When you make a booking with Joy of Italy Tours, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the contract as stated below in this document. Your contract with Joy of Italy Tours (also referred to as ‘us, ‘our’ and ‘we’) is covered by these terms and conditions, the booking form you complete, the payments you make to Joy of Italy Tours and the invoice(s) and confirmation(s) of booking that Joy of Italy Tours sends to you. By accessing and using this website you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions and the jurisdiction stated below. 

I authorize Joy of Italy Tours to charge the credit card or bank account indicated on this invoice for the noted amount on today's date. This payment is for the services described on the invoice. I understand that returns, refunds, and cancellations are at the discretion of Joy of Italy Tours. I certify that I am an authorized user of this credit card and that I will not dispute the payment with my credit card company, so long as the transaction corresponds to the terms indicated on this invoice.

Upon making your reservation your credit card will be charged $1000 deposit per person. Deposits can be made by bank transfer or a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express). JOY OF ITALY TOURS will appear on the customer’s credit card statement in the case of an online transaction/purchase.

Upon confirmation of your reservation Joy of Italy Tours will issue a written confirmation via email. Written confirmation is required in order to participate on any tour with Joy of Italy Tours. It is the responsibility of the customer, to check the accuracy of the reservation and the dates of travel.

The remaining balance must be received in FULL no later than 100 days prior to the tour’s scheduled departure date and can be made by bank transfer or by a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) to Joy of Italy Tours. JOY OF ITALY TOURS will appear on the customer’s credit card statement in the case of an online transaction/purchase

MARKETING MATREIALS 

The information in the trip details documents, website tour pages, and brochures have been carefully prepared and are provided in good faith. However, they are subject to change, and do not form part of the contract between the client and the tour operator, Joy of Italy Tours. 

ITINERARY DISCLAIMER

The itinerary is a general overview, our intention is to deliver the tour as detailed.  We reserve the right to modify the tour as needed.  The trip details documents, online tour pages, and brochures are only a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations and people is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to variations due to local circumstances.

TRANSPORTATION DETAILS 

Airline flight is NOT included in the Tour.  Bus Departs from Milan’s MXP Airport at the time indicated on your tour itinerary. If you miss this bus you will need to make alternative arrangements at your own expense to meet the group by rental car or private driver. Estimated cost to Alba is estimated 300€ and from Verona is estimated 400€. We strongly suggest on your flight to Europe you make your connection in the USA to avoid any problems.

PERSONAL WINE SHIPPING SERVICE

Uva Imports, LLC, as a US licensed wine importer, can make transportation arrangements for your personal wine. If you wish to purchase wine while on the tour at any winery or enoteca, you may consign your purchases to Uva Imports for consolidation and transport to the U.S. on a refrigerated container.

The transport will take a minimum of 12 weeks to arrive in the U.S. The transportation charge is $50 per case as packed.  (12x750ml, 6x750ml, or 1x1.5L). Consigned wine may be picked up in Atlanta at the Uva Imports warehouse or ship to any qualifying U.S. address. Wine not picked up or

shipped from our warehouse within 6 months of arrival will be subject to then-current storage rates. 

Note: When requesting consignment shipment during your tour, a copy of the invoice for wines to be shipped (listing the number of bottles, types of wines and value for insurance purposes) must be given to your host. Please keep a copy for your records.

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the responsibility of the customer to make sure he or she has a valid passport, and all necessary visas, permits or certificates with him or her for each tour taken with Joy of Italy Tours. Joy of Italy Tours is not liable for any problems, delays or denied entry in the event you are not in possession of valid travel documents.

PARTICIPATION

Joy of Italy Tours are physically active. Our hotels are centrally located but may provide fewer American-style amenities than U.S. hotels. By participating in a tour you assume certain obligations and responsibilities including, but not limited to, the following:

• Carrying or rolling your own luggage for up to 15 minutes over uneven pavement from the bus to the hotel
• Be able to comfortable climbing stairs, standing and walking for up to four hours inside and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Sleeping with street noise and European heat and air conditioning, which may seem weak by US standards.

