CONTRACT WITH ECO ITALIA LLC  

All persons wishing to make a booking must sign the booking form. All such persons will be bound by conditions that follow. The person or persons included in the booking form are hereafter referred to as the client. All bookings are made with Eco Italia LLC, which sells the tours described in this brochure. No person has any authority on the company’s behalf to vary these booking conditions. The service to be provided is the tour referred to in the booking form.

ESCORTED TOURS, INDEPENDENT TOURS AND CUSTOMIZED ITINERARIES

Eco Italia offers Escorted Tours to small groups, friends or families traveling together.

We always offer the freedom to begin your journey at your preferred date!

Eco Italia also plans itineraries for Independent Travelers. Any tour program in this brochure may be modified to create your own custom itinerary or you can have us fully design your trip. To help us with customizing your Escorted or Independent Tour, please fill in our Questionnaire for Custom Tours.

Minimum of three nights required for Custom Tours.

Reservations are confirmed upon receipt of a per person deposit in the amount of 20 % of the tour cost for Small Escorted Tour and  for Classic Escorted Tours . Customized tour may require additional deposits  as suppliers warrant and you will be so advised at time of booking. Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure. For Customized Tours and Small group Tours full payment deadline will be disclosed at moment of booking. Deposit is paid by credit card (we accept only Visa, MasterCard and American Express), balance is paid by cashier check an upon request by credit card, in which case a 4% processing fee will apply. 

All rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and quoted with exchange rate applied on February 12th, 2010. Customized tours are quoted with the exchange rate that apply on the date specified on the "Term and Conditions" of the tour/itinerary proposal. However, the ongoing fluctuation of the USD might effect the final cost of your tour. When final  payment is received, any adjustment will be credited or debited to you.

In our Escorted Small Group Tours with scheduled departure dates, prices are per person in first class accommodation. Group sizes vary from 2 to 25 participants (unless otherwise indicated) we always guarantee the departure.  Our Classic Tours and Mini Tours are standard size tours with guaranteed departure. Extra charge for hotels may apply in holiday seasons or during special events.

Although we will put all our effort to make changes to the original booking when requested, we can't garantee to succed. Changes might require an additional fee, which will be disclosed at the time of the requested change.

Eco Italia reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services or prices described in the brochure before a booking is made. If such a change is made, the client will be told at the time of booking.

Any cancellation must be made in writing to Eco Italia. The date on which the company or its agents receive the letter/fax will determine the cancellation charge applicable. Deposits are not refundable. Thereafter the following penalties will apply:

Eco Italia reserves the right to amend the above terms where suppliers dictate otherwise.

Eco Italia reserves the right to cancel a Small Escorted Tour for any reason, but will not cancel a tour less than 8 weeks before departure except in the case of force majeure, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance.

Final tour documents will be sent prior to departure provided full payment has been received.

The Italian classification of hotels (not standard classifications are available for Villa and apartments) does not always reflect what you experience in these facilities. We have inspected and selected for the our tours hotels and countryside villas/castles based on their charm and/or amenities they provide (a/c , satellite TV, pool, etc.). Generally speaking our selected 3/4-star hotels are charm accommodations and 4/5-star hotels are first class accommodations.

When breakfast is included in our tour package it can be either Continental or Buffet. It depends by the hotel policy. Beverages are considered a personal expense.

Escorted Tours

Transportation, unless otherwise stated, are by deluxe minibus with A/C with professionally licensed driver. 

Upon clients request we always offer the following optional:  automatic shift, Collision Damage Waiver ZERO deductible, Theft Protection ZERO deductible, fire insurance ZERO deductible, Public Liability Insurance, Insurance for personal injuries/damages to drivers and passengers.

When you return your rental car later than expected, you may be charged for additional day(s), which must be paid directly to the rental company. All rental cars must be returned with a full tank of gas to avoid additional charges.

If rail tickets or passes are included in our package you can have us make necessary seat reservations (not available for all trains). To save you money we purchase your train tickets (2nd class or 1st class when it is available) in Italy, and they will be available at your first hotel in Italy.

Once the tour has commenced, no refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour whether for missed days, accommodations, meals or any other service not utilized by tour participant. No refunds will be made in the event of traveler’s "no show" or trip interruption. Tour termination for whatever reason does not automatically or necessarily guarantee any refund. Trip insurance is strongly recommended and available through Eco Italia. Claims must be made in writing and will not be accepted after 30 days of the tour completion.

Eco Italia contracts through independent suppliers and therefore acts only as an agent for the traveler regarding all services, accommodations and transportation.  Eco Italia cannot be held liable for any changes or service defaults of suppliers. Eco Italia cannot be held liable for any loss, damage, injury or expense to property or person for any reason. Eco Italia is not liable for acts of God, acts of governments or other authorities, civil disturbances, terrorist acts, strikes, thefts, danger pertaining to sea, land, or air travel, and all other acts beyond its control. Eco Italia is not responsible for any delays, or non-operation of any rail, air, or other means of transportation due to reasons beyond its control.

Payment of the tour cost constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions as stated herein and as specifically outlined in the individual tour itineraries.

Airfare; meals other than those stated in the itinerary; tips to guides; costs of obtaining a passport; items of purely personal nature such a beverages, telephone calls, laundry, and faxes; hotel porterage; and additional driver costs on rental cars and excess mileage carried out at the unanimous request of tour participants. Anything not specifically mentioned as included is at travelers’ own expense.