The following outline explains both the liability of Diana Lesko (registered sole proprietor in Germany) and the responsibilities of the customer.

Business Information
Legal Name: Diana Lesko
Trading as: The Globetrotting Detective (blog) and Globetrotting Expeditions (tours)
Registered location: Munich, Germany
Full registered address available upon request for safety and security reasons.
German Tax Number: DE318855726
As a small business (Kleinunternehmer) according to §19 UStG, no VAT is charged.

The following conditions describe your obligations as a customer when purchasing either an independent tour or a group tour through me. The terms “I”, “me” and “my” refer to Diana Lesko as the tour organizer. The term “you” refers to the customer.

BOOKING POLICY

Each tour requires a deposit to secure your spot. The deposit amount varies depending on the tour and is specified in the respective tour description.

The deposit must be paid via direct bank transfer, and you will receive a payment link to complete the transfer. This deposit is non-refundable.

Some tours may also require a second installment. When applicable, the amount and due date for the second installment are also specified in the respective tour description.

The final balance is paid in cash upon arrival at the starting point of the tour.

CANCELLATION POLICY

All cancellation notices must be submitted in writing (email is sufficient) and will take effect on the date they are received.

The initial deposit is always non-refundable.

For tours with a second installment, the following cancellation terms apply:

90+ days before departure – full refund of the second installment

61–89 days before departure – 50% refund of the second installment

31–60 days before departure – 25% refund of the second installment

30 days or fewer before departure – no refund

ADDITIONAL TERMS

Customers are responsible for any transaction or bank charges associated with payments or refunds.

If the company has already incurred non-refundable expenses (such as flight bookings or hotel reservations), these costs will be deducted from any refund owed to the customer.

If you decide to leave the tour after it has started, you are responsible for any additional costs you may incur as a result.

No-shows are considered cancellations, and the second installment is non-refundable.

If you leave the tour after it has started, any additional costs you incur will be at your own expense.

CANCELLATION BY US

While I make every effort to operate all tours as planned, there may be situations beyond my control that require me and my team to cancel a tour. Such situations may include, but are not limited to, airline cancellations, political or civil unrest, natural disasters, or other events considered force majeure.

If we must make a minor change to your itinerary, we will inform you prior to departure. If a significant change becomes necessary, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer you the following options:

  • Accept the revised itinerary,
  • Switch to an alternative tour (with any price difference refunded or charged accordingly), or
  • Cancel your booking and receive a full refund.

We cannot accept responsibility for losses, damages, or additional costs caused by circumstances beyond our control that could not have been avoided even with reasonable care. We are not responsible for covering any extra expenses you may incur as a result of a change or cancellation (such as connecting flights, accommodation, or other travel arrangements).

If an airline cancels a flight and this results in the cancellation of the tour, we will refund only the amounts we are able to recover. It is the customer’s responsibility to have adequate travel insurance in place to cover any additional costs or losses.

FORCE MAJEURE

Force majeure refers to any event or circumstance that could not have been reasonably foreseen or avoided, even with due care.

Such events may include, but are not limited to, war, riots, civil unrest, terrorist activity, labor disputes, natural or nuclear disasters, severe weather, road closures, fires, administrative delays, or cancellations and schedule changes by airlines, bus, train, or ferry operators.

If a force majeure event prevents the tour from taking place, you will be entitled to a refund minus any reasonable costs already incurred in preparing the tour.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

I do not accept any liability for emotional distress, personal injury, illness, psychological harm, loss of property, delays, or any other damages that may occur during the tour. I am not responsible for events such as accidents, political unrest, terrorism, sickness, medical costs, or other unforeseen incidents.

For this reason, all participants are required to obtain comprehensive travel insurance. Your policy should include (but is not limited to): medical and health coverage for illness or injury while on tour, 24-hour emergency assistance and medical repatriation if needed, cancellation and trip interruption cover, lost or stolen possessions, and coverage for terrorism, kidnapping, and personal liability.

It is your responsibility to confirm that your policy covers travel to the specific destinations included in the tour, particularly those with government travel advisories. Any claims must be made directly to your insurer.

LOCAL LAWS & CONDUCT

Participants are required to respect and follow all local laws and regulations. If you breach local laws, you are personally responsible for any resulting consequences, financial or otherwise. You must follow the guidance of local guides and myself as tour organizer at all times.

I reserve the right to remove any participant from the tour without refund if they refuse to follow safety instructions, act in a disruptive or unsafe manner, or endanger the group.

TOUR ITINERARY

Due to the nature of travel in the destinations I operate in, itineraries are subject to change.

While I make every effort to follow the planned itinerary, I may need to make adjustments due to unforeseen events.

If this occurs, I will provide suitable alternatives where possible, but I cannot guarantee that all advertised activities will take place exactly as described.

Transportation (train, bus, or flight) is subject to availability and may change. Departure times cannot be guaranteed, and I am not responsible for delays or cancellations outside my control. If you choose not to complete any part of the tour or leave early, no refunds or credits will be given.

ACCEPTANCE OF RISK

By joining one of my tours, you acknowledge that you are traveling to destinations where standards of infrastructure, hygiene, accommodation, and safety may be lower than in your home country.

You also acknowledge that some destinations may have government travel advisories in place. You accept the personal risks associated with traveling in these regions and agree to participate at your own discretion.

It is your responsibility to stay informed about the current situation in the destinations you are visiting and to decide whether you feel comfortable traveling there. I will provide all relevant information about the tour and answer any questions before your departure, but the final decision to travel is yours.

CHANGES TO TERMS

I reserve the right to update or amend these terms and conditions at any time. If significant changes are made, participants will be notified.