georgette@travelbygeorgette.com

Escorted Tours   One of the biggest benefits of escorted travel is the ability to experience a destination without worrying about the travel details such as transfers, hotels and much more. You will have plenty of free time to explore on your own but you will also benefit from the expert knowledge of  your tour director or tour guide. We are here to  guide you in choosing the escorted vacation experience that will suit you best. There are thousands of itineraries to choose from as well as choosing the right price range and group size. The value of an escorted vacation is difficult or nearly impossible to obtain on your own.  Because   escorted tours have a larger buying power and huge volumes.  The benefit of an escorted tour is seen in the value of the package price bottom line.
35-54 Passenger Tour  Coach for  7-28 days trips           Small 12-14 Passenger Tour Coach for 3-21 days trips

A vacation is an important in­vestment. It deserves the same careful consideration and re­search you give to the purchase of a car, a television set, stereo equipment or any other major expenditure.

Knowing what to expect, a familiarity with how your money is being spent—and with whom—can help to avoid problems and disappointments and make your holiday a pleasure.

The following information will aquaint you with the scope and benefits of tours and vaca­tion packages and offer shop­ping tips to ensure you select the tour or vacation package that’s right for you.

We hope this will be of help in planning your next vacation.

In most instances, the brochures provided by the tour operators will contain all the information you need in order to know exactly what you're getting for your money, to compare one tour or vacation package with another and to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Before you begin to collect and read the brochures, you should make a list of your vacation goals. This will help to keep in focus the things that are most important to you as you compare the options. And don't hesitate to turn to your travel agent when questions arise - there's no such thing as a silly question when your hard-earned vacation dollars are involved.

The following "checklist" will help you select the tour or vacation package that's right for you:

Tour/Vacation Package Price

Be sure to check carefully what's included in the price and what's not. For example, does the price include air fare, or is it for land arrangements only? If air fare is included in the price, is the stated price from your home city or will there be an additional cost for an "add-on" fare? If air fare is not included, are you free to fly the airline of your choice?

Several other factors may add to the price, such as optional excursions, service charges and/or taxes, weekend air surcharges and high season supplements. And, if you're traveling alone, there is often a supplement fee for single accommodations.

Tour Itinerary

The day-to-day itinerary described in the brochure is a guide for what you can expect to see and do while on a tour. Make note of the cities and sites that you'll actually be visiting, as opposed to those places that you'll simply be driving through (often indicated by terms such as "see" or "view" in the brochure). There's a big difference, and you should be aware of these distinctions to avoid disappointment.

Other important questions to consider when comparing tour itineraries include:

·         Are you comfortable with the amount of time spent traveling by bus, rail or other transportation during the tour?

·         Is there a great deal of walking involved?

·         Does there seem to be enough free time for shopping or exploring on your own, or is there too much leisure time for your taste?

Everyone has their own level of energy and sense of adventure, and there are enough choices of tours on the market so that you can come as close as possible to your preferences without making a lot of compromises.

Hotels

No question about it, accommodations play a key role in the success of a trip. Many travelers say the most important one. You should pay close attention to the descriptions and ratings of the hotels featured.

Keep in mind that hotel ratings in other countries may not always reflect American standards, and that every country has its own hotel rating system. In other words, a "deluxe" hotel in one country could differ in size, amenities and degree of luxury from a similarly rated hotel in another country.

Also be aware of location of the hotels. Hotels situated just outside the center of a city shouldn't be inconvenient if you'll be sightseeing by tour bus or if you have a rental car. On the other hand, if you are going to have a lot of free time in the cities you'll be visiting, you may prefer hotels that are centrally located.

If you still have questions about the hotels after reading the brochure, by all means check with your travel agent.

Meals

Dining is one of the most enjoyable parts of the travel experience. Read the brochure carefully to determine how much regional "flavor" you can look forward to on each program.

How many and what kind of meals are included each day? Will you have a choice of the menu or will you be limited to a smaller group of selections? Be sure you understand the terms often used in connection with meal information, such as "Continental Breakfast", "Full Board" and "MAP".

Conditions

Found at the end of most brochures, this information deserves a lot more attention than it usually receives.

