Tour Pace and Walking Requirements: Due to limited access for motor coaches to enter town centers, a fair amount of walking, three or four miles per day regularly encountering uneven surfaces and steps, is
required to take in all of the old-world charm and sights on this tour. Consequently, these tours are a good fit for persons who can Comfortably walk a mile within 30 minutes without shortness of breath or other physical discomfort. If you are concerned about your physical condition, please consult your family physician as to whether the tour is suitable for you and consider the following points:
1) During free time and at sightseeing stops, all passengers must exit the motor coach. Staying on the motor coach during stops is not an option. When parked, all passengers must disembark so the driver can lock the motor coach and take a break.
2) Tour personnel, hotel staff, drivers, group leaders, and chaperones will not be available to provide repetitive, special attention to any one tour member or to lift/physically assist a tour member. If you require any type of support, you must bring a capable travel companion who
can comfortably help you keep up with the pace of the tour.
3) The tour manager may ask a passenger to leave the tour if that passenger is unable to keep up with the pace of the tour to the extent that it impedes the safety or overall enjoyment of that passenger or other tour members. All resulting costs will be solely that passenger’s
responsibility.
Wheelchairs or other Walking Devices: Image Tours does not recommend these tours for passengers who require the use of a wheelchair, cane, walker, or other walking assistance device, or for passengers who are considering the use of a walking assistance device while on this tour. If this applies to you and you still decide to make
a reservation request, please note the following:
1) A walker or similar walking assistance device is not practical or safe on the tour due to motor coach entrances, uneven sidewalks, and cobblestone streets. You will need to leave it home and bring a folding wheelchair. If you regularly use a cane and feel confident that you will have no difficulty sturdily and comfortably walking a mile in less than 30 minutes (including steps and cobble stone streets), Image Tours still recommends bringing a wheelchair as a back up.
2) You must be able to manage the steps of the motor coach independently. In Europe, the laws do not require motor coaches to be equipped with ramps/lifts, or hotels to offer provisions for the physically challenged. Please do not expect these facilities on this tour.
3) You must bring your own manual, folding wheelchair. Motorized wheelchairs are not allowed on this tour.
4) You must bring a capable travel companion (Image Tours recommends traveling with two or more capable companions for the greatest success) who can confidently push the wheelchair and assist you in any way necessary to comfortably keep up with the tour pace.
5) At time of reservation you must obtain, complete, and return a ‘Wheelchair Request’ form (provided by Image Tours), signed by both you and your traveling companion(s). Requests will be subject to Image Tours’ approval and availability of storage space. If the request is received after deposit and declined by Image Tours, the applicable cancellation penalties will apply.
6) The charge to store a wheelchair under the motor coach during the tour is USD $10.00 multiplied by the total number of tour days. This amount is to be paid with final payment for the tour.
7) Make sure you and your travel companion feel confident using a wheelchair outside your home before making a reservation. Passengers who are not comfortable using a wheelchair on a daily basis before the tour tend to be less likely to successfully complete the tour. No credits or
refunds will apply for missed sights, tour features or wheelchair storage fees. Additional costs to keep up with the tour or return home early will be entirely the tour participant’s responsibility.
Oxygen or other Medical Devices: Oxygen tanks will not be permitted on the motor coach. Due to higher elevations and the tour’s active pace, clients dependent on oxygen assistance devices should not take this tour.
CPAP and other medical devices must fit within the “Baggage Allowances” for the tour. Under no circumstance does Image Tours, the airlines, the motor coach company, the tour manager, the hotels or any other service provider, the group leader, or any other entity associated with the tour accept any responsibility or liability in connection with medical conditions, medical devices or any electronic devices.
Geographical Elevations: At 3500 feet, the hotels in Austria and Switzerland are the highest expected elevation on the tour. If it is necessary to take the Arlberg Pass instead of the tunnel, the elevation is 5883 feet. Image Tours accepts no liability for inaccuracies or variations.