General Terms and Conditions

The following general terms and conditions apply to all programs, services, and accommodations provided by The International Vineyard, a division of The International Kitchen, Inc.

Deposit A non-refundable deposit of $500.00 (in some cases US$1000.00 or more) per person is required to secure a booking. Reservations will be confirmed upon receipt of a signed booking form and deposit. If you make the initial reservations less than 60 days before the date of travel, full payment is due. We guarantee programs for small numbers of participants of very high quality. The only way to ensure this and to have a continuum of quality, is to guarantee payment to all of the varied people involved in the running of a program; i.e., chefs, drivers, guides, translators, inn keepers, etc., etc. Therefore, it is not possible to refund, or even reapply a payment, as we still must run the program for those booked, and honor our payments to our suppliers. Please consider the purchase of travel insurance. Final Payment Final payment is due at our office 60 days prior to the first day of travel. If payment is not received at the due date, reservations will be subject to cancellation and forfeiture of deposit. Late Bookings There will be a US$100. late fee for bookings less than 14 days prior to departure. Travel Insurance WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE! If you choose not to purchase travel insurance (either through The International Vineyard or elsewhere), we require that you indicate "No" on the Booking Form, which will act as a signed disclaimer and waiver. Cancellations due to medical reasons can only be covered by your travel insurance carrier. We are happy to assist with any necessary documentation to make your claim. We cannot issue refunds or reapplication toward future trips. Cancellations Deposit and final payment are nonrefundable and cannot be applied to another departure. The purchase of travel insurance, which covers cancellation due to medical reasons, default and/or airline strike, weather, etc. (please see policy for details), is strongly advised. Full refunds will be made if we cancel a tour. We may cancel any program at any time before departure for any reason, including insufficient participants to operate the program. We will make every effort to follow any published itinerary, but variances may occur due to availability and factors beyond the control of said operator. The International Vineyard may in its sole discretion substitute a service or good of similar quality for any stated in any itinerary. If a tour is cancelled, we will make every effort to find a suitable replacement, but our liability is limited to a full refund of payment rendered. Certification of Health: By making payment, traveler certifies that he or she does not have any condition or disability that would create a hazard or hardship for other travelers participating in the program and the traveler understands that health care standards, facilities and services in Europe may be different or inadequate for treatment of certain health conditions. The International Vineyard makes no representations or warranties and disclaims any made regarding special accommodations or handicap accessibility on any program. We reserve the right to decline accepting or retaining any traveler whose health or actions in our sole judgment impede the operation of a trip or the welfare or enjoyment of fellow travelers. Refunds There will be no refunds for any unused portion of the tour. Transfers Where transfers are included, there is one scheduled group transfer for arrival and departure at a designated time and place. It is the responsibility of the tour participant to be at the transfer point at the designated time. Private transfers can be arranged for an additional fee. Please be advised that if you are arriving and/or departing on the dates of the program, a late arrival or very early departure may necessitate a special transfer at an additional fee. We would be happy to confirm transfers with you before you finalize your travel arrangements. Neither The International Vineyard nor its providers are responsible for late arrivals due to flight delays or any other reason. If you are delayed, we will do our best to transfer you to the program whenever you arrive, but please be prepared to pay an additional fee in Euros direct to the driver. Tour Prices All prices are per person and based upon double occupancy. Single and triple reservations are available with a price adjustment. Price is subject to change without notice as a result of adverse economic changes or currency fluctuations that may affect air/land transportation, hotels, or other related service providers. Travel Documents It is the responsibility of each tour participant to obtain and carry a valid passport, visa(s), and any other documents required by applicable government regulations. Non US residents may require special travel documents. Check with your local embassy or consulate. Responsibility The International Vineyard does not own or operate any of the suppliers of services or accommodations for your trip. As a result, we are not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such supplier or of any third party over whom we have no control. The International Vineyard and its representatives act only in the capacity of an agent of all air/land transportation, sightseeing, tour operators and hotels which provide services included in the specified tour. The individual tour participant agrees that The International Kitchen Inc. doing business as The International Vineyard and its representatives shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity, liability or expense to person or property due to any act of default of hotel, air/land transportation carrier, restaurant supplier or other contractor rendering or providing services. We and our representatives shall not be responsible for any expense or liability resulting from labor disputes, war, acts of terrorism, government restraints, weather conditions, sickness, pilferage or any other cause beyond their control. The International Kitchen Inc. and its representatives reserve the right to accept, or to retain or refuse any person as a participant of any tour or to cancel any program of a tour if circumstances so demand. The International Vineyard and its representatives reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason (including insufficient number of participants) or to change itineraries and/or substitute services or hotels of equal quality without prior notification.

Participant Agreement Release and Acknowledgment of Risk Waiver and Release of Liability In consideration of The International Vineyard furnishing services to enable me to participate in one of its programs, I agree as follows: I fully understand and acknowledge that culinary and travel activities have: (a) inherent risks, dangers and hazards and such exists in my participation in The International Vineyard sponsored activities; (b) my participation in such activities may result in injury or illness; (c) these risks and dangers may be caused by the negligence of the owners, employees, officers or agents of The International Kitchen, Inc., the negligence of the participants, the negligence of others, accidents, breaches of contract, the forces of nature or other causes; and (d) by my participation in these activities, I hereby assume all risks and dangers and all responsibility for any losses and/or damages, whether caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other conduct of the owners, agents, officers, or employees of The International Kitchen, Inc., or by any other person. I, on behalf of myself, my personal representatives and my heirs hereby voluntarily agree to release, waive, discharge, hold harmless, defend and indemnify The International Vineyar, The International Kitchen, Inc. and their agents, officers and employees from any and all claims, actions or losses for bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, loss of services or otherwise which may arise out of my participation in The International Vineyard's activities. Travelers further agree that they will indemnify and hold The International Vineyard and The International Kitchen, Inc. harmless in respect of any claims arising in connection with the trip made by: a) third parties, which arise from the misconduct of the travelers; b) the traveler's family members, dependants of heirs, c) third parties, which the traveler, their estate, their family member, dependants of heirs have sued, if damages are recovered from such third parties, to the extent the third party obtains any indemnification from The International Vineyard and The International Kitchen, Inc., ; except where the loss, injury, death or damage is caused by the reckless or fraudulent conduct on the part of The International Vineyard, The International Kitchen, Inc., or their employees, guides, shareholders, officers or directors. I understand that The International Vineyard reserves the right to take photographic or film records of any of its programs, and hereby agree that The International Kitchen, Inc. may use any such photographic or film records for promotional and/or commercial purposes without any remuneration to the traveler. The traveler agrees to assign all right, title and interest they may have in or to any media in which their name or likeness might be used to The International Kitchen, Inc. The venue of any dispute between the parties that may arise out of this agreement or otherwise shall be the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.

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