All trips booked through Icaterina are subject to the following Terms & Conditions (T&C). Please read all of the T&C carefully.
Together with our privacy policy, the terms of the suppliers of the travel services, and any other documents provided to you, the T&C form a binding agreement between the parties and constitute the entire agreement (hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement"). Please note that these T&C include waivers of liability, class action waivers, venue selection clauses, and notice provisions. By booking a tour with us, you agree to be bound by the Agreement. From time to time, we may update these T&C, and any changes will take effect immediately. You agree to abide by the T&C in effect at the time of your travel. A signed copy of the T&C, completed solely by the Client, is required to finalize the booking process. For the purposes of these T&C:
Responsibilities & Liability. Icaterina acts solely as a booking agent with respect to services provided to the Client/Traveler. These services include, but are not limited to, accommodations such as hotels, villas, and B&Bs; dining experiences at restaurants and wineries; cooking schools; various forms of transportation provided by independent operators; and all other services provided by third-party suppliers (collectively referred to as "Independent Operators"). Each Independent Operator operates independently, with its own management and procedures, and is not subject to Icaterina's control.
Client bookings are accepted by Icaterina solely as an agent for these Independent Operators. Icaterina is not affiliated with any other tour operator, and all Independent Operators are independent contractors, not agents, employees, or representatives of Icaterina. While Icaterina makes every effort to select high-quality suppliers, it does not control or oversee their operations.
Icaterina works with third-party operators that may encounter issues such as vehicle breakdowns, air conditioning failures, or power outages. Additionally, itinerary details and schedules may be subject to change due to weather conditions, local circumstances, or unforeseen events.
Icaterina and the Client are independent contractors. Nothing in this Agreement or in the activities performed by Icaterina and the Client shall be deemed to create an agency, partnership, employment, or joint venture relationship between the parties, the Independent Operators, or their representatives.
All tickets, receipts, coupons, and vouchers are issued subject to the terms and conditions of the suppliers. By accepting or using these documents or services, you agree to be bound by the terms of the suppliers and acknowledge that Icaterina, its employees, agents, or representatives are not liable for any loss, injury, or damage to you or your belongings, or for any other issues beyond Icaterina's control. Icaterina assumes no responsibility or liability for delays, changes in schedule, or loss or damage caused by third parties.
Icaterina will provide you with the terms and conditions of the suppliers for your trip. Please read all such terms carefully, as it is your responsibility to be familiar with the T&C of each supplier. Icaterina does not accept liability for lost or stolen items. In light of the foregoing, the Client has voluntarily entered into this Agreement on behalf of him/herself and any minor children traveling with him/her.
Force Majeure: Icaterina assumes no liability for any loss, damage, delay, or cancellation resulting in whole or in part from an Act of God or other force majeure events, including but not limited to: 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, riots, civil disturbances, sabotage, arrests, strikes or labor disruptions, expropriations, acts of terrorism, war, insurrection, quarantine restrictions, government health advisories, epidemics, pandemics, or any warnings, alerts, or actions of governmental authorities. Other factors that may be considered force majeure include government seizures, refusal, cancellation, suspension, or delays of any government license, permit, or authorization, as well as damages to Icaterina's facilities or those of its suppliers, or any other unforeseen circumstances beyond Icaterina's control that negatively impact its ability to fulfill contractual obligations. In such force majeure situations, Icaterina will not be obligated to issue refunds. However, if Icaterina is able to recover any monies from its suppliers, these will be refunded to you without additional charges.
Release of Liability: Travel inherently involves risks, and part of the excitement of any journey derives from these risks. By booking a trip with Icaterina, you acknowledge and accept these risks. Additional risks and dangers may arise, including hazards associated with travel by train, automobile, motor coach, aircraft, and other means of conveyance; interactions with animals; forces of nature; political unrest or other forms of civil disturbances; risks related to water, food, plants, insects, and differing animal regulations; as well as acts of national and local governments or actions by others against governments. This list is not exhaustive but illustrates the potential risks involved. By voluntarily participating in these activities, you accept any and all risks, understanding that significant dangers may be present. As lawful consideration for your agreement with Icaterina to participate in these trips and activities, you agree not to make any claim or initiate legal action against Icaterina, its related companies, or its personnel for bodily injury, emotional trauma, death, property loss, or other damages, however caused, as a result of or in connection with your participation in the trip. You release Icaterina, its related companies, and its personnel from any and all claims, known or unknown, arising from your contracting for, traveling to or from, or otherwise participating in the trip. This release of liability and assumption of risk agreement is entered into on behalf of yourself and all members of your family and party, including minors. It also binds your heirs, legal representatives, and assigns. Where a traveler occupies a motor coach seat or any vehicle seat equipped with a safety belt, neither Icaterina, the Operator, nor its agents, co-operating organizations, or service providers will be liable for any injury, illness, death, loss, or damages resulting from an accident or incident if the safety belt was not worn at the time of the accident or incident. This exclusion and limitation of liability do not imply that the Operator or its agents are liable under other circumstances. Icaterina reserves the right to accept or decline any passengers from participating in or continuing on any of its tours.
