Q. Who should come on this trip?
Our trips are perfect to join solo; you’ll make new friends and will always have people to explore with if you like.  Or come with a friend or spouse or partner.  This is a great trip for mothers and daughters to take together, or for high school or college friends to have an adventurous mini-reunion.  You can spend time with each other and also have time to pursue your separate interests.  The trip is also perfect for any small group that wants to travel together but doesn’t want the hassle of planning it all in advance.

 

Q. Do I need to speak the local language?

You don’t need to speak the local language, as nearly all restaurants and museums have English-speaking staff.  It’s great to learn a few key phrases as part of the experience, but don’t think you should stay home if you only speak English.

 

Q. What is a single supplement and do I have to pay one?
No.  This trip is priced based on each person having his or her own hotel room.  Many travel sites advertise rates that are based on double occupancy, meaning the price they show you is for each person, with 2 people staying in 1 room.  If you are a solo traveler and you want to have the room all to yourself, you'll often have to pay a "single supplement", which can be even more that the total of what 2 people in one room would be.  I am seeing this trend on some cruise lines, although others are now starting to have solo rooms at a set price for a solo traveler.  We have decided to simply base our rates on every person having their own room, as most of my personal travels have been solo, and I have found it frustrating, and sometimes difficult, to decipher a tour company's actual costs. 

 

Q. I’m coming with a spouse or partner and we want to share a room. Do we both have to pay the full rate?
For people who share a room, we offer a discount of $400 each.  We’ve priced the trip primarily for people to have their own rooms, because European hotel rooms just aren’t as large as those in the U.S.  Of course you can share a room if you prefer.

 

Q. How many people will be on the trip?
The maximum number of trip participants is 18 with 2 Trip Facilitators, so you won’t feel like you’re part of a huge group.  There is a 12-participant minimum group size, so please don’t buy your plane tickets until we confirm to you that we have reached the minimum group size.

 

Q. Why do you call this a “trip” and not a “tour”?
We’ve included the things we like best about group travel, such as the convenience of having someone plan daily itineraries, but left out the things we dislike about group tours.  Here’s how this trip is different:

    * Our trips are "lightly guided".  We know that you want to see the main attractions, but you also need time for yourself and for seeking out whatever your personal interests are.  We have a plan for the mornings and we've taken care of the minutia of those sites.  But you'll have most every afternoon/evening free to explore on your own and create your own individual memories.
    * You’ll never be herded onto a big tour bus with a lot of strangers.
    * You will be provided audio guides so that you can tour each attraction at your own pace.
    * You'll choose what, when, where, and with whom you eat.  We find that “We accept bus tours” restaurants are often crowded, over-priced, and of poor quality.  Instead, we’ll suggest authentic places for you to eat in small groups.  You can also explore and experiment based on your own taste and comfort level.
    * We start our days at a reasonable hour.  Since breakfast at the hotel is included, you can leisurely drift down and eat before we meet up to embark on each day's activities.
    * You only unpack and pack once.  We’ll venture outside of our main city for one day trip, but we will return "home" to our hotel before bedtime.

 

Q. What’s the best way to fly to our destination?
This question depends on a lot of variables, but usually flights to Europe are over night and depart the US in the evening.  When making your flight arrangements, remember that you arrive the day after you leave the US and that you'll want ample time to connect between flights.  For some reason, airlines are scheduling folks with very short connection times, so be cognizant of the amount of time you'll be comfortable with for connections.  Depending on where you are connecting through, you may have to pick up your bags from the first flight, get through immigration/customs, then recheck them for the next flight.  The airlines have this system very established and fairly convienient, but it does take time.  Some airports are notorious for long lines and congested terminals.  I usually reserve flights with extra long connection times so that I will be much less likely to miss a connection if my first flight is late, and my stress level will be much lower in all situations that might arise.

