Terms and Conditions

PLEASE READ the Terms and Conditions CAREFULLY to ensure that you understand the itinerary, and the physical challenges of the tour you are signing up for.

FRENCH COUNTRY ADVENTURES are all-inclusive tours, limited to 6 guests over the age of 21, unless otherwise arranged.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR CLASSIC GASCONY, BASQUE COUNTRY, EDIBLE PROVENCE AND ARMAGNAC ADVENTURES –

Our lodgings are unique: we’ll be staying in either an 18th century Château, Boutique Mansion Bed & Breakfast, or a 4 star Hotel. All rooms have en-suite (private, in-room) bathrooms. Please note that some of our accommodations have stairs and are not accessible without the ability to climb them. If you have a mobility issue please contact me before booking a tour. We stay in one accommodation for the duration of all of the tours.

ALL FRENCH COUNTRY ADVENTURES INCLUDE –

A welcome gift.

Deluxe accommodations.

Pick up and delivery from airport or train station.

All private ground transportation in an air conditioned car or minibus.

All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

Beverages and Wine.

Wi-fi (internet)

Entrance fees to museums, attractions, festivals, and ateliers, per each tour itinerary.

All private cooking classes, wine, and Armagnac tastings per each tour itinerary.

All tourist taxes and tips when applicable.

English and French translations.

ALL FRENCH COUNTRY ADVENTURES EXCLUDE –

International airline tickets and airport taxes.

Domestic airline tickets and airport taxes.

Domestic train tickets.

Transportation from and to your home to the airport.

Travel Insurance.

Hotel laundry and room service charges.

Hard Liquors before, during and after group meals.

Phone calls and postal charges.

Personal items and gifts.

Meals, transportation, local guides and purchases during free time away from the daily itinerary.

SAMPLE ITINERARY –

The adventures listed are samples. We feel nothing wonderful or unexpected is likely to happen if you have a set itinerary. We can do as much or as little as each individual group chooses. In the event of unforeseen circumstances; i.e., a change in a class schedule, or restaurant closure, an alternative will always be offered. Likewise, if a special exhibit, class or event becomes available I will make a substitution and rearrange the itinerary.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS –

French Country Adventures has no upper age limit. None of the tours are strenuous, however some days will require you to be able to walk up to and through medieval hilltop villages on cobblestones. Be prepared with comfortable walking shoes. We will also be driving to and from locations almost every day, with no more than an hour and a half in the car or van each way.

You must carry a valid passport and must have obtained the appropriate visa for your travel to France, if and when applicable.

All French Country Adventures begin and end at Blagnac Airport in Toulouse, Merignac Airport in Bordeaux, the Gare d’Agen in Agen, or TGV Gare d’Avignon in Avignon.

To ensure the safety and comfort of all of our guests we honor a non-smoking policy. Guests who smoke are asked to refrain during group activities and honor the smoking policies of all hotels, restaurants and bars within our visiting region.

We will try to accommodate your dietary restrictions and food allergies whenever possible. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are available upon advance request.

One of the daily joys of traveling in France is eating like the French, à la française. We will follow basic French meal etiquette.

French Breakfast – Le petit déjeuner is simple fare: assorted croissants, baguette with butter and jam, yogurt, fresh seasonal fruit, eggs, coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

French Lunch – Le déjeuner is usually the main meal of the day lasting from 2-4 hours, consisting of 3-4 courses: an appetizer, main dish, side, occasionally a cheese course, dessert, wine and coffee.

French Dinner – After a day’s pleasurable activities we will return to our accommodations for l’apéros, aperitifs and a selection of local wines. Because we’ve eaten sumptuously at mid-day, we will generally have a light meal in the evening. For those wishing to have a more formal dinner, le dîner, I will be happy to make reservations at a local restaurant depending upon our location.

INSURANCE –

We require that you carry travel and health insurance for your French Country Adventure. I recommend imglobal.com Please provide your travel insurance company name, policy number, and 24-hour emergency contact number on the first day of your tour. We assume no responsibility for your medical care, however, there are doctors, clinics, and hospitals in all of the areas we will be traveling. Please be advised that American citizens over 65 years of age are not covered by Medicare while traveling in France.

