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One-Stop Resource for Bike Tours Worldwide
Representing Local Bike Tour Companies
More than 400 Tours in 70 Countries
Get our newsletter | Contact Us
Call (877) 462-2423 or (423) 756-8907
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| Type of tour: | Self-guided |
| Level: | Leisurely |
| Duration: | 7 Nights |
| Distance: | 30 Miles/day average |
| Dates: | Self-guided: Saturdays: Apr 6- Oct 5, 2013 |
| Tour price: | €648 |
| Start city: | Pisa, Italy |
| End city: | Pisa, Italy |
From the leaning tower to Ponte Vecchio across the lands of Leonardo, Puccini, Pinocchio and of several other artists, sculptors, composers, inventors and painters who were inspired by the beauty of the Tuscan landscape.
Learn more about self-guided tours.
From the leaning tower to Ponte Vecchio across the lands of Leonardo, Puccini, Pinocchio and of several other artists, sculptors, composers, inventors and painters who were inspired by the beauty of the Tuscan landscape.
Learn more about self-guided tours.
Day 1: Pisa
Individual arrival in Pisa, the city famous all over the world for its magic Piazza del Miracoli (Square of Miracles) with the characteristic leaning tower, the bell tower of the city cathedral. Part of the Humanitarian HeriDays of the UNESCO since 1987, it also offers a friendly and lively atmosphere of a university city.
Day 2: Pisa - Lucca (approx. 15-31 miles/25-50 km)
Pedaling northwards along the river Serchio, across the Pisan countryside you arrive in Lucca. For those who are better trained there is a more demanding and longer route that runs along the Monti Pisani on their eastern side.
Overnight in Lucca.
Day 3: Lucca - Lucca (approx. 28 miles/45 km)
The medieval city of Lucca welcomes you with its charm. The itinerary entails a ring-shaped pathway in the surrounding countryside but if you prefer you can stop to visit the innumerable palaces, churches and towers of this enchanting Tuscan city. Not to be missed is a tour inside the perimeter of the wonderful Renaissance walls, completely intact and considered to be the best preserved in Europe, as well as a visit to the Roman amphitheater (11th century AD).
Overnight in Lucca.
Day 4: Lucca - Montecatini (approx. 27 miles/45 km)
Through a panoramic road you reach the little village of Collodi and the town of Pescia. In Collodi, where the author of Pinocchio spent his childhood, you could visit the famous Pinocchio's Park (created in 1962 already) and the aristocratic Villa Garzoni. In Pescia you could enjoy a quiet stroll among the churches, palaces, Renaissance mansions and the typical flower street market.
Overnight in Montecatini.
Day 5: Montecatini - Montecatini (approx. 37 miles/60 km)
Today's route offers you again two possibilities. You can relax in one of the most famous thermal cities in Europe and stroll down the narrow lanes of the old city, which is situated on a hill and can be reached by a characteristic cable-railway. Otherwise a picturesque itinerary will lead you among villas of the Medici family, olive groves, vineyards and beautiful historical farms, going past Vinci, Leonardo da Vinci's birthplace (visit to the museum possible).
Overnight in Montecatini.
Day 6: Montecatini Terme - Florence (approx. 20km by train + 31 miles/50km)
A leg by train (not included) will take you to Pistola, rich in Romanesque and Renaissance monuments (in particular churches) and having one of the most suggestive squares in Italy: Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). From here back into the saddle, immersed in the Tuscan flatland to reach the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence. It will be up to you to decide how to spend your time in one of the world's most beautiful cities.
Overnight in Florence.
Day 7: Florence - Pisa (approx. 40 km by train + 37 miles/60 km)
A short trip by train (not included) will take you to Empoli, where you will start to follow the river Arno flow by bike, pedaling entirely on level ground as far as Pisa for your last overnight stay.
Overnight in Pisa.
Day 8: Pisa
Individual departure or extra nights.
Saturdays: Apr 6- Oct 5, 2013
Please note:
Note: Local hotel taxes are not included and should be paid on location.
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These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Day 1: Hotel Repubblica Marinara, Pisa
www.hotelrepubblicamarinara.it
Located near the city center, the rooms are comfortable and have large windows.
Day 2 and 3: Hotel Melecchi, Lucca
www.dormireintoscana.it/Melecchi
Close to the city walls and historical city center.
Day 4 and 5: Hotel Ariston, Montecatini
www.ariston-hotel.com
The hotel offers a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere, located in the city center.
Day 6 and 7: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, Florence
www.hotelmediterraneo.com
The hotel is walking distance from the most popular Florentine sites, rooms offer views of the Arno River or the Florentine hills.
