Goway's Blue-Roads UK/Europe Frequently Asked Questions
Please scroll down for answers regarding:
1. GENERAL QUESTIONS
2. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MINI-COACHES (VANS)
3. QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS
4. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TOUR ITINERARIES
5. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUGGAGE
6. WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR BLUE-ROADS EXPERIENCE?
1. GENERAL QUESTIONS
Who do the Goway Blue-Roads tours appeal to?
They are mainly English-speaking and in the main come from Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and Hong Kong. We do have other nationalities join occasionally but all tour commentaries are in English.
We believe that our tours appeal to individuals who enjoy culture, good food, meeting like-minded people, exploring local regions and want a more relaxing style of travel. We welcome first time travellers, however, also find that many of our passengers have travelled with us before and continue to do so.
Are the tours always guaranteed to run?
As a general rule we will run our tours with a minimum of four people*, at which point we will usually guarantee the departure. Guaranteed tours are identified on our website, and your travel agent will be able to advise you of the on-going status. If we are forced to cancel a tour, you will be advised at least 6 weeks in advance. You will then have a choice of a full refund of the amount paid for the tour, or an alternative tour.
*An exception to this is our Croatian Wilderness Sailing tour, which operates with a minimum of eight people.
What level of mobility do I need on a Goway Blue-Roads tour?
You need to be fit enough to get on and off the vehicle on a regular basis, walk to attractions, around towns and villages, walk up and downstairs in some of the hotels and use a showers over the bath. We frequently use traditional style hotels and many will not have lifts or groundfloor rooms. If you are in any doubt as to whether our tours are suitable for you, please check with us.
I have some health issues. Will this be a problem?
If your health problem is managed without the need for additional care, special facilities, or does not present a risk to any other passengers then we should be able to accept you on one of our tours. It is always best to check if you are unsure.
When is the best time to visit Europe?
We have scores of departure dates so there's certain to be one that suits your time frame. There is no doubt summer months are the best time to visit the UK and Europe, due to the warmer climate, however, July and August are the 'peak' months where most of Europe is on holidays and you might find more popular areas particularly busy. If you prefer to travel away from the crowds, May-June and Sept-October can be more pleasant times to visit Europe. The Winter months are great alternatives to experience Europe's festive seasons. November-January being the best winter months to travel and catch Christmas Markets and the best sales! (and hopefully some snow). Our winter tours have been adapted to allow you to see the best of the country at this time and they take into account closed attractions.
What is the typical age of a Goway Blue-Roads touring client?
There tends to be a fairly wide range of ages, but broadly speaking our clients are in the 40-70 age group.
Are the tours suitable for children?
Our tours are designed principally for adults, but we will consider accepting children aged 12 or over on request*. Please note that triple and family rooms are not always available and we do not offer child rates*.
*An exception to this is our A Family Christmas in Lapland tour.
Are airport transfers included?
They are NOT included in your tour. We can always book transfers for you as an additional service.
Can you explain what a driver/tour leader is?
Our driver/tour leaders have all passed a stringent government test which allows them to drive our vehicles and conduct tours. The intimate nature of our groups means that he/she becomes your travelling companion rather than just a tour leader, which makes for a much more rewarding experience. On some tours in mainland Europe (e.g. Italy, Spain, Croatia etc.) we will often use a driver in addition to a tour leader as this makes for better operation of the tour in these particular areas.
2. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MINI-COACHES (VANS)
What kind of vehicles do you use?
We operate a fleet of Mini Coaches. The most common vehicle in our fleet is a 16 seater Mercedes Sprinter. This vehicle is used on all tours that operate in the UK, Ireland and France.* In other countries in mainland Europe and Turkey we use models of a comparable standard and our group sizes do not exceed 18 passengers. *Where group sizes are 7 or under we may operate the tour using a Mercedes Vito 8 seater.
I'm over 6 foot. Is there plenty of leg room?
Yes, several of the seats have sufficient room for even the tallest passenger to stretch their legs. We also rotate places to ensure that no-one is sitting permanently in any particular seat.
Do you have a policy on smoking?
Virtually all countries in Europe have now implemented a total smoking ban in public places, and the local laws must be followed. It goes without saying that no smoking is allowed on our vehicles.
How many people will be on my tour?
