FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSIf your question is about an individual tour, email us or phone on 00 54 11 47725839
Generally the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are about individual tour itineraries, however here are a few of the things that are generally asked prior to making a decision to travel to the region with us.
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Who are Robertson Wine Tours?Robertson Wine tours are a UK Ltd company. We run the company in Argentina to lower costs and keep close to the market that we are operating in. Tim Robertson the director and his staff have been operating successfully in Argentina for 4 years when the company started trading. The tours that we offer are not one size fits all, we have some suggested itineraries to give you a feel for what people have elected to do whilst they travel with Robertson wine tours. Each tour varies according to what the client is looking for. We have administrative staff in London and in Argentina including Christine Rasmussen and Clara Colonna. |
Who are Utopia Viajes ?This is an Argentine travel agency that is fully bonded under Argentine law. They book all our flights seats, hotels and services for us. Using Utopia Viajes gives our clients an extra safety net, protection from all services purchased should any of the third parties fail for any reason. |
Who are our customers?Our clients are wine lovers from all around the world. We generally see our business is split between, the United Kingdom (30%) Europe (20%) our American and Canadian Clients account for a further 40% with the final 10 % originating in Argentina itself. Robertson wine tours tend to receive most of our customers from personal recommendations and or favorable press coverage. |
What if I do not want to focus on Wine?No problem, We will always be able to arrange tours throughout the region whatever the focus may be, relaxation, sightseeing, adventure, etc. Please see Tourist information page on this website for information on all the highlights of Argentina and Chile and Uruguay. |
How do we price the tours?The tours are priced in US$ but we can accept any freely traded international currency and use Paypal to transact all major credit cards. Prices tend to work on a daily price, inclusive of everything in the itinerary and any exclusions will be highlighted. Accommodation is the major cost involved in any travel overseas and it is no different here in Latin America. As a guide one should be expecting to pay per person per day 500 US$ minimum (2008). There would be very little other expenses to be incurred, normally gratuities and personal shopping, all three countries that we operate in are considerably more economical than North America and or Europe that said quality and luxury have to be paid for wherever you go. |
What types of accommodation can we expect?Clients define what type of accommodation they require but we deal at the top echelon of the market. Effort is made not to use corporate and or chains where we can help it; hotels with individual personality and superior attention are our mainstay. International chains that we do use include:
Wineries and Estancias tend to be more in keeping with our clients preferences. Please let us know if you have an exacting preference in this regard. |
Can the accommodation be upgraded?We have sourced the best of the best, however some clients for whatever reason may wish to change accommodation / rooms for personal reasons, this has occurred, and the guide will ensure they do the best to make the clients 100% happy. Where we are unable to move clients due to occupancy, every thing would be done to iron out whatever the problem is. |
Who are the guides?The guiding is predominantly done by Tim Robertson and or Clara Colona. Where we are not able to guide we have guides in Mendoza and Chile and Uruguay, all are qualified under the strict regulations in this industry and are competent in languages, local knowledge and a most important of all intelligent and fun. |
What makes your service any different from the other companies?We are first, and foremost, a Travel agency specializing in exclusive touring in Argentina and Chile, We have been planning and guiding tours for close to 4 years. Our extensive relationships with hoteliers and wineries and our own knowledge of wine ensures we can give you an informed and professional tour of all the regions we operate in. |
Can we choose the wineries we want to visit?Yes, you may have some wineries that you particularly want to visit, just tell us. Some wineries require appointments others are closed to the public but we can normally arrange something with sufficient anticipation. |
What does a winery visit and or tasting include?You will always be escorted by a bilingual guide who has extensive training and a knowledge base to match. Wineries vary in how they present the winery the process and the wines; we only work with wineries that are really interested in showing their production methods and wines to interested parties. We make it our emphasis to try to get our clients to meet winemakers; this is not always possible at busy times. Tastings can range from a barrel tasting directly in the cellars to a full vertical tasting or every wine that produces makes. With consultation with us we will arrange what suits you most. As we have no scheduled tours as such we tailor each individual trip to exactly what the client requires. |
What security & financial protection is there?Robertson Wine Tours purchases all our services through a fully licensed and bonded Tour Operator; Utopía Viajes a well established and respected Agency based in Buenos Aires. Utopía work under the national tourist law No 25.997 and resolution No 256/00. Cancellation and travel delay by the client are normally covered by most travel insurance policies, accordingly we insist that a travel insurance is taken out that will protect you and your family in any eventuality. |
What are Robertson Wine Tours Terms and Conditions?Our tours comprise exclusively land arrangements, hosting, air flights, guiding & meals and hotels where noted in the itinerary. Costs are not guaranteed until time of booking due to exchange rate fluctuation. Inclusions: Meals where noted in the itinerary as wines, and non-alcoholic beverages with meals; transportation throughout by air-conditioned vehicle; gratuities, transfers on arrival/departure days as noted in itinerary, and services of our guides and hosts. Exclusions: International Airline tickets unless specified in itinerary. Trip cancellation insurance; meals not noted; items of personal nature (laundry, room service, telephone calls, etc.); alcoholic beverages other than mentioned a; deviations to the itinerary; transfers not part of group itinerary; optional activities. Selected airport departure taxes; excess baggage charges; cost of obtaining passport or visas; Deposit: A deposit of 25 % of total itinerary is required to secure reservations; and is reimbursable less the minimum cancellation fee; until 90 days prior to the trip, after which total deposit is non-refundable. The final payment is due 60 days prior to departure and is refundable with a written cancellation made until 45 days prior to departure. Rates subject to change are based on exchange rates currently in effect. Any fluctuation will be reflected in the final invoice. It is common practice in both Argentina and Chile for full payment to be made at the time of reservation; in some of the high demand hotels and resorts. Exchange rates fluctuations/Inflation: South American currencies have historically fluctuated; sometimes dramatically. Once the first deposit is made, prices in dollars are subject to change due to rate fluctuations. Quoted tour prices include planning, handling and operational charges, and are based on current rates of exchange, RWT reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. Air Transportation: We will arrange the best-priced airfare available in the class category you request at the time of your booking. RWT purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling and other services from various independent suppliers). All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result RWT is not liable for any negligent or willful act of any such person or entity or of any third person. In addition and without limitation, RWT is not responsible for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time. PAYMENT OF THE PROGRAM PRICE CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN AND IN MORE SPECIFIC ITINERARY DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING THE RESERVATION CONFIRMATION FORM. Airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. These programs may use the services of any IATA carrier. International air carriers are subject to international air conventions limiting their liability. The limitations of liability are contained on the reverse side of the airline ticket and form part of the terms and conditions of this package. The passage contract in use by these companies, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the companies and the purchaser of these travel programs and/or passage. Cancellation policy:
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