Terms & Conditions

Deux Siècles d’Au Ver à Soie (the “Retreat”) is organised and operated by MNR Travel Ltd, trading as Creative Travel Services (“CTS”), a company registered in Scotland under Company Number SC487603, with its registered office at 55 Westfield Avenue, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5AA, United Kingdom.When CTS accepts your booking and issues written confirmation, a contract is formed between MNR Travel Ltd and the person making the booking and, where applicable, each person named on that booking.Au Ver à Soie, the embroidery tutors, Château de Chambord, accommodation providers, venues and otherparticipating organisations are collaborators, hosts or suppliers to the Retreat. Unless expressly stated otherwise, they are not the organiser of the Retreat and do not assume the contractual responsibilities of CTS.

The Retreat is scheduled to take place in the Loire Valley, France, from 12 September to 18 September 2027, comprising six nights and seven days.The Retreat is designed as a premium embroidery and cultural experience celebrating the heritage of Au Ver à Soie and bringing together specialist embroidery tuition, accommodation, group meals, transportation and cultural experiences.The precise programme will be detailed in the itinerary and booking information supplied by CTS.The itinerary published before departure represents CTS’s intended programme. Some elements may remain subject to confirmation and reasonable alteration as planning develops.

Participants must normally be18 years of age or olderat the start of the Retreat.By making a booking, you confirm that you and all persons included in your booking satisfy this requirement

The Retreat requires a minimum of 30 paying guests to operate.If the minimum number is not reached, CTS reserves the right to cancel the Retreat subject to applicable law and the cancellation provisions contained in these Terms.If CTS cancels the Retreat because minimum numbers have not been achieved, all monies paid to CTS for the Retreat will be refunded.CTS will not be responsible for independently booked arrangements or consequential costs outside the Retreat package, including flights, separate accommodation, insurance premiums, visas or other personal travel arrangements, except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded.

A non-refundable deposit equal to 20% of the total retreat price is required to secure your place. A booking is not confirmed until:

• the required booking information has been provided;

• CTS has received the deposit; and

• CTS has issued written booking confirmation.

If the required deposit is not received within seven days of a provisional booking, CTS may release the place to another guest.Your deposit forms part of the total Retreat price.

The remaining balance of the Retreat price is due 90 days before the commencement of the Retreat. For the Retreat beginning on 12 September 2027, the final balance will therefore be due by 14 June 2027.Bookings accepted after the final balance date must be paid in full at the time of booking.If payment is not received by the specified deadline, CTS will contact you regarding the outstanding amount. If payment remains unpaid, CTS reserves the right to treat the booking as cancelled by you and apply the cancellation charges set out in these Terms.

All Retreat prices are quoted and payable in euros (€) unless expressly stated otherwise.Prices are quoted per person based upon the accommodation and occupancy option selected.Once your booking has been confirmed, CTS will not change the price merely because of ordinary movements in foreign exchange rates.Any price adjustment permitted after booking will only be made where allowed by applicable law and these Terms.Optional services, personal expenditure and items not expressly stated as included in the Retreat price are payable separately.

Comprehensive personal travel insurance is strongly recommended for every participant. CTS particularly recommends insurance providing appropriate cover for:

• cancellation and curtailment;

• illness or injury before or during the Retreat;

• emergency medical treatment and repatriation;

• travel disruption and missed transport connections;

• loss, theft or damage to baggage and personal possessions; and

• personal liability.

Participants are strongly encouraged to arrange appropriate insurance as soon as their booking is confirmed, rather than waiting until shortly before departure.It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that the insurance purchased is suitable for their individual circumstances and adequately covers the Retreat. CTS cannot accept responsibility for losses which could reasonably have been covered by appropriate travel insurance, except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded.

All cancellations must be made in writing by the person who made the booking.The effective cancellation date will be the date CTS receives the written cancellation.The following cancellation charges will apply:

More than 90 days before the Retreat:T

he 20% deposit is retained.

90–61 days before the Retreat:

50% of the total Retreat price.

60–31 days before the Retreat:

75% of the total Retreat price.

30 days or fewer before the Retreat:

100% of the total Retreat price.

Where the amount already paid exceeds the applicable cancellation charge, the balance will be refunded.

