Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to Rome Tour Operator. By accessing our website at rometouroperator.it, booking a tour, or using any of our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("Customer", "you", or "your") and Rome Tour Operator ("we", "our", or "us").

If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our services or make any bookings. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

2. Company Information

3. Services Provided

Rome Tour Operator provides premium private guided tours and cultural experiences in Rome, Italy, including:

• Private Vatican Museums tours with early access and VIP experiences
• Colosseum and Roman Forum tours with arena floor access
• Vatican Gardens private tours
• Sistine Chapel exclusive viewings
• Golf cart tours of Rome's historic center
• Customized private tours tailored to your interests
• Skip-the-line ticket arrangements
• Professional licensed tour guides
• Transportation coordination (where applicable)

All tours are subject to availability and confirmation. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any lawful reason.

4. Booking and Payment Terms

4.1 Booking Process

To book a tour, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Provide accurate and complete information
• Have the authority to make the booking on behalf of all participants
• Accept these Terms and our Privacy Policy

Your booking is not confirmed until you receive a written confirmation email from us. We reserve the right to decline any booking at our discretion.

4.2 Payment

Payment terms vary by tour and booking type:

• Full Payment: Required for bookings made less than 7 days before the tour date
• Deposit: 30% deposit required for bookings made more than 7 days in advance, with the balance due 7 days before the tour
• Accepted Payment Methods: Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, bank transfer
• Currency: All prices are listed in EUR (Euros) unless otherwise stated

Payment processing is handled through secure, PCI-DSS compliant third-party processors. We do not store full credit card details on our servers.

4.3 Pricing

• All prices are per person unless specified as "private tour" or "group rate"
• Prices include VAT (Italian tax) where applicable
• Prices are subject to change without notice until booking is confirmed
• Entry tickets, skip-the-line fees, and transportation (if included) are specified in tour descriptions
• Gratuities for guides are not included and are at your discretion

5. Cancellation and Refund Policy

5.1 Customer Cancellations

Important Notes:

• All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to rometouroperator@gmail.com
• Cancellation date is determined by when we receive your written notification
• Refunds are processed within 7-10 business days to the original payment method
• Non-refundable tickets (e.g., Vatican Museums, Colosseum) cannot be refunded regardless of cancellation timing
• Special VIP tours and Vatican Gardens tours may have stricter cancellation policies due to limited availability

5.2 Modifications and Rescheduling

We will do our best to accommodate date or time changes:

• More than 7 days before: Free rescheduling (subject to availability)
• 4-7 days before: €25 rescheduling fee per booking
• Less than 4 days: Treated as cancellation (see cancellation policy above)

Changes are subject to availability and must be confirmed in writing. Price differences may apply if rescheduled to a different tour type.

5.3 Company Cancellations

We reserve the right to cancel tours due to:

• Insufficient minimum participants (for group tours)
• Severe weather or unsafe conditions
• Unexpected closure of attractions
• Force majeure events (see Section 11)
• Guide illness or unavailability

If we cancel your tour, you will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule. We are not responsible for any additional costs you may incur (e.g., hotel bookings, flights, other travel expenses).

6. Tour Participation and Conduct

6.1 Customer Responsibilities

• Arrive at meeting points on time (late arrivals may result in tour forfeiture without refund)
• Bring valid photo ID/passport if required for entry to attractions
• Wear appropriate clothing (Vatican requires covered shoulders and knees; no shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops)
• Follow guide instructions and venue rules
• Respect other tour participants and local customs
• Inform us in advance of any mobility issues, dietary restrictions, or special requirements
• Be physically capable of completing the tour (most tours involve 2-4 hours of walking)

6.2 Prohibited Conduct

We reserve the right to remove participants who:

• Are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
• Behave disruptively, offensively, or dangerously
• Refuse to follow guide or venue instructions
• Damage property or historical artifacts
• Harass staff, guides, or other participants

No refund will be provided if you are removed from a tour due to inappropriate conduct.

6.3 Age Restrictions

• Children under 6: Free admission but must be supervised at all times
• Children 6-17: Reduced rates apply (must be accompanied by an adult)
• Vatican tours: All ages welcome with appropriate supervision
• Golf cart tours: Children must be able to sit safely without car seats

7. Health, Safety, and Accessibility

7.1 Physical Requirements

Our tours involve:

• Extended walking (typically 2-4 hours)
• Standing for long periods
• Navigating stairs, cobblestones, and uneven surfaces
• Outdoor exposure to weather conditions

Please consult your physician if you have any health concerns. Inform us in advance of any medical conditions, mobility limitations, or accessibility needs so we can accommodate you.

7.2 Accessibility

We strive to make tours accessible to all. However, some historical sites have limited wheelchair access:

• Vatican Museums: Wheelchair accessible with elevators
• Colosseum: Limited wheelchair access; arena floor not accessible
• Roman Forum: Uneven terrain, challenging for wheelchairs
• Historic Rome: Many cobblestone streets

Please contact us before booking to discuss specific accessibility requirements.

7.3 Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and personal liability. Rome Tour Operator does not provide insurance coverage for tour participants.

8. Intellectual Property

All content on rometouroperator.it, including text, images, logos, tour descriptions, photographs, and videos, is the intellectual property of Rome Tour Operator or our licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may not:

• Copy, reproduce, or redistribute our content without written permission
• Use our trademarks, logos, or brand names without authorization
• Create derivative works based on our content
• Use automated tools to scrape or extract data from our website

Photography is generally permitted during tours for personal use only. Commercial use requires prior written consent. Some venues (e.g., Sistine Chapel) strictly prohibit photography.

9. Limitation of Liability

9.1 Service Disclaimer

While we strive to provide exceptional service, we cannot guarantee:

• Uninterrupted access to attractions due to unexpected closures
• Specific viewing times or crowd levels at popular sites
• Weather conditions
• Actions or conduct of third-party service providers
• Personal compatibility with tour guides or other participants

9.2 Liability Limitations

To the fullest extent permitted by Italian law:

• Rome Tour Operator is not liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
• Our total liability for any claim is limited to the amount you paid for the specific tour
• We are not responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings
• We are not liable for personal injury except where caused by our negligence
• We are not responsible for delays, cancellations, or closures beyond our control

9.3 Third-Party Services

We work with independent contractors (guides, drivers, ticket vendors). While we carefully select our partners, we are not liable for their actions, omissions, or negligence beyond our reasonable control.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Rome Tour Operator, its directors, employees, guides, and agents from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any laws or regulations
• Your violation of any rights of third parties
• Your conduct during tours or use of our services
• Damage you cause to property or persons

11. Force Majeure

We are not liable for failure to perform our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including:

• Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, severe weather)
• Pandemics or public health emergencies
• War, terrorism, or civil unrest
• Government restrictions or regulations
• Labor strikes or disputes
• Utility failures or infrastructure problems
• Unexpected closures of attractions

In such events, we will offer rescheduling or a full refund but are not responsible for any additional costs or losses.

12. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

12.1 Informal Resolution

If you have a complaint or dispute, please contact us first at rometouroperator@gmail.com. We are committed to resolving issues amicably and will make every effort to address your concerns within 14 days.

12.2 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Italy. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Rome, Italy.

12.3 EU Consumer Rights

If you are a consumer resident in the European Union, you retain all statutory rights under EU consumer protection laws that cannot be waived by contract.

13. General Provisions

13.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any booking confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between you and Rome Tour Operator.

13.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full effect.

13.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision does not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

13.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your booking without our written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations under these Terms.

13.5 Language

These Terms are provided in English. Translations may be available for convenience, but the English version prevails in case of discrepancies.

14. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms or any aspect of our services: