Terms and Conditions & Waiver
La Storia Travel is a boutique tour operator that specializes in immersive small group tours of Italy. Our carefully cultivated relationships and collaborations are the soul of our itineraries. Our goal is to create unforgettable travel experiences for our clients.
The terms "we", "us", "our", “La Storia Travel” and “LST” refer to Spivak Enterprises LLC, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, in the United States, d/b/a La Storia Travel. The terms "you", “participant”, “guest” and “traveler” refer to the person making a booking with us and all members of their group participating in one of our extraordinary adventures.
CONTRACT. We draw your attention to the terms and conditions of your participation described herein (“Terms and Conditions”, or “Terms”), these Terms and Conditions including all brochures, documents, correspondence and the terms and conditions of our Suppliers (as herein defined) form the basis of the contract with you. Before booking with us you must ensure that you have read and understood these Terms and Conditions (raising any questions you may have with us). Please be aware that these Terms and Conditions contain Waivers of Liability as well as Waiver of Class Action and Venue Selection and Notice Clauses. By asking us to confirm your booking you are accepting all of the Terms and Conditions laid out below and acknowledging that you have read the Terms of this legally binding contract and agree with them. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms and Conditions, you must not make a booking with us or pay us in connection with our travel-related services.
La Storia Travel will provide clarification and/or answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact Betsy@lastoriatravel.com to assist you with any additional information.
If you are making a booking as a group, the leader of the group is responsible for sharing these Terms and Conditions with all members of the group and is financially responsible for the booking. La Storia Travel will not be liable for a group leader’s failure to share these Terms with all travelers in their group.
You represent and warrant that (a) you are of sufficient age and mind to use our services and website and can create binding legal obligations in connection with your use, (b) you are legally authorized to act on behalf of those you represent and accept these Terms and Conditions on their behalf, and (c) that the information supplied by you or members of your group is true and correct.
VIOLATIONS BY YOU. You agree that any violation of any such Terms and Conditions may result in (a) the cancellation of your reservation or purchase, (b) your forfeiture of any monies paid for your reservation or purchase, and (c) you being denied access to participate in all or any part of the applicable travel-related product or service (including, without limitation, tours).
CHANGES TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. La Storia Travel reserves the right, in our sole and absolute discretion, to change these Terms and Conditions at any time. Updated versions of the Terms and Conditions will be posted here on this website and are effective immediately on posting. Updated versions of the Terms and Conditions that contain material changes will be provided to you and are effective immediately upon receipt to you via email. The current Terms will apply to your booking. You must therefore be familiar with the Terms in effect at the time you book. Your continued use of our services, including continuing to use or maintain your booking after any changes to the Terms and Conditions constitutes your consent to the changes.
Scope/Agency. La Storia Travel does not provide, own, manage, operate, supervise or control the travel services and products that are or may be provided as part of your trip, such as flights, accommodations, cruise, rental cars, packages, or travel insurance (the “Travel Products”). All Travel Products are owned, controlled, operated or made available by vetted, independent third parties such as destination management companies, airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators (the “Suppliers”). The Suppliers are solely responsible for the Travel Products as well as any and all benefits, perks or amenities, including without limitation, resort credits, on-board credits, free specialty dining, spa credits, in-room amenities, etc. The Supplier’s terms, conditions and privacy policies apply to your booking so you must agree to and understand those terms. Your interaction with any Supplier is at your own risk; LST does not bear any responsibility should anything go wrong with your booking or during your travel. Hence, as the traveler, you agree that LST acts only as agent for the traveler in acquiring transportation, hotel accommodations, cruises, sightseeing and other Travel Products, privileges or services for the travelers’ benefit, and on the express condition that LST shall not be responsible for any act, omission, negligence, bankruptcy, insolvency or default of any Supplier, company or person engaged in or responsible for any Travel Products, or otherwise in connection therewith.
Please review all documents, including the cancellation policies and terms and conditions of the Suppliers, carefully and promptly as we will not be responsible for any errors. It is your responsibility to review all travel documentation and alert us as soon as possible of any corrections.
Booking/Payment. When you are ready to start your next adventure to Italy, you’ll initially inquire via email, phone or through our website at https://lastoriatravel.com/. Thereafter, you’ll provide LST with your information and agree to these Terms and Conditions. Tour payments are split into the following two (2) installments: (i) A deposit, in the amount of 50% of total trip cost to reserve your spot on the tour; and (ii) a final payment for the remaining trip balance which is required on the date specified in the trip itinerary and is usually 60 days prior to your trip departure.
After receipt of your initial deposit of 50% of the total trip cost, we will confirm your booking and send email confirmation. A booking is not final or confirmed until you receive a confirmation email from La Storia Travel. After booking is processed, you will receive (subject to change as described herein), an invoice with payment information and/or installment information, and other important travel information. The invoice will contain a breakdown of the elements of your booking and the remaining balance due can either be paid in full upon receipt or in installments as described in the invoice. This invoice is subject to change until you receive confirmation that your travel is booked. Some Suppliers will require a larger or payment in full to hold your booking. Traveler will be notified if a larger deposit is required. Deposits and any fees are NON-REFUNDABLE, unless stated otherwise in the terms & conditions of the Supplier.
Our bookings do NOT include international round-trip airfare. You must make independent air travel reservations related to your booking. Your contract for airfare is with the carrier and subject to its terms, conditions and policies and we will not be liable for any change fees or cancellation fees or other additional cost you incur with the air carrier. Please do not book any air transportation until we confirm that your trip is booked via email confirmation.
