- I have never been on a group tour. How do I know if this is for me?
- How does rooming work?
- Do I need travel insurance?
- What are the accommodations like?
- Do I have to put down a deposit on this tour?
- Do I need a passport and/or a visa?
- How do I get a passport?
- How do I make my final payment?
- Do I need to know a foreign language on this tour?
- How much money will I need?
- What do I do about airfare?
- Can I bring a friend from another University or College?
- When do I need to be in London?
Q: I have never been on a group tour. How do I know if this is for me?
A: There are many benefits to group travel, including the services of travel professionals who have designed this tour with your enjoyment and security in mind. Enjoy the culture and the people of Europe knowing that your hotels are already booked and your travel between cities will be convenient and safe aboard our motor coach. There's no flipping through guidebooks and hoping you saw the major sights—our guides will point out the highlights of each city for you and there will be plenty of time left over to explore on your own. If you need more free time and don't feel like taking a tour one day, let us know and meet up with us later. Remember—it's your vacation!
Q: How does rooming work?
A: Prices are based on double occupancy. You can indicate your roommate by filling in their name on the reservation form. If you are traveling alone, (which many people do) you can choose the option that you want to be paired up with a roommate of similar sex. If we cannot find you a roommate of the same sex, you will be responsible for paying the single supplement fee. Of course, if you prefer to have your own room the single supplement fee will guarantee your single accommodations.
Q: Do I need travel insurance?
A:
You absolutely need travel insurance! Just as with any type of insurance, travel insurance is your safety net in the event something goes wrong—from losing luggage for a few days to coming down with an illness that doesn't allow you to make the trip—you're covered with the right type of insurance.
Your alumni association may offer travel insurance. If you don't receive anything from them about travel insurance Orion will be happy to help you find travel insurance.
Q: What are the accommodations like?
A: All the hotels are Superior Tourist Class (3 star + minimum). We often use European-owned and operated hotels, giving an authentic feel to your travel experience. Expect European hotel rooms to be smaller than the average American hotel room. There are private bathrooms in all the rooms. Some of the hotels are even 4 star, 4 star + properties - so you enjoy great value by traveling with us!
Q: Do I have to put down a deposit on this tour?
A: Yes, you do. To reserve your place on the tour you'll need to put down a $500 deposit with a credit card. The deposit is non-refundable if you cancel within 90 days of your tour's departure.
Q: Do I need a passport and/or a visa?
A: Yes, you will need a passport for this trip but no visa. The European countries we are traveling to do not require visas for people traveling on American passports. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may be required to have visas to enter countries included on this trip. You'll need to contact the consulates of the countries on our itinerary and secure the appropriate visas beforehand.
Q: How do I get a passport?
A: You can download a passport application from the State Department. Be sure to allow plenty of time to receive your passport—at least eight weeks for processing and return!
Q: How do I make my final payment?
A:
Orion Worldwide Travel will send you an invoice after you make your initial deposit when you book on the European Odyssey. The final payment needs to be made by CHECK or MONEY ORDER payable to ORION WORLDWIDE TRAVEL. Check out Early Bird specials for discounts on this tour by paying in full early!
You will need to mail this directly to:
Orion Worldwide Travel at
Orion House
106-A South Columbus Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Q: Do I need to know a foreign language on this tour?
A: Nope, but it would be helpful to learn a few key phrases - please and thank you are a good start. Your Tour Director is there to assist you where possible and will go through some words before you arrive in each city! Most Europeans welcome foreigners attempting to speak their language, so give it a try!
Q: How much money will I need?
A: All of your transportation within Europe, hotels and meals and excursions as indicated in the itinerary are included. Depending on your personal spending habits, you can expect to spend between $30-75 per day for meals, shopping and incidentals. Your tour director will recommend the best places to exchange money. There will also be optional activities offered, such as Whitewater rafting and Venetian gondola rides. These special activities range from roughly $45-75 each and are payable in Euros to the Tour Director.
Q: What do I do about airfare?
A: We keep the airfare separate from our land price so that you have the flexibility to find the best deal for you. If you take the airfare offered by Orion Worldwide Travel we will include the transfers from London to the London hotel and from the hotel in Rome or Athens to the airport in those cities. If you arrange your own airfare you will need to do this on your own. Also check the terms and conditions section of the booking form about purchasing airfares in conjunction with our tours.
Q: Can I bring a friend from another University or College?
A: Absolutely! The tour is open to friends and family - they don't have to be from the University or College offering this tour! If someone is under 18 years of age they need to be accompanied by someone over 21 years of age.
Q: When do I need to be in London?
A:
The tour leaves the US on Day 1 of the program as most flights into London will be overnight and arrive the next morning (Day 2) local time. If you are arranging your own airfare then you will need to be at the hotel at least by 5pm as we hold an orienation meeting around 6pm with the Tour Director in the hotel. There will be a bulletin board with information in the hotel that will let you know the exact time and location of this meeting. If you can't get there by then, no problem, you can meet up with the group the next morning (Day 3) for the London city tour!
NOTE: Rooms are usually only ready by 3pm on Day 2 in London