Terms and Conditions La Ligne Verte & valac

Please read this document thoroughly before booking a trip.

Wherever La Ligne Verte or VALAC are mentioned, both are implied.
La Ligne Verte - valac is registered at the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel) Amsterdam, Netherlands as La Ligne Verte B.V. (reg.number 30275930).
Its VAT number : NL821652771B01

Liability of VALAC and La Ligne Verte:

La Ligne Verte ~VALAC acts as an agent in securing all aspects of these tours and is responsible to the participants for the arrangements, services, and accommodations included only in such capacity. LV, its agents, and/or employees shall not be responsible for personal injury or property damage arising out of the act of negligence of any direct or associated carrier, hotel, or other person rendering services or accommodations; nor is LV responsible for injury, death, damage, loss, or delay in any means of transportation or any event beyond the actual control of LV, its agents or suppliers or due to force majeure. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable, for any reason, to alter the itinerary or arrangements, such alterations may be made. Additional expenses, if any, will be paid by passengers, likewise, any savings will be shared by passengers. LV reserves the right to decline, accept, or retain at any time, any person as a participant of any tour, or to cancel any tour.

Quote and contract:

To receive a quote you will have to complete our booking-form.

If you have or don't have completed the booking form does not change your rights and obligations. So the terms and conditions of your package with La Ligne Verte ~ VALAC apply to you, from the moment you paid for the deposit or the balance. The quote is only definitive if it is called te definitive quote, which will be the case when we will have checked availability and prices of the hotels.

Bike rental:

By renting a bike or participating in a Ligne Verte tour, you are acknowledging that you have read our terms and conditions and that you agree to be bound by them.
When renting bikes you will be personally responsible for damage or loss of the bike(s). Furthermore La Ligne Verte ~ VALAC is not responsible for the consequences of accidents with the bike. La Ligne Verte~VALAC will make the booking of bike-rental for you at a cycle store (a professional will check the bikes) but you yourself will be the renting person because La Ligne Verte does not rent bikes itself. We expect you to check your self the condition of the bike before starting the cycling tour. By taking the bike you accept these conditions. When arriving at your first hotel please take a look at the bike(s) and call our agent (at 0674926314) a.s.a.p. if the bikes are not Okay. La Ligne Verte will assure the bike will be OK before starting the cycling tour. As surety for possible damage to the bikes we will have your credit card. If the bike is being returned damaged, La Ligne Verte will charge your credit card for the costs of repair or replacement.
Instruction in bicycle use is not provided, and participants affirm they are familiar with the operation of a multi-speed bicycle. Helmets are not required. For all details click here.

Reservations, Deposits, and Final Payment

A deposit of 10% per person is required at the time of booking. Full payment is due 56 days prior to departure. The tour price is per person based on double occupancy and includes those items mentioned in the itinerary, plus any prepaid optional items. Single room requests are subject to supplemental charges, and must be requested at time of booking. A deposit will confirm space.

A reservation is made by completing our online booking form. You may make your reservation tentatively by phone, or provide a credit card number by phone, but all bookings must be made by online system. This is to ensure that you are familiar with these terms and our release of liability.

Payment

At the time of reservation, a credit card is required to book and hold space. Your credit card will be charged 10% per person once the entire program is confirmed. If the requested tour is not available, you will not be charged, but offered an alternative which you can choose to accept or decline. Payments by check are not accepted. For payments with 2 or more credit cards an administrative supplement of 20 per credit card or per bank to bank payment will be charged.

Payments of last minute (less than three weeks before start of the package) bookings can only be made by credit card. We will remind you of your final payment date in advance.

Payment is in Euros only.

Lodging

Hotels from the point of tour departure through tour completion. Rooms are doubles and include private bath or shower. Single rooms are limited and require supplemental charges, singles not requesting single rooms will be booked into a double, and if a share arrangement is unavailable then the supplement will be assessed.

Meals

Meals included vary, check the individual trip description, however normally dinner in the tradition of each property is included except in some BnB hotel s in Millau, Albi and Avignon.

Transportation

Transportation includes a variety of situations. Longer trips will include transfers. Please refer to the trip description to be sure what is included. If you wish to arrange for separate transportation we can complete your needs.
Also, daily vehicle support will transport your baggage.
Conditions of transport of your bags:

1a. Per person a maximum of 2 bags of max. 15kg. each is included in the basic rate of your package

1b. If your bag weighs more than 15 kg it is up to you to find an extra (plastic) bag and spread the weight over 2 bags. So if you have a bag of 15kg and one of 20kg you will have 3 bags to declare and so a supplement will apply.

