Terms & Conditions | Wherein Cooking Holidays

Terms and conditions

The following terms and conditions apply to all bookings and form the basis of your contract with WhereinItaly Ltd, operating under the name Wherein Cooking Holidays. Please read them carefully before making a booking.

1. Contract

All bookings are subject to these terms and conditions. By making a booking with Wherein Cooking Holidays, you confirm that you have the authority to accept these terms on behalf of yourself and all members of your party.

A binding contract is formed when we accept payment towards your booking or issue a booking confirmation or invoice, whichever occurs first.

2. Price

All tour prices are listed in GBP (British Pound Sterling), as Wherein Cooking Holidays is legally registered in the United Kingdom.

Prices shown in USD or other currencies are approximate and based on exchange rates at the time they are displayed. The actual amount charged by your bank or card provider may differ due to exchange rate variations and any fees applied by them. We recommend checking conversion rates and any applicable charges with your bank before booking.

If you have any questions about pricing, please contact us.

3. Deposit

A non refundable deposit of £299 per person is payable at the time of booking. This deposit is refundable up to 240 days before the start date of the holiday. If your booking is not accepted, or if unforeseen circumstances prevent us from operating the holiday, any deposit paid will be refunded in full.

4. Final balance

The remaining balance is due 90 days before the start date of your holiday, unless otherwise stated at the time of booking. The due date will be clearly shown on your booking confirmation or invoice.

We will send a reminder to your registered email address before the due date. If the balance is not received by the due date and you have not contacted us, we will treat this as a cancellation by you. In this case, your deposit will be retained as a cancellation charge.

If you believe you may need to cancel, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your options.

5. Cancellation by you

If you need to cancel your holiday, cancellation charges will apply as follows:

i) 240 days or more before the start date: full refund minus a £100.00 cancellation fee
ii) 239 to 90 days before the start date: loss of full deposit
iii) 89 to 29 days before the start date: 50% of the total holiday cost
iv) 28 to 0 days before the start date: 100% of the total holiday cost

Replacement consideration

We always aim to act fairly and to minimise any financial loss for our guests. If you cancel within 239 days of the start date and we are able to find another guest to take your place on the same holiday, we will retain only the £100.00 cancellation fee and refund all other payments to the original payment method.

Please note that this depends entirely on our ability to replace your spot and cannot be guaranteed, particularly close to the start date.

We are not liable for cancellations or any impact on your holiday arising from events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, strikes, epidemics, pandemics, acts of government or adverse weather conditions.

6. Travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly advised for all participants.

Your policy must include at least:

Medical coverage
Repatriation
Emergency rescue

We strongly recommend that your insurance also covers:

Personal liability
Trip cancellation or curtailment
Loss or damage to luggage and personal belongings

If you intend to rely on insurance provided through your credit card, you must present proof of purchase of the trip (for example a receipt or credit card statement) in your name. Please contact your bank in advance to confirm what is covered, the name of the insurer and the emergency contact number.

7. Transfers

Group transfers are included as specified in your holiday description. These operate at set times.

Before booking flights, you must ensure your arrival and departure times are compatible with the group transfer schedule. Private transfers can be arranged at an additional cost if your flight times do not align with the group transfer.

Wherein Cooking Holidays is not liable for the cost of any private transfers required due to flight delays, cancellations or changes; such costs should be claimed directly from your airline or travel insurer.

8. Delays

Where flights are booked by Wherein Cooking Holidays on your behalf, we are not responsible for delays or schedule changes made by the airline. We will, however, offer reasonable assistance where possible.

For flights you book independently, any delay or disruption is your responsibility and should be addressed with the airline or your travel insurer.

9. Lost luggage

We are not liable for any luggage lost, delayed or damaged by airlines or other carriers. We will offer reasonable assistance in helping you liaise with the airline or carrier to locate your luggage.

10. Accommodation and itinerary changes

We reserve the right to make minor changes to the advertised accommodation or itinerary where necessary. This may be due to reasons such as maintenance, overbooking, operational requirements or events beyond our control.

If a change is required, we will always aim to provide accommodation of a similar or higher standard and to maintain the overall quality and character of the itinerary.

11. Safety and hygiene

For your safety and for hygiene reasons, appropriate clothing and closed toe footwear must be worn during cooking classes and in any kitchen areas. Our team may ask you to adjust your clothing or shoes if they are not suitable for the environment.

You are responsible for following all safety instructions provided by our staff and partners.

12. Responsibility

Wherein Cooking Holidays is responsible for the proper performance of the services that form part of your holiday, as described in your booking.

We are not responsible for:

Any activities you choose to undertake independently which are not part of the booked itinerary
Any illness, injury, loss, damage or death arising from activities or services not arranged by us or our authorised representatives
Any failure or improper performance where the fault lies with you, a third party unconnected with the provision of the services, or an event which could not be foreseen or avoided even with all due care
We strongly recommend that you read your travel insurance policy carefully to ensure it provides adequate protection.

13. Minimum numbers

Each tour is subject to a minimum number of participants. If the minimum number is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the holiday.

In this case, you will be offered:

A full refund of all monies paid to Wherein Cooking Holidays for that holiday, or
The option to transfer to another available date, subject to availability and any price difference

If we cancel due to low numbers, we will notify you at least four weeks before the start date wherever possible.

14. Reporting a problem

If you experience any issue during your holiday, you must inform our representative or coordinator immediately so that we have the opportunity to resolve the matter while you are still in destination.

If your concern is not resolved to your satisfaction, you must submit a written report giving full details of the issue within 28 days of your return. This should be sent via our contact form or by email.

We cannot accept liability for any complaint that is not reported to our representative at the time the issue arises and that is not formally submitted to us within 28 days of your return.

15. Passport and entry requirements

It is your responsibility to ensure that you, and all members of your party, hold a valid passport and comply with any visa, health or entry requirements for the countries you are visiting.

We cannot accept responsibility if you are refused entry to a country due to failure to meet these requirements.

16. Tipping

Tipping practices vary across countries, but it is a common and appreciated way to recognise good service in Europe.

While tipping is not compulsory on our tours, many guests choose to leave a gratuity for staff and local partners. At the end of your holiday, our team may place an envelope in your room as a convenient option for those who wish to leave a tip. This is entirely optional and there is no obligation to contribute. Any amount given is at your complete discretion.

17. Media consent and usage

By joining a Wherein Cooking Holidays experience, you acknowledge that photographs, videos and other media may be taken during the program.

Wherein Cooking Holidays may use such material for promotional, marketing and commercial purposes, including on our website, social media channels, advertising and printed materials.

If you do not wish to appear in such media, you must inform Wherein Cooking Holidays in writing before the start of your holiday and also remind your trip coordinator on arrival.

18. Amendments to these terms

Wherein Cooking Holidays reserves the right to update or amend these terms and conditions from time to time. Any changes will be published on our website.

The version in force at the time you make your booking will apply to your contract with us. Continued use of our website or services following any update to the terms will constitute your acceptance of the revised conditions.