Responsibility. The responsibility of Icaterina and/or its agents is limited. Icaterina acts solely as an agent for the tour participant in all matters, including payments related to lodging, meal services, sightseeing tours, and other service and transportation providers. If it becomes necessary or advisable to alter the itinerary or arrangements for any reason, such changes will be made at Icaterina's discretion.
Should a traveler be removed from a trip, no refund will be provided for unused portions of the Vacation Package and Services arranged by Icaterina. Additionally, the removed traveler may be liable for any cost differential incurred by the remaining travelers as a result of their removal. The removed traveler will also be responsible for all costs and expenses associated with making new arrangements for returning home or modifying their travel plans.
Icaterina's obligations with respect to any funds received are those of a debtor, not a trustee. Icaterina reserves the right to cancel your trip and resell your space if the final payment is not received by the due date.
Each participant is expected to act responsibly and adhere to all behavior guidelines established by Icaterina and its providers. Icaterina and its providers reserve the right to remove any participant from a trip if they endanger themselves or others, or disrupt the general well-being of the trip. In such cases, no refunds will be provided.
When you book with Icaterina, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you. Full payment for such damage or loss (whether precisely calculated or reasonably estimated) must be made directly to the accommodation owner, manager, or other supplier at the time. You also agree to indemnify Icaterina for the full amount of any claims, including legal costs, made against us as a result of your actions.
Icaterina is not responsible for any costs incurred by a traveler removed from a vacation. By booking with Icaterina, travelers agree not to hold Icaterina liable for any actions taken under these Terms & Conditions.
Booking on behalf of others. By booking on behalf of other participants, you are considered the designated contact person for all individuals included in the booking. As such, you are responsible for:
By booking on behalf of another person or persons, you represent and warrant that you have obtained all necessary consents, including consent to share these Terms & Conditions with all members of your party.
You are also responsible for ensuring that any information provided on behalf of another participant is complete and accurate. Icaterina will not be held liable under any circumstances for errors or omissions in the information you provide to complete a booking.
Participants with Disabilities. If the Client is booking on behalf of a participant with a disability or pre-existing medical condition that may affect the trip, or if special requirements are necessary due to such conditions (including those affecting the booking process), the Client must inform Icaterina prior to booking. This will enable us to assist in evaluating the suitability of the arrangements and/or in making the booking. Full details must be provided in writing at the time of booking and updated should any changes to the participant's condition or disability occur.
While Icaterina will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate special requests, we cannot guarantee that ADA-compliant accommodations or services will be available. Any accommodations provided will be at the sole expense of the participant requiring them. Please note that accommodations outside the USA may not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and may lack wheelchair accessibility.
Icaterina and its suppliers are unable to provide additional assistance for participants requiring it. For participants with disabilities or pre-existing medical conditions needing extra support, the Client must confirm, at the time of booking, the name of a non-discounted travel companion who will be responsible for providing the necessary assistance.
Special Dietary Requirements. Icaterina will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary requirements, restrictions, and food allergies communicated to us at the time of booking. However, for safety and liability reasons, Icaterina and its representatives cannot guarantee the availability of specific dietary accommodations and are not responsible for any issues or problems arising from the same.
Participants are strongly encouraged to communicate their dietary needs directly to meal establishments or suppliers during their trip to ensure their requirements are understood and addressed. While many establishments may offer general options, the availability of specific accommodations, particularly for allergies or strict dietary restrictions, cannot be guaranteed.
Icaterina will provide assistance in communicating dietary needs to suppliers when possible, but the ultimate responsibility for managing dietary requirements rests with the participant.
Accuracy of Printed and Online Material. Icaterina makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of its printed and online materials. However, occasional errors may occur. When you receive any printed or electronic materials from us, including itineraries, tickets, vouchers, or related documents, it is your responsibility to review them carefully for accuracy. Please notify us immediately of any discrepancies or required changes to help ensure a smooth tour experience.
Icaterina is not liable for typographical or printing errors in brochures, itineraries, confirmations, or related materials. We reserve the right to correct any such errors, including pricing errors, and to adjust the price of your trip accordingly if necessary
Our itinerary planning process follows a structured and collaborative workflow, carefully designed to provide a tailored and high-quality travel experience that meets your expectations. For comprehensive details about this process, please refer to the dedicated Itinerary Design Workflow, which is an integral part of these Terms & Conditions.
Below, we provide additional details to clarify specific aspects of the process and associated payments.
