All Terms and Conditions and Release of Liability, Assumption of All Risks and Arbitration Agreement (from now on referred to as “Release of Liability”) apply to each trip participant once the reservation form has been submitted.
The content of the Release of Liability Form is included at the end of this page. The Release of Liability Form must also be downloaded, signed and emailed or land mailed to
Global Epicurean, LLC.
1243 Alma Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Reservation and Deposit
Places are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A deposit of US $500.00 per person and a signed Release of Liability form is required to reserve a place. Space is limited, so early reservations are advised. The balance is due no later than 60 days before the program begins. If the balance remains unpaid at that time, Global Epicurean reserves the right to treat the reservation as cancelled, and retain the deposit paid. Price is inclusive of accommodations, food, wines, and transfers to and from pre-arranged meeting points at pre-arranged times. Global Epicurean is not responsible for any other expenses incurred by you in preparing to attend its programs, including hotel, airfare, and other ground transportation. Prices do not include optional trips or special transfers.
Price is quoted on a double occupancy basis. Single room supplements are as noted, if such room is available. If requested, Global Epicurean will try to find another participant to share a double room with you. Upon receive your deposit, Global Epicurean will send you a confirmation, provided space is available, and frequently requested information regarding itinerary, transfers, dress, etc.
We will confirm your reservation upon receipt of both the Release of Liability and the deposit. Deposits and final payments can be made via check. For reservations made less than 60 days before the tour begin date, full payment is required at the time of reservation.
Prices
Changes in currency exchange rates or supplier charges occasionally make it necessary for us to change tour prices. However, receipt of tour deposit(s) guarantees the published price at the time of booking, even if the price later increases. Current pricing is always available on our website.
Cancellations
All cancellations must be made in writing to Global Epicurean LLC and will become effective upon receipt. Cancellations made more than 60 days before the tour begins will result in a refund of your payment less the $500 deposit. Cancellations made less than 60 days but more than 30 days before the tour begins, will result in a refund of your payment less 50% of the trip fee. There will be no refund for cancellations 30 days or less prior to the start of your program, unless (i) we are able to fill your place with another participant, and (ii) the program has the necessary minimum required number of participants; in this instance, we shall refund all fees received, less your original US $500.00 deposit. Global Epicurean reserves the right to cancel any program should a minimum number of participants not be reached, in which case your deposit will also be refunded.
The refund of all payments received from you, less any forfeiture of deposit, shall release Global Epicurean from any liability to you.
The purchase of travel insurance is strongly recommended as it may cover trip cancellation, trip interruption or trip delay for medical, work, weather or natural disaster-related reasons. Many travel insurance plans now offer cancel for any reason coverage, and coverage if a traveler loses his/her job prior to the travel dates.
Refunds
No refunds are issued in the event that the participant fails to participate in any part(s) of the program. There will be no refunds in the event you arrive for the program late or leave early.
Tour Conditions
Tour prices given are per person and based on double occupancy. A single supplement will apply for one person occupying a double room. If a tour participant would like to share a double room with another tour participant, Global Epicurean will try to accommodate the request, but cannot guarantee its availability.
Please note that the hotels used by Global Epicurean have been chosen for their European character, charm, and comfort. Rooms in the double occupancy category vary in size.
Global Epicurean LLC tours require a minimum number of participants to operate. This number varies by tour.
Global Epicurean LLC reserves the right to cancel any tour at any time before departure for any reason, including insufficient participants to operate the tour. In the unlikely event that a tour is canceled by Global Epicurean each participant will be given a full refund or allowed to reschedule for an alternate tour date. Global Epicurean is not responsible for any costs, including airfare or other personal expenses, incurred by travelers.
Global Epicurean LLC may occasionally find it necessary to modify the stated itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances, availability, or in order to improve the trip. In the event that we alter any part(s) of the itinerary, we will substitute a service or good of equal or greater quality or value for any stated in any itinerary. Global Epicurean LLC expressly disclaims any liability for any damages resulting from any itinerary changes.
Travel Documents
Each participant is responsible for obtaining and carrying a valid passport and for obtaining the appropriate visa(s) and any other required documentation for travel to the chosen destination. Consult the U.S. State Department’s website where you will find information on passport and visa requirements for U.S. citizens. Travelers who are not U.S. citizens are responsible for complying with U.S. and/or foreign travel document requirements. See the U.S. State Department link above for further information.
Travel Warnings and Announcements
Be sure and check the International Travel Information on the U.S. State Department’s website.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect your travel investment. Travel insurance offers coverage for unforeseen events such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, medical expenses while traveling, emergency medical transportation, baggage loss, damage or delay, and more. You can compare differnt travel insurance coverage at websites like this, and elsewhere online.
