Definitions:
The terms of business and expressions listed below
will have the following meanings:
“We”, “us”
and “our” all refer to The Sicilian
Villa Company and “you”, “your”
or “client” all refer to the customer
entering into the agreement.
The party leader is the person
or agency who holds the booking and to whom all
correspondence and invoices are addressed and who
is responsible for the rental. Spouses’ names
are not considered interchangeable and the party
leader must be 18 years or older. Agencies are regarded
as clients and party leaders. They, or their legal
representative, must sign all the relevant documents
including the booking form and provide as security
a credit or debit card that is the agency’s
property (company card). The Sicilian Villa Company
shall not have any contract responsibility towards
or any direct relationship with the agency’s
client and all financial transactions shall be made
exclusively between The Sicilian Villa Company and
the agency.
To secure a booking we take a
30% (thirty percent) deposit and complete a booking
form detailing all the information agreed with you.
The booking form is then sent to you via email or
post if you prefer. After checking the form carefully
it must be signed and returned to us by post, alternatively
you can email us to confirm your receipt of the
booking form and agreement with the Booking and
Payment Information terms and conditions.
Upon receipt of your confirmation
we will prepare and send you an invoice confirming
the booking and the payment taken so far. Despatch
of this confirmation invoice to the party leader
constitutes the beginning of a binding contract
between The Sicilian Villa Company and the party
leader.
The contract and all matters arising
out of it are governed by English law. We both agree
that any dispute, claim or other matter which arises
out of or in connection with this contract or your
arrangements will be dealt with by the Courts of
England and Wales only.
Payment
Methods:
You may pay by credit card, Visa, Mastercard and
American Express, UK debit card, UK cheque or bank
transfer. We do not charge extra for credit card
payments.
Payment:
If the initial reservation is received less than
nine weeks (63 days) before the first day of the
rental period, the completed and signed Booking
Form must be accompanied by 100% (one hundred percent)
of the total invoice price within two working days.
Payment is accepted by credit card or bank transfer
only.
If the initial reservation is
received more than nine weeks (64 days) before the
first day of the rental period, the completed and
signed booking form must be accompanied by a deposit
of 30% (thirty percent) of the total invoice within
five working days. Payments will be accepted by
any of the forms described until the paragraph entitled
“Payment Methods”.
Final payment of the balance of
the cost of your rental must be received by us not
less than nine weeks (63 days) before the commencement
of the rental. This date will be shown on the confirmation
invoice but we are not responsible to remind the
party leader or agency of this final payment date.
If we do not receive all final payments due on time
we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled
by you. The set out cancellation charges detailed
below will be payable by you.
Currency
Fluctuations:
Rental prices are quoted in Euros and payments may
be made in Euros or pounds sterling. If you choose
to pay in pounds sterling we will use the exchange
rate on XE.com currency convertor at the time you
make your booking.
Changes
by You:
Any amendments to a booking, such as changes of
dates or properties or cancellations must be made
in writing to The Sicilian Villa Company and are
subject to a penalty charge of 20.00, this will
automatically be charged to your security card.
Cancellation
by You:
In the event of cancellation by you, the following
table will be used to calculate the percentage of
the invoice that will be charged to you as a cancellation
fee:
Cancellation notice received by
us in writing within two weeks (14 days) of the
date shown on the booking form and more than nine
weeks (63 days) in advance of the first rental day
will not incur a cancellation charge but there will
be an administration fee of 20.00 charged to your
security card
Number of days in advance Cancellation fee
Cancellation notice is received by us (% of confirmation
invoice)
In writing
Up to 64 days Deposit only
63-43 days 50%
42-29 days 75%
28-0 days 100%
Personal travel insurance may
allow you to reclaim these cancellation charges
(less any applicable excess). However, we are not
responsible to make these claims and they must be
made by you directly to your insurance company.
Cancellation
by us:
In the unlikely event that we are forced to make
changes to a booking the client will be notified
by us. Should a property become unavailable for
reasons beyond our control, we will do our utmost
to find an alternative property in the same area.
We reserve the right to transfer your booking to
that property. If we are unable to find a similar
property in the same area, we will refund you the
full amount but will not be liable for cancellation
charges pertaining to travel arrangements that have
been made by you.
