CANCELLATION POLICY

Please note that because Zeina’s Kitchen Retreats are limited to a small number of attendees; to allow for a more personable, intimate experience, our cancellation policy is in place to help guests and us alike work together sharing expenses that may arise from unexpected cancellations.

1. DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE FOR ANY REASON.
2. Deposits (minus $100 CAD re-listing fee) are transferable to another new attendee found and assigned by original attendee.
3. Full balance due 30 days before start date of retreat unless otherwise noted.
4. Cancellation requests submitted after balance due date and before and including 30 days before retreat start date, 25% of total amount (less deposit) will be refunded.
5. Within 29 days of your retreat: sorry but no refunds given, no exceptions.
6. Any refunds allowed will incur a 3% processing fee.

No one books a retreat with the intention of cancelling it, but unexpected events do occur, so please consider purchasing travel insurance (see below) and that it is your responsibility to read and understand our cancellation policies. Exceptions cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. No refunds or credits for failure to attend or failure to complete the retreat, or for arriving late or leaving early. We recommend that you purchase your own travel insurance. We encourage you to purchase trip cancellation insurance in order that your trip fees will be covered should you or your family have a medical problem prior to your trip or while on the trip. Trip insurance should also be purchased to cover medical expenses in the event you have an accident while on the retreat. Most travel insurance must be purchased within 14 days of making your reservation. We reserve the right to cancel retreats with inadequate participant interest, in which case all money paid to Zeina’s Kitchen Retreats will be refunded. Notification of cancellation for this reason will occur at least 1 month prior to retreat start date. Zeina’s Kitchen Retreats cannot be held responsible for any personal expenses, such as airline tickets due to changes in itineraries or retreat cancellations.

DISCLAIMER

Zeina’s Kitchen Retreats and all persons involved in retreats (herein after referred to as “AGENTS”) act only in capacity as AGENTS for the participant in all matters connected with travel, sight-seeing journeys and transportation, and as AGENTS hold themselves free of responsibility for any damage occasioned by any cause. AGENTS will not be responsible for any damages or expenses or inconveniences caused by late departures or change of schedule, strikes or to their conditions, nor will be responsible for loss or damage to baggage or any of the participant’s belongings. All prices quoted are correct at time of printing, include the cost of operation of the journeys, and are subject to currency changes. AGENTS shall not be responsible for personal injury, death, accident, delay, loss, damage, irregularity or property damage as a result of force majeure or for any other losses or damages incurred by any person or journey participants caused by any delay or change of itinerary or arising out of any act, including, but not limited to, any act of negligence, any person acting for or on behalf of AGENTS for transportation, accommodation or sight-seeing provider or any other person or entity rendering any of these services or accommodations being offered in connection with this journey. This agreement supersedes all previous oral or written communications, representations, or agreements between the parties. Participants assume the risk involved when participating in foreign travel, and any and all activities and/or pursuits voluntarily undertaken while participating in the retreat. Participants agree that any and all disputes between Participants and Zeina’s Kitchen shall be governed by Quebec law. Participants agree to mediate any and all disputes prior to the institution of any litigation. In the event of any litigation between the Parties to this agreement involving their respective rights or obligations, such litigation shall take place in Montreal, Quebec and the prevailing party shall be entitled to recovery of reasonable attorneys fees and court costs of litigation. In regard to the stay during the retreat, AGENTS will provide safe, careful instruction and safe premises, but ask that each participant to take personal responsibility for their own self-care and (in the unlikely case) for any injuries incurred during retreat. If participants are unsure of their physical ability due to previous injuries, they should seek the advise of a healthcare practitioner beforehand.

I understand that by participating in the retreat, I may be featured in photographs and / or videos. I grant Zeina’s Kitchen full rights to use the images/videos and any reproductions or adaptations of the images, to publish on various media platforms for promotional use.

TRAVELER VALUES & GUEST CONDUCT POLICY

While Zeina’s Kitchen provides a high level of customer service, our traveler is someone who is easy-going and flexible to change in the diverse and the sometimes unpredictable challenges that come with travel. In signing up for a trip with us, you agree to the following:

• I am open minded, inherently curious, and enjoy indulging in the moment.
• I find joy in stepping outside of my comfort zone, love trying new things, and am excited to explore a culture completely different from my own.
• I understand that this is more than just a “site-seeing vacation” and that Zeina’s Kitchen approaches travel as a tool for mindfulness. We value each lesson that comes with being out of our day-to-day, take changes with positive attitudes, and value the connections made on the trip are the best outcome – connection with other guests, people we meet, new cultures, and with ourselves.
• I have read the full itinerary and looked at the style of accommodations. All looks good to me!
• I understand the retreat I’ve chosen may include physical activities and include walking. I agree that I am physically fit enough to participate or agree that if I choose not to participate in a planned group activity then no alternative plans will be made or paid for by Zeina’s Kitchen.
• I understand that I am visiting a culture different than my own and things may run differently than they do back at home; things like meals may take longer to be served, etc. I will be open to and patient with these cultural differences and roll with the punches.
• I understand that last-minute changes to the itinerary or accommodations are always possible (but I know the Zeina’s Kitchen team will communicate changes beforehand, whenever they can).
• I also understand that, sometimes, things happen—flights are delayed, bad weather kicks in—but I’m ready to roll with all of that, as I would on any other trip. Sometimes the best memories come from things not going as planned.
• I understand that I can opt out of any activities on the itinerary, whenever I want. (But I promise to let my guide know when I do.)
• I understand that if issues come up on the trip, I will let Zeina’s Kitchen team know so they can proactively address any concerns that I may have.
• I am excited to meet travelers from all walks of life. Inclusivity is the name of the game, and everyone can sit at our table!
• I’m ready to meet adventurous, intelligent travelers like myself, and lift them up as we make memories in our destination together.

You agree to accept the authority and decisions of our team, tour leaders, fixers, agents and guides whilst taking part in your retreat. If in the opinion of any such person(s) or any other person in a position of authority (such as, for example, Zeina, the driver, or guide), your health, level of fitness or conduct at any time before or during a tour is endangering or appears likely to endanger the health or wellbeing of yourself or any third party (including any other clients of ours) or the safe, comfortable or happy progress of the tour, you may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense, this will also be the case where it is discovered that you have committed a criminal act (such as causing damage). In this case we will not meet any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the exclusion nor refund you for any unused services.

When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you or any member of your party. Full payment for any such damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely known) must be made direct to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier or to us as soon as possible. You should ensure you have appropriate travel insurance to protect you if this situation arises.

Any clients who have taken part in racist / offensive / abusive or any other form of discriminatory or threatening behaviour to any of our clients, staff, the company or to any third party will be excluded from the retreat and will receive no refund for any missed services or accommodation. We also reserve the right to cancel any future booking with no refund or compensation.

We also reserve the right in our absolute discretion to determine if a customer meets or fails to meet our suitability standards and cancel any future booking on this basis.