Away to Croatia

General Terms and Conditions

GENERAL

Awaytocroatia is a travel company operating under commercial company Away d.o.o. (Ltd.), Dugi dol 46, Zagreb, Oib: 95254629965 specialized in agency activities. Awaytocroatia has direct contracts with the owners to secure the highest possible standards. Each villa is personally inspected with an accurate description displayed on our website. All villas advertised with AWAYTOCROATIA have licenses issued by the competent state authorities. Our team is at our disposal 24/7 offering personal assistance to our clients.

2. MAKING A BOOKING AND PAYMENT

2.1 Once you have made a provisional reservation with us we will ask you to confirm your booking by e-mail. This must be from the first named person on the booking (‘the party leader’). The party leader must be at least 18 years old and must be authorised to make the booking on the basis of these booking conditions by all persons named on the booking. By confirming the booking details with AWAYTOCROATIA the party leader confirms that he/she is so authorised and that all party members agree to be bound by the booking conditions.

2.2 The party leader is responsible for making all payments due to us. Once an invoice has been sent out from AWAYTOCROATIA a minimum non-refundable deposit of 30% of the rental cost must be sent. The balance of your booking must be received not less than 6 weeks prior to your date or arrival at the villa, a call for remaining payment will be sent via email. If booking within 8 weeks of From, the full cost of the villa must be paid at the time of booking. You may book online and pay by credit card. Bookings received in this way are automatically confirmed. You may also make a booking over the contact form via our website http://www.awaytocroatia.com. Bookings received in this way are provisional and will be held for 2 days pending receipt of your deposit/full payment as applicable. If your payment is not received within 3 days the booking will automatically lapse.

2.3 Bookings cannot be accepted from parties of young people less than 18 years of age. We reserve the right to refuse a booking without any given reason.

2.4 GUEST REGISTRATION – The guest is obligated by Croatian law to provide the villa owner / villa host with official identification documents containing personal details for tourist registration purposes with the national tourist bord (HTZ). This information will not be used for any other purposes. A guest that will not provide any form of personal identification for tourist registration as required by law, may be denied access to the property with no possibility of reimbursement of rent paid.

3. CONTRACT

3.1 A contract between you, the party leader and the property owner will come into existence when you have paid a deposit (or full payment if booking within 8 weeks of From) and we accept your booking by issuing a written confirmation. Croatian Law governs your contract and all matters arising out of it. Any disputes, claim or other matter, which arises out of or in connection with this contract, will be dealt with by the courts of Croatia only.

3.2 It is important that you check the villa confirmation you receive from us immediately on receipt. You must contact us straight away if any information appears to be incorrect as it may not be possible to make changes later. We regret we cannot accept any liability if we are not notified of any inaccuracies in any document within 14 days of our sending it out.

3.3 NUMBER OF GUESTS – At any time the number of persons accommodated in the villa or its belonging premises cannot be higher than the one mentioned in the confirmation. This number of persons includes children regardless of their age. The children up to one year of age are excluded if their arrival is announced. At wish of the guest the number of persons can be increased until the maximum capacity. The requested change of the guest number must be submitted in writing by an email directly to AWAYTOCROATIA. After the lease beginning the guest is obliged to announce previously all visitors which come to visit him/her. The total number of persons which are in the villa or at the property around the villa including the guests and visitors cannot be higher than the maximum number of guests permitted without a special permission of the owner. If more persons than the maximum permitted number stays in the villa or on the possession around the villa without the permission of the owner, the owner and/or AWAYTOCROATIA retain the right to terminate the lease agreement which comes into force immediately, without the notice period, and the guest is obliged to leave the villa permanently together with all persons which stay there within 4 (four) hours, and he is not entitled to demand the return of the sum of the paid accommodation from the owner or AWAYTOCROATIA.

4. PRICES

4.1 The price of your villa is based on villa prices presents on the website http://www.awaytocroatia.com at time of your booking or booking request.