1c. Taxi-drivers or other professional transporters -when they come to pick up your bags- will decide to accept or refuse bags of more than 15kg. Taxi drivers don't have fixed times for pick-up. Risk is yours.

1d. If your walk or bike-tour ends in the same place as it started, we recommend you ask or  negotiate with the hotelkeeper to leave some of your bags in his hotel till you're back.

2. For extra bags a supplement will have to be paid.

3. The supplement for each extra bag is calculated per pax (not per person) in the total price of the package. So the supplement is not a fixed but a variable amount of money indicated in your quote.

4. Example. 3 personen have 8 bags to be transferred daily. The supplement will be twice the rate of the supplement for an extra bag, indicated in your quote.

Group discounts

Group discounts are applicable only on basic rates p.p. with 2 personen sharing room, but not on supplements for single rooms, extra nights, nor on bike rental or any other supplements.
Group discounts are indicated in a percentage of the basic rate and apply to every member of the party. The applicable discount applies to payments that are made for the whole party by 1 person and with only one Credit Card.

Exclusions

The tours do not include all other trip costs such as airfare, trip and/or medical insurance, excess baggage charges, or any personal items. Meals in addition to those mentioned in the itinerary are excluded, as well as any unpaid optional tour or sightseeing event. Drinks are typically excluded.

Bicycles

Participant may wish to take their own bicycle for assured comfort and better trip enjoyment. You know your bicycle inside and out, which leaves less to adapt being in new terrain. Bicycle rentals are optional for all tours, and can be made available for an additional charge if you
prefer. Bicycles are hybrids equipped with 3 x 7 gears for this type of travel/terrain. Bicycles can also be e-bikes, even e-mountain-bikes. They are multi-speed bicycles equipped with back-bags, locks, water bottles, repair kit. All bicycles are kept exclusively for our customers. Any customers who choose to take their own bicycles are responsible for all mechanical issues, for all transportation issues including traveling by train which is difficult in France on the TGV but easy on other trains. If you plan to rent a bicycle, you are responsible for the bicycle once you take possession of it at your first hotel. Your responsibilities include any costs for damage or theft up to the full value of the bicycle and for return of the bike to the first hotel or the bike-renter of your package. Your responsibilities apply for all days between the first and last day of the bike rent.
You may be asked to supply your credit-card details as surety when renting the bike at the start of your bike-tour.

Helmets are standard not included in the price of bike-rental.  Sometimes you will have to buy the helmets at the bike shop where the bike are being rented.

Air & Train Reservations

We do not handle air reservations. Customers are encouraged to contact a travel agent or web service. Train tickets can also be arranged, however certain restrictions exist for bicycle transport on TGV trains, please ask for information on baggage limits if travelling by TGV prior to purchasing tickets. We are not responsible for any problems you may have travelling on the TGV with your bike. See your travel documents for our suggestions.

Cancellation of Tours

Once a deposit is received, a reservation confirmation is made, you'll receive a hotel list of your tour by email, and final payment is due 56 days prior to tour departure.

We suggest you take an insurance for costs of cancelation. To cancel a booked journey you have to send an email to La Ligne Verte ~ Vacances à la Carte . The person who signed/mailed the booking confirmation ("Party leader") should also sign/mail the notification of cancellation. Cancellation has to be done by email to establish the date of cancellation, with confirm receipt. We will confirm receipt of the cancelation by mail.
Our cancellation charges, based on the total cost, are as follows:

CANCELLATION FEES

You always have a two-week cooling-off period (by law) for bookings. The booking date is considered the date stated on the booking form or email confirmation confirming your acceptance of the quote.

The two-week cooling-off period does not apply if there are fewer than 42 days between the date of booking and the first day of the package. In that case, we apply a cooling-off period of two days.

For bookings where the first day of the package is less than 14 days after the booking date, we apply a two-hour cooling-off period.

We generally only book cancellable hotel rooms. If a hotel room (usually in a luxury cycling or walking package) is booked with a non-cancellable element, we will only do so with your approval, and any extra cancellation costs will be your responsibility.

The cooling-off period. We will only begin sending hotel reservations after the 14-day, two-day, or two-hour cooling-off period has expired, or as soon as you grant us permission by email to begin the reservations. Last-minute bookings, i.e., bookings less than two weeks before the first day of the package, have a cooling-off period of no more than two hours. By sending us such a booking, you agree to this, and after two hours, we can immediately check hotel availability and reserve the rooms for you.

If you cancel within the applicable two-week cooling-off period, you will receive a 100% refund of the total amount paid. No hotel or guest room will be booked or reserved for you during this period.

