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Trip Examples
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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
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35-54
Passenger Tour Coach for
7-28 days trips
Small 12-14 Passenger Tour Coach for
3-21 days trips
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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.
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We reccommend Insight
Tours and here are a few reasons why.
| Insight Vacations is the
market leader of premium
escorted tours to Europe,
USA, Canada and the Eastern
Mediterranean. Insight has
built an enviable reputation
by providing our guests with
business class style comfort
through twice as much leg
room than on an ordinary
touring coaches, smaller
group sizes (a maximum of
40), more included extras,
and quality hotels in
desirable locations. Insight
Vacations is proud to boast
a 99% customer
recommendation rating |
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The Insight Guide to
the Perfect Vacation
TRIP TERMINOLOGY
At Insight, our approach to touring is planning a
vacation the way you would do it yourself. And, in
order to provide you with a balanced itinerary, we
concentrate on some areas more than others. This
glossary will help you understand the different
terms used to describe your itinerary.
VISIT
This means the coach will stop with enough time to
see a specific sight.
VIEW
A photo opportunity or brief stop of about 15
minutes.
SEE
Your coach will drive by the site.
SIGHTSEEING TOUR
A guide will accompany the group to visit local
areas of interest.
ORIENTATION TOUR
Places of interest are pointed out, and then you are
free to explore on your own.
TIME TO EXPLORE AND DISCOVER
Free time to do as you please.
A DAY TO RELAX
No planned activities. Time for your own independent
explorations.
TRANSFERS
Motorcoach or train transportation from the airport
to your hotel or city center in the UK and Europe.
LOCAL GUIDE
Professional guides with specialized expertise in a
specific city or region, who guide you on a visit to
key attractions.
TOUR DIRECTOR
Tour escort who manages your entire trip, and is
responsible to see that your vacation runs smoothly.
He or she travels with you, helping with everything
from coordinating hotel check-in and language
translation, to advice on the best restaurants and
sights to see.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR VACATION
INSIGHT HOTELS
All Insight hotels are exclusively First Class,
Superior First Class and Deluxe standard. It's
important to know that European hotels are not the
same as hotels at home. Keep in mind that single
rooms are often smaller than in Australia, and that
a third bed in a room may be a "rollaway" bed.
TIRED & TRAVEL WEARY: YOUR HOTEL CHECK-IN
Hotels are aware that their guests traveling from
America are tired and travel weary. That is why they
make every effort to have you settled in your room
as soon as possible. However, in London and other
major cities where occupancy rates are high,
checkout time is at 1:00 p.m. Therefore, your room
may not be ready when you arrive. Rest assured that
the hotel will do everything it can to get you in as
soon as possible.
HOTEL MEALS
Breakfast is included in your tour to start each
day, and a three course dinner most nights with a
choice of menu. Tea or coffee is also featured.
Additionally, a local specialty dish is featured in
each country visited. To see what is offered on a
particular vacation, check your itinerary under
meals.
LUGGAGE
Handling is included for one suitcase and one
carry-on piece per person.
GRATUITIES
On an Insight Vacation, some gratuities are included
in the price of your trip: baggage handling, meal
service for all meals listed in the tour itinerary,
and hotel service charge. Room service, however, is
not included in the tour price.
TIPPING
Tipping is a customary way of acknowledging service.
Here are some guidelines:
- Taxi fare, on meter
10-15%
- Restaurant, total bill
10-15%
- Tour Director US$4.00
per person per day
- Motorcoach Driver
US$2.50 per person per day
- Local Sightseeing Guide
US$1.00
- When Service Charge is
included, for service above average, a small
extra tip is suggested.
MOTORCOACH MAGIC
Our colorful motorcoaches offer comfortable,
reclining seats and panoramic windows. To give each
passenger an equal opportunity, we rotate seats
daily. For the comfort and health of all our
passengers, we enforce a non-smoking policy. We do,
however, provide regular rest stops so that you can
stretch your legs, and allow passengers a smoke.
PRACTICAL POINTERS
CURRENCY
We recommend that while in Europe you have an
adequate supply of convertible traveler's checks.
ATM's are widely available. Traveler's checks and
currency can be changed at airports, your hotel, a
local bank, and at "Bureau de Change" locations
throughout Europe. For added convenience, starter
"Currency Paks," with appropriate foreign
denominations are available through your Insight
tour manager.