CTS may, at its discretion, make reasonable efforts to resell a cancelled place. Where CTS successfully resells the place without financial loss, CTS may reduce the cancellation charge after deducting reasonable administrative costs and any costs or losses which cannot be recovered. This is not guaranteed

No refund will normally be made for services voluntarily not used, late arrival, missed activities or early departure.

These provisions do not affect any statutory cancellation rights that cannot legally be excluded.

If you are unable to attend, you may request to transfer your booking to another person who satisfies all conditions applicable to the Retreat.Requests must be submitted to CTS in writing.The replacement participant must accept these Terms & Conditions and provide all information reasonably required by CTS. Where the transfer is requested more than eight weeks before the Retreat, CTS will normally make the transfer without an administration fee, although any additional costs actually imposed by suppliers may be payable.Where the transfer is requested within eight weeks of the commencement of the Retreat, an administration fee of €100 will apply, together with any additional reasonable costs actually incurred as a result of the transfer. Where applicable law requires transfer charges to reflect actual reasonable costs, that requirement will take precedence.The original participant and replacement participant remain responsible for ensuring all outstanding monies are paid.

CTS will make reasonable efforts to accommodate requested changes to a confirmed booking, including changes to occupancy or accommodation arrangements, but cannot guarantee that changes will be possible.

Any change is subject to availability and any additional costs arising from it.Requests to change from shared accommodation to single occupancy will be subject to availability and payment of the applicable single-occupancy supplement.

Shared-room prices are available only where two participants who know each other choose to book together and agree to share a room.CTS will not match individual guests with strangers for the purpose of creating shared-room bookings.Both guests sharing a room should identify their intended roommate when booking or within any deadline specified by CTS.

If one person in a shared-room booking subsequently cancels or withdraws, the remaining participant maybe required to:

• pay the applicable single-room supplement;

• nominate an eligible replacement roommate; or

• accept another accommodation solution offered by CTS.

Any adjustment will depend on availability and the circumstances at the time.

Accommodation will be provided at one of the Retreat’s selected properties.Room sizes, layouts, decoration, views and facilities may vary, particularly where hotels are historic, independently operated or boutique properties.Photographs and descriptions are intended to provide a fair representation of the accommodation but do not guarantee allocation of a particular room unless expressly confirmed by CTS in writing.

Requests concerning bed configuration, room location, accessibility or other preferences will be passed tothe accommodation provider where appropriate but cannot be guaranteed unless CTS expressly confirms the request as part of the contract.

CTS will make every reasonable effort to operate the Retreat in accordance with the published programme.The nature of a multi-venue cultural Retreat means that adjustments may occasionally be necessary.

Examples of minor or operational changes may include:

• adjustments to timings;

• changes to the order in which activities take place;

• alterations to transport schedules;

• changes of classroom or room within a venue;

• changes of restaurant or meal location;

• alteration of a menu;

• use of a comparable venue;

• adjustments resulting from the requirements of a château, museum, historic property or local authority; and

• other changes which do not materially alter the overall character or quality of the Retreat.

Such changes will not normally entitle a participant to cancel or receive compensation.Where CTS is required to make a significant change affecting a substantial element of the Retreat before departure, CTS will notify affected participants as soon as reasonably possible and provide the options required by applicable law.

The specialist tutors are an important part of the Retreat and CTS recognises that many participants may choose to attend partly because of the involvement of particular tutors.CTS therefore intends to provide the tutors advertised for the Retreat and will make every reasonable effort to do so.

However, a tutor or specialist contributor may become unable to participate because of illness, accident, bereavement, serious personal circumstances, travel disruption or another circumstance outside the reasonable control of CTS.Where this occurs, CTS may appoint a suitably qualified replacement tutor or modify the teaching programme.

The Retreat includes specialist embroidery tuition delivered through a planned programme of classes.Project designs, techniques, materials, colours, threads and other teaching components may be refined or altered before the Retreat.CTS and the tutors do not guarantee that every participant will complete every project during the scheduled tuition time.Progress will depend upon individual experience, working speed, skill and the complexity of each project.

Unless otherwise stated, the required materials for the scheduled projects will be provided as part of the Retreat.Participants remain responsible for bringing any personal embroidery equipment specified in the joining instructions.

Embroidery designs, patterns, class notes, teaching materials, illustrations, photographs and other creative materials supplied during the Retreat remain the intellectual property of the applicable tutor, designer, Au Ver à Soie or other rights holder.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, such materials are supplied for the participant’s personal, non-commercial use.