Itinerary Design Deposit (IDD). The IDD is an amount that is deducted from the final balance if the trip is confirmed. In the case of non-confirmation, it is retained as compensation for the itinerary design and planning work. The standard IDD is €500 for itineraries with up to 6 participants and is subject to the following exceptions:
Large Groups:
Events and Weddings: The IDD does not apply. Instead, the following deposits are required:
Minimum Weekly Cost. Icaterina reserves the right to request a non-refundable Itinerary Design Fee (IDF) of up to €700 per travel week (6 nights and 7 days) for itineraries with a projected cost of less than €7,000 per week. If the total value of services booked through us (including hotels, services, and experiences) exceeds €7,000 per travel week, the IDF is deducted from the final balance.
Logistics-Only Travel Planning. On request, Icaterina can design itineraries that do not include the booking of hotels, services, or experiences with us but instead focus exclusively on logistics information, such as ferry or train schedules and costs, museum timetables and booking guidelines, recommended stops, restaurant suggestions, etc. The service also includes client assistance and is available at a cost of €800 per travel week (6 nights and 7 days).
Retention and Refund Policy. The IDD and LED will be retained only if the trip is not confirmed; otherwise, they will be deducted from the final balance payment of the trip. The WDF follows the policy of the wedding/event designer, which will be provided based on the selected partner.
Deposit and Payment Schedule. Upon confirmation, a 30% deposit of the total amount is required. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 90 (ninety) days prior to the start day of the confirmed trip. For reservations made within 90 days of arrival, full payment is required to secure bookings.
If any payment is not received in full and on time, Icaterina reserves the right to treat the booking as canceled, in which case the cancellation charges outlined below will apply.
Booking Confirmation. Once a booking has been confirmed, its status will be updated from "provisional" to "confirmed", provided Icaterina has received the non-refundable Itinerary Design Fee and a completed copy of the Terms & Conditions, signed exclusively by the Client.
Payment Methods. Payments are accepted exclusively in EURO (€) via Credit Card through payment links (a commission fee of 1.5% to 3% will apply, depending on the country and credit card provider) and Bank Transfer (details will be provided as needed).
All payments must be prearranged between the parties.
The Client is liable for all bank and related transaction charges.
Supplier Deposits. Some suppliers (e.g., hotels, airfare, train tickets, museums, etc.) may require a deposit at the time of booking confirmation. This deposit will be requested from the Client/Traveler in advance to guarantee the booking.
Quotes and Currency Fluctuations. Airfare and train ticket quotes are valid for 24 hours and are subject to change until the tickets are issued.
Certain operators and suppliers provide rates in foreign currencies. As these rates may fluctuate relative to the Euro, all quoted prices are estimates only. The final invoice will reflect the tour price based on the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment.
Right of Refusal. Icaterina reserves the right to refuse a booking in cases of inappropriate behavior by the Client. In such cases, any Itinerary Design Fee already received will not be refunded.
Changes to the Itinerary. Icaterina and its Service Suppliers reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to make additions or deletions to the itinerary if deemed advisable or necessary for the well-being of the traveler. Please note that, like other Service Suppliers, tour guides are independent contractors and not employees of Icaterina.
While we strive to minimize changes to itineraries, adjustments may occur due to factors such as national holidays, site closures, emergencies, participant safety concerns, or Force Majeure events. This list is exemplary and not exhaustive, as other circumstances may also necessitate itinerary changes.
Changes made by Icaterina or its Service Suppliers shall not constitute grounds for cancellation or refund.
Cancellation by Icaterina. Icaterina will not cancel a tour, holiday, or other travel arrangement once the Client has paid in full, unless cancellation becomes necessary due to specific circumstances such as a group tour not meeting the minimum required number of participants. In such cases, the Client will be informed without delay, and Icaterina will make every effort to provide suitable and comparable alternatives.
For cancellations resulting from Force Majeure events or other circumstances beyond Icaterina's control, please refer to the terms outlined in the Force Majeure section of these Terms & Conditions.
Cancellations & Changes by the Client. he following terms apply to cancellations made by the Client:
Please note that in the event of cancellation of one or more travelers, the total trip cost will be adjusted accordingly, and additional costs may be incurred by the remaining travelers.
The "Days Prior to Departure" calculation is based on the date Icaterina receives written notice of cancellation. Cancellation notices must be sent via email to info@icaterina.com.
There are no exceptions to our cancellation policy. For this reason, Icaterina strongly recommends purchasing cancel-for-any-reason trip insurance at the time of paying the Itinerary Design Fee.
No refunds are provided for unused meals, services, or lodging.
Changes made after payment of the Itinerary Design Fee may incur additional fees, which will be determined at the time of the change.
