While on Tour
The information below applies in general to Vantage escorted land tours.
Briefing sessions
At the beginning of your tour, a Vantage Adventure Leader will conduct an informative
briefing concerning the daily schedule, local customs, and the included features
of your tour. It is strongly advised that you attend this briefing.
Extending Your Trip
Vantage offers specially arranged pre- and post-extensions on many of our escorted
land tours. See specific tours for details. In some cases, your Adventure Leader
that will be on your base trip will be there also on the extension, but not always.
On some pre- and post-extensions, there will be a Vantage representative to assist
you.
Additionally, if you would like to do some exploring on your own, either before
or after your tour, Vantage can help you arrange the details. In most cases, your
flights can be adjusted for either an earlier arrival date or a later return date.
A non-refundable administrative fee will be assessed, plus any additional
costs that may apply to the air ticket and hotel. Transfers to and from your hotel
are not included when traveling independent of a Vantage group. Please ask a Vantage
Sales Representative for additional details. Note also that some airline contracts
may exclude changes to routing.
NOTE: Should you wish to make any changes to your plans to extend your trip, please
do so no later than 60 days prior to your scheduled date of departure. Change or
cancellation penalties may apply to tickets once they have been issued.
Your Health & Comfort
Vantage wants you to have a safe, healthy, and happy journey. Our tours are planned
to combine just the right amount of activity and leisure. For personal medical attention
while on tour, your Vantage Adventure Leader can refer you to reliable physicians
in the cities on your tour.
Please note that Medicare and U.S health insurance are generally not accepted in
foreign destinations. If you have an insurance claim, it should be made upon your
return to the USA and filed through your health insurance provider or through the
Vantage Travel Protection Plan if you have purchased it. Keep relevant receipts
and doctors' reports for processing your claim.
Jet Lag Precautions
When you cross several time zones to reach your destination, you often lose many
hours of regular sleep. Upon arrival your body must quickly adjust to new sleeping
and eating patterns. The result is jet lag. Its symptoms may include fatigue, irritability,
and vague disorientation. You cannot completely avoid jet lag but you can minimize
it. Here's how:
- Try to sleep on overnight flights
- Avoid heavy eating and drinking caffeine or alcoholic beverages right before - and
during - your flight
- Drink plenty of water and/or fruit juice while flying
- Try to stay awake your first day until after dinner
Pace of the Tour
Vantage Tours are planned to provide a well-balanced mix of activities and free
time. Certain tours, however, may prove to be more challenging than others, particularly
for passengers with physical limitations.
Passengers with physical difficulties or concerns about the pace of the tour should
contact their Vantage Customer Relations Representative for tips on which tours
best suit their individual needs and abilities. See also Medical Issues, below.
Your Personal Safety
Please keep in mind that in any tourist destination, you need to be aware of your
surroundings. We recommend that you use a money protector that can be worn around
your neck. Flashy jewelry should be left at home. Never place your camera or purse
down, or hang it on the back of your chair. Although incidents of theft and pickpocketing
while on tour are rare, it is important to be cautious and aware.
Medical Issues
Click here to
read important information about travelers with a physical, emotional, or mental
condition that may require professional attention or the use of special equipment.
"Medical Issues" information also appears in the "Tour Participation Agreement -
Terms and Conditions" bound into Vantage catalogs and printed on the back of your
invoice.
Hotels
Vantage makes every effort to reserve only hotels that offer well-appointed rooms
and a central location. We remind you that quality of accommodations may vary from
destination to destination. Vantage strives to provide the best hotels available
that meet our standards of quality. You can check descriptions of the hotels for
your chosen trip under Accommodations on the website for that trip.
How We Rate Our Hotels
While some tour companies devise their own ratings systems (based on their particular
standards), Vantage ranks hotels based on the industry-accepted classifications
published by the Hotel & Travel Index
- the travel industry standard.