Participants may not reproduce, distribute, teach from, sell, publish or commercially exploit protected designs or teaching materials without the permission of the relevant rights holder.

Visits to Château de Chambord and other cultural or historic properties are subject to the operational requirements, opening arrangements, safety procedures and access restrictions imposed by those venues.CTS cannot control decisions made by such institutions concerning room access, exhibitions, restricted areas, performances, opening arrangements or temporary closures.Where a planned component becomes unavailable, CTS will make reasonable efforts to provide an appropriate alternative or adjust the programme.A change to an individual room, tour route, performance, exhibition or comparable element will not normally constitute a significant change where the overall cultural experience remains substantially intact.19

The Retreat includes those group transfers and transportation specifically identified as included in the published programme or booking confirmation.

Participants must be present at designated meeting points at the stated departure times.Because transport arrangements operate for the group as a whole, coaches and other group transportation cannot normally be delayed for late participants.

A participant who misses an included transfer may be responsible for making and paying for their own alternative transportation.Flights and other international travel to and from the Retreat are not included unless expressly stated otherwise in the booking confirmation.

Participants are responsible for arranging their travel to the designated arrival point and their onward travel following the Retreat unless a particular transfer is expressly included in their booking.CTS may provide suggested arrival times, airports, railway stations, routes or services for information andcoordination purposes. Unless those services form part of the contracted package, they remain independent arrangements made at the participant’s own risk.CTS strongly recommends allowing adequate time between international travel and the beginning or end of the Retreat.

This Retreat requires a reasonable to good level of mobility and physical stamina.

Participants should expect:

• regular walking;

• periods of standing;

• stairs;

• cobbled, gravelled or uneven surfaces;

• historic buildings where lifts may not be available;

• walking between coach drop-off points and entrances;

• large château and estate environments;

• potentially lengthy days away from the hotel; and

• movement between classrooms, dining areas and visitor attractions.

Participants should not assume that every area of every historic property will be accessible by lift or suitable for persons with restricted mobility.

The Retreat may therefore be unsuitable for someone who cannot comfortably walk reasonable distances, negotiate stairs or uneven surfaces, or participate in a full day’s programme without significant additional assistance.

CTS will provide reasonable information about known accessibility arrangements and will consider reasonable requests for assistance. However, CTS cannot guarantee that all parts of the programme can bemade accessible.If you have mobility limitations that may materially affect your ability to participate, you should discuss them with CTSbefore booking.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that they are medically and physically able to participate in the Retreat.

You should inform CTS before travel of any health condition, disability, mobility issue or other requirement that could materially affect:

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• your ability to participate;

• the safety or welfare of yourself or another person; or

• the arrangements CTS or its suppliers may reasonably need to make.

CTS will make reasonable efforts to assist and accommodate disclosed requirements but cannot guaranteethat every requirement can be met, particularly in historic buildings and third-party venues.Participants remain responsible for bringing any medication, mobility equipment or personal assistance they require.

Participants should advise CTS of dietary requirements and serious food allergies within the requested timeframe.

CTS will pass notified requirements to relevant hotels, restaurants, caterers and other suppliers and will make reasonable efforts to assist.

However, meals are prepared by independent third-party suppliers and CTS cannot guarantee an entirely allergen-free environment.

Participants with potentially serious or life-threatening allergies remain responsible for taking appropriateprecautions, carrying any required medication and making CTS aware of their requirements.Dietary preferences will be accommodated where reasonably possible but cannot always be guaranteed.

CTS will make reasonable efforts to communicate special requests to relevant suppliers.A special request does not form part of the contract unless CTS has expressly confirmed in writing that it is guaranteed.

Failure to satisfy a non-guaranteed request does not constitute a breach of contract.

Participants are expected to behave respectfully towards fellow guests, tutors, hosts, CTS staff, suppliers, venue staff and members of the public.

CTS will not tolerate:

• violence or threats;

• abusive, discriminatory or seriously offensive behaviour;

• harassment;

• conduct creating a material risk to another person’s safety;

• deliberate damage to property;

• repeated serious disruption of the Retreat; or

• serious breaches of local law or venue requirements.