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit out hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Day 1: Hotel Repubblica Marinara, Pisa
www.hotelrepubblicamarinara.it
Located near the city center, the rooms are comfortable and have large windows.
Day 2 and 3: Hotel Melecchi, Lucca
www.dormireintoscana.it/Melecchi
Close to the city walls and historical city center.
Day 4 and 5: Hotel Ariston, Montecatini
www.ariston-hotel.com
The hotel offers a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere, located in the city center.
Day 6 and 7: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, Florence
www.hotelmediterraneo.com
The hotel is walking distance from the most popular Florentine sites, rooms offer views of the Arno River or the Florentine hills.
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit out hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
The bikes available for this tour are Girolibero Unisex bikes, with 27-gears.
The Unisex bikes are also available with 7-gears and back-pedal brakes.
Bikes are equipped with a cycle computer, side saddle bag, water bottle, front saddlebag/map holder, combination lock, repair kits (inner tube, glue, patch and pump).
Helmets are available to rent for 15 Euros.
GPX files for the tour are available from the tour operator for no extra fee and GPS systems are available to rent from tour operator for a cost of €50 (paid to tour operator upon rental).
The bikes available for this tour are Girolibero Unisex bikes, with 27-gears.
The Unisex bikes are also available with 7-gears and back-pedal brakes.
Bikes are equipped with a cycle computer, side saddle bag, water bottle, front saddlebag/map holder, combination lock, repair kits (inner tube, glue, patch and pump).
Helmets are available to rent for 15 Euros.
GPX files for the tour are available from the tour operator for no extra fee and GPS systems are available to rent from tour operator for a cost of €50 (paid to tour operator upon rental).
The itinerary runs mostly along on a flat area with some hilly parts which do not require particular athletic skills. In 6 stages you will cover the distance of 155-174 miles/250-280 km which can be reduced if you decide not to go by bike on the days of double overnight stay in Lucca and Montecatini. Most of the path is on asphalted roads of low traffic, some parts are on dirt paths but not demanding.
All the cities are connected by trains with bicycle transport and in case of bad weather or if you need a day's rest you can reach the next city without having to pedal. Trains of stages 6 and 7; Montecatini–Pistoia (approx. 10 min. – €4 per person) and Florence– Empoli (approx. 30 min. – €6 per person); are not included in the price.
This tour is rated leisurely. It is relaxed cycling with occasional hills and distances of up to 30 miles/50 km per day. Average physical condition required.
The itinerary runs mostly along on a flat area with some hilly parts which do not require particular athletic skills. In 6 stages you will cover the distance of 155-174 miles/250-280 km which can be reduced if you decide not to go by bike on the days of double overnight stay in Lucca and Montecatini. Most of the path is on asphalted roads of low traffic, some parts are on dirt paths but not demanding.
All the cities are connected by trains with bicycle transport and in case of bad weather or if you need a day's rest you can reach the next city without having to pedal. Trains of stages 6 and 7; Montecatini–Pistoia (approx. 10 min. – €4 per person) and Florence– Empoli (approx. 30 min. – €6 per person); are not included in the price.
This tour is rated leisurely. It is relaxed cycling with occasional hills and distances of up to 30 miles/50 km per day. Average physical condition required.
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Tour start and end:
Nearest airport:
Nearest train station:
From airport: Pisa (PSA)
Pisa Airport is directly connected every 30 minutes to Pisa Central Station by a direct shuttle train service (transfer: about 5 min; ticket: 1,50 euro). Alternatively the Compagnia Pisana Trasporti (CPT: www.cpt.pisa.it) connects the Airport to Pisa’s city centre every 10 minutes. A single ticket costs about 3 Euros and is valid for one hour on the entire city network. You can buy tickets from the information office in the air terminal or the automatic ticket machine at the bus terminus.
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Tour start and end:
Nearest airport:
Nearest train station:
From airport: Pisa (PSA)
Pisa Airport is directly connected every 30 minutes to Pisa Central Station by a direct shuttle train service (transfer: about 5 min; ticket: 1,50 euro). Alternatively the Compagnia Pisana Trasporti (CPT: www.cpt.pisa.it) connects the Airport to Pisa’s city centre every 10 minutes. A single ticket costs about 3 Euros and is valid for one hour on the entire city network. You can buy tickets from the information office in the air terminal or the automatic ticket machine at the bus terminus.
