Via Walking Tuscany Tours - Walking Holidays in Italy

Terms and Conditions

Booking procedure/making your booking

To reserve your place on a tour you must complete and return to us a fully completed booking form together with the required deposit. Your booking will not be confirmed until the deposit is received. We will confirm your booking with you in writing. We have a binding contract with you from the time that we receive your fully completed booking form and deposit. We reserve the right to refuse any booking for any reason whatsoever including where we do not believe that a person is fit enough, has enough experience or holds adequate insurance.

Paying for your tour

You pay $300 AUD at the time of booking and the balance at least 90 days before the first day of the tour. If you book your tour less than 90 days before the tour starts, you pay for the tour in full at the time of booking.
Payments can be made by MasterCard, Visa or Direct Debit,
to either our registered Travel Agent:

Italia Mia, 101 Bridport Street, Albert Park. 03 9682 8098
Bev Davey, bev@italiamia.com.au
Account Name: Mainpath Pty. Ltd.
Trading as Travel Avenue, Italia Mia
BSB:083 155
Account No: 49-355-8108
Licence No: 31235

Or Via Walking

Account Name: Suzanne Simpfendorfer Pty. Ltd.
Trading as Via Walking
BSB: 083-155
Account No: 59-174-7922

All payments to be made in Australian Dollars.

What is included in the pricing and what you will have to pay extra for

Guided Tour

The price of the tour includes the cost of accommodation, tour guides local transportation and all meals nominated in the itinerary on the web site on the day of booking. It does not include the price of transportation to Italy or to the Florence Bus Station, the starting point for all of our tours. The sections of the tour where we do not plan to walk we will take public transport where available and if not then private bus or taxi.

Self Guided Tour

The price of the tour includes the cost of accommodation, Walkers Pack, Transport Pack and anything else nominated on the web site on the day of booking. It does not include the price of transportation to Italy or to the Florence or Siena Bus Stations, the starting points for all of our tours. The sections of the tour where we do not plan to walk you will take public transport where available and if not then private bus or taxi. All such transport costs are not included unless nominated on the web site.

You must arrange and pay for all travel and insurances. Your Travel Agent can assist you with pre-purchasing tickets for local travel and with advice regarding travel insurance.

What we have to do

We will arrange your accommodation and nominated meals. We aim to book accommodation of the level described in the itinerary however this may not always be possible. We will let you know when this is the case and will make the appropriate discount or refund to you. If for some reason the accommodation we have booked for you is not available on your arrival, Via Walking will arrange comparable accommodation for you at no extra cost you. If no comparable accommodation is available but accommodation of a lesser standard is provided you will be entitled to a refund per night of the difference in cost. We will cover the cost of any accommodation of a higher standard provided in these circumstances.

What you have to do

You must arrange any necessary visas and ensure that your passport and travel documents and tickets are in order. As at the time of publication, Australian Passport holders may be issued with a visa on arrival in Italy and do not need to arrange a visa in advance. If you will be travelling with a passport other than an Australian Passport you may need to arrange a visa prior to travel.

When you accept these terms and conditions you represent to us that you are physically and mentally fit and you are able to cope with the demands of the tour without assistance. You understand that by embarking on the tour you will expose yourself to long days of strenuous physical activity, periods of remoteness from services, exposure to the elements, and severely limited access to rescue and medical services.

While travelling with a Guided Tour, you agree that you will abide with our non-smoking policy and will not smoke at any meal table, tour group meeting or in your accommodation if you are sharing with an independent traveller despite whether the local laws allow you to or not. Additionally, you agree to abide by all laws and regulations of Italy during the tour and you agree to indemnify us against any loss, damage or action caused by your breach of this agreement.

Also, by accepting these terms and conditions and embarking on the tour you represent to us that you have sufficient funds to meet all ancillary expenses while on the tour. Further you acknowledge that we are in no way responsible for the cost of any food, transport or medical attention before, during or after the tour with the exception of those detailed in the itinerary.

Changes by you

If you want to make changes to your booking after we have accepted it we will do our best to accommodate your request. We reserve the right to refuse your request or to charge you an administrative fee at a rate necessary to cover the costs associated with your request. We will inform you of the amount of the administrative fee where it is payable.

Changes by us

Sometimes we have to make changes to your tour for reasons outside our control. Changes that affect departure and return dates by more than one day are significant changes however changes to days spent at each destination or specific accommodation venues are not. Where a change is significant we will inform you in advance and give you the option of rescheduling your tour or a full refund.

Cancellations and booking conditions

We reserve the right to cancel your booking if we do not receive the minimum number of bookings for your tour or for any other reason including force majeure. We will not cancel your tour unless it is absolutely necessary. If we cancel your booking because we do not have the minimum number of bookings we will offer to transfer your booking to an alternative tour date or refund your deposit in full. If for any reason you cancel your booking your cancellation must be in writing and the terms and conditions contained in the cancellation schedule on your booking form apply.

Bookings for underage persons

Bookings for persons under 18 years of age will not be accepted unless an adult who is responsible for that person or persons accompanies that person or persons on the tour. A parent or guardian must sign the booking form for a person under the age of 18. By signing and submitting a booking form to us the person signing it represents and warrants to us that they have full authority to contract with us on behalf of all persons named in the booking form.

Insurance (travel/health)

You must arrange and pay for your own travel insurance. If you do not have adequate insurance we may refuse your booking or refuse to allow you to commence the tour. You must provide to us a copy of your travel insurance policy at least 7 days prior to departure. You must also provide us with proof of any other insurance we may require you to have when we ask for it. We may refuse to allow you on the tour if you do not. We do not have to give you any refund if we cancel you booking or tour for this reason.

We highly recommend this include trip cancellation insurance.

Travel insurance is generally available from you Travel Agent when you purchase your travel tickets.

Complaints

We book accommodation for the tour but we do not supply the accommodation. If you have any problems with your accommodation you should address the accommodation supplier directly. Your tour guide will assist you in resolving your complaint in so far as assisting with language barriers.

If you have any complaints regarding the organisation or conduct of our tour we will certainly welcome them and appreciate you telling us on the day and jointly we can address the issue. We will do our utmost to provide you with an enjoyable holiday experience however we acknowledge that given the many variables this may not always be possible.

Governing law

You agree that this agreement is governed by and shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of Victoria, Australia. You agree that any claim arising under this agreement must be bought in the Courts in the State of Victoria.

Download a printable copy of these terms.