of the "Travel from your Couch" Website and Application
Effective date: 09.09.2026
Operator: Rivery Shop Ltd.
UIC / Registration No.: BG204954705
Address: Office 2, 23 Milin Kamak Street, Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria
1. These Terms and Conditions govern access to and use of the mobile application, website, and related technological platform "Travel from your couch", hereinafter referred to for brevity as the "Platform" or the "Application".
2. The Platform provides a technological opportunity for Clients to connect with registered Guides who perform remote interactive audio-visual real-time tours via mobile device with camera, or other suitable technical means.
3. The Service allows the Client to select a destination, city, route, event, attraction, or experience, and the Guide to present it in real time via video and/or audio connection.
4. The Platform acts as an intermediary and a technological environment for connecting, booking, communication, payment, rating, and administration of claims. The Platform is not a party that personally conducts the tour, unless expressly stated otherwise for a specific service.
5. The actual execution of the tour is performed by the respective Guide as an independent contractor.This Policy explains which cookies and similar technologies Travel from your couch (the “Platform”) uses, why they are used, for how long, and how Users can manage them. “Similar technologies” means authentication tokens, local storage on the User’s device, device identifiers and comparable technical mechanisms that recognise a User, keep a session active, secure the service or provide a function requested by the User.
For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions:
"Operator" means Rivery Shop Ltd., which manages the Platform.
"Platform" or "Application" means the application "Travel from your couch", its website, administrative panel, payment infrastructure, chat, video functionalities, ratings, and all related software services.
"Client" means a person who uses the Platform to request, book, and pay for a remote tour.
"Guide" means a person registered on the Platform who offers and conducts remote tours for remuneration.
"User" means a Client and/or a Guide, depending on the context.
"Tour" means a remote interactive real-time service in which the Guide presents to the Client a selected location, route, event, tourist attraction, urban environment, cultural landmark, sports or entertainment event, or other experience.
"Commission" means the Operator's remuneration for mediation and use of the Platform.
"Claim" means a complaint by a Client regarding non-performance, material technical interruption, lack of connection, non-appearance of the Guide, material deviation from the agreed tour, or other material non-conformity.
"Payment Operator" means a third-party payment service provider, including Stripe or another provider used by the Operator.
"Client Acquired through the Platform" is any person who has: submitted a request to the Guide through the Platform; sent or received a message through the Platform; participated in a tour, session, video call, chat, or reservation through the Platform; received an offer from the Guide through the Platform; or been identified by the Guide through a profile, rating, request, route, message, reservation, or other functionality of the Platform.
1. The Operator provides a technological environment for: creation of Guide and Client profiles; search for destinations by location, alphabetical order, map, globe, or other interface; selection of a Guide; booking of a tour; chat and communication; real-time video connection; advance payment by the Client; withholding of Commission; payout of the amount due to the Guide; rating and ranking of Guides; review of claims.
2. The Operator is not a tour operator, travel agent, employer, insurer, carrier, event organizer, or provider of physical access to sites, unless expressly stated otherwise for a specific service.
3. The contract for a specific Tour is deemed concluded between the Client and the respective Guide, unless the specific offer explicitly states that the service is provided by the Operator.
4. The Operator shall not be liable for the personal acts, omissions, statements, professional qualifications, conduct, physical safety, technical equipment, internet connection, routes, or decisions of the Guide, except in cases where the damage is a direct consequence of intentional or grossly negligent unlawful conduct of the Operator itself or under mandatory statutory liability.
5. The Operator does not guarantee that a specific location will be accessible, open, safe, permitted for filming, free of crowds, free of noise, free of weather impediments, or free of restrictions by local authorities, property owners, organizers, or security personnel.
1. The Platform has two main types of users:
- Clients, who request and pay for Tours;
- Guides, who offer and perform Tours for remuneration.
