Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions are designed to respond to the different scenarios that might occur before, during or after a trip. It helps us provide excellent services by establishing simple rules that will be fair to our clients and to our business.
Main points of note:
- We can plan and deliver almost any variation of a Camino trip with our extensive database of accommodations, luggage transfer companies and other service providers
- We always provide the best available accommodation linked to the appropriate package
- We will help you customise your holiday prior to making your reservation (fees may apply)
- If a change (e.g. change of date) is made by the Customer after the booking has been made, change fees will apply (see below)
- In the event that a problem occurs during your holiday (it seldom happens, but just in case), we will do our utmost to solve the issue as quickly and as best we can. No refund higher than the price of the service in question can be asked of us
- When you have booked, the luggage transfer booking includes 1 piece of luggage of 15kg maximum per person. Extra weight of €5 per bag/transfer will be charged. If you leave more bags to be carried, you will be charged €10 per day and per extra bag (€20 for cyclists)
In the Terms and Conditions below, the word “Company” refers to the person who arranges your transport, accommodation, etc. and who offers it as a holiday. “Consumer” means you, the person who buys or agrees to buy the holiday or any person on whose behalf you agree to purchase the holiday and who is listed on the Booking Form or any other person to whom you transfer a holiday which you have bought. The “Retailer” is the person who sells the holiday to you; he is not responsible for organising the accommodation or other component parts of this holiday.
- THE CONTRACT
(a) A contract shall arise when the Company has received its completed Booking Form together with a deposit or full payment for the holiday and has issued written confirmation of its acceptance to the Retailer. The terms of contract are contained solely in this booking form, the Company’s confirmation, the Company’s Brochure or other descriptive material and the itinerary issued by the Company.
(b) The Company reserves the right to terminate the contract with the Consumer if the behaviour or conduct of the Consumer or any person listed on his/her Booking Form either prior to or during a holiday is likely to endanger the safety or well-being of other Consumers in his/her company or that of the Consumer him/herself, or that of the Company’s representatives, contractors, agents or employees and the cancellation charges as provided for in Clause 3 of this Booking Form are payable by the Consumer, where as a result of the Consumer’s actions or the actions of any other person who is listed on his/her Booking Form, either or both of the following incidents occur:
(i) there is a delay or diversion to the means of transportation of the subject of this contract;
(ii) the accommodation in which the Consumer is staying is damaged;
(iii) the Consumer hereby agrees to indemnify the Company against any claim (including legal cost) made against the Company in relation to the occurrence of such incidents.
- FITNESS AND DISABLED PERSONS
It is the Consumer’s responsibility to ensure that they have a level of fitness appropriate to complete the holiday safely. For that, the Company provides detailed information with regard to stage length, ascent and descent on each product’s website. This information is representative and is given in good faith. If the Consumer is unable to follow the route as designed and agreed between the quote and booking process, any change and / or extra cost incurred by the Consumer to complete daily stage will be the responsibility of the Consumer.
If the Consumer decides to make alternative arrangements than those booked with the Agency, the Agency should not be responsible for any cost and normal Cancellation / Change fees apply.
It shall be the Consumer’s responsibility to disclose to the Company any physical or mental condition of a member of his/her party which may be relevant. The Company reserves the right to decline or provide a holiday for a disabled person where in the Company’s opinion that holiday would be inconsistent with the special needs of a disabled person.
- PAYMENT
To secure a holiday, the Consumer must pay a deposit of €100. The holiday must be paid for in full at least ten weeks before the starting date of the holiday. If it is not paid by that date the Company shall have the option to cancel the holiday. If the Company exercises that option or if the Consumer cancels the holiday (which cancellation must be notified in writing to the Company) the following cancellation charges are payable by the Consumer:
Period before Departure Cancellation Fee Per Person
120-70 days Loss of Deposit
69-45 days 50% of total cost
44-31 days 75% of total cost
30 days or less and after departure 100% of total cost
All cancellation charges apply to each person covered by any booking.
If a booking is cancelled and the consumer wishes to change the booking for a different date or holiday, the Company will charge the normal change fee. The new reservation must be confirmed to the Company within 12 months of the Consumer’s notification of change. In the event that one person who is due to share a room needs to cancel a trip, then the other person will then be charged a single room supplement.
- SUBSTITUTION
(a) Where the Consumer is prevented from proceeding with the holiday, he/she may transfer his/her booking to a person who satisfies all the conditions required, having first given the Company or the Retailer reasonable notice in writing of his/her intention to do so before the departure date (such notice shall not be less than 21 days prior to the date of departure). The transferee of this Consumer must sign a Booking Form and comply with any other requirements of the Company applicable to the holiday.
