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Gourmet
On Tour Ltd.
Our Terms and Conditions
Please take a moment to review these terms and conditions.
We offer culinary adventures (our “programmes”) that include
cooking courses, culinary tours, and wine tastings. All arrangements
made by Gourmet On Tour Ltd for you (the “participant”) with
a culinary venue, hotel, or tour operator (our “suppliers”)
are subject to the following terms and conditions.
Most importantly, if you book a programme through Gourmet On Tour Ltd,
you acknowledge acceptance of these terms and conditions and agree to
be bound by them. Don’t worry. We’ve kept to plain English
and don’t use “thereof”, “heretofore”,
or “in accordance with”.
RESPONSIBILITY:
We act as an agent: Gourmet On Tour Ltd does
not operate or own any of the venues, accommodation or operators for
the programmes that we offer. We operate on an agency model as an agent
for our suppliers. This means that the contract for the programmes
we arrange is between participants and the supplier.
While we have taken all reasonable measures to ensure that the programmes
we offer are organised properly, and that venues and services are reputable
and safe, any disputes or issues regarding participation in a programme,
including recovery of any fees already paid to the supplier by Gourmet
On Tour Ltd or participant, are the responsibility of the participant.
As the agent, we will, of course, do our best to resolve any issues between
you and the supplier.
Problems: Gourmet on Tour Ltd and its representatives
cannot be held liable or responsible for problems, cancellations, or
behaviour experienced by a participant with a supplier, nor for any
injury, damage, accident, loss, delay, expense or other issue because
of any act or default of any of our suppliers, nor due to war or threat
of war, terrorism or threat of terrorism, civil unrest or threat of
civil unrest, act of government or civil authorities, sickness, theft,
fire, adverse weather conditions, or any other cause beyond the control
of Gourmet on Tour Ltd or a supplier.
Risks and losses: There are inherent
risks in travel and culinary activities. In consideration of
Gourmet On Tour Ltd furnishing services that allow participants
to join a culinary programme, participants understand and agree
that culinary programmes and travel have these inherent dangers
and risks; that participation in travel and culinary programmes
may result in injury or illness; and that these dangers and
risks may be the result of negligence by participants, Gourmet
On Tour Ltd, our suppliers, or other third parties, or simply
mysterious forces at work.
In other words, by joining one of our programmes, participants assume
all risks and dangers, and all responsibility for any losses or damages.
Participants, and their personal representatives and heirs, agree to
release, waive, discharge, hold harmless, defend and indemnify Gourmet
On Tour Ltd and its agents, officers and employees from all claims, actions
or losses for bodily injury, wrongful death, property damage, loss of
services, or other claims that may arise because of participation in
programmes booked by Gourmet On Tour Ltd.
Travel insurance is worth its weight in truffles. We require it.
PAYMENTS AND BOOKINGS:
Prices for programmes include items as stated on our website and booking
forms. Prices are subject to change without notice. Of course, payment
of a deposit for a programme booking confirms the price at the time of
booking, even if the price later increases.
Deposits: We require a non-refundable deposit
for all programmes booked by us. Reservations are confirmed upon receipt
by Gourmet On Tour Ltd of the deposit and signed booking form. Typically
the deposit is 30 percent of the total price and is indicated in the
individual programme details on our website.
If a booking is made less than 60 days prior to the start of a programme,
the full amount of programme is payable at the time of booking.
Balance: The balance is due 60 days prior to
the start of the programme. If the participant fails to pay the balance
due 60 days prior to the programme start date, Gourmet On Tour Ltd
reserves the right to cancel the booking and keep any deposits paid.
Payments: We accept payment by most major
credit cards, bank transfers, and cheque. Confirmation of your
booking is made when we receive your deposit, either when your
credit card is authorized, a bank transfer is received by our
bank, or your cheque has cleared the bank. If payment is made
by bank transfer, you are responsible for any fees. If payment
is made by credit card, we add a 3 percent surcharge to the
price; payments by Switch or Solo cards incur no additional
surcharge.
As we operate in a multi-currency environment, please note that there
can be one or two currency conversions in the process of booking a programme,
and that your credit card may reflect a payment in other than your home
currency.
Cancellation: There are two types of cancellation:
those made by participants for any reason and those made by Gourmet
On Tour Ltd or a supplier.
If made by you, cancellation must be made in writing via post or fax
to Gourmet On Tour Ltd and will become effective upon receipt by Gourmet
On Tour Ltd. Our cancellation charges and schedule are indicated on our
website for each programme.
If a participant chooses not use any portion of a programme, there will
be no refunds for the unused portion.
Our suppliers and Gourmet On Tour Ltd reserve the right to modify a programme
or cancel a programme prior to commencement, for whatever reason, including
an insufficient number of participants. If a programme is cancelled or
our suppliers are unable to provide the programme booked, participants
are due a refund of all payments received. Because the contract for the
programme is between the participant and supplier, the supplier is responsible
and liable for refund of payments made to the supplier, whether by Gourmet
On Tour Ltd or the participant directly. Any payments collected by Gourmet
On Tour Ltd but not yet submitted to the supplier will be refunded by
us. As an agent, we cannot be held responsible or liable for recovery
of a participant's payments held by a supplier.
PRACTICALITIES:
Restrictions: Gourmet On Tour Ltd reserves the
right to accept or refuse any person as participant of any programme.
For example, some of our supplier venues may not be suitable for people
with special physical or mental requirements. Any physical or mental
disability requiring special attention or provisions must be noted
in writing to Gourmet on Tour Ltd at the time of booking. While Gourmet
on Tour Ltd will make every effort to ensure that a supplier meets
special needs required by the participant, we cannot be held liable
or responsible for these requirements, for any problems experienced
by the participant as a result of these requirements, or for any additional
costs to meet these special requirements.
Transport: Gourmet on Tour Ltd does not
book or provide any air, land or sea travel arrangements for
participants, nor can we be held liable or responsible for
any travel issues, delays or problems experienced by a participant
with their travel carrier. Any transport for programmes with
excursions, or for accommodation transfers, are the responsibility
of the supplier.
Documentation: We don’t do visas,
international driving licences, passports, or any other travel
documentation. It is the participant’s responsibility
to have a valid passport, required visas, and any other travelling
documents required by governmental regulations. Gourmet on
Tour Ltd cannot be held liable or responsible for problems
related to these documents, or the lack of them, or the recovery
of lost documents. (We recommend bringing photocopies of your
passport, visas, drivers license, and insurance papers on your
trip, but stored separately from the originals. This simple
precaution can save days of migraines and heartburn.)
Travel Insurance: Unless quite wealthy,
don’t leave home without it. We require travel insurance
to book a programme and participants agree to have it, or else
provide us a signed disclaimer and waiver. Such insurance should
cover full medical expenses, personal baggage, personal accident,
accidental loss or damage to property, cancellation and curtailment
of a programme due to any reason, personal liability, legal
expenses and emergency. It is false economy to scrimp on this
travel cost.
Gourmet on Tour Ltd does not provide or write travel insurance, nor can
we be held liable or responsible for any issues arising from not having
it. Your credit card may provide sufficient coverage if payment is made
with it.
JURISDICTION:
These terms and conditions, and a participant’s acceptance of them
by booking a programme through us, are governed in Great Britain by English
law, and both parties shall submit to the jurisdiction of English courts
at all times.
Of course, we prefer to resolve issues through clear communication, understanding
of responsibilities, proper manners, and good customer service.
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