Booking Terms & Conditions

Our commitment to transparency, trust, and exceptional travel experiences.

Italy Vacation Specialists is a licensed Italian Destination Management Company and Tour Operator. We arrange both individual travel services and package travel experiences in accordance with applicable Italian and European legislation. Where your reservation constitutes a "package" under the European Union Package Travel Directive, you will benefit from the rights and protections afforded under that legislation.

Table of Contents

1. Acceptance of these Booking Terms & Conditions

2. Definitions

3. Reservations & Booking Confirmation

4. Deposits & Final Payment

5. Tour Pricing & Currency

6. Changes, Cancellations & Refunds

7. Mobility, Health & Accessibility

8. Traveller Responsibilities

9. Travel Documents & Insurance 

10. Force Majeure & Operational Changes

11. Supplier Responsibility & Liability

12. Privacy & Data Protection

13. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

14. Our Commitment to You

1. Acceptance of these Terms & Conditions

These Booking Terms & Conditions form the agreement between you ("the Traveller") and Italy Vacation Specialists, a division of Absolute Italy S.r.l. ("Italy Vacation Specialists", "IVS", "we", "our", or "us"), and apply to all reservations, travel services, accommodations, transportation, tours, experiences, and related products arranged by our company unless otherwise agreed in writing.

By paying a deposit, making a reservation, confirming a booking, or otherwise engaging our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted these Booking Terms & Conditions on behalf of yourself and all travellers included in your reservation.

The individual making the reservation confirms that they are at least 18 years of age and have the authority to accept these Terms & Conditions on behalf of every traveller included within the booking.

If your reservation is made through a travel advisor or third-party agency, those advisors are responsible for ensuring that these Booking Terms & Conditions are communicated to all members of the travelling party prior to confirmation.

These Booking Terms & Conditions, together with your booking confirmation, itinerary, invoice, and any written amendments agreed by Italy Vacation Specialists, constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede any prior quotations, discussions, representations, or correspondence relating to your booking.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of these Booking Terms & Conditions:

"Italy Vacation Specialists", "IVS", "we", "our", or "us" refers to Absolute Italy S.r.l., trading as Italy Vacation Specialists, together with its employees, representatives, contractors, and authorised suppliers.

"Traveller", "Guest", "Client", or "You" refers to any individual travelling on, participating in, or benefiting from services arranged by Italy Vacation Specialists.

"Booking" means any confirmed reservation for travel services arranged by Italy Vacation Specialists, whether made directly or through a travel advisor.

"Travel Advisor" refers to any accredited travel agency, independent travel consultant, or third-party representative acting on behalf of a traveller.

"Supplier" includes hotels, transportation providers, airlines, rail operators, ferry companies, cruise lines, restaurants, guides, activity providers, museums, attractions, and all other independent organisations providing services as part of your itinerary.

"Tour" includes any itinerary, package, private journey, escorted tour, excursion, transfer, activity, or travel service arranged by Italy Vacation Specialists.

"Force Majeure Event" means any event beyond the reasonable control of Italy Vacation Specialists, including but not limited to natural disasters, severe weather, strikes, pandemics, government actions, civil unrest, war, terrorism, transportation disruptions, supplier insolvency, or other extraordinary circumstances.

3. Reservations & Booking Confirmation

Italy Vacation Specialists offers a wide range of travel services, including custom itineraries, escorted tours, accommodations, transportation, private experiences, guided sightseeing, culinary experiences, cruises, and other travel-related services throughout Italy, Greece, and the Mediterranean.

A reservation is considered confirmed only once:

• A written confirmation has been issued by Italy Vacation Specialists;

• The required deposit or full payment (where applicable) has been received; and

• Availability has been confirmed by all relevant suppliers.

Until these conditions have been met, all quotations, itineraries, accommodations, transportation services, and pricing remain subject to availability and may be modified or withdrawn without notice.

All quotations are provided in good faith based on supplier availability and pricing at the time of preparation. Unless otherwise stated in writing, quotations are valid for seven (7) days from the date of issue.

Where services require immediate confirmation, including but not limited to boutique accommodations, villas, cruises, luxury hotels, seasonal experiences, or special events, shorter quotation validity periods may apply.

Italy Vacation Specialists reserves the right to decline any reservation where availability cannot be confirmed or where operational circumstances make the booking impractical.