CTS may take reasonable action where a participant’s behaviour significantly affects the safety, wellbeing or enjoyment of others.In serious cases, CTS may terminate that participant’s participation in the Retreat.

A participant removed for misconduct will not normally be entitled to a refund and will be responsible forany resulting accommodation, transportation or other costs.Participants are responsible for paying for damage or loss they cause to hotels, venues or other property.

Photography and filming may take place during the Retreat for documentary, editorial and promotional purposes connected with CTS, the Retreat and its collaborators.

CTS will respect reasonable requests from participants who do not wish to appear prominently in promotional photography or video.

Participants who do not wish their identifiable image to be used for promotional purposes should inform CTS in writing before the Retreat.

Because the Retreat is a group event in public and shared spaces, CTS cannot guarantee that a participant will never appear incidentally in background imagery.

Participants are welcome to take personal photographs where permitted.

Photography, filming or recording may be restricted in particular classes, exhibitions, historic properties or private areas.

Participants must comply with instructions from CTS, tutors and venue staff.

Participants must also respect the privacy of fellow guests and should not publish identifiable photographs or recordings of another participant where that participant has reasonably asked not to be photographed or recorded.

Tutors may restrict photography, copying or recording of proprietary teaching materials or demonstrations.

CTS uses independent third-party suppliers including hotels, restaurants, transport companies, tutors, guides, caterers, cultural institutions and venues to provide elements of the Retreat.

Those suppliers may impose reasonable operational, safety and access requirements that participants mustfollow.

The use of third-party suppliers does not remove any responsibility CTS has under applicable package travel legislation for the proper performance of travel services included within the package.

CTS is not responsible for independent services or arrangements purchased directly by a participant which do not form part of the Retreat contract.

CTS accepts no responsibility for flights, accommodation, transfers, excursions, restaurant bookings or other services independently purchased by participants and not included in their confirmed Retreat package, except where liability arises under applicable law.

Participants are responsible for allowing adequate connection times and for managing independently arranged travel disruption.

Events may occasionally occur which neither CTS nor its suppliers could reasonably control or avoid.

These may include, depending on the circumstances:

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• severe weather or natural disaster;

• fire or flooding;

• epidemic or serious public-health event;

• war, threat of war, terrorism or civil unrest;

• government action or restrictions;

• border closures;

• major industrial disputes or strikes;

• significant transport disruption;

• closure of cultural institutions or public infrastructure; or

• other comparable events beyond reasonable control.

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Where such circumstances affect the Retreat, CTS will act reasonably and in accordance with applicable law.

Nothing in this clause is intended to remove any refund, assistance or other right that a participant has under applicable package travel legislation.Where the Retreat can continue safely and legally but a participant independently chooses not to travel, the normal cancellation terms will apply unless the participant has a statutory right to cancel.This is one of the reasons comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.

CTS reserves the right to make changes where reasonably necessary for operational reasons, supplier changes or circumstances outside its control.

Minor changes will not normally give rise to a right to cancel.If

CTS is required before departure to make a significant change to a main characteristic of the Retreat, CTS will provide the participant with the information and options required by applicable law.If

CTS cancels the Retreat, participants will receive the refunds required by applicable law.

CTS will not ordinarily be responsible for costs associated with independently booked flights, visas, insurance premiums or other arrangements outside the Retreat package.

If you experience a problem with any aspect of the Retreat, you must notify a CTS representative as soon as reasonably possible.

This is important because it gives CTS and the relevant supplier an opportunity to investigate and, where possible, rectify the problem while the Retreat is taking place.Where appropriate, CTS may offer an alternative arrangement or other reasonable solution.Participants are expected to take reasonable steps to minimise avoidable loss or inconvenience.

If a problem cannot be resolved during the Retreat, you should submit your complaint to CTS in writing as soon as reasonably possible and preferably within 28 days of the end of the Retreat.

Please provide:

• your name;

• booking reference;

• a clear description of the issue;

• details of when it was reported during the Retreat; and

• any relevant supporting information or documentation.

CTS will investigate the matter and respond appropriately.

The 28-day request is intended to facilitate prompt investigation and does not remove statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Participants are responsible for ensuring they meet all passport, visa, immigration, customs and entry requirements applicable to their nationality and personal circumstances.

