LIVE LIKE A LOCAL IN ITALY RETREAT DEPOSIT FORM
BY PLACING THIS DEPOSIT YOU AGREE TO THE BELOW TERMS & CONDITIONS. UPON SUBMISSION OF THE FORM YOU WILL BE CHARGED USD 515 WHICH INCLUDES USD 500 DEPOSIT + 3% SURCHARGE TO COVER CREDIT CARD BOOKING FEE. YOU WILL RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION RECEIPT, INVOICE FOR BALANCE DUE, AND LIABILITY FORM TO REVIEW AND SIGN WITHIN 48 HOURS OF BOOKING.
RETREAT TERMS & CONDITIONS OF BOOKING
1. These terms
1.1 What these terms cover. These are the terms and conditions which govern your booking of a retreat with us, CM Design Consulting, LLC, a California limited liability company.
1.2 Why you should read them. Please read these terms carefully before you submit your booking to us. These terms tell you who we are, how we will provide retreats to you, how you and we may change or end the contract, what to do if there is a problem and other important information. If you think that there is a mistake in these terms, please contact us to discuss.
2. Information about us and how to contact us
2.1 Who we are. CM Design Consulting LLC, a limited liability corporation registered in the State of California, USA. Our company is registered as EIN# 93-4614984. Our registered address is 212 31st Street Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
2.2 How to contact us. You can contact Christina at +1-203-217-6305 or by writing to us at cmdesignbooks@gmail.com.
2.3 How we may contact you. If we have to contact you we will do so by telephone or by writing to you at the email address you provided to us in your booking.
2.4 “Writing” includes emails. When we use the words “writing” or “written” in these terms, this includes emails.
2.5 Seller of Travel. CM Design Consulting LLC is a registered seller of travel in the State of California under CST#2161494-50. This business has a surety bond issued by Westfield National Insurance Company in the amount of $15,000.
2.6 Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. For travelers who purchase from within California: This transaction is covered by the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund (TCRF) as CM Design Consulting LLC is registered with the TCRF as a seller of travel under TCRC ID: 709661. Eligible passengers may file a claim with TCRF if the passenger is owed a refund of more than $50 for transportation or travel services which the seller of travel failed to forward to a proper provider or such money was not refunded to you when required. The maximum amount which may be paid by the TCRF to any one passenger is the total amount paid on behalf of the passenger to CM Design Consulting LLC. A claim must be submitted to the TCRF within 12 months after the scheduled completion date of the travel. A claim must include sufficient documentation to prove your claim and a $35 processing fee. Claimants must agree to waive their right to other civil remedies against a registered participating seller of travel for matters arising out of a sale for which you file a TCRF claim. You may request a claim form by writing to: Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation; 468 Manzanita Ave., Suite 1, Chico, CA 95926; or by visiting TCRC’s website at: www.tcrcinfo.org. For travelers who purchase from outside California, the transaction is not covered by the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund.
3. Your booking
3.1 Your agreement when making a booking. When you make a booking with us, the named person on the booking agrees that he/she:
- has read these terms and has the authority to and does agree to be bound by them;
- consents to our use of personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
- is over 21 years of age;
- accepts financial responsibility for payment of the booking.
3.2 How to make a booking. You can initiate a booking by paying a deposit on the above booking form. A confirmation email will be sent to you upon submission of the booking.
3.3 Your responsibility. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have carefully read all information we have provided to you regarding the retreat, including the property and local area description and that it aligns with your intent. If you have any specific requirements or requests, you must contact us before making your booking.
3.4 Age restrictions. You must be at least 21 years of age to join the retreat.
3.5 Every guest needs their own registration. Inviting other people (friends or external suppliers) onto the retreat will require a separate booking approval.
4. Our contract with you
4.1 How we will accept your booking. You will receive a confirmation email upon submission of your deposit. Christina will reach out via email to confirm the booking, send a booking receipt, an invoice for balance due, and a contract that will be required to be signed to participate in the retreat. All bookings are subject to our advance approval, and your booking is not confirmed until we send you confirmation.
4.2 Your responsibility to check your documents. It is your responsibility to check the confirmation invoice and any other documents we send you carefully as soon as you receive them. Contact us immediately if any information which appears on the confirmation invoice or any other document appears to be incorrect or incomplete as it may not be possible to make changes later. Please ensure that the names on the confirmation invoice exactly match the name in your passport.
4.3 If we cannot accept your booking. If we are unable to accept your booking, we will inform you of this in writing and will not charge you. If you have already made payment, we will refund this to you.
