Terms and Conditions | Camino

The Creative Pilgrimage
on the Camino de Santiago
with Laura Davis
September 1 - 16, 2024
lauradavis.net/camino

Because of the complexity of the travel environment and the changing regulations, The Writer’s Journey LLC, Laura Davis, Creative Nature Journeys LLC, Brenda Porter, and their agents, associates, or other cooperating agencies (hereafter "The Writer's Journey LLC" or “TWJ”) strongly recommend that you work directly with a trusted travel agent. Please refer to Travel Insurance section of this document for more information.

Payments, Cancellations and Refunds

Cost: $6,900 per person for double occupancy based on two people sharing a twin-bedded room.

Roommates: Hotels on the Camino are small and accommodations will be mostly double-occupancy. We will help you find a roommate if you don't have one.

Single Supplement: $1,000 for single-occupancy accommodations.

Payment Schedule: A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 USD is due with registration. 50% of the remaining trip cost will be due by February 1, 2024. The final balance will be due by April 4, 2024.

The trip price is based on the current exchange rate as of September 29, 2023: $100 = 94.90 Euros. If the rate of exchange goes down under 90 Euros per $100 by August 1, 2024, we will need to add an exchange rate supplement of $200 to the cost of the trip.

Size of Trip: This is an intimate vacation with a minimum of 8 travelers. If the minimum number is not met, you will receive a full refund. The Writer’s Journey LLC will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred, such as nonrefundable airline tickets or passport fees.

Please do not purchase airline tickets until we have informed you that the minimum number of participants has been met.

Price Includes: The base trip price is based on two persons sharing a room with two twin beds. A small number of singles are available for an added supplement fee. Trip cost also includes ground transportation from the airport to the first hotel, if you arrive with the group; luggage transport; breakfast and dinner each day, with the exception of one dinner; charming, clean, and comfortable accommodations throughout the trip; all activities described in the itinerary; the services of three guides; writing instruction and sketching/painting instruction; drawing and painting supplies; tips for restaurants on itinerary; pre-tour information; a copy of Laura's memoir The Burning of Two Stars; and training suggestions for getting in shape for our trip.

Not Included: Round trip flights to and from Santiago de Compostela; overnight accommodations in route if necessary for your flight itinerary; transit from the airport to our first hotel, if you do not arrive with the group; transit from Santiago at the end of the trip; laundry; one dinner and all lunches; optional tips for local guides; personal, medical or trip cancellation insurance; souvenir shopping; personal phone calls; beverages and alcoholic drinks; extra snacks; extra taxis; and anything extra you’re inspired to do that’s not included in the itinerary.

Itinerary: All activities on this tour are subject to change. The itinerary may be adjusted slightly due to weather or to take advantage of special events that may occur. No one is obliged to attend any tours, meetings, excursions, church services or seminars. However, no refunds will be made for any missed activities. If you leave the tour at any time, for any reason, you are fully responsible for your expenses and safety.

Cancellations and Refunds: The initial $1,000 USD non-refundable deposit will be forfeited in all cases. Cancellations made between February 1, 2024 and April 4, 2024 will result in a loss of 50% of the trip price. Any cancellation made on April 4, 2024 or after will result in a total loss of all monies received and there will be no refunds. Exceptions to this cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including personal emergencies. Travel protection insurance will provide your only option for recouping your investment in the trip.

There will be no refunds for leaving the retreat early or arriving late. Further, there are no refunds for any part of the program that you do not attend or participate in. Although we do our best to avoid this, it may be necessary for The Writer’s Journey LLC to cancel a retreat due to insufficient registration, new COVID travel restrictions, or any other cause.

We reserve the right to cancel the trip (due to lock downs, pandemics, natural disasters, border closures, or unforeseen acts of god). We will notify participants a minimum of 40 days in advance of the start date and everything you've paid directly to The Writer’s Journey LLC will be refunded—minus $500 administrative fee. We require this fee because arranging international programs is a complex process which requires us to make advance preparations and payments regardless of whether we run the trip or not. For this reason, we recommend that you purchase “Cancel for Any Reason” travel insurance coverage and always do your due diligence about what’s being covered. This can be included in the international travel protection plan that you purchase through your travel agent.

