There are more included highlights, excursions and meals on first class tours and the hotels are generally better quality and in the best locations for sightseeing. Budget and CostSaver tours often use hotels away from the centres of towns. You will be located close to public transport links
There are often seasonal sales and exclusive pricing. Plus savings for repeat travellers. We will calculate the best discount available for you where you are eligible for one. e.g. child, triple share, group or early payment
Most tours travel during the daytime only. Departures can be early and are often very early on the first day when leaving from London. Comfort stops will be made every 2-3 hours or by request. There is rarely any travel longer than 3 hours without a stop for sightseeing or a break. Tours are all planned and well paced to maximise sightseeing.
All tour buses are late model executive and luxury coaches with reclining seats and air conditioning. The windows are large and panoramic. Seatbelts are fitted. All first class and premium touring coaches have on board washrooms. Many UK and European buses have both an entrance at the front and another one in the middle, so everyone can board quicker. Cosmos, Trafalgar and Insight Vacations have wifi on board.
There are lots of sightseeing inclusions already in the tours, but even premium brands offer optional activities. This keeps down the upfront price of the trip, so you're not paying in advance for an activity that maybe you would rather not do. It also gives you the chance to have more or less free time planned for you. Most options are booked during the trip with your tour leader. If it's necessary to book an optional experience in advance, we will contact you well in advance of departure. If you don't see an optional experience you would like to do whilst you're in a particular city, we are happy to advise on the best time to do it and where to get it from.
You should not overlook travel insurance for your upcoming trip. We have partnered with InsureMyTrip, because they are the best option to compare plans and find the right coverage for you. They have thousands of travel insurance plans and a one-of-a-kind recommendation engine to help travelers find the right plan. Most importantly, they will be there for you before, during and after your trip if you should need anything - especially help with a claim with the provider.
Visit: This means the tour bus will stop and the groups will visit a specific site.
View: A photo opportunity or brief stop.
See: The tour bus will drive by the site so that you can see it.
Sightseeing tour: A local city guide will accompany passengers on a tour of a city or site.
Orientation tour: Places of interest are pointed out, allowing passengers to then explore on their own.
'Why not see' or 'perhaps enjoy': These phrases usually refer to optional excursions not included in the tour package, but available for an additional fee.
Time to explore and discover: Free time to do as you please.
A day to relax: No planned activities. Time for optional excursions or other independent activities.
Transfers: Motorcoach or train transportation from the airport to your hotel or city centre.
Local Guides: Professional guides with specialised expertise in a specific city or region that guide you on a sightseeing tour.
Tour Director: Tour escort, responsible to see that your tour runs smoothly. He or she travels with you, helping with everything from co-ordinating hotel check-in, language translation, to advice on best restaurants and sights to see.
Whilst there are plenty of modern and brand-new hotels in Europe, there are plenty of traditional ones too with old world charm. Europe's hospitality industry is centuries old, and its hotels often reflect the varied traditions and standards of their respective countries. Whilst comfortable, do not expect European hotels to be the same as in North America. Single rooms in European Hotels are often smaller than in USA and Canadian hotels. Also, when booking a triple room, the third bed may be a 'rollaway' cot. The room may be the same size as a standard twin room and space could feel tight for three adults.
For Europe, you will get breakfast every morning for most of the itineraries. Dinners that are included in your tour package are generally table d'hote, or "fixed" menus; on occasion, there may be a choice. Tea, coffee or other beverages are not included with dinner, except on first class tours and at breakfast. Nor is it custom to serve butter with bread, except at breakfast.
In some European countries, continental breakfast is the norm, consisting of tea/coffee, rolls and butter, jam/marmalade. Hotels may charge extra for a hot or buffet breakfast and fruit juices.
Check out your tour itinerary (under 'what's included') to see the type of breakfasts offered on that particular tour. Dinner is not normally included every night which gives you your own chance to sample the local cuisine of your choice, or to join an optional excursion that may include a dinner.
Luggage
Many operators, including Trafalgar, limit passenger baggage to one suitcase and one carry-on per person. The size of luggage is shown in the brochure conditions.
Gratuities
Tour companies often include gratuities and service charges as part of the tour package. On a Trafalgar, Insight or Cosmos Tour, some gratuities are included: Baggage handling, meal service for all meals included, and hotel service for all normal service, but not room service or tips to local guides, the Tour Director and Driver.
Tipping the scale
Recommended Tipping:
Currency
Currency can be changed at airports, your hotel, a local bank and at "Bureau de Change" locations throughout Europe. The commission rates can be high, so to make your money go further, use pre-paid cards. Traveler's checks are no longer recommended. While most major banks no longer offer them, you can buy traveler's checks through American Express, VISA, and AAA—however, you could have a tough time finding hotels, banks, and stores that still accept them while traveling.
