Policies, Terms and Conditions

Food and Travel Odyssey, updated July 2026

Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

This website is owned and operated by Food & Travel Odyssey.

Access to and use of this website is subject to acceptance of, and compliance with, the Terms & Conditions, notices, disclaimers, policies, and other information contained within this document and throughout the website.

By accessing, browsing, using, or booking through this website, you acknowledge and agree to be bound by these General Conditions and all applicable Terms & Conditions outlined by Food & Travel Odyssey and Ioanna Lappas.

By booking the retreat and/or tour, participants confirm they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions

Amendments to Terms and Conditions

Food and Travel Odyssey reserves the right to amend, update, or modify these General Conditions and Terms and Conditions at any time without prior notice.

Any amendments become effective immediately upon publication on the website.

It is the responsibility of participants and website users to review the Terms and Conditions periodically to remain informed of any updates or changes.

Continued use of this website and/or participation in any retreat or tour constitutes acceptance of the current Terms and Conditions.

Booking and Payments

A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place on the retreat/tour.

Once booking is made and the $1,000 deposit is paid there is a 2 week cooling off period. After 2 weeks the deposit is non refundable.

Final payment must be completed by the specified due date provided upon booking.

Payment plans may be available upon request.

Prices are listed in AUD unless otherwise stated.

Failure to complete payments by the due date may result in cancellation of your booking and forfeiture of payments already made.

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions

Review each tour / retreat description to determine what is included and excluded on each trip. Most tours and retreats are fully guided, but some activities are optional and may be self-guided, so they vary depending on what is included.

Our tours and retreats do not include the city taxes imposed by local councils, which must be paid individually at each hotel. The cost may vary, and while we notify you in advance, we are not responsible for any local tax increase.

We do not cover travel costs to reach the starting point, including international or domestic airfare, domestic trains or buses, medical insurance, excess baggage charges, or any personal expenses.

Any unpaid optional tours or sightseeing events listed in the tour brochure must be paid for locally if you choose to participate. All drinks, except those served during our welcome and farewell dinners, are excluded.

Please specify any special dietary requirements. Our hotel and partners can cater for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-intolerant participants; however, we must be notified of these before arriving on tour / retreat. We will endeavour to our best ability to cater for Vegan, Vegetarian or any other allergy related foods. We will not take responsibility, or be liable for, any unfortunate consequences or dietary reactions.

Cancellation Policy

Due to the nature of retreat/tour planning, accommodation bookings, and supplier commitments, the following cancellation terms apply

Cancellation Schedule (Guest Cancellations)

Read more about our cancellations policy below.

60 days before the tour/retreat starts final payment is due. No refunds are provided after this point.

If booking is cancelled for any reason within 90 days of the tour/retreat start date, 25% of the total fee will be non-refundable, for payments made to suppliers. A full comprehensive insurance is advisable.

Deposits are non-refundable.
Cancellations made after final payment may not be eligible for refund.

No refunds will be issued for unused portions of the tour / retreat, including accommodation, meals, transfers, or activities.

At the discretion of Food and Travel Odyssey, payments forfeited due to cancellation by a participant may be used to fund another future retreat or tour organised by Food and Travel Odyssey, within 1 year.

This is why travel insurance is compulsory. We suggest taking out travel insurance within 2 weeks of booking your tour.

Each trip might have specific policies relating to that retreat or tour. Check the webpage for specific or updated information.

Payment of your deposit indicates your agreement to the cancellation policy and to our terms and conditions as stated above.

Circumstances That Do Not Qualify for a Refund

Failure to Read Terms and Conditions

Refunds will not be issued if you have not read and understood our Terms & Conditions, website terms of use, privacy policy, and any fine print for your tour or retreat.

Read and signed of agreement policy and conditions.

Change of Mind

Refunds will not be issued if you change your mind after paying your deposit, regardless of the reason, as specified under the Cancellations policy.

Cancellations within 60 days of travel date

Refunds will not be issued if you cancel within 60 days of your travel.

Unmet general expectations

Refunds will not be issued if the tour/retreat experience did not meet your general expectations, regardless of the reason.

Inability to travel due to personal reasons

Refunds will not be issued if you are unable to travel due to a medical condition or any other personal reason. Cancellations on medical grounds should be covered by your travel insurer.

No-show

Refunds will not be issued if you fail to show up, or if the supplier or airline decides to cancel the booking.

Retreat/Tour Cancellation by Organiser

We can cancel the retreat/tour if it does not reach the minimum number of participants required for the tour/retreat to go ahead, or for any other reason. This will be communicated to participants via email.