5. Price and payment
5.1 Price of your retreat. The cost of this retreat is USD 2500.
5.2 Will the price change after you have booked. Once the price of your retreat has been confirmed at the time of booking, it is guaranteed and will not be increased, unless you decide to make any changes to your booking, including by adding people to your booking, all of which are subject to our review and confirmation.
5.3 Occupancy. Your booking is for single occupancy. You will have your own hotel room with its own bathroom. Should you wish to invite someone with you to share a room, please contact Christina. In that case, it may be possible to discount the cost of the retreat for the hotel accommodation portion only.
5.4 How you can make payments to us. We accept credit/debit card or PayPal payments but there will be a non-refundable 3% surcharge added to reflect the cost incurred in processing this type of payment. You may also contact Christina to make payment by Zelle or Venmo and no surcharge will be applied.
5.5 When you must pay.
- In order to make a booking with us, you must pay a USD 500 deposit at the time of booking.
- The balance of the cost of your retreat is due by July 1, 2025. This date will be shown on the confirmation invoice. Balance payment can be made via bank transfer or credit card. If you fail to pay the balance by the due date, we are entitled to assume that you wish to cancel your booking and we shall retain the deposit paid as the applicable cancellation charge.
6. If you wish to cancel your confirmed booking
6.1 Your right to cancel your booking. You must notify us by email for request for cancellation. If we are able to replace your spot in the retreat, we will refund 100% of your paid amount. If we are not able to replace your spot in the retreat, the USD 500 deposit is non-refundable, and you acknowledge and agree that once your deposit is placed, it may not be eligible for refund, except as described here.
6.2 Cancellation due to events beyond our control.
Please note that in the event we have to cancel your retreat due to Force Majeure events beyond our control, we will refund 100% of your paid amount.
“Force Majeure” event(s) beyond our control include any unavoidable and extraordinary circumstance occurring in the place of your retreat or its immediate vicinity which significantly affects our ability to perform (or safely perform) your retreat or the carriage of passengers to that destination. Examples of a Force Majeure event include, but are not limited to warfare, acts of terrorism, significant risks to human health such as the outbreak of serious disease at the travel destination or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely to the travel destination.
In the event of a Force Majeure situation, we will refund 100% of your paid amount but will have no further or other liability to you including in respect of compensation or any costs or expenses you incur or have incurred in connection with your preparation for the retreat. The determination as to whether a “Force Majeure” event has occurred will be determined by us in our reasonable and sole discretion.
If you believe a Force Majeure event has occurred and we have not yet cancelled the retreat, please contact us with details regarding the event for our assessment. For the avoidance of any doubt, minor risks associated with the retreat will not necessarily amount to a Force Majeure event or entitle you to a refund, unless determined by us.
6.3 How we will refund you (if any refund is due to you when you cancel). Where a refund is due to you, we will pay it, less the credit card surcharge amount, by the method you used for payment.
6.4 When your refund will be made. We will make any refunds due to you as soon as possible, but in any event within 14 days of your telling us you wish to cancel your booking.
6.5 If you return home early or make changes after the commencement of your booking. If you are forced to return home early, we cannot refund the cost of any services you have not used. If you cut short your retreat and return home early for any reason, we will not offer you any refund for that part of your booking not completed, or be liable for any associated costs you may incur. If you decide to alter your booking while abroad, this is your own responsibility and we will not be responsible for any extras or difficulties that may arise with onward travel as a result of such alterations. Depending on the circumstances, your travel insurance may offer cover for curtailment and we suggest that any claim is made directly with them.
7. Our rights to make changes or cancel your confirmed retreat
7.1 Changes to booking. Very occasionally, we may have to make a change to your confirmed booking or cancel it altogether and we reserve the right to do so.
7.2 Minor changes to your retreats. Most changes will be minor and we have the right to make these. Where we become aware of a minor change to your retreat before departure, we will try to notify you in writing should there be time to do so. We do not have to pay you any compensation where the change to your retreat is minor. Minor changes are likely to include (but are not limited to):
- changes to any itinerary forming part of your retreat which is not a major change;
- a reduction in the time that is spent with the host of the retreat on one day of the itinerary, made up with an increase in the time spent with the host on another day of the itinerary;
- a change of the overall length of your retreat by less than 12 hours;
- change of accommodation to another of a similar or higher standard.