Property Description:
Every effort has been made to describe the properties
in a true accurate fashion. We have personally visited
each property and discussed with the owner the terms
and conditions of rental, receiving their understanding
of and agreement with the standard of accommodation
and facilities expected by our clients. However,
we decline all responsibility for any changes or
alterations made to the property or the surrounding
landscape without our knowledge. If we are made
aware of any significant changes we will advise
you in writing as soon as possible.
Sicily is subject to seasonal
climatic changes and infrastructure vagaries of
the area. Heavy rainfalls may produce torrents of
water that will cause small country roads and paths
to deteriorate and become difficult to navigate.
The summer months are hot and very dry and produce
unusual odours and on very windy days drains may
also produce strange odours.
In addition, many of the properties
we have selected are located in relatively remote
areas to afford them the privacy and views that
many of our clients prefer. Travelling to these
remote locations may be time consuming and require
a little patience and a suitable vehicle.
The Sicilian Villa Company is
not responsible for inconveniences or delays resulting
from changes in the weather.
Prices shown on our website may
also have changed by the time you book your holiday
and we are not liable for any errors, increases
or differences from the rates published.
Safety
and facilities for children
If a property is listed as being suitable for children
we were mindful of this during our inspection and
we have confirmed that the property owner is willing
to accept children. Facilities and furniture for
infants and small children may be available and
this can be checked at the time of the initial reservation.
The Sicilian Villa Company does not accept any responsibility
for the sanitary and safety standards of these items
and it is strongly recommended that you bring with
you all bedding, etc to alleviate any possible concerns
you may have in this regard.
Household
facilities:
All properties are supplied with sufficient linens,
towels, tableware and cookware for the number of
guests shown on the booking form. Fresh linens and
towels are provided on a weekly basis.
Water is included in the rental
price but it is strongly recommended that you buy
bottled water for drinking. Sicily is subjected
to water shortages in the summer months and many
properties will have to purchase water. In order
to avoid temporarily running out of water, please
be mindful of this and refrain from using excessive
amounts of water and leaving taps running.
Charges for heating are applied
according to consumption and must be paid locally
in Euros at the end of the rental period.
We have determined that average
electricity consumption is 330 kilowatts per week
and this is included in your rental charge. Consumption
in excess of this amount will be charged at 25c
per kilowatt.
Hot tubs are generally open in
spring ad autumn seasons only but you can check
with us regarding specific dates and heating charges.
Please notify the owner/caretaker
of the property if you experience any problems with
any of the above facilities and they will do their
best to rectify the situation as soon as possible.
We are not responsible for any inconveniences you
may experience in the unlikely event that such a
problem occurs.
Final
Cleaning Charge:
Some of our properties have a final cleaning charge.
You will be invoiced for this and it will be added
to your final bill 63 days prior to the first day
of the rental period.
Seasonal
Heating and Air Conditioning Surcharges:
Some of our properties charge for heating and air
conditioning. This must be paid in euros to the
owner/caretaker on your day of departure.
Complaints:
In the unlikely event you are dissatisfied with
your rental property you must immediately inform
the owner/caretaker of the property and us. If the
problem is not remedied quickly you will need to
put your complaint in writing to us. If you remain
dissatisfied you must write to us within four weeks
(28 days) of the end of your holiday advising us
of your complaint.
Agency
Commissions:
Commission paid to an agency will be based on the
price list and agreed between the agency and The
Sicilian Villa Company.
Insurance:
It is a condition of booking that you obtain appropriate
travel insurance. Your insurance should at least
cover medical expenses, personal accident and repatriation
in the event of illness or accident, loss or damage
to your personal effects, money (including cancellation
fees paid by you), and third party liability cover.
Travel
and Activity Arrangements:
Your travel agent, airline or the appropriate Embassy/consulate
will be able to advise you as to any travel documentation
required for your visit to Italy and it is your
responsibility to ensure that you obtain and carry
all the appropriate documentation.
The Sicilian Villa Company is
not responsible for making your air, car or any
tour arrangements but will be happy to provide as
much information and local knowledge as possible
to assist you.