Once payment in full for your trip is processed, you will receive i) a receipt and ii) a checklist of items for you to review, prepare and complete. If full payment is not received 60 days prior to the departure date, we reserve the right to cancel your travel and apply the cancellation charges set out in the CANCELLATION section below. If you are booking within 60 days of the departure date, full payment will be due at the time of booking confirmation. Failure to make a payment may result in the cancellation of your participation. In such a case this would be considered a cancellation by you and the cancellation terms and fees as described below would be in effect.
As our tours are carefully curated experiences for groups of participants, you are not able to request or make any changes to your itinerary.
Approximately two-to-four weeks before the commencement of your tour, you will receive an updated link to your itinerary. You can either access your information online or download and print a PDF copy from the link.
Your final materials will include your detailed itinerary, along with hotel and other contact information, lists of local products, shopping and dining recommendations, a selection of our exclusive planning guides, articles of interest, and travel tips.
Note: If you plan on arriving early in Italy (pre-tour) or remain after the termination of your tour (post-tour), please inform us and we will make every attempt to assist you in making arrangements to support your early arrival or later departure which fall outside the outlined times in the trip itinerary. Any and all costs associated with these pre-tour and post tour arrangements, including without limitation, hotels, trains, reservations, and other related charges, will be solely at the traveler’s expense and payments shall be made in advance.
Please review these documents carefully and promptly as we will not be responsible for any errors. It is your responsibility to review all travel documentation and alert us as soon as possible with any corrections.
CUSTOM TOURS. You may request a personalized tour with specific services from us (“Custom Tour”). Custom Tours will be priced upon request for you in a quote (“Quote”) and may have specific terms and conditions including different payment schedules and cancellation conditions which will be reflected on the Quote. The cost of a private, customized itinerary can vary greatly and is determined based on the complexity of your trip in our sole discretion. Quotes are valid for 10 business days from the date they are issued unless specified differently on your Quote, and space is subject to availability. For more information regarding custom itineraries, please contact us at Betsy@lastoriatravel.com or visit our website at https://lastoriatravel.com/customized-tours.
For more helpful Travel Tips, please visit our website at https://lastoriatravel.com/blog-1.
PAYMENT METHODS. All participant payments will be made via our website through the We Travel booking and payment platform. Acceptable payment methods include, ACH bank transfer or by credit card, Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover. Payments will be listed as LA STORIA TRAVEL on the credit or debit card statement.
Payment by check is another acceptable payment method; please make check payable to
LA STORIA TRAVEL and mail to:
La Storia Travel Attn: Betsy Spivak 718 North 2nd Street, #339, Philadelphia, PA 19123.
Your transfer and/or payments are an acknowledgement and agreement to these Terms and Conditions including, without limitation, to the cancellation terms. As such you agree not to make any improper chargebacks or payment disputes. All payments made via your credit or debit card will incur an additional 3.5% processing fee. Additionally, we recommend our guests check with their credit card issuer to determine if trip cancellation coverage is included if the card is used to pay for the trip.
CHARGEBACKS. In certain cases, you can dispute charges with your credit card or banking institution (we will define them as "chargebacks"). Before initiating a chargeback, we ask you first to call us to discuss any questions or concerns about our charges. We will work with you in attempting to resolve your concerns. By using our service to make a reservation, you accept and agree to our cancellation policy. La Storia Travel retains the right to dispute any chargeback that is improper and recover any costs, including attorney’s fees related to improper chargebacks. Additionally, in the event of an improper chargeback, we retain the right to cancel any travel reservation related to that improper chargeback. The following non-exhaustive list of chargeback scenarios are improper, and we retain the right to investigate and rebut any such chargeback claims whatsoever, including, without limitation:
Chargebacks resulting from non-cancellable reservations, whether or not the reservation is used.
Chargebacks resulting from charges authorized by family, friends, associates or other third parties with direct access to your credit card. This does not include credit card fraud.
Chargebacks arising from inconsistency or inaccuracy regarding the Supplier’s product description.
Chargebacks resulting from force majeure or other circumstances that are beyond the control of La Storia Travel or Suppliers.
Chargebacks resulting because you do not agree with the cancellation policy.
You further agree to pay La Storia Travel’s reasonable attorney fees and expenses if La Storia Travel has to file suit against you in order to enforce the Indemnification provision within these Terms and Conditions or if you initiate a chargeback dispute arising out of a cause other than fraud.
PRICE AND RATE CHANGES. The price of your itinerary will be based on known costs at the date of issue of the itinerary. All prices we advertise are accurate at the date published, but we reserve the right to change any of those prices from time to time. Prices include a cost for local taxes that are estimated at the date of publication. At the time of booking confirmation, La Storia Travel will provide you with an invoice reflecting the current price.
La Storia Travel reserves the right to add a supplement to your travel prices should our costs of supplying your travel increase, until we receive your full payment. Any increase to your travel price will be as the result of changes in our costs of supplying your travel resulting from changes by our Suppliers, dues, or taxes payable locally, currency fluctuations and government action. If our costs to supply your travel increases, LST reserves the right to increase the price of your travel and will forward a new invoice reflecting any changes made. Subject to the foregoing, after full and final payment your price is locked in.
La Storia Travel reserves the right to make changes to and correct errors in advertised prices at any time before your travel is confirmed. LST will advise you of any errors of which we are aware of and the then applicable price at the time of booking.
There is a chance that different passengers on the same trip have been charged different prices.
If you like the price you see on our website, then your best option is to book at that time. Any reduced pricing or discounts that may become available after you have paid your deposit will not apply. If you wish to cancel your booking to take advantage of a cheaper price, full cancellation conditions apply. The most up-to-date pricing is available on our website.
TRAVELER INFORMATION. While we do not assist with air reservations, we bring to your attention the importance of accuracy. Names provided to secure reservations must match travelers’ passports. Date of birth and complete passport details are required. Any minor name corrections advised after airline tickets have been issued will incur fees. Not all name corrections will be permitted by airlines and may require the purchase of a new ticket. Travelers voluntarily assume full and sole responsibility for any and all risks and/or costs involved with failure to report any errors and/or omissions to documentation.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP
Accommodations
Accommodations are provided as detailed in your itinerary but are subject to change (even on site), in order to adapt to situations beyond anyone’s control, including but not limited to weather or any other condition that may affect the group while traveling. Special requests are not guaranteed and often cannot be accommodated. Any and all special requests, including without limitation single rooms, lower floors, connecting rooms and smoking preference, must be made at the time of booking. While we will communicate your requests to the Supplier, such requests are not guaranteed and are at the discretion of the Supplier. There may be additional charges for such requests which will be solely the expense of the travelers or guests making the request.
Travelers should be aware that bed & breakfast, villa and hotel room sizes, standards and facilities can vary regionally and are substantially different from standards in the United States. This can include differences in bed sizes and room sizes, bathroom amenities, amenities such as air-conditioning and compliance with other standards such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and wheelchair accessibility. One of the joys of international travel is experiencing different cultures and different ways of life so we hope that you will accept these differences with grace and a sense of adventure.
While La Storia Travel does our very best to source properties that offer twin bed accommodation this style of room is not common in some of the regions of Italy that we visit. The twin bed rooms may include a large double bed and a sofa bed rather than two separate beds. La Storia Travel reserves the right, if necessary, to substitute other accommodations for those listed on your itinerary. Such substitutions may be made at any time and without prior notice. LST cannot be held responsible for Supplier over-bookings; should such occur, we will attempt to find similar accommodations in the same area. Such substitutions are at La Storia Travel’s sole and absolute discretion and no refunds will be offered for changes in accommodations.
While La Storia Travel exercises due diligence in the selection of our partners, villa, and other accommodation profiles, we cannot guarantee their suitability for your preferences or expectations given the location of the accommodations. LST cannot guarantee the Supplier’s images and descriptions of the properties and rooms will be the same or similar for your accommodations during your trip. Additionally, participants should be aware that star ratings or similar systems are based on country classifications and therefore can differ. While La Storia Travel does its best to maintain current and accurate information regarding these Suppliers, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in Supplier descriptions, amenities, or images.
Transportation
La Storia Travel is pleased to offer transportation in accordance with the group itinerary. You must be on time for all transportation. There will be no refund for missed or unused transfers. You must provide us your flight information no less than 21 days prior to departure to ensure transfers will be available. If at any time your flight plans change, you must notify us immediately. Failure to do so may result in missing a portion of the tour and no refund shall be due.
Meals
Meals are as stipulated in the itineraries. Not all meals (breakfast, lunch, or dinner), water, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included. Special diets should be requested at the time of booking; however, it may not be possible for special diets to be accommodated. For safety and liability reasons, La Storia Travel and its representatives cannot be responsible for directly accommodating any food allergies, or dietary requirements and restrictions, and is not responsible for any issues or problems associated with the same. We will advise the chef(s) of your request, but we cannot guarantee their availability.
Sightseeing/Activities
Sightseeing trips and activities are included as provided in the individual itineraries. Any excursions or activities not included in itineraries and done outside of tour times are at the sole expense of the traveler. These trips and activities are designed to accommodate group travel. As a courtesy to others in the trip and/or activity, it is mandatory that you be on time for all scheduled experiences. Trips and activities will begin on time and failure to arrive will be considered a no-show for which no refunds will be available. It is essential that you keep in mind that trip and activity times are set to accommodate climate, crowd size and best viewing options for our groups. At times, early morning departure times may help create a better experience. Therefore, late arrivals cannot be accommodated. Any excursions or activities performed outside of tour times and not included in itineraries are at the sole expense of the traveler.
Changes to Itineraries
La Storia Travel reserves the right to make changes to its published itineraries which we deem insignificant and are due to reasons beyond our control. In such cases, we will arrange for the substitution of comparable services.
There may be occasions when certain alterations become necessary. These can be due to religious holidays, national celebrations, or unforeseen events including weather, governmental closures, acts of God, or any other reason. La Storia Travel reserves the right to change the itinerary due to such unforeseen circumstances or emergencies. Additionally, historic sites undergo renovations from time to time which can obscure viewing or otherwise change the nature of visiting these sites. No tours will be cancelled due to renovations, although La Storia Travel may choose to amend itineraries for such sites. These changes will not be considered material changes and will not be considered cause for cancellation by the participant.
If we suggest alternate activities in place of a planned stop or in case of leisure time, such suggestions do not constitute our endorsement. In such a case you will be subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Supplier of the activity and your only recourse in case of damage will be against the Supplier of the alternate activity.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP
Any items and matters not referred to in your itinerary are not included in the tour price. Specifically (and without limitation), international airfare, any transportation not specified in itinerary, visa and passport fees (if needed), beverages or meals not detailed in itinerary, travel protection and insurance of all kinds, laundry, phone calls, minibar, excess luggage charges, optional experiences and all items of personal nature including personal protective equipment. Additional taxes and surcharges may be collected by foreign governmental and non-governmental entities. The tour price does not cover costs and expenses, including your return home, regardless of whether you leave the tour of your own volition, our decision based on behavior that disrupts the trip, due to illness, action by any government or any other reason. This list is for illustrative purposes only and not a complete list of every item not included.
