I’m excited to welcome you on one of our immersive small group retreat experiences. Please note the following Terms and Conditions that will apply to your trip. I’ve kept them as easy to read and straight forward as possible, as I know you’d rather be getting ready to travel than reading pages of fine print.

It is your responsibility to read and understand the Terms and Conditions, and how they may affect your trip. I am happy to clarify or answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact me at hello@jacquitoumbas.com and I’ll be happy to assist with any additional information.

This agreement supersedes all previous oral or written communications, representations, or agreements between the parties and applies to all trips organised by Jacqui Toumbas and sold on this website. 

Last updated: January 27th, 2024

Our Contract

All bookings are made with JT Consulting (Aus) Pty Ltd (ABN 22 509 664 678) (us/we). By booking a trip with us, you are deemed to have agreed to these booking conditions (which constitutes the entire agreement between you and us) and your booking will be accepted by us on this basis.

Retreat participation

Our retreats are focused on food, wine and cultural experiences and have been designed with adults in mind.

Unfortunately we cannot accommodate children younger than 16. Note also that the legal age for drinking alcohol in Italy is 18 years. Please contact us if you would like your older teenagers 16+ to join us on retreat.

Making Your Travel Plans

Because we limit our group retreats to a small number of attendees, to ensure a more personal and intimate experience, our trips will only go ahead if we reach a required minimum number of guests. 

1. 1. Your trip will be confirmed when minimum numbers are reached, at latest by the final balance payment date 100 – 120 days prior to trip departure. If a retreat is sold out, you can assume it is going ahead.
   2. If the trip is canceled by us, a full refund will be issued. Should the trip be rescheduled to another date, you can choose to allocate any payments you have made to secure a spot on the new trip dates. 
   3. We advise that you do not book your flights until the trip has been confirmed in writing by us. We are not in a position to compensate for travel arrangements booked before the trip has been confirmed.
   4. Extra time in a destination outside of the retreat start and end date, is at your own expense. If you arrive before or after our designated check-in has been arranged, we can provide suggestions for ways to enjoy your time.
   5. Passports must have a minimum of 3 months validity at the time of departure from Italy per Italian government requirements however we recommend ensuring there is 6 months validity remaining on your passport. Please make sure you check your current passport and renew it if necessary.
   6. Visas may be required for entering Italy, and are at your own expense. You can check this Italian government website for requirements.
   7. It is your responsibility to research the visa and passport requirements for Italy and coordinate your visa within the appropriate timeframes required by your local embassy. We are unable to provide any refunds if you are denied entry to the country, even if we or our local agent, has provided visa support (eg. if the local agent provided you with the invitation letter).
   8. If a trip is priced in a currency different to that of your own, or if we provided estimated amounts in your local currency, please be aware that currency fluctuations may affect the final converted price in your currency. We do not have control over worldwide currency fluctuations, and monitoring this will be your responsibility. Payments are due in the currency quoted on the trip page.

Payments

Savour the Slow trip payments are split into 4 installments: a deposit to reserve your spot on retreat and a final payments for the balance or a payment plan as below;

Deposits:
A 30% deposit is required to secure your place on the retreat.

Balance:
The remaining balance is due typically 100 days prior to departure.

Payment Plan (Optional):
Alternatively, participants can opt for a payment plan:

• 30% deposit to secure a spot.
• 25% due 120 days before departure.
• 25% due 90 days before departure.
• 20% due 60 days before departure.

Cancellation and Refunds Policy

No one books a trip to Italy with the intention of canceling, but unexpected events do occur. Our cancellation policy is in place to help guests, our local partners and us through expenses that may arise from unexpected cancellations.

Cancellations Initiated by You:

• • If you cancel your trip up to 100 days prior to departure, you will receive a full refund minus a 250 EUR per-person service fee (to cover credit card fees and other non-refundable costs associated with your booking)
  • Cancel between 99 and 61 days prior to the trip departure, and a 50% refund applies
  • Cancellations within 60 days of departure incur a 100% cancelation fee

If you are not able to make a trip, we allow you to transfer the trip to someone of your choosing, found and assigned by you, no later than 30 days prior to departure and in writing. In that case, we will be transferring any payments you’ve made to that person and the new assigned guest will be responsible for making the pending payments. You will be responsible for recovering any monies already paid from the guest yourself.

Cancellations and Refunds After retreat Commencement:

No refunds or credits will be issued for failure to attend or failure to complete the retreat, or for arriving late or leaving early. If you arrive late to a retreat, any costs required to reach the location where the rest of the group is at the time of your arrival will be at your expense.

We do not issue refunds for any part of the trip not used, including (but not limited to) meals, activities, or any other services.

Cancellations Initiated by Us:

We reserve the right to cancel retreats with inadequate participant interest, in which case your hold deposit will be refunded. Notification of cancelation for this reason will occur a minimum of 3 months before retreat departure date. As mentioned above, we cannot be held responsible for any personal expenses, such as airline tickets due to changes in itineraries or retreat cancellations before your retreat has been confirmed. 