4.2 Many property owners will only accept bookings with a minimum of one week and in some case a minimum of three days in April, May, September and October.

4.3 Properties are let fully furnished and equipped. The price for all properties includes linen, electricity, hot and cold water. Occasionally there may be an additional charge for air conditioning/heating where available; you will be advised of this at the time of booking. Where there is a private pool, pool heating will incur an additional expense. Satellite/Cable television where available may not include access to all channels. If internet access is available it is generally assumed that the customer will bring their own laptop. Fax machine means a fax machine can be provided. Use of telephone/internet facilities must be paid for locally.

5. SECURITY DEPOSIT

5.1 A security deposit is required to cover the cost of any damages or breakages. The deposit will be collected on your From at the villa and is usually € 300 – € 500 per villa. For groups of young people (under 22 of age) an extra refundable safe deposit of € 100 per person is required at check in. For telephone use, internet access or other services a higher deposit may be required to cover eventual bills. You will be advised of this at the time of booking or if you decide on From that you wish to use additional services the higher deposit will be confirmed to you in resort. Please ensure you have this amount of money ready when you arrive otherwise entry into the property may be delayed until the deposit is produced.

5.2  The deposit is refunded at the end of your stay after the owner inspection of the villa for damage.

6. CHANGES BY YOU

If you are prevented from travelling, you have a right to transfer your villa to another person and or another date. However, you must tell us you want to do in writing more than 42 days before From. We will charge an amendment fee of Euro 50.00 per booking. You will also be liable for any additional costs caused by this transfer. Until we receive full payment, both you and the person taking your place are responsible for full payment of the villa. Please refer to paragraph headed ‘Other Changes’ with regard to villa transfer within 42 days of From

7. OTHER CHANGES

If you wish to make other changes to your booking after it has been confirmed you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. We will endeavour to assist you but cannot give any guarantees. An amendment fee of Euro 50.00 per booking will be applicable along with any additional costs incurred as a result of the change. Car hire amendment only is subject to a Euro 30.00 amendment fee. If you wish to amend your booking within 42 days of To we may treat this as a cancellation. In this instance the charges as stated in the cancellation charge table in paragraph 8.1 will apply.

8. CANCELLATION POLICY

8.1 If you wish to cancel your booking you can, e-mail us at info@awaytocroatia.com. All Cancellations will take effect from the date received by AWAYTOCROATIA. In all cases a cancellation will only be accepted from the party leader. If you do cancel you will have to pay cancellation charges. The amount you pay depends on the date we have been informed of the cancellation in writing. The following cancellation charges apply:
If you wish to cancel your booking always the 30% of total cost is not refundable. The remaining 70% of the total cost is refundable following next cancellation fees rules:
Cancellation fees
-Cancellation 50-43 days prior to arrive …………….90% of the BALANCE
-Cancellation 42-29 days prior to arrive 40% of the BALANCE
-Cancellation 28-0 days prior to arrive all amount not refundable

8.2 Cancellation charges are calculated as a percentage of the total villa cost. Cancellation charges exclude amendment charges which are non-refundable in the event of your cancellation. Depending on the reason for your cancellation, you may be able to re-claim these cancellation charges (less any applicable excess) under the terms of your insurance policy. Claims must be made directly to the insurance company concerned. AWAYTOCROATIA strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance when booking your villa rental.

9. CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS BY US

9.1 In the unlikely event that alterations and cancellations have to be instigated by us, we will inform you as soon as possible and if requested we will try to arrange alternative accommodation of a similar type, standard and location.

9.2 If no alternative accommodation is available or acceptable, we will refund in full all monies paid and shall be under no other liability.

10. COMPLAINTS

10.1 If you have a problem while at your booked villa, please bring it to the attention of our local representative/agent/villa owner so that they have an opportunity to put it right at the time. If no representative/agent/villa owner is available in that area, please contact our Croatian office direct. Failure to alert us of any problem whilst you are in the villa will lead to a rejection of your complaint by our office.

