Booking Terms and Conditions
Pricing: Arrangements are normally land content only and are quoted in $A (AUD). All prices are subject to alteration should there be a dramatic and unforeseen fluctuation in the exchange rate or in the price of services provided which are deemed to be beyond the control of Gourmet Journeys (this has never happened to date and would only happen in highly unusual circumstances).
Exclusions: All airfares and taxes (unless otherwise stated), travel insurance, excess baggage charges, any additional meals to those as specified in the itinerary, optional tours, laundry, drinks and other items of a personal nature such as spa treatments, tips etc.
Terminology: The term F.I.T. is used by the travel industry when referring to Free Independent Traveller/s. An F.I.T is an individual, or small group of < 10 individuals (such as a family) travelling and vacationing together, and who are not members of a guided tour group.
The term G.I.T. refers to a Group Inclusive Tour which is a tour of a destination for a group of 12 > people with a common affiliation (in this instance, food, wine, crafts) and which is fully escorted by a dedicated Tour Director. On this website, this may also be referred to as either a tour or a tour group.
Deposit: Tours and Special Interest Tour Groups
A non-refundable $500 p/p deposit (tours) or 10% deposit of the total cost of the arrangements (special groups) is required at the time of confirmation of the booking to secure the booking reservations.
At 90 days Gourmet Journeys requires all tour participants names and an indication of the number and types of rooming (twin, singles etc) the group will require.
Cancellations made after deposit/s payment and prior to final payment, will result in the loss of the deposit/s paid.
Final Payment and Cancellation: Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. After final payment has been made, a cancellation fee of 50% applies if made outside of 45 days prior to the travel - providing the cancellation does not impact the minimum number required for the tour to operate. Should this prove to be the case, a 100% cancellation fee applies.
A 100% cancellation fee applies when the reservation is cancelled within 45 days prior to any departure.
Deposit: F.I.T. Free Independent Travellers
A non-refundable $500.00 per person deposit is due at the time of booking to secure the reservation.
Cancellations made after deposit and prior to final payment, will result in the loss of the deposit paid.
Final Payment and Cancellation: Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. Should travel arrangements then be cancelled prior to departure, a 100% cancellation fee will apply.
Methods of Payment:
Credit card (note: we do not accept Diners Club)
Bank Transfer
When receiving payment/s by credit card/s we reserve the right to charge a 1.75% surcharge when making a payment using an Australian credit card a 3.5% when using an international credit card.
Travellers are responsible for all bank and related transaction/transfer charges and all currency surcharges when applicable.
Minimum Tour Numbers: Tours operated by Gourmet Journeys are subject to a minimum number of participants to operate. In the event that this minimum number is not achieved, it will become necessary to cancel the tour. Should this happen, we will advise tour participants a minimum of 60 days prior to the scheduled departure and any paid deposits will be refunded in full.
Itinerary Validity and Content: Any tour itinerary is valid only for the period of its duration unless otherwise specified. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy however, Gourmet Journeys shall not be liable for any injury, damage or loss caused by any inaccuracy. Gourmet Journeys reserves the right to make alterations to the itinerary or the tour inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable due to safety or security concerns, and to pass on to tour members any expenditures or losses caused by delays or events beyond its control. Before amending any itinerary, Gourmet Journeys will make every reasonable effort to provide alternative arrangements to the same standard as those originally confirmed.
Itinerary: Accommodation, tour highlight events and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances beyond Gourmet Journeys control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, however, alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. Gourmet Journeys also reserves the right to withdraw a tour or any part of same.
Risk: Some featured activites of the tour itinerary may have an element of risk and all clients need to understand there can not be an no absolute guarantee of safety. Gourmet Journeys reserves the right therefore, not to run any activity which in its judgement, or that of its staff, Tour Driver, Tour Escort/s, sub-contractors, local guides or representatives, the prevailing circumstances make the risk of the activity too dangerous (e.g. weather events/conditions, flooded rivers etc) including the sudden implimentation of restrictions or similar such by local authorities related to communicable disease caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Clients’ Responsibilities: It is your own, or your booking agents responsibility to obtain any necessary passports, visas, health certificates or other travel documentation required for the travel and it remains these persons responsibility to ensure that these documents are in order. It is also their responsibility to meet any additional costs incurred as a result of any failure by them not to do so.
General Fitness to Travel | COVID 19 pandemic requirements and individual responsibilities:
By signing the booking form and paying a deposit, a tour guest declares they or other members of their party are not travelling against any medical advice and understand that should they or other members of their party, be required to isolate due to contracting COVID-19 whilst on tour, that they alone are entirely responsible for these expenses.
