Terms and Conditions

This is a private group journey, based on a minimum of 20 participants to operate. Rates quoted are in US dollars, per person. Hotels are subject to change. Due to weather conditions and circumstances beyond our control, the itinerary is subject to change.

Payment Details:
All payments are made through Journeys Connect in US$ and processed through a credit card.

Initial Deposit:

• $500 non-refundable deposit per person is required to reserve space (plus optional travel insurance).
• Final payment is due by May 1, 2026. Payment options:
  • OPTION 1: Payment in full
  • OPTION 2: $500 non-refundable deposit + 5 equal monthly installments (Jan 1, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 1, and May 1, 2026)
• All payments will be charged to the credit card on file.

Baggage:
Due to limited capacity on motor coaches, there is a limit of one suitcase per passenger. Any fees for excess baggage weight assessed by the airline are the responsibility of the passenger.

Porterage:
Porterage of one suitcase per person is included at hotels.

Important Guest Information Required for Travel:
As a condition of your group booking, it is the responsibility of Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc. to provide the following information to Journeys Connect prior to the time of final payment. Please also note it may be necessary to pass this information to Service Providers as well as certain governments or government-appointed bodies, or agencies in the interest of security or because we are obliged by law.

• Full name exactly per passport
• Date of birth
• Full passport details, including passport number, dates of issue and expiration
• Any dietary restrictions
• If any additional information is required, it will be requested at the time of finalization

Gratuities & Service Charges:
All local service charges are included in confirmed items. Tips for your tour manager, driver, and local guides are not included and will be collected on arrival in Milan based on guidelines outlined in the pre-travel Zoom sessions (approx €150–€200).

Roommate Cancellation:

• If you register for a twin room (two travelers per room) and your roommate cancels (before or during the tour), and another roommate cannot be found, you will be responsible for paying the additional “single supplement” charge.
• If you have purchased Trip Travel Protection insurance, this additional cost may be recoverable through your insurance policy. We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance for this and any other emergencies.

Trip Travel Protection Insurance:
Travel Insurance is offered through Trip Mate Insurance at 8.5% of per-person cost. This must be booked and paid in full at the time of the client’s initial booking. For full details, please click here.

• Deposits and payments are non-refundable; we strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Travel Protection Insurance. Refunds will only be issued should the minimum 20 travellers not be reached.
• Coverage offered:
  • Trip Travel Protection Insurance Premium Land Tour

Responsibility/Liability:
Payment of the land tour package constitutes consent to all Legal policies and terms and conditions described here. Neither the Operator (Journeys Connect), Tour Hosts (Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc., Linda Timms, Alice Caroline, Alice Garrett), nor any mentioned or unmentioned subagents or affiliates shall be held responsible for any personal injury, property damage or other loss a passenger incurs on any tour arising from acts or omissions by any air carrier, public transport company, hotel, car rental company, subcontractor or other person or organization, whether such company is rendering any services supplied on the tour.

All tickets and vouchers are issued and supplied subject to the foregoing and to any and all terms and conditions under which transportation and services are provided. The Tour Operator and Tour Hosts accept no responsibility for losses or expenses due to delay or changes in schedules, flight cancellations or misconnections due to mechanical problems, sickness, quarantine, weather, acts of God, strikes, government actions, war, terrorism, or other circumstances beyond its control. Passengers must bear all such losses or expenses.

To guard against unforeseen circumstances, we recommend you purchase the optional travel protection plan offered with each booking. The Tour Operator reserves the right to alter prices at any time prior to departure and without prior notice if circumstances so warrant. Any devaluation or revaluation of currencies may affect published price.

HEALTH & SAFETY WAIVER

The safety and comfort of our guests is our first concern. We have worked diligently with our Tour Operator to give you the peace of mind you expect. However, there is no way to eliminate all possible risks while travelling. Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc., and Journeys Connect therefore cannot assume liability in the unlikely event you contract COVID-19. This is the reason for the necessity of the following waiver of liability:

By signing this agreement, you acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that you may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 while traveling with Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc., and Journeys Connect, and that contact with the virus that causes COVID-19 may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. You understand that the risk of becoming infected by COVID-19 on a Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc./Journeys Connect trip may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of yourself and others, including, but not limited to Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc. and Journeys Connect employees, suppliers (and their employees) and other passengers.

