closing ceremonies took place, the Olympic Museum and several venues for winter sports competitions. (B)
Overnight: First Hotel Breiseth, Lillehamer
Day Fourteen:
Monday, July 19
Norway Railway Museum and paddle steamer
We continue on the Dovre Line today to Hamar for a visit to the
Norwegian Railway Museum. Established in 1896, it is one of the
oldest railway museums in the world. Outdoor exhibitions include
the museum park with tracks, signals, engine sheds and old, authentically
furnished buildings. A variety of locomotives and carriages are
presented in the engine sheds, including the biggest steam locomotive
in Norway, "Dovregubben" (the Dovre Giant). Indoor
exhibitions show distinctively Norwegian aspects of railway building
and explain how the Norwegian nature has influenced the rail
network. In the main building you will find the museum shop with
a wide range of souvenirs and a technical library with railway
literature and a photo archive.
This afternoon we will be treated to a ride on the world's oldest paddle steamer in scheduled service, "Skibladner." First launched in 1856, the ship has been fully restored to its 1888 appearance and is in excellent condition, providing a glimpse at 19th century steamship travel in Norway. After our trip on stunning Lake Mjösa, we disembark and switch back to train travel for the short ride south to Oslo. (B)
Overnight: First Hotel Millennium, Oslo
Day Fifteen:
Tuesday, July 20
Oslo
We explore Norway's capital city today aboard one of the city
trams. The tram lines are steep, winding and spectacular. One
sight reached by tram is the famous Holmenkollen Ski Jump Hill;
from here we will enjoy a magnificent panorama of Oslo including
the great Oslofjord. There is a ski museum here as well, chronicling
the history of skiing and offers a simulator outside to recreate
the adrenaline rush of a four-minute, 81-mph downhill ski run.
On the tour we will also take in The Royal Palace and Vigeland
Sculpture Park, featuring 192 sculptures in granite and bronze
by the artist Gustav Vigeland.
The afternoon is at your leisure for any last minute shopping or activities you wish to get in before departure. We will gather this evening for our final dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (B, D)
Overnight: First Hotel Millennium, Oslo
Day Sixteen:
Wednesday, July 21
Tour ends
Today marks the end of our tour after breakfast. A quick and
easy train ride will transport you from downtown Oslo to the
airport. (B)
Rates of the tour:
Main tour
(July 7-16):
$3,350 per person, double occupancy
$870 single supplement
Optional
Norway extension (July 16-21):
$1,970 per person, double occupancy
$470 single supplement
SAVE!! Take off $200 per person if combining main tour and extension!!
Both main
tour & extension:
$5,120 per person, double occupancy
$1,340 single supplement
Railpass:
A Eurailpass will be necessary for the tour and is not included
in the above rates. Several different types of passes are available
depending on your travel plans. A minimum 5 day Eurail Selectpass
(3 countries Norway, Sweden and Denmark) is necessary for
both tours. Saverpasses are also available, which offer reduced
fares for two or more passengers traveling together at all times.
If you choose both tours, a 15-day Eurailpass is the most economical.
Please call for more information about passes; we are happy to
advise you as to the best pass for your plans.
5-day Eurail
Selectpass: $356 per person
5-day Eurail Select Saverpass: $310 per person
15-day Eurailpass: $588 per person
*Please note: Rates listed are based on 2003 prices; rates will be adjusted when 2004 pricing becomes available.
Included
in the cost of this tour:
- Accommodation at first-class hotels as listed including daily
breakfast, service charge & taxes
- Accommodation on board the DFDS Seaway coastal steamer in sea
view cabins and on board Norwegian Coastal Steamer (extension
only)
- Porters in & out at each hotel
- Dinners and lunches as mentioned in itinerary
- All seat reservations incl. supplements for listed excursions
- Entrance fees to all museums listed in itinerary
- Separate luggage transfers between hotels and/or ships
- vService of a full-time tour leader, Gunnar Holmqvist, throughout
- All gratuities of all included services except to your tour
leader, which is at your personal discretion.