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Of all European countries, none draws visitors over and over again like Italy. A peninsula extending into the Mediterranean Sea, Italy consists of 21 diverse regions of rolling hills, vineyards, mountains, lakes, cliffs and islands. Each region has its unique charm, but all share the ‘Italian’ view that life should be taken at a slow pace with time to enjoy conversation, food and drink. Together, Italy’s regions boast the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. Rome, Florence, Venice, Assisi and Pisa are a few of the country's renowned cities along with Italy’s 95,000 monumental churches, 40,000 forts and castles and 5,600 museums and archaeological sites. Whether you ride a gondola through Venice’s Grand Canal, stroll along Lake Como or visit the Coliseum in Rome, the opportunities are endless when visiting Italy.
Of all European countries, none draws visitors over and over again like Italy. A peninsula extending into the Mediterranean Sea, Italy consists of 21 diverse regions of rolling hills, vineyards, mountains, lakes, cliffs and islands. Each region has its unique charm, but all share the ‘Italian’ view that life should be taken at a slow pace with time to enjoy conversation, food and drink. Together, Italy’s regions boast the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. Rome, Florence, Venice, Assisi and Pisa are a few of the country's renowned cities along with Italy’s 95,000 monumental churches, 40,000 forts and castles and 5,600 museums and archaeological sites. Whether you ride a gondola through Venice’s Grand Canal, stroll along Lake Como or visit the Coliseum in Rome, the opportunities are endless when visiting Italy.
We are an Italian tour operator specialized in cycling tours and active journeys. Our headquarters are in Vicenza, a small and fascinating city between Venice and Verona. There are about 25 of us and 3 mechanics working together to make the best bike holiday possible for you.
Our fleet consists of 10 vehicles and 10 trailers which can carry from 30 to 50 bikes each. We have a fleet of about 900 bicycles.
Besides Vicenza our bases in Italy are in South Tyrol, Tuscany, Piedmont, Umbria, Apulia and Sicily. We own the two boats Vita Pugna and Ave Maria which sail between Venice and Mantua.
After many years’ experience in France we have developed a base in Orléans where our bikes and our staff are present. We manage all our tours in the Loire Valley from Orléans. Our second base in France is Provence where we offer the only bike & boat tour in the area.
We are an Italian tour operator specialized in cycling tours and active journeys. Our headquarters are in Vicenza, a small and fascinating city between Venice and Verona. There are about 25 of us and 3 mechanics working together to make the best bike holiday possible for you.
Our fleet consists of 10 vehicles and 10 trailers which can carry from 30 to 50 bikes each. We have a fleet of about 900 bicycles.
Besides Vicenza our bases in Italy are in South Tyrol, Tuscany, Piedmont, Umbria, Apulia and Sicily. We own the two boats Vita Pugna and Ave Maria which sail between Venice and Mantua.
After many years’ experience in France we have developed a base in Orléans where our bikes and our staff are present. We manage all our tours in the Loire Valley from Orléans. Our second base in France is Provence where we offer the only bike & boat tour in the area.
Cancellation Fees
If the customer withdraws from the contract he is anyway obliged to pay the registration fee which is € 30 per person in 2010.
A declaration of withdrawal must be made in writing within the deadline of one working day prior to the booked departure date:
For the Bike & boat tours the following cancellation fees apply:
The same amounts apply to the customer, even if the missed departure is due to the lack or imprecision of the necessary personal documents. No refund is due to whom does not show up at the place of accommodation or in the case of cancellation during the the program stay.
ALTERATION OF THE BOOKING
In case in which the customer asks for any kind of alteration of the already booked tourist package, he is obliged to pay the registration fee which is € 30 per person. A reduction in participants will be considered a cancellation and therefore subject to the cancellation fees as mentioned above. The operator is not obliged to fulfill any customer's alteration request of an already booked tourist package if he is not able to meet the customer's requirements.
ALTERATIONS AFTER DEPARTURE
After departure, should the operator find himself in a position of not being able to offer, for whatever reason, except for a personal reason of the consumer, an essential part of the services included in the contract, he must offer alternative solutions, without additional cost to the price paid by the consumer and in the case that the services offered are of a lower value than those foreseen, must be reimbursed exactly for the difference. In the case that no alternative solution is possible, or rather the solution of the operator is refused by the consumer for justifiable serious reasons, the operator will at no extra cost, provide the consumer with equivalent transport back to the place of departure or to another pre-agreed place. Depending on availability of the means and places available and will compensate the consumer for the difference between the services to be supplied under the contract and those supplied to the moment of the early return.