If a trip is canceled due to low enrollment, you will be notified at least 40 days in advance of the trip dates, and your entire payment to The Writers Journey LLC will be refunded to you within 14 days after the cancellation. Refund of payments made constitutes full settlement, and releases Laura Davis, The Writer’s Journey LLC, and their agents from any further liability. In the event that The Writer's Journey LLC must cancel a trip, Laura Davis, The Writer’s Journey LLC, and their agents are not responsible for any additional expenses incurred, such as non-refundable airline tickets, hotel bookings, or passport fees.

Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance is required for this trip. At a minimum, you need insurance to cover the standard $1,000,000 medical evacuation coverage, trip cancellation, trip interruption and trip delay coverage, $100,000 in medical coverage including hospitalization due to COVID-19, and if available in your state, coverage that will cover you should you need to quarantine.

The add-on travel insurance offered when you buy your airline tickets will not be sufficient. Nor will the travel policies that may be included in your credit card benefits—these may not be adequate or provide everything you need.

It’s essential that you do your own due diligence because policy provisions vary by company, state, and depend on your age, and sometimes pre-existing conditions. You can have a travel agent arrange for your insurance or you can do your own research—but do your research.

Do not purchase your airline tickets until we inform you that we've reached the minimum number for this trip.

We encourage you to book your flights with our travel planner, Linda Schwedock, so arrival times, departure times, and ground transportation can be coordinated. Linda can also help you if you want to arrive sooner, leave later, or add other destinations into your itinerary. If you need assistance, she will be able to help you purchase the required travel insurance for this trip.

Linda is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am until 3 pm Pacific Time:

Linda Schwedock
Pacific Harbor Travel
519 Seabright Ave #201
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

These are some of the questions you’ll want ask regarding travel insurance:

1. Under what circumstances can I cancel my trip and have it be fully refunded?
2. (If 70 or older) Do you cover travelers 70 and older?
3. What about my pre-existing conditions? What do I need to know?
4. Will the insurer refund the full cost of my trip and all travel costs if I have a positive COVID test before I embark? What documentation and evidence are necessary to claim this benefit?
5. What if I get COVID on the trip and need to leave the trip or pay for additional lodging or other costs? What will and won’t be covered?
6. What if a country I am traveling to, through, or from changes their COVID policies immediately before or during my trip?

 Also, important to note:

• In most instances, insurance MUST be purchased within 14 days of your first booking date if you want the pre-existing exclusion to be waived.
• Your initial deposit for this trip is not refundable. After February 1, 2024, the only refunds offered for this trip will be through travel insurance. Trip protection insurance is the best way to protect your investment. Be sure you understand what your insurance will and won’t cover.
• Be sure to remain flexible with your travel arrangements. You should have the ability to change or cancel your hotel and airline reservations if needed. Special internet deals, promotional airfares, or reservations from discounted online travel engines will not be appropriate.
• Some companies treat COVID-19 like any other illness, but not all insurance companies do. Some companies exclude coverage for COVID-19—which will not provide adequate coverage for this trip. Please be sure to ask.
• Cancel-for-any-reason or interrupt-for-any-reason insurance is also available, but it is significantly more expensive.

Authorization and Release for the Use of Photographic Images and Video: I hereby grant to The Writer’s Journey LLC, Laura Davis, Creative Nature Journeys LLC, Brenda Porter, and their agents, officials, representatives, or assigned agencies, including officers, employees, or related personnel both individually and collectively (the “Released Party”) the absolute and irrevocable right and unrestricted permission in respect of photographic portraits, videos or pictures that the Released Party had taken of me (the “Photographic Images”), whether individually or together with one another and/or other individuals and the content of any verbal or written statements made by me and used in connection with such Photographic Images, in the name of the Released Party or otherwise.