(b) A Consumer who transfers a holiday booking shall be jointly and severally liable with the transferee to the Company or Retailer for the payment of any balance due in respect of the holiday and for a substitution fee of €30.00 per person substituted, subject to a maximum of €120.00 per booking (or such other greater sum as may be authorised).
(c) Insurance is not transferable.
(d) In accordance with the terms of Clause 1 (a) the Consumer who transfers a holiday booking and the transferee should be aware that some suppliers, such as carriers, impose cancellation fees and apply restrictions which are not within the control of the Company and for which the Company shall not be held liable. The transferer and transferee are both liable for these cancellation fees.
- HOLIDAY PARTICIPATION
The Consumer agrees to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, representatives, tour leaders and agents whilst during the full duration of the holiday, starting on the first day and finishing on the last day of the holiday. If, in the opinion of such persons, the health, level of fitness or conduct of a Consumer at any time before or after departure appear likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a holiday, the Consumer may be excluded from all or part of the holiday without refund or recompense. In the case of ill-health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a Consumer commits an illegal act, the Consumer may be excluded from the holiday and the company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
- ALTERATION BY THE CONSUMER
If after acceptance by the Company, a Consumer wishes to alter a holiday, the Company may at its discretion and if practicable facilitate the change. A request for alteration must be in writing and must be accompanied by a payment (applicable to the length of your trip) every time a change is made in the booking, which payment is not refundable The payment bands are as follows:
Trip up to 7 nights: €50
Trip 8-14 nights: €100
Trip 15 nights or more: €200
No changes are permitted within 14 days of departure. If the alteration is impracticable the original holiday arrangement shall continue to apply. If only some of the Consumers booked request a change which is found to be practicable a price adjustment for all Consumers on the same booking may be payable and must be discharged on the date shown in the Company’s written confirmation of such change. If default is made by the Consumer in complying with the foregoing requirements the Company shall have the rights referred to in clause 3.
- SPECIAL REQUESTS
(a) Special requests (e.g. ground floor accommodation, seaview, etc.) shall be communicated by the Consumer in writing to the Company or Retailer at the time of making the booking. The Company shall use reasonable endeavours to fulfil such requests. The Company shall invoice any additional costs directly engendered. The Company shall only be obliged to provide services in accordance with special requests where it specifically commits itself in writing to do so. No liability shall attach to the Company for failure to comply with a special request which has not been confirmed to it in writing.
(b) We acknowledge that people may have specific dietary requirements and that for health or other reasons these vary greatly. We can however only request dietary requirements to our suppliers for the following diets:
– Diabetic Suitable for reduced sugar, hyperglycemic, hypoglycemic and carbohydrate controlled meal requests.
– Gluten Intolerant/Celiac also known as low gliadin, non-tropical sprue, Celiac disease, low wheat, wheat free, gluten restricted diet. A Gluten Intolerant Meal eliminates all foods prepared with wheat, rye, barley and oats.
– Vegetarian. No meat – no fish. Nuts may be used as a protein substitute.
- ACCOMMODATION ON REQUEST
Where special accommodation is requested by the Consumer after the booking has been confirmed by the Company, an additional administration charge of €30 will be payable by the Consumer for every 7 nights period holiday. The Company shall also invoice any additional costs directly engendered. The Company shall only be obliged to provide services in accordance with special requests where it specifically commits itself in writing to do so. No liability shall attach to the Company for failure to comply with a special request which has not been confirmed to it in writing.
- ALTERATIONS BY THE COMPANY
(a) The Company reserves the right to alter, change, curtail or cancel a holiday.
(b) If, as a consequence of “force majeure” (as hereinafter defined in sub-paragraph (f) of this clause), the Company is obliged to curtail, alter, extend or cancel a holiday, the Consumer shall not be at liberty to maintain a claim for compensation or otherwise for any loss arising as a consequence of the said curtailment alteration, extension or cancellation of the holiday.
(c) Unless differently stated in some walking holidays, a minimum number of persons sharing are always required to ensure the price of a holiday remains the same as is printed in our price panels, and, a minimum number of bookings are required for any program of holidays. In its published information relating to that program the Company’s obligation to provide that program shall be contingent upon the Company’s receiving and maintaining that minimum number of bookings. In the event that the Company does not receive the minimum number of bookings or, having received such a minimum number, has that number reduced by reason of cancellations or transfers by Consumers or otherwise, the Company shall be entitled to cancel or curtail this relevant program at any time up to 4 weeks prior to the departure date and the Consumer shall not be entitled to make a claim for loss arising as a consequence of cancellation or curtailment in these circumstances. The Company shall notify the Consumer within seven days of any cancellation or curtailment necessitated by the foregoing circumstances.
