Tour Itineraries 

Can you describe a typical day out on tour? 

Our tours 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 mini-coach. 
 
On a typical day, we might leave at 9am and arrive at our hotel at 5pm. 
 
We endeavour to build rest and relaxation time into our itineraries, and most inclusions are not mandatory – so if you’d rather explore on your own, you’re welcome to meet up with the group at the designated meeting point. 

How flexible are Blue-Roads itineraries? 

Some of the visits listed in our itineraries are fixed and included in the overall price of the tour. 
 
However, there is some flexibility to adapt the itinerary according to such things as the weather, special events and group wishes. This is one of the beauties of small-group touring! 
 
If you have a specific request that’s not on the itinerary, we will do our best to accommodate it – but this will depend on the agreement of your fellow travelers and the judgement of your Tour Leader.

How much walking is there? 

Your Tour Leader will guide walking tours of cities on your itinerary. 
 
On European mainland tours, there is a considerable amount of walking. Many historic cities, such as Cassis and Lisbon, prohibit motorized transport. This means that your Driver will need to park some distance out of the centre. 
 
You may encounter a few cobblestone streets on our tours in Europe, so we recommend bringing walking shoes or flats instead of high heels. 
 
Please note: if you have a mobility problem or concern, you may not find our tours suitable. Contact us if you have any doubts.

Is there time to shop? 

Of course! We will not, however, take you to any ‘commission’ stops. Our Tour Leaders are not permitted to profit from your shopping. 

Am I expected to leave gratuities? 

Gratuities are not included in your tour price. 
 
Tipping is entirely optional and at your discretion, although it’s common practice throughout Europe. If you feel you’ve received exceptional service, we suggest a tip of £4/€5 per person, per day for Tour Leaders and £3/€4 per person, per day for Drivers.

How much driving will there be? 

We design our tours so that there is as little time as possible on the mini-coach and plenty to see while on board. We travel along the scenic route wherever possible, meaning you’ll see more of the countryside and local village life than on a regular tour. 
 
Inevitably, there are days when traveling between locations may involve motorway driving and more mileage. 
 
Generally, driving time will not last for more than three or four hours per day.

Benefits of traveling in a small group 

Unlike large coach companies, Blue-Roads offers guests a truly personal experience. 
 
On our tours you’ll meet like-minded travelers and enjoy the convenience of your own personal Driver and Tour Leader, who will share their local knowledge and take you to sites that mainstream tourists typically miss out on – and by using luxury mini-coach transportation, we can explore each destination in greater depth.

What meals are included? 

Breakfast (B) is included daily. 
 
We also include some lunches and dinners, either in our hotels or in local restaurants. These are indicated by L (lunch), or D (dinner) in the itineraries. 
 
You will have some free evenings to try the local cuisine independently. 
 
Please note: 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, Spain and Italy). 

Can you cater for my dietary restrictions? 

We will do our best to accommodate 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, restaurants and suppliers. 

How much spending money should I bring? 

Although many meals and entrance fees are included within the price of our tours, you will need to bring spending money to cover non-included meals, drinks and activities. 

Are entrance fees to attractions included? 

Unlike many tour companies, we include a selection of entrances in our tour prices. Any other entrance fees will be at your own expense. 

Luggage

How much luggage can I bring? 

As we travel in mini-coaches, luggage space is limited. 
 
Each of our guests may bring one piece of main luggage of a standard size of no more than 158cm  (when the length, width and height is added together) and weighing no more than 20kg. You may also bring one small carry-on bag (backpack or similar) per person.
 
If you have more luggage, please make arrangements to store it prior to joining the tour. We are unable to carry extra luggage on the mini-coach.

What clothes should I bring? 

A suggested packing list will be provided in your pre-departure information. 
 
We suggest packing for variable weather conditions. If you are traveling through the UK or Europe in the summer, make sure you pack a hat and sunscreen. We also suggest a pair of good shoes for walking tours.