I further grant to Released Party the absolute and irrevocable right to use, re-use, publish and re-publish the Photographic Images in whole or in part, individually or in conjunction with other photographic images, and in art, editorials, advertising and trade, or any other purpose whatsoever including, without limitation, the promotion of any websites or brands owned or operated by the Released Party without restriction as to alteration; by any medium or channel including but not limited to television, radio, newspaper or other periodical, Internet, or any other means whether electronic or otherwise; and to use my name, location, profession, and/or any other identifying or potentially identifying information in connection therewith if the Released Party so chooses.

I hereby release and discharge the Released Party from any and all claims and demands arising out of or in connection with the use of the Photographic Images, including without limitation any and all claims for libel, invasion of privacy, or false light, and from any and all liability for damages of whatever kind, which may, at any time, result to me, my heirs, legal representatives, and assigns because of compliance with this Authorization and Release.

This Authorization and Release shall also inure to the benefit of the heirs, legal representatives, licensees, and assigns of the Photographer, as well as the persons for whom s/he took the Photographic Images.

I have read the foregoing and fully understand the contents thereof. This Authorization and Release shall be binding upon me, my heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.

Assumption of All Risks: You acknowledge that you have voluntarily applied to participate in the retreat designated above.  You are voluntarily participating in the retreat with knowledge that travel involves numerous risks and dangers including, but not limited to, a risk of illness, injury or death, which may be caused by: forces of nature, civil unrest, terrorism, road conditions, injuries inflicted by animals, insects, reptiles or plants, trails, hotels, vehicles, boats or other means of conveyance; high altitude accident, accident or illness without access to means of rapid evacuation or the availability of medical supplies; and the lack of adequacy of medical attention once provided. You assume the risk of negligence on the part of The Writer’s Journey LLC, Laura Davis, Creative Nature Journeys LLC, Brenda Porter, their affiliated organizations and their employees, teachers, volunteers or other agencies in connection with said retreat.

Release of Liability: AS LAWFUL CONSIDERATION for being permitted by The Writer’s Journey LLC, Laura Davis, Creative Nature Journeys LLC, and Brenda Porter, to participate in such retreat and accompanying activities, I hereby agree that I, my heirs, legal representatives or any member of my family will not make a claim against or sue The Writer’s Journey LLC, Laura Davis, Creative Nature Journeys LLC, Brenda Porter, or any of their affiliated agents, employees, teachers or volunteers, for bodily injury, death, emotional trauma or property damage resulting from my participation in the retreat.

The Writer’s Journey LLC, Laura Davis, Creative Nature Journeys LLC, and Brenda Porter, shall not be liable, directly or indirectly, for bodily injury or property damage for any reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to the following causes: acts of God, pandemics, epidemics, detention, annoyance, weather, quarantines, strikes, civil disturbance, theft, negligence including negligence of Laura Davis, default, changes in government regulations, terrorism, war or failure of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled.

I therefore release and discharge The Writer’s Journey LLC, Laura Davis, Creative Nature Journeys LLC, Brenda Porter, and their agents, employees, teachers and volunteers from and against any and all liability arising from my participation in the retreat even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of The Writer’s Journey LLC, Laura Davis, Creative Nature Journeys LLC, Brenda Porter, or their affiliate agents, employees, teachers or volunteers.

If any portion of this agreement is unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.  Under no circumstances shall The Writer’s Journey LLC, Laura Davis, Creative Nature Journeys LLC, and Brenda Porter be liable to any retreat participant for more than the land cost of the retreat applied for on this document. I waive any charge-back rights and, in the event of dispute, requests for a refund will be made using the procedures described under the “Cancellation and Refunds” section above. All applications are subject to acceptance by The Writer’s Journey LLC. Upon acceptance of my application, this agreement shall be deemed to have been entered into at Santa Cruz, California and shall be construed according to the laws of the State of California.  In the unlikely event a legal dispute should arise involving any subject matter whatsoever, I agree that the exclusive venue for any legal action shall be Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California.

You hereby accept the above four paragraphs.