The maximum number we carry is 18 (average group size is 12) and the minimum 4 (except Croatian Wilderness Sailing, which is minimum 8). Tours with a separate driver and tour leader will have a maximum of 18 passengers; tours with a driver/tour leader only will have a maximum of 15. Your Tour Leader will usually implement a daily seat rotation on the vehicle so you can get to know your fellow travellers better and enjoy the view from a different perspective each day.
3. QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS
Can we get triple room accommodation?
We can request these on your behalf, however, there is limited triple availability and often a triple room contains a double bed and one single. There is little, if any, cost saving to be made in booking a triple room unless it is to save a 'single supplement' charge.
Do the rooms have bathtubs or showers?
All hotel rooms are private ensuite. In historic hotels bathroom facilities can vary and you may find that some rooms will have a tub, some showers, some both.
Can we get a ground floor room?
Approximately 60% of the places we use will have limited ground floor accommodation available, but we will only be able to provide for one room per tour. When a ground floor room is requested but not available, we will allocate the lowest, most easily reached alternative room available.
Do accommodations have elevators (lifts)?
Whilst most properties will have a lift, we also use hotels which do not have one. In these instances our guides or the hotel will assist with the carrying of your bags to your room. Some hotels are in very old buildings and there may be stairs between the levels in the corridors. For this reason we suggest you be in reasonable physical health.
Do we dine at the hotels?
All breakfasts are taken in the accommodations. We have a minimum of a two-course cooked evening meal at many of them but on occasion, to add variety to your tour experience, we also dine out at local pubs and restaurants. When we dine out it is understandably to a budget but in the rare circumstance of a client wanting something special you are able to contribute to, and supplement, the budget. Wines and other alcoholic drinks are not included but tea/coffee is included.
What kind of room should I book?
When booking we need to know whether you want a twin room (two single-sized beds in a room) or a double room (one standard-sized bed for two people). Please tell us at the time of booking what your choice is as the room types are not interchangeable.
I am a single traveller. Is it possible to share a room?
We do not ‘match up’ single travellers, But you are welcome to travel with a friend, or join the group as a single traveller with sole use of your own room. Single rooms in European hotels can have one single bed, although in some hotels single travellers will have a double room for their own use. Our single supplement is very reasonable, and much less than the total cost of 2 people sharing a room.
What grade of hotel will we stay in?
We generally use a 3-star / 4-star standard of accommodation ranging from country inns to town centre hotels and the occasional castle! Rather than going by the official grading (based solely on facilities rather than the standard), we base our choices on quality. In all properties the rooms have en-suite bathrooms.
What else should I know about the hotels?
Many of the traditional properties we use are in historic buildings which have been converted to hotels from the original function, rather than purpose built hotels. Often the rooms are different shapes and sizes and may be smaller than you might be used to in newer chain hotels. Some hotels do not have lifts: in many cases this is due to regulations concerning ‘listed’ or protected buildings, but this will be more than offset by the charm and unique character and history which can be uncovered in these locations.
Is porterage included?
We include porterage wherever possible in the hotels.
Can you arrange additional nights’ accommodation in the cities of arrival and departure?
Yes. Please, let us or your travel agent know at the time of your initial booking. Please note most tours start at 0830am on day 1 of your tour or at 6pm. If departing in the morning, we advise you stay in the hotel the previous night so you are ready to meet your guide in the morning. If your tour commences in the evening, you may not require pre-tour accommodation and instead arrive during the day at your leisure. Please check your itinerary. Most tours complete early evening. We cannot usually drop you off at the airport, so we suggest you book your flights departing the following day of the tour to ensure you do not miss your flights due to unforeseen circumstances.
4. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TOUR ITINERARIES
Can you describe a typical day out on tour?
Generally our touring days are conducted at a leisurely pace; we take our time and avoid rushing from place to place. Stops are made frequently during the day to avoid extended periods of time on the coach. On a typical day, we might leave at 9am and arrive at our hotel at 5pm. We do endeavour to build in time for rest and relaxation and most inclusions are not mandatory, so if you would rather do your own thing you are very welcome to meet up with the group at the designated meeting point.
How flexible are Goway Blue-Roads touring’s itineraries?
