The Essence of Italy (2026)

Travel Terms and Conditions

Reservations & Bookings: For reservations and information on published tours provided by Wherever Tours, LLC (WHEREVER TOURS), call (800) 585-5262 or contact [email protected]. Also, visit us online at www.wherevertours.com or contact your local travel agent. When booking, the guest travelers (Guests) agree to accept the terms, conditions, policies and rules set forth in this agreement. The Guests also agree to accept additional terms, conditions and rules that may apply and which are unique to that specific tour. WHEREVER TOURS reserves the right to change these terms, conditions, policies and rules without prior notice.

Passports, Visas and Travel Documents: Passengers are responsible for ensuring that they have the proper travel documents including passports and/or visas. Passports must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the date departure back home. Some countries require a full blank page in the passport for stamping purposes. This information pertains to US citizens only. Non-US citizens should check with the respective consulate of the country(s) to be visited for current entry requirements.

Pricing and Payment: Published and quoted prices are subject to change due to factors beyond our control such as fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates, fuel surcharges, etc. Prices are final and fixed once final payment has been made. Occasionally, WHEREVER TOURS offers special extended payment plans for certain tour departures. Details will be provided at the time of booking. Published pricing is per person, double occupancy (pp,dbl). Single occupancy, supplemental rates apply and vary from tour to tour. Triple occupancy rates are also available and likewise differ from tour to tour. Contact WHEREVER TOURS for details. Payment terms are as follows: A $250 non-refundable deposit must be provided to secure all reservations. Checks in US dollars are accepted as the primary form of payment. Major credit cards (VISA, MC, Amex and Discover) are also accepted with a 4% surcharge.

    25% of trip price (less initial deposit) due 120 days before departure

    25% due 90 days before departure

    50% (final payment) due 60 days before departure

Note that Pricing and Payment terms for custom tours may vary and will be specified in quotes and proposals for that tour.

Refunds and Cancellations: The initial deposit of $250 is required for published tours and refundable within 14 days upon written request. After that, the initial deposit is non-refundable.

The following cancellation penalties apply:

    15% of trip price: 120 to 91 days before departure (including $250 non-refundable deposit)

    30% of trip price: 90 to 61 days before departure

    50% of trip price: 60 to 31 days before departure

    100% of trip price: 30 to 0 days before departure

Note that Refund and Cancellation terms for custom tours may vary and will be specified in quotes and proposals for that tour.

Trip Cancellation and Travel Protection Insurance: Your vacation requires a substantial investment. It is highly recommended that you protect your investment in the unlikely event that you are forced to cancel, delay or interrupt your trip. Purchasing an optional trip cancellation policy will reimburse these non-refundable costs if you need to cancel for any covered reasons. Most policies also include reimbursement for medical expenses incurred while on your trip. WHEREVER TOURS offers several of these optional plans. Policies can also be purchased from your local travel agent. A copy of the policy coverage will be available for review upon request. WHEREVER TOURS is not responsible for losses incurred by booking guests who opt not to purchase travel insurance. Premium payments for travel insurance is non-refundable.

Special Accommodations, Restrictions and Limitations: WHEREVER TOURS strives to accommodate guests with certain special needs. If you have any special dietary needs, medical restrictions, physical limitations or any condition that may affect the quality and enjoyment of your trip, make sure that you inform WHEREVER TOURS prior to booking. We will let you know what we can due to accommodate you to your satisfaction before your reservation is accepted. Keep in mind, however, that many of our destinations may have places that may not be accessible to persons with certain disabilities and other countries may not have facilities that are compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act in the United States. Other Restrictions and Limitations include, but are not limited to the following:

    Walkers, wheel chairs, scooters and some medical assist devices may be restricted on certain tours

    Guests under the legal age of 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

    Service animals are not allowed on overseas tours

If you think that there is ANY reason that may restrict you or a travel companion from traveling, it will be your responsibility to let WHEREVER TOURS know immediately.

Airline Flights: As a courtesy, WHEREVER TOURS can assist guests with airline bookings to WHEREVER TOURS tour destinations. Generally, the tour prices do not include airfare. Once airline tickets are purchased, they may not be refundable. Economy airline seats are the least expensive tickets, but are generally non-refundable, non-transferrable and non-changeable. WHEREVER TOURS is not responsible for refunds of airline ticket purchases at any time before departures. Passengers are responsible to know and comply with the terms and conditions of the booking airline and/or the booking broker. WHEREVER TOURS will make every effort to monitor and inform guests of flight changes or delays. It is the guest's responsibility to inform WHEREVER TOURS of their flight arrangements. Inbound flights must be scheduled to arrive at the airport of the city where the tour begins and on the day that the tour begins. Return flights must be scheduled to depart from the airport of the city where the tour ends and on the day that the tour ends. Guests who are arriving or departing on days other than as specified on the tour itinerary are responsible for catching up with the tour group at their own expense. WHEREVER TOURS will make every effort to assist them if possible. Guidelines for connections and airport transfer times will be provided to each guest at the time of tour booking. Please do not make airline reservations until you have read these guidelines. Once again, airline reservations may be non- refundable and non-changeable once ticketed.