NON-OPERATION OF TRIP; MINIMUM GROUP NUMBERS
La Storia Travel tours are based on a minimum number of participants which varies per tour. La Storia Travel makes every effort to ensure that tours meet their minimum requirements. However, if the tour drops below the minimum number of participants, cancellation of the tour may occur at the sole discretion of La Storia Travel. In such case, participants will be advised at least 60 days prior to departure. In doing so, you will receive a full refund.
CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS.
Changes by Participants
Since changes are considered canceled services, additional cancellation penalties may apply. Changes are subject to additional hotel charges based on availability and may incur additional fees. Changes to airfare are subject to the carrier’s terms and conditions. If you are unable to complete the tour due to a physical or mental inability to keep up with the group of participants, there shall be no refunds owed even if you are unable to complete the tour.
Cancellation by Participants and Refund Policy
As described above, La Storia Travel is required to pay certain Suppliers well in advance of your trip. This includes but is not limited to hotel accommodations, meals, tickets, transportation, etc. All Suppliers have their own cancellation policies, which apply to your booking. Should a cancellation become necessary, please inform La Storia Travel immediately in writing as stipulated below and request written confirmation of your cancellation.
Upon receipt, La Storia Travel will follow industry procedures for any applicable refunds as outlined in the Supplier’s terms and subject to their review. If you are entitled to a refund, please note that the Supplier is responsible for this refund, not La Storia Travel. Suppliers may choose to provide a travel voucher or credit in lieu of refund. We are not responsible for a Supplier’s failure to pay a refund or for Supplier bankruptcy or insolvency.
Cancellations must be made in writing to Betsy@lastoriatravel.com and are not official until the Founder, Betsy Spivak, has acknowledged the cancellation. All cancellations automatically incur a NON-REFUNDABLE administration fee of $250.
In addition, La Storia Travel cancellation charges will apply. Cancellation charges are expressed as follows:
If you cancel 90 days or more before departure: Amounts paid will become credit that can be applied towards another small group trip departing within 12 months from the date of cancellation.
If you cancel 89 days or less before departure: No refunds, no trip credit, and no date changes will be granted.
Cancellations Made at or During Trip: No refunds, no credit.
No Shows: No refunds, credit or vouchers whatsoever.
At the time of cancellation, if we have already made unrecoverable payments on your behalf for things like entrance tickets, accommodation, etc., those costs will be deducted from your credit, if applicable. If the total unrecoverable costs exceed amounts paid, we will invoice you for the difference.
If the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of your travel protection plan you may be able to reclaim these charges, for this reason we Require the purchase of a Travel Insurance plan and Strongly Recommend additional “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage.
Airline tickets are governed by the air carriers’ terms, and we are not responsible for any air carrier’s decision regarding refund.
Cancellation by La Storia Travel
We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule any departure or tour for any reason, which includes the right to cancel tours due to inadequate participant interest. If we, in our sole discretion, are forced to cancel your tour, or any tour at any time, we may do so without any liability whatsoever, up to sixty (60) days before departure. In doing so you will receive a full refund.
If we cancel, except in the case of a force majeure event, we will offer alternate arrangements. We may at our sole discretion offer travel vouchers or refunds in accordance with the cancellation schedule above. Travelers are solely responsible for any additional costs for airline tickets or other travel arrangements not made by us.
Please note that La Storia Travel will not refund any payments until we have received monies from applicable Suppliers. This can sometimes take up to sixteen (16) weeks or more, and in some cases, we may not be able to recover costs from certain partners depending on the Supplier’s cancellation policy. La Storia Travel has no special knowledge of Suppliers’ financial condition and no liability for Supplier defaults or for recommending future travel credits with Suppliers that may be out of business by the time the clients try to use the credits. La Storia Travel will make every effort to assist with obtaining any refunds due or rebooking trips using future credits, but La Storia Travel will charge a NON-REFUNDABLE fee of $250 for these services.
Changes by La Storia Travel
La Storia Travel reserves the right to change the departure date. We may offer alternative tour dates or other travel arrangements. You may choose to accept these arrangements or to cancel your booking, in which case a full refund will be provided. Any air cancellation will be in accordance with the terms of the carrier and La Storia Travel will not be liable for the carrier’s refusal to make any refund whatsoever. In such case La Storia Travel will not be liable for any additional costs incurred outside of the tour prices such as visa and passport fees, travel insurance or any other purchases made by the guest in anticipation of the tour.
If between planning time and/or during actual travel, circumstances require changes, La Storia Travel and its Suppliers, reserve the right to cancel or vary any itinerary and substitute components of any tour, including but not limited to accommodations of comparable quality, if air schedule or surface transportation charges, security matters, and/or other events make such alterations necessary. Suppliers may substitute transportation equipment depending on any variety of factors, including the number of passengers on the tour. Sightseeing tours, if any, may be altered as described above. La Storia Travel cannot be held responsible for any closures, necessary itinerary changes, or curtails for any reason. These changes will not be considered material changes and will not be consider cause for cancellation by the participant. Normal cancellation penalties still apply to the tour that has been changed.