Credit Cards
The majority of larger restaurants, shops, hotels, theatres, etc. in Western Europe, and in many Eastern Europe countries, accept most major credit cards. The bill you sign will be in local currency. This will be converted into your home currency by the credit card company and invoiced in the usual way. You can use American Express, Diner's Club, Visa, and Mastercard to obtain cash abroad from ATMs and banks. Don't forget your PIN number for the ATMs. If you are offered a price for goods or services in your own currency by the retailer, be sure they will be adding a 5-7% margin to the price. It's cheaper to accept the price in local currency.
Passports
Carry your passport with you at all times to ensure against loss or theft in hotels. For added protection, keep a photocopy of your passport in your suitcase. Hotels are sometimes required to hold your passport overnight to comply with local regulations.
It is the law in some European countries to have some form of identification on you.
Phone calls
Almost all hotels will add a service charge to the cost of any phone calls you make from your room. This charge can be high, especially for international calls. The most convenient way to stay in touch is to use your cell phone. Check with your provider about roaming charges before you travel. You can often buy minutes and data packs in advance to save money or you may have a plan that allows you to 'roam like at home' without further cost. Or you can buy a local SIM card or e-SIM for travel which has cheap minutes and data.
Tired and travel weary
London hotels have high occupancy rates and check out time is usually by noon. Consequently rooms are rarely available before 3pm. Be assured that the hotel staff are well aware that their guests arriving from North America are tired and travel weary, and they will have you settled in your room as soon as possible.
Valuable voltage
Electrical currents vary in Britain and on the continent of Europe. Most countries in the UK and Europe are 220-240v. Some appliances have dual voltage, but if not, we suggest you carry a converter for your electric shaver, travelling iron and other small appliances. Also, pins, holes and plugs differ everywhere, so buy a universal electrical travel adaptor before you go to prevent accidents and damage to your appliance.
Sharing and caring
Anyone travelling alone, not wishing to pay a single supplement and willing to share, can do so. Trafalgar, Insight and Contiki will find someone of the same gender to share your room. Should this not be possible you will be alone in the room without having to pay the single room supplement. For your well-being, we operate a strict 'No Smoking' policy for room sharing. Sharing is not possible on certain Eastern Mediterranean tours. See the tour page for details.
Half wet
Many couples share their umbrella. It means they only keep half dry. Travel with your own fold up umbrella (it's better than a raincoat) and you will never be half wet, you'll be totally dry.
Always brand new
When you begin your tour your fellow passengers have never seen you or your clothes before. Both you and your clothes are totally new to them. Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in and you will not only be more comfortable you'll be more relaxed.
Faux your own good
Junk jewellery or fabulous fakes travel beautifully. Leave items of great monetary or sentimental value at home where you know they are safe. It means you will be a little more carefree.
Strange brew
We all like our favourite brew in the morning but in Europe you won't always find tea and coffee making facilities in the hotel room. Be prepared. Buy an immersion heater either here or on the Channel Ferry, take a supply of tea bags etc. and your morning can start just as it does at home.
Blow it up
Plastic hangers that inflate are a great boon to travellers. They keep the back separate from the front of your skirt or blouse and it will drip and dry far faster than a conventional wooden/wire coat hanger. The blow up hanger leaves the item wrinkle and snag free.
Toothless wonders
Some of us wear dentures. If you happen to have a second set, take them along. Should your regular ones break, or you throw them away (as many people have) you can keep smiling, and enjoying your tour.
The buzz word
Wake up calls are always given to passengers when on tour. Should the call not go through, or heavy sleepers not hear it, your own back up alarm clock is a good insurance. One that is lightweight and simple to operate. It's nothing to be alarmed about but Tour Directors adore passengers who are on time.
Keep the corn on the cob
When your shoes look lovely but your feet are killing you, you've made a big mistake. Have on a pair of 'broken in' shoes for daytime walking. This is truly one travel tip that's not corny.
Detectives take tour
Detectives do something you should do every time you check out of your hotel. Open every drawer, look under every bed and behind every door including the bathroom. Returning items forgotten or left behind is virtually impossible and good detectives avoid the problem. Please be a detective.
2 is good for U
For couples, never pack one suitcase for one person and one suitcase for the other person. Split belongings between the two cases. If one case goes astray neither person is left without a change of clothes and necessities. Also, have a credit card or ATM card per person, so if one person loses their wallet or purse, you still have spending power.