2. A Guide may be a natural person performing the activity in their own name and on their own account; a self-employed person; a merchant/sole trader; a person exercising a professional activity under applicable law; or a representative of a legal entity.
3. If the Guide acts as a merchant or professional, they alone shall be responsible for compliance with all applicable requirements for the service provided, including tax, social security, accounting, tourism, administrative, licensing, and local rules.
4. Clients must be at least 18 years of age. A person under 18 years of age may use the Platform only through the profile of a parent, guardian, or legal representative and under their supervision.
5. Only a person who has reached 18 years of age may register as a Guide.
1. Registration is required to use certain functionalities.
2. Upon registration, the User shall provide true, accurate, and up-to-date information.
3. The User shall not: register under another person's identity; provide false data; use another person's payment instrument without authorization; create more than one profile in order to circumvent restrictions; or grant access to their profile to third parties.
4. The User shall be responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their access credentials.
5. The Operator may block, restrict, or terminate a profile in the event of: violation of these Terms and Conditions; suspicion of fraud; attempt to circumvent the Platform; misuse of payment instruments; abusive, illegal, or dangerous behavior; infringement of third-party rights; or systematic receipt of justified complaints.
1. To offer Tours, the Guide creates a profile and provides at least the following information: email; name; city or primary location; languages in which they can lead Tours; description/biography; profile photo; introductory video, if applicable; availability/working time windows; payment information through the Payment Operator.
2. The Operator may require identity verification through a third-party provider, including Stripe Identity or another provider.
3. Verification confirms identity or certain technical data, but does not constitute a guarantee by the Operator regarding the professional qualities, safety, legality, or reliability of the Guide.
4. The Guide declares that: they perform the activity independently; they are not an employee or worker of the Operator; they independently determine whether and when to be available; they independently organize the route, equipment, internet connection, and method of execution; they alone bear responsibility for their health, safety, and movement; they independently secure their social security, health, and tax status; they independently declare and pay all taxes, social security contributions, fees, and public liabilities due; they possess the necessary permits, registrations, professional qualifications, or rights where required; and they will not perform Tours in violation of local law, filming prohibitions, site rules, copyrights, personal rights, or third-party rights.
5. The Guide accepts that the availability time windows indicated in their profile do not represent working hours set by the Operator, but merely information for Clients as to when the Guide has voluntarily declared willingness to accept requests.
6. The Guide shall not represent themselves as an employee, representative, agent, or partner of the Operator, except within the scope of the explicitly provided functionality as a registered Guide.
7. The Guide independently provides: mobile device with camera, or other equipment; internet connection of sufficient quality; battery, power supply, and technical readiness; safe route; compliance with local rules; tickets, permits, or site access when necessary and agreed upon in advance with the Client.
8. The Guide shall not undertake dangerous actions, enter prohibited areas, violate public order, film persons or objects in violation of the law, or place themselves or others at risk at the request of a Client.
9. The Guide has the right to refuse a Client's request or instruction if they consider it illegal, dangerous, technically impossible, morally unacceptable, or in violation of third-party rights.
1. Tours are conducted remotely via real-time audio-visual connection.
2. The Client may select a destination through: search by city, country, or area; thematic categories; Guide rating; language; availability; price; and other filters available on the Platform.
3. A Tour may include: a walk through a city or neighborhood; visits to cultural, historical, or natural sites; participation in an urban environment in real time; presentation of events, stadiums, concerts, festivals, markets, restaurants, parties, or other experiences; an individual route requested by the Client, provided that video broadcasting is permitted at such locations and the Guide accepts it.
4. The Guide does not guarantee access to sites that are: closed; private; under restricted access regimes; prohibited from filming or live streaming; guarded by security; or inaccessible due to weather, political, transport, or other circumstances. The Guide bears full responsibility and is obliged to comply with the law and the rules of the event/concert, football match, or other events.
