TERMS and CONDITIONS
Spirit of Italy Tours (SOIT) is the tour operator for the Harvest Italia 2012 trip. Harvest Italia 2012 takes place October 30 – November 6, 2012. Invoices pertaining to your trip are issued by Vicky Gray-Clark, founder of Spirit of Italy Tours.
Spirit of Italy Tours is responsible to the participants for supplying the services and accommodations offered to the participants as stated herein for the Harvest Italia 2012 tour.
Reservations and Deposits
To reserve a space on the Harvest Italia land tour, send an e-mail to vicky@spiritofitalytours.com, or call us at 408-318-1980. We will hold your reservation without deposit for 10 business days. Reservations will become firm upon receipt of a $500 deposit and a signed Terms and Conditions sheet. The deposit and Terms and Conditions sheet must must accompany the registration form. Please mail a registration form with a check or money order deposit to Spirit of Italy Tours
Registration forms can also be faxed to 408-243-8889 if paying online at Pay Pal. The reservation fee is fully refundable if a cancellation is made within 72 hours of booking the tour. After 72 hours, cancellation fees do apply. (See Cancellation Credit section below)
Payments
Final payment is required 90 days prior to the start of the tour on August 2, 2012. If the balance is not paid 90 days before departure, we must consider this inaction as a cancellation and cancellation charges may apply. The balance may be paid by check, money order or online at Pay Pal.
Send payment and completed registration form to:
Spirit of Italy Tours
2375 West Hedding Street
San Jose, CA 95128
408-318-1980 (mobile)
408-243-8889 (fax)
www.spiritofitalytours (website)
All checks and money orders should be made payable to Vicky Gray-Clark.
Until SOIT has received the correct deposit amount and has sent you a notice that confirms our acceptance of the booking, no contract exists between you and Spirit of Italy Tours. A $35.00 fee will be added to any check returned to us by your bank/and or for any requested transactions.
Tour Inclusion
Spirit of Italy Tours is providing a land package that includes lodging fees, minivan ground transport, planned sightseeing and activities and meals as stated in the Harvest Italia 2012 itinerary and is not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time. Tour participants agree that Spirit of Italy Tours has no responsibility or liability of any nature whatsoever for loss, damage, or injury to property or person resulting from the provision of minivan transportation.
The cost of segments of the tour lost due to missing a scheduled departure due to a flight or transfer by motor coach or train is the responsibility of the participant who is responsible to make arrangements for and to pay the cost of rejoining the group; i.e. pickup at airport.
The planned excursions, activities and restaurants listed in the Harvest Italia 2012 online itinerary will be adhered to if at all possible. On dates including, but not limited to religious holidays and national celebrations, some monuments and sites may be closed or undergoing renovation. On these occasions, the sequence of the tour may be amended; even after arrival. If circumstances force Spirit of Italy Tours to change an advertised venue, we reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary, and will replace it with one of equal or better quality.
Accommodations
Spirit of Italy Tours has selected Agriturismo Valleverde as the lodging establishment for the duration of the Harvest Italia 2012 tour. The property features individual garden-style apartments overlooking a courtyard. Each has a private bathroom, common room, kitchenette and at least one bedroom.
Special requests such as bed types, smoking preference and connecting rooms are subject to availability. Room selection in all cases, unless otherwise reserved, is strictly at the discretion of the hotel's management on a run-of-house basis. All Agriturismo Valleverde rates are based on Spirit of Italy Tours agreements with the proprietor and are not negotiable.
Meals
As specified in each itinerary. Meals that are included in the tour are based on each establishments set menu. In general, beverages are not included, unless specifically stated. Although Spirit of Italy Tours cannot make guarantees, every effort will be made to honor special dietary requests submitted in writing on reservation form.
Ground transport/airport pickup
Minivan ground transport is being provided as indicated in the Harvest Italia 2012 itinerary; size dictated by the number of participants. Your arrival pickup at the Airport in Florence, Italy is guaranteed for up to 90 mins. from your scheduled arrival time in order to compensate for minor delays. Spirit of Italy Tours will not be responsible for flight delays, for any reason, beyond 90 minutes from your originally scheduled arrival time. In case of a delay, it will be your responsibility to make other transfer arrangements such as a taxi or train. Transfer costs are not refundable and any additional expenses will be your responsibility.
Pricing
Adult (1) - $2100.00 (USD)
Child (1) ages 3 – 12 -- $500.00 (USD)
All prices are per one adult paying passenger (one child ages 3 - 12), based on double room occupancy. Pricing is for a land tour and does not include airline tickets, passport fees items of a personal nature such as laundry, wines (some exceptions), water, beverages, meals, entry fees to attractions, optional sightseeing excursions, tips for minivan driver (optional), travel or any other insurance fees unless indicated in the Harvest Italia 2012 itinerary, http://www.spiritofitalytours.com/itinerary.htm.
All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. There is no minimum age. There is no charge for children three-years of age and younger.
