General Terms and Conditions of Sale (GTC) of Explorer Via

Effective Date: September 27, 2025

Preamble

These General Terms and Conditions of Sale (hereinafter "GTC") govern all contractual relations between the micro-enterprise Explorer Via, represented by Deniz Ozkan (hereinafter "the Seller" or "Explorer Via"), and any non-professional individual acting for purposes not falling within the scope of their commercial, industrial, artisanal, liberal, or agricultural activity (hereinafter "the Client"), wishing to purchase the tourist circuit services offered by Explorer Via on its website explorervia.com (hereinafter "the Site").

Explorer Via offers the sale of organized tourist circuits in Istanbul. The Client's validation of an order implies their unreserved acceptance of these GTC, which they acknowledge having read and understood.

Article 1 - Definitions

  • Client: Any natural person, of legal age and capacity, placing an order for Service(s) on the Site for personal and non-professional purposes.
  • Seller: The micro-enterprise Explorer Via, represented by Deniz Ozkan, whose contact details are mentioned in the Legal Notice of the Site.
  • Service(s): Refers to the organized tourist circuits in Istanbul, as described on the Site (including accommodation, activities, transfers, etc., depending on the chosen circuit).
  • Site: The website explorervia.com.
  • Order: Act by which the Client selects one or more Services and validates them under the conditions provided in these GTC.
  • Partner(s): Local service providers (hotels, transporters, guides, activity organizers, etc.) with whom Explorer Via collaborates for the execution of the Services.

Article 2 - Object

The purpose of these GTC is to define the rights and obligations of the parties in connection with the sale of Services offered by Explorer Via to the Client, from order placement to service delivery, including payment and the management of cancellations and modifications.

Article 3 - Characteristics of the Services

The Services offered for sale are tourist circuits in Istanbul, the essential characteristics of which (duration, description of included and non-included services, price, availability dates) are presented on the Site.
The photographs and descriptions of the Services on the Site are provided for informational purposes only and are not contractual. Explorer Via cannot be held responsible for minimal differences that may exist between the visuals and the reality of the Services.

Article 4 - Price

Prices for Services are indicated in Euros (€) and are inclusive of all taxes (TTC), taking into account the VAT applicable on the day of the order. Any change in the VAT rate may be passed on to the price of the Services. Displayed prices do not include personal expenses, meals and drinks not specifically mentioned as included, optional excursions or activities, visa fees, tips, or insurance (unless explicitly stated otherwise).

Explorer Via reserves the right to modify its prices at any time. However, the price applicable to the order is that displayed on the Site at the time of the Client's order validation.

Article 5 - Order Placement

Placing an order on the Site is carried out according to the following steps:

  1. Selection of Services: The Client chooses the desired circuit, dates, number of participants, and any options.
  2. Cart: The Client verifies the details of their selection, the total price, and has the option to correct any errors.
  3. Identification / Client Information: The Client provides the personal information required for the booking (name, first name, contact details, etc.) for all participants.
  4. Acceptance of GTC: The Client reads and expressly accepts these GTC by ticking the dedicated box before proceeding to payment.
  5. Payment: The Client proceeds with payment under the conditions provided in Article 6.
  6. Final Validation: The Order is considered firm and final after payment validation.

Upon validation of the Order and receipt of payment, Explorer Via sends the Client an order confirmation email summarizing all elements of the Order. This email constitutes proof of the sales contract. It is the Client's responsibility to verify the accuracy of the information provided and to report any errors as soon as possible.

Article 6 - Payment Conditions

Payment for Services is made **in full at the time of order**. The total price of the Service is due upon validation of the order on the Site.

Accepted payment methods are: Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) and Bank Transfer.
Credit card payments are secured via an online payment system provided by the specialized provider Stripe. Explorer Via does not have access to the Client's banking data.

In the event of total or partial payment default, Explorer Via reserves the right to cancel the Client's order and/or suspend the execution of the Services until full payment of the amounts due.

Article 7 - Absence of Right of Withdrawal

In accordance with Article L.221-28 of the French Consumer Code, the 14-day right of withdrawal cannot be exercised for contracts for accommodation, transport, catering, or leisure services that must be provided on a specific date or period.

Consequently, **the Client does not have a right of withdrawal** for tourist circuit Services sold by Explorer Via, given the nature of the services (organized trip with specific execution dates).

Article 8 - Modification and Cancellation by the Client

Any request for modification or cancellation of an Order by the Client must be sent in writing (email to contact@explorervia.com). The date of receipt of this written communication will be the date used for the application of cancellation or modification conditions.

8.1 Modification Conditions:

Any modification of a Service (dates, participant names, etc.) is subject to the agreement of Explorer Via and may incur additional costs charged to the Client, depending on the Partners' conditions and the timing of the request.