Many important points are covered, including details about reservations, cancellations, refunds and availability of insurance.

Be sure you understand the policy in regard to cancellations, changes in departure date and refunds, and any cancellation and/or modification penalties that may apply, both to land and air travel portions of the trip. Remember, while this is a pleasure trip for you, it is a business for the tour operator.

The Conditions page may also specify the Ground Operators, if any, who are participating in the program. These are local travel companies, selected for their reliability and expertise, who usually provide motorcoaches, sightseeing tours and other services arranged by the tour operator.

Other important items usually covered by the Conditions page include: Meals, Accommodations, Air Transportation, Sightseeing, Baggage Allowance, Health Information and the items Not Included in the price. Remember, the Conditions page may not be as colorful as the rest of the brochure, but it's every bit as important in helping you reach the most informed decision

Most tour operators try to make their brochures as attractive, informative and understandable as possible; however, in reading these brochures you will undoubtedly encounter some terminology that is unfamiliar to you.

To assist you, here's a glossary covering some of the terminology most frequently used in travel brochures. Your travel agent can give you further details on these and any other unfamiliar terms.

Tours

A tour can be defined as a trip taken by a group of people who travel together and follow a pre-planned itinerary. Most tours include accommodations, a number of meals, sightseeing, land transportation, and/or other transportation, plus the services of a professional tour manager or escort who accompanies the group.

Vacation Packages

Vacation packages are designed for those traveling independently. They include a combination of two or more travel services (e.g. hotel accommodations, car rental, air transportation) that are offered at a "package price." Many vacation packages offer a choice of components and options, thereby enabling you to customize the package to your tastes, interests and/or budget.

Accommodations

Single Room: A room with one bed for one person.
Twin Room: A room with two beds for two people.
Double Room: A room for two persons with a double bed.
Triple Room: A room for three persons, usually consisting of twin beds (or double bed) plus a roll-away cot.
Service Charges and Taxes: Service charges are a fixed percentage automatically added to room and meal charges. Taxes are set by the city, state or federal government.
Ocean Front: A room directly facing the ocean.
Ocean View: A room from which it is possible to secure a view of the ocean (usually located on the side of the hotel).

Air Transportation

Connecting Flight: A segment of an ongoing trip which requires a change of aircraft, but not necessarily a change of airline.
Direct Flight: A flight on which passengers do not have to change planes, but may involve one or more stops en route.
Non-stop Flight: Service between two points with no scheduled stop en route.
Add-on Fare: The cost of air travel from a domestic city to another domestic city from which the tour/vacation package originates and vice versa.
Baggage Allowance: The weight or volume of baggage that may be carried by a passenger without additional charge.

Car Rental

Drop-off Charge: Fee charged by a car rental company to defray the cost of returning the vehicle to its original location.
Value Added Tax (VAT): Tax imposed by governmental authority.

Conditions

Force Majeure: An event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled (such as storms or war).

Documents

Passport: An official government document certifying identity and citizenship and granting permission to travel abroad.
Visa: An official authorization appended to a passport permitting travel to and within a particular country.
Vouchers: Documents issued by tour operators to be exchanged for accommodations, sightseeing and other services.

Meals

Continental Breakfast: Usually consists of bread, rolls, butter, jam and tea or coffee.
AP (American Plan): Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
MAP (Modified American Plan): Includes breakfast and dinner.
Full Board (Full Pension): Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Half Board (Demi-Pension): Includes breakfast, and either lunch or dinner.
Table d'hôte: Published restaurant or hotel dining room menu, usually consisting of appetizer, two or three choices of main course and dessert. After-meal tea or coffee and other beverages are not usually included.
A la Carte: Unrestricted selection from the menu.

Services

Tour Escort/Director/Manager: Professional engaged to oversee the technical details of the tour operation and to accompany the group from one place to another.
Local Host: Generally a representative of the tour operator who provides assistance, information and optional sightseeing and entertainment arrangements in a particular city.
Local Guide: Professional engaged to point out places of interest and conduct tours of specific locations and attractions.
Driver-Guide: Professional engaged to drive a vehicle and to point out places of interest.
Transfers: Arrival and departure service consisting of providing transport between the airport, city air terminal, rail station, or pier and hotel.
Porterage: Baggage handling service.

