Vacation Art Retreat Italy October 14-19, 2024
Terms and Conditions
Booking:
After submitting your reservation, a non-refundable deposit of $995 CAD is required within 24 hours to confirm your booking for the Vacation Art Retreat in Italy with Holly McWilliams and Cassandra Torgerson “the hosts”, October 14-19, 2024. This deposit also indicates your acceptance of our terms and conditions and will constitute a binding contract and agreement between yourself, Holly McWilliams, Cassandra Torgerson, on our Vacation Art Retreat in Italy.
Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you a booking confirmation and guest registration form. Please ensure to provide all relevant information, such as contact details, emergency details, any assistance you may require to ensure physical or medical safety and dietary requirements, at least one week prior to your arrival. Failure to do so may result in specific requirements not being met during your stay.
In addition, we will send you an information booklet as a PDF file. This booklet will include all necessary details for planning your trip to Italy, including information about your arrival, what to pack, and how to prepare for the course.
Payments:
To make the payment process more manageable, fees are divided into two parts.
The payments are broken down as follows:
a non-refundable retainer of $995 CAD
the remaining balance is due four weeks prior to the course DUE September 14,2024
Please note that the deposit paid to us covers the deposit required for all activities and administration costs.The full course fee balance must be paid four weeks prior to your arrival for the booked experience.
Cancellation Refunds:
If you cancel your booking less than 24 hours after sending the non-refundable retainer of $995 CAD, we will refund your payment in full according to our cancellation policy, minus any administration and transaction charges that may apply.
Travel and Medical Insurance:
It is a requirement for this retreat that you purchase travel and medical insurance to cover any expenses that you may incur in the event of cancellation. Please see below for further details.
Hold Period for Reservations:
If you require additional time to finalize your travel plans before booking, we can reserve a spot for you on any available course for up to 48 hours. Simply send us an email, and we will be happy to hold a place for you for a limited time.
Maximum Numbers:
Our Vacation Art Retreat strictly limits participants to 10, ensuring personalized attention and maximum tuition. Room for 4 additional companion participants is available for companion participation in the daily excursions. Companions will have free time to relax and explore the area during the art instruction portion of time.
If You Have to Cancel:
While we understand unforeseeable events and situations can arise, due to the pre-planning involved for this trip, we unfortunately have to enforce a strict cancellation policy
Please note that no refunds apply for failure to attend or complete a course due to late arrival or early departures. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
As stated above, it is a requirement for you to purchase travel insurance to cover yourself in the unlikely event of having to cancel your course participation. This will help you cover your costs for the trip as well as any expenses you may incur in case of any medical problems prior to your trip or during your trip. Please note that many insurers require purchase within 14 days of booking.
The hosts will not be responsible or liable for any travel or medical expenses of the participant (as more fully defined below), therefore this requirement is necessary to ensure that the participant is protected in the event that a situation may arise.
Please note that Vacation Art Retreat with Holly McWilliams and Cassandra Torgerson reserves the right to cancel retreats and courses with inadequate participant numbers. In such cases, all money paid to Vacation Art Retreat with Holly McWilliams and Cassandra Torgerson will be refunded. Notification of cancellation will occur at least 1 calendar month prior to the retreat or course start date. Please note that Vacation Art Retreat with Holly McWilliams and Cassandra Torgerson cannot be held responsible for any travel or personal expenses, including airline tickets, due to changes in itineraries or retreat cancellations.
What’s Included in the Retreat
Traditional Italian breakfast
Lunch or dinner will be provided during our daily excursions (these will be outlined in our detailed itinerary)
Transportation to and from the Airport
Transportation to and from excursions
Excurion fees are included. (Additional food, drink and personal purchases are NOT included)
Practical demonstration, seminars on specific aspects of art practice,
excursions and day activities to painting locations according to seasonal and weather situation, as well as artistic merit as deemed appropriate by the tutor.
Vacation Art Retreat with Holly McWilliams and Cassandra Torgerson will do their utmost to adhere to the itinerary. Exemptions may have to be made under certain circumstances, such as weather, proposed locations not being open, local festivities and other reasons beyond our control. An equivalent alternative will be offered in this case.
What’s not included
Airfares
Lunches or dinners outside of what is stated in the itinerary
Accommodations (which we are happy to refer options for you)
Up-grades or changes to your accommodation if you wish to make
alternative arrangements
Personal Expenses during your course participation
Our creative experiences are hosted at guest houses, working monasteries and/or country resorts, their Terms and Conditions apply for:cancellations of accommodation,refunds and liability.
As your hosts, we will do our utmost to ensure our guests’ satisfaction and will aim to resolve problems should they arise to provide a pleasant holiday experience for all our guests.
Liability
Please note that the hosts, property owners or their insurers shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or injury suffered by guest(s) while on or in any way connected with the retreat or properties visited. No liability will be accepted for any loss, damage, expense, injury, or inconvenience by reason of any defects in the structure of the properties we attend. Nor for any other reason that may arise during the course of the retreat, with the exception of explicit negligence. Please exercise safety and caution when exploring the local area or gardens at your accommodation and on all excursions.
Other Facts
Please note that upon your arrival and check-in, a passport or identity card will be required for the purpose of registering you at the guest house, monastery, or hotel. This is a legal requirement. Thank you for your cooperation
Your deposit paid to us covers the deposit to Holly McWilliams and Cassandra Torgerson for all activities and administration costs.
Holly McWilliams and Cassandra Torgerson, will do our utmost to ensure our guests’ satisfaction and will aim to resolve problems should they arise to provide a pleasant holiday experience for all our guests.
DISCLAIMER
This section outlines our policy for transport to and from painting locations. We prioritize your safety by using suitable vehicles and qualified drivers, but we recommend that your travel and medical insurance also provides coverage for loss, damage, or theft during your time abroad. While we make every effort to protect your property, we cannot be held responsible for any losses due to theft, loss, or damage. Please take reasonable care and report any defects immediately to the hosts.
We provide chairs for field trips that must be placed on level ground for maximum safety. However, please note that the use of these chairs is at your own risk. Additionally, any use of paints or materials from other guests or your own provision is also at your own risk. Please follow the handling instructions provided by the manufacturers to ensure your safety. The hosts are not responsible for any loss or damage you may sustain as a result of the use of any material provided.
Exposure to Elements
We advise all participants to wear suitable clothing, including hats and shoes, and to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and other necessary items when working outside. Our hosts will make daily recommendations based on weather reports, but it is ultimately the guest's responsibility to make adequate provisions for themselves. We also recommend packing drinking water for all excursions. If you experience any discomfort or illness, please report it to the hosts immediately, privately if necessary.
In the event of hospital or doctor visits, please note that all medical bills and transport are your sole responsibility. While we will do our best to assist in arranging taxis, ambulances, or doctor visits, we cannot accept responsibility for any expenses incurred. Please ensure that your travel and medical insurance covers these expenses.
TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE ESSENTIAL - .
Proof of purchase of adequate travel and medical insurance of the participant, must be provided at time of payment. Failure to provide proof of adequate travel and medical insurance, may result in the barring of the participant from attending the retreat. This is to ensure that you are protected in case of any unexpected circumstances.
Please note that we reserve the right to cancel or amend your course in the event of unforeseen circumstances. In case of cancellation on our side, we offer a full refund. However, please be aware that we only refund payments made to us for courses booked with us and do not refund the cost of travel.
FORCE MAJEURE - Refunds do not apply when your course is canceled as a result of risk of war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions and similar events beyond our control.
MISADVENTURE - Please be aware that we do not accept responsibility for any loss or damage you may suffer during the period of your course, whether due to accident, illness, bodily injury, loss of equipment or belongings, or any other cause. We strongly recommend that you and the other members of your party obtain appropriate insurance coverage to ensure that you are protected in case of any unforeseen circumstances.