Frequently Asked Questions

General Retreat Information

How do I register?
Click the links below for the registration form. Print out and complete the registration form and send it, with your check, to La Dolce Vita Retreats at:

La Dolce Vita Retreats, LLC
3350 Watermarke Place
Irvine, CA 92612
Registration form in Word DOC format
Registration form in PDF format
What is included in the retreat cost?
RATES: La Dolce Vita Retreats are scheduled for 6 nights, with arrival beginning Sunday after 3 p.m. and departing the following Saturday morning by noon. Your retreat includes the following:
- 6 nights in gracious accommodations in magnificent locales
- 6 fresh and healthy breakfasts; 3 to 5 delicious lunches (see specific retreat details) featuring the cuisine of the region; 6 sumptuous gourmet dinners showcasing the local delicacies and delighting your palate
- Use of all spa facilities, where applicable.
- Spa treatments package, where applicable (see specific retreat details)
- Fitness classes
- Daily yoga, meditation or other mind-body disciplines
- Daily journaling, visioning and life coaching incorporated into scheduled activities
- Educational presentations and workshops by our guest faculty
- Studio Arts and Crafts (see specific retreat details) – classes or on your own
- Cooking demonstrations, where applicable
- wine tastings
- Sporting activities – i.e. sailing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, horseback riding – depending on location
- One individual lifestyle consultation with practitioner (faculty vary depending on retreat)
- Planned group excursions, as noted on the detailed itineraries, including transportation
- Various performances by local musicians
- Round-trip ground transportation to and from the European gateway city airport indicated on the itinerary.
Rates are per person and may fluctuate with the exchange rate of the Euro.
Rates do not include international airfare or national flights within the designated region/country or any taxes.
The following are NOT included: International and domestic airfares; excess baggage charges; airport arrival and departure taxes; travel insurance; meals, wines, or sightseeing not included in itinerary; personal expenses such as laundry and communication charges; gratuities, email/fax/telephone charges, and hotel minibar
When will the actual hotel locations, retreat prices and specific activities and excursions be published?
HOTELS, PRICING and ACTIVITIES:
The final detailed itineraries including selected hotel venues, retreat costs and specific activities are listed on the retreat pages.
When will the guest faculty for the individual retreats be published?
GUEST FACULTY:
Guest faculty biographies will be posted on an ongoing basis beginning September 2008. The biographies will include education, areas of expertise and interest, any programs created, centers established and any authored publications. In addition, if applicable, links to their websites will be included.
All faculty assignments for the 2009 season are now published.
What is the cancellation policy?
RESERVATION AND CANCELLATION POLICY:
Reservation and cancellation policy is specified in our Terms and Conditions. We accept checks, cashier’s checks and wire transfers. We accept credit card payments through PayPal. Registration forms can be downloaded and the completed form mailed with your check or credit card information to:
La Dolce Vita Retreats
3350 Watermarke Place
Irvine, CA 92612
As we are unable to transfer deposits and/or payments to other scheduled retreats, we strongly encourage you to obtain trip insurance as injury or illness does not exempt you from the cancellation policy.
Is transportation available from the airport to the retreat site and back?
AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM RETREAT:
Your retreat begins when you are greeted at the gateway city listed on the itinerary and transported to the hotel.

TERMS & CONDITIONS: ITINERARY: La Dolce Vita Retreats, LLC will make every effort to keep to the advertised route, but reserves the right to make changes at their discretion. RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT: To reserve a space on a tour, a reservation deposit is required per person. The balance of the total cost of the trip is required at the office of La Dolce Vita Retreats, LLC (herein referred to as LDVR) no later than 60 days before your departure. If your reservation is made within 60 days of departure, the entire cost of the trip must be paid at the time of reservation. If final payment is not received when due, LDVR reserves the right to cancel trip and no refund will be made on deposit. CANCELLATIONS: A non-refundable per person deposit (see individual tour for amount) is required to reserve a space. Balance is requested 60 days before departure. All monies are non-refundable. Exceptions to this policy cannot be made for any reason, including personal emergencies. Travel insurance is highly recommended. There is no refund for leaving a program early or arriving late. GENERAL LIABILITY: La Dolce Vita Retreats, LLC (herein referred to as LDVR) acts only as an Agent for the hotels, tour operator and vehicle hire companies, (herein referred to as Suppliers). All coupons, receipts, contracts and tickets issued by LDVR are subjectto any and all terms, tariff restrictions and services whatsoever offered by the Suppliers. By acceptance of such documents, the traveler agrees to the forgoing and also agrees that neither LDVR nor any affiliate companies shall be or become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage to person, property or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportationor other service or resulting directly or indirectly from beyond LDVR's control. LDVR does not accept liability for failure on the part of transport companies whose responsibility is confined to their own operations. LDVR, its agents or employees are not liable for the following: 1. Any event beyond their control, included (but not limited to) war, disturbance, fire, flood, unusually severe weather, acts of God, act of Government or other authorities, accident or failure of equipment or industrial actions (whether or not including LDVR's or Suppliers employees); nor2. Any act of commission whatsoever (whether within or outside their control) in relation to any booking, contract, travel, accommodation, excursion or other vacation service (including the carriage of baggage) which results in any direct, indirect or consequential loss, damage, death, injury, delay, liability, additional expenses or inconvenience. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: If you do not hold an American passport, you must have a valid visa to enter Italy and France. Persons holding other passports must advise their travel consultant at the time of booking and will be advised on special entry requirements necessary. TRAVEL INSURANCE: LDVR accepts no liability or obligation for any death, illness or injury or loss or damage to baggage or personal property caused to or suffered by you in relation to your tour, and any medical condition being taken that may affect your health or ability must be notified to LDVR in advance and in writing and must be accompanied by a doctor’scertificate as to fitness. You are strongly advised to obtain adequate insurance coverage for all eventualities connected with your tour.