Not included: airfare, rail pass, any item not specifically mentioned, any items or services of a personal nature not included above such as alcoholic beverages unless they are part of the program.
Terms and Conditions
How to Book: Call our tour desk at 1-800-IRT-4881 to make a reservation. A deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required. Deposits can be made by check or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, or Discover). Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Final payment is due by 90 days before departure by check. A remittance advice form is required for all deposits made by credit card.
Passport: A valid passport is required, valid for six months after the end of your trip.
Cancellations: Notice of cancellations
must be received by this office in writing. The administrative
fee may be applied to a future trip taken within one year of
cancellation.
Cancellation schedule:
Before 120 days: $300 per person administrative fee
120-90 days: Loss of deposit
90 days to departure: 100% of tour cost
Cancellations made within 90 days of departure are 100% non-refundable.
No refunds will be made in the event of "no-shows"
or cancellations the day of the trip. No refund will be given
for unused portions of the tour. No refund for airline tickets
once issued.
Insurance: We strongly recommend that all passengers protect themselves with tour insurance to cover costs in the event of cancellation. Upon booking (or in advance upon request), we will send a brochure about Travelex tour interruption/cancellation insurance. We recommend purchasing coverage immediately upon booking. In order to cover pre-existing conditions or bankruptcy of any of the providers in this program, including your air, coverage must be purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit.
Minimum Participants: The two main segments of this tour will be led by Gunnar Holmqvist and must have at least 20 passengers in order to qualify for special group rates. The tour will take a maximum of 25 persons.
Prices: This tour price is based on currency exchange rates in effect at the time of printing, August 25, 2003. In the event of revaluation or devaluation of U.S. currency, the tour operator reserves the right to make adjustments. Prices listed are based on a group of 20 participants. If the number of participants drops below 20, the cost of the tour will increase by $285 per person for the main tour; $100 per person for the optional extension. Please note that rail pass prices are subject to change unless purchased before the end of 2003.
Price does not include: Airfare; passport and visa fees; personal expenses such as laundry; telephone calls; meals and alcoholic beverages not listed in the included section; optional sightseeing excursions; services other than those specifically mentioned in the included section; accident; sickness, trip cancellation and baggage insurance; and excess baggage charges. It does not cover gratuities for your tour leader, which are optional and fully at your discretion.
Extra charges: Some extra charges may apply. If we are required to send final documents outside the continental U.S., an additional international shipping fee will apply (rates depend on destination). After your booking is confirmed and a deposit accepted, we understand changes in your travel plans may occur. We will make the first change with no charge. All subsequent changes to your land program will accrue a charge of $25 per change. Bookings within 90 days of departure require a $50 late booking fee. Exceptions: Pullman Club privilege: all service fees are waived. For information about the Pullman Club, please call 800-478-4881. For a complete list of service fees, please call our tour desk.
Medical: Any physical or mental condition that may require special attention must be reported in writing. All Society trips require some walking on the train itself and during tours. You must let us know, for example, if you use a cane or need to bring a wheelchair so we can plan ahead to accommodate your needs.
Baggage: Baggage and personal effects are taken at owner's risk throughout the trip and baggage insurance is strongly recommended. Please note that baggage limitations vary from country to country, depending on where The Society travels. Luggage space on these trains is restricted to two suitcases and two smaller bags. Seasoned travelers pack overnight and evening requirements in light suitcases for the cabin and heavier bags are checked-in through to the final destination. There is no maximum baggage allowance for this tour, but most national and international airlines permit no more than 44 pounds per passenger. Private transfers and baggage handling will be offered at an additional charge for those not booking group air.
Responsibility: The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. (IRT) and Hardy Publishing Co., Inc. (HPC), parent company of The Society of International Railway Travelers, act only as agents for the passenger with respect to travel services. IRT and HPC do not own or operate any of the suppliers of services or accommodations for your trip. As a result, IRT and HPC are not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such supplier of any other third party over whom IRT and HPC has no control.
