Responsibilities:
As the hosting organization, Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat provides reservation services and has chosen Garden Tours, a professional tour operator, as its designated tour operator. As the designated tour operator, Garden Tours arranges for the actual tour of all sites. Garden Tours also acts as an agent for services connected with specific tours hosted by Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat, such as ground transportation, lodging, accommodations, and meals. Each service provider is solely responsible to the participant for providing their respective services.
By making a reservation for a tour hosted by Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat, the participant certifies that she/he does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for themselves or other participants. Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat and Garden Tours reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on a tour hosted by Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat.
Price:
The tour prices in this agreement are based upon current exchange rates, tariffs, and taxes. Fluctuations in these rates could result in a price adjustment without prior notice until the tour is paid in full. Once the price for the tour is paid in full, the fee will not be adjusted due to any later change in exchange rates, tariffs or taxes.
Liabilities & Booking Conditions:
Garden Tours is established in the Netherlands, and rights and responsibilities for all tours operated by Garden Tours will be governed by Dutch and EU laws only. Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat will have responsibility only for the proven negligent acts and omissions of its employees or agents and suppliers, subcontractors, servants, and/or agents of the same while acting within the scope of or in the course of their employment in respect of claims arising as a result of death, bodily injury, or illness caused to the signatory to the contract and/or any other named persons on the booking form.
Smoking:
All participants in tours hosted by Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat agree to comply with a non-smoking policy on all coaches, in restaurants, and in all lodging places.
Liability:
Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat and Garden Tours have no responsibility or liability to any person for loss of baggage, money, or other property whatsoever. Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat and Garden Tours have no responsibility or liability for any loss or additional expenses caused by delay or interruption to travel services through weather conditions (such as rain, wind, or fog), civil disturbance, riot, illegal acts of third parties, strikes, wars, floods, sickness or any circumstances amounting to Force Majeure.
Complaints:
In the unlikely event that you have a complaint, you must promptly notify the Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat host or the Garden Tours tour coordinator directly, so they can take remedial action on the spot. If the matter cannot be solved directly, any complaints must be submitted in writing to Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat within 20 days after the date of your return.
Your Tour Canceled by Us:
Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat aims to provide your tour as booked. We reserve the right to cancel your tour under any circumstances, but if we cancel your tour, except where this is because you have not paid, you will receive a full refund.
Changes in Itinerary Details:
Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat and Garden Tours strive to operate according to the published itinerary. However, in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or opportunities that would enhance the itinerary, adjustments may be necessary or appropriate. Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat and Garden Tours reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the agreed-upon itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants. Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat will let you know about any significant changes as soon as possible if there is time before your departure. Otherwise, we will announce changes on the tour.
Cancellations:
If you should need to withdraw from the tour for whatever reason, you must notify Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat in writing. Cancellation becomes effective when written notice is received. Deposits and final payments will be refunded for cancellations made before the deposit deadline (February 3, 2025). Deposits are nonrefundable for cancellations made between February 3 and the final payment deadline, March 17, 2025. There will be no refunds from Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat on or after the final payment deadline.
Insurance:
Travel insurance is required in case you need to cancel your trip after the final payment deadline, you have health emergencies while on the tour, or other unforeseen issues arise. Squaremouth and Insure My Trip are two travel insurance search sites. If you are under 70 years old, World Nomads is usually an economical travel insurance choice. You will be required to provide your travel insurance declarations page to Writer’s Digest by March 17, 2025.
Health & Safety:
Writer’s Digest follows COVID-19 safety updates from the CDC and our destination country.
Photography Notice:
Writer’s Digest will be taking photos and videos of the tours for future editorial and promotional use. Tour participants may occasionally appear in these images.