NO REFUND FOR UNUSED ARRANGEMENTS. As La Storia Travel’s prices are based on contract rates, there will not be any refund for any unused portion of a travel booking. If you cancel while the trip is in progress, there is no refund for the unused portion. In addition, if you arrive late to a tour, any costs required to reach the location of where the rest of the group is at the time of your arrival will be at your own expense.
FORCE MAJEURE. La Storia Travel assumes no liability for, any loss, damage, delay, or cancellation resulting in whole or in part from an Act of God or any other force majeure condition, including, without limitation: fire, volcanic eruption, hurricane, environmental pollution or contamination, inclement weather, earthquake, low or high water levels, flood, water or power shortages or failures, tropical storms or hurricanes, riots or civil commissions or disturbances, and any other acts of a similar nature, sabotage, cyber security issues and/or technology outages or disruptions, arrests, strikes or labor disruptions, restraint of rulers or peoples, expropriations, acts of terrorism, war, insurrection, quarantine restrictions, government health advisories, epidemics, pandemics, or warnings or alerts of any kind of nature, government seizures, refusal or cancellation or suspension or delay of any government authority or any license, permit or authorization, damages to its facilities or the travel supplier and its facilities, or any other unforeseen circumstances or any other factors unforeseen by La Storia Travel that impacts negatively on, or hampers, its ability to fulfill any of its contractual conditions. In the circumstances amounting to force majeure, we will not be required to refund any money to you, although if we can recover any monies from our suppliers, we will refund these to you without any charge by La Storia Travel.
Travel insurance. Travel Protection Coverage is NOT included. However, it is the participant’s responsibility to protect their purchases. For this reason, Travel Insurance is Required and adding “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage is Strongly Recommended. Such plan should cover Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Medical Expense, Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, and Baggage. Travel protection plans can help protect you in the event of loss of NON-REFUNDABLE trip deposits and payments that result from cancellation or trip interruption (due to a covered reason such as injury or illness before or during the trip). It also helps with reimbursement for medical emergency costs (including very costly medical evacuation costs), missed connections and baggage loss.
Travel insurance is Required for all La Storia Travel clients and should be taken out ninety (90) days prior to the commencement of your Tour, or otherwise as soon as possible after you have purchased your Tour with us. Your travel insurance must provide coverage against personal injury, death, medical expenses, emergency medical treatment, repatriation, and evacuation expenses at a minimum coverage of $100,000 USD. You agree that you must email LST proof of your travel insurance no later than thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of your La Storia Travel Tour. You will be unable to join the La Storia Travel Tour without it, and you will not be entitled to a refund (in whole or in part) for any purposeful or inadvertent ability to provide proof within that designated timeframe.
Because refunds are solely made available as stipulated in your travel insurance policy and as outlined above, and we are unable to make exceptions for any reason, including inclement weather, injury/illness, or medical/personal emergencies, we require ALL guests take out comprehensive travel insurance to compensate in case of unexpected cancellations. La Storia Travel works with Generali, a reputable travel insurance company. For your convenience, here is the link:
https://lastoriatravel.com/travel-insurance.
La Storia Travel is not qualified to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of travel insurance plans. LST cannot evaluate the adequacy of the prospective insured's existing insurance coverage. If you have any questions about your travel protection, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker.
Certain countries have a requirement for foreign visitors to have valid medical insurance upon entry. La Storia Travel cannot be held responsible for denied entry if a participant is unable to provide details to authorities of insurance or denial of entry for any reason. Declining to purchase an adequate travel protection plan could result in the loss of your travel cost and/or require more money to correct the situation. You also acknowledge that without this coverage, there may be no way to recoup any losses, costs or expenses incurred. If you choose to travel without adequate coverage, La Storia Travel will not be liable for any of your losses howsoever arising, for which trip protection plan coverage would otherwise have been available.
DESTINATIONS AND DOCUMENTATION. Travel to certain destinations may involve greater risk than others. La Storia Travel urges travelers to remain informed daily as to current news, as well as to review travel prohibitions, warnings, announcements, and advisories issued by the United States government prior to booking travel to international destinations. Information on conditions in various countries and the level of risk associated with travel to particular international destinations can be found at http://www.state.gov, and http://www.cdc.gov. In addition, you should consult with government websites to ensure that you are in compliance with all requirements for admittance into that country, including without limitation COVID-19 requirements, as well as understanding local laws that govern travel within a country, such as medical tests and tracking. You can check this Italian government website for information related to your particular circumstances https://www.viaggiaresicuri.it/home
It is your responsibility to be aware of any and all requirements for admittance to a country or state, including Covid-19 requirements. Should you choose to travel to a country that has been issued a travel warning or advisory, La Storia Travel will not be liable for damages or losses that result from travel to such destinations.
It is the responsibility of each participant to obtain and carry a valid passport, visa(s), inoculations, and all other documents required by applicable government regulations. For up-to-date requirements US citizens should visit www.travel.state.gov. When travelling domestically within the USA or internationally, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advise that everyone carry at least two forms of acceptable identification in order to board a flight, found here: http://www.tsa.gov/participant-information/acceptable-ids. Air travelers with identification (ID) that does not meet the REAL ID ACT requirements will have to use alternate ID forms (passport, military ID, or permanent resident card) to pass TSA security checkpoints—even for domestic travel.
Certain countries restrict travelers with criminal convictions, even if expunged. Please inform us prior to booking with us if this applies to you and seek separate legal counsel to confirm your ability to travel to your desired destination. If you are denied access to a country or a Supplier due to a conviction, La Storia Travel shall not be liable for any losses, expenses, or refunds to you or anyone in your group.
