1. Do your tours include airfare?
No. We have people come from all over the United States as well as the rest of the world so logistically it is
not practical. We are tour operators and not travel agents so we are happy to help source airfare but we do
not include it with the tour. We generally find that Orbitz.com and Travelocity are the best sources for the
best airfare deals.
2. What is the best way to book a tour?
We prefer that you book your tour directly through us. We are a very small company and have a limited
number of tours to offer thus limiting the number of tours we can accept through a travel agency.
3. Why do your tours seems to be more expensive than other tours?
In comparing tours you need to compare apples to apples and not apples to oranges. Our tours are
generally around 10 people and not 40-60 people as with most major tours. You have a driver and a guide
shared by 9 other people rather than shared by 39-59 others. We also take advantage of small locally
owned accommodations and restaurants. These are usually small, family owned businesses and they are
not able to give a discount to tour groups like the larger hotels do. Our tours generally offer quite a bit more
than the larger tours do as well. When you count all the add ons that many tours promote, our prices are
usually quite comparable to theirs.
4. Why can we only take the tour on the dates listed and not at other times of the year?
Many tour operators give multiple listings of departure dates throughout the year.
We are a very small company and prefer to organize and conduct each of our tours personally. We can only
offer so many tours a year this way but we think the best way to conduct a tour is to lead it ourselves
making sure that your needs are taken care of in every way.
5. What affiliations do you belong to?
We are a licensed seller of travel in Washingting State and also through Global Travel International CST
#2043947-40 FLSOT #20734. We are also affiliated with VisitScotland, VisitBritain, VisitWales,
VisitIreland and the Speciality Travel Agents Association. We do not belong to many travel organizations as
it is very expensive to belong to these groups and we like to use our advertising budget in other ways.
6. Why do you charge a single supplement?
In Europe it is common practice to charge for the room and not by the number of people as one person
takes up just as much room as two people. This results in the single occupancy of a room costing almost as
much as it does for 2 people sharing a room. Most singles are accommodated in a double or twin room.
7. Can you find good food in the UK and Ireland?
We hear this a lot and it really surprises us! I think it is because most people tour in large groups where the
only thing available is cafeteria style food. We do not make any stops with cafeteria food and usually eat in
small tearooms, pubs and family owned restaurants that offer quality food. We often hear that people have
had some of the best meals of their lives on our tours.
8. Will we have our own bathroom?
Yes. The days of shared bathrooms are quickly disappearing. Almost any accommodation has now adapted
their lodgings to include bathrooms. You will always have your own bathroom, either within the room, next
door or just across the hall.
9. What can we expect in accommodations?
We only use 3 or 4 star tourist board approved accommodations and every now and then a 2 star that has
exceptional service, food etc., but we generally stick with accommodations that are 3 or 4 star rated. We
like to use small family owned guest houses, farmhouse and hotels. Small does not refer to the rooms sizes
but the number of rooms in the establishment. We will often choose an accommodation for the overall feel
above anything else. We never use chain hotels.
10. How much luggage are we allowed to bring?
We allow one large bag and one small carry on size. We have never heard anybody say that they wished
they had brought more with them but we often hear people say they wished they had brought less! We try
to arrange for laundry service in the middle of the tour.
11. Are all meals included?
No. The majority of meals are included but we also like to allow you to choose some of your own places to
dine and not have to eat with the group at every meal. We always have recommendations of places to eat.
12. Is smoking allowed on the tours?
No. Ireland banned smoking country wide in March of 2004. Scotland banned smoking country wide in
March 0f 2006. Wales ban took place on 2nd April 2007 with England following in July of 2007.
13. Are children allowed on the tours?
Yes. We consider ourselves a family operation and welcome people of any age and we do not discriminate in
any way. Each person will be expected to conduct themselves appropriately and we do not believe in the
majority suffering the minority in any situation.
No. We have people come from all over the United States as well as the rest of the world so logistically it is
not practical. We are tour operators and not travel agents so we are happy to help source airfare but we do
not include it with the tour. We generally find that Orbitz.com and Travelocity are the best sources for the
best airfare deals.
2. What is the best way to book a tour?
We prefer that you book your tour directly through us. We are a very small company and have a limited
number of tours to offer thus limiting the number of tours we can accept through a travel agency.
3. Why do your tours seems to be more expensive than other tours?
In comparing tours you need to compare apples to apples and not apples to oranges. Our tours are
generally around 10 people and not 40-60 people as with most major tours. You have a driver and a guide
shared by 9 other people rather than shared by 39-59 others. We also take advantage of small locally
owned accommodations and restaurants. These are usually small, family owned businesses and they are
not able to give a discount to tour groups like the larger hotels do. Our tours generally offer quite a bit more
than the larger tours do as well. When you count all the add ons that many tours promote, our prices are
usually quite comparable to theirs.
4. Why can we only take the tour on the dates listed and not at other times of the year?
Many tour operators give multiple listings of departure dates throughout the year.
We are a very small company and prefer to organize and conduct each of our tours personally. We can only
offer so many tours a year this way but we think the best way to conduct a tour is to lead it ourselves
making sure that your needs are taken care of in every way.
5. What affiliations do you belong to?
We are a licensed seller of travel in Washingting State and also through Global Travel International CST
#2043947-40 FLSOT #20734. We are also affiliated with VisitScotland, VisitBritain, VisitWales,
VisitIreland and the Speciality Travel Agents Association. We do not belong to many travel organizations as
it is very expensive to belong to these groups and we like to use our advertising budget in other ways.
6. Why do you charge a single supplement?
In Europe it is common practice to charge for the room and not by the number of people as one person
takes up just as much room as two people. This results in the single occupancy of a room costing almost as
much as it does for 2 people sharing a room. Most singles are accommodated in a double or twin room.
7. Can you find good food in the UK and Ireland?
We hear this a lot and it really surprises us! I think it is because most people tour in large groups where the
only thing available is cafeteria style food. We do not make any stops with cafeteria food and usually eat in
small tearooms, pubs and family owned restaurants that offer quality food. We often hear that people have
had some of the best meals of their lives on our tours.
8. Will we have our own bathroom?
Yes. The days of shared bathrooms are quickly disappearing. Almost any accommodation has now adapted
their lodgings to include bathrooms. You will always have your own bathroom, either within the room, next
door or just across the hall.
9. What can we expect in accommodations?
We only use 3 or 4 star tourist board approved accommodations and every now and then a 2 star that has
exceptional service, food etc., but we generally stick with accommodations that are 3 or 4 star rated. We
like to use small family owned guest houses, farmhouse and hotels. Small does not refer to the rooms sizes
but the number of rooms in the establishment. We will often choose an accommodation for the overall feel
above anything else. We never use chain hotels.
10. How much luggage are we allowed to bring?
We allow one large bag and one small carry on size. We have never heard anybody say that they wished
they had brought more with them but we often hear people say they wished they had brought less! We try
to arrange for laundry service in the middle of the tour.
11. Are all meals included?
No. The majority of meals are included but we also like to allow you to choose some of your own places to
dine and not have to eat with the group at every meal. We always have recommendations of places to eat.
12. Is smoking allowed on the tours?
No. Ireland banned smoking country wide in March of 2004. Scotland banned smoking country wide in
March 0f 2006. Wales ban took place on 2nd April 2007 with England following in July of 2007.
13. Are children allowed on the tours?
Yes. We consider ourselves a family operation and welcome people of any age and we do not discriminate in
any way. Each person will be expected to conduct themselves appropriately and we do not believe in the
majority suffering the minority in any situation.
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