We can assume no responsibility nor liability in whole or in part for any delays, delayed or changed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections, loss, damage, weather, strikes, acts of God, circumstances beyond our control, force majeure, war, quarantine, criminal activity, expense, accident, sickness, injury or death to person or property, or mechanical defect, failure, or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodations, restaurant, transportation or other services, for any substitution of hotels or of common carrier equipment beyond our control, with or without notice, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby. If due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors you are required to spend an additional night, you will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers and meal costs. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour due to these causes or voluntary cancellations. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
No revisions of the printed itinerary or the "included" section are anticipated; however, IRT and HPC reserve the right to make changes at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and IRT and HPC shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to passengers by reason of such cancellation, substitution or changes. All fares as well as ship and train schedules, port calls, hours of arrival and departure, special programs, and guest lecture series (if applicable), are subject to change without prior notice. IRT and HPC shall not be required to refund any portion of the fare or make any other compensation under these circumstances. IRT and HPC cannot be responsible for penalties assessed by air carriers that may result due to operational and/or itinerary changes, regardless if the passenger and/or IRT and HPC make the flight arrangements. Any additional expenses resulting from the above will be paid by the individual passenger. IRT and HPC reserve the right to substitute a similar category for those listed in this brochure. IRT and HPC reserve the right to increase the tour price in the event of cost increases due to changes in air fares, changes in the itinerary, currency fluctuations or fuel surcharges and such increases are to be paid to IRT and HPC by the tour participant upon notice to the tour participant of such increases.
When issued, the air tickets shall constitute the sole contract between the air company concerned and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. Please note that advertised air rates can change before ticketing. The airlines and other transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or events during the time passengers are not on board their conveyances.
By forwarding of deposit or final payment by either check or credit card, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers and accepts the terms of this contract. IRT and HPC reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member should such a person's health, mental condition, physical infirmity or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other participants.
Behavior: Passengers are expected to behave in a reasonable manner toward other passengers, IRT personnel and other persons with whom we have contact during our tour. If a passenger behaves, in the opinion of our tour leader, in a way likely to disrupt the enjoyment or endanger the safety of other passengers, the tour leader will issue him with a verbal warning. Should this not resolve the matter, a second, written warning will be issued. If the disruptive behavior continues after the second warning, then the passenger will be removed from the tour and will have to make his own arrangements to return home. No refunds for the untraveled portion of the tour will be entertained. The right is retained to refuse any application for reservation(s), cancel any reservation(s) or decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour group at any time.
Acceptance of terms: Upon payment of a deposit, by either check or credit card, tour participants indicate acceptance of all stated IRT and HPC terms and conditions.
Optional Activities that may be Dangerous: Depending on the itinerary you have selected, optional activities furnished by independent suppliers will be available at some of the places you will visit. Some of these activities carry with them the inherent risk of serious personal injury. These activities include, but are not necessarily limited to: walking safaris; horseback /elephant back/camel safaris; canoe trips, white-water rafting and river cruises; hot-air balloon trips and gorilla-tracking on foot; locomotive foot-plate rides, cab rides or photo run-bys; helicopter rides scuba diving; shark diving; boat rides. You should be aware that your safety cannot be guaranteed. Should you elect to participate in such activities while you are on tour, you are of course, free to do so. However, you must understand that such participation will be at your own risk, and that The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. assumes no responsibility for your safety.
Complaints: The stated mission of The Society of International Railway Travelers is to offer the very best in rail travel around the globe for our members. However, if you have a complaint during your journey, please bring it to the attention to your tour leader as quickly as you can. Should the problem remain unsolved, please write to the Society at its main office at 1810 Sils Ave., Louisville, KY 40205. Our desire is to set things right. We cannot accept liability for any claims not made to us in writing within two months of completion of your journey. We also cannot tender any refunds for any reason outside the terms set forth above. All claims will be settled by arbitration in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Society
of International Railway Travelers
800-478-4881
Please call
us with questions, bookings:
800-IRT-4881
www.irtsociety.com
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