With 25 years experience selling multi country tours of Europe our advice is invaluable. We sell English speaking tours and many of the tour companies are based here in the UK. It may surprise you to learn that if your home currency has a 'dollar' symbol in it (US$,CAN$,AUD$,NZ$) sometimes you can save money by paying for your tour in British pounds (GBP). You don't actually have to have any British pounds, you just use your credit card and let your card issue take care of the exchange. You are simply taking advantage of exchange rate fluctuations and the competitive pricing we tend to have on holidays in the UK.
Once you have booked a tour with us, we will supply supporting evidence for any needed visa applications. Full payment may be necessary earlier than the normal balance payment date. Read our guide below before you start.
Travel Authorisations
• Europe (ETIAS): Check if you need an ETIAS here.
• UK (ETA): Check if you need an ETA here
Applying for a Schengen Visa can be a complex process, especially for first-time applicants. The Schengen Area encompasses 27 European countries that have agreed to allow free movement across their borders as part of a unified policy. While it opens up vast opportunities for travel and exploration, obtaining the visa itself requires careful planning and attention to detail. Below, we’ll outline everything you need to know about applying for a Schengen Visa, from eligibility criteria to the application timeline, as well as essential precautions to take.
A Schengen Visa allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period for purposes such as tourism, business, or family visits. Depending on your specific needs, you may apply for a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa.
Before beginning your application, it’s essential to verify that you meet the eligibility requirements:
One of the most critical aspects of your Schengen Visa application is timing. It’s highly recommended to apply for your visa at least three months (90 days) before your intended travel date. While most embassies and consulates process applications within 15 to 30 days, unforeseen delays are common. These can include higher-than-usual application volumes, technical issues, or additional scrutiny of your application if any red flags arise.
Applying at least three months ahead allows for any unforeseen delays and, if necessary, provides ample time to make alternative travel plans. Some embassies even allow applicants to submit their forms up to six months in advance.
The exact documents you need may vary slightly depending on the embassy or consulate, but most Schengen Visa applications require the following:
One of the most critical pieces of advice when applying for a Schengen Visa is to avoid making nonrefundable travel arrangements until your visa is approved. Many applicants make the mistake of booking expensive flights and accommodations only to find out their visa is denied or delayed, resulting in significant financial loss.
Some embassies and consulates offer guidelines or partnerships with travel agencies that allow you to make refundable reservations or hold tickets until your visa status is confirmed. Always ensure any reservations you make come with a flexible cancellation policy. In addition, submitting a flight itinerary instead of an actual paid ticket is usually acceptable and advisable.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the Schengen Visa application process:
Once your visa is approved, double-check the details printed on it, including the dates of validity and the number of entries allowed. Mistakes can occur, and it’s crucial to have any errors corrected before your trip.
If your application is denied, you will receive an explanation from the embassy. Common reasons for denial include insufficient proof of financial means, lack of travel insurance, or inconsistencies in your application. In most cases, you can address the issues and reapply or appeal the decision.
Applying for a Schengen Visa can be straightforward if you follow the proper guidelines, prepare your documentation carefully, and apply well in advance of your travel date. Always check your eligibility and apply through the correct embassy or consulate. Above all, remember that patience and attention to detail are key to securing your travel authorization successfully. Lastly, avoid nonrefundable bookings until you are certain your visa has been approved—this precaution can save you significant stress and financial loss.
With proper preparation, you’ll be on your way to enjoying the history, culture, and beauty of Europe!
At Global Coach Tours, we specialise in expertly designed coach travel experiences, offering seamless group tours across the globe with our long standing tour partners. Our tours include travel on modern, comfortable coaches and handpicked accommodations, ensuring a hassle-free journey. Most hotels provide Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected with loved ones while exploring exciting destinations.
Each tour package includes quality accommodation, comfortable transport, delicious meals, and a range of incredible experiences. Plus, you’ll have the option to enhance your adventure with carefully curated optional excursions. With plenty of free time in iconic destinations and the guidance of an experienced tour leader, our tours cater to travellers of all ages and activity levels. Get ready for an unforgettable journey filled with discovery, comfort, and adventure!
What an ETA is, who can get one and how to apply before coming to the UK
Visit the UK Government's official website to apply
What an ETIAS or EES is, who needs one or can get one and how to apply before visiting Europe. Starting in 2025
Visit the official European website to learn more and to apply
Be sure to apply only via these official websites. Sometimes you may find other legitimate looking websites where you can apply who charge an additional fee on top of the very low fee charged by the governments. They are not doing anything useful, just acting as a promoted gateway.
