BOOKING CONDITIONS

Please read the following Terms and Conditions carefully as they form the basis of the contract between Antique Vacations and yourself as our Customer. You should note that no Contract or other legally enforceable arrangement will exist between us until we have confirmed your booking in writing. All contracts or other legally enforceable arrangement will be subject to these booking conditions.

1. These Booking Conditions shall apply not only to the person making the booking but also to all members of his or her party. A booking will only be accepted from an adult member of the party and we are entitled to assume that the person making the booking has been authorised to do so by every other member of the party and also accepts these Conditions on behalf of every member of the party.

2. You should note than no employee or agent of Antique Vacations has any express, implied or ostensible authority to vary or amend these Booking Conditions either orally or in writing. Any variation or amendment must be in writing and signed by the proprietor personally

3. Independent contractors or suppliers provide many of the services and facilities included in your Tour including the storage, transportation and customs clearance of any items purchased by you. Many of these contactors or suppliers have their own Terms and Conditions and these will apply to you in addition to our Booking Conditions. If there is a conflict between our contractors or suppliers Terms and Conditions and our own we shall have the absolute right to decide which Terms and Conditions shall apply to you.

4. Your contract with us will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts in England and Wales [hereinafter described as "this Country"] and will be governed exclusively by the laws, rules and regulations for the time being in force in this Country. No court or other body or organisation outside this Country will have any jurisdiction to deal with any matters in any way relating to this Contract or the relationship between us.

5. This condition will not prevent the referral of any dispute between us to Arbitration in this Country if we agree and acceptable terms of reference for such Arbitration can be agreed. However there shall be no obligation on us to consent to Arbitration if we do not consider it appropriate to the circumstances of the dispute.

6. In order to book a Tour with us you must complete our Booking Form in full and send this to us together with the required deposit of US$ 400 per person or such other sum as we shall agree in writing unless the booking is made 12 weeks or less before the Commencement Date [as defined in paragraph 9] when the full cost of the Tour will be payable.

7. You must ensure that all the information given on the Booking Form is correct. We will then acknowledge receipt in writing of your booking and at that stage there will be a legally binding arrangement between us.

8. The Tour price includes: -

[a] Accommodation with meals as indicated [but not drink or tips]

[b] All travel in this Country during your Tour to include collection/return to the airport. Please note that travel to/from this Country is not included

[c] Entry to all auctions [including a catalogue], antique fairs and attractions included in your itinerary at the time of booking

[d] The services of our Representative who will accompany you throughout the Tour and who will act as your guide and who can, if required, make the necessary arrangements for the storage and transportation of any items purchased by you at extra cost as set out in paragraph 21

9. Payment of the balance due of the Tour price is required in full at least 10 weeks before the commencement of your Tour ["the Commencement date"] in this Country. If we do not receive payment in accordance with this condition we reserve the right to cancel your booking and your Tour and retain any deposit in full without refund.

10. Payment of all sums due to us can be made by Credit Card or by cheque or Bankers Draft (but only drawn on a bank or savings institution based in this Country).

11. All prices are quoted in United States Dollars and are calculated on the exchange rates in force as at the date the Tour cost is assessed or the booking accepted as the case may be. However as the majority of our costs are incurred in Sterling we reserve the right to pass on to you any additional costs incurred solely attributable to any currency fluctuations such costs to be payable in full before the Commencement date. However we will absorb the first 2% (Two percent) of any such additional costs.

12. The price of you Tour does not include any Delivery Costs as defined in paragraph 21 of these Conditions.

13. You may cancel your Tour at any time. Written notification from the person who made the booking must be received at our office before any cancellation becomes effective.

14. If you cancel your holiday after you have paid the full amount due we may at our absolute discretion make a cancellation charge which will be deducted from the amount paid to us and which will be calculated in accordance with the following formula: -

i) More than 56 days from the Commencement date – Deposit only

ii) Between 42 and 56 days from the Commencement date – Up to 80% [Eighty percent] of the Tour price

iii) Between 35 and 42 days from the Commencement date – Up to 85% [Eighty Five percent] of the Tour price

iv) Between 35 days and 21 days from the Commencement date – Up to 90% [Ninety percent] of the Tour price

v) Less than 21 days from the Commencement date – Up to 100% [One Hundred percent] of the Tour price.

15. Please note that if a member of a party or group booking cancels solely in respect of themselves a cancellation charge will still be applied and calculated in accordance with paragraph 14

16. Cancellation charges made by our contractors and suppliers may be higher than the amount calculated in accordance with paragraph 14 and we reserve the right to recover such charges from you. In any event if you are proposing to cancel you Tour you may wish to check before doing so the amount of any likely cancellation charges under this paragraph and paragraph 14.

17. Cancellation cover may be available from your Travel Insurers and you are strongly advised to take out cover in accordance with the recommendation in paragraph 31 of these Conditions.

18. If you wish alter any arrangements during your Tour [e.g. to visit another auction or antique fair] we will make reasonable efforts to assist but we will not be liable for any additional expenses incurred nor will we be obliged to refund any payment for unused travel, accommodation or services. An alteration is deemed to be a correction or enhancement to the existing Tour as booked.