Travel Insurance

Because refunds are made available only per the policy outlined above, and we are unable to make exceptions for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies, we require all guests to take out comprehensive travel insurance to compensate in case of unexpected cancellations. Insurance should cover you for both travel cancellations, and medical emergencies in Italy.

The unexpected can occur and becoming ill or injured in a foreign country is a very daunting experience, we require guests to take insurance with international evacuation coverage for all trips. You should book a policy as soon as the trip has been confirmed. We can provide a list of recommended providers on request.

We will request proof of your travel and medical insurance details no later than 30 days before departure. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the cancellation of your booking without refund. 

Prices and Surcharges

Savour the Slow Retreat prices are subject to variable and seasonal pricing, both of which are standard practice within the travel industry. This means our trip prices may vary at any time in accordance with demand, market conditions, and availability. There is a chance that different passengers on the same trip have been charged different prices.

If you like the price you see on our website then your best option is to book at that time. Any reduced pricing or discounts that may become available after you have paid your deposit will not apply. If you wish to cancel your booking to take advantage of a cheaper price, full cancellation conditions apply. The most up-to-date pricing is available on our website.

We reserve the right to impose surcharges up to 45 days before departure due to unfavourable changes in exchange rates, transportation costs, increases in local operator costs, taxes, or if government action should require us to do so. In such instances, we will be responsible for any change in the exchange rate representing 5% of the trip price and you will be responsible for the balance. If any surcharge results in an increase of more than 10% of the trip price, you may cancel the booking within 14 days of notification of the surcharge and obtain a full refund.

Please note that a surcharge may be applied to all purchases made by credit card.

Timely Payment

Timely payment is key for the trip to go ahead as planned and for our local partners and agents to be able to guarantee accommodation and activities. We reserve the right to cancel a booking without refund should the final payment deadline not be met.

COVID Policies

All guests must comply with Italian regulations with respect to vaccinations and face coverings at the time of their visit. You can check this Italian Government website for more information.

If the retreat has to be postponed based on border closures or COVID-19 restrictions in Italy, a credit for your deposit will be issued to be used for the postponement date of the same trip.

If the retreat happens as scheduled, but a guest decides not to attend based on any other reason than a country’s border closure, then the regular cancellation policy (stated above) will be maintained. If a country only closes its borders to citizens from certain countries, and the retreat goes ahead, the regular cancellation policy will be maintained, and your travel insurance is where you will seek compensation.

Testing Positive to Covid while on retreat

Should you present flu / Covid like symptoms while on retreat, you will be required to take a Covid test and present the results to your retreat host. 

If you test positive for covid while on retreat with us you are required to follow Italian government protocol for quarantining. In addition to any local requirements, we require Covid positive retreat members to leave and not rejoin the retreat. You will also need to cease in-person contact with other retreat members, including travel partners who are remaining on the retreat; and avoid public areas of our accommodation when the retreat group is present.

General Health and Wellness Policy

The health and wellbeing of all our guests and staff is of utmost importance to us. If you feel unwell, please let your host know and they can assist with accessing treatment options including with English speaking practitioners.

We require all guests to consider the health and well being of fellow guests if they display cold / flu / Covid symptoms and isolate as appropriate. 

Trip Itinerary and Inclusions

We provide all retreat participants with detailed itineraries prior to booking and departure. The boutique nature of our itineraries means that they may be subject to minor changes, updates and additions as we get closer to departure. Any changes would reflect the goal of enhancing your retreat experience.

Photography / Videography

We aim to make our trips as special as possible, and some retreats may include a photographer who will take candid photography throughout the retreat at no extra cost.

1. 1. You understand that some of our trips may be accompanied by a photographer / videographer who will be taking candid photography of the group.
   2. A selection of these images will be shared with the group after the completion of the retreat for use on social media. You may not sell or otherwise use any of the images taken by us or our photographers or videographers for commercial purposes.
   3. In attending a trip with an accompanied photographer, you agree and acknowledge that your image and likeness may be used in future promotional material, by JT Consulting (Aus) Pty Ltd, and our partner retreat companies. You also agree to grant us a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, re-use, distribute, display, create derivative works of, and reproduce any images, photos, or videos (whether directly or through a photo sharing service) in any medium, including but not limited to print, electronic media, or Internet, free of charge and without right to inspection, for any purpose, including to promote and publicize our products and services worldwide. If you do not wish for your photos or video to be taken, please let us know before your retreat via email to hello@jacqitoumbas.com

Accommodation

Retreat costs are considered on a single and double sharing basis with either your own room or two guests per room with twin bedding.

