General terms & conditions

1. GENERAL TERMS

Vino N’ Joy LLC provides educational and experiential services related to wine, Italian language, and cultural immersion. These services include but are not limited to wine tastings, wine education courses, Italian language lessons, curated travel experiences, and consultancy. By booking or participating in any of these services, clients agree to these Terms & Conditions.

2. RESERVATIONS & PAYMENTS

  • To reserve a service, participants must complete the relevant form (event booking form, request for information form, e-commerce checkout page) and submit any required deposit or payment.
  • For Sip & Travel tours and customized events, a non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due according to the schedule outlined in the specific service agreement.
  • Payments can be made by check to the order of Vino N’ Joy LLC or via Stripe.

3. CANCELLATION POLICY

  • Cancellations must be communicated in writing via email.
  • Refunds, if applicable, will be subject to the cancellation schedule specified in the respective service agreement.
  • For Sip & Travel tours, specific cancellation charges apply:
    • Before the designated cut-off date: Refund minus the non-refundable deposit.
    • After the cut-off date: Partial or no refund, as specified in the trip itinerary.
  • No refunds will be issued for late arrivals, early departures, or missed activities.

4. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS & INSURANCE (Sip & Travel Experiences)

  • Participants are responsible for obtaining necessary travel documents, including passports and any applicable travel authorizations (e.g., ETIAS for U.S. citizens traveling to Italy from 2025 onward).
  • Flights are not included in travel packages.
  • Vino N’ Joy strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. If desired, Vino N’ Joy can assist in recommending a provider.

5. ACCOMMODATIONS & TRANSPORTATION (Sip & Travel Experiences)

  • Accommodations are typically in 4-star hotels and are based on double occupancy unless otherwise arranged. A single supplement fee applies for solo travelers.
  • Private group transportation is included in travel experiences, as detailed in the specific itinerary. Airport transfers may be provided as outlined in the trip details.

6. ACTIVITIES & INCLUSIONS (Sip & Travel Experiences)

  • Participants must be at least 21 years old.
  • Wine tastings, guided tours, cultural experiences, and meals included in the service will be detailed in the respective itinerary or service description.
  • Meals included in the service focus on local and seasonal ingredients, with reasonable accommodations made for dietary restrictions if communicated in advance.
  • Alcoholic beverages are typically not included in meals unless part of a wine pairing experience.
  • Participants are responsible for any optional activities not included in the official itinerary.

7. CUSTOMIZED SERVICES

  • Vino N’ Joy offers personalized services, including tailored wine tastings, private events, corporate training, Italian language courses, and travel consultancy.
  • Fees and schedules for customized services will be outlined in individual agreements.

8. LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

  • Vino N’ Joy LLC does not own or operate any entity that provides goods or services for trips or experiences, such as hotels, transportation providers, or food service establishments. All such entities are independent contractors.
  • Vino N’ Joy LLC is not responsible for any injury, loss, damage, delay, or inconvenience caused by third parties, force majeure, travel disruptions, acts of war, weather conditions, or other causes beyond its control.
  • Participants assume all risks and responsibilities associated with their participation in any service offered by Vino N’ Joy LLC.

9. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION RESPONSIBILITY

  • According to U.S. regulations on alcohol consumption, participants must be at least 21 years old.
  • Participants are responsible for moderating their alcohol intake during any Vino N’ Joy activity. Excessive consumption and resulting consequences are solely the responsibility of the individual.
  • Vino N’ Joy LLC assumes no liability for any damages, injuries, or incidents related to alcohol consumption.

10. RELEASE FROM LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK

  • By participating in any Vino N’ Joy service, participants acknowledge that activities such as wine tasting, travel, and cultural excursions carry inherent risks, including but not limited to accidents, illness, or injury.
  • Participants voluntarily assume all risks associated with their participation and agree to hold harmless and release Vino N’ Joy LLC from any claims resulting from third-party negligence.
  • Participants are responsible for their personal well-being and must ensure they are in good health before undertaking any Vino N’ Joy activity.

11. PHOTOGRAPHIC RELEASE

  • Vino N’ Joy LLC may capture photographs and videos during events and travel experiences. By participating, individuals grant permission for the use of their images for promotional purposes without compensation.

12. BINDING ARBITRATION

  • Any dispute arising from participation in Vino N’ Joy services shall be resolved exclusively through binding arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with the commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association.
  • Arbitration proceedings shall be governed by Massachusetts law, and the arbitrator shall have exclusive authority over contract disputes.
  • By agreeing to these Terms & Conditions, participants waive their right to seek legal action in court and accept arbitration as the sole remedy for disputes.

13. PRIVACY & DATA COLLECTION

  • Vino N’ Joy LLC collects and stores participant information solely for the purpose of service fulfillment, in compliance with applicable U.S. privacy laws.
  • While reasonable security measures are in place, Vino N’ Joy LLC is not liable for unauthorized access, data loss, or disclosure beyond its control.

14. KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY EXECUTION

  • By booking or participating in any Vino N’ Joy service, participants confirm they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions, including the release of liability and assumption of risk provisions.

15. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Any disputes arising from participation in Vino N’ Joy services shall be resolved in Massachusetts courts or through arbitration as outlined above.