19. Although we will make every reasonable effort to provide you with the advertised itinerary there may be occasions when this is not possible due to circumstances outside our control. For example, an auction or fair may be curtailed, cancelled or postponed by the organisers or an attraction may be closed. If an alteration is necessary or unavoidable we will attempt to provide a suitable alternative although we cannot accept any liability howsoever arising from any changes to the advertised itinerary. We also reserve the right in any circumstances to cancel you Tour, for example, if the minimum number of clients required for a particular Tour is not reached we may have to cancel it. However we will not cancel your Tour less than 56 days before the Commencement date, except for reasons of "force majure" as set out below.

20. If we have to alter in any way or cancel your Tour at any stage due to what is known as "force majure" no compensation will be payable although a full refund of all monies paid will be made. For the purposes of these Booking Conditions the expression "force majure" includes: -

[a] War or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity or threat of such activities, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions or industrial action

[b] Any unusual or unforeseen circumstances or events and any consequences of these which neither we, our employees, agents, independent contractors or suppliers could have foreseen or prevented even when exercising reasonable skill and care

21. Your Tour is intended to give you the opportunity to purchase antiques and collectors items. Please note that all storage and transportation costs including agent’s fees, insurance [if required] and handling charges [collectively described as " Delivery Costs"] in respect of any items purchased on the Tour are to be paid in full to us prior to shipment from this Country. All Delivery Costs are in addition to the price of your Tour.

22. You will also be responsible for the payment of any Customs duties on arrival in you own country.

23. If any amount due to us in respect of the Delivery Costs remains unpaid after a period of 56 days from the end of your Tour or notification to you of the amount due whichever shall be the later we reserve the right to sell by public auction as your agents any items in respect of which the Delivery Cost remains wholly or partially outstanding. After sale we will account to you for any balance remaining after deduction of all costs incurred. For the purposes of this condition notification of any amount due shall be conclusively deemed to have been given 7 days from the date of posting of any letter to you sent by airmail to the address given for the Tour Organiser on the Reservation form whether the items were purchased by the Organiser or any members of his or her group..

24. We cannot accept any responsibility in respect of any item purchased by you on your Tour and in particular in respect of; -

[a] the authorship, attribution, authenticity, condition, provenance, age, suitability, fitness for purpose, origin, and/or availability for export of any such item

[b] Any representations, statements, descriptions, or warranties made by or on behalf of the seller of any such item. You should also note that any advice provided by our Representative will be given bona fide and to the best of his or her knowledge and belief but we cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.

[c] Any liability for import duties or other taxes payable on transportation to your nominated address.

25. You should be aware that any item purchased by you will generally be your legal responsibility from the time of purchase. Our Representative will be able to advise on insurance arrangements

26. We will do our best to ensure to have an enjoyable trouble free Tour. Our business is built on our reputation. However, if you have a complaint relating to your Tour please raise this with the Representative who will be accompanying you on your Tour at the first opportunity. We aim to please and will do our best to deal with any legitimate grievances promptly. Should your complaint not be dealt with to your satisfaction please raise your concerns with our Proprietor who will investigate your complaint and will report to you in writing at the conclusion of her investigation.

27. Any claims arising as a result of your Tour must be notified in writing to us within 28 days of the conclusion of your Tour. After this period has elapsed we cannot accept any liability for the matter or omission complained of.

28. Similarly any claim relating to any items purchased by you on the Tour must be notified to us in writing within14 of delivery to your nominated address unless the Terms and Conditions of any contractors or suppliers involved in the storage and/or transportation of the item specify a shorter period when such shorter period for notification shall apply.

29. In accordance with our legal obligations we accept responsibility should you suffer personal injury/death as a result of our negligence or breach of statutory duty in accordance with the law for the time being in force in this Country. You should note that the amount of compensation recoverable might be limited in law. However we will not be liable for any other losses you may suffer including property damage or consequential loss and you are therefore strongly advised to arrange you own comprehensive Insurance to cover you during your Tour.

30. You will have the services of our Representative throughout you Tour and they will be available to offer advice on a particular purchase if required together with advice on shipment to your nominated address. Please note that although our Representative will make reasonable efforts to ensure that any advice given is correct we cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

31. You must ensure that: -

[a] You notify us when submitting our Booking Form if you have an existing medical problem or disability which may affect your Tour. If in our reasonable opinion your chosen Tour is not suitable for your medical problem or disability or you are not traveling with someone you can provide you with all the assistance you may reasonable require we may refuse the booking. In reaching a decision we will take into account any medical evidence presented to us together with our assessment of the needs and requirements of other customers on your chosen Tour and the practical demands on your chosen Tour.

[b] If you have any special requests these must be advised to us in writing at the same time as the Booking Form is submitted to us although we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met

[c] You make the appropriate travel arrangements to ensure you arrive reasonably promptly at the agreed collection point at the start of your Tour.

[d] You have a valid and acceptable passport and either have or be able to obtain a visitor’s visa on arrival in this Country.

[e] You and all members of your party have the benefit of comprehensive Travel Insurance prior to you arrival in this Country valid for the duration of your Tour. This should include sufficient cover against the unexpected need to cancel your holiday, medical treatment, assistance with repatriation in the event of illness, accident or death, public liability, as well as cover for personal belongings and luggage.
 

PRIVACY STATEMENT

We respect your privacy and operate a Privacy Policy. By agreeing to these Conditions you also accept our Privacy Policy. For further details see our Privacy page.