Land, Sea and Air Transportation. Carriage by land, sea, and air is subject to the Terms & Conditions of the respective carrier with whom you travel, as well as to applicable international conventions, which may limit liability. Transportation by land, sea, and air is also subject to the operational decisions of carriers, as well as air and seaport authorities, which may result in cancellations, delays, or diversions. These decisions are beyond the control of Icaterina, and Icaterina accepts no liability for any resulting issues.
The temporary or permanent loss of baggage is the sole responsibility of the carrier and the Client/Traveler.
Chargeback Disputes. Icaterina retains the right to dispute any improper chargeback initiated by the Client/Traveler. By initiating an improper chargeback, the Client/Traveler consents to the jurisdiction of an Italian court, waives the right to a jury trial, and agrees to bear all costs of collection, including attorneys' fees and related expenses.
Additionally, Icaterina reserves the right to cancel any travel reservations associated with the disputed charge. Improper chargebacks include, but are not limited to:
Passport. Italian immigration requires foreign citizens to present a valid passport upon entering the country. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in Italy. If a participant is unable to obtain the necessary travel documents or is prohibited from entering the destination country, our standard cancellation policy will apply, and Icaterina will not be held responsible in any way.
Non-U.S. citizens should contact the embassy or consulate of their destination countries to ensure they meet all specific entry requirements. In some countries, travelers may be required to pay entry (reciprocity) fees and/or departure taxes, which are collected at airports by local government authorities upon entry or departure. These fees are the sole responsibility of the traveler. Please note that entry to any country may be refused even if all required information and travel documents are complete.
United States citizens do not need a visa to visit Italy for stays of less than 90 days. However, a visa may be required if the stay exceeds 90 days or if the visit is for purposes other than tourism, such as educational or religious activities. Visas can be obtained from a regional Italian consulate office by submitting the appropriate supporting documentation, a visa application form, a recent passport-sized photo, the passport, and payment for any applicable fees. Non-U.S. citizens should contact the embassy or consulate of their destination countries to confirm visa requirements.
Each traveler is solely responsible for ensuring they have the correct entry documentation. Travelers are also reminded to verify that the name on their passport matches exactly the name on their airline ticket. Airlines cannot accept tickets with incorrectly spelled names, and passengers will be denied boarding under such circumstances. If a name is spelled incorrectly on a ticket, a new ticket must be purchased, and applicable refund charges will apply.
Icaterina is not liable for any issues arising from inaccurate or incomplete passenger data provided by the Client.
Risk. All travel involves some level of risk. While Icaterina will inform you of any known travel risks or advisories in effect for your destination, it is your responsibility to stay informed about current travel advisories and warnings that may apply at the time of your trip. You should take appropriate steps to prepare for your journey accordingly.
The ultimate decision to travel to any destination rests solely with you. Should you choose to travel to a destination where warnings or advisories are in effect, Icaterina will not be liable for any personal injury, loss, theft, or damages of any kind resulting from such travel.
Health. Recommended inoculations and health requirements for travel may vary and are subject to change. You should consult your doctor or a travel health specialist for the latest recommendations prior to your departure.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all health-related entry requirements, obtain the necessary and recommended inoculations, take any prescribed medications, and follow all medical advice related to your trip.
Insurance. Icaterina strongly recommends that all Travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover potential risks, including cancellation fees, loss or damage to baggage, and personal possessions. It is essential that you arrange this insurance at the time of booking.
While the Icaterina team strives to ensure that your trip runs as smoothly as possible, certain factors are beyond our control. For this reason, Icaterina requires all Travelers to have travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation coverage. Additionally, we highly recommend the purchase of supplemental cancel-for-any-reason coverage to provide maximum flexibility and protection.
Concierge Service. While in Italy, clients are kindly reminded that any on-site concierge additions requested after the trip has begun may incur a €50.00 change fee, in addition to the cost of the added services or activities. This applies to all requests, including those made via our 24/7 emergency number.
Photograph or Likeness. Icaterina may take photographs or videos during its trips. By participating in a trip, participants grant Icaterina permission to capture and use any photographs, video footage, audio recordings, or other likenesses of participants taken during the tour for promotional or commercial purposes. Such use does not require notification or compensation to the participant.
If any provision of this agreement is found to be unenforceable, all remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. These Booking Conditions, as well as any agreements to which they apply, are governed in all respects by the laws of Italy, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any claims must be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction located in Rome, Italy.
You agree to bring any claims against Icaterina solely in your individual capacity, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class action or representative proceeding. Icaterina shall not, under any circumstances, be liable for damages other than compensatory damages. Your payment of an Itinerary Design Fee constitutes your agreement to these conditions and your express waiver of any right to punitive damages.
All traveler claims must be submitted in writing and received by Icaterina no later than ninety (90) days after the completion of the Icaterina vacation. Claims not submitted and received within this time frame shall be deemed waived and barred.