(d) If prior to the departure date there is a cancellation, alteration, change or curtailment relating to a holiday, which results in more than 18 hours change in the time of departure, or a change of resort or in the type of accommodation offered or some other change which fundamentally alters the holiday, the Company shall, if practicable, offer an alternative comparable holiday, a lower grade holiday, with reimbursement of the price difference or a full refund to the Consumer of all monies paid. Unless within seven days of issue of the offer of an alternative holiday it is accepted by the Consumer in writing, the Company shall assume that the Consumer has declined such offer and will be reimbursed.
(e) Where the Company makes an alteration in the holiday as contemplated in sub-paragraph (d) of this clause, the Consumer shall be entitled to receive compensation in accordance with the scale set out in this sub-paragraph. No compensation shall be payable where the alteration is for the reasons referred to in sub-paragraphs (b) or (c) of this clause or where the Consumer accepts the alteration as provided for any in clause (d):
Departure date Compensation per person:
Within 8 weeks: €13
Within 6 weeks: €19
Within 4 weeks: €25
Within 2 weeks: €38
(f) In accordance with the provisions of Clause 1(a) the Consumer should be aware that some suppliers, such as carriers, impose cancellation fees and apply restrictions which are not within the control of the Company and for which the Company shall not be held liable. In the Booking Form this term “force majeure” means unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Retailer or other suppliers of services, The consequence of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised or an event which the Company, the Retailer or the supplier of services even with all due care could not foresee or forestall, including Acts of God, Natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, fire or other destruction of any vessel, craft or vehicle to be used in connection with a holiday, riots, acts of war, civil commotion, exercise of legislative, municipal, military or other authority strikes, industrial action, requisition of equipment, mechanical breakdown, shortage of fuel, insolvency or default of any carrier or service supplier connected with a holiday, fraud perpetrated against the Company or any other reason beyond the control of the Company.
- INSURANCE
Although not compulsory, the Company strongly recommend its Customers to purchase a travel insurance covering the following: holiday cancellation, luggage loss and theft, personal and third party injuries and repatriation. The Company does not in any circumstances take responsibility for the previously mentioned.
- PRICE VARIATION
(a) All prices quoted are stated in Euros (€) and are based on tariffs and exchange rates current and appropriate at the time of publication.
(b) The holiday price is subject to surcharges on the following items: government action and currency fluctuation and even in this case, the Company absorbs an amount equivalent to 2% of the holiday price which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges. Only amounts in excess of this 2% will be surcharged. If this results in an increase of the holiday price of more than 10% the customer will be entitled to cancel the holiday and a full refund of all the money paid except for any premium paid to the Company for holiday insurance and amendment charges. The right to cancel must be exercised within 14 days from the issue date printed on the invoice.
- CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) The Consumer shall check all travel documentation immediately after it is furnished to him/her. If the Consumer considers any document is incorrect or has a query in relation to its contents, he/she shall forthwith notify the Retailer or the Company of his/her concern and the Company shall respond as soon as possible.
(b) The Consumer is solely responsible for ensuring that he/she presents him/herself at all the meeting points of his/her holiday mentioned in the travel documentation provided to him/her by the Company. If the Consumer arrives after the departing time stipulated in the travel documentation provided to the Consumer, the Company shall not be obliged to carry the Consumer and shall be entitled to treat the holiday as having been cancelled by the Consumer.
(c) The Consumer is restricted by regulation of carriers and executive authority with regard to the weight, type and contents of baggage which he/she may take on board the craft and/or vehicles which will be used in connection with the holidays. The Consumer shall be responsible for ascertaining any limitations which apply in this regard and shall not present him/herself at the port of embarkation with any prohibited item in his/her luggage or on his/her person or with items which exceed weight or dimension restrictions applicable.
(d) This Consumer hereby agrees that he/she shall abide by all instructions or directions given by a member of the Company’s staff or any crew member of a carrier’s craft or vehicle used in connection with the holiday and hereby agrees to indemnify the Company against any loss or injury suffered or incurred by any other person as a consequence of the Consumer’s failure to act in accordance with any such direction or instruction.
