How many people are on your coaches?
European Summer tours have a maximum of only 30 passengers.
What size/style coaches do you have?
Generally we use first class air conditioned touring coaches with 44-49 seats. A smaller coach may be used in the event of any of the departures having less then 20 passengers travelling.
Do I need to take an electricity adapter?
The electricity supply on Continental Europe and Turkey usually works on 220 volts, and 50 cycles. You should take a multi purpose adaptor.
What type of clothing do you recommend?
The weather can vary considerably depending on your destination the time of year you will be travelling. If you are travelling earlier or later in the year remember that I can get much cooler in the evenings.
- Dressing for dinner is smart but casual is probably the easiest formula. We do not expect anyone to ‘dress for dinner’ however you might like to bring along a dinner outfit for a special dinner or event.
- Bathing Clothes – depending on your tour, some hotels you will be staying in may have leisure facilities including swimming pools, whirlpool/spas and saunas.
- Many churches and religious sights require conservative clothing to be warn. In Italy, Turkey and Mediterranean countries ladies are often required to wear longer skirts and to cover your shoulders.
- Comfy shoes are always a must. When sightseeing you may be spending some time on your feet so please make sure you bring comfortable shoes.
Special to Christmas Tours
Yes, the weather can get rather cold, but there is no reason why you should be uncomfortable as your first class coach is fitted with heaters and double glazed windows and your hotels will be warm and comfortable. Just remember a few simple points and all will be well.
- You will want to keep some winter clothes at hand for when you first arrive.
- Comfort starts form the feet up. You should aim to keep your feet warm and dry. Good socks and reasonably sturdy ‘day to day’ shoes are a must.
- Wear a woolen ‘beanie’ or hat. (a body loses the majority of its heat through the top of the head).
- More layers are better than thicker layers. Base your clothing around a simple set of thermal underclothes, spencers etc. Add normal clothing, a woolen jumper and then a good overcoat jacket.
- Buy some gloves. If you are especially concerned about cold fingers get mittens as they are warmer.
- Your Christmas hotel should be very warm. Surprisingly so. Make sure you have a couple of items of light clothing.
- Sunglasses and block-out sunscreen – snow can be very ‘glary’. Ensure you pack your sunglasses, especially for an ‘on snow’ trip where 100% block-out sunscreen is essential.
How much spending money do I require each day?
On a day to day basis you may wish to allow for a morning and afternoon beverage, lunches, a few sundry items, perhaps budget for an average of $30pp per day. If you are buying dinner out a decent meal may be $30-$50pp. Then there’s the souvenirs and other items (personal choice).
Do coaches have toilets?
Generally the coaches do have toilets, however there are plenty of scheduled comfort stops on all itineraries.
Do your tours include arrival and departure transfers?
No – you will be required to make your own way to and from the hotel at the beginning and end of the tour.
Am I expected to tip?
Tipping is an integral part of the service industry in Europe. A service worker – waiter, taxi driver, barman etc will be paid a base salary to perform a task and their employers expect them to supplement their wages by earning tips.
Remember your tour package price INCLUDES the end of tour tips to both your Tour Manager and Driver.
Are your tours fully inclusive?
Not fully inclusive as we don’t include all meals. Our tours are genuinely inclusive - there are no ‘options lists’ or later charged excursions on our tours and even ‘end of tour’ tips to your tour manager and driver are included. We include all the sightseeing, ‘special’ dinners and relevant entrance fees.
Are your hotels first class?
Our hotels are generally First Class. If a first class hotel is not used the alternative is selected for a very good reason - for its style, character or central location. Sometimes in certain towns or regions, first class hotels are simply not available. In some areas we deliberately select a superior tourist class hotel specifically for its fantastic location. For example, on the doorstep of our Nice hotel are the superb, daily fresh produce and flower markets. So in your ample free time you only have to step outside to be immediately amongst the sights, smells and aromas of the ‘real’ France. Alternatively, in Northern France we use superior three star hotels as they are the best hotels available in the delightful, old city centres. Naturally all bedrooms in all hotels have private facilities.
In addition to centrally located city hotels, we have selected a variety of charming regional hotels with character. Imagine how much your enjoyment will be enhanced by staying in a delightful family run Gasthof hotel with balconies that have window boxes bursting with geraniums, or a medieval half timbered hotel oozing charm, or a superb ancient castle dating back centuries. Would you rather bring home memories of staying in an 800 year old hotel as opposed to a modern glass and concrete ‘block’? We think so. Their style, character or location will add significant 'flavour' to your trip and become highlights in themselves!
Why do you not include transfers?
We do not offer ‘Group flights’ for our tours and therefore our passengers all arrive independently on different dates, from different locations and since many arrive by train or using car rental we are unable to book individual transfers.
If I am a single person travelling, do I need to pay the Single Supplement?
Yes, however Individual passengers can request us to match them up in a twin share room with another individual of the same sex. Should we not be able to match you in a twin share room by the final tour balance payment date the single room supplement rate will apply. Please Note: should you be ‘matched’ with another person we cannot be held responsible if the choice is not to your satisfaction. You must consider there will always be a certain risk of incompatibility.
The Single Supplements represent a fee passed on to us by the Hotels.
Do prices shown on the website and in the brochure include airfares?
No, all prices shown are land only prices for the tours. You need to add the cost of international flights, air taxes and fuel surcharges, travel insurance etc.
Are your Tour Managers English Speaking and where do they come from?
Yes, all our Tour Managers are English speaking. Many of them do speak a number of other languages as well. All our Tour Managers are either UK or Europe based. They all have vast experience and knowledge of the countries/areas you will travel in/through.
How do Albatross tours differ from other European Coach tours?
We have group guaranteed departures.
Our tours are ‘genuinely inclusive' – even ‘end of tour’ tips to your tour manager and driver are included. You will NOT find any ‘options lists’ or later charged excursions and extras. We include all the sightseeing, special dinners and relevant entrances. (There are no ‘grey areas’ in our itinerary descriptions).
Our tours are designed with a more leisurely pace with 2, 3, 4 and even 5 night stays - that’s important as you are not constantly packing and unpacking your bags.
Our tours are specifically designed to suit the travel needs of Australian and New Zealand passengers. We have less travelling time and more sightseeing time. We indicate the average number of kilometres travelled per day on each tour.
Our feature hotels are selected for their style, character or location.
Are Albatross tours escorted from Australia?
No, the group meets the Albatross Tour Manager at the hotel on Day 1 of the tour. Note our Swiss Christmas and New Year Breaks are NON escorted tours and therefore do not have Tour Managers.
Do all tours have guaranteed departures?
We have Guaranteed Group departures.
All Albatross Tour programmes are group touring programmes. The term ‘group tour’ is defined as having a minimum of 7 passengers travelling. Once Albatross Tours confirms 7 deposited passengers travelling, it guarantees that the group tour will depart.