If you cancel (after the two-week cooling-off period) and more than eight weeks (up to 56 days) before the start of the trip, you will receive a 100% refund of the amount already paid, minus €30 per night booked (with a minimum of €200) for administration, handling, and cancellation fees.
Some hotels require a deposit to confirm a reservation. Because these reservation fees are increasingly extended to more than one month prior to the reservation date, these deposits will also be charged to you in the event of cancellation and deducted from the refund amount.

Reclaiming verifiable deposits from hotels is not always possible and takes a lot of time. As soon as we have received the recoverable deposits from the hotels, we will refund 50% of them to your bank or credit card account.

For cancellations more than 6 weeks (56 to 43 days) before the start of the package, the cancellation fee is 50% of the tour price.
See above for refunds of deposits made if these costs exceed 50% of the tour price.

If you cancel more than 4 weeks (42 to 29 days) before the start of the first day of the package, the cancellation fee will be 60% of the tour price.

If you cancel more than 2 weeks (28 to 15 days) before the start of the first day of the package, the cancellation fee will be 70% of the tour price.

If you cancel more than 1 week (14 to 8 days) before the start of the first day of the package, the cancellation fee will be 80% of the tour price.

If you cancel 7 to 1 day before the start of the first day of the package, the cancellation fee will be 90% of the tour price.

If you cancel on the first day of the package or the day before or during the tour, you are no longer entitled to a refund. If you are unable to attend, you can always arrange for someone else to take your place at no extra cost. You can do this by sending us the name of the replacement person by email up to the day before the first overnight stay. Bookings and cancellations can be made by email or by post (if cancelling by post, please do so by registered mail in connection with the date).

We suggest you take an insurance for costs of cancellation. To cancel a booked journey you have to send an email to: La Ligne Verte ~ Vacances à la Carte. The person who signed/mailed the booking confirmation ("Party leader=Person 1") should also sign/mail the notification of cancellation. Cancellation has to be done by email to establish the date of cancellation, with confirm receipt. Our cancellation charges, based on the total cost are as follows:

Refunds are paid to your credit card or bank-account.
If you have to cancel a booking you can let someone else take your place without extra costs.

"Canceling-inclusion packages" La Ligne Verte - valac

For all our standard and plustrips (not for the superior and luxury packages!) in the Grands Causses area (only!) you can purchase our "cancelation-inclusion package" to cover the costs of any cancelation. For a supplement of 10% of the total costs of your trip with La Ligne Verte (not the costs of travelling to the first hotel of the trip) you can cancel your trip (not the travel costs) without having to state the grounds for doing so.

At booking with this Canceling-inclusion package the deposit will 20% of the (normal tourprice+10%).

The cancelation-inclusion-package will result in a refund of 80% of the payment due to La Ligne Verte - valac. These are the terms and conditions of this cancelation-inclusion package of La Ligne Verte - valac:

1. You may cancel your trip till 12:00 o'clock of the day before the first day/night of the package. It is not possible to cancel the trip the day of your arrival or during the trip.

2. To cancel your trip you have to send an email to La Ligne Verte (find the email-address in your booking confirmation or else Contact here) to inform La Ligne Verte of your cancelation.

3. You can cancel without having to state the grounds for doing so.

4. This cancelation-inclusion package of La Ligne Verte is not applicable on all trips. Excluded are trips in Dordogne, Cathar area, Corsica and Provence. Excluded are all superior and luxury packages. This "cancelation-inclusion" package is applicable to standard, and plus trips in the Grands Causses area for groups up to 4 personen. With larger parties the cancelation-inclusion packages will apply to the 4 first members of the party. To all other group members our standard cancelation rules will apply.

5. La Ligne Verte will refund 80% of the money due (i.e. the total price of the trip) within 2 weeks after cancelation. The reimbursement of the money due will be balanced with the final balance or with the deposits already paid.

6. For example: If the costs of your cycling trip (bike rental included) and other supplements are 1000,- this cycling package with the cancelation-inclusion package will cost you 1100,-. If you phone and mail us about the cancelation and send us an email the day before at 12:00 hr (European time), informing La Ligne Verte of your cancelation of the trip, you'll get a refund (80% x (1000+100)) or 880,- if you would already have paid 1100 for the final balance.
If you paid the deposit of the (normal tourprice+10%) there will be no further reimbursement.

7. Reimbursement of 90% is only applicable if the total amount has been paid from no more than one credit card or bank-account. Reimbursement of payments with more than one credit card or from more than one bank-account will cause an extra fee of 25 per extra credit card or bank-account, which will be reduced from the reimbursement due. 8. Force majeure. We regret we cannot accept any liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by, or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss as a result of force majeure.

