This document outlines what we agree to provide and what you as tour members agree to do in return. This is important information, so please read it carefully.

Included in the price of your tour: Tours as outlined in the itinerary with our licensed tour guide, and any local guides when appropriate, including admissions to planed events and places; all breakfasts and all but four of the dinners; one being a potluck (unless you decline to join us on a tour which includes a dinner before our return); accommodations each night, scheduled transportation (does not include optional activities or independent travel during the tour); our personalized tour forum with detailed information on all aspects of the tour, your tour badge, daily itinerary sheet, euro/dollar laminated chart and nice surprises along the way.

Itineraries are subject to change: Italy is full of surprises and we need to be flexible enough to take advantage of whatever comes along so that we may provide you with the best possible tour. If an unexpected price increase occurs for an event, please understand this tour was created with a very tight budget and we cannot cover increased costs for everyone. You have the choice to decline paying the difference and not attending if you so choose and we will set up a time and place to meet you afterwards. Also it is possible that a place or event may be closed unexpectedly or without warning, beyond our control. We will try to come up with an alternative plan but please remember you are on vacation and be flexible and understand we are doing our best. Uncompleted portions of the tour itinerary are not cause for refund. If you’ve traveled anywhere, even in the States; you know there can be delays, bad weather, and sudden unavoidable changes beyond control. Please bring a book and/or a deck of cards, and a sense of humor and calm.

This tour is non-refundable: Because much of this tour was arranged at group discount rates, it was necessary to send the funds to Italy early in order to secure the group’s lodgings, events and meal discounts and therefore this tour is non-refundable; both to us and to the group members. That is the nature of group discounts when dealing with Italy.

Declining participation to an event: If you decide not to join a scheduled tour or event please let the tour managers Arnell or Michael know ahead of time (preferably the day before)so we don’t worry and so not to disrupt the group planned functions.

You are responsible for your own luggage and personal items at all times: Although the bus gets locked up when we go off on an adventure, we are not responsible for lost items left behind. Please take all personal belongings with you at the end of each bus day and don’t leave trash behind.

You are responsible to cover all extra expenses you incur: Please pay any personal hotel bills the night before departure and cover any extra items you have ordered on group menus ahead of our squaring up the bill.

Returned Checks: If a payment check bounces for any reason, we will assess a $35 returned item fee per occurrence. The fee(s) will be added to the applicable 2012 tour balance, and be required to be paid in full prior to your tour departure. This goes for any fees incurred through bank transfers, PayPal and other types of payments as well.

Travel Insurance: We encourage tour members to purchase travel insurance to cover possible costs (airline tickets, loss of luggage, trip delay, medical evacuation, etc.) Please note that travel insurance companies often require insurance to be purchased within a certain time period.

Tour forms, obligations, and risks: All 2012 tour members are required to sign and return a Release and Waiver Agreement, an Emergency Information Form, a Tarot Museum Membership form and a Passport Information Form within the given timeline prior to the beginning of our tour. Any pre-existing physical, mental, or emotional disability that may require attention or treatment must be reported well in advance of the beginning of any tour. Omitting important information could result in expulsion from a tour at your own expense. Please understand that to keep costs down, and because it may be unobtainable in any event, we have no protection coverage and that tour members intentionally assume the risks inherent in international travel.

Participation: Although we want everyone to have a great time, it sometimes happens that someone participating in a tour can misbehave badly or do things that are incompatible with the safety, comfort or convenience of the other members of the tour. In those circumstances we as the tour organizers and managers have the exclusive right and discretion, to expel them from a tour at any time, without any claims or complaints against us.

Our tours are physically active: This is an integral, essential part of the experience. At least one month prior to our tour you may want to incorporate a daily walking program into your schedule to prepare for the trip if you are not accustomed to the amount of exercise an art and history tour entails. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. You should be capable of fully participating without assistance in the following levels of activity:

1. Carry or roll your own luggage for up to 15 minutes over uneven pavement from the bus to the hotel and possibly hauling it up flights of stairs to reach your room. The castle driveway is gravel and a few rooms are up two flights of stairs.

2. Be comfortable on your feet for up to four hours walking and standing, both inside museums and outdoors in all weather conditions such as hot sun and rain.

You'll want to pack light: We recommend one airline-carry-on-size bag plus a small day pack or shoulder bag, (but no more than one large suitcase and one carry on and smaller bag). You will always carry your own bags from the bus to your room, which may include carrying it up flights of stairs or walking from the bus parking area to the hotel. Our tour forum includes helpful tips for packing light and creatively.

Complaints: If you have any complaint about the Tour, you must make it known at the earliest opportunity to the tour organizers (Arnell Ando and/or Michael McAteer) who will attempt to resolve the situation if possible.

Publicity: You agree that we may use images of you taken during the Tour without recourse and without compensation to you for publicity & promo purpose through whatever medium chosen.