1. 1. If you are traveling solo, a single supplement will apply per trip payable on booking. If you would be happy to be paired with a room mate, we may be able to accommodate your request however this is dependent on other travelers booking the trip and is not guaranteed. Please note that full twin bed options may not be available.
   2. If you are traveling with companions, please let us know in advance and so we can pair you in the same room. 
   3. We are unable to accommodate more than 2 guests to a room.
   4. You are responsible for the safety and security of your belongings within a shared room setting.

Special Requirements

We are committed to making our trips accessible to as many people as possible and will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions, allergies, medical conditions and other needs of our guests.

By joining our trips you agree to notify us of any requirements before reserving a spot so we can confirm that your needs will be met within the limitations of the itinerary, the destination and the trip style.

You also understand that some types of trips may require a minimum level of fitness or mobility, or may not easily accommodate dietary requirements due to the limited choices at the destination or the culinary focus of the trip. For this reason, vegan dietary requirements are not catered for.

We will endeavour to discuss possible options with you prior to reserving your spot and provide you with the most accurate information available to us for you to make an informed decision.

By joining our trips, you also state that you know of no physical or mental condition that would create a hazard for you or others, or affect other people’s enjoyment of the trip.

Waiver

Participants assume the risk involved when participating in foreign travel, and any and all activities and/or pursuits voluntarily undertaken while participating in the retreat.

By participating in Savour the Slow retreat, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself, and agree to release JT Consulting (Aus) Pty Ltd and our local partners and agents from any and all claims or causes of action, known or unknown.

Please be prepared to sign a ‘Waiver of Responsibility’ form before you begin your retreat. This form is an understanding that all guests need to exercise judgement and care at all times to ensure their own safety and that of their fellow travelers.

Legal Matters, Alcohol and Drugs

You will comply with Italian laws including public health directives. Failure to abide by this provision may result in immediate termination of your trip without a refund or other liability by us, our local partners or agents.

We do not tolerate drug use of any kind during our trips and we require responsible alcohol consumption, for your safety and that of those around you.

Smoking is not allowed in any Savour the Slow  booked transport, hotel rooms, restaurants, or within the vicinity of the retreat group.

Authority on retreat

The decision of the group leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any guest or staff member participating in the trip. If you fail to comply with a decision made by a retreat leader or interfere with the well-being or mobility of the group, the retreat leader may direct you to leave the trip immediately with no right of refund. We may also elect not to carry you on any future trips booked. You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange, and drug regulations in Italy, and you also agree to travel in accordance with responsible travel guidelines.

Force Majeure

In case of a Force Majeure event, we are not responsible for performing our obligations and will not be responsible for any resulting damages.

A Force Majeure Event is any circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including without limitation acts of nature, terrorist activities, insurrection, explosion, flood, earthquake, tempest, forceful wind, fire or accident, war or threat of war declared or undeclared, sabotage, civil disturbance, labor strikes, requisition, pandemics, sickness, quarantine, government intervention, weather conditions, and unforeseen circumstances.

If we, our partners or agents are affected by a Force Majeure Event, we, or our agents, may vary or cancel any itinerary or activity without any obligation or liability. 

Claims and Complaints

We are committed to creating and delivering extraordinary experiences. However, if any issues arise during a trip, you agree to notify the retreat leader as soon as possible so we can find a satisfactory solution that works for everyone.

You agree to send all your complaints in writing by email to hello@jacquitoumbas.com along with any supporting documentation.

In booking a place on an Untold Italy small group retreat, you agree to both our Terms and Conditions, listed on this page, as well as the Terms and Conditions of the local tour operator for your specific retreat and the activity or accommodation provider. The specific terms and conditions will be included in a trip pages and we encourage you to read and understand their specific policies.

Disclaimer

As mentioned, JT Consulting (Aus) Pty Ltd and all our representatives (herein after referred to as “agents”), act only in capacity as agents for the guest in all matters connected with travel, sight-seeing journeys and transportation.

You agree that as agents, we are held free of responsibility for any damage occasioned by any cause, in particular:

• • For any damages or expenses or inconveniences caused by late departures, change of schedule or change in activities caused by reasons beyond our control

• • For loss or damage to baggage or any of the participant’s belongings.

• • For personal injury, death, accident, delay, loss, damage, irregularity or property damage as a result of force majeure or for any other losses or damages incurred by any person or journey participants caused by any delay or change of itinerary or arising out of any act, including, but not limited to, any act of negligence, any person acting for or on behalf of agents for transportation, accommodation or sight-seeing provider or any other person or entity rendering any of these services or accommodations being offered in connection with this journey.

Participants agree that any and all disputes between Participants and JT Consulting (Aus) Pty Ltd shall be governed by the laws of the State of Queensland, Australia. Participants agree to mediate any and all disputes prior to the instigation of any litigation.

In the event of any litigation between the Parties to this agreement involving their respective rights or obligations, such litigation shall take place in the State of Queensland, Australia.

All prices quoted are correct at time of publication, include the cost of operation of the journeys, and are subject to currency changes.

Still curious? Let’s chat, get in contact to ask any questions.