5. If transport expenses, tickets, entrance fees, or other additional payments are necessary for a specific Tour, the Guide must indicate this in advance on the Platform, and the Client must explicitly approve it before it is charged.
6. Additional costs that have not been approved in advance by the Client through the Platform shall not be payable by the Client.
1. The standard indicative price for a Tour is EUR 39.99 per hour, unless a different price is specified in the Guide's profile or in a specific offer.
2. From the amount specified in paragraph 1, the Operator shall withhold a Commission of EUR 5 for each paid hour, unless agreed otherwise between the Operator and the Guide.
3. The price may include: remuneration of the Guide; Commission of the Operator.
4. The price DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- applicable fees of the payment operator;
- additional costs, if approved in advance;
- applicable taxes, when due.
5. Optional Live Captions and Translation. The Platform may offer the Client an optional Live Captions and/or machine translation feature during a Tour. Where translation is enabled, the translation functionality may operate in both directions between the languages selected for the Client and the Guide, so that speech from both participants may be processed for translation.
The available languages depend on the languages supported by Agora at the relevant time and may vary depending on the selected language combination, technical availability, or changes made by Agora.
The additional fee for this feature is EUR 3 for a 30-minute Tour and EUR 5 for a 60-minute Tour, unless a different price is clearly displayed on the Platform before payment.
The fee for the optional Live Captions and/or translation feature is paid entirely by the Client and is added to the Tour price at checkout. The fee is separate from the Operator's Commission and does not increase the Guide's remuneration unless otherwise expressly stated in the applicable offer.
By activating and paying for the feature, the Client expressly requests and accepts the additional service and the corresponding additional charge.
The Operator does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or uninterrupted availability of the translation.6. The minimum duration of a Tour is 30 minutes, unless specified otherwise for a specific service.
1. The Client pays for the Tour in advance through the Platform.
2. Payments are processed through a Payment Operator. The Operator does not store bank card data.
3. By making a payment, the Client accepts: the specific Guide; destination/route; start time; duration; price; additional costs, if any; and these Terms and Conditions.
4. Payment outside the Platform is strictly prohibited. If the Client and the Guide make a payment outside the Platform, the Operator shall not be liable for performance, refunds, disputes, quality, safety, or any consequences arising from such an agreement.
1. The Operator withholds its Commission from the amount paid by the Client.
2. The remaining amount after withholding the Commission, applicable payment fees, refunds, penalties, or adjustments shall be paid to the Guide through the Payment Operator.
3. Payout to the Guide shall be made within 3 hours after the completion of the Tour, but no earlier than the expiration of the operational claim period under Section XI, unless: the Client has submitted a claim; there is a technical problem; the Tour was not held; there is suspicion of abuse; there is a violation of these Terms and Conditions; payment is blocked by the Payment Operator; or additional verification is required. The payment system charges a fee to the Guide if payout is executed within three hours, whereas no extra processing fee applies if payment is processed within several days.
4. If the Client does not submit a claim within the specified timeframe and system logs indicate that the Tour was conducted, the Platform may release payment to the Guide.
5. The Guide explicitly accepts that remuneration is due only for a real-time, actually conducted, and technically viable Tour.
6. In the event of poor connection, technical interruption, lack of sound, lack of video, stream disconnection, inability to participate, or other material technical non-conformity that renders the Tour unusable or significantly different from requested, the Operator reserves the right to: withhold payment to the Guide; fully refund to the Client; for hold payment pending investigation.
7. The Guide agrees that system logs, connection duration, outage data, chat history, recordings (if any), and other technical data may be used by the Operator in determining whether remuneration is due.
8. The Operator is not obligated to pay any amount to the Guide in cases of: non-appearance of the Guide; delay exceeding minutes without Client consent; interruption due to fault or technical unreadiness of the Guide; refusal of performance without valid reason; filming or conduct in violation of the law; attempt to circumvent the Platform; provision of false information; or a justified claim by the Client.