10.2 If your complaint cannot be completely resolved locally, you must inform our local representative/agent/villa owner and follow this up within 10 days of returning home by writing to our customer services manager giving full details of your complaint and we will pass your comments onto the villa owner. In all cases we will try and settle the matter amicably. If you fail to notify us within 10 days of your return, we reserve the right to reject any claim as it may be, by then, difficult for us to investigate the complaint.

10.3 Disputes concerning technical problems (water, electricity, internet) not dependent on the owner but by the operator providing the service are not eligible for refunds. 10.4 If you vacate the property before the To day without notifying our local representatives you will lose the right to compensation.

11. ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Guests are expected to arrive after 4.00 pm Croatian time and to depart by 10.00 am. There may be slight variations to these times +/- one hour – you will be advised of the correct Arrival/Departure times for your property on your travel documentation.
If your Arrival is outside these times: From 9 pm later: extra charge may be applied by owner.

12. TRAVEL

12.1 The party leader is responsible for the parties taking with them correct travel documentation (passports and visas, driving licences, vehicle registration, green card, motor insurance etc).

12.2 It is very important that you secure your travel (e.g. flights) arrangements at the same time as booking a villa as AWAYTOCROATIA cannot be held responsible for problems arising as a result of non-confirmation of your travel arrangements.

13. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

13.1 You must keep the property and all furniture, fittings, effects, facilities, equipment and grounds in the same state of repair and condition as at the commencement of your holiday, and in the same state of cleanliness and general order in which it was found. You will be responsible for any breakages, loss or damage to the property. Once again we strongly recommend adequate insurance cover to be made by yourselves and all party members. The property owner reserves the right to make deductions from the security deposit for any extra cleaning over the number of hours committed to Till cleaning, and to claim compensation for costs over and above the sum of the security deposit.

13.2 The parking of caravans/pitching of tents is strictly forbidden.

14. NUMBER OF PEOPLE USING THE PROPERTY

Only those persons named at time the time of booking may use the property without prior agreement. The maximum number of people, including infants, allowed at the property may not be exceeded. The owner has the right to terminate the rental without prior notice and without refund if the numbers are exceeded.

15. ACCESS

The property owner or their representative shall be allowed reasonable access to the property to carry out urgent maintenance and/or inspection.

16. BEHAVIOUR

The person signing the contract is responsible for the correct and decent behaviour of the party. Should you or a member of the party not behave in such a manner, the property owner or local representative/agent may use their absolute discretion and ask you and the party to vacate the property without refund.

17. ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Please give as much time as possible to organise additional services such as those mentioned in paragraph 5. Payment for such services is usually made locally (excluding car hire). We cannot accept responsibility for any extra services.

18. LINEN

Linen and linen change is included in all properties. It is advisable to take a beach towel and to check that cot linen is provided.

19. SWIMMING POOLS

Swimming pools are not open all year. Please check with us as to whether the pool is open or not. If pool heating is required then this is an extra charge that will be deducted from the security deposit.

20. SOCIAL EVENTS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS

AWAYTOCROATIA acts as an agent for property owners for the private rental of a property. If you are intending to organise a private function (e.g. party, wedding, cocktail party) at the property, you must seek prior permission from AWAYTOCROATIA. Additional charges and/or increased security deposit may be sought at the owner’s discretion.

21. SECURITY AND VALUABLES

Any valuables left at the property are left at your own risk. Neither AWAYTOCROATIA nor the property owner is responsible for their loss. No refund can be given should you decide to vacate the property as a consequence of a burglary.

22. INFORMATION

22.1 While we make every effort to ensure that descriptions supplied are accurate, we cannot accept responsibility for errors contained therein or the results thereof. You must accept that minor differences between the photograph/illustration/text used and actual property may arise.

22.2 Property owners reserve the right to make modifications to the property specifications that are considered necessary in light of operating requirements. In the interest of continual improvement, property owners reserve the right to alter furniture, fittings, amenities, facilities or any part of any activities, either advertised or previously available without prior notice.

