1. Planning Deposit

A non-refundable planning deposit is required to begin planning this trip. I understand that if my trip is cancelled for any reason, my planning deposit will be good to plan the same itinerary within 2 years of the originally scheduled trip start date. And that any changes to the original itinerary will incur additional planning fees. 

2. Trip Estimate vs Final Cost

I understand that the estimated trip cost is subject to change. The estimate is based on best available information at the time of proposal and is subject to changes in exchange rate and provider costs. 

Payments:

- Some payments will be made to Slice of Tuscany prior to the trip and these will alywas be in the best interest of (lowest costs available for) the client. 

- Some payments will be made in person in either EUR cash or by credit card. 

- I understand that Slice of Tuscany will keep a detailed spreadsheet. Notes will be made in the trip planning link throughout the process, and all payment details will be explained on the Italy wrap-up call, approx 30 days prior to travel. 

3. Flights

Flights are the responsibility of the traveler. Flights are separate from the estimated trip total.

Slice of Tuscany is not liable for any flight issues including but not limited to: cancellations, delays or lost luggage. 

4. Responsibility:

Slice of Tuscany, LLC and its owner does not own the partners or agencies providing goods and services during your travel, including but not limited to, lodging, transportation companies, food providers, ground operators or other entities.

Slice of Tuscany, LLC is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act by any such person or entity, nor for any act or inaction by a third-party not under its control. 

Without limitation Slice of Tuscany, LLC is not liable for any direct, indirect, consequential or incidental damage, injury, death, loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity of any kind which may be occasioned by any act beyond its control including any willful or negligent act or breach of contract by a third party such as airline, train, hotel, restaurant, transportation provider or guide.

Slice of Tuscany is not responsible for loss, injury, death or inconvenience due to delay or changes in schedule, overbooking, acts of government, sickness, acts of God, events of force majeure, pandemics, war, quarantine or anything beyond its control.

5. Cancellations by Slice of Tuscany:

Slice of Tuscany reserves the right to cancel a tour at any time or for any reason. If a tour is canceled by Slice of Tuscany for any reason, we will retain the non-refundable planning deposit, and we will provide all planning details and materials to the client up to that point and request no further payment; nor will we assume any liability whatsoever including additional costs or fees related to cancellation of airline tickets. 

6. Cancellations by client:

In case of cancellation by client, in the event a trip must be cancelled due to extenuating circumstances, Slice of Tuscany will retain the non-refundable deposit, as well as the balance payment if work has been completed and balance has been paid.

Any other payments that have been made on behalf of the client including but not limited to accommodations, transportation, tours and activities and other, are subject to the cancellation policies of the provider and not Slice of Tuscany, LLC.

Any refunds that are provided to the client are predicated on the fact that you release us from all further liability and thereby waive all rights with this contract under state, federal, and foreign law.

7. Optional Trip Insurance

Trip insurance is at the complete discretion of the traveler. We recommend looking at www.insuremytrip.com in order to receive bids from reputable companies. 

8. Available to:

Guests who have been deemed healthy for international travel by a medical professional. Must have valid passport. Guests with dietary issues are welcome and we ask that you make any and all allergies known to us when you pay your deposit. 

Guests with special needs must be assisted by a qualified companion. Special needs assistance cannot be provided by Slice of Tuscany or any of our partners. 

Slice of Tuscany is not responsible for any real-time or follow-up medical assistance required during travel.

Medical assistance during travel shall be the responsibility of the traveler. Slice of Tuscany can point you towards a local doctor or hospital, but that is the extent of the assistance provided. Any questions or assistance provided beyond this will be billed at an hourly rate of $150. 

9. Changes to the itinerary:

Any major changes to the itinerary including but not limited to: changing locations/cities, hotels/accommodations, redoing train tickets or inter-Italy airline tickets, etc (basically any major changes to the structure of the trip) occurring within 30 days of the trip start date, will incur additional planning fees of $150 per hour. 

Any major trip changes requested during travel, will incur additonal planning fees of $350 per hour. 

10. Communication

All trip-related correspondence must be made by email or phone calls. Email is preferred in order to keep all details clear and in writing. Slice of Tuscany will not be held responsible for any trip-related issues that were communicated by text message. Texting is reserved for clients who are currently traveling in Italy, in which case we love keeping up with you during your travels! 

Please consider condensing all questions into 1 email weekly or bi-weekly during the planning process rather than send individual questions as they come to mind. 

Phone calls, FaceTime, Zooms, etc are welcome during regular business hours, or outside of regular business hours by appointment. 

We go out of our way to accommodate evening and weekend calls if they are scheduled.

Again, I understand that Slice of Tuscany does not like to text for any reason,  i.e. "Quick" questions about hotels, restaurant suggestions, thoughts on something seen on Instagram or TikTok... etc, especially nights and weekends, and I understand that my text is not an exception. 

 

11. Communication continued: 

Communication with Slice of Tuscany is always available but should not be abused. Please consolidate questions into 1 email (versus 8 emails) and try to limit communication to 2 emails per week. We are always available to schedule calls during regular working hours as well. 

The client is provided a detailed itinerary with links, maps, and more - this should be the go-to reference for the client during travel. 

It is understood that there is a trip-related contact in Italy during travel, Katie, and that Katie is available for trip-related emergencies only. Katie is not Google, she is not Alexa, she is not there to remind what you are doing tomorrow or what time you are meeting your guide (unless it's not stated in your itinerary). 

Trip related emergencies include but are not limited to: leaving your passport in the safe of the previous hotel and needing to get it to your new accommodations; leaving your phone in the car with a driver; not being able to find your guide at the meeting point, wanting to cancel a dinner reservation, etc. 

Katie is located in Italy, in the same time zone, knows your itinerary (has helped build it) and has a Slice of Tuscany credit card in case of an emergency. 

Sally is in the United States and will be on a completely different time zone (most likely) during your travel. Sally should be the last emergency contact in your list. However, she does love seeing your photos along the way!

12. Planning Process:

Slice of Tuscany will responsibly control the overall planning process. It will look something like this: 

1. Client agreement is signed and deposit is paid 
2. Client purchases flights / dates are 100% confirmed
3. Slice of Tuscany will present accommodation options through the trip and book client selections accordingly
4. Slice of Tuscany and client will discuss and agree upon the experiences and tours layout - Slice of Tuscany will confirm those details, sometimes over weeks, sometimes over months, according to our partner availability and preferred communication methods. We do not work with large, cookie-cutter companies, therefore our planning can take more finesse and time. Please allows us this. 
5. Finally we will fill in with free time suggestions and restaurant suggestions and links. 
6. Approx 30 days prior to your trip start date, we will have a detailed, 90-minute call/meeting/zoom to walk through each day in great detail including wrapping up all budget information at that time. 

13. Final Itinerary & Budget:

Prior to your travel when the trip itinerary has been completed, approx 30 days prior, we will request the final planning fees and payment for any other items (such as trains and tour deposits) that would need to be paid in advance. 

The final itinerary is provided through this online and app format along with a detailed budget of what has been paid and what is due in person, etc before you leave on your trip. 

Please do not print of any version of the itinerary until it is considered final. 

Previous printed versions of the itinerary are not encouraged. If there is a last-minute edit, we will inform you by call, email and/or text then you must refer to the online/app version of the itinerary for the updated information.

14. Agreement:

By paying a deposit, the traveler is agreeing to all terms and conditions on behalf of my entire travel party.