Terms & Conditions

1.Inclusions

Inclusions are listed in the FAQs and brochure.

2.Acceptance

Your booking becomes valid once Time Stylers has received your deposit and your completed booking form, and you have received a confirmation from us. We reserve the right to decline a booking based on the information provided to us. If you are unsure of your suitability for The Sicilian Retreat, please ask us before booking. By accepting these conditions, you also agree to receive our newsletter. Let us know if you'd prefer not to.

3.Minimum and Maximum Numbers

The Sicilian Retreat requires a minimum of 5 participants to operate, and is limited to a maximum of 10.

4.Single Rooms and Room Sharing

1. a)Our advertised prices are based on single occupancy.
2. b)If you have any preference or requirement relating to room sharing, please tell us at the time of booking.

5.Time Stylers May Alter Your Retreat

Time Stylers reserves the right to alter the itinerary at any time to ensure the retreat runs safely and smoothly. Reasons may include, but are not limited to, weather, venue or excursion availability, road or sea conditions, change of suppliers, or the availability of accommodation, meals, transport or activities necessary for the retreat to operate.

6.If Time Stylers Cancels Your Retreat, and Force Majeure

1. a)If we need to cancel The Sicilian Retreat, we will advise you at least 30 days before departure.
2. b)If we cancel the retreat before it commences, for any reason other than Force Majeure, we will offer you the choice of either: (i) transferring to a different date, or (ii) a full refund of all monies paid (excluding any transaction fees).

Force Majeure

Except where expressly stated otherwise in these Terms & Conditions, we will not be liable or pay compensation if our obligations to you are affected by Force Majeure. Force Majeure means any event which we or our suppliers could not control, and whose consequences could not have been avoided even with all reasonable measures. Examples include war and terrorism (or the threat of these), civil unrest, epidemics or pandemics and other significant public health risks, natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, volcanic activity or eruption, or weather conditions that make it unsafe to travel to or remain at the destination, government or port/river authority action, industrial action or strikes, closures, fire, and unavoidable technical problems with transport, and all similar events outside our or our suppliers' control.

If Time Stylers determines, in its sole discretion, that it must change or cancel the retreat before or during The Sicilian Retreat because of an event of Force Majeure as described above, we may suspend performance, our standard refund/cancellation policy will not apply, and no refund or credit will be provided.

In any case where we alter or cancel the retreat, before or during it, and regardless of whether a refund is issued, Time Stylers is not responsible for any indirect, consequential or incidental costs you incur, including non-refundable flights or change fees.

7.If You Want to Change or Cancel Your Booking

Changing your date

You may transfer your booking to a different Time Stylers retreat date, provided that: (i) you advise us in writing more than 90 days before departure; (ii) you pay a non-refundable $250 administration fee per person; (iii) all other monies paid are applied to the new date; and (iv) the new date is within 12 months of your original booking.

Cancelling your booking

The Sicilian Retreat is a small, intimate group capped at 10 guests. Because of this, your payments go toward real, largely non-refundable costs (accommodation, catering, guides and transport) that Time Stylers commits to on your behalf ahead of the retreat. Our cancellation policy is tied to those actual costs, not an arbitrary schedule:

1. (i)More than 90 days before departure: full refund of all monies paid, less any non-recoverable costs Time Stylers has already incurred with its suppliers on your behalf.
2. (ii)Between 30 and 89 days before departure: your deposit is forfeited, and any balance you have paid is refunded, less any non-recoverable costs Time Stylers has already incurred with its suppliers on your behalf.
3. (iii)Less than 30 days before departure: all monies paid are non-refundable.

In each case, if Time Stylers is able to fill your place with another guest, all monies you have paid will be refunded, less the $250 administration fee (if applicable) and any non-recoverable supplier costs.

No refund is given for unused services once the retreat has started. If payment is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel your booking.

8.Price Increases

The website and brochure are correct at the time of publication, but we reserve the right to change published prices. If there is a significant increase, we will notify you more than 30 days before your retreat and give you the choice of accepting the change or receiving a refund, less our reasonably incurred costs.

The Sicilian Retreat is quoted in Australian dollars (AUD), based on costs in Sicily and prevailing exchange rates at the time of booking. We aim to avoid price increases, but reserve the right to amend prices without notice for: (a) currency fluctuations in excess of $100, at any time until full payment is received; or (b) other reasons outside our reasonable control (including changes in government taxes or charges, or a Force Majeure event), at any time before travel.

9.Your Host and Facilitator

The Sicilian Retreat is hosted and facilitated by Kate Christie, together with experienced local guides and suppliers for specific excursions such as the Zingaro coastal walk and the private yacht day. Kate and any local guides are responsible for the safety, enjoyment and smooth running of the retreat, and have the authority to do whatever is reasonably necessary to protect the safety and interests of the group, including, where needed, asking a guest not to take part in a particular activity. You agree to follow their reasonable directions.

10.Your Responsibility

It is your responsibility to read these Terms & Conditions and brochure thoroughly and to decide whether The Sicilian Retreat suits your abilities and interests. The retreat includes physical activities, including but not limited to a moderate coastal walk, swimming, an e-bike ride, a day on the water, and daily movement sessions. You should be reasonably fit and comfortable taking part in activities of this kind. It is your responsibility to behave sensibly during all activities and not take unnecessary risks. You are responsible for your own conduct during the retreat and agree to indemnify Time Stylers against any liabilities you may incur as a result.