This includes ensuring that passports remain valid for the required period.Participants are also responsible for complying with any applicable health or entry documentation requirements.CTS may provide general information but cannot determine an individual’s eligibility to enter France or another country.CTS is not responsible where a participant cannot travel or is refused entry because they do not possess the correct documentation.

Participants must provide CTS with accurate information reasonably required to administer and operate the Retreat.

This will include, where applicable:

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• full legal name exactly as shown on the participant’s passport;

• date of birth;

• nationality;

• passport number;

• passport issue and expiry dates;

• country of issue;

• contact details;

• emergency contact details;

• accommodation requirements;

• dietary information;

• mobility or accessibility information;

• arrival and departure details; and

• any other information reasonably required for accommodation, transportation, venue access or other services forming part of the Retreat.

Passport information will be required from all participants prior to the Retreat.

CTS will advise participants of the deadline and secure method for providing this information.Participants are responsible for ensuring that all passport information supplied to CTS is complete and accurate and corresponds with the passport they intend to use for travel.Passport and other personal information will only be collected, retained and shared where reasonably necessary for the administration and delivery of the Retreat or where required by a supplier or competent authority, and will be handled in accordance with applicable data-protection law.Failure to provide required information by the stated deadline may affect CTS’s ability to provide certain services.

CTS will not be responsible for additional costs or disruption resulting from materially inaccurate information supplied by a participant.

CTS makes reasonable efforts to ensure that information relating to the Retreat is accurate when published.

However, the Retreat is planned considerably in advance and some programme details may evolve.Images used on websites, brochures and promotional materials are illustrative and may include rooms, locations, food, activities or settings representative of the experience rather than the exact service ultimately provided.

Nothing in this clause permits CTS to disregard information which forms part of the contract or any statutory obligation concerning pre-contract information.

CTS will provide the services falling within its responsibility with reasonable care and skill and in accordance with applicable law.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or restricts liability where it would be unlawful to do so, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence.CTS will not be responsible for loss or damage arising from:

• the participant’s own act or omission;

• the act or omission of an unrelated third party not connected with provision of the contracted services where the circumstances could not reasonably have been foreseen or avoided;

• unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, subject to applicable statutory rights; or

• independent activities or services that do not form part of the Retreat package.

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Participants are expected to take reasonable care of their own valuables and possessions.Any limitation of liability contained in these Terms applies only to the extent permitted by applicable law.

If a participant experiences genuine difficulty during the Retreat, CTS will provide reasonable assistance appropriate to the circumstances.

This may include providing information concerning medical services, local authorities or consular assistance and helping the participant identify alternative travel arrangements.

Where the difficulty has been caused intentionally by the participant or through their negligence, CTS may charge a reasonable fee for assistance where permitted by law, limited to the actual costs incurred.

CTS will process personal information supplied in connection with a booking for legitimate purposes connected with administering and operating the Retreat and in accordance with applicable data-protection law.

Because the operation of the Retreat requires the collection of passport and other identification information, CTS will take reasonable organisational and technical measures to protect this information and will retain it only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected or as required by law.

Information may, where necessary, be shared with hotels, transport operators, venues, tutors, restaurants, public authorities and other suppliers involved in delivering the Retreat.

Only information reasonably necessary for providing the relevant service will be shared.CTS may use email and other appropriate communication platforms to distribute operational information concerning the Retreat.

Where a group messaging service such as WhatsApp is used, participation in the group will be voluntary unless CTS advises that it is required for a specific operational reason and provides an appropriate alternative where reasonably possible.Marketing communications will be handled separately and in accordance with applicable consent requirements.

If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect.

Any invalid provision will be interpreted or modified only to the minimum extent necessary to make it lawful and enforceable where possible.

These Terms & Conditions and any contract arising from them are governed byScots law.

Subject to any mandatory consumer right to bring proceedings in another competent jurisdiction, disputes arising from the booking or Retreat will be subject to the jurisdiction of theScottish courts.

By submitting a booking and paying the required deposit, the person making the booking confirms that:

• they have read and accepted these Terms & Conditions;

• the information provided to CTS is accurate to the best of their knowledge;

• they are authorised to make the booking on behalf of any other participant included in it; and

• they will ensure that every participant included in the booking is made aware of these Terms & Conditions.

MNR Travel Ltd trading as Creative Travel Services

55 Westfield Avenue

Cupar, Fife

KY15 5AA

United Kingdom

Company Number: SC487603