Understanding Escorted Tour Itineraries

Posted on Monday, October 31, 2011

Thinking about taking an escorted tour?  Here is a glossary of some common terms used in our itineraries:

Visit - Your coach will stop and you'll get to visit a specific site.
View - A brief stop and an opportunity to take photos.
See - Your Insight coach will drive by the site so that you can see it.
Sightseeing tour - A local city guide will accompany you on a tour of a city or site.
Orientation tour - Places of interest are pointed out, allowing you to go and explore them on your own.
'Why not see' or 'perhaps enjoy' - These phrases refer to optional excursions not included in the tour package, but are available for an additional fee.
Time to explore and discover - Free time on your own.
A day to relax - No planned activities; time for optional excursions or other independent activities.

Our tour specialists are always available to help you understand what is included on a tour vacation, so that you can plan how much money to budget on your European vacation.

Luggage Restrictions On Bus Tours

Posted on Thursday, July 16, 2009

We just received this question from a client, and thought it was worth posting, as many travelers have similar concerns.

Q.  I'm confused about luggage, specifically carry on. Is my purse considered a carry on item? How about my husband's camera case? My husband wants to bring his computer, it is slightly over the 12x11x6 Is this a problem?

A.  #1.  A purse or camera case is not considered a carry on. You can still have a separate carry-on bag.

#2.  As far as your husband's computer, carry-on bags must be small enough to store in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you on motorcoaches and other transportation. If it is a very minimal difference, (1 inch,) then it should still fit in the overhead without a problem, but these measurements are given to ensure you will not have any issue while touring.

Meals While Touring

Posted on Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Many clients wonder what the differences are when traveling with a budget, first class or deluxe tour operator. As we have discussed in previous posts, a lot has to do with the type of accommodations used, the location of the hotels, the number of people on the tour and how much is included in the price (i.e. sightseeing, meals, etc.)

Today our focus is to explain the difference in meals.  In most cases, on a budget tour you will receive continental breakfast. This is a basic breakfast of usually consisting of cereals, pastries, juice and coffee. Once you take a first class tour and above, breakfast is normally buffet. This offers the widest choices, quickest service and as much or as little food as you desire.

Budget tours rarely include dinners, and when they do, it is normally in the hotel. First class tour operators offer a combination of both hotel dinners and some dining at local restaurants. However, there is usually a limited menu. It includes 3 to 5 courses with a more limited choice of appetizer, entrees and desserts. We are not suggesting the food is bad, on the contrary, frequently the limited menu includes the chef's freshest market specials of the day and takes less time to serve.

Dining is a delightful and integral part of the travel experience when traveling abroad. Deluxe and luxury operators select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit, and offer full choice of menu to include a starter course (hot & cold appetizer, soup or salad,) main course, dessert and beverage. You’ll savor a delectable assortment of classic dishes and regional specialties. Many meals include wine with dinner and at times entertainment.

Regardless of which tour you book, gratuities to the wait staff are included. For lunches and evenings that meals are not included, the knowledgeable tour directors can assist you in finding dining options based on your the type of food you want to have and your budget.

Alaska Cruise Tours 2009

Posted on Sunday, March 01, 2009

What's Included on an Alaska Cruise Tour?

A cruisetour combines both a land and a cruise vacation, to get the most out of your time in Alaska. It also provides the best opportunity to see wildlife.

Glacier Bay, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula are some of the places included on a cruise-tour. Choose from 3 to 8 night packages combined with a 7 day cruise. 3 Nights provide a quick overview...the more time you have, then you are able to enjoy at least 2 nights in each area. Optional excursions range from rafting and heli-hiking to trekking across a glacier, fishing or flightseeing.

What's included varies upon which Cruise Tour you select, but in general, this is what is included on your Alaska vacation:

On the Alaska Land Portion

• Hotel Accommodations - normally in picturesque lodges
• Sightseeing (Some tours may have an Escort or Guide through the trip)
• Transportation via motorcoach or luxury rail
• Transfers and Baggage handling

The Cruise portion of your trip will include

• 7 Night Alaska Glacier or Inside Passage Cruise
• Deluxe Accommodations on the ship
• All meals onboard including 24 hour room service
• Coffee, Tea, Milk, Juice, non-bottled water
• Entertainment, casinos, piano bars, comedians, Broadway-style shows
• Onboard Activities and Kids programming on most ships
• Port charges, taxes and fees

Your Alaska Cruise Tour DOES NOT include:

• Meals or drinks on the land portion of the Cruise Tour
  (unless specified in the itinerary)
• Gratuities onboard the ship
• Shore Excursions and Sight-seeing tours in Alaska
• Special Spa Services or Casino Gaming
• Beer, wine, spirits or bottled water
• Travel Insurance
• Airfare

There are some great specials running with various cruise lines on both Alaska cruises and Alaska cruise tours. Please read through our blog, or call a travel specialist for more details.

Travel Tips: Packing

Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Common question asked by clients:

How can they possibly travel for a length of time with just one suitcase not to exceed 50 lbs & one carry-on?

Answer:

You would be surprised how many things can be packed and not exceed 50 lbs. There are some wonderful no wrinkle, light weight fabrics for traveling and you don't need a pair of shoes for each outfit. When staying in the same hotel for more than 1 night, you can take advantage of the laundry facilities they have to offer.

Make a list before packing and make sure to mix and match outfits. Always pack tightly. Scarf or jewelry can change the look or a blouse. Packing loosely will waste space and cause clothes to wrinkle from moving around. Use all the space you have available to you, such as putting socks & under garments inside of shoes.

You can get a great packing list from Frommers.

Keep in mind that the airlines are changing their restrictions and charges often these days. Make sure and go to their web site or call a couple of weeks before travel to get the latest information.