The consumer who withdraws may transfer his booking to another person upon condition that: a) the operator has been informed in writing at least 4 working days before the established departure date and also at the same time receives communication regarding all the details of the transferee; b) the transferee satisfies all the conditions to benefit from the service (ex. Article 89 Consumer’s Code) and in particular with requisites regarding passports, visas and medical certificates; c) the transferee must reimburse the operator any extra costs that he may incur in order to proceed with the transferral. The amount will be quantified prior to the transferral. The transferor and the transferee shall be jointly and severally liable for the payment of the price of the package and also to the amounts in point c) of the present article
ALTERATIONS OR CANCELLATION OF A TOURIST PACKAGE BEFORE DEPARTURE
Before the departure the operator or vendor who is forced to make significant alterations to one or more elements of the contract must give immediate notification in writing to the consumer indicating the type of alteration and the consequent variation in price. If the alteration proposal is not accepted under comma 1, the consumer can reserve the right to reclaim the amount already paid or receive an alternative tourist package in accordance with commas 2 and 3 of article 8. The consumer maintains the above rights also when cancellation is due to insufficient number of participants required as stated in the Catalogue or in the separate program, or due to force major and accidental cause, regarding the tourist package purchased. For cancellations which are not caused by force major or accidental cause or by insufficient number of participants, or reasons which are different from those of the non acceptance by the consumer of the alternative tourist package offered, the operator who cancels (art. 33 letter e Consumer’s Code) will reimburse the consumer double what was paid to and received by the operator, via the travel agent. The amount to be reimbursed can never be more than double the amount of which the consumer at that same date owes according to art. 8, comma 4 in the case it is he who cancels.
INTRODUCTION. NOTION OF TOURIST PACKAGE____
Considering that:
a) the operator and vendor of tourist packages, to whom the consumer makes a request, must be in possession of the administrative authorization in order to carry out their activity.
b) the consumer has the right to receive a copy of the sales of tourist package contract (under article 85 of the Consumer’s Code) an indispensable document to receive National Guarantee Fund.
The definition of tourist package (article 84 Consumer’s Code) is as follows: tourist packages mean travel, holidays and “all inclusive” with the pre-arranged combination of at least two of the following components when sold or offered for sale at an inclusive price and when the service covers a period of more than twenty-four hours or includes at least one overnight accommodation:
(a) transport;
(b) accommodation;
(c) other tourist services not ancillary to transport or accommodation (omissions) ... and accounting for a significant proportion of the “tourist package”.
LEGISLATIVE SOURCES
The purchase of a tourist package, either with services offered on national territory or abroad will be governed by the Italian Law 27/12/1977 n°1084 in ratification and implementation of the International Convention on Travel Contracts (CCV) regarding travel contracts signed in Brussels on 23.04.1970 and also by Consumer’s Code.
OBLIGATORY INFORMATION – TECHNICAL BRIEF
The operator is obliged to provide either within the catalogue or separately to it a technical brief. The details that must be included in the technical brief within the catalogue or separately to it are: - details regarding the operator’s administrative authorization; - details regarding the operator’s civil responsibility insurance policy; - period of validity of the catalogue or programs separate to the catalogue or made to measure travel; - methods and conditions for transferral (Art.89 of Consumer’s Code); - exchange rate used in the case of currency adjustments, days or value.
BOOKINGS
Reservation requests must be made on the appropriate contractual form, if electronic, filled in entirely and signed by the client, who will receive a copy. Acceptance for the booking will be complete, with subsequent conclusion of the contract, only once the operator has sent confirmation, even by telematic means, to the client via the travel agency. Indications regarding the package that are not contained in the contractual documents, brochures or in other written means, will be provided in good time before the start of the journey by the operator in accordance with his obligations under art, 87 comma 2 of the Consumer’s Code.
PAYMENT
A deposit of 25% of the price of the tourist package is to be paid at the moment of booking. The deposit must be done no less than 30 days preceding the intended departure date. In case of reservation after the above mentioned date the payment will be in its total in the act of reserving the package. Failure to pay the sums indicated above by the established date constitutes an express termination clause such as to determine rightful termination by the intermediary agency and/or the operator.
PRICE
The price of the tourist package is determined in the contract, and refers to the price indicated in the catalogue or in the separate programs which have been added subsequently. The contract provides that price revisions can be made up to 20 days before the established departure date and solely to allow for variations in: - transportation costs, including the cost of fuel; - dues, taxes or fees chargeable for certain tourist services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports; - the exchange rates applied to the package in question. For these variations reference will be made to the exchange rate and costs mentioned above in effect on the date of publication of the program as printed in the technical brief of the catalogue or on the date mentioned in the above mentioned adjustments.