7.3 Significant changes to your retreat. Occasionally, we may have to make a significant change to or cancel your confirmed booking. Examples of “significant changes” include the following, when made before departure:
- a change to the advertised, guest host of the retreat (e.g. a change to the guest chef advertised as providing a cooking experience as part of the retreat or similar);
- a change of accommodation area for the whole or a significant part of your time away;
- a change of accommodation to that of a lower standard or classification for the whole or a significant part of your time away;
- a change of outward departure time or overall length of your retreat by more than 12 hours.
7.4 If we make a significant change. If we have to make a significant change to your confirmed booking, we will provide you with the following information in writing as soon as possible:
- the proposed changes to your retreat (including any change to the date or duration of the retreat) and any impact they have on the price;
- your entitlement to cancel your booking and receive a full refund if you do not want to accept the proposed change or any substitute retreat offered; and
- the period within which you must inform us of your decision and what will happen if you don’t do so. If you choose to cancel your booking, we will refund all payments you have made to us within 14 days of the date we receive your written cancellation. If we don’t hear from you with your decision within the specified period (having provided you with the above-mentioned information for a second time), we will cancel your booking and refund all payments made to us within 14 days of our doing so.
7.5 If we have to cancel your booking. We have the right to terminate your confirmed booking in the following circumstances:
- we are prevented from performing your contracted arrangements as a result of Force Majeure events beyond our control; or
- we have to cancel because the number of persons who have booked the retreat which you are attending is smaller than the minimum number applicable to the retreat as stated in the contract and you are notified of the cancellation; or
- we cancel due to your failure to pay the balance of the cost of your retreat on time; or
- we otherwise determine we are not able to proceed with the retreat for any reason.
7.6 If we cancel your booking. If we have to cancel your confirmed booking, we will provide you with the following information in writing as soon as possible:
- details of any substitute arrangements we are able to offer (if any), including the price. Where the substitute arrangements are a lower standard or cost, you will be entitled to a refund of the difference in price;
- whether you are entitled to receive a full refund if you do not want to accept the substitute arrangements offered; and
- the period within which you must inform us of your decision and what will happen if you don’t do so. If you choose to a refund, we will refund all payments you have made to us as soon as possible. If we don’t hear from you with your decision within the specified period (having provided you with the above-mentioned information for a second time), we will cancel your booking and refund all payments made to us as soon as possible
7.7 Cancellation due to failure to reach minimum numbers. Where we cancel your confirmed booking due to a failure to reach the minimum number of participants required, we will notify you no later than 30 days prior to the start of the retreat.
7.8 Compensation for the cancellation of retreat bookings. In the event we must cancel the retreat for any reason, we will refund to you the amounts you paid to us for the retreat as your sole and exclusive remedy. In no event will we be liable to you for any additional amounts associated with the cancellation.
7.9 Changes made during the retreat. If we become unable to provide a significant proportion of the retreat that you have booked after it has started, we will, if possible, make alternative arrangements for you at no extra charge and where those alternative arrangements are of a lower standard, provide you with an appropriate price reduction, as reasonably determined by us in our sole discretion.
8. Your responsibilities
8.1 Travel insurance. You are solely responsible for any travel insurance you desire to have in connection with the retreat. We do not guarantee any particular type of insurance coverage. It is your sole responsibility to ensure that any insurance you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs, ensuring it covers all the activities you plan to undertake and protects you against cancellation, medical and repatriation expenses and personal liability claims. If you wish to arrange additional activities while you are away, please check your cover before doing so. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, you accept all risks associated with that lack of coverage.
8.2 Behavior. You are expected to conduct yourself in an orderly and acceptable manner and not to disrupt the enjoyment of others. If in our opinion or in the opinion of any other person in authority, your behavior or that of any member of your party is causing or is likely to cause distress, danger or annoyance to any other customers or any third party, or damage to property, or to cause a delay or diversion to transportation, we reserve the right to terminate your booking immediately without refund, and with no further liability to you. You and/or your party may also be required to pay for loss and/or damage caused by your actions and you and each member of your party will be jointly and individually liable for any damage or losses caused. Full payment for any such damage or losses must be paid directly to the relevant supplier prior to departure. If you fail to make payment, you will be responsible for meeting any claims (including legal costs) subsequently made against us because of your actions together with all costs we incur in pursuing any claim against you. We cannot be held responsible for the actions or behavior of other guests or individuals who have no connection with your booking arrangements or with us.
8.3 Security of the property. It is your responsibility to ensure that your personal possessions are secured at all times. Any loss of your or the hotel’s items are your responsibility.