8. Force majeure means any event which we, or the supplier of the service(s) in question, could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riots, civil strife, terrorist activities, industrial disputes, fire, natural or nuclear disasters, adverse weather conditions and all similar events outside our control.

Modification/Changes

Once a booking request is received and confirmed, modification of dates or alteration of itineraries can require a change fee. Fees vary according to the scope of the change but can be substantial if last minute changes lead to hotel or other service cancellations. A minimum change fee of 20 applies to any change within 35 days of travel.

Hotels. Some hotels are very strict with the rules of arrival and departure. You must usually vacate the room and remove your luggage before 11am. If this is not possible, you must inform reception and any costs will be at your own expense.

Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. This will protect you should you need to cancel for certain necessary reasons such as illness, and provides your refunds for air and tour in full. Additional insurance for baggage, health/accident is also strongly recommended. LV does not supply travel insurance.

Pre-departure Documentation
After receipt of your deposit, a hotel list will be sent by e-mail. Route info and an outline of what to expect during the walk will be waiting for you at your first hotel. You are responsible for passport-requirements, and we suggest you plan early to apply for a passport. Please check your government requirements.

Additional responsibilities of you the traveler include, but are not limited to the adherence of all local laws, respecting customs and culture, assessing your abilities, respecting other trip members privacy, and if on a guided trip following the suggestions and advice of the guide.

Our responsibility

We will accept responsibility if any death, personal injury, failure or deficiency of your holiday arrangements is caused by negligence or omissions by us, or our agents or suppliers. We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever which results from the fault of the person(s) affected or any member(s) of their party or results from an event or circumstance which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not have predicted or avoided even after taking all reasonable care. We cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not form part of our contract. This includes, for example, any additional services or facilities which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you where the services or facilities are not advertised on our website and we have not agreed to arrange them. The maximum liability for any damages other than for personal injury or illness will be limited to the price paid for the holiday.

Your responsibilities

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are physically fit, adequately experienced, suitably equipped for your holiday and aware of the risks involved in such a holiday. Although Contours Holidays will ensure the holiday is as safe as possible you must accept that the sole responsibility for your personal safety remains with you. In the interests of safety you must undertake to follow the advice in the guidebook or route notes provided, as well as that provided by anybody on our behalf, heed any warning or advisory notices encountered on your holiday, follow the Country Code and act sensibly and prudently at all times.

Additionally, any damage caused by group members to accommodations or taxis used in the course of your holiday is the responsibility of the group. Likewise, any damage caused by solo travelers is their own responsibility.  La Ligne Verte cannot accept responsibility for any such damage, and accommodations/taxis booked retain the right to reclaim costs from the Lead Traveler, whether they are travelling as part of a group or alone.

La Ligne Verte cannot accept responsibility for any wear & tear to equipment provided for your holiday. Likewise, you accept responsibility for any breakages that occur during your tour, even if they hinder your ability to complete your tour. We will do our utmost to assist you in procuring replacements or repairs, but any cost for the same lies with you, and no refunds can be issued for tours halted due to damaged or broken equipment.

Nota bene: La Ligne Verte is not responsible for loss or damage at/by rented objects or of luggage transported by taxis.

Nota bene: La Ligne Verte is not responsible for loss or damage caused by viruses of third parties in our website.

Nota bene: apparent mistakes and faults in this website (www.valac.nl) don't bind VALAC nor La Ligne Verte.

Bike rental: Terms and conditions

In order to ensure that you know exactly what our (and your) responsibilities are, please read the following terms and conditions.

1.    Use of the bicycle

The renter accepts the bicycle in good condition, and commits himself/herself to

2.    Rentals are available between 9 am and 18 pm, from Monday to Sunday. The return of all equipment must be made during this period or an additional day will be charged for each day's late return.

LATE RETURN FEE :An additional day's rental fee will be charged for each day customer keeps equipment after the return date specified on this contract. All equipment must be returned directly to Cycling-Rentals or wherever agreed.

3.    Please read carefully:

a. Do not leave the bike unattended. Locks deter theft but they do not prevent all theft from happening.

b. Lock the front wheel, frame and steel support under seats.

c. Make sure to return the key with the lock when you’re done with the bicycle.

4.    Your responsibility.
Please note that during the time of rental you are fully responsible for the bikes.

Article 4.1: State of affairs.
The bicycles and accessories, at all time, remain the exclusive property of Bike Rental Company from which La Ligne Verte rented the bike for you. You accept full responsibility for the care of this equipment and are responsible for its damage or loss. You have 30 minutes from the beginning of the use of the equipment to report any malfunction, after which, all repairs needed as a result of the use of the equipment will be attributed to you and may be subject to additional charges.