Recommended inoculations for travel may change and you should consult your practitioner for current recommendations before you depart. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all health entry requirements, obtain the recommended inoculations, take all recommended medication, and follow all medical advice in relation to your trip. Inoculation requirements can be found on the Center for Disease Control website at https://www.cdc.gov/.
La Storia Travel strongly recommends that you consider that certain countries will not admit a passenger if their passport expires within six (6) months of the date of entry. Passports must have a minimum of three (3) months validity at the time of departure from Italy per Italian government requirements however we recommend ensuring there is six (6) months validity remaining on your passport. Please make sure you check your current passport and renew if necessary.
Visas may be required for entering Italy and are at your own expense. You can check this Italian government website for requirements https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en
You acknowledge any failure to strictly comply with these requirements may result in denied boarding or an undue delay at an airport security checkpoint causing participant to miss flight(s), and subsequent scheduled travel bookings tours. La Storia Travel bears no responsibility for advising and/or obtaining required travel documentation for you, or for any delays, damages, and/or losses including missed portions of your vacation related to improper documentation or government decisions about entry.
Baggage Fees. Due to continual changes in airline baggage policies, it is strongly recommended that you inquire with your airline's website for up-to-date fees & information. La Storia Travel is NOT responsible for additional fees incurred for baggage or seating.
Re-Confirm Your Flight. La Storia Travel advises you personally to re-confirm your flight schedule within 24 hours prior to departure directly with the airline in case of any last-minute changes or delays. Most airlines allow you to check in online 24 hours prior to departure. We recommend you arrive at the airport a minimum of two (2) hours prior to departure for domestic flights, and three (3) hours for international flights.
YOUR BEHAVIOR, LEGAL MATTERS, ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. Each traveler in any trip planned by La Storia Travel is expected to act responsibly and adhere to all behavior guidelines established by La Storia Travel and our Suppliers. La Storia Travel and all Suppliers reserve the right to remove you from any facility, hotel or resort property, tour location or means of transportation if your health or your conduct appears to endanger yourself or others, disrupts the general well-being of other individuals on any element of your trip, or interferes with the operation or security of the places we visit. In any such case, there will be no refund.
When you book with La Storia Travel, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you or your group. Full payment for any such damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely known) must be paid directly at the time to the accommodation owner or manager or other Supplier. You must indemnify us for the full amount of any claim (also including legal costs) made against us. We are not responsible for any costs incurred concerning a guest removed from a trip, or any portion of a trip. You agree not to hold La Storia Travel or any of its related entities liable for any actions taken under these Terms and Conditions. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the traveler.
You acknowledge and agree to follow and abide by any and all Italian laws and regulations while participating in the trip. While all local and national laws and regulations are important to follow, we strictly encourage you to be informed concerning the use and/or possession of drugs in particular. There will be no tolerance for any use or possession of any drug and your failure to strictly comply with this requirement will result in a breach of this Agreement and may prevent you from your continued participation. We require responsible alcohol consumption for your safety and for those around you. If you are asked to leave a tour for bad behavior, violence, or any other disruptive action, you will not be refunded.
For tours that include hands-on and/or demonstration style cooking lessons, you will be required to adhere to any and all proper safety protocols as set forth by our Supplier’s kitchen staff to prevent any injuries relating to, but not limited to, exposure to open flames, high temperature equipment and cooking materials such as knives, etc., slips/falls due to wet or unclean floors and not maintaining proper attire as instructed such as closed toe shoes, etc. We are not liable for any medical or other costs in connection with injuries to you or caused by you.
La Storia Travel reserves the right to decline or accept or retain any person as a member of the tour at its own reasonable discretion.
AUTHORITY ON TOUR. La Storia Tours are led by a Tour Leader. The decision of the Tour Leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any La Storia Travel client or staff member participating in the Tour. If you fail to comply with a decision made by a Tour Leader or interfere with the well-being or mobility or safety of the group or any individual client participating in the tour, we may terminate your participation in the tour, and the Tour Leader may instruct you to leave the tour immediately, with no right of refund in whole or in part. We may also elect not to carry you on any future trips booked. You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange, and drug regulations of all countries visited, and you also agree to act responsibly and respectfully during the Tour. Failure to comply with laws or customs in any region during the tour, or should you get arrested or detained by government authorities during the Tour gives La Storia Travel the ability to immediately terminate your participation in the tour, and the Tour Leader may instruct you to leave or not return to the tour immediately, with no right of refund in whole or in part.
INSECTICIDE NOTICE. Travelers are encouraged to check the list of countries that require airlines to treat the passenger cabin with insecticides prior to the flight or while on the aircraft on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Web site, as this list is updated from time to time: http://www.dot.gov/office-policy/aviation-policy/aircraft-disinsection-requirements.