Top items to bring on a Blue-Roads tour: 

Chargers and adapters 
A waterproof jacket or umbrella 
Layers 
Comfortable shoes 
Passport 
A beach towel 
Medication 
Sunglasses 
Sunscreen 
Camera 
Reusable water bottle 

Accommodation

Can I request a ground floor room? 

The majority of the hotels we use have limited or no ground floor rooms. If you require a ground floor room, please request it in advance and we will try our best to arrange it for you. 

Do the hotels have lifts (elevators)? 

Most of the hotels we use do not have lifts. For this reason, we recommend that you only join a Blue-Roads tour if you are able to walk upstairs unassisted. 
 
You are required to inform us about any pre-existing medical conditions and/or mobility challenges that could affect your trip via our self-assessment form. 

Do we dine at the hotels? 

Breakfasts will be served in our hotels throughout the trip. 
 
Included evening meals come in the form of a three-course dinner, either in our hotel or at a local pub or restaurant. Please note that drinks will not always be included. 

What kind of room should I book? 

At the time of booking, you will need to specify whether you would like a twin room (two single beds) or a double room (one European double bed for two people). Room types are not interchangeable.

I’m traveling alone, can I share a room with another person? 

While you won’t be able to share a room with another single traveler, we do offer a very reasonable single supplement rate on all our tours.

Are triple rooms available? 

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer triple rooms.

What rating of hotel do you use? 

We use a 3-star/4-star standard of accommodation ranging from country inns to town center hotels (and the odd castle!). Rather than going by the official rating (based solely on facilities rather than the standard of the accommodation), we base our choices on quality, charm and character. 
 
In all hotels, the rooms have en-suite bathrooms.

What else should I know? 

Many of the traditional accommodations we use are historic buildings that have been converted to hotels. 
 
Often the rooms are different shapes and sizes, and some may be smaller than you might be used to in newer chain hotels. 
 
Most of our hotels do not have lifts or air conditioning. In many cases, this is due to regulations concerning ‘listed’ (protected) buildings. However, guests will be offered fans during periods of hot weather (subject to availability).

Is porterage included? 

Porterage is included wherever possible.

Arrivals & Departures

Do you provide airport transfers? 

Airport transfers are not included in your tour price – however, we can book transfers for you as an additional service. 
 
We can also book pre and post-tour accommodation as an additional service. 
 
Call 877-330-4850 to speak to a member of our friendly Customer Service team.

Will I need a visa? 

It is your responsibility to obtain any visas necessary to enable you to visit Europe. 
 
Contact your local consular office for more information.

Do you arrange pre and post trip accommodation? 

For some destinations, pre and post-tour accommodation can be arranged via your travel agent or through our Customer Service team. 

Please note, all tours start at 6pm on Day 1 of your tour. Therefore, you may not require pre-tour accommodation.  

Most tours end in the early evening. We cannot take you to the airport and we suggest you return home the day after your tour to ensure you don’t miss your flight due to unforeseen circumstances.

Where do I meet my Tour Leader upon arrival? 

Your Tour Leader will usually meet you in the arrival hotel’s reception area at the tour’s listed start time. If you can’t see your Tour Leader, look out for any notices posted in the lobby or ask a member of the hotel staff. 

Guaranteed to Run

What does guaranteed to run mean? 

As a general rule, we are normally able to guarantee our tours when we have a minimum of seven passengers booked.  
 
However, some tours require a higher number of booked passengers before we can guarantee that they will run. Examples include our tours of Norway. 
 
Guaranteed tours are identified on our website via individual Dates and Prices pages. Our Customer Service team or your travel agent will be able to advise you of a tour’s ongoing status. If we are forced to cancel a tour, you will be advised at least six weeks in advance. You will then have a choice of a full refund of the amount paid for the tour, or choosing an alternative tour.

General Questions

Who goes on Blue-Roads tours? 

The majority of our guests come from Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. All tour commentaries are in English. 
 