Article 4.2: responsibility.
The equipment is used at your own risk. You will release La Ligne Verte of all liability in the case of injuries or damages to the user(s) of the equipment or to any other person or property. You agree not to make a claim against La Ligne Verte for injuries or damages relating to bicycling or the use of this equipment.

Article 4.3: In case of theft.
In case of theft or accident, you must contact La Ligne Verte immediately, make a declaration to the local police and submit a copy to La Ligne Verte.

Article 4.4: Anti-theft guarantee
You have the option to subscribe an anti-theft guarantee with an insurance company of your choice. This guarantee only applies in case of theft and upon submission of the police declaration referred to above. An excess payment may be required depending on the level of coverage selected. The guarantee does not cover for damages incurred during the time of rental. The full list of damages and related repair costs is available through the link below.

Article 4.5: Modifications
It is forbidden to modify or carry out major repairs to the bicycles, to sub-rent or lend the bicycles, to carry a passenger other than an infant in a designated child seat.

Article 4.6: Security.
The bikes we rent for you are equipped with a chain lock that you shall use at all times when parking the bicycle. It is mandatory to attach the frame of the bike to a fixed object that cannot be moved or removed. Note that if the bike was not attached under these terms, the anti-theft guarantee, even if subscribed, will not apply.

Article 4.7: Payment.
You authorize La Ligne Verte to use your credit card information to pay for the rental and to cover for potential damages and/or loss of the bike(s). To assure payment of damage and loss you will have to give the details of your credit card (Mastercard, VISA or American Express) and sign for your responsability, when the bike will be handed over to you,

Article 4.8: End of contract
The rental agreement terminates upon return of the bikes and after verification of their condition by a La Ligne Verte's agent/Local bike rental.

Article 4.9: Deposit
For each rental we ask for a security deposit as part of your the package with La Ligne Verte,

Article 4.10: Commitment.

You have until 7 days before the start of your bike-rental to inform La Ligne Verte about any changes concerning your bike-rental. Once you have entered the rental agreement, you will not be able to shorten the rental dates. If you wish to extend your rental, please contact your La Ligne Verte in order to see if the bikes you have rented are still available.

Please be aware that La Ligne Verte does not refund 100% in case of anticipated returns.

5.    Charges for use / Insurance

We recommend that you are adequately insured. We cannot be responsible for your own illness or injury or for damage or loss of your personal belongings while on a ride or tour. It is also recommended that this insurance cover you in the event of cancelation of your trip. The renter agrees to pay for the rental of the bike and any additional fee that is applicable for any mistreatment of the bicycle. In case a part of the bicycle is broken because of mistreatment, lost or stolen, the following additional fees will be charged

6. Repairs and maintenance

In case of a breakdown, don’t abandon the bicycle. You should contact us immediately to arrange for the exchange of a bicycle of equivalent or superior quality. All repairs needed as a result of the use of the equipment including all parts, shall be paid by the renter.

5. Accidents and release of liability

Wherever used herein, the term bike shall include any bike rented from or via La Ligne Verte. La Ligne Verte nor the professional bike rental shops nor its, its agents, servants, and employees shall be responsible for personal injuries or property damage, loss or delay incurred by any person arising out of the act of negligence of any direct or supplemental carrier or other person rendering any of the services or products being offered in these rentals; nor shall La Ligne Verte nor its pathners in bike-rental be responsible for any injuries, death, damage, loss or delay in any means of transportation or by reasons of any event beyond the actual control of La Ligne Verte, or of any other agent or supplier implied in the bikerental, or due to force majeure. Renters follow any suggested itinerary at their own risk and agree not to hold La Ligne Verte responsible for injury or death resulting from accidents.

The client agrees that he/she will release Ligne Verte from any responsibility of liability for injuries or damages to the user of the bikes and bike-equipments listed.
The client accepts for full responsibility for the care of this equipment and thereby agrees to freely and expressly assume and accept any risks and all injury to the user of this equipment while bicycling.

6.    Cancellation Policy bike rental

If a scheduled tour/rental is cancelled due to poor weather conditions such as heavy rain, customers may reschedule their booking for another date.
In all other cases of cancellation, credit/refund will be available to customers that only notify us via email or telephone24 hours prior to the scheduled tour/rental.

Deposit Equipment. A guarantee deposit with your credit card will sometimes be asked for when renting a carbon, aluminium or e-bike.