Terms & Conditions Via Walking

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 must pay AUD$ 500 at the time of booking and you must pay 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 must pay for the tour in full at the time of booking.  Payment can be made by Mastercard, Visa or Direct Debit.

All payments must be made in Australian Dollars.

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

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. 
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 your tour guide 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 from your tour guide or fellow travellers.  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 the 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 & 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.

Waiver of liability form

You must read and sign the following Waiver of Liability and Release before embarking on your tour. You will not be permitted to commence the tour without reading these Terms and Conditions and signing the release.

Waiver of Liability and Release

I, the undersigned, agree to this release of all claims, waiver of liability and assumption of risk (Waiver and Release). I waive any and all claims I may have now and in the future against, and release from all liability and agree not to sue Via Walking, its officers, agents, representatives, employees or tour guides [hereafter referred to as the Staff] for any personal injury, death, property damage, or loss sustained by me as a result of my participation in the walking tour with Via Walking due to any cause whatsoever, including without limitation, negligence on the part of Via walking], its Staff or other participants, or death or injury as a result of was, civil unrest or epidemic. I am aware that the walking tour, in addition to the usual dangers and risks inherent, has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which include: physical exertion for which I may not be prepared; weather extremes subject to sudden and unexpected change; remoteness from normal medical services; evacuation difficulties. I accept all the inherent risks of the proposed walking tour and the possibility of personal injury, death or property damage or loss resulting there from. I acknowledge that the enjoyment and excitement of the proposed form of tour is derived in part from the inherent risks incurred by travel and activity beyond the accepted safety of life at home or work, and these inherent risks contribute to such enjoyment and excitement, being a reason for my participation. I agree that if I suffer injury or illness Via Walking or its Staff can, at my cost, arrange any medical treatment and emergency evacuation service as it or they deem necessary for my health and safety. Further, I agree at all times during the walking tour, to abide by and comply with all the Terms and Conditions and any additional instructions given from time to time by my tour guide or any other Staff. I agree to abide by and comply with all instructions, rules or directions properly given to me by any Staff member or their delegate and I accept that non-compliance may result in injury, death or permanent disability. I understand that non-compliance may result in my removal from the walking tour. I acknowledge and understand the dangers associated with the consumption of alcohol, any mind altering drugs or prescription medication before and during the walking tour and I take full responsibility for an injury, loss or damage associated with their consumption. I agree that I am solely responsible for removing myself from participation in the walking tour if at any time I feel unable to complete or participate in the walking. In entering this Waiver and Release, I am not relying on any oral, written nor visual representations or statements by Via Walking or its Staff or any other inducement or coercion to go on a walking tour. I confirm that, by my own free will, I have read and understood the Terms and Conditions of this walking tour and Wavier and Release prior to signing it and agree that this Waiver and Release will be binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators and successors.

Signed:

Name:
Date:

Signed:

Name:
Date:

Via Walking. 534 Park Street,
Princes Hill, 3054 Victoria, Australia
ABN: 1234 1234 1234 t: +61 3 9387 8045 f: +61 33 9380 2541
m: +61 417 590 535 e: sue@viawalking.com.au
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