01 - Travel contract and responsibility
The bookings are regulated by the present general conditions, by the law n° 111 of March 1995, by the ECC directive n° 90/314 and by the law n° 1084 of 27/12/1977. In any case ITALIA GASTRONOMICA’s responsibility will not exceed the limits foreseen by the above mentioned laws. The Tour Operator is not responsible for any damages caused by the client.

02 - Prices
Prices are quoted in EURO and include VAT and taxes. Rates are confidential and valid only for Tour Operators, Travel Agents or organised groups (companies, CRAL,…). Unless otherwise explicitly agreed, all prices are net to ITALIA GASTRONOMICA. Prices of confirmed holidays will not be subject to any surcharges except those resulting from increases in (i) transportation costs such as fuel and (ii) dues, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as landing taxes or embarking/disembarking fees at port or airport and (iii) the exchange rate. If this results in an increase of more than 10%, options are to cancel the travel arrangement and receive a full refund if required, in written form, to ITALIA GASTRONOMICA within 2 days of the communication of the price increase. No price increase will be made within 20 days of departure.

03 - Bookings
Reservations have to be made by fax, e-mail or –for accredited operators only- online. ITALIA GASTRONOMICA guarantees a confirmation within 24 hours for hotels and package tours booking and a confirmation within 48 hours for all other services. Booking acceptance will be sent by fax or e-mail; the booking is considered confirmed only after having received a 25% deposit. For online bookings on ITALIA GASTRONOMICA’s web site (with user ID and password) there is the possibility of immediate confirmation.

.04 - Payments
Upon confirmation of a booking, a 25% deposit must be paid. Payment of the balance is due no later than 30 days before departure for Italy. For bookings that are less than 30 days prior to departure, the entire payment is due upon confirmation from ITALIA GASTRONOMICA. Payments have to be done by bank swift remittance without any charge for ITALIA GASTRONOMICA.

05 - Hotel categories
Official Italian classification has been used in the brochure or in the other promotional material. However it is worth pointing out that standards do differ from hotel to hotel and region to region, as do levels of luxury. In case of absence of official classification (i.e. for historical residences) ITALIA GASTRONOMICA will provide its most detailed description in order to make the structure clear and to ease the choice.

06 - Accommodation
Most hotels proposed by ITALIA GASTRONOMICA are either 4 or 5 star, consequently the great majority have air conditioning and all have private ensuite facilities. The difference in room types may vary from hotel to hotel but generally, as a rule, standard rooms are the smallest type of rooms and usually have the simplest style of furnishings and the least pleasant outlook. Sizes and standards improve through the superior and deluxe type, up to the junior suites and suites. In case of “force majeure”, the Tour Operator reserves the right to change hotels with similar ones.

07 - Driving times
Please note that the driving times are approximate and based on personal experience. They can and do, however, vary according to days of the week, bank holidays, traffic congestion and weather conditions.

08 - Holiday alteration & cancellation from ITALIA GASTRONOMICA
Sometimes, due to reasons beyond ITALIA GASTRONOMICA control, it is necessary to make changes to brochure details and holidays arrangements both before and after the booking. Most changes will be minor. Occasionally, major changes have to be made; examples of significant changes are those involving a change of resort, departure time, length of holiday by more than 12 hours. When ITALIA GASTRONOMICA have accepted a booking and has to cancel it before it is due to start, for any reason other than client fault, or when the client decide to cancel the holiday because he does not wish to accept a significant change, it will communicate in writing. As a consequence, the client can either: (i) accept an offer of a replacement holiday of lower quality (if available) plus a refund of the difference in cost; (ii) accept an offer of a replacement holiday of an equivalent or higher quality (if available); (iii) ask for a refund of the money paid. Should it be necessary to cancel, ITALIA GASTRONOMICA cannot accept liability in respect to any costs of any other service or products, including flights, that have been purchased independently. For cancellation due to reasons other than “force majeure”, unusual and unforeseeable circumstances, for lack of minimum number of participants or when the client does not accept a replacement holiday, ITALIA GASTRONOMICA will refund twice the price already paid.

09 - Clients cancellations
In case of clients cancellation, ITALIA GASTRONOMICA reserves the right to levy € 40,00 to cover administrative expenses. The following cancellation charges, or loss of deposit, will apply. These are expressed as a percentage of the total holiday price inclusive of any supplement but exclusive of any insurance premiums which are not refundable. Cancellation charges are calculated from the date ITALIA GASTRONOMICA receives the written notification. Departure date 30 days plus 10% 21-29 days 25% 11-20 days 50% 3-10 days 75% less than 3 days 100%.

10–Termination of the holiday in advance
If the holiday is brought to an end before the foreseen return date, no reimbursement shall be made unless ITALIA GASTRONOMICA is presented with a written declaration from the hotel/hotels stating that no charge will be made for unused services. ITALIA GASTRONOMICA will reimburse only the amount authorised by the hotels minus any posspossible agency expenses.

11 - Complaints regarding booked services
Claims can only be made once the full cost of the holiday has been paid. However, any complaints should be reported immediately to the supplier and also to ITALIA GASTRONOMICA, in written form, during the holiday. If the complaint is not sorted out during the holiday period, a registered letter should be sent to ITALIA GASTRONOMICA within 10 days of returning from the holiday. ITALIA GASTRONOMICA has taken all reasonable care to make sure that all the services are provided to a high standard and are provided as described in the catalogue, web pages and other promotional material. ITALIA GASTRONOMICA is not responsible for any changes made by the supplier of which it has not been informed. Any suggestions from the client will be gladly accepted in order to improve the level of services and accommodation provided.

12 - Legal jurisdiction
For any dispute, the Civil Court of Verbania is to be acknowledged as the sole competent authority.

13 - Warranty Fund
A warranty fund has been established by the ‘Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri’ (Italian Government Authorities) to safeguard the client in the case of Tour Operator insolvency or bankruptcy, safeguarding a holiday refund and repatriation of the clients if abroad.

14 - Technical Organization
ITALIA GASTRONOMICA Tour Operator; autorization nr.1/05 issued by the municipality
of Arona (NO).

15 - Data protection
ITALIA GASTRONOMICA shall use the information provided in relation to the services performed. ITALIA GASTRONOMICA may also use this information to contact clients with details of other products or services offered by ITALIA GASTRONOMICA itself. In all other cases, ITALIA GASTRONOMICA as of now, is and will be authorised to treat the Customer’s data in compliance with the Law on Privacy ex Dlgs 196/2003 and subsequent modifications.

Insurance cover:
ITALIA GASTRONOMICA is covered by policy nr 150585 with CEA - group MONDIAL ASSISTANCE S.p.a. insurance company for tort liability, in conformity with the legislative decree 111 of 17/03/1995. Insurance cover for medical expenses possible on request.