Booking Accuracy

Travellers are responsible for carefully reviewing their booking confirmation, itinerary, traveller names, travel dates, and all travel documents immediately upon receipt. Any discrepancies should be reported to Italy Vacation Specialists without delay so that corrections may be made where possible.

4. Deposits & Final Payments

A deposit is generally required to confirm any reservation.

The amount of the required deposit will vary depending upon the type of travel arrangements being booked and the payment conditions established by our suppliers.

Certain services, including luxury accommodations, villas, rail tickets, airline tickets, private yachts, event tickets, and other prepaid experiences, may require full payment at the time of booking.

Unless otherwise advised in writing, final payment is due no later than sixty (60) days prior to departure.

Reservations made within sixty (60) days of departure generally require full payment at the time of confirmation.

Failure to receive payment by the stated due date may result in cancellation of the reservation, the loss of any deposits paid, and the release of reserved services without further notice.

Italy Vacation Specialists accepts payment by the methods indicated on your invoice or booking confirmation. Any bank charges, exchange fees, credit card processing fees, or international transfer costs remain the responsibility of the traveller unless otherwise agreed in writing.

5. Tour Pricing & Currency

Italy Vacation Specialists is committed to providing transparent and competitive pricing based on supplier rates, taxes, transportation costs, exchange rates, and other operational expenses available at the time your quotation is prepared.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices are quoted in Euros (€). Where quotations are provided in another currency, pricing is based on the prevailing exchange rate at the time the quotation is issued.

Once your booking has been confirmed, we will make every reasonable effort to honour the agreed price. However, in exceptional circumstances beyond our reasonable control, price adjustments may become necessary before final payment or departure. These circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

• significant increases in transportation or fuel costs;

• government taxes, tourism levies, or regulatory charges;

• material exchange rate fluctuations;

• supplier price increases; or

• other unavoidable operational cost increases directly affecting your booking.

Should a material price adjustment become necessary, Italy Vacation Specialists will notify you as soon as reasonably practicable, provide an explanation of the adjustment, and make every reasonable effort to minimise its impact. Any increase will be limited to genuine additional costs directly affecting the confirmed travel arrangements.

Refunds, where applicable, will be issued using the original method of payment and in the original currency received. Italy Vacation Specialists is not responsible for exchange rate fluctuations, foreign transaction fees, bank charges, or other costs arising from currency conversion or payment processing by financial institutions.

Nothing in this section limits any statutory rights available under applicable consumer protection legislation, including the European Union Package Travel Directive where applicable.

Italy Vacation Specialists reserves the right to adjust the contract price before departure where such adjustment is directly attributable to increases in transportation costs (including fuel), taxes, government levies, exchange rate fluctuations, supplier charges, or other unavoidable increases in the cost of providing the confirmed travel arrangements. Any such adjustment shall reflect only the actual additional costs incurred and will not be applied arbitrarily.

6. Changes, Cancellations & Refunds

We understand that travel plans can change. While Italy Vacation Specialists will make every reasonable effort to accommodate changes whenever possible, confirmed travel arrangements are subject to the booking conditions of our suppliers and may incur additional costs, cancellation penalties, or availability restrictions.

Changes to a Booking

Any request to modify a confirmed booking must be submitted in writing by the traveller or the travel advisor responsible for the reservation.

All changes are subject to availability and supplier approval. Additional costs, revised pricing, supplier penalties, fare differences, or reasonable administrative fees may apply. Once travel has commenced, changes may be limited or unavailable.

Cancellation by the Traveller

All cancellations must be submitted in writing.

Cancellation charges will vary depending on the travel services booked and the policies of the relevant suppliers. Certain services—including villas, luxury accommodations, airline and rail tickets, ferries, cruises, event tickets, and other prepaid experiences—may be non-refundable from the time of confirmation.

Where applicable, supplier cancellation fees, non-refundable deposits, and reasonable administrative costs incurred by Italy Vacation Specialists may be deducted from any refund, subject to applicable law.

Cancellation by Italy Vacation Specialists

In exceptional circumstances, Italy Vacation Specialists may be required to cancel or significantly modify a booking due to operational reasons, safety concerns, supplier insolvency, or unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances.

Where this occurs, we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and, where appropriate, offer a suitable alternative, travel credit, or refund in accordance with applicable law and the terms of the affected booking.