Note that if a guest makes his or her own airline accommodations, they may be responsible for their own airport transfers, both foreign and domestic. Because of the sensitive timing of the itineraries, Wherever Tours may not be able to delay the tour(s) for anyone who is not on the same flight arrival schedule as the main group.

Hotels: WHEREVER TOURS selects hotels of the highest standards to accommodate their guests. However, occasionally there may be situations where the scheduled hotels do not have the rooms available to adequately accommodate the tour group. In this unlikely event, the group will be assigned to a hotel of equal or higher standard.

Motor Coaches: Guided tours and transfers will generally be provided by a luxury bus and professional driver. Restroom facilities will be available on the larger coaches. Guests will be required to rotate their seat selection each day so to give the other guests a different vantage point for scenic viewing.

Tour Guides: Each WHEREVER TOURS published tour will have an experienced, professional tour director assigned to the group for the duration of the trip. The tour director will be responsible for the welfare of the entire group during the tour, from scheduled arrival to scheduled departure. Local expert tour guides may be assigned for local city tours and sightseeing tours.

Itineraries: In some instances, itineraries for tours may change due to situations beyond the control of WHEREVER TOURS. Factors affecting the itinerary of a tour include, but not limited to, inclement weather conditions, road closures, closure of scheduled attractions, unforeseen traffic delays, etc. In any event, WHEREVER TOURS will make every effort to adjust the itinerary to make it equally pleasurable, educational and exciting.

Meals: Certain meals are included as specified on the tour itinerary. Guests will be responsible for meals not included. Please inform WHEREVER TOURS if you have any special dietary requirements or restrictions when booking the tour. Please remind your tour director again at the beginning of the trip.

Baggage: Because of the size limitations of the cargo area of most of the tour buses, guests are limited to one checked bag, fifty (50) lbs. or less, while on tour. Carry-on bags are limited to one (1) item that fits in overhead storage and one (1) handbag. Guests may be charged extra for additional items. This is in line with baggage guidelines set by most airlines.

Gratuities: It is customary to tip tour directors, bus drivers, meal servers and other service workers who may be of assistance to you on the tours. Suggested guidelines for tipping will be provided to guests in their travel documents which they will receive approximately three (3) weeks before

departure.

Consideration of All WHEREVER TOURS Guests: To ensure that everyone on the group has a most enjoyable vacation, WHEREVER TOURS reserves the right to exclude from an active tour any individual who is deemed unruly or inconsistent with the interests of the group. This includes, but not limited to, persons who are intoxicated and/or under the influence of drugs, resulting in a negative experience for the rest of the group. Expenses, including cancellation fees and/or costs for alternate travel plans or to return home, will necessarily be borne by the passenger. The unused portions of his or her tour are non-refundable.

Optional Programs: Occasionally the tour director may offer guests optional experiences that are not included on the itinerary. These may include sightseeing trips, special meals not included, museum visits etc. Guests are under no obligation to purchase any options. A list of the options will be provided with your travel documents.

Photo/Video Waiver: WHEREVETOURS may take photos or videos of its tours which will include guests. Participants grant WHEREVER TOURS permission to use same for promotional or commercial use without payment or compensation to participant.

Custom Tours: These Terms & Conditions apply to custom tours except where modified in the group proposal and/or agreement.

Passenger Agreement: All guests are required to complete a Passenger Agreement prior to travel and, by doing so, formally accept WHEREVER TOURS Terms & Conditions. Travel documents will not be released without a completed Passenger Agreement. WHEREVER TOURS reserves the right to cancel bookings without a completed Passenger Agreement.

Assumption of Risk: I am aware that travel I am undertaking may involve hazardous activities and/or situations, with a risk of illness, injury or death which may be caused by forces of nature, animals, insects or flora, the negligence of WHEREVER TOURS, or other persons and companies known or unknown, or of willful or criminal conduct of third parties. I am aware that weather conditions may be severe, adverse and/or unpleasant. I am also aware that medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible during some, or all, of the time during that I am participating on the trip. I am willing to accept the risks and uncertainty involved as being an integral part of my adventure. I hereby accept and assume full responsibility for any, and all risks of illness, injury or death and of the negligence of WHEREVER TOURS and agree to hold harmless and release WHEREVER TOURS from claims of third party negligence.

Physical Conditions: I understand the physical requirements of the activity in which I will be participating, and I currently have no known physical, medical or mental condition which would impair my ability to participate in this tour or my safety in this activity, and I am willing to assume all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. I hereby authorize, without further consent, WHEREVER TOURS or my local ground handler or others to arrange for any emergency medical treatment as may be necessary for me because of participation in this activity.

Voluntary Participation: I acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate on the trip designated on this application (or a trip which I may change to) and that I have read the description of the trip as it appears in the current WHEREVER TOURS catalog and supplements or brochures or website relating to the trip, together with all information contained in this application. I am voluntarily participating in this trip with knowledge of the hazards involved.

Knowing and Voluntary Liability Release: I have carefully read these Terms and Conditions and the booking information sections of this document, and fully understand its contents. I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract between myself and WHEREVER TOURS LLC and that I agree of my own free will. By checking the Passenger Agreement box, I agree to these Terms & Conditions and WHEREVER TOURS release from Liability for myself, each member of my traveling party and any minor children accompanying me.