Our tours appeal to those looking for a more relaxing style of travel, and who enjoy culture, good food, meeting like-minded people and exploring destinations in depth. We welcome first-time travelers, but also find that many of our passengers have traveled with us before!

I have health issues – will this be a problem?  

If you are able to manage your health issue without the need for additional care and special facilities, and it does not present a risk to your fellow passengers, we should be able to accommodate you on a BRT tour. If you are unsure, please check the Dietary, Health, and Special Requirement section of our Terms and Conditions or contact us.

What level of mobility do I need? 

You need to be fit enough to get on and off the vehicle on a regular basis, and to walk both to attractions and around towns and villages. 
 
You also need to be able to walk up and down stairs in the hotels and use a shower over the bath. We frequently use traditional style hotels and the majority will not have lifts or ground floor rooms. 
 
Our mini coaches are designed for smaller groups and offer limited storage space. While we strive to be as accommodating as possible, we cannot guarantee that there will be sufficient room for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Passengers with these needs are strongly encouraged to contact us to discuss any requirements. 
 
If you have any medical issues, please declare them to us in advance of your tour. If you are in any doubt as to whether our tours are suitable for you, please check with us.

Can I plan a customized tour? 

At Blue-Roads, we only offer scheduled departures. We are unable to provide customized tours. 

When is the best time to visit Europe? 

We have lots of departure dates, so there's sure to be one that suits you! 
 
Most travelers prefer to visit the UK and Europe during the summer months due to the warmer climate. July and August are the peak months for tourists, and popular destinations are likely to be particularly busy during this time. 
 
If you prefer to travel away from the crowds or when it is cooler, you may wish to choose a departure in March, April, May, June, September or October.

What is the weather like in Europe? 

The weather conditions will vary depending on the season and which countries you are visiting on your chosen tour.  

Mediterranean destinations like Spain, Greece and Italy are very hot and dry during the summer. If you’re visiting the UK, Ireland or Scandinavia, you can expect milder weather and a chance of rain throughout the year.

Are Blue-Roads tours suitable for children? 

Our tours are designed principally for adults, age 18+. 

Do I need to purchase travel insurance? 

Yes. While you are welcome to purchase a travel insurance policy of your choosing, we will require you to provide the policy number and company information to us prior to departure. 
 
This is to ensure that our Tour Leaders have all of your information prior to arrival – in case they need to step in and assist you before or during the tour.  

Information for travel agents 

Email us at [email protected] or phone+1 877-330-4850. 
 
If you are in Australia, email us at [email protected]. 
 
If you are in New Zealand, email us at [email protected]. 

What’s Included/Not Included

What is included/not included in a Blue-Roads tour? 

When you travel with Blue-Roads, many aspects of your tour will be included in the overall trip price – such as entrance fees to sites listed within the itinerary, and included breakfasts, lunches and dinners. However, some costs are not covered. These include:
 
Airfares, unless otherwise specified in the listed inclusions 
Transfers, unless otherwise specified in the listed inclusions 
Meals, unless otherwise specified in the listed inclusions 
Driver/Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion 
Social drinks 
   
Items of a personal nature 
Entrance fees not listed in the tour itinerary 
Incidental expenses, such as room service charges incurred at hotels. All expenses of this kind must be settled prior to leaving the accommodation 
Laundry costs 
Shipping charges for the return of purchases made on tour 
Charges for the return of property lost on tour 
Pre and post tour accommodation

Booking & Payment

How do I make a booking? 

Call, email or book online here on our website. 
 
You can also book through your local travel agent. 

What happens if I have to cancel? 

Please see our Cancellation Policy. If you need to cancel, a charge will be incurred. Travel insurance is required to cover any cancellations. 

Is my payment protected? 

Yes. We are a member of ABTA – a trusted travel brand that supports high service standards and promotes responsible tourism. All holidays sold by ABTA Members are financially protected. See our Terms and Conditions: https://blueroadstouring.com/terms-and-conditions.