Unused Services

No refund will normally be available for unused travel services where the traveller chooses not to use, misses, or leaves part of the itinerary for personal reasons, including late arrival, missed transportation, failure to obtain required travel documents, illness not attributable to Italy Vacation Specialists, or voluntary changes to travel plans.

Refunds

Where a refund is due, it will be processed as soon as reasonably practicable and issued using the original method of payment, less any applicable supplier charges, non-refundable deposits, administrative fees, or other contractual costs. Italy Vacation Specialists is not responsible for exchange rate fluctuations, bank charges, or foreign transaction fees incurred during the payment or refund process.

Nothing in this section limits any statutory rights available under applicable consumer protection legislation, including the European Union Package Travel Directive where applicable.

7. Mobility, Health & Accessibility Requirements

At Italy Vacation Specialists, we are committed to creating travel experiences that are enjoyable, safe, and accessible to as many travellers as reasonably possible. Many of the destinations we visit, however, are historic environments that present unique physical challenges beyond our control.

Italy and Greece are home to medieval villages, archaeological sites, cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, steep hills, staircases, historic buildings, ports, beaches, vineyards, and other locations where modern accessibility standards may be limited or unavailable.

To help us plan appropriately, all travellers are responsible for informing Italy Vacation Specialists, at the time of booking, of any mobility limitations, medical conditions, disabilities, or other circumstances that may affect their ability to participate safely and comfortably in the itinerary.

This information allows our team to recommend suitable accommodations, transportation, activities, and alternative arrangements whenever possible.

Failure to disclose relevant mobility or medical requirements before confirmation may limit our ability to accommodate those needs during travel and may result in additional costs, modifications to the itinerary, or, in exceptional circumstances, the inability to participate in certain activities.

Some tours and experiences may require travellers to:

• walk considerable distances over uneven or cobbled surfaces;

• climb or descend stairs without elevators;

• board boats, trains, or other transportation without accessible boarding facilities;

• navigate historic towns where vehicle access is restricted;

• tolerate periods of standing or moderate physical activity.

Where a traveller requires personal assistance with mobility, daily activities, or medical care, they may be required to travel with a companion capable of providing such assistance. Italy Vacation Specialists, its guides, drivers, and suppliers are not able to provide personal lifting, mobility assistance, or medical care unless specifically arranged in advance and confirmed in writing.

We will always make every reasonable effort to accommodate individual needs. However, traveller safety, the enjoyment of the group, and operational feasibility must remain our highest priorities.

We strongly encourage travellers who are uncertain about their ability to participate in a particular itinerary to discuss their requirements with our team before confirming their reservation. Early communication allows us to recommend the most suitable travel experience.
 

8. Traveller Responsibilities

To help ensure a safe, enjoyable, and respectful travel experience for everyone, travellers are expected to act responsibly throughout their journey and to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and reasonable instructions provided by Italy Vacation Specialists, our representatives, guides, drivers, and independent suppliers.

Travellers are responsible for ensuring that all information provided to Italy Vacation Specialists is accurate and complete, including personal details, passport information, mobility requirements, medical conditions, dietary restrictions, and any other information relevant to the successful delivery of the travel services.

Any decision to refuse or terminate participation shall be exercised reasonably and in good faith, having regard to the safety of all persons involved and the proper operation of the travel arrangements.

Travellers are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not endanger themselves or others, damage property, disrupt the enjoyment of fellow travellers, or interfere with the delivery of the travel services. Italy Vacation Specialists reserves the right to refuse or terminate a traveller's participation, without refund, where their conduct is reasonably considered to be unsafe, unlawful, abusive, disruptive, or likely to prejudice the safety, comfort, or enjoyment of others, or the successful operation of the itinerary.

Any costs, losses, damages, delays, fines, penalties, or additional expenses arising from a traveller's actions, omissions, failure to comply with applicable laws or reasonable instructions, or breach of these Booking Terms & Conditions shall remain the responsibility of the traveller.

9. Travel Documents & Insurance

Travellers are solely responsible for ensuring they possess all documents required for their journey, including valid passports, visas, entry permits, health documentation, vaccination certificates, and any other travel requirements imposed by the countries visited or transited. Passport validity, visa regulations, and entry requirements may change without notice, and travellers are responsible for verifying the latest requirements prior to departure.

Italy Vacation Specialists may provide general guidance regarding travel requirements; however, such information is offered for convenience only and should not be relied upon as legal or immigration advice. We accept no responsibility for losses, delays, denied boarding, refused entry, or additional expenses resulting from incomplete, invalid, or incorrect travel documentation.

