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The information below applies in general to Vantage land tours. For more about
specific tours, click Escorted Land Tours
in the menu to the left.
Briefing sessions [top]
At the beginning of your tour, a Vantage Program Manager 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 [top]
Vantage offers specially arranged pre- and post-extensions on many of our
escorted land tours. See specific tours for details. In some cases, your
Program Manager 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. When possible, we will also be glad to arrange your stay at a
Vantage preferred hotel. 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 [top]
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 Program Manager 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:
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Try to sleep on overnight flights
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Avoid heavy eating and drinking caffeine or alcoholic beverages right before -
and during - your flight
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Drink plenty of water and/or fruit juice while flying
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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 [top]
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 (www.hotelandtravelindex.com)
- 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 [top]
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 Program Manager 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 [top]
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 [top]
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 [top]
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 [top]
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 [top]
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 Program Manager or local
representative will notify you.
Your Vantage Program Manager/Local
Representative [top]
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 Program Manager 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 [top]
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 Program
Manager). 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 [top]
We include tipping for all meals that are included in your package, all
porterage and tips for local guides and drivers. Tips are not included for your
Vantage Program Manager, your driver if he does the entire trip or any maids or
other personnel in hotels, ships or trains.
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