Prices

All-Inclusive Price: Includes land arrangements and round trip airfare and/or other transportation.
Land Price: The cost for the land arrangements only.
Single Room Supplement: Difference in price between half of a twin room and the actual price of a single room.
High-Season Supplement: Additional charge imposed during the busiest time of the year.
Double Occupancy Rate: The price per person based on two persons sharing a room.
Double Room Rate: The price per room shared by two persons.

Insurance

Trip Cancellation Insurance: Purchased separately from either the tour operator or your travel agent, this provides a refund if you have to cancel your trip after completing payment. Refunds oftenvary according to the time frame in which you cancel.
Travel Insurance: Purchased from a private company or the tour operator, this provides coverage for emergencies abroad such as illness, baggage loss, accidental death/dismemberment. This policy often includes trip cancellation insurance.
Tour Protection (Consumer Protection Plan): A program designed to reimburse travelers if the tour operator goes bankrupt or becomes insolvent. A tour operator's participation in these types of plans is voluntary and can involve posting bonds, using escrow accounts or other types of financial security

Today’s tours come in many shapes and sizes for people of all ages. The traditional “fully escorted” tour, where a tour manager accompanies the group throughout, may attract older travelers. Locally guided/hosted tours--with local guides at specific destinations providing sightseeing and information --are for more independent travelers. There are family-friendly escorted tours, tours for 18-35 year-olds, for women, small group adventure tours, safaris, walking tours, cruise tours and more. Before you book a tour ask your tour operator or travel agent what the average age is likely to be. Find out the activity level...this can be a good indicator of a tour’s average age.

A vacation package is for independent travelers who want the savings and convenience of buying pre-packaged arrangements. A vacation package includes two or more travel services (e.g. hotel, air fare, car rental, sightseeing etc.) that are bundled together and offered at a "package price." Travelers can choose pre-existing packages or they can customize their own arrangements. On the other hand, a tour is a pre-planned itinerary, often including a tour escort and travel with a group.
Buying a vacation package or a tour is usually more expensive than putting your own vacation together.
False. Buying a vacation package or tour can save you up to 30%, depending on the time of year and where you are going, plus hours of work over putting the trip together yourself. Because tour operators and vacation packagers contract for hotel rooms, air fares and other travel services in bulk they are often able to negotiate better rates. These savings are passed on to the consumer.

 A tour operator --or wholesaler -- puts the raw ingredients of your vacation together. The tour operator packages items like hotel accommodations, air fare, transfers, meals, and/or sightseeing. These packages or tours are sold by travel agents (retailers) or sometimes by the tour operator itself directly to the public. Think of clothing: the manufacturer (tour operator) produces the item that is sold in the store (travel agent) or directly (online).

While some travel agents charge service fees, the same vacation package will not cost more whether or not you buy it from a travel agent. In fact some tour operators and wholesalers only work through travel agents, so using a travel agent may give you a wider choice of vacation options. And because travel agents have insider information, they can often help you get better prices and access to travel arrangements.

Internet travel agencies work with a limited number of suppliers and therefore do not necessarily have access to specials offered by other tour operators or travel agents.  Keep in mind that sometimes travel agents also have specials otherwise unavailable to the public.

 Don’t expect to find last minute deals if you’re traveling to a popular destination during high season. Oftentimes you’ll get the best deal by booking far in advance. Some tour operators and vacation packagers offer incentives for early bookings, and you can also benefit from advance air fare sales.

A trip – especially multi-destination – can take up to 18 hours worth of planning, factoring in research time and details such as reserving accommodations, transportation, local sightseeing arrangements and restaurant reservations in different cities. A one-week package could involve up to 19 different transactions, and an escorted tour an average of 28. By buying a vacation package or tour you benefit from one-stop shopping, saving the time and energy of doing everything yourself.

Home Office Travel, Inc.       100 Northhill Court       Longview, TX 75605                    

(903-297-9128)   

      georgette@travelbygeorgette.com