Culinary Quests, LLC Terms and Conditions

Culinary Quests, LLC makes arrangements with third parties, including local hotels, motels, lodges, inns, spas, tour guides, tour companies, translators, ground transportation companies, restaurants, chefs or other service providers (hereinafter "Suppliers") to facilitate a trip. Culinary Quests, LLC and is a separate and independent business from that of the Suppliers, as defined herein. In these terms and conditions, "we", "our" or "us" means Culinary Quests, LLC. "Traveler", "your" and "you" refers to you, as a registered participant in one of Culinary Quests, LLC's travel programs.

Payment and Cancellation Policies:

There is a $500.00 deposit per individual requesting participation in a package vacation. For one-day classes, full payment is due when you submit your reservation request. If your request for participation is received within 90 days of the first day of the vacation program ("Program Start Date"), the full purchase price of the package vacation is due when you submit your reservation request. The deposit and advance payment is refundable if Culinary Quests, LLC is unable to confirm your reservation in accordance with this paragraph; otherwise, the deposit is non-refundable, but the advance payment is refundable. After Culinary Quests, LLC receives your reservation request and your deposit or, if applicable, advance payment, Culinary Quests, LLC will confirm your reservation within 2 business days after it receives confirmation from the Suppliers.

If advance payment is not made, you must pay the remaining balance for the package vacation 90 days before the Program Start Date ("Date of Final Payment"). Payments may be made by check, Visa, Mastercard, or Discover Card. You will incur a processing fee of $100.00 per individual if your payment is received after the Date of Final Payment. If all of your payments are not received within one (1) week of the Program Start Date, Culinary Quests, LLC has the right to cancel your participation in the package vacation with no liability to you.

Culinary Quests, LLC has an obligation to pay its Suppliers. For that reason, Culinary Quests, LLC cannot refund payments made or credit your payments toward another vacation package if you cancel or are otherwise unable to participate in your reserved vacation package or any portion of your reserved vacation package.

IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE.

Cancellation by Culinary Quests, LLC:

In the event that Culinary Quests, LLC cancels the package vacation selected by you, through no fault of yours, it will provide you with a full refund. You agree that in the event Culinary Quests, LLC cancels the package vacation selected by you, Culinary Quests, LLC's liability to you is limited to the payments you paid it.

Substitution by Culinary Quests, LLC:

In the event that one of the listed accommodations or activities on your itinerary cannot be provided, you authorize Culinary Quests, LLC to substitute an accommodation or activity of comparable likeness. In the unlikely event that, in Culinary Quests, LLC's own discretion, a suitable substitution for an accommodation or activity is unavailable, Culinary Quests, LLC will refund the difference in price between the levels of accommodation or that portion of your package vacation price that Culinary Quests, LLC would have otherwise paid to the Supplier for that particular service.

Pricing:

Prices are per person based on a double occupancy room. Single occupancy rooms may be available at certain locations for an additional fee as set by the hotel. This fee is referred to as a ‘single supplement' in the package descriptions where it applies. This fee is typically asserted by the hotel and cannot be waived by Culinary Quests, LLC. Room size may vary depending on location. Price is based on a several factors including, but not limited to, quotes received from Suppliers, taxes, tariffs, and the exchange rates, and is subject to change without notice any time prior to the Date of Final Payment.

Included in your package price:

The following are included in your package price as itemized in your package itinerary: Lodging, selected transportation (at the specified time and location), selected meals, selected excursions and activities. For all lodging, transportation, meals, excursions and activities included in your package vacations, you are responsible for meeting at the specified time and location identified in your package itinerary. Culinary Quests, LLC is not responsible for providing these services if you are delayed or unable to participate for any reason. We strongly suggest you purchase travel insurance to cover any additional costs you may incur if you are delayed or unable to participate in any of the items included in your package price.

Not included in your package price:

The following are NOT included in your package price: Airfare and/or ground transportation from your home to the specified pick-up location; airfare and/or ground transportation from drop-off location to your home; personal expenses that you incur during your trip, including but not limited to laundry, room service, phone charges, bar and lounge charges, meals or activities not detailed in your itinerary, medical expenses, and in-room charges; and, any other items not specifically itemized in your package itinerary.

Acceptance of travel risk and limitation for special needs:

You agree that you understand that travel to foreign countries means encountering different standards in health, services and facilities than those required or common in the United States. These standards include, but are not limited to, food service, the condition and use of the streets and/or sidewalks, access to buildings, mode of transportation, availability of air conditioning, electricity and plumbing. Culinary vacations involve cooking in a variety of settings, from professional kitchens to family home kitchens. You acknowledge the risks inherent in the use of kitchen equipment, including, but not limited to, knives, ovens, stoves, and other appliances. You are advised to exercise caution when working in these kitchens and to wear clothing appropriate for ensuring your own safety, including flat, non-skid shoes. You acknowledge that other countries may not require or provide facilities or facility access for those with physical handicaps, disabilities or limitations. Therefore, Culinary Quests, LLC has no obligation to accommodate individuals with physical handicaps, disabilities or limitations. You warrant that there are no physical, mental, or medical limitations that affect your participation in the package vacation that you have requested. If you have a condition that requires special accommodations or needs it is your responsibility to determine if this is the trip for you and to advise Culinary Quests, LLC in writing of any special needs so that we can determine if we can accommodate those special needs and what additional charges might be applicable. The costs for any additional accommodations for individuals with special needs, including but not limited to medical and dietary, are not included in your package price.

Because all of Culinary Quests, LLC's vacation packages are focused on culinary experiences and the menus developed are intended to reflect the local cuisine, Culinary Quests, LLC cannot guarantee that it will be able to modify the culinary program or other tour activities to accommodate special needs. If you suffer from food allergies, are prone to food borne illnesses or have an aversion to certain foods you should think twice about purchasing a vacation package. You agree to not hold Culinary Quests, LLC or any of its Suppliers liable for their inability to accommodate your special needs. Furthermore, should your participation in the package vacation in any manner, in Culinary Quests, LLC's sole judgment, become a problem or nuisance for any other individual participating in any of the activities Culinary Quests, LLC may terminate your participation with no liability to you.

Exchanges, Inclusions, and Exclusions:

Any plans you make outside of those included in the itinerary for your selected package, including, but not limited to, additional activities, classes, excursions or extra lodging fees are at your own cost. If you incur costs with Culinary Quests, LLC, or Culinary Quests, LLC's Suppliers for services not included in the package price you are required to pay these costs immediately. Any additional amounts incurred in excess of the package price for which Culinary Quests, LLC is held responsible or, any other costs paid or incurred by Culinary Quests, LLC on your behalf will be subject to collection after ninety (90) days. You will be responsible for the costs of collection, including 1/3 attorney fees of the amount owed.

There is no refund, exchange, or credit should you opt not to participate in any planned activities, excursions, trips, meals, or events included in the itinerary of your selected package.

LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY:

Culinary Quests, LLC, its members, management, employees, agents, representatives, attorneys, successors and assigns, are not liable for the acts, omissions, errors, representations, warranties, breaches or negligence of any Suppliers, other participants on a package vacation activity, or any third-parties not under the direct control of Culinary Quests, LLC. This includes, but is not limited to, any owner or operator of any aircraft, motor vehicle, boat, other conveyance, lodge, inn, motel, hotel, spa, massage, tour company, or restaurant, or for any personal injuries, death, property damage, or other damages or expenses resulting therefrom. Culinary Quests, LLC, its management, members employees, agents, representatives, attorneys, successors and assigns are not liable for disruptions, delays, or cancellations of tours due to differences with workmen, scarcity of labor or labor strikes, fires, floods, storms, earthquakes, accidents, legal acts of public authorities, scarcity of materials or fuel, transportation, embargos, governmental regulations, acts of public enemies, mobs or rioters, Acts of God, or any other cause beyond their control, or for any personal injuries, death, property damage, or other damages or expenses resulting therefrom.

IN NO EVENT SHALL CULINARY QUESTS, LLC BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF CULINARY QUESTS, LLC OR OTHER ACTS OF CULINARY QUESTS, LLC. YOU AGREE THAT CULINARY QUESTS, LLC'S LIABILITY TO YOU, IF ANY, IS LIMITED TO THE MONEY YOU PAID TO CULINARY QUESTS, LLC FOR THE PACKAGE VACATION.

If an incident occurs or if you have a problem or concern that you cannot resolve with our local contact, it is your responsibility to contact Laura Haltzel of Culinary Quests, LLC, by phone at (703) 403-4818 or by email at lhaltzel@culinaryquests.com, within the later of 24 hours of the incident or before completion of your vacation package. If you fail to contact Culinary Quests, LLC within this timeframe, any claims you have arising out of the incident or concern shall be waived.

Legal Indemnity:

On behalf of yourself, your personal representatives, and heirs you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Culinary Quests, LLC, its members, management, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, contractors, suppliers, representatives, attorneys, successors and assigns, at all times against all actions, proceedings, costs, claims, injuries, demands, losses, liabilities and expenses whatsoever (including legal and other fees and disbursements) sustained, incurred or paid by Culinary Quests, LLC directly or indirectly related to or arising from your use of the materials provided by us, or services obtained, any arrangement you made based on information obtained from the materials, your use of the Web Site or services obtained on or through the Web Site, any arrangements you made based on information obtained on or through the Web Site, or any breach by you of our Terms and Conditions.

Use of Your Image:

You grant to Culinary Quests, LLC the right to take photographs, videos or images of you during your participation in its programs using any form of media. You agree that your image of your participation in its program may be included in photographs, videos or images by Culinary Quests, LLC. You agree that all such images will be the sole property of Culinary Quests, LLC and Culinary Quests, LLC may use these images in the marketing and the promotion of its programs. You agree to grant and convey to Culinary Quests, LLC the right of ownership of your image recorded while you were participating in the program and you agree that as to all rights given under this paragraph to waive the right to receive payment for the use of your images by Culinary Quests, LLC.

Governing Law:

This Contract, regardless of the place of the execution, shall be construed and interpreted according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States of America and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their heirs, legatees, successors, assigns, and personal representatives, as applicable. Any and all litigation or other dispute shall be filed in the jurisdiction and venue of the courts in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States of America, or the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, as appropriate.

Miscellaneous:

If any portion of these Terms and Conditions are void or deemed unenforceable for any reason, the unenforceable portion shall be deemed severed from the remaining portions of the Terms and Conditions which shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.

The Terms and Conditions contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Culinary Quests, LLC and traveler with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior agreements, correspondence and discussions.

Travel Documents, Visas, or Immunizations:

Travelers are responsible for obtaining their own passport, visas, required immunizations, or other necessary travel requirements. Culinary Quests, LLC suggests you submit your passport application as soon as you begin researching overseas vacations, and contact the US State Department website for any travel information.