Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Grand Rail Tour ("we," "our," or "us"). We operate an informational website that provides curated content about Switzerland's Grand Train Tour and hand-picked tour recommendations through our affiliate partnership with GetYourGuide. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and share your personal information on our website.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Contact Information: Email addresses and messages when you contact us directly for website-related inquiries
• Feedback: Comments, suggestions, or reviews about our website content and tour recommendations
• Newsletter Subscriptions: Email addresses if you opt-in to receive Swiss railway travel tips and tour recommendations

2.2 Information Automatically Collected

• Website Analytics: Browser type, device information, pages visited, and time spent on our site
• Affiliate Tracking: Click-through data when you visit GetYourGuide through our referral links
• Location Data: General location information for map services and personalized Swiss railway tour recommendations
• Cookies and Tracking: Small data files to improve your browsing experience and track affiliate referrals

3. Third-Party Services

3.1 GetYourGuide Affiliate Partnership

We are an affiliate partner of GetYourGuide. When you click our Swiss railway tour recommendation links or "Book Tour" buttons:

• You are redirected to GetYourGuide's secure platform
• Your booking and payment information is processed entirely by GetYourGuide and their Swiss tour suppliers
• GetYourGuide's Privacy Policy applies to all your booking data
• We may receive anonymous commission data for successful bookings (no personal customer information)
• Affiliate tracking cookies may be set to track referrals from our website

GetYourGuide Privacy Policy: https://www.getyourguide.com/privacy_policy

3.2 Mapbox Services

Our interactive Swiss railway route maps are powered by Mapbox, which may collect:

• Location data for map display and Swiss route navigation
• Map interaction data (zoom, pan, railway markers clicked)
• Device and browser information

Mapbox Privacy Policy: https://www.mapbox.com/privacy/

3.3 Analytics and Tracking

We use analytics services to understand how visitors use our website and improve our Swiss railway tour content recommendations:

• Google Analytics for website traffic analysis and tour content performance
• Affiliate conversion tracking to measure Swiss tour recommendation effectiveness
• User behavior analysis to enhance our Swiss railway travel content and user experience
• Heatmap tracking to optimize website layout and Swiss tour information presentation

4. How We Use Your Information

• Content Improvement: To enhance our Swiss railway travel guides, tour recommendations, and website functionality
• User Experience: To personalize Swiss train tour recommendations and improve website navigation
• Affiliate Tracking: To track referrals to GetYourGuide and measure Swiss tour recommendation effectiveness
• Customer Support: To respond to website-related inquiries and provide Swiss railway travel information
• Newsletter & Updates: To send Swiss railway travel tips, new content, and curated tour recommendations (with consent)
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and protect our legitimate business interests

5. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data with:

5.1 Service Providers

• GetYourGuide: Anonymous affiliate tracking data for commission purposes (no personal customer information)
• Website Hosting: Technical data necessary for website operation and security
• Analytics Partners: Aggregated website usage data to improve our Swiss railway content and recommendations
• Email Service Providers: Contact information for newsletter delivery (only with your consent)

5.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, to protect safety, or to defend our rights.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

6.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and security
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our Swiss railway content
• Affiliate Tracking Cookies: Track referrals to GetYourGuide for commission purposes
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and personalize Swiss tour recommendations
• Third-Party Cookies: From GetYourGuide, Mapbox, and analytics providers

6.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality, personalized Swiss tour recommendations, and our ability to track affiliate referrals.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your information:

• SSL encryption for data transmission
• Secure hosting with regular security updates
• Limited access to personal information
• Regular security assessments and monitoring

Note: All booking and payment data is processed securely by GetYourGuide and their Swiss tour suppliers using industry-standard security practices. We do not handle any booking or payment information directly.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we have about you
• Correction: Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
• Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at: info@grandrailtour.com

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own, including:

• United States (where our website is hosted)
• Switzerland (GetYourGuide operations and local tour suppliers)
• European Union (various service providers)
• Other countries where our service providers operate

We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers.

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on this page
• Updating the "Last updated" date
• Sending email notifications for significant changes (if we have your email)

12. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: