These terms and conditions apply to the legal relationship between you and us, the company Gourmet Wine Travel GmbH
(hereinafter also referred to as travel agent) for package tours, individual tours or individual packages offered by us
in our own name.

1. Contract conclusion, fellow traveler, payment
   1. Your telephone, written or personal application is binding for you. All bookings made with Gourmet Wine Travel GmbH are legally binding contracts under Swiss law (Art. 1 ff. OR). The travel contract between you and us is concluded with the unconditional acceptance of your registration. If the signatory reserves the right to make further travel arrangements for other participants, he / she is responsible for their contractual obligations (in particular the payment of the travel price) as for his / her own obligations. For travel arrangements by other tour operators and travel agencies, which are only communicated to you by the tour operator, their own terms and conditions of travel apply.
   2. Our services can be found in the service description in the brochure / travel description or in the Internet. Special requests are only a contractual part if they have been confirmed by us in writing and unconditionally. Unless stated otherwise in the travel notice, the services begin with rail and bus travel from the place of departure, for air travel from the airport in Switzerland or the agreed departure / arrival location.
   3. Upon receipt of the travel confirmation, the total amount or a deposit per person will be due for immediate payment, depending on the travel description. In case of a deposit, the balance has to be paid by you at least 45 days before the start of the tour. In case of short-term bookings, the total amount is payable upon booking. In the case of not executing the payments in the requested due date, we shall be entitled to withdraw the contract and to demand cancellation fees in accordance with section 2.2.
2. Cancellation of the trip by the traveler

   1. A cancellation of the trip by the customer must be submitted in writing. The date of receipt of the cancellation notice by Gourmet Wine Travel GmbH or by the booking agent is decisive. On weekends or public holidays, the next working day shall be considered the effective date. In the event of cancellation, the following fees apply:
      

      From the time of booking: The deposit is immediately due and non‑refundable.
      

      Cancellation more than 140 days before departure: 30% of the total trip price is payable.

      Cancellation 139–100 days before departure: 50% of the total trip price is payable (including the deposit already paid).

      Cancellation 99–70 days before departure: 60% of the total trip price is payable (including the deposit already paid).

      Cancellation 69–30 days before departure: 75% of the total trip price is payable. 

      Cancellation 29 days or less before departure / no‑show: 100% of the total trip price is payable. 

      The customer has the right, in accordance with Art. 68 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), to provide a substitute participant. Any additional costs (e.g. name changes or new flight tickets) are borne by the customer.

      We strongly recommend that customers take out travel cancellation insurance. Gourmet Wine Travel GmbH does not assume responsibility for costs not covered by insurance.

   2. Deviating cancellation costs may be specified in the respective travel information. The statutory right to appoint a substitute traveler in accordance with the Swiss Federal Law on Package Travel (Art. 68 OR) remains unaffected; processing fees are not waived.
   3. If you must cancel the trip, you may nominate a substitute traveler who will participate under the same contractual conditions. Once the substitute traveler enters into the contract, both you and the substitute traveler are jointly and severally liable for payment of the full travel price and any additional costs. The entry of the substitute person is permissible:
   4. For travel within Switzerland: up to the start of the trip
   5. For travel within Europe and to countries without visa requirements: up to 48 hours before the agreed departure
   6. This is subject to our organizational possibilities. A prerequisite is that the service providers involved in the trip (e.g. hotels, airlines) accept the change. Please note that such acceptance may be difficult, especially during high season, or may be restricted by airline fare regulations or fully booked flights.
3. Cancellation protection and travel accident insurance
   1. The insurance cover is not included in our travel price and may vary depending on the type of trip you have chosen.
   2. We strongly recommend that all participants take out adequate cancellation insurance and SOS return insurance. These policies protect you against costs arising from illness, accident, family emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances.
   3. If you already hold valid cancellation and SOS return travel insurance, you may waive this insurance at the time of booking.
   4. Important Notice: Even in cases of illness, accident, or other personal reasons for cancellation, the contractual obligation to pay the travel price (or the applicable cancellation fees under Section 2.1) remains. Only a valid insurance policy can reimburse you for such costs. Gourmet Wine Travel GmbH does not assume responsibility for expenses not covered by insurance.
4. Entry formalities
   1. Swiss citizens and residents from other countries need a valid identity card or a valid passport or visa for travel, depending on the country (regulations may differ depending on the country). Citizens of other countries please provide their nationality at the time of booking and check the requirements at their embassy. The travel participants are responsible for compliance with these regulations, procurement and carrying the necessary travel documents (such as passport, identity card, etc.). Please check your travel documents before leaving for completeness and correctness. If you are refused entry due to incorrect or non-existent documents, the return travel costs are at your expense (section 10).
5. Flights
   1. All air travel – if included in the travel price – is carried out in the tourist class (Economy Class). We and the involved airlines expressly reserve the right to change flight plans, use other types of aircraft and/or involve other airlines. The change of the aircraft type or of the airline does not represent a change in the program. The introduction of new or the increasing of existing taxes is reserved. For flights (PEX / APEX group and special tariffs), the cancellation conditions of the corresponding airline / tariff class apply. Issued Tickets cannot be rebooked or canceled.
   2. Flight Schedule Changes and Meal Services – Flight times and schedules are determined solely by the operating airline. Changes to departure or arrival times do not entitle participants to refunds or price reductions, provided the organizer is not responsible for the alteration.
      If meals or evening programs cannot be carried out due to delayed arrival, such meals are deemed replaced by the airline’s onboard catering where provided. Program elements may be rescheduled where possible; otherwise, they may be omitted without compensation if the cause lies outside the organizer’s control.
6. Program and price changes
   1. Amendments before conclusion of contract: We expressly reserve the right to change the performance specifications, price of the trip before the booking. If this is the case, we will keep you informed about these changes before the conclusion of the contract and also inform you why this price change had to be made.
   2. Price changes after conclusion of the contract: Gourmet Wine Travel GmbH reserves the right to adjust prices if significant and unforeseeable cost increases occur after the contract has been concluded. Price increases may result from:
   3. The subsequent increase in transport costs (including fuel surcharges)
   4. Newly introduced or increased government levies or fees (such as airport taxes, landing fees, entry and disembarkation fees, etc.)
   5. Serious exchange rate fluctuations
   6. Government-imposed price increases (e.g., VAT)
   7. If the cost of these services increases, they can be passed on to you. The price increases accordingly. We will make the price increase no later than 22 days before departure. If the price increase is more than 10 percent, you are entitled to the rights mentioned in section 6.4.
   8. Program changes, changes in the means of transport after your booking and before commencement of the trip: We reserve the right in your interest to change the travel program or individual agreed services (e.g. accommodation, transport, means of transport, airlines, flight times, etc.) in case of an event which, in spite of all due diligence, is not foreseeable and which requires it. We strive to offer you equivalent replacement services. We will inform you as quickly as possible about such changes and their impact on the price.
   9. Your rights if the travel price is increased after the conclusion of the contract, Program changes, changes in the means of transport: If the change in the program or the change of individual agreed services leads to a significant change in a major contract point, or if the price increase exceeds 10 percent, you have the following rights:
   10. You may accept the amendment
   11. You are entitled to withdraw from the contract within 5 days after receipt of our notification and you will be refunded immediately the already paid travel price
   12. You can inform us in writing within 5 days of receipt of our notification that you wish to participate in an equivalent replacement trip proposed by us
   13. If we do not receive a notification, you agree to the price increase, the change of the program or the change of individual agreed services.
7. Cancellation of the trip
   1. Group size: For our bus trips, a minimum number of participants is usually 6 people. For air travel, a defined minimum number of participants is 6 people. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if the minimum required number of participants is not reached at the latest 30 days before departure date.
   2. Compulsory reasons: Should compelling reasons, such as force majeure, natural disasters, war or revolution, strikes, government orders, epidemics, pandemics etc., make the travel very difficult or impossible, we will have to cancel or to postpone the trip and will inform you as soon as possible. Even illness/accident of the organizer/tour guide or other unforeseen reasons can make it impossible to perform a trip.
   3. In both cases (7.1 or 7.2.), we will try/endeavor to offer you an equivalent alternative travel. Not all of our travel partners offer this possibility. In such a case claims have to be made directly to our travel partner. However, our aim is to provide an alternative date for the trip. The new date will be announced so early that every participant can organize accordingly. If you cannot participate in this alternative travel, and if possible the amounts already paid or part of the amounts will be refunded immediately. Further claims on your part are excluded. If a trip has to be postponed because of a pandemic no rights to claim the money back are provided. However also in this case we try to offer an adequate alternative if this is possible. If a trip has to be postponed several times, the reason for the first postponement is determining factor for handling the case.
8. Program changes, breakdown of services during the trip
   1. If program changes have to be made during the trip, we endeavor to offer an equivalent replacement service / alternative. If the program shows an objective deficit by the change, we will compensate you for this. If unforeseen necessary changes to the program occur at additional costs, because no unqualified substitute service or equivalent return possibility is provided and the measure takes place in the objective interest of the customer, these additional costs are borne by the customer. During the trip, the customer is only entitled to rescind the contract if a considerable portion (> 50%) of the agreed services cannot be provided and no adequate alternative can be offered or the customer rejects the substitute service for important reasons.
9. Travel cancellation during the trip through the traveler
   1. If you cancel during the trip, the travel price cannot be refunded; Any additional costs (such as return transport) are at your expense. As described in point 3, it is your duty to complete cancellation and SOS travel insurance. If you have to cancel the trip for compelling reasons (illness, accident, missing travel documents, etc.), our tour guide / bus driver will assist you in organizing your return journey as far as this is possible. Please make sure you have a valid accident insurance. Every participant is responsible for an accident insurance. Sporting activities are exercised by each participant at an own risk. Only in the case of a cancellation for generally compelling reasons (force majeure, natural catastrophes, strikes, governmental measures, epidemics) we will reimburse you for those services which are not charged to us (This might be subject to a reasonable processing fee).
10. Conduct of Participants
    1. Gratuities and Respectful Conduct – Gratuities are generally not included in the tour price. Gourmet Wine Travel GmbH recommends a centralized tipping arrangement to ensure fair and transparent distribution to local partners such as drivers, guides, winemakers, and service staff.
       Participants are expected to treat all local partners with respect and appreciation. The organizer reserves the right to exclude individuals from specific program elements in cases of grossly disrespectful behavior.
11. If you have something to complain about
    1. If the trip does not correspond to the travel description or if you suffer a damage, you are obliged to inform immediately our tour guide about this defect or damage.
    2. The tour guide will endeavor to remedy within a reasonable period of time. If there is no remedy, remedy is not possible, or if it is not sufficient, the written defects or the damage and the non-remedial remedy should be confirmed in writing by the tour guide. However, this person is not entitled to recognize any claims for damages. If you do not bring the complaint to the tour operator at the time and do not get a written confirmation, we cannot respond to your complaint after traveling, and you will lose any rights against us.
    3. How to claim your claim against the tour operator: If you want to claim damages, reimbursements or claims for damages against us, you must submit your complaint in writing within 14 days after the actual journey of the agreed journey. Your complaint must be accompanied by the confirmation from the tour guide and conclusive evidence. If you do not make your demands within 14 days after the actual journey of the journey, all your claims will be invalid and you will lose all your rights.
12. Limitations of liability, disclaimer
    1. International agreements and national laws: contain international agreements and national legal restrictions or exclusion of compensation for damages resulting from non-fulfillment or non-compliance with the contract, we shall be liable only under these agreements and laws. International agreements, national laws with limitations of liability or disclaimer exist, in particular, in transport (such as air transport, shipping on the high seas and railways).
    2. The tour guide will endeavor to remedy within a reasonable period of time. If there is no remedy, remedy is not possible, or if it is not sufficient, the written defects or the damage and the non-remedial remedy should be confirmed in writing by the tour guide. However, this person is not entitled to recognize any claims for damages. If you do not bring the complaint to the tour operator at the time and do not get a written confirmation, we cannot respond to your complaint after traveling, and you will lose any rights against us.
13. Ombudsman
    1. You should contact the independent ombudsman of the Swiss travel industry before any legal dispute. The Ombudsman endeavors to achieve a fair and balanced settlement of all kinds of problems between you and us.
    2. The address of the Ombudsman is: Ombudsman of the Swiss travel industry, Postfach, 8033 Zürich
14. Photos / Images
    1. By booking one of our travels, you expressly agree that the photos and videos made during the trip can be used for publication in the Internet, print media, advertising flyers etc. without further consent.
15. Individual provisions
    1. The invalidity of individual points of the travel contract or the GTC does not lead to the ineffectiveness of the entire contract.
16. Applicable law and jurisdiction
    1. The legal relationship between you and us is exclusively subject to Swiss law.
    2. The exclusive place for legal actions against the tour operator from customer site is Uster. We can sue the consumer at his place of residence or in Uster.