8.4 Passports & Visas. It is your responsibility to check and fulfill the passport, visa, health and immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. We can only provide general information about this. You must check requirements for your own specific circumstances with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates and your own doctor as applicable. Requirements do change, and you must check the up to date position in good time before departure. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.
9. If there is a problem during your retreat
9.1 How to tell us if you have a problem. If you have a complaint about your retreat, you must tell us and we will take all reasonable steps to help you. It is only if you do this that we will have the opportunity to help resolve the matter.
10. Our responsibilities to you
10.1 We are responsible to you for organizing the retreat. We are responsible for organizing the itineraries and accommodations associated with the treat, as outlined in the materials presented by us to you. We will strive to work with reliable and reputable vendors and providers in connection with such itineraries, but we are ultimately not responsible for their offerings or any deficiencies or failures in their offerings.
10.2 What we will not be responsible for. We are not responsible for, and you hereby release us from any claims or damages associated with any injury, illness, death, loss (including loss of possessions or enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any nature whatsoever which results from:
- the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected;
- the act(s) and/or omission(s) of any third party;
- Force Majeure events beyond our control.
- We are not responsible for any part of your experience not expressly provided by us. This includes, for example, any additional services or facilities that you purchase or book during your retreat, any services or facilities that are not advertised as forming part of your retreat.
10.4 Where you require assistance during your retreat. If, during your retreat, you find yourself in difficulty for any reason, we will make reasonable efforts to resolve the matter or direct you to right resources once you bring the matter to our attention.
11. Travel Disclaimers
11.1 Travel Risks. You acknowledge and agree that all travel inherently comes with certain risks, discomforts, and uncertainties, including those arising from weather conditions, travel carriers, third-party vendors, and other elements outside our direct control. By accepting these terms and conditions, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with travel. Although endeavors to provide a seamless and enjoyable retreat experience, we cannot be held responsible for any disruptions, delays, or changes that may occur due to such risks and uncertainties. Elements beyond our control expressly include but are not limited to whether actual or threatened, war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, flood, epidemics and pandemics (including the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic), criminals, bad-actors, vehicles, fire, airport, port or airspace closures, restrictions or congestion and flight restrictions imposed by any regulatory authority or other third party, an FCDO advisory against travel to a particular destination and any other government restrictions on travel.
11.2 Travel Experiences. You acknowledge and agree that travel experiences are inherently subjective, including but not limited to accommodations, hospitality, and culinary experiences. The standards of accommodations and services in international locations can vary significantly from those in one’s home country or from one’s personal expectations. We strive to provide a high-quality retreat experience; however, it is understood that individual preferences and perceptions greatly influence the experience of travel services and facilities. As such, we cannot guarantee that every aspect of the retreat will meet every participant’s subjective expectations or preferences. Participants are encouraged to embrace the diversity and uniqueness of their travel experiences with an open mind, understanding that the essence of travel lies in experiencing new and different cultures, settings, and standards.
11.3 Release of Claims. By participating in the retreat, you hereby waive, release, and forever discharge CM Design Consulting, LLC, its officers, agents, employees, contractors, and affiliates from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, rights, or causes of action, present or future, known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, resulting from or arising out of your participation in the retreat. This includes but is not limited to any loss, injury, damage, or expense incurred by you or your property, except where such loss, injury, damage, or expense is due to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of CM Design Consulting, LLC. You understand that this waiver and release includes any claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of CM Design Consulting, LLC, its officers, agents, employees, contractors, and affiliate, except for instances of gross negligence or willful misconduct by such parties, to the maximum extent permitted by law.
11.4 Indemnification. You hereby agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CM Design Consulting, LLC, its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, suppliers, and any third-party information providers to the service from and against all losses, expenses, damages, and costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, resulting from your own acts, omissions, or breach of this agreement. This indemnification obligation will survive the termination of these terms and conditions and your use of the service.
11.5 Limitations on Warranties. THE SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS. EXCEPT FOR THE PROMISES EXPRESSLY INCLUDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, CM DESIGN CONSULTING, LLC HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CM DESIGN CONSULTING, LLC MAKES NO WARRANTY THAT THE SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, WILL BE AVAILABLE ON AN UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE BASIS, OR WILL BE COMPLETELY ACCURATE, RELIABLE OR SAFE.
11.6 Limitations on Liability. To the maximum extent permitted by law, CM Design Consulting, LLC shall not be liable to you for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly as result of your use of our services. In no event shall our aggregate liability for all claims relating to this agreement exceed the amount you paid to us for the services.