PRICING DETAILS –

French Country Adventures is a U.S. Company. Our bank is located in the U.S. and hence all of our transactions are in dollars. Our conversion rate is the real-time, interbank rate, which is the rate that banks trade currency, and may vary from the stated price due to exchange rate fluctuations. French Country Adventures may be compelled to amend prices as increases may occur due to rising costs of ground transport, fuel surcharges, accommodations, and currency fluctuations. You will be notified of any change as soon as possible. We do not charge a single supplement.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE –

A deposit of $500.00, per person, is required at the time of booking.

Payment in full is due 90 days before the first day of your tour.

A payment plan is available upon request.

Deposits can be made by direct bank, wire transfer into our U.S. Bank of America, WISE, Zelle, or our PayPal account. If you choose to use Pay Pal, credit card usage is available.

If payments are not received when due, we reserve the right to assume you have cancelled your adventure and will apply our cancellation policy accordingly.

All Custom Tour Itineraries – $450.00

CANCELATION, AND TRANSFER POLICY –

Cancellations must be received by French Country Adventures by email or direct phone call +33(0) 6.33.32.89.61
We will calculate your refund based on the day we receive notification.
Your deposit is refundable until 90 days before your scheduled tour’s final payment is due minus a $150.00 per person service fee*.
If you cancel your tour 60-89 days before the tour begins, 50% of the fee is non-refundable.
If you cancel your tour 59 or fewer days before the tour begins,100% of the fee is non-refundable.
All refunds due to participant cancellations will be minus the associated PayPal and bank expenses incurred by French Country Adventures.
You may choose to transfer your payments to another adventure at a later date, with credit according to the payments you have made.
If you have already transferred your deposit to another tour and have canceled that current tour place leaving FCA with possibly 2 years of a tour place to fill, there will be no refund.
* Service fee: Retaining $150.00 per person of your deposit allows me to cover expenses incurred in booking accommodations, restaurants, etc., relative to your tour, as well as, costs related to rebooking your place.

CANCELLATION INSURANCE –

No refunds will be made to those who fail to join an Adventure without due cancellation in writing, nor for accommodations or services not used, or for a partially completed tour. To protect against loss from cancellation for any reason, cancellation insurance is recommended.

If French Country Adventures cancels a tour:
We may be forced to cancel an adventure if circumstances occur beyond our control: weather conditions, strikes, war, political turmoil, terrorism, civil unrest, or pandemics. In such cases you may choose between receiving a full refund of monies paid, or transfer of your payments to another tour at a later date.

PROTOCOL –
French Country Adventures prides itself in offering unique and convivial slow travel tours. Since our tour group size is very small, compatibility is essential. Sue Aran will accompany you at all times, unless otherwise arranged. Her decisions are final on all matters that would likely affect the safety, and/or well-being of any traveler participating in a tour. If you fail to agree with a decision, or inhibit the safety and/or well being of an individual or the group, she may ask you to leave the tour with no right of refund. If you have a complaint about your tour or a fellow traveler, please inform her privately.

French Country Adventures will accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in airfare or other services, baggage damage or loss, sickness, weather, strike, war, volcanic eruption, terrorist acts, political unrest, quarantine or other causes. All such losses or expenses will be entirely borne by the adventurer.

French Country Adventures reserves the right to substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary or transportation where deemed necessary, or caused by changes in air schedules, or transportation substitutions.

French Country Adventures is not responsible for any other trip preparation expenses such as non-refundable air tickets, passport or visa fees, and medical-related expenses.

The Terms and Conditions forms must be signed and dated by each participant prior to the commencement of the adventure. Participation in any adventure will be declined in the absence of these forms. No modification to the Terms and Conditions form will be accepted.

Should French Country Adventures or anyone acting on their behalf be required to incur attorney’s fees and costs to enforce this agreement, the enrolling adventure participant(s) agree(s) to indemnify and hold French Country Adventures harmless for all such fees and costs. In the event a lawsuit is filed, the enrolling participant(s) agree(s) to do so solely in King County in the State of Washington, in the United States, within 2 months of the scheduled Adventure date.

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