OBLIGATIONS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS
The participants must be in possession of a personal passport or some other document valid for travel in the countries to be visited, as well as any tourist and transit visas and health certification that might be required. They must also respect the normal rules of prudence and diligence, all information provided to them by the operator and also any regulations and administrative or legislative requirements regarding their travel and tourist package. The participants will be liable for all and any damages that may be incurred by the holiday operator that may be caused by their failure to respect the above conditions. Travelers must provide the operator with all documents, information and other elements in their possession required for the exercise of operator’s right of subrogation with regard to third parties responsible for damages. The traveller is liable towards the operator for any compromise to the right of subrogation. The consumer must also inform the operator in writing, at the moment of booking, of any special personal requests that may be the subject of specific agreements on details of the holiday, as long as these requests are possible to implement
HOTEL CLASSIFICATION
The official category of hotels is described in the catalogue or with alternative informative material only on the basis of explicit and formal indications by the competent authorities in the country where the service is provided. In the absence of official recognized classification of the competent Public Authorities of the countries, even if members of the EU, the operator reserves the right to their own description in the catalogue or brochure of the structure in order to permit an evaluation and subsequent acceptance of it from the consumer.
REGIME OF RESPONSIBILITY
The operator is responsible for damage caused to the consumer by the total or partial breach of contractual services owed, whether they are offered by him or by third party suppliers of services, unless proof can be given that the event derived from the consumer (also including initiatives carried out by him in the course of duty in offering tourist services) or by external circumstances in supplying contractual services, accidental cause, force major, or from circumstances that the operator could not, professionally or realistically foresee or resolve. The vendor where the booking for the tourist package was made is not held responsible under any circumstances for obligations that arise from the organization of the journey, but is responsible exclusively for the obligations that arise from the quality of mediation and therefore in the limits for such responsibility in respect of the legal obligations in force.
LIMITS FOR COMPENSATION
Compensation for damages to a person cannot in any event be superior to the limits regulated by international conventions to which Italy and European Union take part regarding the breach of services. In any case the compensation limit cannot exceed 50.0000 Germinal Gold Francs for damage to people, 2.000 Germinal Gold Francs for damage to things, 5.000 Germinal Gold Francs for any other damage (article 13 n°2 CCV)
OBLIGATION FOR ASSISTANCE
The operator must give assistance to the consumer with professional diligence and exclusively with reference to the obligations cited both by law and by contract. The operator and the vendor are exonerated from each others responsibility (articles 13 and 14 of these General Conditions) when the contract cannot be carried out in part or completely due to the consumer or is due to an unforeseeable or inevitable action by a third party, or rather fortuitous or by force major.
COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS
Any failure in the enforcement of the contract must be contested by the consumer without delay so that the operator, his local representative or assistant can rectify the situation as quickly as possible. The consumer must - on penalty of loss of any right to claims – make a written complaint by registered letter, with receipt of delivery, to the operator or the vendor no later than 10 working days after the date of return to the original place of departure.
NATIONAL GUARANTEE FUND
The Presidency of the Council of Ministers has constituted a National Guarantee Fund to which consumers may apply (under the terms of Art. 100 of the Consumers’ Code) in the case of insolvency or bankruptcy of vendors or operators, for the protection of the following rights: a) reimbursement of price paid; b) repatriation in case of holidays abroad. The fund must also ensure immediate availability of economic assistance in the case of obligatory return of holiday makers from non-European Union countries due to emergencies ascribable or otherwise to the conduct of the operator. The details of the use of the fund are governed by Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers dated 23 July 1999. no. 349 G.U.n° 249 dated 12/10/1999.
ADDENDUM GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR CONTRACTS - SALE OF SINGLE TOURIST SERVICES
A) LEGISLATION Contracts regarding the sale of single services (accommodation, transport, any separate tourist service) and those therefore that do not regard a tourist package, are governed by Travel Contracts CCV art. 1, 3 and 6, arts. 17 to 23 and arts. 24 to 31 with the exclusion of references regarding contracts for organized travel or from other specific stipulations referring to the sale of single services in the contract.
B) CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT The following clauses or conditions of the general contractual conditions can be applied to these above mentioned contracts art. 4 comma 1; art. 5; art. 7; arts.8 and 9; art 10 comma 1; art. 11; art. 15 and art. 17. The application of these clauses renders these contracts absolutely and without question those of a tourist package. The terms used in said clauses regarding contract for tourist packages (operator, travel etc) must be considered in reference to corresponding figures in single tourist service contracts (vendor, accommodation etc.)
