Always Travels Tour Q & A
Why is a tour with Always Travels different?
We strive to build itineraries that are full of guided and curated cultural experiences, while remaining flexible enough to ensure that each traveler can make their experience individual and unique. Your group will not exceed 10 travelers, so we are able to create intimate experiences that aren’t available to bus-loads of tourists. The point of going with a tour group is to have a corps of fellow travelers to share experiences with and to have host who do most of the planning for you. Our tour offers daily activities, but most are not all-day affairs. There is so much to see and do in these selected destinations, it is critical that you have free time to do things that are special to you or to visit must-see sights that are not on our itinerary. But the small tour size also means that you get more direct attention from your hosts. So, if you need advice or assistance in planning your free time, we are there for you. Moreover, we’ll always have a plan for the "free time" too. So, if what David or I decide to do in the unscheduled time sounds good to you, you’re always welcome to join us! (Just note that costs associated with these optional off-time activities are not included in the tour price.)
Why isn’t airfare included in the tour price?
With everyone coming from a different starting point, it’s likely cheaper and more convenient for you to book your own flights. Some of you might also want to use airline points to get a discount, which wouldn’t be possible if we booked everything as a group. Moreover, buying on your own allows you wait for flights sales or discount from your nearby airport. You can set up price alerts on some of the more popular websites, such as Google Flights, Kayak, Momondo,or Skyscanner. These will send you notices when prices drop for your dates. Each of these services also has a smartphone app you can download. But even if all that sounds like too much work, we’ll be keeping an eye out for price deals. We’re happy to share those with anyone who reserves a spot on the tour and requests our help identifying the best flights. We are also happy to do the bookings for you, if that's easier for you. Just let us know what you need.
Why aren’t meals covered?
There are a few portions of the itinerary that expressly include meals, food, and/or drinks. Wherever that’s listed, you will only be responsible if you order alcohol (unless that too is expressly included). But the primary reason we don’t include meals in the tour itinerary is that with a group of 10 people, it’s unlikely that everyone will want the same thing at the same time. Some people need a large buffet breakfast to start their days, while others are content simply with a cup of coffee. Some people may want to have the true multi-course bistro lunch experience, while others may simply want to grab a sandwich on-the -go between sights. For dinner, some may want to splurge on a meal they’ll never forget, while others might feel more comfortable with dining on a budget. Whatever the case, dining while traveling is one of the things that will shape your trip experience, but your wants or expectations are also incredibly personal and may change from day to day. If we arranged all of your meals for you, you’d have little to no flexibility and you’d miss the opportunity to personalize your experience to meet your mood at any given moment. With that said, we’re happy to make recommendations, provide advice on dining habits in Paris, or just generally be a resource for you. Plus, you’re always welcome to join David or me if our choices at any given moment sound good to you.
Do you cover airport transfers?
No. Just like with flights, each of you will have different needs or expectations for how to get from the airports. If you book a tour with us, prior to your departure, we’ll send you details on all of your options for getting from your arrival airport to the hotel. These can run from less expensive, but likely longer options (such as the bus or train) to the more convenient, but more expensive, options of a taxi or Uber. Price, patience, and your level of exhaustion will all affect your choice, so we don’t feel comfortable making that choice for you. Arranging transfers for larger groups can get really expensive for you and often require you to wait for others. That’s not our idea of service.
What’s the hotel like?
Most hotel rooms in Europe are not like the large, spacious, open concept rooms you may have come to expect in the United States. With that said, for our Budapest & Vienna stays, we have reserved studio and 1-bedroom apartments in 4-star apartment-hotels. Each private apartment accommodates at least 2 people and is larger than the standard hotel room. Each also comes with a full kitchen, which can make things easier for those who want to save a bit of money on meals or just want the convenience of a place to story wine and snacks or reheat leftover. Some apartments will also include balconies. Each building has 24-hour front desk staff like any hotel, and each is centrally located to be within walking distance of many key sights.
Should I be worried about terrorism or unrest?
While Europe has had some notable terrorist attacks in the past decade, it is no different than any other major western country, including the United States. Mass shootings in Orlando, Las Vegas, or dozens of other tourist destinations in the U.S. have not stopped people from visiting those cities. Most people don’t even consider that in their decisions to travel domestically. It’s really no different when traveling abroad.
Crime in Budapest and Vienna is relatively low compared to the United States, though visitors should take precautions against pickpockets in crowded areas. Safety should be every traveler’s top priority and we all have to take common-sense precautions and keep abreast of local developments, just as we would in any large city. Ultimately, the Hungarians and Austrians take security very seriously, but they do it in a way that minimizes interference with the daily experiences of travelers.
How will we get around while in Budapest and Vienna?
While Budapest has Europe's second oldest subway system, it still runs smoothly and is quite efficient. There is also an extensive public trams system that will get you nearly anywhere you'd like to go. Vienna also has an extensive subway system (known as the "U") as well as trams, buses, and commuter rails within the city. While public transportation passes are not included in the cost of the tour (except where expressly stated) public transportation in both cities is inexpensive and daily or per-use tickets are available at vending machines and ticket window. Taxis and car shares are also available options.
What Languages Do they Speak?
In Vienna, the official language is German. In Budapest, the official language is Hungarian, which can be quite challenging for many English-speakers. But is not necessary to speak either language to fall in love with these cities. David and I have visited several times without any skills in either and we've always had a fantastic time. Most people at hotels and tourist areas speak fluent English, or at least enough English to make you feel comfortable. Moreover, all of the guides organized by Always Travels will be fluent in English. With that said, there will be some areas—like some restaurants, shops, and taxis—in which English may be more limited. In such cases, if you have just a minimum amount of useful greetings or phrases, it’s amazing how warm people will be and how far charades will get you. As David says, “If you speak ‘retail’ and know how to point, you can get by in nearly any shop.” We do recommend that everyone learn a handful of the basic greetings. Just like you’d expect a person visiting your town to at least know how to say “hello,” “yes,” “no,” “please,” and “thank you,” it’s not asking too much for us to learn them in German or Hungarian. There are many easy-to-use and free apps that will teach you basic phrases and we’ll share suggestions with those who book tours with us. We’re here to support you, whenever you need it.
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Other questions? Don’t hesitate to ask us: info@alwaystravels.com