Deluxe/Moderate Deluxe ***** Outstanding accommodations in every way, offering superior
service, facilities, and location.
Superior First-Class ****+ Above average accommodations, with many special amenities,
including more restaurants, shops, and usually a fitness center.
First-Class/Moderate First-Class **** Comfortable, well-equipped standard rooms
with private bath, attractive public areas, and amenities.
Please Note: In some areas where the hotels aren't rated, it's often due to the
fact that the hotel may be too new, too remote, or too small. However, the hotel
where you stay has been inspected and approved by Vantage personnel.
Religious Services
At Vantage, we count individuals from all walks of life and all religious denominations
among our customers. Although we do not offer religious services on our travel programs,
services may be available in the cities and towns you visit while on tour. Your
Vantage Adventure Leader can advise you when religious services are available. Please
keep in mind that not all religious denominations have a presence in every travel
destination. We cannot guarantee the availability of religious services.
Shopping
Shopping for local merchandise is always a part of the travel experience. We are
aware that local guides do recommend shops on their tours. Always keep in mind that
a purchase is between the buyer and the seller. Always keep receipts and credit
card copies. Shipping should always include insurance in the event of breakage.
Iit is best to check with your credit card issuer for any insurance that may be
included when you use your card.
Sightseeing & Cultural Connections
Vantage offers a variety of included sightseeing tours and special cultural events
to enrich your travel experience and bring you "closer to the world." Our tours
are specially designed for Vantage travelers. They let you feel the atmosphere,
gain a cultural understanding, and become a part of the area you are visiting. They
include all transportation and the services of expert local guides.
Optional Excursions
Vantage makes every effort to provide the right balance of both included activities
and time for exploring on your own. We've found, however, that many of our passengers
prefer an additional guided activity in lieu of free time. For that reason, some
of our tours may include a limited number of optional tours and activities, which
you may choose to take at a moderate fee. In no case do we replace an included sightseeing
tour with an optional tour. Optional tours are strictly voluntary, providing you
with the opportunity to visit an attraction that you may not see otherwise.
Taxes
All hotel taxes and hotel service charges are included in the tour price. If airport
arrival and departure taxes apply, they are payable in cash at the airports and
are not included.
Transfers
All transfers between airport and hotel/pier are included in conjunction with Vantage
air and tour packages and will be via private transportation. Travelers purchasing
their own airline tickets will be responsible for their own transfers to and from
the airport/hotel/pier based on the itinerary.
Travel Itinerary
Each Vantage Escorted Land Tour is planned with two criteria in mind: It must be
to an interesting destination and the tour must offer good quality at an exceptional
value.
Although everything is planned well in advance of your departure, our ultimate goal
is to ensure that each departure is enjoyable, interesting, and safe. Therefore,
the day-by-day itinerary provided for each travel destination is subject to change
depending upon local conditions. If any significant changes occur in advance of
your departure, Vantage will notify you by phone or by mail. If changes occur while
on tour, your Vantage Adventure Leader or local representative will notify you.
Your Vantage Adventure Leader/Local Representative
During your tour you'll be accompanied on tour by an experienced Vantage Program
Manager. You will also benefit from the insights of expert Local Representatives
and tour guides. Both your Adventure Leader and Local Representative can provide
suggestions on the best restaurants, shops, and local sights; will help coordinate
optional tours and excursions; and assist in any manner possible.
Vantage Hospitality Desk
For your convenience, a Vantage Hospitality Desk will be available daily during
scheduled hours at many of the hotels on your itinerary (staffed by an experienced
team of local travel professionals or by your Vantage Adventure Leader). The desk
hours vary, depending on your daily scheduling. Tour members will be advised of
the desk hours during the briefing held upon arrival at most hotels.
Tipping
We include tipping for all meals that are included in your package and all porterage. Tips are not included for your Vantage Program Manager, local guides and drivers, or any maids or other personnel in hotels, ships or trains.