COMPULSORY NOTE
According to the Italian Law n.269 dated 3/10/98, article 16. The Italian Law punishes the crimes concerning prostitution and juvenile pornography by means of reclusion. PRIVACY Information regarding ex art. 13 of the Legislative Decree 193/03 (legal code regarding personal data) The processing of personal data is carried out both on paper and digitally, in compliance with the Legislative Decree 196/2003 for use exclusively to conclude the contract and for the implementation of the services that constitute the tourist package. It is necessary to communicate this personal data. Personal data will not be diffused, but given solely to the suppliers of the services included in the tourist package purchased. The consumer may at any time exert their rights under art. 7 of the Legislative Decree 196/03 by contacting GIROLIBERO, info@girolibero.com, titolare del trattamento.
TECHNICAL DATA
Technical organisation: Girolibero of Zeppelin Società Cooperativa, TRAVEL AGENCY & TOUR OPERATOR in Vicenza, Contrà Manin 14, fiscal code 02941250249, registered to n° 286165/01 Register of Companies of Vicenza, in conformity with Aut. Amm, of the province of Vicenza Decree n° 618 dated 26.03.2002.
Insurance guarantee: Navale Insurance SpA, n° 4151001/A Insurance Policy with the company MONDIAL ASSISTANCE ITALIA SpA The printing ends in December 2009, changes might appear beyond our control. We apologize for any printing errors or omissions.
Cancellation Fees
If the customer withdraws from the contract he is anyway obliged to pay the registration fee which is € 30 per person in 2010.
A declaration of withdrawal must be made in writing within the deadline of one working day prior to the booked departure date:
For the Bike & boat tours the following cancellation fees apply:
The same amounts apply to the customer, even if the missed departure is due to the lack or imprecision of the necessary personal documents. No refund is due to whom does not show up at the place of accommodation or in the case of cancellation during the the program stay.
ALTERATION OF THE BOOKING
In case in which the customer asks for any kind of alteration of the already booked tourist package, he is obliged to pay the registration fee which is € 30 per person. A reduction in participants will be considered a cancellation and therefore subject to the cancellation fees as mentioned above. The operator is not obliged to fulfill any customer's alteration request of an already booked tourist package if he is not able to meet the customer's requirements.
ALTERATIONS AFTER DEPARTURE
After departure, should the operator find himself in a position of not being able to offer, for whatever reason, except for a personal reason of the consumer, an essential part of the services included in the contract, he must offer alternative solutions, without additional cost to the price paid by the consumer and in the case that the services offered are of a lower value than those foreseen, must be reimbursed exactly for the difference. In the case that no alternative solution is possible, or rather the solution of the operator is refused by the consumer for justifiable serious reasons, the operator will at no extra cost, provide the consumer with equivalent transport back to the place of departure or to another pre-agreed place. Depending on availability of the means and places available and will compensate the consumer for the difference between the services to be supplied under the contract and those supplied to the moment of the early return.
The consumer who withdraws may transfer his booking to another person upon condition that: a) the operator has been informed in writing at least 4 working days before the established departure date and also at the same time receives communication regarding all the details of the transferee; b) the transferee satisfies all the conditions to benefit from the service (ex. Article 89 Consumer’s Code) and in particular with requisites regarding passports, visas and medical certificates; c) the transferee must reimburse the operator any extra costs that he may incur in order to proceed with the transferral. The amount will be quantified prior to the transferral. The transferor and the transferee shall be jointly and severally liable for the payment of the price of the package and also to the amounts in point c) of the present article
ALTERATIONS OR CANCELLATION OF A TOURIST PACKAGE BEFORE DEPARTURE
Before the departure the operator or vendor who is forced to make significant alterations to one or more elements of the contract must give immediate notification in writing to the consumer indicating the type of alteration and the consequent variation in price. If the alteration proposal is not accepted under comma 1, the consumer can reserve the right to reclaim the amount already paid or receive an alternative tourist package in accordance with commas 2 and 3 of article 8. The consumer maintains the above rights also when cancellation is due to insufficient number of participants required as stated in the Catalogue or in the separate program, or due to force major and accidental cause, regarding the tourist package purchased. For cancellations which are not caused by force major or accidental cause or by insufficient number of participants, or reasons which are different from those of the non acceptance by the consumer of the alternative tourist package offered, the operator who cancels (art. 33 letter e Consumer’s Code) will reimburse the consumer double what was paid to and received by the operator, via the travel agent. The amount to be reimbursed can never be more than double the amount of which the consumer at that same date owes according to art. 8, comma 4 in the case it is he who cancels.
