Terms & Conditions
Definitions: PALIOTOURS.COM is a registered domain name. It is used in the context of the World Wide Web and other marketing portals to promote and solicit travel services. The name is part of Atlantic Ventures USA, Inc., (“the Company”), a registered travel company and provider of travel related services.
General Conditions: Confirmation and payment of any reservation constitutes acceptance of the financial agreements between the Company and the Customer and the provisions of this agreement are in effect. The Company is acting as a tour operator responsible for arranging reservations for the services as outlined in the website paliotours.com. All suppliers providing transportation, guided tours, and lodging for the Company are not associated with, nor are they employees of the Company. The Company assumes no responsibility or liability for any claims, damages, expenses or other financial loss, whether to person or property, arising from, but not limited to, injury, accident, death, delay, alteration or inconvenience, by whatever cause, including airline scheduling, default, strike, terrorism, war, hostility, civil disturbance, quarantine, or resulting directly or indirectly from any other acts of nature. Under no circumstances is the Company to be construed as a Common Carrier under contract for safe carriage of the passenger or his/her baggage and personal belongings.
Prices: Tour prices are generally quoted per person, double occupancy, ‘land only’. Single supplements may apply. Airfare is not included. Prior to Final Payment, Prices are subject to change. Notification will be given if necessary. Prices are guaranteed once final payment is made.
Reservations and Payments: For any Group Tour (i.e. Opera Tour, Food & Wine Tour), Special Event Ticket Package (i.e. Palio or Carnival) or Property Rental (“Rental”) reservation, the initial deposit is due from the confirmation of its availability or on receipt of invoice. Day Tours and Transportation services are to be paid in full at the time of the request. Payment of any remaining balance due, unless otherwise stated, must be paid no later than 60 days prior to designated Starting or Travel Date. For Deposit Reservations, the Balance Payment will automatically be charged to the credit card provided, unless the reservation is otherwise cancelled or notice is given to use an alternate form of payment. For Group Tours no changes are allowed less than 60 days prior to departure. Before final payment, prices are subject to changes in currency exchange rates and prices can be adjusted if necessary before any final payment. Changes to the original reservation or Cancellations will result in a $100 Change Fee per reservation. Payments can be made by credit card or by Euro bank transfer. Credit card payments are completed in USD currency at current exchange rates. Payments can also be made through the online payment service provider, PAYPAL.
Credit Card payments are processed in USD currency and processed using a financial exchange rate based on the current market rates at the time of the payment(s). American Express, VISA, MasterCard and DiscoverCard are accepted for reservation payments.
Waiting List: If a Group Tour is fully booked at the time you submit a Reservation Request, you will be offered a ‘Waiting List Option’. If you chose this option, it will require a deposit. Upon any cancellation you will be automatically added to the primary tour group or confirmation of your special package. If you cancel while on the waiting list, or we reach the 60-day final payment period before you can be confirmed, then your deposit will be returned in full, net of any credit card services charges.
Refunds and Cancellations: The Company reserves the right to cancel any Group Tour, Day Tour, Property Rental or Cooking Class at any time if sufficient reservations are not received or for other unforeseen reasons that impair the success or enjoyment of the tour, event, activity, or use of rental property, as the case may be. In these cases all deposits and or payments will be returned in full.
For any reason IF YOU DECIDE TO CANCEL A RESERVATION, YOU MUST NOTIFY THE COMPANY IN WRITING OF YOUR INTENT TO CANCEL.
Deposits and payments will follow the refund schedule below. If you cancel after the first 30-day period and someone takes your place, then administrative cancellation fees may apply, in addition to Ticket costs, which will be deducted from your deposit or payments.
After the 30 day initial reservation period, but
Prior to 90 days before Start Date: Refund, less 25% of total cost, net of Tickets;
Prior to 60 days before Start Date: Refund, less 50% of total cost, net of Tickets;
Prior to 45 days before Start Date: Refund, less 75% of total cost, net of Tickets;
45 days or less before Start Date: No refunds.
No refunds are made for unused portions of any reservation, including but not limited to missed meals, missed guided tours, Tickets (includes airline tickets), or non-use of hotel room or property rental.
COVID Travel Restrictions: Within 60 days of the tour start date, if you are unable to travel due to COVID restrictions placed on your country of departure or if restrictions exist in Italy for specific incoming visitors from certain countries, then your reservation (and any payments) will be transferred to the next available tour dates or to similar dates in the following year. If you are not able to attend either option, then we can either resell the package in order to provide for a refund (net of any transaction costs so incurred, including but not limited to credit card service charges, reservation transfer fees and or commissions) or we can also offer to transfer your reservation to another F&W program on other dates or to other travel programs that we offer.