1. The Client has the right to submit an operational claim through the Platform within 1 hours from the start time of the Tour.
2. The claim must contain: a brief description of the issue; selected category of the problem; evidence, if available to the Client; request for a refund, or other remedy.
3. The submission of a claim may automatically freeze payout to the Guide until the review is completed.
4. The Operator shall review the claim based on: system data; connection duration; chat logs; technical logs; Guide's statement; Client's statement; recordings (if any); prior profile history; and other relevant data.
5. The Operator may issue one of the following decisions: full refund to the Client; release of payment to the Guide; or rejection of the claim as unfounded.
6. The timeframe under paragraph 1 is an internal operational period for the automatic holding of funds payable to the Guide. It does not limit mandatory statutory rights of a Client who holds consumer status under applicable legislation.
7. After payment is released to the Guide, the Operator may assist in amicable dispute resolution but does not guarantee the recovery of funds already paid out, unless required by law or explicitly undertaken by the Operator.
The Client may cancel a Tour without fee before the start time, unless specified otherwise for the specific Tour.
1. The Client and the Guide are responsible for ensuring, to the extent reasonably possible, that they have: a stable internet connection; a compatible device; an updated version of the Application; adequate battery charge; active audio and video capabilities where required; and all necessary device permissions.
2. The Operator does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access to the Platform or the Application.
3. Technical interruptions may occur due to, among other things, internet service providers, mobile networks, network congestion, maintenance, system failures, third-party service providers, payment processors, video infrastructure providers, cloud services, or force majeure events.
4. Interruption caused by the Client. If the Client loses connection during a Tour, the Client may attempt to reconnect up to three (3) times. The total cumulative duration of all such disconnections shall not exceed:
- five (5) minutes for a 30-minute Tour; or
- ten (10) minutes for a 60-minute Tour.
5. The periods of disconnection under paragraph 4 may occur in one or several separate interruptions. The applicable limit is determined by the cumulative total duration of all interruptions and the maximum of three (3) reconnection attempts.
6. If the Client successfully reconnects within the applicable limits, the Tour shall continue and the scheduled Tour duration shall be extended by the time during which the Client was disconnected, where technically and operationally feasible.
7. If the Client exceeds either the applicable cumulative disconnection limit or the maximum number of three (3) reconnection attempts, the Tour shall be deemed terminated due to a Client-side technical interruption. In such case, the Tour shall be considered used and the Client shall not be entitled to a refund.
8. Completion of the Tour. A Tour shall be considered completed if at least 90% of the planned Tour duration has been conducted:
- 27 minutes for a 30-minute Tour; or
- 54 minutes for a 60-minute Tour.
9. If the 90% completion threshold in paragraph 8 is not met due to a technical problem attributable to the Guide, the Guide's equipment or connection, or the Platform, the Client shall be entitled to a full refund of the amount paid for the Tour.
10. If a technical interruption is caused by the Guide or by the Guide's equipment, connection, location, or conduct, the Guide shall not be entitled to remuneration for the affected portion of the Tour, subject to the 90% completion rule in paragraph 8.
11. If a technical interruption is caused by the Client, including by the Client's device, internet connection, settings, permissions, or failure to maintain a suitable connection, payment may be released to the Guide in accordance with these Terms.
12. If the Operator cannot definitively establish the root cause of a technical interruption, the Operator shall determine the appropriate resolution equitably, taking into account the available technical data, including relevant system logs and connection records.
13. In the event of a technical failure attributable to the Platform or a third-party service used by the Operator, the Operator may, as appropriate: attempt to restore or re-establish the connection; terminate the Tour; issue a full; or take any other reasonable measure necessary to resolve the interruption.
14. The Operator shall determine the applicable remedy based on the cause, duration, and effect of the interruption, taking into account the rules set out in this Section.
1. The Client shall not: demand illegal actions from the Guide; demand entry into dangerous or restricted areas; demand filming of individuals in violation of their privacy rights; demand filming at restricted locations; utter insults, threats, sexual, discriminatory, or derogatory remarks; share unlawful content; record, broadcast, or distribute the Tour without authorization, unless allowed by law; propose payment outside the Platform; or request direct contact information from the Guide to bypass the Commission.
2. In case of violation, the Operator may terminate the Tour without refund, block the user profile, and deny future access to the Platform.
1. The Guide is obligated to: arrive on time; ensure technical readiness; conduct themselves professionally; execute the agreed Tour; adhere to the selected language; not mislead the Client; not promise impossible access; not request payment outside the Platform; not share personal data of Clients; not record or distribute the Tour without permission; and comply with local regulations governing filming, movement, access, and public order.
2. The Guide shall not: provide phone numbers, email addresses, social media profiles, or payment details to circumvent the Platform; invite Clients to book future Tours outside the Platform; accept direct payments from Clients acquired through the Platform; offer Clients lower prices off-platform; or use the Platform to advertise a competing service.
3. For a period of 12 months following initial contact with a Client via the Platform, the Guide shall not provide identical or similar services to said Client outside the Platform if the contact originated through the Platform.
4. In case of violation of paragraph 2 or 3, the Guide owes the Operator: all lost Commissions; a contractual penalty of EUR 300 for each individual violation, unless actual damages incurred are higher; and compensation for all direct damages and collection costs.
5. The Operator has the right to set off due contractual penalties, refunds, Commissions, and other claims against future payouts owed to the Guide.
1. Non-Circumvention, Idea Protection, Client Base Protection, and Penalty Clause
1. Prohibition of Circumvention
1.1. The Guide undertakes to offer, negotiate, accept, perform, and receive payments for services identical or similar to those requested, negotiated, or initiated through the Platform exclusively through the Platform, whenever the client concerned was acquired, identified, referred, or contacted via the Platform.
1.2. For the purposes of this clause, a "Client Acquired through the Platform" is any person who has: submitted a request to the Guide through the Platform; sent or received a message through the Platform; participated in a tour, session, video call, chat, or reservation through the Platform; received an offer from the Guide through the Platform; or been identified by the Guide through a profile, rating, request, route, message, reservation, or other functionality of the Platform.
1.3. The Guide shall not, directly or indirectly: offer a Client acquired through the Platform to perform a tour, excursion, virtual walk, video walk, or other similar service outside the Platform; enter into a contract or oral agreement with such Client off-platform; accept payment, tips, advances, deposits, or other remuneration off-platform; provide phone numbers, emails, social media handles, payment links, bank accounts, or other direct communication channels aimed at bypassing the Platform; or direct the Client to another platform, app, site, operator, or intermediary for identical or similar services.
1.4. The restriction in this clause applies throughout the period during which the Guide maintains an active or registered profile on the Platform, as well as for a period of 12 months following the last contact between the Guide and the respective Client via the Platform.
2. Prohibition of Working with Other Operators Using Platform Assets, Data, or Clients
2.1. The Guide shall not contract with, perform services for, or assist another operator, competing platform, application, website, intermediary, or third party where such activity utilizes: the Platform's client base; data regarding Clients, requests, routes, pricing, offers, or preferences obtained through the Platform; commercial models, internal organization, features, technical solutions, or business information of the Platform; content, materials, texts, visual elements, interfaces, databases, rating systems, communication tools, or other protected assets of the Platform; or contacts, opportunities, or business relations originating through the Platform.
2.2. The Guide shall not use the Platform as a lead generation tool to source Clients and subsequently transfer communication, negotiation, payment, or service delivery to another operator, competing platform, or directly to themselves.
3. Prohibition of Copying, Misappropriation, or Use of Protected Platform Assets
3.1. The Guide acknowledges that the Platform, its specific implementation concept, software, interface, structure, features, client database, algorithms, ratings, trade name, visual identity, texts, images, video materials, service organization, business processes, technical documentation, and know-how constitute intellectual property, trade secrets, and/or protected proprietary information of the Operator or relevant rightsholders.