INTRODUCTION. NOTION OF TOURIST PACKAGE____
Considering that:
a) the operator and vendor of tourist packages, to whom the consumer makes a request, must be in possession of the administrative authorization in order to carry out their activity.
b) the consumer has the right to receive a copy of the sales of tourist package contract (under article 85 of the Consumer’s Code) an indispensable document to receive National Guarantee Fund.
The definition of tourist package (article 84 Consumer’s Code) is as follows: tourist packages mean travel, holidays and “all inclusive” with the pre-arranged combination of at least two of the following components when sold or offered for sale at an inclusive price and when the service covers a period of more than twenty-four hours or includes at least one overnight accommodation:
(a) transport;
(b) accommodation;
(c) other tourist services not ancillary to transport or accommodation (omissions) ... and accounting for a significant proportion of the “tourist package”.
LEGISLATIVE SOURCES
The purchase of a tourist package, either with services offered on national territory or abroad will be governed by the Italian Law 27/12/1977 n°1084 in ratification and implementation of the International Convention on Travel Contracts (CCV) regarding travel contracts signed in Brussels on 23.04.1970 and also by Consumer’s Code.
OBLIGATORY INFORMATION – TECHNICAL BRIEF
The operator is obliged to provide either within the catalogue or separately to it a technical brief. The details that must be included in the technical brief within the catalogue or separately to it are: - details regarding the operator’s administrative authorization; - details regarding the operator’s civil responsibility insurance policy; - period of validity of the catalogue or programs separate to the catalogue or made to measure travel; - methods and conditions for transferral (Art.89 of Consumer’s Code); - exchange rate used in the case of currency adjustments, days or value.
BOOKINGS
Reservation requests must be made on the appropriate contractual form, if electronic, filled in entirely and signed by the client, who will receive a copy. Acceptance for the booking will be complete, with subsequent conclusion of the contract, only once the operator has sent confirmation, even by telematic means, to the client via the travel agency. Indications regarding the package that are not contained in the contractual documents, brochures or in other written means, will be provided in good time before the start of the journey by the operator in accordance with his obligations under art, 87 comma 2 of the Consumer’s Code.
PAYMENT
A deposit of 25% of the price of the tourist package is to be paid at the moment of booking. The deposit must be done no less than 30 days preceding the intended departure date. In case of reservation after the above mentioned date the payment will be in its total in the act of reserving the package. Failure to pay the sums indicated above by the established date constitutes an express termination clause such as to determine rightful termination by the intermediary agency and/or the operator.
PRICE
The price of the tourist package is determined in the contract, and refers to the price indicated in the catalogue or in the separate programs which have been added subsequently. The contract provides that price revisions can be made up to 20 days before the established departure date and solely to allow for variations in: - transportation costs, including the cost of fuel; - dues, taxes or fees chargeable for certain tourist services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports; - the exchange rates applied to the package in question. For these variations reference will be made to the exchange rate and costs mentioned above in effect on the date of publication of the program as printed in the technical brief of the catalogue or on the date mentioned in the above mentioned adjustments.
OBLIGATIONS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS
The participants must be in possession of a personal passport or some other document valid for travel in the countries to be visited, as well as any tourist and transit visas and health certification that might be required. They must also respect the normal rules of prudence and diligence, all information provided to them by the operator and also any regulations and administrative or legislative requirements regarding their travel and tourist package. The participants will be liable for all and any damages that may be incurred by the holiday operator that may be caused by their failure to respect the above conditions. Travelers must provide the operator with all documents, information and other elements in their possession required for the exercise of operator’s right of subrogation with regard to third parties responsible for damages. The traveller is liable towards the operator for any compromise to the right of subrogation. The consumer must also inform the operator in writing, at the moment of booking, of any special personal requests that may be the subject of specific agreements on details of the holiday, as long as these requests are possible to implement
HOTEL CLASSIFICATION
The official category of hotels is described in the catalogue or with alternative informative material only on the basis of explicit and formal indications by the competent authorities in the country where the service is provided. In the absence of official recognized classification of the competent Public Authorities of the countries, even if members of the EU, the operator reserves the right to their own description in the catalogue or brochure of the structure in order to permit an evaluation and subsequent acceptance of it from the consumer.
