INCLUSIONS

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS

• 14 nights superior (4 - 5 star) hotel accommodation
• 13 breakfasts
• 2 lunches 
• 12 dinners with 1 glass of wine/beer/soft drink
• Welcome and farewell group dining experiences 

SIGHTSEEING AND GUIDE

• Experienced English-speaking tour leader 
• Encounter Travel host (with group 14+)
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary

TRAVEL

• Private coach travel
• 2 x first class rail journeys
• Boat excursions

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

• Luggage transfer for rail journeys
• Small group, not more than 20 travellers

Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for joining this tour and is in addition to the package price.

Not included: 

• Airfares 
• Airport transfers unless specified
• Porterage at hotels
• Porterage at airports
• Travel insurance
• Excess baggage
• Visa fees if applicable
• Meals and beverages not specified on itinerary
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry & medical expenses
• Incidental expenses such as taxi fares, telecommunications

Itinerary

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels

Hotels may be subject to change and if changed a similar standard will be provided.

Hotels may be subject to change. If required, a similar standard will be provided.

ACCOMMODATION – DOUBLE FOR SINGLE USE
Encounter Travel books all hotels so that if you take your own room you have the same standard room as two people sharing.  This is to avoid common practice in Europe where a room for one person is allocated (a single room) and the room standard and/or size is less than that of a room for two people.  Also throughout Europe the beds can be somewhat smaller than an average sized beds in Australia.  For example a standard double sized bed is from 137 – 187cm, in Europe the beds are smaller and average between 120 and 140cm. Please note, if sharing it’s more regular in Europe that beds are singles.

If you think that you have been given the incorrect room type anytime while on tour, speak directly to the hotel or your tour director who can sort this out for you at the time. Advice to us after the fact or on your return means we can’t make amends.

GETTING THERE

HOTEL CHECK IN /CHECK OUT TIMES
Consider the hotel check in time on arrival and the hotel check out time on departure. 

Check In: 2pm (as a guide but can be as late as 3pm)
Check Out: 11am as a guide (can be as early as 10am)

Late check out can be requested but without payment cannot be guaranteed.

DETAILS

Read on for other key trip information that you should know before you decide on joining the group.

Trip Availability
If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to book early and secure your place with a deposit.  Tour space is limited. Also, many services on this tour must be booked well in advance. To ensure your place, please check trip availability at your earliest convenience.

Fellow Travellers
You will enjoy this group experience with a maximum of 20 travellers. This is a Solos Only tour (couple free). You are welcome to join with a friend, but couples do not join this tour.

THE PACE [3 out of 5]
Travellers of 70 years or over will be required to return a Fit to Travel form that is completed by their doctor. More Information > Visit Travel Fitness

This tour includes a reasonable amount of sightseeing on foot and is graded as a medium-paced tour. An average level of fitness level is required to participate in this tour. For travellers with mobility issues or slower walking pace this tour may not be suitable. You need to be able standing and walking for extended durations. The majority of driving days are not too long, with convenient stops at places of interest along the way for refreshments and sightseeing. 

ABOUT THE MEALS
It’s regular that our trips include welcome dinners and farewell dinners for our groups. In addition, we include other group dining experiences to ensure that everyone can enjoy the benefit of travelling and dining as a group.  There’s nothing better than to share a meal with new friends and discuss the day’s adventures.

The meals included with our itinerary are Italian/European cuisine. We include highlight dinners and lunches as detailed by the itinerary. Highlight references that use local restaurants of a high standard or if we use hotel restaurants they are of a high standard. Also, with each included dinner a glass of wine is included. 

Are you a flexitarian?
If you have dietary requirements, please advise if it is due to allergies or for medical reasons or if it is a personal preference and if you are flexible. Dietary requirements will limit choices. If a dietary requirement is not essential due to medical reasons and you are a flexitarian, then we recommend that you exclude your personal preferences if not necessary to provide more options with the meal choices.

GROUP TOUR GUIDE
This is a private group tour with a coach driver and English speaking, locally based tour guide. Your guide commences their services from Amsterdam on day 1 and is there to assist with group arrangements and to act as the liaison for all tour services. 

An Encounter Travel host will join also with a group of 14 or more.

The role of your group guide is to lead the group, take charge of all the trip logistics on tour, and of course, make sure the trip runs as smoothly as possible so ultimately you have the best possible experience. From time to time, as is the nature of travel, ‘hiccups’ can occur, such as unexpected delays to due to traffic congestion, unexpected weather conditions that make a change of plans necessary, and many other things that go hand in hand with travel. In these circumstances your group leader will do their utmost to make the best possible alternative plans – please be ready to accept that these situations are out of the control of anyone and trust in your group leader to assist as best as possible.

ACCOMMODATION – DOUBLE FOR SINGLE USE
Encounter Travel pays a supplement to all hotels for this itinerary so that the passengers who opt to take a single room get a double bed. Throughout Europe the beds can be somewhat smaller than an average queen sized bed here in Australia. For example a standard double sized bed is from 137 – 187cm, in Europe the beds are smaller and average between 120 and 140cm.

If you think that you have been given the incorrect room type anytime while on tour, it’s best to speak directly to your tour director who can sort this out for you at the time.

TIPPING
Tipping may not be your custom, or the custom of your home country, however it is significant in many parts of the world for roles in tourism. It’s customary to tip tour service personnel including your group tour leader, driver, local guides, restaurant staff, and hotel porters. It’s also appreciated to leave small tips for room attendants and restaurant wait staff.  We appreciate that for many travellers tipping is awkward, and they are unsure about how and what amount to tip.

Some tipping amounts are included; details to follow

NEED TO KNOW

• Comfort stops along the way at public bathrooms usually incur a fee for use; carry small change for the entry fee (1 Euro notes, and coins).
• There may be some early departures for visits to popular sights to avoid delays and large crowds.
• Some places visited may require that you check in your hand luggage such as back packs. A small hand bag is required for these visits to carry personal items. Or if a cloak room is not available, large bags to be left on the touring vehicle.
• Expect to have to present your passport for hotel check in, and some sights visited for security reasons.

TRANSPORT
Touring is by a private air-conditioned coach, or van (dependent on group size). There is also some boat travel and two rail journeys.

LUGGAGE INFORMATION AND RESTRICTIONS 

Checked Luggage Maximum Weight: 1 piece, maximum 23kg
While on tour, one piece of checked luggage not exceeding 23 kilograms in weight is permitted. Porterage, where available, is included for one piece of checked luggage.

On tour, checked luggage is limited to one medium size suitcase per person, the sum of its length/width and depth not to exceed 150cm (59"). If your luggage exceeds this limit, we ask that you make alternative arrangements for the excess to be forwarded to the termination point of your tour. We suggest you have wheels on your suitcase, as there are certain places where assistance is not available.

Hand Luggage Maximum Weight/Information: 1 piece
One piece of hand luggage such as your daypack can be carried with on your person. A small handbag is also permitted.

MORE INFORMATION

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