There are certain visits included in our itineraries which are fixed and included in the price. However outside of these there is some flexibility to adapt the itinerary according to such things as the weather, special events and group wishes. One of the beauties of small-group touring is that we can be much more relaxed and flexible in our approach. If you have a specific request which is not on the itinerary, we will do our best to accommodate it, but this will depend on the agreement of your fellow-travellers and the judgement of the Tour Leader.
How much walking on a tour?
In cities, walking tours are offered by your guide. On European mainland tours there is considerable walking as many historic cities prohibit motorised transport and we have to park some distance out of the centre. On most tours there are opportunities for some extended walking, often from the accommodations we use.
Please note: if you have a mobility problem or concern, you may not find our tours suitable. Please contact us if you have any doubts.
Is there time to shop?
Of course! But we will NOT be taking you to 'commission' stops. Our guides are not permitted to profit from your shopping.
Am I expected to leave gratuities?
It is common to leave a small gratuity in restaurants and cafes if you have received good service (typically 10% on top of the bill). Tipping your driver and / or tour leader is entirely at your discretion, and is not mandatory.
How much driving do we do?
We design tours so that there is as little wasted time as possible on the bus and plenty to see while aboard. Inevitably, there are days when travelling between locations may involve freeway driving and more mileage. Generally, a typical day's driving would be anywhere between 110 and 170 miles. There are at least three major attraction stops, 'comfort' and meal stops. We do travel along the scenic route wherever possible and you will see more of the countryside and local village life than on a regular tour.
What are the benefits of travelling in a small group?
Unlike a large coach company we can offer a truly personal experience as we can explore the local region in greater depth. You will meet like-minded friends and enjoy the convenience of your own personal driver/guide, who will impart their local knowledge and ensure you visit sites that the mainstream tourist typically misses out on.
What meals are included?
Breakfast (B) is included daily. We also include some lunches and dinners, either in the hotel or in a local restaurant. These are noted by L (lunch), or D (dinner) in the itineraries. You will have some free evenings to try the local cuisine independently. One thing to remember, dinner times in Europe are likely to be later than you might be used to: 7.30pm at the earliest and often later in France and Italy.
Are you able to cater for my dietary restrictions?
We will do our best to satisfy your dietary needs, please ensure that any restrictions are made clear to us at the time of booking so we can pass the information on to our hotels.
Do you include entrance fees to attractions?
Unlike many tour companies who charge everything as extras, we include a selection of entrances in the price. Those inclusions are clearly stated on our website. Any other entrance fees will be at your own expense.
Can I get my hair done / laundry done on tour / go to church or synagogue / post items home?
Yes. There is generally sufficient free time to incorporate all such functions, though we can't guarantee such in every country. Your guide-companion will be able to advise the most convenient point and assist in making relevant arrangements.
How much spending money should I bring?
Although we include many meals and entrance fees within the price of the tour, you will need to bring spending money for any other meals, drinks and activities. As a guide we would recommend £65 per person per day.
5. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUGGAGE
How much luggage can I bring?
We travel in mini-coaches and so trunk space is limited. You are only entitled to one piece of main luggage of a standard size of no more than 158cm (when the length, width and height is added together) and not weighing more than 20kg. In addition you may bring one small carry-on bag per person. If you have more luggage please make arrangements to store it while you are out on tour as we will not be able to carry this on the coach.
What clothes should I bring?
This information will be provided in your pre-departure information. Whilst we it is not necessary to bring a formal jacket, we would suggest packing for variable weather conditions, or if you are travelling through Italy, Spain or Southern France in summer, make sure you pack a hat and sunscreen.
6. WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR BLUE-ROADS EXPERIENCE?
- Unless otherwise specified in the listed inclusions, airfares are not included in the tour price.
- Driver/tour leader gratuity is at your discretion.
- Lunches (unless otherwise stated), social drinks, meals on free nights,’ items of a personal nature and entrance fees when not listed in the schedule of inclusions.
- Occasional optional evening theatre/festival visits and entrances not detailed in the tour inclusions.
- Incidental expenses, such as room service incurred at hotels. All expenses are to be settled prior to leaving the accommodation.
- Laundry costs and any shipping charges for the return of purchases made on tour, or for the return of property lost on tour.
- Pre and post tour accommodation.
- Unless otherwise listed in the inclusions, transfers are not included in the tour price
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