REGIME OF RESPONSIBILITY
The operator is responsible for damage caused to the consumer by the total or partial breach of contractual services owed, whether they are offered by him or by third party suppliers of services, unless proof can be given that the event derived from the consumer (also including initiatives carried out by him in the course of duty in offering tourist services) or by external circumstances in supplying contractual services, accidental cause, force major, or from circumstances that the operator could not, professionally or realistically foresee or resolve. The vendor where the booking for the tourist package was made is not held responsible under any circumstances for obligations that arise from the organization of the journey, but is responsible exclusively for the obligations that arise from the quality of mediation and therefore in the limits for such responsibility in respect of the legal obligations in force.
LIMITS FOR COMPENSATION
Compensation for damages to a person cannot in any event be superior to the limits regulated by international conventions to which Italy and European Union take part regarding the breach of services. In any case the compensation limit cannot exceed 50.0000 Germinal Gold Francs for damage to people, 2.000 Germinal Gold Francs for damage to things, 5.000 Germinal Gold Francs for any other damage (article 13 n°2 CCV)
OBLIGATION FOR ASSISTANCE
The operator must give assistance to the consumer with professional diligence and exclusively with reference to the obligations cited both by law and by contract. The operator and the vendor are exonerated from each others responsibility (articles 13 and 14 of these General Conditions) when the contract cannot be carried out in part or completely due to the consumer or is due to an unforeseeable or inevitable action by a third party, or rather fortuitous or by force major.
COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS
Any failure in the enforcement of the contract must be contested by the consumer without delay so that the operator, his local representative or assistant can rectify the situation as quickly as possible. The consumer must - on penalty of loss of any right to claims – make a written complaint by registered letter, with receipt of delivery, to the operator or the vendor no later than 10 working days after the date of return to the original place of departure.
NATIONAL GUARANTEE FUND
The Presidency of the Council of Ministers has constituted a National Guarantee Fund to which consumers may apply (under the terms of Art. 100 of the Consumers’ Code) in the case of insolvency or bankruptcy of vendors or operators, for the protection of the following rights: a) reimbursement of price paid; b) repatriation in case of holidays abroad. The fund must also ensure immediate availability of economic assistance in the case of obligatory return of holiday makers from non-European Union countries due to emergencies ascribable or otherwise to the conduct of the operator. The details of the use of the fund are governed by Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers dated 23 July 1999. no. 349 G.U.n° 249 dated 12/10/1999.
ADDENDUM GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR CONTRACTS - SALE OF SINGLE TOURIST SERVICES
A) LEGISLATION Contracts regarding the sale of single services (accommodation, transport, any separate tourist service) and those therefore that do not regard a tourist package, are governed by Travel Contracts CCV art. 1, 3 and 6, arts. 17 to 23 and arts. 24 to 31 with the exclusion of references regarding contracts for organized travel or from other specific stipulations referring to the sale of single services in the contract.
B) CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT The following clauses or conditions of the general contractual conditions can be applied to these above mentioned contracts art. 4 comma 1; art. 5; art. 7; arts.8 and 9; art 10 comma 1; art. 11; art. 15 and art. 17. The application of these clauses renders these contracts absolutely and without question those of a tourist package. The terms used in said clauses regarding contract for tourist packages (operator, travel etc) must be considered in reference to corresponding figures in single tourist service contracts (vendor, accommodation etc.)
COMPULSORY NOTE
According to the Italian Law n.269 dated 3/10/98, article 16. The Italian Law punishes the crimes concerning prostitution and juvenile pornography by means of reclusion. PRIVACY Information regarding ex art. 13 of the Legislative Decree 193/03 (legal code regarding personal data) The processing of personal data is carried out both on paper and digitally, in compliance with the Legislative Decree 196/2003 for use exclusively to conclude the contract and for the implementation of the services that constitute the tourist package. It is necessary to communicate this personal data. Personal data will not be diffused, but given solely to the suppliers of the services included in the tourist package purchased. The consumer may at any time exert their rights under art. 7 of the Legislative Decree 196/03 by contacting GIROLIBERO, info@girolibero.com, titolare del trattamento.
TECHNICAL DATA
Technical organisation: Girolibero of Zeppelin Società Cooperativa, TRAVEL AGENCY & TOUR OPERATOR in Vicenza, Contrà Manin 14, fiscal code 02941250249, registered to n° 286165/01 Register of Companies of Vicenza, in conformity with Aut. Amm, of the province of Vicenza Decree n° 618 dated 26.03.2002.
Insurance guarantee: Navale Insurance SpA, n° 4151001/A Insurance Policy with the company MONDIAL ASSISTANCE ITALIA SpA The printing ends in December 2009, changes might appear beyond our control. We apologize for any printing errors or omissions.