Currency fluctuation
Harvest Italia 2012 tour prices are based on current exchange rates as of November 14, 2011 with the Euro costing $1.36 in U.S. currency and are subject to change without notice. If the US Dollar devalues by 5% or more, Spirit of Italy Tours reserves the right to increase prices accordingly in accordance with exchange rate fluctuation. We will send you written notice of the difference of the adjustment. Accounts fully paid within 30 days of reservation will not be subject to currency fluctuations. In case of human or computer error, Spirit of Italy Tours reserves the right to re-invoice for the correct price or service.
Spirit of Italy Tours cannot be held responsible for fluctuations in exchange rates when calculating refunds due to trip cancellations.
Tour Changes/Cancellation Policy
Spirit of Italy Tours will make every effort to operate Harvest Italia 2012 as planned. Spirit of Italy Tours reserves the right to cancel a tour due to lack of sufficient participation or other unforeseen circumstances. The Harvest Italia Tour is based on 10 paying participants. If the group falls below 10 participants the tour may be subject to cancellation or an increase in price may be requested of remaining participants. In the event that we cancel a trip, you will receive notification by email/phone at least 90 days prior to the tour’s departure and a full refund of all deposits and payments will be issued within 10 days of notification.
We do not give refunds of deposits or final payments for tours that commence as scheduled, except as follows below.
Cancellation Credit
In the event you must cancel the trip, the cancellation will become effective upon receipt of written cancellation and the refund will be returned according to the following schedule prior to departure date:
• Up to 89 days, $300 per person cancellation fee
• 90 to 60 days, $750 per person cancellation fee
• 59 to 30 days, 50% cancellation fee
• Inside of 30 days, no refund
No refund will be made for any unused portions of the trip.
Spirit of Italy Tours will not be held responsible for any costs relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of airline tickets or visa fees. Voluntary cancellations due to political instability, acts of terrorism or government intervention will be subject to the above fees, provided the program is deemed (by Spirit of Italy Tours) able to continue.
Travel documents
It is the sole responsibility of each passenger to obtain the necessary documents for travel, not excluding passports and visas. A valid passport is normally the only requirement for U.S. citizens to enter Italy. Entry laws differ with respect to travelers’ citizenship. Please check with the Italian consulate office/embassy for further information as Spirit of Italy Tours is not responsible for providing this information or documentation.
Trip Insurance
We strongly suggest you take travel insurance to cover any unforeseen events as a means of protection in case you need to cancel your trip. Baggage, travel and emergency medical insurance are also recommended. Spirit of Italy Tours is not responsible or liable for loss, damage or theft of luggage and/or personal belongings, or for personal injury, accident and/or illness.
However, as to all services furnished as listed in the itinerary, including minivan transportation, on absence of their negligence, Spirit of Italy Tours its agents and cooperating organizations, expressly disclaim all responsibility or liability of any nature for loss, damage or injury to property or person due to any cause whatsoever occurring during a tour under their management.
Baggage
We encourage travelers to bring one suitcase and one carry-on as minivan space is limited.
Safety
The pace of the Harvest Italia tour may require mild but extended periods of walking and we respectfully request that participants be in good physical and mental health. While SOIT encourages participation of disabled passengers on the tours, some itineraries and sites may not be accessible by wheelchair or motorized scooter. When reserving your tour, please inform us of any physical disabilities and limitations so that we can help determine the appropriateness of the itinerary. If such limitations cause you to require additional assistance, SOIT asks that you plan to travel with a companion that can provide aid.
Responsibility
Please be aware that during your participation in this tour certain risks and dangers may arise beyond the tour operator’s control including, but not limited to, automobile, or other means of transportation; the forces of nature, political instability or civil disturbances, and accident or illness in regions without means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities. As tour operator we will not have liability regarding provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered. It is understood that we will use best efforts to ensure that adequate measures are taken.
Furthermore, Spirit of Italy Tours and its representatives abroad act only as independent contractors acting on behalf of neither the customer nor the suppliers and principals. Spirit of Italy Tours does not own nor operate the lodging establishment, motor coaches, olive grove property, or any other service providers, which compose the Harvest Italia 2011 tour. Spirit of Italy Tours shall not be in any way liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity in any vehicle or through the act of default of any company, or person engaged in conveying passengers, or any other person otherwise in connection therewith.
Although we have made every effort to insure high quality standards for every aspect of the Harvest Italia 2012 tour, Spirit of Italy Tours shall not assume responsibility for standards of quality, hygiene, cuisine, sanitation, diseases or viruses contracted during the tour.
Spirit of Italy Tours cannot accept responsibility for loss or additional expense due to delay or changes in transportation schedule or the potential loss of services due to inclement weather conditions, nor shall we be liable for any inconvenience, annoyance, property loss and/or damage or injury arising in connection with such services.
Spirit of Italy Tours shall be held harmless from any and all liability in connection with the foregoing.
Terms and conditions are subject to change.
I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ALL OF THE SPIRIT OF ITALY TOURS TERMS & CONDITIONS
(To be signed by each passenger over 18 years of age - a parent or legal guardian must sign for child under the age of 18):
Print Name: ______________________________________
Signature: ________________________________________ Date:________________________________________
(Make copies for additional signatures if necessary)
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