Are
transfers included & how do I meet my group?
We
strongly recommend that you arrive at least one day earlier than
the start of your tour in order to acclimate to any time differences.
You will be given instructions on how to meet your tour and it is
your responsibility to be there at the designated time. If you pre-arrange
it with Andiamo we can pick you up at your hotel or airport of the
designated starting town. We will also make any pre and post tour
hotel reservations, supply train schedule information upon request
or help with your continued travel itinerary
What
will I do with my luggage?
Your
luggage will be transferred on the trip by our guides. It will be
waiting in your room, ready for you when you arrive each day. You
never carry your bags during a tour.
How
fit do I need to be?
Each
tour is rated from easy to intermediate. Even though we can alter
any route to cater to your preferred pace and distance you will have
the best time if you select a tour right for you. Our tours are not
races, they stop frequently for cultural intake, gelato and photo
ops.
Tour/Fitness
rating information:
The
tour rating system is a guideline to assist you in choosing the tour
right for you. Regardless of the rating we can always divide the group and offer a routes that suits your preferred pace
& distance. The only
tour in which we cannot accommodate alternate routes are the Alp trek or the Big
Sur and the Florence
to Rome bike tour.
Biking (alternative routes are always
available for more or less distance)
Easy: Terrain
is mostly all flat, distances are from 20-35 miles/day.
Moderate: Terrain is varied, flat and some short hill climbs.
Distance of 20-40 miles.
Advanced: hilly most days with long ascents--distances 30-50 miles.
Hiking
Easy: 2-6 miles/day of mostly flat terrain.
Moderate: 6-8 miles of varied terrain and some steep or long
climbs and descents.
Advanced: 8-12 mile days of varied terrain with many steep or long climbs and descents
Do the hotels all have private bath?
Yes
except unless stated otherwise in the tour description such as in our
extreme treks glacier crossing portion of the tour. The hotels we
select are our pride and joy-they are always tasteful and culturally
representative with friendly staffs and serving authentic cuisine.
Hotel
Rating of 3 to 5 star are
assigned to each tour and always have private bath unless stated otherwise
in the tour description or if we schedule special activities where
the destination does not provide at least 3 star (usually meaning it is well worth
it or the place is very special culturally).
What
will I need to bring?
We've
created a list to help you with your planning on our What You Will Need web page. Just click to see. Or you can call or Email info@andiamoadventours.com for tour specific suggestions.
What
is the profile of your tour groups?
This
is almost impossible to say as each tour is unique in its makeup.
Ages normally range from 30-60 years of age. Most people are in moderate
condition and everyone is ready to enjoy themselves.
What's Included in
our tour
All Hotel Accommodations: Double occupancy; single rooms are
available in most locations at an additional cost.
Guides: As well as our 2 experienced guides, each tour may use
local guides to enhance your tour experience.
Meals: Usually all dinners, but one from a full menu, all breakfast
and one gourmet picnic lunch on scheduled tours--see specific tour for exact details.
Entrance Fees to all Tours & Special Events scheduled in
the tour itinerary
Extensive Route Notes & Maps
Bicycle Support Vehicle and any Inner-trip transfers
Bicycle Gear: Quality 27-gear bicycles will be available &
helmets (if requested), handlebar bags, water bottles & emergency
tire repair kits-ALL included in the tour price.
What's not Included
Airfare is not included in the price of the tour, nor is travel
insurance of any type.
Typically any beverages or as stated in itinerary.
Additional expenses arising from delay or extension of transportation
or other causes beyond our reasonable control during the conducting
of a tour.
Guide Tips: It is customary to tip your guides at your discretion.
What
is the single supplement?
We normally charge 10-15% extra to the listed tour price for single
rooms. We
always try to provide a double room for
you unless not available or possible--
If
you don't mind sharing a room we will do our best to find a compatible
guest to avoid this surcharge.
How early should we arrive before a tour?
We highly recommend that you arrive at least two days prior to your
tour date in order to acclimate to any time differences, thus being
prepared to fully enjoy your tour. For your convenience, we are able
to make reservations at recommended hotels in major cities before or
after your tour. When making your tour reservations, please inquire
about hotel selections.
Do you assist with onward travel and Departures?
We gladly assist with any pre-tour hotel arrangements and you guide will assist you in purchasing any onward train tickets. If you need advise on onward travel please ask and we will gladly design an itinerary to your interest at no extra fee.
What
are the best family
tours you offer?
We try to design all of our tours with family-minded alternatives.
We can also alter any tour route or activity to cater to your families
specific interest with the exception of the California wine country
tour and the Glacial Alp Trek. Below
is a list per country of the tours we feel families most fully enjoy
without altering the itineraries as presented on their linked pages..
Great Family tours:
Italy: The Veneto bike tour is an awesome tour that offers many cultural stops along an easy flat
terrain such as offered along the Venetian trading canals. Our Tuscany, Dolomite and Amalfi hiking tours offer an array of beautiful settings, many cultural excursions, great
gelato and ideally situated & fun lodgings for the entire family.
Switzerland: Our Lake
Constance bike tour
is similar to our tours listed above where the
biking is flat & scenic and the cultural intake abundant (a Disney-like castle, Europe's largest
waterfall, new aquarium & the Zeppelin exhibit...
The Instructional
mountain biking is an ideal family tour for children
and adults who are new to the sport or looking to improve their technique.
Our Heartland
Walk is ideal for all ages. This beautiful area is world renown. While
lodging within remote villages at 4-star inns enjoy great
walks, a visits to an unusual waterfall within the mountain and much
more. Or a custom tour of one to three days of Swiss hiking with local certified specialist Christine Kolitzus.
The Swiss
Complete or our new Grindelwald
to Zermatt Glacial hike can be easily modified
to cater to families and designed to suit you preferred number of
days and budget.
California: The Yosemite
hike & raft tour
is an affordable camping tour in which we enjoy several options of
hiking trails within the Yosemite Valley. Call for information regarding
rafting requirements or substituting rafting.
Why should I choose Andiamo and what makes you different than other
tour companies?
NO
HIDDEN COST: Unlike
most other tour companies we do not charge extra for equipment needed
on tour, such as bicycles and helmets. All our inclusions are stated
up front and we never surprise a participant with hidden costs.
TOUR
GROUP SIZE is typically 8 participants and never surpasses
12 unless for privately reserved or custom tours.
WE LIVE IN THE PLACES WE TOUR:.
As an owner operated tour company we not only guide your tours, but
from our offices in California and Europe we work intimately with
the communities in which we tour.
FLEXIBLE
AND PERSONAL DESIGNS:: By keeping our group
sizes to a minimum we are able to customize our routes to your preferred
pace and distance. Many spontaneous stops for gelato, photo opts and
cultural intake are common occurrences on tour.
Is there a refunds for Services
Not Used?
Our tours are sold as a package. Credit cannot be given for services
not used by a client. This includes accommodations, meals, or any other
arrangements not used or performed for any reason, including acts of
God.
Where do I purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance?
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance.
We are not able to vary from our stated refund policy regardless of
your situation. Trip cancellation insurance will protect all deposits
and payments for land and air costs if you are required to cancel your
tour due to personal or family illness. We will mail you the necessary
forms for purchase of this insurance.
Do you provide medical insurance?
We do not cover medical insurance and we recommend all clients carry medical and personal insurance to cover
hospital and other medical expenses and loss of baggage or personal
belongings. If you are involved in our Swiss Alp trek, Central Switzerland
or Grindelwald mountain bike tours then emergency evacuation insurance
may be required.