22.3 If material changes occur after your booking has been confirmed, we will advise you if there is time before Till.

23. PETS

Pets are not allowed unless with the explicit permission of the owner. The owner reserves the right to add a surcharge and/or increase the security deposit. Number of pets must be agreed prior to acceptance of booking.

24. ENVIRONMENT

24.1 Please be aware that many of our properties are in rural or isolated locations and as such you may encounter flora and fauna such as mosquitoes, wasps, ants, local dogs etc as well as other environmental activities e.g. farming, drains etc. Some properties are located on non-surfaced roads.

24.2 Many of our properties are over 100 years old and some are listed. As a result the structure and safety may not have current safety and design features. Whilst AWAYTOCROATIA makes every effort to give as much detail on each property as possible, including when it was built and whether or not it is suitable for children/people with walking difficulties, it may mean that the property may be less safe than a more recently designed/built property. Also – due to the rocky nature of the Croatian coastline some of our coastal properties may have steep approaches, many stairs and/or maybe perched on a rocky promontory. Whilst this provides a spectacular location it might not be suitable for certain types of customers and again every effort is made to advise you of this on the villa details.

24.3 Please note we cannot be held responsible for any building or road workings occurring near the property. We will endeavor to advise you of any work occurring should we be aware of it, but work can occur at any time without our prior knowledge.

25. OUR LIABILITY AND THE PROPERTY OWNER

25.1 Neither AWAYTOCROATIA (as agent for the property owner) nor the property owner shall not be responsible for the death of, or personal injury of any member of a booking party, or of any other person at the property unless this results from the proven negligence of the owner, AWAYTOCROATIA or our employees.

25.2 We shall not be liable for any loss, breach or delay due to any cause beyond our reasonable control including though not limited to acts of God, explosion, tempest, fire or accident, war or threat of war, civil disturbances, acts, restrictions, regulations, bye-laws or measures of any kind on the part of the government or local authority, strikes, lock-outs or other industrial actions or disputes or adverse weather conditions. In any case we shall be entitled to treat the contract as discharged.

25.3 On the event of discharge our liability shall be limited to the return of the sums paid to us in respect of the unused portion of the rental calculated on a pro rate daily basis less an administrative fee of Euro 50.00 to cover our reasonable expenses.

25.4 We cannot be held responsible for the breakdown of mechanical equipment such as pumps, boilers, swimming pool filtrations systems, nor for the failure of public utilities such as water, gas and electricity.

25.5 Neither AWAYTOCROATIA nor the owner can be held responsible for noise or disturbance originating beyond the boundaries of the property or which is beyond our control. In the event that a source of noise has been in existence prior to your From and we are informed of this, we will contact you to inform you of the disturbance.

25.6 We cannot accept responsibility for events out of our control e.g. bad weather including events arising as a result of very hot or unusual weather, delays caused by carrier companies, breakdown of domestic equipment.

26 Special offers involving free nights are always for a maximum of one or two free night depending on the length of stay. Long stay bookings cannot be split into two to get more free nights. In such cases such split bookings may be refused by the villa/apartment owner on From or the unintitled free nights claimed maybe charged for locally.

27 Occasionally facilities may have to be temporarily withdrawn at short notice during your holiday, often this is beyond our immediate control.

28. WEBSITE LINKS

From time to time we may establish links from the AWAYTOCROATIA website to other sites which we feel would be of interest to customers planning a villa holiday. AWAYTOCROATIA would like to make it clear that we are not responsible for the actions or content of these websites. It is your responsibility to check the status of these sites.

29. LOW SLUNG CARS

People taking low/sports cars are advised to check that the access to the property is suitable.

30. SPECIAL REQUESTS

We will endeavour to meet any requests you may have prior to travel but unfortunately we cannot guarantee them. Special requests do not form part of our contractual obligations to you and we accept no liability if they are not met.