Terms & Conditions

1. About Us

Blaisian is a program of Cultural Connections Asia LLC ("CCA"), a Wisconsin-registered limited liability company. References to "Blaisian," "we," "us," or "our" in these Terms refer to Cultural Connections Asia LLC.

CCA operates as a boutique inbound tour operator specializing in private, scholar-led cultural journeys to Japan and Southeast Asia. Journey services are delivered through locally licensed partners and independent contractors in each destination country.

2. Bookings and Reservations

All journeys are subject to availability and confirmed only upon receipt of a signed booking agreement and deposit payment. Submission of an inquiry form does not constitute a confirmed reservation.

To confirm your place on a Blaisian journey, you must:

• Complete and return the Blaisian Booking Agreement
• Pay the required deposit as specified in your Journey Investment Summary
• Provide any required personal information including passport details and emergency contacts

We reserve the right to decline any booking at our discretion, including where group size limits have been reached or where we determine the journey is not suitable for a particular traveler.

3. Pricing and Payment

All prices are quoted in United States Dollars (USD) and are per person unless otherwise stated. Prices are land-only unless explicitly stated otherwise and do not include international airfare, travel insurance, visa fees, or personal expenditures.

A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total journey price is required to confirm your reservation. The remaining balance is due no later than 90 days prior to departure. For bookings made within 90 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.

We accept payment by wire transfer and major credit cards. Wire transfer is preferred for payments exceeding $5,000. All bank fees associated with wire transfers are the responsibility of the traveler.

Prices are subject to change prior to confirmation due to currency fluctuation, supplier price increases, or government-imposed taxes and levies. Once your booking is confirmed and deposit received, your price is guaranteed.

4. Cancellation and Refund Policy

The following cancellation policy applies to all confirmed Blaisian journeys:

• More than 90 days before departure: Loss of deposit only
• 60–89 days before departure: 50% of total journey price
• 30–59 days before departure: 75% of total journey price
• Fewer than 30 days before departure: 100% of total journey price

Cancellations must be submitted in writing to info@blaisian.com. The date of written notice received constitutes the cancellation date.

All travelers are required to purchase comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation and interruption coverage. Blaisian is not responsible for losses arising from your failure to obtain adequate travel insurance.

5. Changes and Alterations

Blaisian reserves the right to make reasonable alterations to confirmed itineraries where circumstances require, including but not limited to changes in accommodation, transportation, or the sequence of activities. We will notify affected travelers as promptly as possible and will make every effort to maintain the quality and character of the journey.

In the unlikely event that we cancel a journey due to insufficient bookings, natural disaster, civil unrest, or other circumstances beyond our control, we will offer travelers either a full credit toward a future journey or a refund of all monies paid to CCA, less any non-recoverable third-party costs already incurred on your behalf.

Requests to change travel dates or transfer bookings to another person will be accommodated where possible and subject to an administration fee of $150 per person.

6. Traveler Responsibilities

By booking a Blaisian journey, you confirm that:

• You hold a valid passport with at least six months' validity beyond your return date
• You have obtained or will obtain all visas and entry permits required for the destinations visited
• You are in good physical health suitable for the activities included in your journey
• You will disclose any medical conditions, dietary requirements, or mobility limitations that may affect your participation prior to booking
• You will conduct yourself with respect for local customs, cultures, and fellow travelers throughout the journey

Blaisian reserves the right to exclude from any journey, without refund, any traveler whose conduct is deemed by our guide to be incompatible with the wellbeing of the group or the character of the journey.

7. Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is not included in the journey price and is required. Your policy should include, at minimum, coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, medical expenses and evacuation, baggage loss or delay, and personal liability.

Blaisian and Cultural Connections Asia LLC accept no liability for any loss, damage, or expense that would have been covered by adequate travel insurance.

8. Limitation of Liability

Cultural Connections Asia LLC acts as an organizer of travel experiences and is not the direct provider of accommodation, transportation, or other services arranged on your behalf. While we select our partners with care, we cannot accept responsibility for the acts or omissions of third-party suppliers.

Our liability to you in connection with any journey shall not exceed the total price paid by you to CCA for that journey. We shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, or punitive losses.

Nothing in these Terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our own negligence, or for any other liability that cannot be excluded by law.

9. Force Majeure

We shall not be in breach of these Terms or liable for any failure or delay in performance arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemic, war, civil unrest, government travel advisories, or failure of utilities. In such circumstances we will work with you to reschedule or issue a credit for a future journey.

10. Photography and Media

Blaisian may photograph or film journey activities for use in marketing and promotional materials. By booking a journey, you grant Blaisian a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use images or footage in which you appear in connection with the promotion of Blaisian and Cultural Connections Asia LLC. If you do not wish to be photographed, please notify us in writing prior to departure.

11. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin, United States of America. Any dispute arising from or in connection with a Blaisian journey shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Wisconsin.

12. Amendments

We reserve the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time. The version in effect at the time of your booking confirmation shall govern your journey. Material changes will be communicated to confirmed travelers by email.