FAQ's

When you travel with a group, you are choosing a way that has proven very popular with tourists for reasons of savings, convenience and confidence. You can have peace of mind knowing our agents will take care of all the planning and administrative tasks. You also have the opportunity to share this experience with others. Not only is it enlightening and educational to hear other viewpoints but any strong and lasting friendships have been fostered between people who met and traveled together on a group tour.

To reserve your spot on one of our tours, you will need to complete a registration form and submit your non-refundable deposit.
There are two ways you can go about this:

1. Complete the online registration form, you will need to go to the applicable tour page and click on the "Book Your Tour" button, fill in the requested information, and submit payment. All our current tours will be listed on our International Tours page under the Group Tours Tab.
2. Download or print the registration form linked on the tour page (please note these are specific for each tour). These can be mailed to the address noted towards the bottom of the page. 

Once we receive your deposit & registration we will send you and official registration confirmation. 

When preparing to travel internationally you want to make sure your all travel documents are in order.  You will want to ensure you have a valid passport, visas (if required), and inoculations (if required).
 

If you already have a passport, check the expiration date. American passports are valid for ten years from the date of issue, your passport must remain valid 6 months past your return date.  If your passport has expired or is set to expire prior to, or during your travel dates, you will need to begin the renewal process. If you do not have a passport you will need to apply for one.

This process can often take weeks, sometimes months, so you will want to begin the process as soon as you are able. 

For more information on renewing or applying for a passport visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

You will receive an itemized statement from us periodically which will have a balance due date of 45-90 days before departure. Wilcox Travel accepts installment payments and also makes available payment by credit card. Since we cannot send out final tour documents and tickets before payment is received, please send in the balance when requested.

It is the policy of Wilcox Travel to have advanced seat assignments from the airline.  Some airlines do not give individual seat assignments for groups only a block of seats for the group.  On motor coaches it is recommended that passengers rotate so that good seats are shared by all.  Likewise, when dining, you will be expected to join your group in the room or area reserved for you.  Individual preferences for dining companions must be exercised within that limitation.

Wilcox Travel reserves the right to substitute hotels of equal or better grade for those mentioned in the brochure or on final documents. Where a change is known prior to departure, you will be notified if possible.

We may be able to match you with a compatible roommate, but we cannot guarantee that shared-room requests can be met. Important: If, for any reason, shared-room arrangements are not possible, each tour member will be subject to the single room supplement charge.

Wilcox Travel is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to your belongings. We recommend taking out insurance to cover such items as: trip cancellation, emergency medical, baggage, travel delay, missed connection and 24-Hour hotline. For specialized travel arrangements, the small premium for complete travel insurance is an excellent investment.  It is important to remember that Medicare, Medicaid and some personal health insurance policies are not valid overseas.

Remember to “Take only half the clothes you think you will need and twice the money.”  Wilcox Travel allows its tour members to bring one standard-size suitcase per person.  Remember that a group’s luggage must all fit on your motor coach.  In addition, you can have a carry-on. Remember, porters are not always available as planned; occasionally you may be required to help handle your own luggage.  Do not take more than you can manage by yourself.

How much money you should take depends on how much is included in your tour price.  Most Wilcox Travel tours are fairly all-inclusive so that all you need to purchase are beverages and maybe a few meals.  After that it depends on how much shopping you intend to do.  A general guideline is $50 per person per day.

Wilcox Travel programs are primarily designed for sightseeing, not shopping.  However, we do recognize that shopping is a fun part of the travel experience, and some opportunities will be made available.  Local guides, street vendors and other merchants will use all sorts of “friendly persuasion” techniques to get you into certain shops.  If you are interested, fine.  If not, do not let yourself be pressured.  Shopper beware!  Since we are not in the shopping business, Wilcox Travel does not recommend any shops and are, therefore, unable to intervene if anything goes wrong.  Our agents may recommend shops, but it is difficult for them to follow up if your merchandise does not arrive, or is broken, etc.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself from illness overseas is to make sure you start off healthy.  Most hotels have excellent doctors on call.  Do not expect them to be cheap, but they are available and competent.  (Keep your receipts-if you took our accident/illness insurance, you could file for reimbursement on your return from your trip.)

Temperatures are usually reported in degrees Centigrade.  On the Centigrade thermometer, freezing is 0 rather than 32, as on the Fahrenheit thermometer.  100 degrees Centigrade is boiling and corresponds to 212 degrees Fahrenheit.  To compute Fahrenheit, multiply Centigrade by 1.8 and add 32; to compute Centigrade, subtract 32 from Fahrenheit and divide by 1.8.

Occasionally, the land portion of your tour may be extended or curtailed because of unforeseen changes in transportation schedules.  There may also be other instances in which changes become necessary or advisable.  A complete program as indicated in your brochure is provided.  Admission fees are included, and English-speaking local guides will accompany the tour.  When scheduled features are not available for any reason, your Tour Host will try to reschedule the itinerary or arrange a substitute.

To get the most out of touring with a group, you should anticipate a tight, sometimes demanding schedule, with early morning departures and late arrivals the rule rather than the exception. Each day will be different, of course, but activity usually follows a pattern.  Typically, you will be up about 7:00 a.m. to allow time to dress and possibly pack if you are moving on to another city.  There may be even earlier calls depending on flight schedules. After breakfast in the hotel, you assemble with your group to board your motor coach for local sightseeing of the city and area.  Please be prompt.  Punctuality is a must.  Don’t keep your guide and the group waiting.  Arrive a few minutes before the scheduled time.