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Vita Bella Retreats
Policies

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Dear Heart,

What we have collectively experienced during the time of COVID has changed us. And it has changed the way we plan travel. Almost everyone has experienced some cancelled plans, and so we are mindful that planning travel continues to be fraught with all kinds of concerns. However, we also believe we still need travel. The best travel helps us to see life in a new way. It gives us new ideas and new energy. We even get to see ourselves differently. 

We think that being on retreat in Italy is going to be extra special, and that you should be able to book it, insure it and relax. We encourage you to put your much-longed for Italy retreat on the calendar and start looking forward to getting out there again. We have no doubt that you have lots of questions about booking a retreat with us. We’ve done our best to answer them here, but please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything we missed. 

We’re here to help and we are looking forward to retreating with you in Bella Italia!

 

xo Jane

  • What times should I book the flights to arrive/leave?
    On day 1 of every retreat, the bus departs at 2 pm from Rome Fiumicino airport (also called Leonardo Da Vinci airport) so when booking flights please plan to ARRIVE in Rome before noon. Pick-up is ONLY at the airport on day 1 and cannot be arranged at other locations. On the final day of every retreat the bus departs the retreat location at 7:30 am and will arrive at the Rome airport between 10:30-11:30am. Please book flights to DEPART Rome after 1 pm. This is the safest way to be sure you don’t miss your flight on the final day.
  • What happens if Vita Bella Retreats reschedules or cancels?
    In the unlikely event that Vita Bella Retreats must cancel or reschedule a retreat due to Acts of God, weather, natural disaster, endemics, pandemics, airline disruption, political upheaval, or if a guest teacher we’ve hired to teach at one of our retreats is impacted due to illness, family emergencies, unforeseen events, Acts of God, weather, pandemics, illness, natural disaster or political upheaval, your retreat deposit or full payment may be transferred to another Vita Bella Retreat. To cover any risk, we require that you purchase travel insurance to cover your entire retreat costs.
  • Vita Bella Retreats payment and cancellation policies
    Payment You may confirm space in the retreat by making a $1,500 deposit. Full payment for the retreat is due 90 days before the start of the retreat. We will invoice you directly and you may pay with a credit card or bank transfer. If you need to cancel: 90 days or more prior to the start of the retreat: $1250 of your deposit may be applied to a future retreat within 18 months from date of cancellation. We are not able to offer credits or refunds on deposits or fully paid spots 90 days or less prior to the retreat. Please note Vita Bella Retreats is not able to offer refunds or discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, family emergencies, endemics, pandemics, earthquakes, travel delays or illness by you or any of our guest teachers, managers or staff. Guests may transfer their fully-paid deposit or retreat space to another person of their choice. Transfers to another retreat may be considered only on a case-by-case basis. If you cancel your participation in a retreat for any reason, our cancellation policy will apply. We wish we could compensate people for unforeseen circumstances (injury, pandemics, illness, family emergency, etc), but we have costs already incurred when reserving retreat locations, booking bus transportation and hiring staff. We have designed our cancellation policy to be as compassionate as possible in the case that your plans change. **To protect yourself further, we require you to purchase travel insurance. Please click here for more information about travel insurance. TO CANCEL You must send an email stating that you wish to cancel to Business Director, Sarah Minor at info@vitabellaretreats.com. Policies are subject to change without notice.
  • What happens if I can’t go on my retreat?
    The best way to protect yourself from any unforeseen circumstance is to purchase trip insurance. We are requiring proof of travel insurance from all our guests. Travel Insurance can protect you in case: you have to cancel your participation in the retreat The retreat is postponed due to teacher illness, emergencies, Acts of God, weather, pandemics, natural disaster, or not enough participants lost baggage medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become ill or injured
  • Do I need to purchase Travel Insurance?
    ● YES. Travel insurance is a requirement to attend a Vita Bella Retreat. We recommend these possibilities: Seven Corners / Trawick International / World Nomads (with some coverage exclusions) OR researching more ideas in this article: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/best-cancel-for-any-reason-travel-insurance/ ● Most companies require you to purchase the policy within 2 weeks of your trip deposit. For more information on travel insurance please click here.
  • What happens if I miss my flight?
    Even with all the planning, delays can happen. If your flight is delayed or you miss it for whatever reason, you are required to send us a message in your group WhatsApp letting us know so that we can alert the bus driver and not delay the entire trip. If you arrive at the Rome Fiumicino airport after the shuttle has departed, you are responsible for arranging your own transportation to the retreat location. We will provide you with contact information for a car/driver. We recommend getting into Rome 2 days before the retreat starts to move through jet lag and ensure you make the group transfer.
  • Health and Safety Pledge
    Dear guest of Vita Bella Retreats: We are so thrilled you're joining us in Italy for one of our epic retreats! To help safeguard your health and wellbeing as well as that of your fellow retreat members, Vita Bella Retreats staff, and Vita Bella Retreats retreat partners, we are asking all retreat guests to agree to the conditions outlined in our Health and Safety Pledge. Please indicate your agreement by checking the box next to each item and signing below; by doing so, you agree to certain obligations and responsibilities to Vita Bella Retreats and your fellow retreaters. ☐ I agree to take personal responsibility for my own health and wellbeing while on retreat. If I am asked to attest to my health on tour, I will do so honestly. If I exhibit symptoms of any contagious illness, I will notify the Vita Bella Retreats in-site leader, isolate myself, and, if requested by Vita Bella Retreats, be seen by a health professional or be tested for contagious illnesses at my own expense as a condition of continuing on the retreat. ☐ I agree to follow all safety precautions and health directives set by Vita Bella Retreats and the retreat leader, or by local officials. I