What should I expect my tour group to be like?

We travel in a small group to allow you a more "Family Time" vacation instead of spending your vacation with multiple strangers on a cramped tour bus. We offer small private tours for up to 6 people with larger groups upon request. Your tour could be only you and other family members or several small families. Maybe it will just be a few good friends looking to make lasting memories together. An advantage of a small group tour is that we are not on a strict timetable like the big bus tours as we can be much more relaxed and flexible with our tours. Our private autos and minivans are air-conditioned with tinted windows for your privacy and comfort.

When should I book my tour?

We advise participants to book early to ensure the chances of securing a spot on their requested tour. Because we travel in small groups, our tours can be booked up very fast. An average time would normally be 3-4 months in advance.

Special requests, such as single room bookings, extended travel arrangements, or special dietary needs are easy to organize. Please let us know at the time of booking what your special request will be.

When and how will I receive my booking confirmation?

After we receive your information, we will send out a booking confirmation. Once you have decided on the vacation and dates, a 20% deposit of the total package price must be paid to reserve your vacation. Payment in full is required 30 days before the start of your vacation tour. We will then send you your final travel documents and all pertaining information. For more details please read our Terms & Conditions.

What happens if I have to cancel my booking?

Very seldom do we have a cancellation, but if you do have to cancel for any reason, there would be a charge. Please see our cancellation policy in the Terms & Conditions

Can I book a tour for a shorter or longer period that your company offers?

You can request to modify a tour schedule that would fit your needs. Just ask at the time of your reservation and we will strive to do our best to meet your needs. 

Can you help me with air transportation to and from Germany?

We can help arrange any flights or train/bus transportation for you. Just contact us with the details required and we will give you a quote ASAP.

What is an Escorted Tour?

Escorted tours are normally conducted by a tour director who takes care of all services from the beginning to the end of your tour. This includes hotels, transportation, transfers to and from the airport/hotel, and most meals. The escorted tours are typically conducted with one of our minivans.

Will I get a refund if I don't take part in a particular activity during the tour?

It is your choice whether you take part in any particular activity. If you let us know that you won't be taking part in a particular activity at the time of booking, we can try and get a refund for you for that activity.  If it becomes evident during the tour that you won't be able to participate in an activity, let your tour guide know in advance, so alternative arrangements can be made for you. This does not apply in the case that the refund would breach any legal or official regulations.  All activities are undertaken at your own risk. Our company is responsible for carrying out the services that are agreed to in the contract, within safety limits.

What travel documents will I need?

You will need your passport while traveling to Germany and throughout Europe. While traveling between European Union countries, the use of a passport is mainly void of the previous border checkpoints.  However, you may be asked to produce your passport while within the EU so always carry it with you in a very secure place.  Please remember to obtain your passport before traveling outside your home country. Usually, it takes 4-6 weeks for a passport to be issued. Other documents could be a visa, insurance information, and your flight/travel itinerary. Sometimes border officials require information about where you are staying, who you will be visiting while in their country, and proof of return travel. Print out flight information, hotel, and/or tour reservations as this information could be asked of you.

* Your passport must be valid for at least three months past the time you will complete your travel or you will be denied entrance to Europe.

Do I need any vaccinations to travel to Germany?

There are no required vaccinations for travelers to Germany. You should check that all your general vaccinations, such as measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) or diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) are current, and update them if necessary.   Please check with your family physician for any questions that you may have.

* If you are taking prescription medicines, ensure you have an adequate supply of medication before departing on your vacation.

Do you know if your tours are guaranteed?

Our tours are guaranteed to go with 2 or more people booked in. When there are fewer than 2 people booked on a tour, we'll allow you to cancel without cost or transfer to another Germany tour with more participants.  The price for the tour you have selected will be locked and guaranteed the moment we receive your deposit. For more details please read our Terms & Conditions.

How flexible are the tour itineraries?

There is flexibility to change the itinerary depending on such things as the weather, special events, and group wishes. Of course, all group members must agree if any radical change to the itinerary is to be made. If you have a specific request that is not on the itinerary, we will do our best to accommodate it. Any requested changes to an existing itinerary while on the road will be the judgment of the guide as to whether the request is feasible. The earlier these wishes are mentioned to the guide the greater the chance that they can be accommodated.

I am traveling on my own. Do I have to book a single room and/or pay a surcharge?

Single travelers have the option to either book single occupancy or to share a room with another single traveler with the same request. The surcharge for single occupancy will vary depending on the tour and the dates requested. Please get in touch with us for questions regarding a single surcharge amount for the tour you are interested in.

What grade of hotel does your company use?

We use 3 to 5-star standard accommodation including hotels, bed & breakfasts, and country inns. All quoted rooms will have twin, full, queen, or king beds with private bathrooms with shower and/or tub. Please be aware that if you book a triple room the third bed may be a roll-away bed or a pull-out sofa, depending on the hotel. Sometimes we will be staying in older historical properties, so the rooms are different shapes and sizes. Some of the hotels and B&Bs do not offer wheelchair access, elevators, or air-conditioning. This is because they are not allowed to as they are listed on Heritage Protection Lists and are protected buildings with restrictions on what they can do in terms of making changes to the property.

How much money should I bring?

Our tours include all breakfasts and dinners as well as all group tours and sightseeing admissions as outlined in our itinerary. We also provide refreshments while traveling between your tour sites and cities. You will need to bring enough money to pay for your extras such as additional meals, beverages, and other purchases while sightseeing on your own.

How do I access my money in Europe?

Your debit card allows you to get cash from your check account in local currency from German ATMs at a rate usually close to the daily exchange rate. To use your card in Germany, it should have a MasterCard or VISA logo. A MasterCard or VISA credit card also offers excellent exchange rates, as well as important fraud protection. You can use your credit card for meals, souvenirs, and other personal expenses. While many credit cards can also be used for "cash advances" at ATMs, the interest rate and fees may be higher than using your debit card. Credit card cash advances are recommended for emergencies only.  Before leaving, make sure you have a credit card PIN and ask your bank and credit card companies about overseas transaction fees, usually ranging from 1 to 4%, and your daily limits. Ask which banks in Germany are affiliates using these banks can reduce ATM service fee charges.

* Please inform your bank and credit card companies that you plan to use your debit or credit cards in Germany. This will ensure that your bank or credit card company does not freeze your account/card because they detect "unusual spending patterns" when they see transactions in Germany.

Will I be expected to leave gratuities/tips?

It is common in Germany & Europe to leave a small gratuity in restaurants if you have received good service, normally a 10%-15% tip. It would also be usual to give your tour guide a tip at the end of the tour if he/she has done a good job. The amount or percent given is entirely at your discretion, and is not mandatory, but is always much appreciated.

Can special dietary needs (meals) be accommodated?

We will do our best to meet your dietary needs, but you must inform us at the time of booking so we can pass the information on to our hotels. Some of the properties that we may stay at are family-owned and small. We must notify them in advance time so they can be prepared for alternative meals. All special meal requirements are on a request-only basis and cannot be guaranteed.

What should I pack?

Most importantly it is to pack light! You are responsible for carrying all of your luggage. Sometimes we may need to walk several blocks before getting to the hotel or possibly up several flights of stairs at the hotels. Also, you will want to save room in your suitcase for those souvenirs that you will pick up along the tour.