Although on paper it appears tempting or romantic to hear you are staying 100 yards from a particular site in a small charming hotel with old world character, the reality is Europe is very old. The cities are very old and most all of the hotels that are only a few steps away from the big attractions are also very old. Some may try to romanticize quaint charm and an authentic feel for the city you are in but we have found that many of the smaller mom-and-pop, boutique style hotels don’t have the high standards that we demand on our tours. The truth is most 20 to 80 room "quaint family run"hotels in Europe are 200 to 500-year old apartments or office buildings that have been converted to hotels over the years. As you can imagine there was no such thing as indoor plumbing way back then and what you end up with is a ten foot by twelve foot room where a four foot by six foot bathroom was shoe-horned in sometime in the 19th or 20th century. That makes for a shower no bigger than an American phone booth (no exaggeration). The smaller hotels also don’t have the luxury to move you to a new room if the prior guest smoked in a non smoking room (many don’t even offer non smoking rooms) or the heat or air conditioning isn’t working. You’re basically stuck with what you have been given. We prefer to use the larger, newer hotels for your maximum comfort.

A few months ago, we ran across an article by a large marketing firm that got us thinking. It stated that 97% of all marketing brochures were not even read before they tossed in the trash. We would love to start a trend where our marketing does not create any useless waste or consume resources for no good reason. We have decided we would try to devote our efforts to the most responsible marketing we could think of - marketing via word of mouth from former guests, travel agents and the internet. For now, we will give it our best shot as one of the few, if not the only tour provider, that does not offer a fully printed brochure. Please see the eBrochure section of this website for a printable list of what is included in your tour price, itinerary and tour highlights.
Please feel free to either contact your travel agent or contact us directly via our toll free number if you feel there is anything you need further information on.

Yes you will. Although our tours have the most comprehensive itineraries that include just about everything you would ever want to see, we do understand there may be something unique you have always wanted to see or try, maybe even go back to something we have already visited for a second time. Each day in the late afternoon we schedule a "pit stop" back at our hotel. For anyone that wishes they may continue to explore on their own and make their way back to the hotel at their own pace. Our tours are not specifically geared for the independent traveler, they are more suited for the novice European traveler that would not want to worry about making their way around a foreign country un-escorted

No, your attire will depend on your personal preferences alone. Please note that some of the cathedrals that we visit require covered shoulders and in some cases, knee length shorts or skirts. Other than that, its your vacation. Wear what whatever you feel comfortable in.

Yes, as long as it is fully collapsible, non-motorized and you are traveling with an able bodied companion capable of pushing you in it. Please advise us at time of booking if you plan to bring one.