Who are these trips intended for?
These trips are for people of all ages who are interested in castles,
history, adventure and cultural trips. Even some people who are not
interested in castles, have found our trips fun and informative.
I only speak English. Is that a problem?
Not at all. English is the only language on the tour. You have
your private guide and translator with you all the time in case of any problems.
Most people you meet along they way are able to speak English at least a little,
and speak it very well if they are working in a tourist-related business.
All the tour guides, castles guides, local guides and of course your tour
director speak excellent, easy-to-understand English.
Where do the guests come from?
From everywhere in the English speaking countries, including the United
States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. A
mix of people from various countries makes a more interesting tour experience
for everyone.
How big are the groups?
The maximum participants is limited to 30 – to make sure you enjoy every
single aspect of the tour to the fullest.
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Is there really much of an advantage to this sort
of "all-inclusive" tour?
With current world economic conditions the way they are, booking and paying
for your European vacation package in U.S. dollars makes traveling overseas a
bargain and gives you peace of mind, knowing that you have already paid for most
aspects of your vacation. Instead of flying to Europe and paying for local
accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, and meals in Euros, which are
strong against the U.S. dollar right now, you can purchase nearly all of your
vacation arrangements up front with U.S. currency.
What time of the year is the best time to
travel? When can we expect the best weather?
The best times to travel to Europe are when there is lots of sunshine – early
summer (May, June, and early July when the holidays have not started yet) or
early fall (September and early October). Late July and August can be very
hot even in the mountains, and touring then can be tiresome.
The weather has become very unpredictable recently. It can be unusually
warm or cool for the season, but the dates we picked for you are in the usual
sunny and comfortably warm season.
The Christmas Market tour is scheduled in December and we usually have snow in
the valleys during that period, and of course on the mountains.
Why is it so difficult to get to many of
the castles on your own?
Many of the castles we visit are far away from the cities, frequently on
strategically chosen heights of land. Getting there by public
transportation is often quite difficult. In some cases there are only one
or two connecting buses or trains per day.
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What kinds of transportation are used?
We have horse carriages, cable cars, boats, ski lifts, and we walk – but of
course most of the time we use our sparkling luxury coach with 47 seats,
air-conditioning, toilet, reclining seats, radio. TV, and DVD, driven by our
wonderful, safe and very experienced driver.
Is the airline ticket included on the price?
No, airline tickets are extra. Transportation will be provided from the
airport for your arrival, and the airport transfer for your return in provided.
Are the entrances to the castles included?
Yes, the entrance fees for every castle visit in the itinerary is included in
the price. All transportation costs (buses, carriages, boats, cable cars)
are also included. There are no hidden extras. There are no
"optional" excursions or activities for you to pay for at extra cost.
Are all meals included?
All breakfasts are provided. Lunches are on your own. Most
dinners are provided (all except one or two, as noted in the itinerary).
Guests seem to enjoy picking their own spots from the choices available at noon.
The group is together most evenings for dinner, but guests have one or two
nights free (depending on the length of the tour) to make their own plans.
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Can I talk with a past passenger?
Certainly! Contact us and we will provide you with the necessary
information.
You can also read comments from participants in past tours on our
References page.
How do I register for a tour?
Instructions and a choice between an online or a paper Reservation Request
form are provided on our
Reservations page.
How fast does email move between Germany and other countries?
Normally email moves very quickly, but occasionally there are bottlenecks in
the international systems that may delay messages for several hours. Some
internet service providers' services are faster than others. Most email
delivery problems are the result of overly aggressive spam filters. Go to
your email service's "safe list" and add the address "astrid.baur@t-online.de" to
it to ensure that our messages aren't blocked. If you are expecting a
reply that doesn't arrive within one day, please send a follow-up email and we
will resend and / or telephone you.
What travel documents are required for these tours?
A valid passport is required for traveling to Germany and the European
countries included in our tours. Your passport should be valid for at
least 6 months beyond the beginning of your trip. No Visa is needed for
U.S., Canadian, Australian, or British citizens. Other citizens (including
those residing in North America) must consult with the German Consulate to
determine if a visa is needed.
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Are there ATM machines available?
ATM machines are very common in Europe and provide ready access to cash,
allowing travelers to carry as much money as they need for each day.
Remember to obtain your PIN number in advance, and call your bank to ask the
maximum daily withdrawal limit.
When you use ATMs and request money, are you
requesting local currencies or U.S.?
You request the amount you want in local currency, get the local currency.
And you pay in U.S. Dollars or your home currency.
Are credit cards accepted?
Major credit cards are accepted by shops and restaurants. Visa and
MasterCard are the most widely accepted. Discover is not accepted.
Should we bring Travelers Checks or cash?
Cash in fine as long as you carry it in a safe place, like a money belt, and
cash is accepted everywhere. Travelers Checks are not accepted by many
businesses. You need to cash them at a local bank. The availability
of cash from ATMs and the widespread use of credit cards has diminished the use
of Travelers Checks. Travelers Checks can be replaced if they are lost or
stolen. Keep your receipt and the list of checks that shows which ones you
have used in a place separate from the checks themselves. And keep a copy
of them at home.
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What do I need to pack?
You will get a detailed package designed for your tour with lots of tips on
packing five weeks prior to the tour.
Will I need to bring a hairdryer or an electrical
adapter for charging a camera battery?
Electricity in Germany and central Europe is supplied at 220 volts.
Plugs with two round pins are used.
To avoid hassles or disasters, bring as little electrical equipment as possible.
Hair dryers and alarm clocks are provided, and an iron can be supplied.
Some new items (such as digital camera chargers, laptop power supplies, and
electric razors) are marked as being able to work on both 110 and 220 volt
systems. These may be used with an American to European AC plug adapter
which you should obtain before leaving North America.
I have heard that all pills must be in their original
containers.
Because of strict drug laws in Europe, drugs you take on doctor’s orders
should be carried in their original container showing the prescription label and
vitamins should be in their original containers.
Other questions?
Please send us a note at the address below and we'll try our best to answer for you.
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