No other operator has been able to come close to establishing anything like our network of local characters; from chefs and artisans to historians, farmers and even taxi drivers. you'll eat with them, drink with them; listen to their stories. you'll find they'll open up your understanding of your destination in ways you never imagined.
Trafalgar offer more destinations and more types of holiday than any other guided travel operator and there's always an element of free time and flexibility built-in. you'll be a VIP, enjoying exclusive access to selected sights, avoid queues at major attractions, benefit from luggage porterage right to your room, and stay in carefully selected hotels.
Our Travel Directors are carefully selected for their knowledge and enthusiasm. Whether they're introducing you to a local artisan, revealing a hidden treasure or simply helping you to plan your day, they are your ideal friend and companion, wherever you are on your travels. From checking you into your hotel room to recommending a local eatery, your Travel Director's aim is to make travelling easy.
Maybe you like to be guided every inch of the way. Or perhaps you just want a nudge in the right direction. However you like to travel, your Travel Director will make your trip unforgettable.
Seeing the sights isn't enough. You need someone to explain them to you to make them come to life. Someone who won't just give you the kind of information you might glean from guidebooks, but show you how it's done, or supply you with fresh insights and anecdotes to make your guided holiday memorable.
Local Specialists are local characters – dancers, archaeologists, geologists, artisans – whose remit is to take you deeper into local culture. So you don't just see what's new and different, you experience it in a way that's fresh and vital.
Some of the hotels we've found capture local culture in a way that's entirely unique; hence the name 'Authentic Accommodation'. Join us for a night's stay at the hotel where JFK proposed to Jackie Onassis. Or get a feel for what it was like to be an old-time Italian king while staying at the Albergo Dell'Agenzia – the former country estate of King Carlo Alberto of Savoy.
After all, there's nothing like waking up in a place that has a history.
Food tastes so much better when it's shared with local people who have a story to tell. Perhaps that's why Trafalgar's "Be My Guest" experiences are so popular.
you'll dine with local families in their homes, learn how to cook regional dishes, and share a glass or two with winemakers at their vineyards; giving you a deeper understanding of their lives and history.
Travel documents, including any air tickets, tour itinerary, hotel lists, and helpful hints and other information are able to be unlocked approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor can organise these earlier if you are travelling before your holiday starts.
You'll find an average of 40 to 45 guests on trips throughout Europe, and a maximum of 52 guests on trips throughout the United States and Canada.
Each itinerary offers the perfect balance of downtime and discoveries. We also give you the opportunity to tailor your trip with Optional Experiences. You might choose to enjoy some of the best seats in the house at the world-famous Moulin Rouge in Paris. Or maybe take a magical early-morning balloon ride over the Napa Valley. Trafalgar's At Leisure tours offer a more relaxed pace, with later starts and longer stays in each place.
We pride ourselves on having the finest fleet of fuel-efficient, fully air-conditioned coaches – all with reclining seats and on-board restrooms. The high vantage point from your coach's window means you can take in all the glorious scenery, whether it's a vast rural landscape or an urban city centre. We also have on board WiFi.
We select our hotels for their quality, impeccable service and comfort, with the majority of them having air-conditioning. Few hotels in the northern Alps or Europe have air conditioning due to the colder climate.
If you prefer the privacy of your own room, you can opt for our single supplement. The cost will depend on your trip and can be found in the pricing section of the itinerary. On many of our trips we offer discounts on the standard single supplement. If you'd rather not incur the additional expense, consider our single traveller room share option. We'll accommodate you with a fellow guest of the same gender, on a twin-bed basis.
We can accommodate guests who are vegetarian and can assist with diabetic, gluten-free and other medically-recommended diets. Please advise us at time of booking. Unfortunately, we're unable to supply meals in accordance with strict religious requirements. We can't provide salt-free, Kosher, Halal, requests for specific dietary supplements such as soya milk, and high protein or low-carb meals.