The minimum number of participants required varies by tour and retreat and will be stated in the information associated with each tour/retreat. For example, the minimum number of participants for the Greece Cultural Tour 2027 is 8.

If Food & Travel Odyssey cancels the tour / retreat— including where the minimum number of participants is not reached — a full refund, including the deposit, will be provided to each participant.

In the unlikely event that the tour/retreat must be cancelled by the organiser due to unforeseen circumstances, participants will receive a refund of payments made excluding any non-recoverable third-party expenses already incurred.

The organiser is not responsible for additional expenses such as flights, travel insurance, visas or personal costs.

Travel Insurance

Compulsory for all travel and retreat packages.

We recommend comprehensive travel insurance to cover cancellations, medical requirements, luggage, and any other additional expenses.

We recommend getting insurance as soon as you pay your deposit.

Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory for all participants.

It is the sole responsibility of each traveller to obtain appropriate travel insurance coverage against potential risks associated with international travel, including but not limited to:

• medical emergencies
• cancellations
• travel delays
• personal injury
• lost or stolen belongings
• force majeure events
• and other unforeseen circumstances

Participants acknowledge that if travel plans are delayed, interrupted, altered, or cancelled for any reason, refunds will not be issued by Food & Travel Odyssey or Ioanna Lappas except where expressly stated within these Terms & Conditions.

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all participants.

Your insurance should include:

• medical coverage
• trip cancellation
• personal belongings
• travel delays
• emergency evacuation

Proof of insurance may be requested prior to departure.

Independent Activities

Should participants choose to separate from the group, leave scheduled activities, or travel independently during the tour/retreat, Food & Travel Odyssey and Ioanna Lappas accept no responsibility or liability for any incidents, losses, injuries, damages, or issues arising while participants are acting independently or outside the organised itinerary.

Passports, Visas and Entry Requirements

Participants are solely responsible for ensuring they:

• hold a valid passport with at least six (6) months validity beyond the date of return travel
• obtain all required visas, permits, and travel documentation
• comply with all entry, exit, health, and customs requirements for countries visited during the tour/retreat
• all travel documents are obtained before departure

Food and Travel Odyssey and Ioanna Lappas shall not be held liable for denied boarding, refused entry, visa issues, passport expiry, or failure to meet travel documentation requirements.

Client Names — Exactly as per Passport

For security reasons, airlines and our overseas suppliers require names to be given exactly as they appear in your passport. If you do not provide the correct information, there will be more paperwork and documents to re-issue, and you will be responsible for any fees charged, in addition to our own administration fees.

Accommodation

Accommodation is based on shared occupancy unless otherwise arranged.
Single supplement upgrades may be available at an additional cost and are subject to availability.

Twin Share Accommodation Option

If you have chosen a twin share room and have not nominated someone to share with, we will pair you up with the most suitable match we can. If this is not possible, the single room rate will apply, at your own expense.

Child under the age of 18 is must be solely responsible and accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For participants who have booked with a friend who has since cancelled, if we are unable to find a suitable person as a replacement, the single room rate will apply, at your own expense.

If the twin room is not suitable for one or both persons before the tour/retreat commences, both parties are responsible for paying a single supplement rate, at their own expense, negotiated with the hotel and only where available.

If you have chosen a twin share room and have not disclosed the necessary information to ensure a suitable match — such as snoring, use of a CPAP machine, smoking, or sleeping with the TV on — you may need to move to a single room at your own expense if there are roommate complaints.

Accommodation Changes

Due to the dynamic nature of the travel industry, Food and Travel Odyssey reserves the right to substitute hotels, vessels, or other forms of accommodation where necessary.

Where possible, any substituted accommodation will be of a comparable standard, quality, and location to that originally advertised.
Such changes may occur due to circumstances including, but not limited to:

• availability issues
• operational requirements
• supplier changes
• safety considerations
• force majeure events
• or circumstances beyond reasonable control

While every effort will be made to minimise disruption and maintain the quality of the experience, participants acknowledge that accommodation substitutions may occasionally be necessary and do not constitute grounds for refund or compensation.

Changes to Itinerary

While every effort will be made to operate the retreat as advertised, the organiser reserves the right to make reasonable changes to:

• accommodation
• activities
• transportation
• itinerary order

This may occur due to weather conditions, local circumstances, safety considerations, or operational requirements.

Participant Responsibilities During Tour

Tour/Retreat Start Date

You are responsible for being ready to depart at the designated departure point on the scheduled tour/retreat day and time. We are not liable for any losses resulting from cancelled or missed flights, changes to flight itineraries, late arrivals, or early departures. We highly recommend arriving at least 24 hours before the tour/retreat start date to avoid missing it in case of one of the events mentioned above. If you arrive late on the pickup day when the tour/retreat starts, all additional transfers and arrangements to reach the group will be at your expense.