12. Health, safety, special requests, medical conditions, disabilities and reduced mobility
12.1 Your responsibility. You are responsible for your own health and safety.
12.2 You must notify us of special requests. If you have any special request, you must advise us at the time of booking. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. We regret we cannot accept any conditional bookings, i.e. any booking which is specified to be conditional on the fulfillment of a particular request. All such bookings will be treated as “standard” bookings subject to the above provisions on special requests.
12.3 Medical conditions. If you have any medical condition, disability or reduced mobility which may affect any aspect of your booking (or the booking process), you must inform us before you confirm your booking so that we can advise you as to the suitability of your retreat and otherwise assist with the booking process. In any event, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking or, if the condition, disability or reduced mobility only develops or deteriorates after you have booked, as soon as you become aware of it.
12.4 If you require medical assistance during the course of your booking. We are not medical experts. Should you require medical attention during your retreat, local medical services can be contacted for emergency treatment. The acceptance and cost of such treatment are your sole responsibility. Please be aware that medical practitioners may only be conversant in their home language. We will be on hand to offer assistance and translation if required, but we are not liable for any aspect of medical treatment provided to you.
13. Wildlife, Pets and the surrounding area
13.1 Wildlife. Please note that we will be in rural areas, where wildlife such as animals and insects are a natural part of the landscape, like the grass and the trees. It would not be particularly unusual to encounter animals, such as rodents, dogs, or cats (stray or belonging to nearby locals), or insects such as wasps, bees, mosquitoes, flies, ants, or spiders. Please do not purposefully feed any local animals – it will encourage them to return and they may not be so welcome to the next guests.
13.2 Allergies. If you suffer from allergies triggered by animals, please let us know before booking.
13.3 Pets. We regret that pets are not permitted.
13.4 Noise. We ask that you are respectful of other participants, the local situation including any neighbors and do not make undue noise or cause disruptions which might disturb the community during your stay.
13.5 The surrounding area. You agree that we are not responsible for any changes to the area surrounding the property in which your retreat will take place, nor for the behavior of any persons who are not employed or contracted directly by us or the supplier in question, which may impact the area surrounding the property. This may include (but is not limited to) changes to the local area arising due to natural causes (such as fire, storms, diseases affecting plants and trees, etc.) or due to the acts of third parties (such as litter, the cutting down of plants and trees, building work, etc.).
14. Brochure and website accuracy
14.1 Photographs/Video. Please note, the photographs/video on our website are intended to give a general overall impression of the retreat. Some aspects of the retreats (and the properties at which they take place) may have changed by the time you come to make your booking, for example, items of furniture may have been removed by the owner, third-party vendors may have changed, and other details depicted in the trips may not be identical to recordings of past trips.
14.2 Third-Party Vendors. The brochure and website may list the offerings of third-party vendors. If you choose to engage in any of those offerings, you acknowledge and agree that such offerings are not provided by us, and we have no responsibility for any damages arising from your participation.
14.3 Retreat itineraries. Please note that the retreat itineraries advertised on our website are provided for indicative purposes only and are subject to change. Where any changes are made to the itinerary prior to booking, we will confirm those changes to you before you place your booking. We also reserve the right to make changes to your itinerary after you have booked your retreat as outlined in this Agreement.
15. How we may use your personal information
15.1 How we may use your personal information. We will only use your personal information as set out in our Privacy Policy.
16. Other important terms
16.1 You need our consent to transfer your rights under this contract to someone else.
16.2 Nobody else has any rights under this contract. This contract is between you and us. No other person shall have any rights to enforce any of its terms. Neither of us will need to get the agreement of any other person to end the contract or make any changes to these terms.
16.3 Conditions of suppliers. Many of the services which make up your booking are provided by independent suppliers. Those suppliers provide these services in accordance with their own terms and conditions which will form part of your contract with us. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier’s liability to you.
16.4 If a court finds part of this contract illegal, the rest will continue in force. Each of the paragraphs of these terms operates separately. If any court or relevant authority decides that any of them are unlawful, the remaining paragraphs will remain in full force and effect.
16.5 Even if we delay in enforcing this contract, we can still enforce it later. If we do not insist immediately that you do anything you are required to do under these terms, or if we delay in taking steps against you in respect of your breaking this contract, that will not mean that you do not have to do those things and it will not prevent us taking steps against you at a later date. For example, if you miss a payment and we do not chase you, we can still require you to make the payment at a later date.
