FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is not included in the tour price?
The land price does not include air travel, airline fees, airport or departure taxes, transfers, visas, customary end of trip gratuities for your tour manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, cruise ship wait staff, and any incidental charges.

Can Collette Vacations book our airline reservations?
Collette Vacations is happy to assist you in accommodating your flight needs. Due to tour scheduling and limited availability you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of Collette's air packages. We are not responsible for air arrangements you have made on your own. On occasion, it is necessary to change tour dates. In this case, we can only protect air reservations booked through Collette Vacations. For all air reservations, it is strongly recommended to reconfirm flights before departure, in the event that the airline has an unexpected schedule change. We cannot assume responsibility for schedule changes, routings or flight cancellations involving the airlines.

Are airport and hotel transfers available?
Roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers are provided FREE for all passengers who purchase airfare through Collette Vacations. These transfers are available on the first and last day of the tour date and do not apply to pre and post night stays.

Passengers who do not purchase airfare through Collette can purchase transfers at an additional cost of $100 per person, round trip. Some restrictions may apply.

Do you accept late bookings?
Tour sales normally close 7 days prior to departure. All late bookings are on request and must be guaranteed with a credit card if within 60 days of departure date. A late booking fee of $25.00 may be assessed to cover express mailing of documents and other expenses incurred.

Do I need a Passport?
A valid Passport is required for trips outside the USA. We strongly recommend that you have a valid passport (with six month validity) for all travel outside the United States. You are strongly urged to contact the appropriate consulate for additional details.

What is the difference between a twin room and a double room?
A double room is designed to accommodate two people, but may not have two separate beds. A twin bedded room has two separate beds of any size, and is the type most commonly utilized.

Do you rotate seats on tours?
Seats are rotated on board the coach for all Collette tours under the direction of the tour manager. So that we do not show partiality among passengers, exceptions cannot be made.

What size is a triple room?
A triple room is the same size as a twin bedded room and beds will accommodate three people; but we cannot guarantee that there will be three separate beds. If there are only two beds, a rollaway may be requested but cannot be guaranteed due to size of room and fire codes.

Can I extend my tour to see more of a region?
Yes! You may enhance your tour with either an extension, offered on select tours, or by purchasing pre/post hotel stays.

Extensions may be "hosted" rather than escorted. When hosted, passengers will be greeted upon arrival by a local tour manager who will provide all included services, and be available on-call during the duration of the extension. A minimum number of passengers may be required to operate some extensions. Extensions not purchased at time of deposit are subject to availability and applicable charges at time of request. Collette also offers pre and post hotel nights before and/or after a tour for you to explore the destination independently. Should you purchase additional nights, please be advised that your tour manager will not be available during this time.

Would my tour date ever be changed?
Collette Vacations reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason. Should this happen, Collette Vacations will make every effort to protect you on another departure date and if an alternate cannot be found, a full refund will be made. Air booked through Collette Vacations will be protected. We cannot be held responsible for other air arrangements.

Should you decide to change your reservation after initial booking, a handling fee of $25 per transaction will be charged for any alteration made to a reservation (including name changes). Revisions to air tickets are subject to the rules and regulations of the airline and fare type purchased and rates vary. A change of tour date or tour itinerary within the guidelines of the cancellation policy will be treated as a cancellation and regular cancellation fees may apply. See Cancellation Policy.

Where do I meet my tour manager?
Your tour will begin at your first hotel. The tour manager will make contact with you at the hotel and will provide details relating to your tour. The hotel address and phone number will be included in your documents.

How can I be best prepared for the pacing and physical requirements on a Collette tour?
Tour pacing varies by itinerary, as each destination, its sightseeing and activities are unique. Pacing is often subject to personal interpretation, however at Collette we do include the best a destination has to offer, enhancing your overall tour experience. For overnight pacing of a tour, please refer to the "Your Itinerary" section on each tour page. This describes the number of nights you will stay in each hotel during your tour. The day by day descriptions will provide additional detail about the number of activities included in each day. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. For your comfort, we recommend packing walking shoes so you fully enjoy every aspect of your vacation.

Do I need to be a member of Smithsonian to take a Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures tour?
Yes, all Smithsonian Associates are invited to join our tours. If you are not currently an Associate you will be mailed the Smithsonian membership form with your pre-departure information packet. The membership fee is $29.00 USD per family. In addition to unique travel opportunities, Associates also receive the following benefits:
12 issues of Smithsonian magazine.
Discount of 10% at Museum shops and on catalog purchases.
Personalized membership card.
Advance notice for seminars and events in your area.
Free admission to The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in NY.

What exactly is your cancellation waiver?
We have the best cancellation waiver in the industry-period. You can cancel your trip up until the day prior to departure for any reason - sickness, change of heart or any reason whatsoever-and you will receive a full refund, minus the small cost of the insurance. That's a cash refund, not a voucher or certificate. There's no risk when you book with Collette.

But isn't it expensive?
Not at all! Let's say you were planning to take our Italian Vistas tour for 13 days. The land-only waiver is just $170 per person. That breaks down to about $13.07 a day-just a little over eight euros! The land and air waiver is only $30 more. That's airplane peanuts compared to the peace of mind you'll enjoy.

Plus, you're covered on tour.
Our cancellation waiver and insurance plan covers you on tour. If you have to stop your trip or return home early, need medical assistance or evacuation, suffer a baggage loss or delay; or are delayed on tour for 12 hours or more, you're covered.

CANCELLATION WAIVER & INSURANCE PLAN
Exception: If you originally purchased non-refundable airline tickets, the Waiver does not provide a refund for the airline tickets, taxes or fees in the event of a cancellation or a return transportation benefit if you must return home early. The air waiver does not cover medical evacuation or additional expenses associated with a medical emergency.

The Waiver Fee does not cover any single supplement charges which arise from an individual’s traveling companion electing to cancel for any reason prior to departure. In this case, the single supplement will be deducted from the refund of the person who cancels. Division of this charge between the two passengers involved is solely their responsibility. If insufficient funds are deducted from the canceling client, the traveling client will be charged the remaining portion of the single supplement.

Payment of the Waiver Fee (if chosen) must be received by Collette Vacations with your Deposit. The Waiver is non-transferable and valid for each applicant only.

Collette Vacations can assume no responsibility for and cannot be held liable for any wrongful, negligent or unauthorized acts or omissions of any travel agent or travel agency other than that of Collette Travel Service, Inc. itself, and its own employees.
SCHEDULE OF COVERAGES MAXIMUM BENEFIT AMOUNT
PART A – Benefits Provided By Collette Vacations
Pre-Departure Cancellation Fee & Unused Services Waiver Up to Trip Cost

PART B – Benefits Provided by the Insurance Company Listed Below
Accidental Death & Dismemberment $25,000
Accident & Sickness Medical Expense $25,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation $50,000
Travel Delay (Maximum of $100 per Day) $1,500
Baggage and Personal Effects $2,000
Baggage Delay $200

PART B CONDITIONS & LIMITATIONS Certain exclusions and limitations apply and are detailed in the Certificate of Coverage. For example, coverage does not apply to: any sickness or condition of you, a Traveling Companion or an Immediate Family Member traveling with you that existed during the 60 days prior to the effective date of the coverages (this exclusion is waived if your plan payment is received by Collette Vacations within 7 days of your initial deposit/payment for your trip and you are not disabled from travel at the time your plan payment is received), suicide, normal pregnancy, war or any act of war, mental or nervous disorders. A Traveling Companion is defined as a person booked to share accommodations in the same room with you during your trip. Sickness or injury must require care by a Physician and must commence while the Travel Protection Plan is in effect for you. This plan does not cover a loss that results from an illness, disease, or other condition (of you, an Immediate Family Member, Traveling Companion or Business Partner), event or circumstance which occurs at a time when this plan is not in effect for you.
Part B of this plan is underwritten by: Stonebridge Casualty Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio 464-03

Where to Present Part A Claims
To request a refund under the Cancellation Fee and Unused Services Waiver, please send any unused
airlines tickets (only if purchased from Collette Vacations), a doctor’s note or medical documentation and a written request to:

Collette Vacations
ATTN: Customer Service Department
162 Middle Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
If cancellation occurs prior to departure, contact the Collette Vacations Reservations Department.

When a client cancels prior to departure any due refunds are processed through the booking agent. Agent commissions are not protected if cancellation occurs prior to departure.

All Inquiries and Claims under Part B should be reported to the Plan Administrator:

Trip Mate*
9225 Ward Parkway, Suite 200
Kansas City, MO 64114
Tel: 800-888-7292
*In CA, dba Trip Mate Insurance Agency

CANCELLATION WAIVER & INSURANCE PLAN PRICING (Per Person)
Land Only Clients
$30 for all domestic escorted tours under 6 days
$110 for all domestic escorted tours of 6 days or more
$110 for all international tours 9 days or under (except cruises, Canadian Rockies Train Tours, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa & Egypt)
$170 for international tours 10 days or more (except cruises, Canadian Rockies Train Tours, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa & Egypt)
$195 for all Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa & Egypt
$205 for all cruises and Canadian Rockies Train Tours
When purchasing pre and post night accommodations, including optional extensions, the number of days will be added to the total number of tour days, and may subsequently alter your waiver fees. Please confirm with your reservation agent at time of booking.

Air Inclusive Clients (air is purchased through Collette Vacations)
$60 for all domestic escorted tours under 6 days
$140 for all domestic escorted tours of 6 days or more
$150 for all international tours 9 days or under (except cruises, Canadian Rockies Train Tours, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa & Egypt)
$200 for all international tours 10 days or more (except cruises, Canadian Rockies Train Tours, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa & Egypt)
$225 for all Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa & Egypt
$235 for all cruises and Canadian Rockies Train Tours
The Cancellation Waiver fee with air can only be purchased by individuals who have purchased air through Collette Vacations.