Health and Fitness

Participants are responsible for ensuring they are physically capable of participating in the tour/retreat itinerary.

Some activities may involve:

• walking on uneven surfaces
• stairs and inclines
• moderate physical activity

Please advise the organiser of any medical conditions, dietary requirements, allergies, or mobility concerns prior to travel.

We Food and Travel Odyssey are not liable for any unfortunate events.

Our tours and retreats are designed for physically active individuals who are fully mobile and can walk for extended periods on any surface and terrain without issue. The demands vary depending on the specific tour/retreat itinerary, ranging from beginner (grade 1) to moderately challenging (grade 2–3) to physically challenging (grade 4–5) activities. As a result, good physical and mental health is critical for the pleasure and safety of our tours and retreats.

By agreeing to these Terms and Conditions, you certify that you do not have any physical, psychological, or other mental health conditions, such as severe anxiety or depression, that would create a hazard for you or other participants or tour/retreat guides, and would affect other people’s enjoyment of the tour or retreat.

For our walking and hiking trips, we require a private call to help assess if the tour/retreat is a good fit for you, and travel insurance for outdoor activities such as hiking. For some destinations, we may also request a medical certificate to ensure you can participate in all activities safely. We also reserve the right to cancel or refuse a booking if you are not fit for our tour or retreat.

Participant Conduct

To maintain a positive and respectful group environment, all participants are expected to behave respectfully toward fellow guests, guides, staff, and local communities.

The organiser reserves the right to remove any participant whose behaviour is disruptive, unsafe, or inappropriate, without refund.

Recreational drugs are prohibited.

Photography and Media

During the retreat/tour, photographs and videos may be captured for promotional and marketing purposes.

By attending the tour/retreat, participants consent to the use of images containing their likeness unless otherwise requested in writing prior to departure.

Limitations of Liability and Force Majeure

Food and Travel Odyssey and Ioanna Lappas shall not be held liable for any injury, loss, damage, delay, inconvenience, illness, accident, or expense sustained directly or indirectly in connection with accommodation, transportation, facilities, health risks, local laws, climate conditions, civil or political unrest, terrorism, war, natural disasters, government-imposed travel restrictions, pandemics, weather-related disruptions, supplier cancellations, or any other events occurring before or during the retreat or tour.

This exclusion of liability applies except where such loss or damage results directly from the proven negligence or wilful misconduct of Food and Travel Odyssey or Ioanna Lappas.

Liability as Organiser

Food and Travel Odyssey acts solely as an organiser of retreat/tour services and shall not be held liable for:

• injury, illness, loss or damage to personal belongings & travel delays
• acts of third parties, natural disasters, political unrest
• events beyond reasonable control

Participation in the tour/retreat is undertaken at the participant’s own risk.

We act only as a travel planner and /retreattour organiser, and as such, are intermediaries for the various independent suppliers that provide accommodation, meals, transportation, sightseeing, activities, or other goods and services associated with your retreat/tour (“Supplier” or “Suppliers”). As a result, we assume no responsibility for and cannot be held liable for any negligent or wilful act or failure to act of any Supplier, Partner, or any other person or entity. A Supplier’s services are subject to the Supplier’s terms and conditions and the local laws and regulations of the relevant country. We will not provide any refunds for a Supplier’s delay, cancellation, overbooking, or strike, or for elements of the retreat/tour that you do not use.

Force Majeure

Food and Travel Odyssey and Ioanna Lappas shall not be considered in breach of contract, nor liable for any delay, alteration, interruption, or failure in performance arising from circumstances beyond their reasonable control.

Such circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• acts of God
• natural disasters
• fire or extreme weather events
• war or threat of war
• civil unrest or political instability
• terrorism
• government actions or restrictions
• border closures
• epidemics or pandemics
• strikes or industrial disputes
• transportation disruptions
• supplier cancellations
• or any other force majeure event

Non-Refundable Third-Party Supplier Costs

In the event of cancellation, postponement, or alteration due to force majeure circumstances, participants acknowledge that any funds already paid and distributed to third-party suppliers — including but not limited to accommodation providers, transport operators, guides, venues, activity hosts, or service providers — may be non-refundable.

These payments are made in good faith to secure tour/retreat services on behalf of participants and are subject to the individual terms and conditions of those third-party suppliers.

Accordingly, Food and Travel Odyssey and Ioanna Lappas may be unable to recover or refund such amounts, even where the retreat or tour is cancelled, postponed, modified, or interrupted due to force majeure events or circumstances beyond reasonable control.