We strongly recommend that all travellers obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering, at a minimum, trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, personal liability, baggage loss or delay, and any activities included within their itinerary. Travellers are responsible for ensuring that their insurance policy provides adequate coverage for their individual circumstances and destinations.

Failure to obtain appropriate travel documentation or adequate travel insurance shall not relieve the traveller of their financial obligations under these Booking Terms & Conditions, including any applicable cancellation charges, supplier penalties, or additional costs incurred as a result.

Italy Vacation Specialists reserves the right to require travellers participating in certain itineraries, activities, or destinations to obtain adequate travel insurance as a condition of travel. Where such insurance is mandatory, travellers may be asked to provide proof of coverage prior to departure.

10. Force Majeure & Operational Changes

Italy Vacation Specialists is committed to delivering the travel arrangements confirmed at the time of booking. However, travel is inherently subject to circumstances beyond our reasonable control and which could not reasonably have been foreseen, avoided, or prevented despite taking all reasonable measures ("Force Majeure Events"). In such circumstances, operational changes or additional costs may become unavoidable.

Every itinerary is prepared using supplier rates, transportation costs, accommodation pricing, taxes, exchange rates, and other operational expenses available at the time your quotation is issued. While we will make every reasonable effort to honour the confirmed itinerary and agreed pricing, Italy Vacation Specialists reserves the right to make reasonable operational changes or recover genuine additional costs where required as a direct result of a Force Majeure Event or other unavoidable and extraordinary circumstance affecting the confirmed travel arrangements.

Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

• natural disasters, severe weather, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, or other environmental events;

• pandemics, public health emergencies, quarantine measures, or disease outbreaks;

• government actions, border closures, visa restrictions, travel advisories, or changes in applicable laws or regulations;

• war, terrorism, civil unrest, political instability, strikes, industrial action, or security concerns;

• transportation delays, cancellations, route changes, port or airport closures, or infrastructure disruptions;

• supplier insolvency, unexpected supplier closures, or the unavailability of confirmed services;

• significant increases in fuel costs, transportation charges, taxes, tourism levies, regulatory fees, exchange rates, or other operating costs affecting the confirmed travel arrangements; and

• any other unavoidable or extraordinary event beyond the reasonable control of Italy Vacation Specialists or its suppliers.

Where such circumstances arise, Italy Vacation Specialists reserves the right to:

• modify the itinerary, travel route, schedule, accommodation, transportation, activities, suppliers, or sequence of services where reasonably necessary;

• substitute comparable services of a similar standard where the original arrangements are unavailable;

• recover reasonable additional costs directly arising from the affected travel arrangements where such costs could not reasonably have been foreseen at the time of booking and have been imposed by suppliers or other third parties; and

• take any other reasonable measures necessary to protect the safety of travellers or ensure the continued delivery of the travel services.

Where reasonably practicable, Italy Vacation Specialists will notify travellers of any material operational changes or additional charges as soon as possible, explain the reasons for those changes, and make every reasonable effort to minimise any resulting inconvenience or expense.

Where an operational change results in a comparable or higher standard of service, no compensation shall be payable solely because the original service could not be provided.

Nothing in this section excludes or limits any statutory rights available to travellers under applicable law, including the European Union Package Travel Directive where applicable.

11. Supplier Responsibility & Liability

Italy Vacation Specialists carefully selects the hotels, transportation providers, licensed guides, restaurants, activity operators, cruise companies, and other travel partners featured within our itineraries. Many of these relationships have been developed over many years and are based on our commitment to quality, professionalism, reliability, and authentic local experiences.

As the organiser of your travel arrangements, Italy Vacation Specialists is responsible for coordinating the services included within your confirmed booking and for exercising reasonable care in selecting the suppliers who help deliver those services.

Many elements of your journey, however, are provided by independent third-party suppliers operating under their own licences, operating procedures, safety standards, schedules, and conditions. While we work closely with these partners to provide a consistently high standard of service, certain aspects of their day-to-day operations remain outside our direct control.

Should a problem arise during your journey, we encourage you to notify both the supplier concerned and Italy Vacation Specialists as soon as reasonably possible so that we have the opportunity to investigate the matter and, where appropriate, take reasonable steps to resolve it during your travels.

Where a confirmed service cannot be provided as originally planned, Italy Vacation Specialists will make every reasonable effort to provide a suitable alternative of comparable standard whenever reasonably possible.