CREDIT CARDS
The majority of better restaurants, shops, hotels,
theaters, etc., in Western Europe, and in many
Eastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean countries
accept most major credit cards. The bill you sign
will be in local currency. This will be converted
into Australian Dollars and invoiced in the usual
way. You can also use American Express, Diner's
Club, Visa, and MasterCard to obtain cash abroad.
PASSPORTS
Carry your passport with you AT ALL TIMES to ensure
against loss or theft in hotels. For added
protection, keep a photocopy of your passport in
your suitcase. Hotels are sometimes required to hold
your passport in order to comply with local
regulations.
PHONE CARDS
Almost all hotels will add a service charge to the
cost of any phone calls you make from your room.
This charge can be high, especially for
international calls. It is always cheaper to use
public telephones (pay phones) or an international
calling service such as AT&TDirect®. Your tour
director will advise you how to use the telephone if
you are unsure. To save money, try to phone late
Europe time, when rates are less expensive. In many
countries, such as France and Britain, you can use
prepaid phone cards instead of coins for a set
amount of phone time. Cards can usually be purchased
at newspaper kiosks, "tabacs," and grocery stores.
HOTEL HINTS
VOLTAGE
Electrical currents vary in Britain and on the
European continent. We suggest you carry a converter
for your electric shaver, traveling iron, hair
dryer, and other small appliances. Best bet is to
buy a universal electrical travel adapter before you
go, to help prevent accidents and damage to your
appliances.
SINGLE TRAVELERS
If you are a single traveler and are willing to
share in order to avoid paying a single supplement,
Insight Vacations will try to find someone of the
same sex to share your room. In the event this is
not possible, you will have a room to yourself
without having to pay the single room supplement.
For your well-being we operate a strict "No Smoking"
policyon room shares
FOR YOUR TRAVEL COMFORT
SHARING & CARING
Travel with your own folding umbrella, and you will
never be half wet! When you share an umbrella with a
spouse or traveling companion, it means that you
keep only half dry.
DIVIDE & CONQUER
Instead of packing one suitcase for one person,
couples should split their belongings between the
two cases. That way, if one bag goes astray, neither
person is left without a change of clothes and
necessities.
CLOTHING
Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in and you
will not only be more comfortable, you'll be more
relaxed.
FAUX BAUBLES
Junk jewelry or fabulous fakes travel beautifully.
Leave items of great monetary or sentimental value
at home where you know they are safe. It means you
will be a little more carefree.
BLOW IT UP
Plastic hangers that inflate are a great boon to
travelers. They keep the back separate from the
front of your shirt or blouse and it will drip and
dry faster than a conventional wooden/wire coat
hanger. The blow-up hanger leaves the item wrinkle
and snag-free.
THE BUZZ WORD
Wake-up calls are always given to passengers when on
tour. Should the call not go through, or heavy
sleepers not hear it, your own backup alarm clock
provides good insurance. Choose one that is
lightweight and simple to operate. Tour Directors
adore passengers who are on time!
FOOTWEAR
When your shoes look lovely but your feet are
killing you, you've made a big mistake. Make sure
you have on a pair of 'broken-in' shoes for daytime
walking.
THE INSIGHT DIFFERENCE
Congratulations! You have chosen to travel with one
of Europe's finest companies. When you travel with
Insight Vacations, you will enjoy these
differences:
- Never having to worry about how to get there
or getting lost.
- No high petrol prices, local road tolls,
parking, or worries about a rental car breaking
down.
- You won't have to be concerned about
handling your own bags when you check into a
hotel, or finding a hotel each night.
- Your porterage and hotel service charges are
taken care of.
- Many local sightseeing tours are included in
the price of your tour.
- Your tour director can give you expert
guidance on where to dine on
those nights when you're on your own.
- No train delays or worries about finding the
right station or platform.
- No waiting in long lines for entry to
museums and other attractions.
- Best of all, you'll enjoy the camaraderie of
other like-minded travelers from various parts
of the English-speaking world, as well as the
insight of a well-trained tour director and
local guides when you visit cities and historic
monuments.
OUR VALUE AND PEACE OF MIND PROMISE
- At Insight Vacations, we offer top value for
your dollar, and a savings of 30% over traveling
on your own.
- As Europe's most dependable and reliable
tour operator, we enjoy the highest customer
satisfaction rate in the travel industry. We
offer excellent savings on airfare, and free
transfers to and from your hotel in London,
Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
- Our selection of itineraries is among the
finest in the travel
industry.
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Key Benefit
-
One of the biggest benefits of escorted travel is the ability to experience
a destination without worrying about the travel details.
Here are a few
companies we like and recommend
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