What Does the Tour Price Include?

The information below will answer our travelers' most-asked questions regarding what services are covered by the tour fees.

Round Trip Airfare:

From Raleigh-Durham International Airport on a regulary scheduled flight using a major US or international airline.

On-Tour Transportation:

All surface transportation overseas by private motorcoach, trains, ferries, boats, and intra-tour flights as shown on the selected itinerary, and transfers between airports and hotels abroad on arrival and departure.

Transportation is not provided during free time, however any necessary local transportation during walking tours is also included.

Hotel Accomodations:

Hotel accomodations are provided at superior class (3-star) or first-class (4-star) hotels. Tour prices are based on using triple rooms for students (those persons under 22 years of age) and double rooms for adults. Each room contains private bath facilities. (In some rare cases, hotels in certain countries may use a large room or mini-suite to accomodate four persons.)

Meals

Two meals daily (continental or buffet breakfast at your assigned hotel and dinner at your hotel and/or a local restaurant). Dinner, on occasion may be provided at lunch time in order to facilitate the schedule of activities.

Tour Director

A full time, professional tour director is provided throughout the land portion of all programs in Europe.

Sightseeing

Comprehensive sightseeing tours led by local, licesnsed, multi-lingual guides as specified in the tour itinerary. All entrance fees to the selected attractions and performances as shown in bold, purple capital letters on the itinerary text and also under "Included Visits."

City orientation tours, walking tours, and on-the-road commentary are conducted by your Tour Director.

Luggance Allowance Requirements

Luggage is strictly limited to one medium-sized suitcase (not to exceed 29 inches by 20 inches by 10 inches) to be checked on board the aircraft and one small carry-on bag (to fit under your airline seat), due to the limited capacity of your motorcoach and other modes of transport used on your tour.

Participants are responsible for handling their own baggage.

Tips, Gratuities, & Taxes

Tour fees include tips for services provided by the hotel and restaurant staff as well as all taxes assessed by the hotels and restaurants used.

Customary tips to your Tour Director and Drivers are not included.

What's Not Included?

Domestic Departure Taxes

These include the US Departure Tax, Passenger Facility Charges as assessed by local US Airports, Security and Customs Fees, and the US International Arrival TAx. These taxes are goverment-mandated and are subject to change at any time due to legislation beyond our control. This fee is currently $89.00 and is quoted on our pricing page for your reference.

Foreign Departure Taxes

These taxes are government mandates and, for most destinations, must be pre-paid. You will be invoiced for this amount, but the current fee is $69.00 and is quoted on our pricing page for your reference. This fee is subject to change without notice due to government legislation beyond our control.

Airline-Assessed Security/Insurance Fee

This fee covers increased costs for newly-instituted security measures. This fee is subject to change without notice, but is currently $39.00 and is quoted on our pricing page for your reference.

Airline Fuel Surcharges

Any applicable fuel surcharges as required and assessed by air carriers.

Currency Fluctuations

Due to changes in foreign currancy exchange rates versus the US dollar.

Weekend Departure Surcharge

$35.00 for flights departing on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday (in either direction, outbound or inbound).

Personal Expenses

These include passport and visa fees, laundry, telephone calls, porterage at airports and hotels, beverages with mean other than coffee or tea at breakfast, and any cost incurred by reason of absence or personal deviation from the tour.

Transportation Related Expenses

Expenses from your hometown to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, expenses caused by last-minute airline scheduling or delays caused by mechanical problems or inclement weather, or transfer costs between airports in the US.

Special Meal Arrangements

Because meals are preapred and served on a group basis, we are unable to accomodate special meal requests for individuals with specific dietary restrictions. Any special meals required by such participants will be at their own expense.

Additional Charge for Non-Standard Rooming

Additional fees apply for any person under 22 who requests a double room ($15 per person, per night), or for any adult who request or require single rooms ($45 per person, per night).

Customary Tips to Tour Director & Driver

It is customary practice in the group travel industry to tip your Tour Director and long-distance Bus Driver at the conclusion of the tour. We recommend each participant tip $2.00 per person, per day to your tour director and $1.00 per person, per day to your driver.

Optional Travel Insurance

CHA offers participants an extensive optional insurance policy including Medical, Baggage, and Extended Tour Concellation & Interruption Insurance at an additional cost (see "Optional Insurance").