You understand that you could encounter others, including but not limited to others travelling on this trip, who have COVID-19 or other infectious diseases, or who are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 or other viruses but who exhibit no symptoms of infection or an infectious disease, which could result in your having serious medical conditions requiring medical treatment in a hospital, quarantine in a government-appointed location, and could possibly lead to death. You agree that having considered these risks, you desire to participate in the Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc./Journeys Connect trip and you freely and voluntarily assume complete personal responsibility for the risk of exposure, illness, and death due to COVID-19, even if such injuries or death occur in a manner that is not foreseeable at the time this agreement is signed.

You acknowledge that you have been strongly advised to have comprehensive health insurance (including “travel insurance”).

You acknowledge that you are voluntarily participating in this Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc./Journeys Connect trip with knowledge of the inherent risks of COVID-19, and you agree to assume all risks.

To the extent permitted by law, you hereby:

• assume and agree to accept any and all risks related to COVID-19 during the course of your travel with Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc. and Journeys Connect; release Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc. and Journeys Connect and its employees, officers, directors, and agents, (“the Releasees”) from any and all claims that may accordingly arise during the course of your participation in and following the trip.
• confirm that you have adequate financial resources in case medical care is needed relating to COVID-19 and understand the inherent and potential health risks of travel.

This Waiver shall be binding on you, your family, your heirs, and any attorney, agent, executor, trustee, representative, or assignee to the extent permitted by law. You hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc., Journeys Connect and the Releasees for any claims against Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc., Journeys Connect or the Releasees by any member of your family, your heirs or assigns, your estate, your employer, or by any other person for whom or to whom you are or may be responsible, whether at law or otherwise.

I HAVE READ THIS WAIVER OF LIABILITY, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT.

I agree that if any portion is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect. No additions, deletions or changes can be made to the release form, and signing it is a requirement for joining the trip.

Tour Member Expectations

This document applies to all Tour Members in your tour group. If you cannot meet the expectations as outlined, please call, or email info@bluebarnquiltco.com to discuss.

Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc. tours are physically active. Hotels may provide fewer North American style amenities, and our touring culture emphasizes flexibility and open-mindedness. These are essential characteristics of your tour experience. Unfortunately, a few people ignore these details, thus resulting in a less than desired experience for everyone. We truly want you to be happy with your tour choice. Please read the following carefully and understand that by participating in a Blue Barn Quilt Co. Inc. tour, you assume certain obligations and responsibilities to Linda Timms, Alice Garrett (Tour Hosts) and your fellow tour members, including, but not limited to, the following:

Understand the physical levels of your tour’s daily activities and be capable of fully and happily (no one likes a grumpy or complaining traveller) participating without any assistance — in the following levels of activity:

• Happily be able to walk unassisted 10,000+ steps over the course of the day, up and down stairs, and over unpaved or cobblestone surfaces
• Be comfortable on your feet for up to four hours walking and standing, both inside museums and outdoors in all weather conditions
• Bring one main piece of luggage, plus one smaller day pack or shoulder bag, all of which you must be able to carry yourself, sometimes up stairs
• Carry or roll your luggage for up to 15 minutes from the bus to the hotel, then haul it up several flights of stairs to get to your room (where no porter service is available)
• After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own (Google Maps, Uber, etc.)
• Be always available for group communication on Signal messaging app (not just when on free Wi-Fi)

Please note: The Tour host may not be available to provide assistance for any of these activities.

Appreciate our quaint and sometimes peculiar hotel characteristics, which may include:

• No (or inadequate) air conditioning and/or elevators
• Potential street noise in some hotels
• Slow Wi-Fi connections or Wi-Fi only in common areas

Embrace and participate in our NO GRUMBLERS policy:

• Travel is all about experiencing things we’re not used to; tour members are expected to be flexible and open-minded and to practice considerate social behaviour toward one another
• Accept that in rare circumstances your tour may have an additional tour member above the advertised number
• Agree that you won’t be allowed to smoke or vape on the bus, in the hotel, or where other tour members are present
• Look forward to surprises, understanding that itineraries are subject to change, and often Plan B turns out to be better!

Agree to follow all safety precautions and health directives set by your guide, host, or local officials to help safeguard your health and wellbeing as well as that of your fellow tour members. These precautions may include but not be limited to the following:

• Being seen by a health professional if you are showing symptoms of a contagious illness, and/or being tested for contagious illness (such as COVID-19.)