Global Epicurean LLC cannot be held liable or responsible for any issues arising from not having travel insurance should you decide not to purchase it.
Accessibility Issues
Please be aware that access to accommodations, transportation, restaurants, and other sites in Europe may differ from that in the U.S. Handicap accessibility is not guaranteed. Many hotels are small, converted older buildings and may not have an elevator. Streets may present difficult walking conditions. Public sites may not be handicap-accessible. Tour participation requires a minimum level of physical stamina, such as being able to walk uphill or climb stairs. We request that each traveler discuss with us any medical or physical restrictions s/he may have.
Please check your medical coverage to determine if you are covered while traveling away from home.
By making payment, you certify that to the best of your knowledge that you are in sufficient good health to participate in Global Epicurean LLC programs and that any special medical or physical conditions or dietary demands that could affect your participation in our programs have been fully disclosed to Global Epicurean LLC. You understand that health care facilities and services abroad may differ from those you are accustomed to, and may be insufficient for treatment of your health conditions. Please be sure to take all necessary medications with you when you travel abroad. Global Epicurean LLC cannot guarantee the availability of special accommodations or handicap accessibility on any of our culinary vacations. Please contact us to discuss any condition that may affect your travel or that of other tour participants.
Global Epicurean LLC reserves the right to not accept nor retain any participant whose health or actions in the sole judgment of Global Epicurean LLC may hinder or disrupt the culinary vacation program.
Dietary Restrictions and Allergies
Please call us to discuss any allergies, dietary needs or restrictions you may have. We cannot guarantee that any dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated given the nature of the tour programs, but we will do our best to work with you.
Release of Liability, Assumption of All Risks and Arbitration Agreement
Responsibility: Global Epicurean, LLC, its employees, shareholders, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, agents and assigns (collectively “Global Epicurean”) does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip, including, for example, lodging facilities, transportation companies, local ground handlers or tour operators, food service or entertainment providers, etc. As a result, Global Epicurean is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person, or of any other third party not under its control. Without limiting the foregoing, Global Epicurean accepts no responsibility for any risk or resulting injury, delay, inconvenience, damage, or death which results from criminal activity, weather or other acts of God, accidents, disease, epidemics or the threat thereof, illness, food poisoning, animal attacks, the provision of inappropriate or no medical attention or the lack of access to same, the demands of indoor or outdoor activities, lost luggage, strikes, political or civil unrest, overbooking, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, acts of terrorism or the threat thereof, insurrection or revolt, or any other event beyond its direct control.
Cancellations by Global Epicurean: Global Epicurean may cancel any program for any reason at any time. In the event Global Epicurean cancels a program, its only obligation to participant is to refund all monies collected from said participant for said program.
Photography Release: Participant grants the right to Global Epicurean to use photographs, film, images, text, testimonials or other likenesses of participant for its own commercial use without compensation to participant.
Missed Features of Program: In case a participant chooses not to utilize any aspect(s) of the trip program, he or she is not entitled to any refund thereof. In the event some aspect of the program becomes unavailable through no fault of Global Epicurean, participant agrees its only recourse is to obtain a refund directly from the supplier.
Miscellaneous: I understand that Global Epicurean reserves the right to refuse as a trip participant, or remove from a trip, any person it judges to be incapable of meeting the rigors and requirements of participating in the activities, or who it determines to detract from the enjoyment of the trip by others. I agree to follow all written and verbal rules of safety presented to me by Global Epicurean. Global Epicurean reserves the right to make route, hotel and trip modifications as required or desirable to improve the trip quality and/or to accommodate the comfort and well-being of guests.
Binding Arbitration: I agree that any dispute concerning, relating, or referring to this contract, brochures, or any other literature concerning my trip, or the trip itself shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration according to the then existing rules of the American Arbitration Association in San Francisco, California. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive California law excluding any application or consideration of the California Arbitration Act.
Acknowledgement: I acknowledge that the enjoyment and excitement of international travel is derived in part from the inherent risks incurred by travel and activity beyond the accepted safety of life at home or work and that these inherent risks contribute to such enjoyment and excitement, being a reason for my participation. I accept all the risk of international travel.
I agree that this release shall be legally binding upon me personally, all members of my family and all minors traveling with me, my and their heirs, successors, assigns, and legal representatives, it being my intention fully to assume all the risks associated with this trip and to release Global Epicurean from any and all liabilities to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Knowing and Voluntary Execution: I have carefully read and fully understand the contents and legal ramifications of this Agreement as well as all the conditions as stated in the Terms and Conditions.
Each individual tour member must sign below. By your signature(s), you are confirming and acknowledging that you have read and agree to all of the above.