Gold Seal Protection is designed to provide you with peace of mind. For $99 per person, should you choose to cancel your guided holiday for any reason, prior to 30 days from departure date, Trafalgar will refund your deposit and/or guided holiday payment. Gold Seal Protection must be paid with the deposit and cannot be added at any later date. If you wish for us to include this protection in your quote, please let us know when enquiring.
You can bring one suitcase per person with the dimensions of 76cm x 46cm x 25cm (30" x 18" x 10") and weight not exceeding 23kg (50 lbs) due to the limited space on the coach. You can also bring one piece of hand luggage, provided it is small enough to take on the coach and does not have telescopic handles. All baggage handling is provided at no extra charge. One suitcase per person will be brought to your hotel room.
We'll check you in, look after your luggage and take care of all hotel porterage, tips and gratuities - whether it is for restaurant staff, chambermaids or porters. Please note that Travel Director and Drivers gratuities are not included in the trip cost. You have the option to add pre-paid gratuities on your booking - please request when you enquire with us and your Travel Advisor will include it in your quote.
This will depend on not only your personal preference, but the destinations you're visiting and the time of year you'll be travelling. We'd recommend bringing at least one smart outfit for special evenings.
We realise that everyone likes some time to themselves, which is why we've left free time on all of our itineraries. If you want to get the most out of your destination, our Optional Experiences let you tailor your trip. Your Travel Director will tell you about all of the Optional Experiences available on the first day of your trip. Payment can be made by credit card or cash.
Most hotels do offer a laundry service and in some cities Laundromats are also available. However, it's sensible to try and pack enough clothing to avoid having to do laundry, as it can sometimes be costly or inconvenient.
Yes, your Travel Director will implement a seat rotation system, whereby all guests will rotate their seats on the coach daily. This allows for everyone to experience the spectacular views from different seats, and you'll have a better opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.
Your Travel Director will assist you with a doctor's visit or hospitalisation should you require. Trafalgar has a dedicated Customer Care Department in Europe, or their Operations Department in the relevant country will contact you to offer assistance and advice, coordinate with your travel insurance company and keep in touch until you are able to re-join the trip or return home. This service is included in the cost of your trip; however it is not a replacement for travel insurance, which Trafalgar strongly advise you to purchase.
Enjoy complimentary transfers on the first and last days of your tour at set scheulded times. If your flight times do not coincide with the transfer times, you can choose to purchase a private transfer through us.
Trafalgar is pleased to offer complimentary airport transfers on our East Med itineraries, at any time either on the first or last day of the holiday or on other days in conjunction with pre and post trip accommodation booked through Global Journeys & Trafalgar.
Trafalgar offer complimentary transfers to and from London Heathrow (LHR) on the first and last days of your tour, provided you’ve booked your flights through Global Journeys and Trafalgar. If you’re booking your own flights via London Heathrow, you can purchase your transfers through Global Journeys and Trafalgar. You can also purchase transfers through through Global Journeys and Trafalgar if you’re traveling outside of your scheduled itinerary dates, provided you’ve bought your extra hotel night(s) through us. For passengers flying into London's Gatwick Airport, Trafalgar recommend the Gatwick Express. For details visit the Gatwick Express website at: www.gatwickexpress.com
While we don't generally cover transfers here, we'll provide plenty of private and public transport options in your guest documents so that you can plan ahead. Be sure to check your trip itinerary too, as some tours end with a travel day that includes an airport drop-off.
For selected cities, we offer an option to purchase private transfers on your tour start and end dates. Please check at the time of booking. If you’re arriving earlier or leaving later than your scheduled itinerary dates, you can purchase your transfer from us, provided you’ve also bought your extra hotel night(s) through us.
Enjoy complimentary airport transfers on the starting and ending days of your guided tour. If you are travelling outside of the scheduled itinerary dates, complimentary airport transfers are still included, provided you’ve also bought your extra hotel night(s) through us.
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