8.2 Cancellation Conditions:

In case of cancellation by the Client, the following fees will be deducted from the total amount of the order:

  • More than 30 days before the Service start date: 20% of the total Service price (corresponding to administration fees and initial commitments with Partners).
  • Between 30 and 15 days before the Service start date: 50% of the total Service price.
  • Less than 15 days before the Service start date or no-show: 100% of the total Service price.

These fees correspond to penalties charged by Explorer Via's Partners and management fees. Any due refund will be made by the same payment method used during the order, within 14 days after validation of the cancellation.

Article 9 - Modification and Cancellation by Explorer Via

9.1 Minor Cancellation or Modification:

Explorer Via reserves the right to cancel or modify a Service in the event of exceptional or unforeseen circumstances, such as a force majeure event (see Article 15), security reasons, unforeseeable events concerning Partners, or if the minimum number of participants is not reached (if this condition has been specified for the circuit).
In case of cancellation by Explorer Via, the Client will have the choice between:

  • Accepting a replacement Service of equivalent or superior quality, at no extra cost.
  • Accepting a replacement Service of lower quality, with a refund of the price difference.
  • A full refund of the sums paid for the cancelled Service, without any penalty or additional compensation.

9.2 Significant Modification:

If a major modification of the Service occurs before departure (e.g., significant change of dates, substantial reduction of included services), the Client will be informed as soon as possible and may choose between accepting the modification or cancelling their booking with a full refund of the sums paid.

Article 10 - Responsibility

Explorer Via is responsible for the proper execution of the Services purchased on the Site. However, its responsibility cannot be engaged in the following cases:

  • The Client's fault (e.g., no-show, invalid identity documents, non-compliance with instructions, inappropriate behavior).
  • The unforeseeable and insurmountable act of a third party unrelated to the provision of the services covered by the contract.
  • A case of force majeure (see Article 15).

Explorer Via's liability is limited to the amount of the Service price paid by the Client. Explorer Via cannot be held responsible for indirect damages (loss of enjoyment, loss of time, moral damage, etc.).

Article 11 - Insurance

It is highly recommended for the Client to take out supplementary travel insurance covering trip cancellation, repatriation assistance, medical expenses, luggage loss, civil liability, and any risks related to travel. Explorer Via does not directly offer insurance but may suggest providers. The Client acknowledges having been informed of the benefit and importance of taking out such insurance.

Article 12 - Client Obligations

The Client undertakes to:

  • Provide accurate and complete information when ordering and for all participants.
  • Ensure the validity of their travel documents (passport, visa, etc.) and those of the participants, and that they comply with the requirements of Turkish and French authorities. Any difficulty or refusal of entry to the territory due to non-compliant documents cannot engage the responsibility of Explorer Via.
  • Respect the rules of conduct, safety, and local laws during the trip.
  • Arrive at meeting points and times indicated for transfers and activities. Any unannounced delay or absence may result in the loss of the service without the right to a refund.

Article 13 - Personal Data

Personal data collected by Explorer Via is processed in accordance with its Privacy Policy, accessible on the Site. The Client is invited to consult it to learn about their rights and the modalities of data processing.

Article 14 - Intellectual Property

All elements of the Site (texts, images, videos, logos, trademarks, etc.) are the exclusive intellectual property of Explorer Via or its partners and are protected by copyright, trademark law, and patent law. Any reproduction, representation, modification, publication, adaptation, translation, distribution, dissemination, or use, total or partial, is strictly prohibited without the prior written authorization of Explorer Via.

Article 15 - Force Majeure

Explorer Via cannot be held responsible for the non-execution or delay in the execution of its contractual obligations resulting from a case of force majeure. Force majeure events are considered to be events beyond the control of the parties, unforeseeable, irresistible, and which cannot be avoided (e.g., natural disasters, epidemics, wars, acts of terrorism, general strikes, governmental decisions affecting travel).
In the event of force majeure, Explorer Via's obligations will be suspended, without the right to compensation for the Client. If the event makes the execution of the contract permanently impossible, the contract will be terminated without compensation from either party, and Explorer Via will proceed with the refund of the sums paid, less any irrecoverable costs incurred with Partners.

Article 16 - Applicable Law and Dispute Resolution

These GTC are governed by French law.
In the event of a dispute between the professional and the consumer, they shall endeavor to find an amicable solution.
Failing an amicable agreement, the Client has the possibility to free of charge refer the matter to the consumer mediator with whom the professional is affiliated, namely the Association Médiation Tourisme et Voyage (MTV), within one year from the date of the written complaint sent to Explorer Via.

The mediator's contact details are:
Association Médiation Tourisme et Voyage (MTV)
Postal Address: MTV Médiation Tourisme et Voyage, BP 80 303, 75823 Paris Cedex 17, France
Website: www.mtv.travel

If mediation fails, any dispute relating to the interpretation, execution, or termination of these GTC will fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the French courts.

Article 17 - Severability of Clauses

If any provision of these GTC is deemed invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity, legality, or enforceability of the remaining provisions.