3.2. Without prior written consent from the Operator, the Guide shall not: copy, reproduce, modify, imitate, or use protected elements of the Platform; create, participate in, or assist in creating a competing app, site, platform, or service based on protected elements, trade secrets, client bases, or business intelligence of the Operator; share with third parties information, documents, contacts, client data, technical specifications, screenshots, video, recordings, or functionality descriptions obtained via the Platform; or use the name, logo, reputation, promotional materials, content, or trademarks of the Platform for personal or third-party competitive activities.
3.3. The author/rightsholder retains the exclusive right to use the work and authorize its use by third parties, including reproduction, distribution, adaptation, and electronic communication. Works may only be used with prior consent of the rightsholder, except as otherwise provided by law.
4. Contractual Penalty
4.1. In the event of a breach of any prohibition under paragraphs 1, 2, or 3, the Guide shall pay to the Operator a contractual penalty in the amount of EUR 1,000 for each individual service offered, negotiated, booked, paid, or executed in violation of this clause.
4.2. Each distinct booking, tour, virtual excursion, video walk, session, route, visit, event, hour, or initiated paid period shall be deemed a separate service, regardless of whether executed personally by the Guide, via another operator, through a competing platform, via a third party, or directly with the Client.
4.3. The penalty is due regardless of price, duration, location, method of execution, or actual remuneration received by the Guide.
4.4. The penalty is due without the Operator needing to prove the extent of damages incurred. The Operator retains the right to claim compensation for greater actual damages, including lost commissions, client churn, enforcement costs, reputational damage, intellectual property infringement, and unlawful trade secret disclosure.
4.5. The agreed contractual penalty secures performance and serves as liquidated damages for non-performance without requirement of proof of loss. A competent court may reduce penalties if deemed manifestly excessive relative to actual damages.
5. Set-Off and Retention of Payments
5.1. Upon suspicion of a breach, the Operator may temporarily suspend payouts to the Guide pending investigation.
5.2. Upon confirmation of a breach, the Operator may set off accrued penalties, lost commissions, costs, and other claims against any current or future amounts payable to the Guide.
6. Evidence of Breach
6.1. Breaches may be established by any admissible evidence, including: system logs; in-app chats and messages; transmitted phone numbers, emails, payment links, or social profiles; screenshots; Client reports; payment records; public Guide profiles; advertisements or postings; data from competing platforms; and other relevant metrics.
6.2. The Guide agrees that automated systems may detect circumvention attempts (including transmission of phone numbers, email addresses, payment links, keywords, etc.) where necessary to protect legitimate business interests, in compliance with the Privacy Policy.
7. Additional Consequences
7.1. In addition to penalties, the Operator may: block the Guide's profile; terminate Platform access; cancel pending bookings; remove uploaded content; reject future registration attempts; and seek court damages exceeding penalty amounts.
7.2. If a breach involves unauthorized use of trade secrets, client databases, copyrighted material, software, trademarks, designs, or proprietary works, the Operator may pursue all statutory civil, administrative, and criminal remedies. The unauthorized use or disclosure of trade secrets contrary to honest commercial practices is strictly prohibited.
8. Explicit Consent of the Guide
8.1. By registering as a Guide, accepting these Terms, publishing an offer, accepting a request, or conducting a Tour, the Guide explicitly confirms that they: understand the anti-circumvention rules; accept that Clients acquired on-platform cannot be serviced off-platform in violation of these terms; agree not to copy or misuse proprietary assets or trade secrets; and accept the EUR 1,000 penalty per violation without prejudice to higher damage claims.
1. The Platform may employ automated technical tools to identify phone numbers, email addresses, payment links, off-platform payment requests, social profiles, and other indicator data.