 

Q.  Why isn't airfair included in the price?

We have found that our guests are as diverse as the countries that we visit and their tranportation needs and preferences are just as unique.  Many like to fly to the destination a few days early or stay on after our planned trip ends.  Some continue there own adventures by traveling to other cities on the continent.  It is MUCH easier for each client to make his/her own flights reservations based on their own plans.  Some passengers use points and upgrade to higher levels of service.  Others prefer sitting in the back and sleeping their way across the ocean.

 

Unfortunately, since the pandemic, air travel can be quite a challenge - with flights sometimes being delayed or cancelled without notice.  From personal experience we know that it is faster, cheaper, and easier for a passenger to have her flight interuption remedied if she purchased the ticket herself directly from the airline.

 

Q. Is there internet access at the hotel?
Yes, free wifi comes with your room and in the common areas of the hotel. 

 

Q. What will the weather be like?
It’s impossible to predict any weather accurately these days, but we plan our trips for times when the weather is typically not too hot and not too cold – cool and sunny during the day (highs in the high 50s), cooler at night. Rain is always a possibility, of course. 

 

Q. What to wear?
Wear what’s most comfortable and pack layers.  Jeans are acceptable almost anywhere, except for the very nicest restaurants.  It’s considered polite to cover your shoulders in many churches.

 

Don’t forget your raincoat or umbrella, just in case.  You’ll need a warm jacket and maybe a scarf for evening.  Most important: comfortable walking shoes.

 

Q. Why aren’t lunches and dinners included in the price?

Restaurants that accept tour groups are the last places we want to eat and there are just so many delicious choices for meals that we want everyone to be free to eat where and when they want.  One day you might eat a sandwich for lunch, sitting out on a plaza; or you might choose to browse the local food markets. 

 

While traveling, I often make lunch the biggest meal of the day, maybe even eating at a restaurant that would be too pricey at night.  You’ll choose where you eat, with whom, and how much you want to spend.

 

Q. Is it safe to walk around by myself at night?

As in any city, it makes sense to be aware of your surroundings after dark. It’s usually quite safe to be out on your own or with a friend in the evenings. 

 

The most prevalent crime is pickpocketing, which mostly happens in areas with crowds of tourists. Pickpockets are wily, so we recommend that you leave most of your valuables in the safe in your room, taking with you only what you need for the day.  You do not want to be walking around with any cash or cards in a backpack or purse that is casually draped over your shoulder and not in close control.  Personally, I use a small crossbody bag/wallet for my cards, cash, transit tickets, museum tickets, etc., and a larger backpack type bag for jacket, umbrella, and water.  Phones are often a target of pick-pocketers and can easily be grabbed while you're trying to get that perfect shot.  I bought a case that is easily attached to a lanyard that I wear around my neck or wrapped around my wrist.  This secures my phone from thieves as well as from being dropped off the top of a tower.

 

Q. What about cell service?  Will I be able to use my mobile phone there?

 

There are many options for mobile phone service these days.  Most all US providers offer an international plan that you can add just for the duration of your visit.  Verizon charges $10/day.  Your regular phone number works just like at home, along with texting and internet.  You would pay extra for making calls to locations in the country you're visiting, as your phone is still acting like a regular US phone. 

 

Another option for newer phones is to purchase an eSIM before you go that will activate once you arrive in the new country.  This is what I do.  Different versions are available, some that offer local calling in addition to internet access.  You would not be able to call home with this only, as it acts as a local phone in the country you are in. 

 

WhatsApp:  WhatsApp is an app that you download onto  your phone from your app store.  It is available for both Apple and Android phones.  You can use WhatsApp to connect through wifi to call other people with the WhatsApp installed on their phones.  It acts like a regular phone in that you can call or text through the application.  

 

Our group will be communicating with each other using WhatsApp during our trip.

 

Q. What about COVID?

Right now (January 2024) there are no travel restrictions related to Covid-19. We strongly recommend that travelers be fully vaccinated and wear a mask on crowded public transit (planes, metro).

 

Your deposit holds your space for the trip. If we have any indication that it’s not reasonable to travel to our destination, we won’t request your final payment, and we’ll refund your deposit in full.