Non-Responsibility. La Storia Travel, and its employees, owners, agents, and representatives use third party suppliers to arrange tours, transportation, sightseeing, lodging, and all other services related to this tour (the “Suppliers”). La Storia Travel is not an employee, agent, or representative of any of these Suppliers. La Storia Travel does not own, manage, operate, supervise, or control any transportation, vehicle, airplane, villa, hotel or restaurants, or any other entity or Supplier that supplies services related to your tour. All Suppliers are independent contractors and are not agents or employees or representatives of LST. All tickets, receipts, coupons, and vouchers are issued subject to the Terms and Conditions specified by each supplier, and by accepting the coupons, vouchers, and tickets, or utilizing the services, all participants agree that neither LST, nor its employees, owners, agents, or representatives are or may be liable for any loss, injury, or damage to any participant or their belongings, or otherwise, in connection with any service supplied or not supplied resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrence beyond the control of La Storia Travel. La Storia Travel assumes no responsibility or liability for any delay, change in schedule, loss, injury or damage or loss of any participant that may result from any act or omission on the part of others; LST assumes no responsibility or liability for personal property; and LST shall be relieved of any obligations under these Terms and Conditions in the event of any strike, labor dispute, act of God, or of government, fire, war, whether declared or not, terrorism, insurrection, riot, theft, pilferage, epidemic, pandemic, illness, physical injury, quarantine, medical or customs or immigration regulation, delay, or cancellation. LST accepts no responsibility for lost or stolen items. La Storia Travel reserves the right to refuse any participant or potential participant in its sole and absolute discretion.
Assumption of Risk/Waiver. Traveler is aware that travel to such area as participant is undertaking on the trip may involve inherent risks to your health and safety, some in remote areas of the world. Inherent risks include, but are not limited to, risk of injury or death from: motor and conveyance vehicle malfunction/collisions, animals, roadway hazards, slips, and falls, criminal or terrorist acts, government actions, consumption of alcoholic beverages, tainted food, or non-potable water; exposure to the elements, including heat, cold, sun, water, and wind; your own negligence and/or the negligence of others, including tour guides, other participants, La Storia Travel and its owners, employees, agents and/or representatives; attack by or encounter with insects, reptiles, and/or animals; accidents or illness occurring in remote places where there are no available medical services; fatigue, chill, overheating, and/or dizziness; known or unknown medical conditions, COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, physical excursion for which you are not prepared or other such accidents; the negligence or lack of adequate training of any third-party providers who seek to assist with medical or other help either before or after injuries have occurred; accident or illness without access to means of rapid evacuation or availability of medical supplies or services; and the adequacy of medical attention once provided. You acknowledge that the degree and nature of personal risk involved depends on the products or services booked and the location(s) in which a product or service operates, and that there may be a significant degree of personal risk involved in participating, particularly participating in physical activities, travel to remote locations, carriage by aircraft, or travel a country with developing infrastructure. Standards of hygiene, medical care, accommodation, and transport in Italy where this trip is taking place may be lower than the standards you may reasonably expect in your home country or region.
You agree that there is a risk associated with your ability to keep up with the pace of the group.
If you are unable to complete the tour due to a physical or mental inability to keep up with the group of participants, there shall be no refunds owed even if you are unable to complete the tour.
Traveler understands that the description of these risks is not complete and that unknown or unanticipated risks may result in injury, illness, or death. In order to partake of the enjoyment and excitement of this tour, participant is willing to accept the risks and uncertainty involved as being an integral part of travel, including the risk of infection, illness and death. Traveler hereby accepts and assumes full responsibility for any and all risks and agrees to and shall hold harmless and fully release La Storia Travel from any and all claims associated with the travel services provided, including any claims of third-party negligence and/or the negligence of La Storia Travel and participant hereby covenant not to sue La Storia Travel for any such claims or join any lawsuit or action that is suing La Storia Travel. You waive any and all claims that you have, or may in the future have and release from all liability and agree not to sue, La Storia Travel, its agents, owners, suppliers or affiliates for any personal injury (including mental distress or trauma), illness (including exposure to diseases, epidemics or pandemics), death, property damage, quarantine or other loss that you may sustain during or as a result of the trip due to any cause whatsoever on the part of La Storia Travel or others, including: negligence – including the failure to use such care as a reasonably prudent and careful person would do in the circumstances and failure to meet reasonable standards of care; breach of any other duty imposed by law; breach of contract; and mistakes or errors in judgment of any kind This agreement also binds your heirs, legal representatives and assigns. The terms of this HOLD HARMLESS AND RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY paragraph, shall survive any termination or cancellation of these Terms and Conditions, whether by operation of law or otherwise.
COVID-19 RELEASE OF LIABILITY. By booking a tour at this time, you acknowledge the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 or any other diseases, viruses, etc. and voluntarily assume the risk for yourself that you may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 (or other diseases, viruses, etc.) by traveling and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death even if such injuries or losses occur in a manner that is not foreseeable at the time you book your trip. You acknowledge that exposure to such viruses or disease is an inherent risk of traveling, which cannot be controlled or eliminated by La Storia Travel. You understand that you may become sick before, during, or after the tour and may not be able to travel and such cancellation or interruption will be subject to our cancellation terms as described herein, for which we will not be liable.
You, and on behalf of your heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin (collectively, the “Releasors”), HEREBY RELEASE, AND HOLD HARMLESS, La Storia Travel, its members, officers, agents, and/or employees, suppliers, and other tour members (collectively, the “Releasees”), of from and against any and all claims, damages, demands, losses, and liability arising out of or related in any way, in whole or in part to any POSTPONEMENT, CANCELLATION, CHANGES, INJURY, ILLNESS, DISABILITY, DEATH OR ANY OTHER LOSS you may suffer due to exposure, infection, spread, closure, and travel restrictions related to COVID- 19 (or other diseases, viruses, etc.), WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law. The terms of this HOLD HARMLESS AND RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY paragraph, shall survive any termination or cancellation of these Terms and Conditions, whether by operation of law or otherwise.