Italy Vacation Specialists shall not be responsible for any loss, delay, disruption, cancellation, or additional expense resulting directly or indirectly from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• adverse weather or natural disasters;

• government actions, border restrictions, or public health measures;

• strikes, industrial action, or transportation disruptions;

• road closures, traffic conditions, or public events;

• supplier insolvency or unexpected operational failures;

• acts or omissions of third parties unconnected with the contracted travel services;

• actions or omissions of the traveller;

• unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances that could not have been foreseen or prevented despite taking all reasonable measures.

Nothing within these Booking Terms & Conditions shall exclude or limit the liability of Italy Vacation Specialists where such liability cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law, including the provisions of the European Union Package Travel Directive and applicable Italian consumer protection legislation.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Italy Vacation Specialists shall not be liable for indirect, consequential, incidental, or special losses, including loss of business, loss of income, loss of opportunity, or emotional distress, except where such losses arise directly from our negligence or where liability is imposed by applicable law.

Our commitment is always to act promptly, professionally, and fairly in resolving any issues that may arise during your journey. Wherever possible, we will work with our suppliers to minimise disruption and help ensure that your travel experience continues as smoothly as circumstances reasonably allow.

Our itineraries are carefully designed to balance comfort with authenticity. Whenever practical, we will recommend alternatives or make reasonable adjustments to accommodate individual needs. However, the preservation of local heritage, historic architecture, and traditional ways of life occasionally limits the ability to provide modern accessibility or infrastructure.

We encourage all travellers to embrace these unique aspects of travel with flexibility, curiosity, and a spirit of discovery. They are often the moments that become the most treasured memories of the journey.

Complaints During Travel & Duty to Notify

If a traveller believes that any travel service included within their itinerary has not been performed as agreed, they should notify both the relevant supplier and Italy Vacation Specialists as soon as reasonably possible during the journey. Prompt notification allows us the opportunity to investigate the matter, work with our local partners, and take reasonable steps to remedy the situation while travel is ongoing.

Failure to report a concern during the journey may affect our ability to resolve the issue promptly and may be taken into account when considering any request for compensation after travel has concluded.

12. Privacy & Data Protection

Italy Vacation Specialists is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly, securely, and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The personal information you provide to us is collected solely for the purpose of arranging and managing your travel services, communicating with you before and during your journey, complying with legal and regulatory requirements, and improving the quality of our services.

We will only share your personal information with trusted third-party suppliers where necessary to deliver the travel services you have requested, including hotels, transportation providers, guides, attractions, insurance providers, and other travel partners directly involved in your itinerary.

Italy Vacation Specialists does not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

For further information regarding how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy available on our website.

13. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Booking Terms & Conditions, together with all travel arrangements provided by Italy Vacation Specialists, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Italian Republic.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Booking Terms & Conditions, or any services provided by Italy Vacation Specialists, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of Italy, unless otherwise required by applicable consumer protection legislation.

Nothing within these Terms & Conditions is intended to limit any statutory rights that may apply under applicable law.

14. Our Commitment to You

Travel is one of life's greatest investments. Every journey represents time set aside, memories waiting to be created, and experiences that often remain with us for a lifetime. It is a responsibility we never take for granted.

For more than twenty years, Italy Vacation Specialists has been dedicated to creating authentic and meaningful journeys throughout Italy. As we continue to expand our expertise throughout Greece and the Mediterranean, our commitment remains unchanged: to provide thoughtfully designed travel experiences supported by exceptional local knowledge, trusted relationships, and genuine personal service.

We believe that exceptional travel is built on trust, transparency, and communication. Every itinerary we create is carefully planned with the goal of helping our travellers experience each destination in a meaningful, authentic, and memorable way.

In return, we ask our travellers to communicate openly with us throughout the planning process. By understanding your interests, travel style, mobility requirements, expectations, and personal goals, we can recommend the destinations, accommodations, and experiences that are best suited to you.

While no journey can ever be entirely free from the unexpected, you can be confident that our team will always act with professionalism, integrity, and care. When challenges arise, we will make every reasonable effort to find practical solutions and minimise disruption, allowing you to focus on enjoying your journey.

Thank you for placing your trust in Italy Vacation Specialists.

We look forward to welcoming you to Italy, sharing the destinations we know and love, and creating memories that will remain with you long after your journey has ended.