ONLINE ACCURACY and CONSUMER INFORMATION
We have taken great care to ensure that all the information contained on this website is accurate and correct. No details have been wilfully misrepresented and, whilst every effort has been made to be completely factual and accurate, there may be circumstances beyond our control where details have changed since our original descriptions were agreed. Much of the information is planned many months in advance; however, if at any stage we are informed of changes or alterations to properties, we will pass these changes to you, as soon as is practicable. Generic photographs contained on this website do not necessarily absolutely represent the particular accommodations, trail landscape or amenities linked to accommodation (or the actual hotel room, apartment, layout, decor, view etc. you might occupy or experience). They are however, absolutely representative of the general route chosen. Sometimes, especially in low season months, facilities in some properties or resorts may close down or operate at certain times only. Equally, repairs may need to be carried out or maintenance work becomes necessary. Such matters are wholly beyond the control of CaminoByTheWay and no liability shall attach to us for any disappointment or diminution of enjoyment caused as a result.
- COMPLAINTS
(a) Without prejudice to the Consumer’s rights to make a complaint in relation to a holiday, he/she must immediately inform the Company’s representative at the location where the Consumer is or by contacting the Clonakilty office on the telephone numbers or email addresses provided when the complaint arises and shall, if the Company requires it, complete a form setting out the detail of this Consumer’s complaint. If the Consumer fails to comply with such requirement, the Company shall be entitled to recover the cost from the Consumer of any additional expenses incurred by it in carrying out subsequent investigation of a complaint which is found to be unjustified.
(b) The Consumer shall be obliged to notify the Company in writing of any complaint not later than 28 days after his/her return to the port of departure or termination of the holiday whichever is the earlier. The Company can be contacted at:
CaminoByTheWay Ltd, Clogheen, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, Ireland.
- LIABILITY
The Company shall not be liable for any damage caused to the Consumer by the failure to perform the contract or the improper performance of the contract where the failure or the improper performance is due neither to any fault of the Company or Retailer acting on the Company’s behalf nor to that of another supplier of services:
(a) The failures which occur in the performance of the contract are attributable to the Consumer;
(b) Such failures are attributable to any third parties unconnected with the provision of the services contracted for, with whom the Consumer makes individual direct arrangements whether as a result of the Company’s or its representative’s recommendation and are unforeseeable or unavoidable; or
(c) Such failures are due to:
i) Unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Retailer acting on his behalf or other supplier of services the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised; or
ii) An event which the Company, the Retailer acting on his behalf or the supplier of services, even with all due care could not foresee or forestall. In the case of damage other than death or personal injury or damage caused by defamation or by the wilful misconduct or gross negligence of the Company the amount of compensation which will be paid to the Consumer will be limited to, in the case of an adult an amount equal to double the inclusive price of the package to the adult concerned and in the case of a minor, an amount equal to the inclusive price of the package to this minor concerned. The Company’s liability will not exceed any limitation applicable under any international convention governing or relating to the provision of the service complained of in the place where they are performed or due to be performed even if that convention has not been ratified or applied in the Republic of Ireland.
(d) The customer must appreciate that in certain countries services in hotels, hostels and guest houses and in restaurants cannot be expected to be of the same standard as those in the Consumer’s country of origin and the term “reasonable standard” must be interpreted accordingly.
(e) We endeavour to make each holiday perfect for the Consumer. Our holidays are very complex and require the combination of numerous suppliers and services every day. On the rare occasion that a service included in a holiday purchased by the Consumer is not provided during the holiday, the Company will refund the usual cost of that service or the amount paid by the consumer for a replacement service of the same standard, on production of a receipt and within reason.
- ARBITRATION
Any dispute or difference of any kind whatsoever which arises or occurs between any of the parties hereto in relation to anything or matter arising under, out of or in connection with this contract, shall be referred to arbitration under the Arbitration Rules of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – Irish branch. If there is a dispute which cannot be mutually agreed, either party may apply directly to the Institute at 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland for the form Request for Appointment of Arbitrator. This form sets out the information to be submitted: names and addresses of the parties concerned, copies of the booking form and conditions (including the arbitration clause), details of any legal or other people who are to represent the parties in the arbitration and an administration fee of €50 (an administration fee of €127 is payable in respect of Personal Injuries claims in excess of €9,523). This form refers to the Institute’s Arbitration Rules which will apply to this arbitration and which have briefly summarised as follows (copies of the Rules and the accompanying Guidance Notes on Arbitration are available from the Institute at a cost of €6.00 per set).