1. a)Age requirements: If you are over 80 years of age, we ask that you provide a note from your doctor confirming you are fit enough to take part in The Sicilian Retreat.
2. b)Use of images: Time Stylers may use photographs or video taken by us or our representatives during The Sicilian Retreat for promotional and marketing purposes. By booking, you consent to the use of your likeness for these purposes without compensation.

11.Assumption of Risk

You acknowledge that you have read and understood these Terms & Conditions, and that participating in The Sicilian Retreat (including but not limited to the coastal walk, swimming, the boat excursion, and the e-bike ride) carries some inherent risk, as with any travel or physical activity. This may include personal injury or illness, changeable weather, and the ordinary risks of travelling in a foreign country. You acknowledge that walking routes or excursions may occasionally be altered or unavailable due to weather or other conditions outside our control.

12.Release and Waiver of Liability

1. a)I understand that I, and each participant, will be taking part in activities that carry some risk of injury, including but not limited to physical activity, walking, swimming, cycling and travel by boat. I voluntarily accept the risks reasonably associated with my participation.
2. b)I release Time Stylers (including its directors, employees, principals, agents and independent contractors) and all persons or entities associated with the conduct of the retreat from all claims, demands and proceedings arising out of my participation, and indemnify them against all liability for injury, loss or damage arising out of or connected with my participation, to the extent permitted by law. This release extends to Time Stylers' organisers, partners, agents, contractors and any local guides or suppliers, and to the owners and occupiers of any venue at which the retreat or any part of it takes place.
3. c)I agree that before I take part in any activity, I will raise any safety concern I observe with Time Stylers or the relevant guide immediately, and will not take part in an activity until that concern is addressed. I acknowledge that reasonable safety precautions taken by Time Stylers are a service to participants and not a guarantee of safety.
4. d)I agree to bring suitable clothing and footwear for the retreat's activities, including but not limited to the coastal walk, swimming, the boat day, and the e-bike ride.
5. e)I confirm I am physically able to take part in the activities I have chosen to participate in, and have not been advised otherwise by a medical practitioner. I have disclosed any relevant pre-existing medical or physical conditions to Time Stylers.
6. f)I consent to receiving any first aid or other medical treatment that Time Stylers considers reasonably necessary during or after the retreat.
7. g)I acknowledge I am solely responsible for my personal property during the retreat.
8. h)I acknowledge that this document is intended to have legal effect and is not a mere warning. I have read it, understand its contents, and complete it of my own free will. My registration is not transferable to another person other than in accordance with clause 7.

13.Payments

All prices are in Australian dollars, payable in Australian dollars. A deposit of $1,000 per person is payable at the time of booking. The balance is due 60 days before your retreat. The price you pay includes the cost of processing your payment. No additional card surcharge applies.

14.Insurance

You must hold adequate travel insurance for the full duration of your trip, arranged through an insurer of your choice. As a minimum, your policy should cover trip cancellation and curtailment, loss of or damage to luggage and personal belongings, personal liability, and accidental injury and illness, including but not limited to the coastal walk, swimming, the boat excursion, and the e-bike ride. Note that Time Stylers charges cancellation fees as set out in clause 7, and we are unable to waive these, so we strongly recommend your policy covers cancellation and curtailment.

As this retreat involves international travel, your policy must also include cover for emergency medical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation. We may require evidence of this cover (your insurer's name, policy number, and 24-hour emergency assistance number) before departure, and you agree to provide these on request. Where this evidence is not provided, we may decline to allow you to commence the retreat, in which case the charges in clause 7 will apply.

You are responsible for the cost of any emergency medical treatment, evacuation or repatriation you require during the retreat, except to the extent those costs arise from our failure to take reasonable care. Where an emergency arises, Time Stylers may arrange treatment, evacuation or transport on your behalf, as your agent and at your cost, so assistance can be obtained as quickly as possible.

Travelling without adequate insurance means you carry the financial risk of these events personally. Nothing in this clause limits or excludes any right or remedy you have under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot lawfully be excluded.

15.Documentation

After your deposit and booking form have been received, we will send you a Fact Sheet with information on travel to Sicily, suitable clothing and footwear, and other essential information. After your retreat has been paid in full, we will send you a final Info Pack.

16.Complaints

We want The Sicilian Retreat to be an exceptional experience, but if something isn't right, please raise it with Kate or your host immediately so it can be addressed while you're still with us. If the issue can't be resolved during the retreat, contact Time Stylers directly by phone or email. If necessary, independent advice or dispute resolution can be sought through Consumer Affairs Victoria after your retreat.

17.Contact With Us

By accepting these Terms & Conditions, you agree to be contacted by us. This is the only way we can effectively deliver your retreat. We will send a limited number of updates relevant to your booking and to The Sicilian Retreat generally. If you do not wish to receive this contact, let us know at [email protected]. You may unsubscribe at any time.

18.Jurisdiction

This agreement and the rights and responsibilities of the parties will be construed and take effect in accordance with, and be governed by, the laws of Victoria, Australia.

19.Australian Consumer Law

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions limits, excludes or modifies, or purports to limit, exclude or modify, any right or remedy you have under the Australian Consumer Law, or any other applicable law, that cannot lawfully be limited, excluded or modified. Where our liability for a failure to comply with a consumer guarantee under the Australian Consumer Law can lawfully be limited, our liability is limited, at our option, to the resupply of the services or the payment of the cost of resupply.