Chris Dobson

Art History from a Different Perspective

Chris Dobson’s Commitment to You:
Chris Dobson will do everything possible to ensure that you have a thoroughly enjoyable experience on one of his Tours or at one of his Presentations or Special Events. If anything goes wrong, he will do his utmost to put it right at once. His aim is that all clients are completely satisfied with his services.

General:
Chris Dobson is not a travel agent. It is therefore the personal responsibility of participants to get themselves to the point of departure for Tours, or the location of Private Presentations or Special Events (unless transport is provided by Chris Dobson as part of your booking), and to be in possession of all appropriate travel documents and visas. Participants should also arrange their own travel insurance to cover medical treatment, loss and cancellation. Whilst Chris Dobson will do everything possible to ensure that participants have a safe and enjoyable time on one of his Tours, participants are responsible for their own personal safety and security at all times, and for their personal belongings.

If Changes are Necessary:
Chris Dobson’s Tours, Presentations and Special Events are often organic experiences, so they may evolve and change as they go along (within the structure of the subject being covered), and that is part of their charm. However, sometimes unexpected circumstances arise that make a major change to an itinerary unavoidable. Chris Dobson will communicate any changes to clients as soon as possible, and try to make alternative arrangements, but if alternatives constitute a significant loss to the Tour/Presentation/Event, that you find unacceptable, then you will receive a refund.

Your Responsibilities as Participants:
Participants should be prepared for a fair bit of walking on Chris Dobson's Tours, and you need to be in reasonable health to take part. Chris regrets that he cannot supply wheelchairs, and disabled access can sometimes be a problem in some historical buildings, where local law may prohibit the installation of facilities for the disabled.

Chris asks that participants are attentive and co-operative during his Tours, Presentations and Special Events, and that they do not do anything to spoil the enjoyment of other participants. If the behaviour of one or more participants becomes inappropriate to the point of spoiling the enjoyment of others, making it impossible for Chris to continue, or risking ejection from churches, monuments or museums, then Chris Dobson reserves the right to halt the Tour/Presentation/Event at that point, until either the situation is dealt with, or the person or persons responsible leave. Please note there may be dress codes for men and women when entering places of worship.

Eligibility:
Chris Dobson reserves the right to refuse to accept a booking without necessarily giving a reason.

Bookings:
Payment of a 20% deposit (plus the cost of any tickets for Special Events) is required to secure your booking, on receipt of invoice. The balance of the payment must be made at least 90 days prior to commencement. Bookings made less than 90 days prior to commencement must be paid for in full at the time of booking.

You can temporarily reserve a Tour, Private Presentation or Special Event by phone for 7 days, using the UK number on the Contact Us page, after which time you will need to confirm your booking by making the appropriate payment. However, this facility is not available if booking less than 30 days in advance.

Cancellations:

If Chris Dobson Cancels:
In the unlikely event that Chris is forced to cancel a Tour/Presentation/Event due to unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a full refund. However, he will get members of his team to take over for him, if this is acceptable to participants. Please note his responsibilities do not extend to cover any expenses incurred in booking the rest of your trip, such as flights or hotels.

If You Cancel:
If you have to cancel your Tour or Private Presentation, or your participation in a Special Event, you should inform Chris Dobson as soon as possible, and a sliding scale of refunds applies, depending on the amount of notice you give. The day of cancellation is taken as the day written notification is received, including e-mail.

Up to 60 days in advance: only your deposit is forfeited, and any other payment will be refunded, net of the cost of tickets for Special Events*.

Between 59-30 days in advance: 50% of the totals cost will be refunded, net of the cost of Tickets for Special Events*.

29 days or less in advance: No refunds are possible.

*Tickets for Special Events:
Due to the limited availability and expense for tickets for Special Events such the Siena Palio, their cost cannot be refunded for any reason if you need to cancel, and another buyer cannot be found for those tickets. If another buyer can be found for the tickets, then you will receive a full refund, net of any transaction costs. Also, refunds cannot be made if such events are cancelled due to (for example) weather conditions.

Privacy Policy:
Your personal data will not be shared with anyone else, unless it is absolutely neccessary for reservations with hotels (for example), and in that case it would be restricted to name and essential contact details, and would not include Credit or Debit Card details, as clients must confirm those bookings themselves.

Credit and Debit Card payments are processed by Paypal. Once used, your card details will not be kept, so if making further bookings or additional payments, you will need to supply card details again.