Hotels: Room charges, unless you are otherwise informed, will be incurred by the Company and then passed on as invoiced to your credit card either prior to or on your arrival. Any hotel room cancellation and subsequent refund is subject the refund schedule provided herein. This schedule may override any that exists or that is generally provided by the hotel. Hotel room VAT taxes are included in the prices we provide to you (unless stated otherwise). City Taxes (a/k/a “bed taxes”), now required in most major Italian cities, are separate and paid by you directly to the hotel. Details of these taxes will be included in your reservation confirmation invoice.
Transportation: Group Tours – the Company will provide ground transfers from/to airports or central city train stations as needed to accommodate the travel group. Transportation will also be provided on daily excursions as noted in the respective tour itinerary. All vehicle fees and fuel costs are included in the cost of the tour. The cost of these service may be adjusted or the service eliminated if the group size is not sufficient.
Hotels & Meals: Group Tours – Hotels are selected based on quality and our own personal experience. Our minimum requires that the hotel has been listed for 3 stars as rated by the Italian Government. Air conditioning is standard for all rooms and they are equipped with shower, telephone, and TV and in most cases a mini bar. Breakfast will be served each day, the content variable based on each hotel. Customer is responsible for expenses associated with personal items incurred while staying at the hotel (i.e. mini-bar items, telephone calls). Other than breakfast, additional meals will be provided as noted on each itinerary by “group lunch” or “group dinner”. The combination of dinners and lunches may depend on your tour itinerary and group size.
Itinerary: Group Tours – The Company reserves the right to alter the itinerary or substitute hotel accommodations or transportation services as it may become necessary to provide for a tour that meets with our requirements.
Tour Guides: The Company has arranged for expert tour guides to accompany your group on the various city tour segments of the itinerary. Each maintains their official status, Guida Turistica Autorizzata, with the tourist boards and local authorities. They also speak several languages (Italian, German, English, French) should you need help with translation.
Travel Suggestions: So that we can accommodate the transfer of all parties and their luggage, please limit yourself to one piece of luggage, in addition to one carry-on type bag. Reasonable baggage sizes should apply. If this cannot be accomplished, please notify us at the time of your reservation. A nominal surcharge may apply in order to transport your luggage.
Group Tour Members: The tours require each participant to provide their cooperation to unexpected situations that may occur during the tour. Also each member should be prepared for walking during the guided city tours and be mentally alert during such group activities. If you have any physical or other health concerns, we suggest that you speak to your doctor and for him/her to access you ability to partake in the itinerary. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate requests for wheel-chairs or individuals that require special assistance. The Company reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a member of a tour, or require any participant to withdraw from the tour at any time should such person becomes a risk to the health or safety of himself or other tour members.
Passports & Visas: All customers must posses a valid passport and/or any visas or special travel documents that can be used a proof of citizenship. The Company accepts no liability for clients improperly documented. For holders of U.S. passport: the passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of departure. ie. if you leave the U.S. on August 10 of the current year then the expiration date would need to be February 10 (or after) in the following year.
Travel Insurance Protection: To cover costs associated with your reservation, the Company encourages you to consider purchasing a travel insurance policy. The Company does not supply or support any one company in this regard but can make suggestions as to the companies that provide this service.
General Conditions & Disclaimers: Confirmation and payment of any reservation constitutes acceptance of the financial agreements between the Company and the Customer and the provisions of this agreement are in effect. The Company is acting as a tour operator responsible for arranging reservations for the services as outlined in the website paliotours.com. All suppliers providing transportation, guided tours, and lodging for the Company are not associated with, nor are they employees of the Company. The Company assumes no responsibility or liability for any claims, damages, expenses or other financial loss, whether to person or property, arising from, but not limited to, injury, accident, death, delay, alteration or inconvenience, by whatever cause, including airline scheduling, default, strike, terrorism, war, hostility, civil disturbance, quarantine, or resulting directly or indirectly from any other acts of nature. Under no circumstances is the Company to be construed as a Common Carrier under contract for safe carriage of the passenger or his/her baggage and personal belongings.
Atlantic Ventures USA,Inc. is registered as a Seller of Travel in the states of Florida, Registration No. ST-33263 and California Registration No.2087502-50, doing business as Palio Tours (paliotours.com). The Company is not liable in respect to personal injury, loss or damage of personal property or loss of life, while engaged in the tours or other services provided herein. The Company is not responsible for third party cancellations for any reason due to unforeseen circumstances and or those beyond its control.
It is recommended that clients arrange travel insurances for medical, personal, property, or cancellation.