2. Automated checks apply to chat messages, requests, descriptions, offers, profile details, and other platform fields.
3. Upon detecting a violation, the Operator may: hide messages; issue warnings; withhold payouts; block profiles; revoke access; charge contractual penalties; and refuse support for off-platform disputes.
4. Data processing for monitoring is detailed in the Privacy Policy.
1. Following a Tour, the Client may submit a 1-to-5 star rating and written review.
2. Ratings directly affect Guide visibility and search positioning.
3. Guide ranking metrics include: average rating, total completed Tours, completion percentage, real-time availability, language, location, price, response latency, verification status, claim counts, cancellation frequency, connection quality, and policy compliance.
4. The Operator may remove reviews that are abusive, defamatory, false, manipulative, privacy-violating, promotional, or illegal.
5. Guides shall not manipulate ratings via fake profiles, paid reviews, client coercion, or fraudulent schemes.
1. Select Tours may be recorded for performance validation, claim resolution, fraud prevention, safety, quality control, or training (where lawful grounds exist).
2. Participants are notified prior to or at the start of a recorded session.
3. Users who object to recording must refrain from joining or immediately leave the session and inform the Operator.
4. Guides must actively avoid filming bystanders, minors, private residential areas, identity documents, banking details, vehicle license plates, security systems, medical facilities, or sensitive sites unless explicitly lawful and necessary.
5. Neither Client nor Guide may record, copy, stream, or distribute a Tour without prior written authorization from the counterpart and the Operator, unless permitted by statutory law.
6. Storage and processing terms are governed by the Privacy Policy.
1. Select Tours may be recorded for performance validation, claim resolution, fraud prevention, safety, quality control, or training (where lawful grounds exist).
2. Participants are notified prior to or at the start of a recorded session.
3. Users who object to recording must refrain from joining or immediately leave the session and inform the Operator.
4. Guides must actively avoid filming bystanders, minors, private residential areas, identity documents, banking details, vehicle license plates, security systems, medical facilities, or sensitive sites unless explicitly lawful and necessary.
5. Neither Client nor Guide may record, copy, stream, or distribute a Tour without prior written authorization from the counterpart and the Operator, unless permitted by statutory law.
6. Storage and processing terms are governed by the Privacy Policy.
1. Personal data is processed in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
2. Processing encompasses registration details, profile data, interactions, payments, verification records, Tour metrics, claims, logs, authorized session recordings, and security monitoring.
3. Payment card data is processed exclusively by the Payment Operator and is never stored by the Operator.
4. Identity verification documents are handled by specialized third-party providers (e.g., Stripe Identity); the Operator receives verification status confirmation and session tokens.
5. Complete privacy details, retention schedules, data subject rights, and disclosures are outlined in the Privacy Policy.
1. The Guide bears sole legal responsibility for: declaring earned income; remitting applicable income taxes; paying social security/national insurance contributions; issuing lawful tax invoices or receipts where required; and complying with tax codes in their jurisdiction.
2. The Operator does not withhold income tax or social security on behalf of Guides, unless mandated by applicable statute.
3. The Operator may provide statement summaries of earnings, withheld Commissions, and payouts to Guides.
4. The Operator issues tax documents for its collected Commission pursuant to applicable tax law.
1. The Guide operates as an independent contractor and not as an employee, worker, or agent of the Operator.
2. No employment contract, fixed working hours, designated workplace, labor salary, paid leave, disciplinary subordination, or employer liability for work accidents arises between the Operator and the Guide.
3. The Guide freely elects whether to accept requests, set availability, select routes, and execute services in compliance with these Terms.
4. The Guide assumes all risks associated with travel, accidents, personal injury, equipment damage, loss/theft, weather impact, third-party actions, fines, or regulatory restrictions.
5. The Guide warrants self-employed status where required by local tax/labor law and independently handles healthcare, pension, and professional obligations.