The term these expenses includes any and all additional expenses incurred such as but not limited to; procuring suitable isolation accommodation, meals etc during any required isolation period; medicines; hospitalisation and/or medical evacuation; emergency transportation (such as an ambulance); cancellation charges incurred on any residual land tour arrangements resulting from this including any additional fees and charges incurred when changing any existing airfares or other travel arrangements resulting from this isolation period.
Special Requirements: At the time of booking it is your responsibility to advise Gourmet Journeys of any special needs and/or requirements such as dietary*, mild food allergies**, medical conditions, mobility requirements etc you, or someone in your party, may require.
*Dietary - please note that we are unable to 100% guarantee Vegan dietary requests as many of the featured smaller suppliers, producers and restaurants etc - which form core components and frequently a tour highlight of a Gourmet Journey, do not always offer this dietary option within their repertoire. We will do our very best and will certainly pass on your Vegan dietary preference to these businesses, however, there can be no firm guarantee.
Please also note that many of the wines tasted and at times featured, will not be vegan based and as this decision is solely at the discretion of the various wine producers and their winemakers, it is beyond the control of Gourmet Journeys. If you are happy to accept these points as our disclaimer, then we are only too happy to have you to join us!
** Any major or severe food allergies will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to suppliers, producers, cafes, airlines, hotels, lodges and restaurants etc confirming their ability to accommodate the request.
If you are prone to motion sickness it is imperative that you bring with you motion sickness medication.
Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend you arrange and purchase travel insurance at the time of booking. Under certain conditions, this insurance may potentially cover any cancellation fees pertaining to your accommodation, loss of deposit/final payment amounts, luggage etc. Normal travel insurance conditions will apply - please check directly with your insurer.
Departure, Destination and Tour Information: All Gourmet Journeys tour guests receive a detailed pre-trip information package 3 weeks prior to travel. The package includes an in-depth daily tour itinerary (including all hotel addresses and contact numbers), general travel tips and interesting information about what to expect as we explore the destination. Every tour group has a professional local crew providing 24/7 support.
Force Majeure:
This term means unusual and unforeseeable circumstances which are beyond Gourmet Journey's control or the control of its suppliers and the consequence of which neither Gourmet Journeys nor its suppliers could avoid even with all due care. These circumstances may include, but are not limited to; war, the threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity (actual or threatened), loss of enjoyment, detention, industrial dispute/s, unavoidable technical problems with transport, machinery or equipment, power failure, changes imposed by rescheduling or cancellation of flights by any airline, any natural or nuclear disaster, fire, flood, drought, adverse weather conditions, or the levels of water in rivers streams and harbours; pandemics, epidemics, other outbreaks of illness; the sudden implimentation of government restrictions including international and domestic international border closures.
*** 2022-2025 SPECIAL ADDITIONAL FORCE MAJEURE NOTICE: There may be unforeseen distruption to the featured tour activities due to the sudden implementation of local restrictions or the illness of a tour participant as a result of COVID-19. Tour participants will need to be flexible and to “go with the flow” during this unprecedented pandemic event. Your health and safety is our primary concern.***
Consequential loss
By entering into this contract between our two parties, you acknowledge and agree we are not liable to you, under any circumstances, for any loss of enjoyment, opportunity, profit, savings, revenue or interest or any other consequential or indirect, incidental, special or punitive loss, damage or expenses.
Disclaimer: Gourmet Journeys is not a carrier or hotelier, nor do we own aircraft, hotels or coaches. The services we deliver consist of arranging and co-coordinating accommodation, tours and transfers, making bookings and issuing vouchers to be redeemed by suppliers when necessary. We exercise every care in the selection of reputable tour operators, coach operators, hotels and other suppliers of the various travel services which are used in these tours. It is important to note, therefore, all bookings with Gourmet Journeys are subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of liability imposed by the service providers whose services we utilise, some of which limit or exclude liability in respect of death, personal injury, delay and loss or damage of baggage. Because of this, Gourmet Journeys does not accept liability for any event/s or actions deemed to be beyond our control and which lead to any unintended errors or omissions. Should it become necessary, you the client agrees to accept and abide by the following, and despite any other provision of the previously mentioned Contract, and to the extent permitted by law, our maximum liability to you or any third party (including any claims of negligence by us) is limited to the Tour Price you have paid to Gourmet Journeys and any such claim can only be brought up in an Australian court.
Image courtesy: Craggy Range Winery | Hawkes Bay, New Zealand