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About legal assurance, insurances and privacy
About payments and cancellations
About reservations
About our travels
About accommodations and restaurants
About guided visits and other special activities
Who owns ItalySlowTravel?
The story of ItalySlowTravel is
the story of its founder, Vania Chiandotto and her passion for travels.
Vania is an Italian lady who,
after having travelled through different countries and for many
years, as tour director, came back to Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the
region where she has spent most of her life and started
rediscovering its traditions and its suggestive history and
charm. In the meantime she got ahead with her personal research
by travelling across the other Italian regions, one different
from the other, each one with its peculiar charm. She has been
working in the tourist field for the past ten years, especially
in the travelling organization sector.
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Who are the ItalySlowTravel staff?
Vania is flanked by a
network of collaborators, which includes Stefano Lunardi, a
professional travel photographer and journalist, who shares with
us all his beautiful photos of Italy and especially some images
of his enchanting region, Liguria. He is the author of most of
the photographs on our web site and the writer of the
"magazine" tests. This is to show you how we do
personally experience the places we propose for visiting. Each
pictured place you see and each test you read are the evidence
of something we have personally seen, felt and "tasted".
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Are you an authorized tour operator?
Yes, we are an
authorized tour operator, so we can confirm, also legally, our
professional, economical and insurance guarantees: according to
Italian and UE regulations, in fact, the tour operator is the
first responsible for holidays quality towards clients.
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Is baggage and medical insurance included in your travel
price?
Yes, baggage and medical
insurance is included. In the section Travel insurance you can
see what is included.
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Is my privacy safe? What about newsletter?
According to
the Italian law 31.12.1996 n. 675 ItalySlowTravel has the
responsibility to protect the confidentiality of your personal
information transmitted to us. In detail:
- ItalySlowTravel will
protect customers' information from unauthorized access
- When
requested by the customer ItalySlowTravel will remove his name
from the mailing list
- ItalySlowTravel does not sell customers'
names and addresses
You will not receive any information and
communications from ItalySlowTravel (which are not strictly
linked to the package you have reserved) if you have not
specifically signed up in the special section, confirming your
willingness to receive them. For further details please see the
section Privacy Policy.
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Which forms of payment are accepted?
Payments by credit
cards (VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX, DINERS) or by bank transfer.
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Is it safe to pay by credit card?
Yes, our first aim is to
safeguard our clients with total security for any transaction.
The traveller has the possibility to pay by credit card or by
bank transfer. In the first case the partner we chose is Banca
Sella (Sella Bank), the most well-known and safe company as far
as online payments are concerned. Each time the traveller
decides to pay by credit card online, he enters the bank's
server and communicates his data only to Banca Sella, through a
protected connection. ItalySlowTravel will never know any data
regarding your credit card, as the latter will be seen only by
Banca Sella.
Should you still not be sure to pay by credit card,
do not worry, you can do it by bank transfer and send us the
copy of the receipt by fax.
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When do I have to pay for my holiday?
At the time of
booking or within the date communicated by ItalySlowTravel a
deposit of 25% of the total amount - as well as the registration
fee for reservation costs when foreseen - shall be paid in order
to secure you space in the holiday wished.
The amount will be
considered a deposit for confirmation and an advance payment of
part of the entire cost.
Registration fee will be asked only
when necessary to cover reservation costs.
The balance should be sent by the customer within 30 working
days before the journey departure. The customer has he right to
decide to pay the total amount in a single instalment instead of
two ones. For booking occurring in the 30 days preceding the
departure date, the entire amount shall be paid at the time of
booking.
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What if I have to cancel my trip after
reservation?
Should
you need to cancel your booked tour before departure and not for
any of the reasons mentions in our conditions section, you will
be charged the registration fee (when foreseen) together with
the following fees, which will be applied after we receive your
written cancellation notice:
- cancellations from 40 to 30
working days before departure date: 10% of the total amount
- cancellations from 29 to 15 working days before departure date:
30% of the total amount
- cancellations from 14 to 7 working
days before departure date: 50% of the total amount
- cancellations after the above term: 100% of the total amount -
this penalty is valuable also for receding after the travel has
started (unused services will not be refund), in case of not
appearance/no show of the client at departure and in case the
required documents for expatriation are lacking or invalid.
The
above mentioned cancellation conditions will be applied also in
case of tour or departure date changing and to additional
accommodations reserved prior to and after the tour.
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How do I make my reservation?
Travels reservations, which
must be sent to ItalySlowTravel using the procedure indicated,
are limited and are subject to availability. They are considered
accepted and the contract consequently concluded after
confirmation sent by fax or e-mail by ItalySlowTravel to the
customer together with a copy of the travel contract. This
happens only after ItalySlowTravel has received the deposit
requested or the full cost of the holiday in case of "last
minute" bookings.
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How do you ensure the quality of your
travels?
Our travel
programmes are based on many years of personal research, tour
director personal experience and an intimate knowledge of the
country, that only who lives in Italy could have. We personally
test all the details of the itinerary itself, all the
accommodations and the other services before an itinerary is
ever launched.
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Which are the main themes/categories of your travel
proposals?
In each of our proposals there is an oeno-gastronomic
recall, more or less marked: in some cases we will suggest you
wine tasting, other products or mini oeno-gastronomic courses;
in other cases, we will "limit" ourselves in
introducing oeno-gastronomy only inside the restaurants in
occasion of the gourmet dinners.
Beside "good drinking and
eating", each proposal has a central theme (one of the
following 4) but it is not limited to it: we could, for example,
find places very interesting from the artistic point of view
inside a "nature package" or vice-versa:
1. Theme "Wine, food & art" -
historical-artistic itineraries along wines and savour roads
2.
Theme "Savoury well-being" - well-being proposals with
tasting of regional gastronomy and guided visits
3. Theme "Nature's
flavours" - naturalistic/oeno-gastronomic proposals
4.
Theme "White & tasty winter" - oeno-gastronomy and
snow, for the mountains during the winter
Inside these main themes we propose full-organized and
escorted group tours or independent packages. Furthermore
special proposals in the occasion of interesting events and
travels including theme courses and workshops (wine, olive oil,
Italian/regional cooking, photography), visits to local farms
and artisan shops, special literary tours on the trail of local
writers, etc.
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Which are the characteristics of your travel
programmes?
- We always try to provide accommodation in one or two locations,
that will be the departure points for our excursions, in order
to avoid packing and unpacking every day.
- Excursions by bus
will not last long, so that you will not be obliged to spend
your holiday trying to see Italy from a bus window.
- You will
not wake up at 7.00 o' clock every morning (except in case of
long-distance excursions) to start your running visits; you are
on holiday, aren't you?
- In our longer tours we try to include
one or two half days free, so that you can just relax in your
farmhouse/hotel and take part of the country side day life
together with the hotel/farm-house owners or explore the area by
yourself.
- After each guided visit, if possible, we will do our
best in order to arrange some spare time for taking photos,
wandering around the already visited places or simply sitting
and watching the running life.
- Baggage service, is not always
included as it is not provided by all the structures we use (farm-houses
do not normally have this service).
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Which is the maximum size of a group?
Group size is
limited to a maximum of 12/15 participants but the average number is
6/8, so that our clients can develop a more personal
relationship with their guide in order to truly capture the
history, flavours and secrets of all our destinations.
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If we are only two persons can we join a group escorted
tour?
ItalySlowtravel will collect individual reservations to
form a group: in this case you will join other persons in a
small group and this could be a great chance to share your
impressions and emotions with other "slow travellers"
coming from your country or other countries but speaking your
own language or English-language (no multi-lingual tours except
in case of optional excursions reserved by independent
travellers).
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Which language will be spoken by the guides?
In case of
groups formed by ItalySlowTravel, if there are enough requests
to reach the necessary minimum number of participants the guide
will speak your own language (generally English, German, French
or Spanish, but should we reach the minimum number of requests
for any other language and should the guide be available, we
will be very pleased to arrange such a tour).
Anyway, should we
not reach the minimum for the language requested the tour will
be conducted in English language.
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What does it mean "escorted tour" and
"semi-escorted tour"?
Escorted tour means that you
will have a tour leader always with you, who will overnight at
your hotel and local guides in the place you will visit.
Semi-escorted tour means that a local guide will pick you up at
your hotel and take you to the place to be visited but she/he
will not stay at the hotel with you.
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If we are a group of friends can we reserve an escorted
tour exclusive for us? Can you plan a private customized trip
for my friends?
Yes, the required minimum number of participants
is very low (from 6 to 10 persons, according to the chosen
tour); so if you reach it within your group of friends you could
enjoy an exclusive tour at the normal price, as indicated in the
program. Should you not reach the minimum number requested but
would like to travel within the privacy of your own friends
group, we can quote a tour exclusive for you.
Advantages of a
private group:
- you can tailor your tour to your own
preferences and interests, individual style and pace of travel o
you can choose your own dates
- you can say which are the
accommodations you prefer - we will do our best to satisfy your
wishes, according to availability
- your own ideas and
suggestions for an itinerary which will let you the sense of a
personal discovery
- possibility of choosing the restaurants,
menus and wines to be tasted
- have your personal guide and
means of transport
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What do you mean for independent and self-drive travel
packages?
An independent travel package combines multiple travel
elements into an all-inclusive price. You will have only part of
your vacation time organized (for example: special dinners,
guided visits, wine tasting) but for most of the time you will
be free.
It is the ideal way of travel for those who like the
luxury of having the details especially arranged for them and
tailored to their needs and who want at the same time to feel
free for their own explorations. All the services are personally
tasted for you by a professional tour operator, so that the only
surprise you can have will be the emotion and the pleasure of
the visiting places.
In case of self-drive travel packages we will provide car
rental or, if you drive with your own car, just the other travel
services.
Characteristics of a independent package
- Travel packages
will normally include accommodation, car-rental, typical dinners
and wines/local products tasting, one or two guided visits
- Your choice of accommodation - we will do our best to satisfy
your wishes, according to availability
- After you have reserved
we will be glad to give you our best suggestions regarding
itineraries, highlights and less known interesting sightseeing,
places for wine and local products tasting, carefully-selected
restaurants, etc.
- Our assistance 24/24 by mobile phone of
ItalySlowTravel
- You choose the best convenient period for your
travel
- Possibility of choosing the restaurants, menus and
wines to be tasted
- You can truly discover off-the-beaten-path
interesting sites
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When are your travels scheduled?
Our clients generally do
not travel during the crowded July and August (except the case
of mountains resorts, interesting and peculiar events or quiet
and uncrowded localities): that is due to the fact that we want
to guarantee them a different kind of holidays.
If you opt for a free proposal or if you belong to a private
group, obviously the dates will be chosen by you but they are
linked to the compatibility of the tour program. In case of
groups gathered by ItalySlowTravel, tours are precisely
scheduled along the year but you will always have the
possibility of indicating a date suitable for you: in this case
if we have enough requests to reach the minimum number, we will
organize a new tour.
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With such small groups is the price higher?
Even if a
small group tour is more expensive than a large one, we will do
our best to keep it competitive: this will be possible thanks to
the fact that we are a small tour operator and our expenses are
lower than the ones of a big company.
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After I have reserved, which detailed information will I
get?
By e-mail before departure you will get:
- detailed
programme with all the timings or suggested itinerary in case of
independent/self drive travel packages
- address and telephone
number of the farm-house/hotel we have reserved
- names and
telephone numbers of the guides, coach companies, restaurants
- list of the entrance fees that in case you have to pay for
- mobile phone number of ItalySlowTravel for 24/24h assistance
- all other information we would like to share with you or that
you have expressly requested
To be found at your farm-house/hotel:
- vouchers to be given
to the farm-house/hotel and to the other suppliers
- documentation about the region
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What if I need assistance or if a problem occurs during my
vacation?
Our local guides or escorts will try to solve your
problems. In their absence or in case they cannot do it do no
hesitate to call us at our mobile number - we will answer
24/24h.
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Which kind of accommodations do you use?
Our
accommodation range includes character charming hotels,
historical castles and villas (all 3 stars superior, 4 stars or
5 stars), top quality farm-houses and exclusive bed &
breakfast. Sometimes we propose pleasant and cosy
apartments.
Our small groups often stay in small (except in case of some
beauty farms which could be of bigger dimensions) structures of
charm that reflect the heart and soul of the region.
Our accommodations are selected with the purpose of creating
a familiar atmosphere not only when we propose farm-houses and
bed & breakfast but also when villas, castles and small
charming hotels are involved.
Furthermore as far as farm-houses
are concerned we select the "real" ones, the ones
where, if foreseen, home made products are the base for
breakfast and meals (as it should be) and where you will have
the feeling of being hosted by people who really enjoy what they
do and who really know the meaning of country life as they daily
work.
The farm-houses, castles, villas and charming hotels we work
with are carefully selected after a personal inspection and we
are frequently in touch with them. This enables us to guarantee
quality and carefully to your personal wishes and needs.
Upon inspection many accommodations are often rejected
because they do not meet the standards - comfort, cleaness, good
cooking and last but not least a warm hand hospitable service -
that we require.
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What are the hotel rooms like on your tours/travel
packages?
Hotel/farm-houses rooms are all double bed or twin bed
(two separate beds) rooms with private bath with WC, shower or
bathtub. See hotel description to see which are the other
services they are equipped with.
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Do I have the possibility to choose among different
structures?
In case of independent package or private groups we
will give you the possibility of saying which is the
farm-house/hotel your prefer and we will try to meet your needs
according to availability.
In case of groups formed by ItalySlowTravel, of course we
will choose the accommodation available among the ones indicated.
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What kind of restaurants do you use? What about local
products tasting?
On the contrary of what it may happen during
classic tours, restaurants are not a secondary component of our
services: that is why we personally select and taste them (one
of the most pleasant aspects of our job!). We do not only look
for dishes and wines quality but also for the fantasy and
creativity they are made of, for the atmosphere and the
accurate
and warm service.
All this takes place in the best gourmet
restaurants, the ones we usually choose for a quiet and refined
dinner. But also as far as light lunches or tasting are
concerned, we look for those, even if simple, restaurants and
cafés which can offer quality and welcome. Also wine cellars,
ancient or modern it does not matter, are selected on the
grounds of prestige, history or peculiarities.
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Which kind of menu do I have to expect?
Talking about
escorted small groups travels, we normally provide a fixed menu,
which will be communicated to you before departure. Should you
have any special needs or wishes (vegetarian menu, allergies,
etc..) feel free to inform us, better prior to departure, and we
will be happy to provide a special menu for you. Sometimes you
will be free to choose from the menu. As one of our purpose is
to let you know the best Italian wines, they will be always
included in the dinners proposed in the itinerary.
Each menu will be focused on Italian specialities but a
particular accent will be put on the regional ones by
introducing rare and ancient recipes, lost in the past, and only
recently found out again by keen on cuisine chefs.
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What about guided visits?
Our local guides are carefully
selected, highly qualified and experienced and specialized in
culture, nature and gastronomy.
Since they belong to the region
you are going to visit, they are in the position to take you
into the real life of Italy. In the group tours we normally use
local guides during visits and an escort when necessary.
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Which kind of buses do you use?
We only cooperate with
professional coach companies which provide us with de-luxe
minibuses with all the comforts (air-conditioning, reclining
seats, etc.) and experienced drivers who ensures passengers a
safe and relaxing journey.
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Do you organize cooking courses?
Yes, under the
supervision of expert chefs or simply following the farm-house
landlady: in both cases you will have the possibility of
spending an afternoon learning local cuisine or to follow a full
immersion course of 2/3 days. You will be able to share together
with your "teachers", their love for gastronomy, wine
and local traditions: you may rediscover also some culinary
practices which had been handed down from generation to
generation and then, unfortunately, forgotten.
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What if I do not find a proposal in the region I would
like to visit?
We will not take you everywhere: we will not take
you in a region that we have not personally explored and whose
services have not been tasted yet as this would be not coherent
with our philosophy.
Anyway, should you not find the region/area
you are interested in, do not hesitate to contact us: we are
continuously working on new proposals and, even if the wished
itinerary has not been not published yet, we could sometimes
satisfy your request. Sometimes this cannot happen immediately,
but it will be very useful for us to better know our web site
visitors interests and wishes in order to take them into
consideration when we build our programmes.
Furthermore we
welcome any other feedback and suggestions regarding our web
site.
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Do you still have unanswered questions?
CONTACT US
Have a nice travel!
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