FAQ
1. Why Tours Abroad? There are several ways in which we believe our Workshops offer exceptional value:
(a) Two experiences in one. We offer a fine art photo workshop experience for photographers, and a parallel China tour experience for spouses or other non-photographer companions. Companion prices are substantially reduced because they do not have to pay for the services of the Guest Artist. The companions group has their own tour list of activities each day, with their own guide and vehicle.
(b) For photographers, each of our workshops is led by an experienced and accomplished fine art photographer.
(c) Each photographer is provided with his or her own room throughout the workshop. If you bring along a companion, he or she will share your room.
(d) The workshop fee includes two months of one-on-one mentorship with the Guest Artist following the workshop. You will come home from a workshop with many exceptional images. The mentorship program allows you to begin to edit those images for printing, sharing on the Internet, etc. If you wish, you can extend the mentorship relationship beyond the initial two months, through a private arrangement with the Guest Artist.
2. Why bring along companions? As a photographer, I really want to focus on improving my photography skills, might not the companion program negatively impact that? We appreciate those concerns. However, for many people China is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Our trips are designed to accommodate both photographers looking for a high-quality workshop experience, and companions who are looking for a more conventional tour experience of China. We feel the parallel tracks we offer, with separate guides, itineraries, and vehicles is a reasonable compromise.
3. How do I book a tour? You can reserve a spot on a tour directly from this site by clicking on the button on any of the Tours pages. An initial deposit of $500 (non-refundable) will hold a spot for you on the tour you choose. If you are bringing along a companion, an additional deposit is required for your companion. The balance is due 5 weeks prior to departure. Tours Abroad uses PayPal Invoicing for online bookings. Alternatively, you can call or email us to make other payment arrangements. We accept personal checks, or wire transfers. However, for your protection we do encourage payment by credit card.
Tours Abroad requires that you purchase travel insurance for your tour to China. This will protect you in the event of cancellation, either by you or by us, or if you experience a medical emergency while in China, or while enroute. Your deposit will temporarily hold a spot for you, but until we receive verification of the insurance coverage, your spot is not guaranteed.
4. Do you require a minimum number of participants for your tours? Most of our tours are guaranteed so long as we have at least two photographers signed up. In a few instances, because of the costs involved with more remote locations, we may require a minimum of four photographers to guarantee a departure. You should not book your airline tickets until you have been informed by Tours Abroad that the tour is a “go.” If a tour is canceled for lack of participation, Tours Abroad will inform you no later than 30 days prior to the schedule date of departure, and in that case will refund your deposit.
5. What if I have fully paid for the tour, and find I need to cancel? Can I get my money back?
(a) If you advise Tours Abroad in writing at least 60 days prior to the scheduled departure date, 100% of the cost of the tour will be refunded, less the $500 non-refundable deposit.
(b) If you advise Tours Abroad in writing between 30 days and 60 days prior to the scheduled departure date, 50% of the cost of the tour will be refunded to you, less the $500 non-refundable deposit.
(c) If you cancel within 30 days of the scheduled departure date, no refund will be made.
An email that we acknowledge we have received is deemed to be a written notice to us. You can protect yourself by purchasing trip insurance. We require our tour participants to purchase trip insurance that includes both trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage. Please acquaint yourself with the terms of the policy to make sure the coverage you are purchasing is appropriate.