understand that these safety precautions may include (but are not limited to) maintaining proper social distancing, the use of face masks (covering my nose and mouth), proper handwashing, the use of hand sanitizer, etc. If exempt from wearing a face mask or other such requirement due to health impairment or disability, I will carry proof, such as a doctor's note, to show if requested. Vita Bella Retreats will not provide face masks, medications or Covid tests so we advise you to bring your own supply. ☐ I agree to comply with CDC and local health authority guidance with regard to travel, isolation, and quarantine if I or any of my travel companions test positive for any contagious illness prior to joining or while on retreat. ☐ I understand that noncompliance with the conditions listed on this Health and Safety Pledge by myself or those traveling with me will result in our party not being able to continue on the retreat. Vita Bella Retreats will not cover travel expenses in the event you depart the retreat early. IMPORTANT: Each tour member must complete, sign and submit the Terms & Conditions prior to participating in this retreat.
  • Vita Bella Retreats Illness, Medical Conditions, & Mobility Issues Protocols
    Dear ones, We want to graciously invite you to feel welcome on our retreats in Italy. Knowing that people are uniquely different, and have varying views on health and wellness we hope to offer a fair and inclusive stance for you and your fellow retreaters wellbeing while on retreat. We ask that you test for Covid before departure to Italy. If you test positive please contact Jane immediately. We ask that you wear a mask on the airplane. We know that you might not want to but we feel that it's a wise thing to do and a good precaution to protect yourself and others. We require you to bring 3-4 Covid tests with you for the retreat, bring your own masks, bring your own medicine in case you become sick or have other ailments such as headache, body aches, indigestion, etc. Vita Bella Retreats does NOT provide medicines during your retreat. Please check with your doctor/dentist before leaving if you have serious medical conditions and/or could become ill while on retreat. Find out what the steps would be in case you do have a medical emergency or become ill. If you have mobility issues please let us know upon registration so that we can place you in a ground floor room. If you arrive at the retreat and are showing signs of Covid or cold symptoms we do require you to mask, test for Covid and distance from the group. Thank you for your consideration Vita Bella Retreats
  • Where are the Tuscan Countryside retreats located exactly?
    Fattoria Del Colle https://www.cinellicolombini.it/en/tourism/stays/ Address: Località Il Colle, 53020 Trequanda SI, Italy Phone: +39 0577 662108
  • Cuisine on Retreat
    The restaurant Osteria Della Fattoria is located on our retreat site and its owner Donatella Cinelli Colombini created it to serve her Brunello, Orcia and Chianti wines together with classic Tuscan dishes, known throughout the region. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on retreat is served here each day. Every dish is prepared with care and with excellent ingredients: fresh vegetables from the estate gardens, Chianina meats and Cinta Senese pork, white truffles from the Crete Senesi. All of their cuisine aims to bring to the table what is genuine and authentic in the Tuscan countryside. Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian can be served but may be limited. A vegan diet cannot be fully accommodated.
  • Can we leave and do our own excursions?
    Of course! Please be mindful of our group schedule and make every effort to attend classes, and enjoy meals with the group. You should experience all that Tuscany has to offer while you are here, but please take time to relax and do nothing too! The office staff at Fattoria also serves as concierge for booking private drivers for hill town excursions.
  • Is there a spa?
    There is a spa at Fattoria. The cost is $25/hour and is private for each person while it is being used. You can book appointments once you are onsite at the retreat. We do typically have a massage therapist joining the retreat and will send out the schedule to book about a month before the retreat. The pricing for the massage therapist varies and is set by the therapist.
  • Will my cell phone work in Italy? YES - BUT:
    Contact your cell phone provider ahead of time and set this up in advance! You need to make sure your cell phone provider has your data turned on.
  • Why is it required that I join the WhatsApp group?
    You are required to join the WhatsApp group before your retreat. This is our main method of contact once in Italy. It is used to not only meet up with group members, but also to make sure everyone meets the shuttle, notifies of airline delays, etc.
  • Will I need a power adaptor?
    You will need a power adaptor for your cell phone charger and other plug ins: In Italy the power plugs and sockets are of type F and L. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. You cannot use your electric appliances in Italy without a voltage converter, because the standard voltage in Italy (230 V) is higher than in the United States of America (120 V). https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Converter-International-European-Countries/dp/B074QLCKW6/ref=sr_1_3?camp=1789&creative=9325&keywords=step+down+converter&linkCode=xm2&linkId=f0e23cdbe2352f2ea2d61f414e48436c&qid=1555002718&s=gateway&sr=8-3
  • Will there be WIFI available?
    Yes! There is free WIFI at the retreat location. (It can be spotty at times but mostly great!)
  • Vita Bella Retreats Conduct Policy
    You undertake to behave professionally, courteously, and respectfully in all dealings with Vita Bella Retreats or any person(s) acting on behalf of Vita Bella Retreats including on-site managers, guest teachers and their assistants, and any other clients or other third parties to whom you may be introduced in connection with the Services. If there is any behavior such as harassment, disparagement, or bullying Vita Bella Retreats reserves the right to require you to exit the retreat at your own expense. Vita Bella Retreats does not tolerate disrespectful behavior by any of its guests or staff members.
  • Booking Terms
    Please click here to view our Terms & Conditions in detail.

Inclusion Statement

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We are committed to diversity and inclusion. We believe strength, creativity and power comes from different perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We open-heartedly invite diversity in attendees including ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, size, and religion.
Our programs do include walking, using stairs and being mobile in general. A moderate level of fitness is required for attending. If you want to ask any questions about specific needs you have, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

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