6. The Operator provides no worker's compensation or insurance coverage for Guides unless explicitly specified.
1. The Operator is liable solely for its own intentional misconduct or gross negligence regarding Platform operation, to the extent liability cannot be excluded by law.
2. The Operator shall NOT be liable for: acts or omissions of Guides or Clients; personal injuries or accidents during Tours; employment, tax, or social security liabilities of Guides; health or physical risks; local regulatory bans, filming prohibitions, or police/security interventions; site closures; adverse weather; transport failures; internet quality on User devices; hardware defects; third-party service downtime (ISP, cloud, payment gateways); off-platform payments; or User-generated content.
3. Continuous, error-free, or uninterrupted Platform operation is not guaranteed.
4. The Operator excludes liability for indirect damages, lost profits, loss of data, loss of goodwill, lost opportunities, or consequential damages.
5. Nothing in these Terms limits statutory consumer rights or liabilities that cannot be lawfully excluded.
1. Neither party shall be liable for failure to perform due to events beyond reasonable control (Force Majeure).
2. Force Majeure includes natural disasters, war, terrorism, civil unrest, epidemics, state bans, sudden venue closures, grid blackouts, telecommunication breakdowns, or unforeseen legislative restrictions.
1. Platform misuse for illegal activities, fraud, money laundering, violence, sexual exploitation, pornography, human trafficking, hate speech, harassment, minor filming without consent, privacy violations, copyright infringement, or political/religious proselytizing is strictly banned.
2. Immediate content removal, Tour cancellation, and profile termination apply upon breach.
1. The Operator may suspend or terminate User profiles for: Terms violations, repeated Client claims, circumvention attempts, fraud, non-payment, rating manipulation, dangerous conduct, or security risks.
2. Upon profile termination, the Operator may cancel upcoming bookings, hold pending payouts for investigation, set off debts, and retain necessary audit logs for legal/compliance obligations.
1. Complaints, reports, and claims must be submitted via: in-app reporting tools, support email: support@travelfromyourcouch.com, or designated operator channels.
2. Submissions must include: User name, email, booking reference, problem description, evidence, and requested resolution.
3. Complaints are processed within a reasonable timeframe.
4. While the Operator may mediate Client-Guide disputes, it does not act as a formal judicial arbitrator.
5. Consumer Clients retain full statutory rights to seek redress through competent consumer protection agencies and courts.
1. The Operator reserves the right to amend these Terms.
2. Updated versions will be published on the Platform.
3. Material modifications will be communicated via in-app alerts, email, or official notices.
4. Continued Platform usage following published changes constitutes full acceptance of revised Terms. Users who disagree must cease using the Platform.
1. These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Bulgaria, without prejudice to mandatory legal protections available under foreign consumer protection laws.
2. Disputes between the Operator and Users shall be resolved amicably, failing which they shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent court in Bulgaria.
3. Statutory consumer dispute procedures remain unaffected.
4. If any provision is deemed invalid or unenforceable, remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
1. By registering, requesting a Tour, making a payment, offering a Tour, participating in a Tour, or using the Platform, the User confirms reading, understanding, and agreeing to these Terms and Conditions.
2. The Guide explicitly confirms that: they are an independent contractor; they maintain self-employed tax status where applicable; they assume operational risks; they will not circumvent the Platform; they accept payment withholding/deductions for non-performance or valid claims; they agree to Commission withholdings; and they consent to automated monitoring against off-platform circumvention.
3. The Client explicitly confirms that: they understand Tours are delivered by independent Guides; the Platform operates as an intermediary infrastructure; payments are required in advance; operational claims must be filed within Section XI deadlines; and off-platform direct payments are strictly prohibited.
4. By accepting these Terms and Conditions, the User expressly consents to and agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, including any subsequent changes thereto. Any such amendments shall become binding upon the User in accordance with the applicable notice and effective-date provisions of these Terms and Conditions.