Indemnification. Traveler agrees to and shall indemnify and hold harmless La Storia Travel, and each of our officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively, “La Storia Travel”), from any expenses, losses, liabilities (of any type), damages, judgments, demands, settlements and costs (collectively, “damages”) involved with or incurred by La Storia Travel (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and the advancement of same) with respect to any claims, law suits, arbitrations, or other causes of action, which result, directly or indirectly, from: (i) traveler’s breach or violation, or threatened breach or violation of this Agreement; (ii) any damage caused by participant while participating in the trip; (iii) any force majeure or inherent risk of travel; or (iv) claims brought by third parties in connection with any of the foregoing. The terms of this INDEMNIFICATION paragraph shall survive any termination or cancellation of these Terms and Conditions, whether by operation of law or otherwise.
HEALTH/Pre-existing Medical Conditions/Persons with Disabilities. For the safety of our guests, La Storia Travel has the right to request health information prior to travel and to exclude any participants it deems unfit for travel at its sole discretion, in the best interests of the group and the participant in question.
The nature of many of the destinations we travel to means that in some cases they may be unsuitable for those who use a wheelchair or have a lack of mobility or have pre-existing conditions. However, we will be delighted to discuss the feasibility of your participation in any of our trips. It is essential that you advise us before booking if you do have any disability or pre-existing medical condition which may affect your tour, or if you have any special requirements as a result of any disability or medical condition (including any which affect the booking process) so that we can assist you in considering the suitability of the arrangements and/or in making the booking. Please note that accommodations outside of the USA may not be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and may not have wheelchair accessibility.
Additionally, our Suppliers are, unfortunately, unable to offer additional assistance to participants with limited mobility and all such assistance will need to be provided by whoever the participant is traveling with. Travelers with disabilities must notify La Storia Travel at the time of booking of status and of the identity of their non-discounted, paid travel companion who will be responsible for providing all necessary assistance.
If you are pregnant or expecting at or around the time of your planned travels, please inform us prior to booking. Some Suppliers will not permit travel past certain gestational periods for your safety and the safety of your child/ren. If you become pregnant after booking with us, please consult with a doctor and review the Supplier terms and conditions as they relate to your booking to determine whether you will be permitted or prevented from traveling. If you are denied boarding embarkation, or access to a Supplier due to a pregnancy, La Storia Travel shall not be liable for any losses, expenses, or refunds resulting from such loss in access for you or anyone in your group.
PHOTOGRAPHIC/VIDEO LIKENESS. Traveler hereby gives consent to La Storia Travel to publish any photographs and/or videos of the trip or participant in printed or electronic media without obtaining further consent and without compensation. Each participant releases LST and its representatives from any liability in connection with any use of such photographs and/or video. You consent to us using images of you taken during the trip for advertising and promotional purposes in any medium we choose. You grant us a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable license to use such images for publicity and promotional purposes.
If you do not wish to be included, please email Betsy@lastoriatravel.com and we will be happy to exclude you.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. You have a committed team by your side every step of the way. From check-in to check-out, you will have direct access to the La Storia Travel team for us to handle anything you may need assistance with remotely while on vacation. You can expect us to check in with you via email and/ or text message before, during, and after your tour to ensure everything runs smoothly. You consent to receive electronic communications and you agree that all documents, notices, disclosures, and other communications that we provide to you electronically, via email or through text, satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.
CLASS ACTION WAIVER/LIMITATION of DAMAGES/Notice of Claim. You agree that you will only bring claims against La Storia Travel in your individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class action or representative proceeding. La Storia Travel shall not in any case be liable for other than compensatory damages, and your payment of a deposit on a trip means that you agree to these conditions of sale and expressly waive any right to punitive damages. You understand and agree that no claims will be considered and that you will not bring suit against La Storia Travel unless you have first provided a typewritten notice of claim to La Storia Travel within 30 days after the trip or cancellation of the trip, further provided that you agree to file suit within one (1) year of the incident and you acknowledge that this expressly limits the applicable statute of limitations to one (1) year.
GOVERNING LAW/VENUE/JURY WAIVER. These Terms and Conditions and all attachments hereto and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Pennsylvania exclusive of conflict or choice of law rules. Any claims shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction located in the State of Pennsylvania. You agree that you will only bring claims against La Storia Travel in your individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class action or representative proceeding. La Storia Travel shall not in any case be liable for other than compensatory damages, and your payment of a deposit on a trip means that you agree to these conditions of sale and expressly waive any right to punitive damages.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT & SEVERABILITY. This agreement, including any other documents, including invoices we provide you, constitutes the entire agreement and it supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether electronic, oral, or written, with respect to La Storia Travel, and applies to all trips organized by La Storia Travel and sold on this website.
If any provision of these Terms shall be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from these Terms and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions. Failure by us to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these legally binding Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any ambiguities in the interpretation of these Terms and Conditions shall not be construed against the drafting party. The provisions of these Terms and Conditions which by their nature extend beyond termination or expiration of these Terms and Conditions (whether by operation of law or otherwise) shall survive the expiration or termination of these Terms and Conditions to the full extent necessary for their enforcement and for the protection of the party in whose favor they operate. These Terms and Conditions shall be written in, and all other communication under or in connection with these Terms and Conditions shall be in, the English language. Any translation into any other language shall not be an official version thereof, and in the event of any conflict in the interpretation between the English version and such translation, the English version shall control.
CONTACT US. La Storia Travel welcomes your questions or comments about our tours:
La Storia Travel
718 North 2nd Street, #339
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: (267) 318-7081
Email: Betsy@lastoriatravel.com
Attn: Betsy Spivak