Our tour guides cannot aid with any of these activities. Tour members requiring help must be accompanied by an able companion who can be entirely responsible for providing any assistance

It is a requirement and condition that the customer complies with the authority of the Local hosts, Italian Food & Wine Experts, Italian Travel Experts, Guides, and authorities of each country. The customer agrees to comply with the authority of the Local hosts, Italian Food & Wine Experts, Italian Travel Experts, and/or Guides, as well as the laws and regulations of the countries visited, including customs and foreign exchange restrictions. If the customer does not comply or he or she disrupts the safety, enjoyment, and/or best interests of the group the Local hosts, Italian Food & Wine Experts, Italian Travel Experts, and Guides reserve the right to dismiss the customer from the tour. The customer will be asked by the Local host or Guide to leave the tour. The customer is not eligible for refunds under such circumstances.

It is the responsibility of the customer to arrive on time at the designated meeting locations for all of Joy of Italy Tours trip departures. In the situation that the customer misses a scheduled departure, any extra travel expenses incurred will be paid by the customer. Customers who miss a departure time due to his or her own negligence or the delay and/or cancellation of incoming transportation are not entitled to a refund. It is the responsibility of the customer to check in with the Local Host, and/or Guide 10 minutes prior to the specified departure time. Joy of Italy Tours is not liable if any service departs or arrives later than the specified time, even if as a result the customer misses a connecting service or activity.

Joy of Italy Tours is not responsible for the personal belongings of the customer. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure the security of his or her own belongings. Joy of Italy Tours is not responsible for the loss, theft or damage to any of the personal belongings of the customer, regardless of the circumstances.

The customer agrees and allows Joy of Italy Tours to take photographs and films of the customer during Joy of Italy Tours trips for the purpose of marketing and social media. Such photographs and films may be used in, but are not limited to, brochures, websites, print media and promotional videos. These images may be used for publicity and advertising Joy of Italy Tours without obtaining further consent or payment for the use of these photographs and films.

None of Joy of Italy Tours trips include travel insurance. 

In the current world climate, Covid, Vaccines, Politics, Religion, or any other controversial topics can be highly divisive.

COVID-19 AND FORCE MAJEURE 

We do not accept liability and cannot pay compensation for events outside our control. Such events include (but are not limited to) terrorism, war, natural disasters, epidemics, adverse or inclement weather conditions. Where such events occur we will endeavour to provide an alternative service or alternative date to you but we do reserve the right to make an increased charge to you if the service offered is of greater value to that contracted.

Joy of Italy Tours will not be responsible for the costs caused by disruption of the tour caused by Covid 19, whether due to general shutdowns or restrictions or contraction of Covid 19 by any travellers on tour. However, in the event of disruption Joy of Italy Tours staff will assist travellers as best they can in reducing the effect and cost of the disruption.

CANCELLATIONS & CHANGES

In order not to incur penalties for cancellations of bookings, any changes or cancellations must be communicated in writing to Joy of Italy Tours at tours@uvaimports.com according to the specific cancellation policies below:

Cancellation by the customer (you) must be made in writing via email to tour@uvaimports.com within the 120 days prior to the day of departure.

The following cancellation policies apply:

We reserve the right to charge cancellation fees as follows:

Up to 120 days prior to the departure date you $1000 deposit is refundable.

Final payment is due 100 days prior to the tour start date.  At which time the entire payment is non-refundable.  

Note: The Cancellation schedule runs from the original booking date and is not adjusted to trips that are transferred or rescheduled.

RESCHEDULING & TRANSFER POLICY

Subject to certain conditions, you may transfer your tour booking once to another person up to 30 days prior to your tour’s departure. 

All requests to switch your tour or trip’s departure date must be received within 120 days prior to your original trip’s departure date by sending an email to tours@uvaimports.com.  

CANCELLATION BY THE TOUR OPERATOR:

From time to time, tours do not reach the minimum number of bookings necessary to make the trip viable. We reserve the right to cancel or alter a tour in these circumstances. If we cancel the tour or make substantial alterations, we will advise you at least 120 days before departure and will offer you alternative dates or a full refund. We reserve the right to make lesser alterations and changes, which will not be deemed a reason for you to cancel. Lesser alterations and changes will be communicated to you in the updated versions of the tour itinerary up to and including the final itinerary before travel. For the avoidance of doubt, substantial alterations include (but are not limited to) changes to tour dates, quality of hotels and changes to the majority of wineries visited. Lesser changes include (but are not limited to) changes to individual winery visits, substitution of a restaurant or hotel for another of the same standard or small changes to timings of visits.

DISPUTES

Any complaint by the client must be communicated in writing to Joy of Italy Tours within and no later than 3 business days after the start date of the tour. 

Each party shall bear its own costs, fees and attorney’s fees in the event of an action or proceeding arising out of this agreement.