Participant Responsibility

By booking the retreat/tour, participants acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with international travel and agree that adequate travel insurance is essential to protect against unforeseen circumstances, including cancellations, medical emergencies, delays, or travel disruptions.

Online Content and User Postings

Food and Travel Odyssey reserves the right to remove, edit, refuse, or withdraw any material, content, comments, images, reviews, or postings published on this website, our social media channels (including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms), or any other associated platforms, without prior notice or permission.

Food and Travel Odyssey does not accept responsibility for user-generated content — including comments, posts, tags, reviews, direct messages, or other material posted by followers, participants, or members of the public on our website or social media channels — and does not authorise, condone, or permit any infringement of copyright, intellectual property rights, trademarks, or unlawful material posted by third parties.

Engaging with Food and Travel Odyssey on social media — including following, commenting, tagging, or sharing our content — does not create any contractual relationship or entitlement beyond what is set out in these Terms and Conditions.

Copyright Responsibility

Any individual or party submitting, posting, uploading, publishing, or tagging content on our website or social media channels acknowledges and warrants that:

• they own the material or have permission to use it
• the content does not infringe any copyright, trademark, privacy, or intellectual property rights
• and the content does not breach any applicable laws or regulations

Participants or users posting content agree to indemnify and hold harmless Food and Travel Odyssey and Ioanna Lappas against any loss, damage, claim, liability, or expense arising from copyright infringement or unlawful use of materials submitted by them.

Removal of Infringing Material

Any material identified as infringing copyright, intellectual property rights, or our website or social media policies may be removed or reported without notice as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of the issue.

Food and Travel Odyssey reserves the right to investigate complaints, and to block, restrict, or report any user across our website or social media channels, and take appropriate action where necessary.

External Links

This website may contain links, hyperlinks, or references to third-party websites, services, or external platforms for your convenience and information.

These external websites are not owned, operated, or controlled by Food & Travel Odyssey, and therefore Food & Travel Odyssey and Ioanna Lappas accept no responsibility for:

• the content of linked websites
• the accuracy of information provided
• third-party services or products
• website availability
• security practices
• or privacy policies of external sites

The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the third-party website or its content.

Third-Party Privacy Policies

Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies, terms, and conditions of any third-party websites they visit, as these may differ from those of Food and Travel Odyssey.

Accessing third-party links is undertaken entirely at the user’s own risk.

Linking to Food and Travel Odyssey

You are welcome to link to the Food and Travel Odyssey website from your own website, blog, or social media platform, provided that:

• the link is not misleading or deceptive
• it does not imply endorsement or partnership where none exists
• and it does not damage the reputation or integrity of Food and Travel Odyssey

Food and Travel Odyssey reserves the right to request removal of any link considered inappropriate, misleading, or harmful to the brand or business reputation.

Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability (Website Content)

The information contained on this website is provided in good faith and is believed to be accurate and current at the time of publication.

While Food and Travel Odyssey and Ioanna Lappas make every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of the information presented, no warranty or guarantee is given regarding the accuracy, reliability, suitability, or completeness of any content contained on this website.

No Warranty

Food & Travel Odyssey does not warrant that:

• the website content is free from errors or omissions
• the information is always current or complete
• the website will operate uninterrupted or error-free
• or that the website and its servers are free from viruses or harmful components

All information is provided on an “as is” basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Food and Travel Odyssey and Ioanna Lappas disclaim all liability for any loss, damage, cost, expense, or claim arising directly or indirectly from:

• reliance on information contained on this website
• errors or omissions in website content
• use of linked third-party websites
• interruptions or technical issues
• or decisions made or actions taken based on information provided through this website

This limitation applies whether arising in contract, tort (including negligence), statute, or otherwise.

User Responsibility

Users acknowledge that they use the information provided on this website at their own discretion and risk.

Food and Travel Odyssey shall not be liable to any user or third party for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon the information, materials, services, or content provided on this website.

Security

We strive to ensure the security, integrity, and privacy of personal information submitted to our site.

Unfortunately, no data transmission over the internet is guaranteed to be totally secure.

eBooks, online counselling, and email exchange will be provided to you in good faith.

Food & Travel Odyssey is not liable in any way for your subsequent use of these products or services.

Privacy Policy

Food and Travel Odyssey respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

In the course of providing our services, we may collect personal information in a variety of ways, including when you:

• visit our website
• submit an enquiry
• join our mailing list
• book or participate in a retreat or tour
• communicate with us via email, phone, social media, or online forms